Articles 
| The Watchtower Way of Laundering Money |
| Written by Sam Muramoto |
| Wednesday, 11 March 2009 09:28 |
Previous to a major policy change in 1990, Watchtower literature was distributed at what was termed a "specified contribution" price for each item. Witness canvassers (called "publishers") bought their literature supplies from the congregation and then resold these from door-to-door. All monies were then remitted to the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
The new policy announced in 1990 detailed a complete donation basis for literature. It was now to be supplied without charge to congregations, but contribution boxes are placed by the counter for donations from the publishers, supposedly to cover the cost of printing and distribution. In the field, donations for the items are solicited, but are supposedly not necessary in order to obtain books and magazines. Such donations received from the public are then to be brought back to the Kingdom Hall and sent to the Society.
What was the motivation for these changes? The Society's answer was that less paperwork would be needed and the literature could be more easily distributed.
"By adopting a method of literature distribution based completely on donation, Jehovah's people are able to greatly simplify our Bible education work and separate ourselves from those who commercialize religion." (Letter from the Watch Tower Society to all U.S. congregations dated February 21, 1990.) The second reason given about `separating ourselves from those who commercialize religion' alluded to the real reason for the Society's change in literature distribution. Just one month before the new policy was announced, the Society watched how the Supreme Court ruled in California Board of Equalization vs. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. California wanted to assess sales taxes on the sale of books and tapes and other items by Swaggart's ministry. The Watch Tower Society filed amicus curiae (a friend of the court legal brief) in support of Swaggart's position, that a religious organization should be exempt from such taxation. On Jan. 17, 1990, just a little over a month before the Society's change in policy, the Supreme Court ruled against Swaggart and permitted taxation. The Society's new policy avoided any liability for taxation by taking the financial transaction out of the picture (donations cannot be taxed).
The new policy was primarily a tax dodge. The side benefit to the Watchtower was that they received monies TWICE for the items, if all went as planned: Perhaps a dollar or two for a small book when you picked up the literature from the Kingdom Hall, and if you received a donation for the book from the householder, you were required to bring this back to the Hall and deposit it as well. (Hmmm..., something's fishy!)
The Society's letter outlining the new policy took great pains to emphasize that the donation policy was not a subterfuge for continued specified prices. The claim was made that "we will not suggest a specific donation." (Letter dated February 9, 1990.) Yet a subsequent letter gave instructions on how to suggest the old prices for Watchtower and Awake! subscriptions:
"It may be that the subscriber will ask how much is expected. The publisher should inform the subscriber that the making of a donation or the amount of such is entirely up to the subscriber. The publisher may inform the subscriber that some have donated $5 and others $10 or more, but the amount is left up to the subscriber. Whether or not a donation is made the subscription will be renewed ... If it turns out that a subscriber does not make a donation, as Jehovah God's fellow workers we have the opportunity to support that work, depending on our circumstances." (Letter dated February 21, 1990)
Here the WT Society is telling Witnesses to suggest $5 or $10 for subscriptions, which is the previous rate. Interestingly, the Society also suggests that if Witnesses can't collect that from the public, then the Witnesses themselves have the opportunity to donate to cover for the public.
So what happens when people currently write in to the Society asking for literature?
Apparently, literature, including magazine subscriptions, can rarely be obtained through the mail any longer. Even renewal notices for return mail are no longer sent, the householder being informed that they must obtain all materials through their local Kingdom Hall. Even at Watchtower headquarters in New York, only two or three items can be requested at a time from the Society's Furman Street literature counter. The Society's literature is free, but only in limited supply.
More recently, attempts to obtain the Watchtower's new CD-ROM computer disk (containing all of their publications on electronic media, some back to 1950) have yielded interesting results. Because the May 1994 Our Kingdom Ministry (p. 7) "suggests" a price of $25 or $50, though not in so many words, publishers are often requiring a minimum payment, sometimes up front, before they will order the CD-ROM disk. In one case, the JW is demanding $40 before he will place the order! It seems that Witnesses are taught to be more and more deceptive as time passes, which is merely a reflection of their mother (the organization).
Apparently, their recent significant drop in income, coupled with the failure of rank-and-file Witnesses to donate funds sufficient to their liking for materials received "free" has caused the Watchtower to make the following statement in the November 1996 issue (p.3) of their in-house bulletin entitled Our Kingdom Ministry:
Share With Others According to Their Needs contributed by Sam Muramoto
Additional notes:
It is interesting how they have even "raised the price" of a number of items! They appear be suggesting a donation of $50-100 for the CD-ROM instead of $25 to $50, and $40 for reference works such as Insight on the Scriptures. Since their costs of producing CD-ROMs could not exceed two dollars each (probably closer to $1), one wonders who they are trying to deceive.
One investigator sent in a donation to the Watchtower "equivalent to that once specified" for some literature, just to see what would happen. A letter, and an additional card was sent back. The letter was a "thank you" letter acknowleding a donation, but containing no hint as to any literature involved. But the card sent with it stated, "We are pleased to inform you that your request for Bible literature has been honored and will be mailed seperately." Using this technique, the WT feels they are going to avoid legal complications. Time will tell as to whether the State of California decides to reopen the case with regards to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
reprint from the Jun/Aug 1995 Free Minds Journal with additional notes made on 12/8/96
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Comments (12)
  written by Sue , July 28, 2009 Why doesn't everyone order masses of stuff not pay for any of it and dump it all in recycle bins - Maybe they would go bust report abuse
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 written by tiana808 , October 25, 2009 NO matter what you say or what you do...JW's is the only religion that is backed by our all powerful and supreme God in the Universe. No one can rid Jehovah's people. Many have tried and failed time and time again and his organization continues to grow. The WT society has never made contributing a burden for any of God's people or those that are learning. I personally know of a friend who has to give part of their pay check each pay day to their church. Jehovah's Wittness have never done such a thing. Its all about equalizing and the bottom line is you give your best to Jehovah (which is between you and him only). report abuse
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 written by Rebel , December 18, 2009 You need to get a life Muramoto.. The real life...You have no clue..You just assume you know,but really, you're a LOSER....and probably an apostate... report abuse
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 written by cw payne , December 28, 2009 Dear Tiana808. Jws are backed by the very same old god that backs all religions and ideologies that man can scheme-up. That god appears as an angel of light to JWs just as it appears to those of other religious doctrines. That god is the "god of this world". report abuse
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 written by Santa Claus , December 30, 2009 Dear Tiana- If you have a friend that tiths (mormon), wouldn't that "friend" be considered "worldly"? NO NO NO, now you know you cannot do that. You may want to go to the elders for associating with an unbeliever! ahahhah- you are out of your mind and I feel sorry for your pathetic existence. Who cares about the money making schemes, why don't you research mind control, culling, shunning, the back room and perverted elders grilling women about their unfaithful husbands. report abuse
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 written by Damaris , January 17, 2010 You got to be kidding me... I am definitely an apostate (also born and raised in that religion) BUT truth be told JW's never ever sold literature to whomever - it was always on a donation basis. Dear Mr. Muramoto, please in future do a thorough search before posting uncorrect articles. Thank you. report abuse
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written by C. Payne , January 21, 2010 Mr. Damaras. Yes, in the early 70s the literature [current ones] were offered [not free really] but for a contribution of 5 cents or more depending on the current literature being placed. If the person [household] claimed they didn't have the nickle the publisher would leave an older issue, contribution free. Publishers always had plenty of older issues they had failed to place in earlier field service. The publisher paid for the literature at their Kingdom Hall when he/she was stocking up for field service. The Watchtower and Awake cost like 2-3 cents each. Of course the little tracts were always handed out free to the household with the publisher baring the cost. report abuse
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written by C. Payne , January 21, 2010 Dear Tiana808. Wrong! The Watchtower Society has always wanted money and something else much more valuable, of which without there would be no money nor would there be a Watchtower Society. That's, your mind and your time. Your soul! That's what keeps all religions ticking. report abuse
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 written by Kenneth R. Hough , February 04, 2010 Mr. Muramoto has information not accessible to the general public. I think that speaks for itself. You apparently misinterpret what you have seen - perhaps an over zealous literature servant. I have gotten the CD-roms every year and most of the time I have not specifically contributed anything for them. Also, I remember when the price for literature change was made, I wanted to make a suggestion of what the former charges were, but was always rebuffed. 'There will be no suggestions made.' There is never any pressure put on publishers to contribute more. We are informed of costs and it is left at that. What kind of world do you want to live in? What we have today - war, murders everyday in our big cities,rampant immorality, disgusting joking, and on and on? Or peace, love, joy everywhere, people helping one another? The Bible teaches those things, and as Jehovah's witnesses, we are honored by our Maker to share those thoughts with others. If you apply these teachings in your life you will find great joy. True, not everyone who claims to be a servant of Jehovah truly is. And when they commit an obvious act opposed to Jehovah's will, it will stumble some people. Please, be careful not to get sucked into that trap. Learn what the Bible really teaches God's people, then make up your own mind. (Jehovah will deal with these evildoers in his due time.) Jehovah's blessings to all honest hearted ones. report abuse
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written by Kenneth R. Hough , February 04, 2010 About the whole concept of 'Free Minds': unfortunately, that is what Eve used instead of keeping Jehovah's mind on things. That has brought every single bit of suffering this world has ever seen including death itself. How sad! 'For the thoughts of you people are not my thoughts, nor are my ways your ways is the utterance of Jehovah.' (Is45:  cool Sadly, that won't happen before Armageddon. report abuse
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written by Kenneth R. Hough , February 04, 2010 I don't know where that emoticon came from. That should read Is 45:8.(that's Isaiah for those unfamiliar with the Bible) READ THE BIBLE DAILY. report abuse
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 written by Gary Grano , February 24, 2010 It all comes down to people, the condition of their heart. Just as there is no sharing between light and dark, there is no sharing between fear and love... As simple as I can state it, fear is selfish and love is selfless but as people are complicated also are intentions. If a perfect act of fear is black and a perfect act of love is white, judge yourself, as to what shade of grey would you color yourself. Answer that in your heart because it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of you, any effort to control your act is just that, an act, an illusion. We are our own judges and we do this through other people. This is your judgement day... write down everyone you know who comes to mind. Arrange them in a circle around you, now, your final judgement? It's not what they think of you, it is what you think of them. If you are feeling less than perfect than consider this an opportunity for personal growth. report abuse
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