| Contributing or donating to *anything* other than the WTS has as long as I can remember, has been the way it WAS. ALL $$$$$ that a JW may care to send, is most often designated for the "worldwide preaching work" and where it actually GOES or how it is actually SPENT is only a guess at best.The unknowing and unsuspecting JWs have no "say" where THEY might like to see their money go. The many costly lawsuits against the WTS in defending the child molestation cases (for instance) comes from these donations from the "brothers". It has been known to use these donations for "preaching work" in ways that the JWs cannot imagine. The harmless generic label of "worldwide preaching work" is, as per usual for the WTS----*sounds good* on the surface, but in reality, is used to cover the sins and actions of many unsavory practices and people.The WTS is always very careful to keep its public image supposedly squeaky clean, but it has as many (if not more) flaws and hidden factors as the rest of them do. They are no different in that respect. Yes, I am sure too, that they will come up with glowing stories for the JWs to feel good about and to tell others about far and wide, as the WTS has always been known to do. Nothing changes.Generally, the congregations of different churches DO have a headquarters or a head base where they can find instructions on where to send what they can to storm-ravaged and emergencies that periodically arise throught the world.How often do we see and hear of reports of even little ones selling cookies or lemonade for raising funds to donate to these causes? How many teens have car washes for the same purpose? How many places have "walks" to raise funds for different charities? AND......how many "organized" local groups of JWs do anything of this nature to show their support of their fellow man? I have NEVER heard of ONE example of this EVER! It makes the WTS look as if it doesn't GIVE a hoot about anything but the WTS and ITS interests. LOOK at the people coming forth on TV who are opening up their homes (for an unknown period of time) and doing other things of a truly generous nature! I have not herad of ONE of these where the religious persuasion of any needy individual has been asked, have you?The WTS has always played its cards close to the chest and appear very "anal" and stiff-necked. The fact that sporadic examples of JWs have been moved to donate their money to the Gulf States cause is admirable, but the WTS, in its usual stoic way, sits there in its ivory tower, seemingly untouched by *any* plights in the world they LIVE in! |