i was doing some research on the taxable status of money being gifted to co’s and travelling missionaries and was surprised with what i found.
i had assumed that it was not taxable income in australia.. it is taxable income in australia and it‘s likely that the same rules apply in some other countries.. a registered religious institution only receives tax free status on donations because they have been endorsed by the australian tax office.
travelling overseas and missionaries are not in this category.. there’s a tax ruling that goes into great detail.
I have no idea how much they got per visit, but I know my mother always tried to give the traveling overseer $20 whenever they were spending the week at our congregation, and I am sure she is far from the only one.
Whether they declared any of it, or how they handled it tax-wise, I have no clue.
i have been engaging in bible study with my bible study conductor for the past two years.
i am on lesson 48 of enjoy life forever book and it is only a matter of time before i complete lesson 60 which is the final lesson.
my bible study conductor informed me today that once i complete lesson 60, i won’t be receiving any more studies as i have been given all of the information that i need to make a decision.
Fallen_Winter: How will I navigate life without spiritual support?
Surely the JWs are not the only source for Biblical study and spiritual support in your area. Are there no other churches in your area? You might find people who would be happy to study/read the Bible with you and have discussions without the implied (or stated) obligation to become a full member or be cut off.
looks like the wt got one prediction right!
actually, it just proves that the governments really are god's minister.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkuaxwi4hey&ab_channel=fixingmyfaith.
Deregistration of a religious association – which would be a first in Czechia – does not mean a ban on practicing the religion, but the loss of additional rights given to officially recognised churches, including the legal status and possession of a bank account, the ability to perform marriages, or to teach in its own theological schools.
This is the worst possible fate for the organization. The primary restriction is financial. They can continue to meet, pray, and preach. But raising funds won't be as easy. And it's not the same kind of persecution as being banned. They are being asked to stop certain policies, which will make people more aware of those practices.
More governments need to do this. You can practice your religion, but it's not as easy to raise money, and your flaws will be put on blast.
the july 2025 watchtower has a paragraph that claims that it was the superior power and wisdom of jehovah that guided the gb into allowing jws to grow beards.. the study article is ‘can you still learn from basic bible teachings?’ under the subheading ‘jehovah is the creator’ paragraph 7 states-.
“ 7. what did rahela do to accept a change in direction?.
your answer.
Ron W: I hate the way they try to include 'Jehovah' into every pathetic facet of their lives..
...unless it is something that went wrong, and then they remind us that unforseen circumstance may befall us at any time. They never come to the realization that Jehovah sure is fickle.
alot of my witness friends were excited sisters can now wear pants and you can say hi to disfellowshiped folks but what about important stuff child molesters in the congregation you need 2 witnesses blood fractions are fine but not whole blood????
607 bce is from the 1880s wrong....anything else?
Maybe the reason we celebrate birthdays is because we like to get together and party. I mean, holy crap, what kind of an organization makes you justify wanting to have a good time with some friends/family? lol.
Perhaps nothing shows how deep the mind control goes than the way so many JWs accepted the blame for 1975. My mother always has insisted that the organization only ever said that we had to remain vigilant and made no statements that could be read as predictions or definitive statements about the end. Many JWs adopted this view even when they had read those statements and heard those talks.
https://www.thereflector.com/stories/washington-legislature-passes-bill-to-make-clergy-mandatory-reporters-of-child-abuse,378913 .
It should be pointed out that nothing stops a person, clergy or otherwise, from advising victims to report such crimes. The authorities are not limited by the two witness rule and have much more robust forensic tools and investigative approaches than a layperson does.
And, of course, if the general attitude was to report such crimes instead of worrying about tarnishing the organization's image, you could also make it a clear policy that this should always be done. Then, it becomes less of an issue whether the clergy should prioritize privacy over the safety of children.
the july 2025 watchtower has a paragraph that claims that it was the superior power and wisdom of jehovah that guided the gb into allowing jws to grow beards.. the study article is ‘can you still learn from basic bible teachings?’ under the subheading ‘jehovah is the creator’ paragraph 7 states-.
“ 7. what did rahela do to accept a change in direction?.
your answer.
If you believe that growing a beard was once a disfellowshipping offense, you might be a Jehovah's Witness!
the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.
each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.
we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.
The amount of resources they have put into this issue must be staggering. I wonder... would those hospital liason committees even exist if not for the need to make sure JWs don't get blood transfusions? I am guessing 'no.'
