AS, As you note a religious institution is considered charitable by nature, even if they do not do "charity" at all. What good did FLDS do? Nothing got done until allegations of abuse came out.

I really do not think you have a legal leg to stand on, but I wish you luck.

BTS

Apparently, other countries (Not the U.S.A.) have felt that Watchtower is not a
beneficial religion.  I don't have the data, but there have been countries that want
to rule that the JW's are a destructive cult or at least not a legitimate charity or
religion. 

As pointed out though, in the U.S, there is no necessity that they do more than
advance their religious ideas.  They don't have to be viewed as a positive contribution
to the community by a majority because the courts will be liberal in their application
of the law.

Still, grass roots beginnings sometimes amount to something.  The pendulum is
swinging toward dislike for these "religious" groups and anyone that teaches
hate (JW's hate homosexuality and interfaith and politics). 

I would challenge the claim that the organization even does any real relief work as
a charity.  They ask the members to donate to the worldwide work when a disaster
strikes, then they send the RBC to organize the totally volunteer group.  I say they
make more money than they spend on relief.  Most of the food and equipment is
donated by members, all of the labor is free.

Medical care for their Bethelites- Well, if you make it up the ladder.  Now, a claim can
be made that they take advantage of younger workers and dismiss them before they
cost money in healthcare.  Eventually, successful lawsuit will overwhelm them on that.

Eyes Open! Thanks. I hadn't thought of that as a cost (donated funds) issue, but I think that would be appropriate to the extent that they publish (monetary costs) this sort of societally destructive pressure.

And thanks, OTWO, I had not considered those aspects of the relief work. I will have to research that out more thoroughly. I was pretty much tossing the scant and highly selective offering of medical services in as sardonic humor. I like the "hate message" angle.

Okay, that's a good start. Anyone else?

Thanks,
AuldSoul

Thanks, MJNM. I would definitely want to know how much money goes to the organization from bequeathments. I'm not sure how to even begin finding out the specific situations in specific bequests, but I will check into it.

I think we need to consider the origins of these United States. Remember that many of the colonies were formed by people fleeing religious persecution in Europe. That'sat least a large part of why the American attitude toward wacko religions is more tolerant (in a "hands off, let 'em do their thing" way) than that of the Europeans, who can simply revert to their old way of dealing with different ideas.

While I think that is part of the reason, I wish it was otherwise. I wish that the secular authorities would permit whatever silly spiritual beliefs and practices a person wanted but keep a cold, unblinking eye on the pyhsical consequences of those spiritual beliefs and actions. Thus, charitable works would be encouraged, and religious filicide would not.