I know this has been asked here before, but isn't there some way to compel the society to give an accounting for where all the money goes. The congregation "Accounts Report" is useless information that makes some "think" they are being given this information. Because beyond that level, why would you even think of questioning it?
For the past few years, I have been working with different non-profit, some faith-based (very loose designation), groups who actively DO SOMETHING for people in need. They post their annual reports and pie-charts for public examination - how much to infrastructure, how much for advertising, how much for fund-raising, etc, and finally HOW MUCH TO HELP THE PEOPLE, and HOW they helped. Why isn't the WT subjected to similar scrutiny? How can they possibly be considered a non-profit charitable organization? They only take care of their own, and that only as long as it suits the group. Their concern and care for any others only goes so far as trying to get them to join the "group".
During Katrina, the report was that the most assistance came from church groups, NOT JWs only, but from OTHER church groups too. The rebuilding in many devasted and impoverished parts of the world is done by volunteer groups, like Habitat Humanity and the Salvation Army. They help to give people back their dignity and a hope for tomorrow, not of a nebulous paradise earth someday, but of believing they will have a roof over their heads and food to eat. NOW.
So, don't tell me about them paying the Bethelites they defrauded. There is no amount of money that can ever compensate any of us for what they took from us. Those people who were promised a lifetime of room and board should get just that and nothing less. A class action lawsuit might be just the thing to get them to start dumping some of their precious real estate and making some restitution.
I know that JR Brown recently said (I heard it myself) that they do not believe that they are inspired by God - makes me wonder if those guys ever "talk to each other". But, having heard that, it might not be too preposterous to imagine that someday they may also say "We're sorry". NOT.
