Srecko Sostar

In a "real word" people should be careful and have critical thinking about "food" placed/offered by their leaders. Leaders in WTJWorg are not completely honest in their intentions and plans. Their theological doctrines and other maneuvers in the “real world,” past and present, are proof that they cannot be trusted.

In a "real word" people should be careful and have critical thinking about "food" placed/offered by their leaders. Leaders in WTJWorg are not completely honest in their intentions and plans. Their theological doctrines and other maneuvers in the “real world,” past and present, are proof that they cannot be trusted.

Its all about Money,Money!

google translation from article in Sweden, - https://www.expressen.se/dinapengar/jehovas-vittnen-kraver-25-miljoner-av-staten/
25 000 000 SEK = cca 2.400.000,00 EUR (2.800.000,00 US Dollar)
 
Jehovah's Witnesses demand 25 million from the state
Published 9 Jul 2020 at 17.00
 
Jehovah's Witnesses have been denied state funding for several years. 
Last year, the government overturned the decision - and now the organization is demanding SEK 25 million in compensation. 
After being denied state subsidies twelve years in a row, the government last year approved the organization as eligible to receive grants for denominations. 
The reason was a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court which ruled that the practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - such as denying blood transfusions - do not in themselves constitute sufficient grounds for denying state subsidies. 
Requires SEK 25 million
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their rights under the European Convention have been violated. 
Jehovah's Witnesses are now applying for damages of nearly 25 million in compensation for the years without support, as evidenced by documents produced by News Agency Siren. 
The claim, which has been sent to the Chancellor of Justice, applies to both financial and non-pecuniary damage. Jehovah's Witnesses also include legal costs to claim their case.

- google translation, part of Croatian Law on the Legal Status of Religious Communities
I do not know the status of the JW church in Croatia on this issue.
Article 17
(1) A religious community acquires funds:
- income from its property,
- from the profits of companies which hold shares or stakes,
- performing charitable, educational, cultural, artistic or other general useful activities, and selling religious publications or souvenirs,
- from the provision of religious services,
- from inheritance and gifts,
- from voluntary contributions (in money, services or works) of natural and legal persons.
(2) Religious communities shall be granted funds from the state budget, the annual amount of which shall be determined depending on the type and significance of its religious buildings (cultural, historical, artistic, etc.), and on the activities of the religious community in educational, social and health care. and the cultural field and its contribution to national culture, as well as the humanitarian and community service of the religious community.
(3) Dedicated support may be granted to a religious community from the state budget and the budget of local self-government units and the budget of regional self-government units, especially for the construction and renovation of religious community facilities.
 

UPDATE 
https://nltimes.nl/2020/08/30/dutch-govt-launches-hotline-sexual-abuse-jehovahs-witnesses
DUTCH GOV'T LAUNCHES HOTLINE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
 
The government is expanding the 'Break the silence" hotline of Victim Support Netherlands so that there is a special hotline where victims of sexual abuse within the Jehovah's Witnesses can get the help they need, Minister Sander Dekker for Legal Protection announced. The Jehovah's Witnesses refused to set up its own, low-threshold internal hotline, so the Minister decided to do so himself.
"I expect every community or organization to do everything possible to combat sexual abuse and to help and support victims. That is not happening with the Jehovah's Witnesses and I find that extremely bad," Dekker said. "That is why we are reaching out now and victims from this community will soon be able to contact the 'Break the silence' hotline of Victims Support Netherlands. Victims are entitled to professional help and a listening ear, it cannot be that they run into a wall of reluctance."
The government agency for scientific research WODC investigated sexual abuse and the willingness to come forward in the Jehovah's Witnesses, following calls from Foundation Reclaimed Voices to do so, and concluded that there is evidence that coming forward is complicated by the closed nature fo the community. The WODC said it was essential for a low-threshold hotline to be created, and the government is doing so now after repeated instructions to the board of the Jehovah's Witnesses to create such a hotline were ignored. 
Link to article at top of this comment.
I do wonder if Almighty God is using worldly leaders / governments to 'sort out' the CCJW. 
God used worldly nations to punish the Nation of Israel and to destroy Jerusalem. 

Again, I am not singling you out, but just your words, "unrighteous riches".  I wonder, do these riches become "righteous" if used for "Jehovah's organization"?  
I also wonder why the WT even refers to the use of “unrighteous riches”, since the parable reveals that the “manager” who is “shrewd” with “unrighteous riches” is called a “dishonest manager”.    (Luke 16:1-13)
 “And the Master praised the dishonest manager, because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are shrewder than the sons of light, with regard to their own generation.”  (Luke 16:8)
Do we compare the GB to the “manager” in this parable, or one of the “sons of light”?  They are the GB, after all, managers of an organization.  And, they have also placed themselves above all anointed ones, as stewards/managers over God’s household.  Yet they reject any spiritual “riches”/food from God's priests, that they “owe” the Master (Luke 16:5); which certainly would not be considered “unrighteous” if they were to listen and obey Christ.   
It appears that the GB prefer “unrighteous riches”, both in the terms of money, and in the terms of their own selfish lust for power over Jesus’ servants. They have, without Christ’s approval canceled out any spiritual dept the anointed each must “pay” to the Master upon his return. (Luke 17:10)  How? By teaching that a “faithful steward” over God’s household,  is the only source of spiritual food.   You see?  The anointed are not allowed to offer their personal spiritual food, which is their obligation to the Master.  Instead, they are beaten back from doing so, by the presence of the elder body who have the authority to keep them quiet and apart from one another – which benefits who?   JWs?  Not in the least.  They have no clue what “truth” may have been revealed by the cohesiveness of the anointed Body working together under Christ and his Spirit.   (1 John 2:27; 1 Cor 12:11,25)
Cancelling out the debt the anointed have toward their Master benefits those in power, both the GB and the elders.   It preserves their authority over all God’s priests, and every JW.   (1 Cor 4:8; Mark 10:42-44)
The “sons of light” though, would be focused only on the Kingdom, and not on the riches and burdens of “organization”, or the riches of holding power over another.   (1 Thess 5:5)   Their only motivation would be on heavenly things, on doing God’s will in the manner of “sacrifices of praise”.    You see, the sons of light are not as “shrewd” as the dishonest manager, who knows all about “unrighteous riches”.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Col 3:1,2 
That’s pretty hard for the GB to accomplish when they are immersed with “things on the earth”, chasing after money, muscling their way to the forefront  to receive the same riches another religious organization may receive; and then squandering it away instead of helping victims of abuse, abuse resulting from poor “management”.  They challenge the court systems, they challenge the victims.  They are so far from practicing God’s righteousness, it is sickening. 
Because the Master praises the dishonest man for his use of “unrighteous riches”, does this mean he’s safe with God? 
“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous riches, so that when it runs out they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.”
 If the GB were ever to humble themselves before their anointed brothers and sisters, and “make friends” with the Body of Christ by allowing them to bond under Christ;
by allowing the anointed to be independent and free to listen to their Master;
to offer their priestly sacrifices as expected of them; (1 Pet 2:5,9)
by realizing they are all equal before God, and treating them as such;
then those who are “sons of light” would then recognize what a true honest steward would do for the spiritual house of God.  (Eph 2:20-22) And under those circumstances, just maybe, if the GB were to lose all riches, both monetary and that of recognition of power and authority, the “sons of light”, sons of the Kingdom, would receive them into the “eternal dwellings”. 
But these men do not have a humble bone in their body.  Jesus gave us parables that address the situation with the anointed today, because he knew what God’s priests would face in the last days, under the rule of a wicked steward.  (Matt 24:48-51)
 
 
https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2015/01/is-wicked-steward-real.html

Why is all of this okay with JWs? 
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.
But you, O man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, gentleness."
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be proud and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things richly for enjoyment, 18 to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, sharing freely, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, in order that they may take hold of what is truly life."  (1 Tim 6)
The foundation we store up for the future has nothing to do with money! It has nothing to do with building huge complex communities, or procuring power over others.  (Matt 6:20; Phil 3:18,19)
From one month, maybe from one day, to the next, the WT pursues riches, to pursue its desires;  and JWs fork it over. 
This isn't how one follows in the footsteps of Christ.  
 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-women-crime-trfn/netherlands-wants-to-punish-silence-on-sex-abuse-in-closed-communities-idUSKBN25O2IV
AMSTERDAM (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Dutch government wants to prosecute members of private groups and communities who fail to report sexual abuse in their organisations, a move that comes after Jehovah’s Witnesses rejected demands to tackle the under-reporting of abuse.
A 2019 report commissioned by the government to investigate sexual abuse involving Jehovah’s Witnesses found few cases were being reported to police, but group leaders dismissed calls for change and said they were being discriminated against.
 
Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker said the reluctance to change had spurred him to analyse how a law that punished organisations for failing to report sexual abuse could be structured.
“This makes it clear to me that the leadership (of the Jehovah’s Witnesses community) does not see or does not want to see the gravity of the situation. The leadership is leaving vulnerable victims out in the cold,” he said in a letter to parliament published late on Thursday.
Victims of sexual abuse in the Netherlands have the same right to access help, care and justice, regardless of which community they belong to,” he added, promising a progress update on the potential legislation later this year.
Link at top of page to full report.

But not to pay compensation to VICTIMS of Child Sexual Abuse in the CCJW.  Oh why are you people so blind !
Jesus makes it so clear that true Christians should let themselves be wronged regarding material things, not make demands on governments for compensation, then refuse to pay compensation to VICTIMS that they have wronged. 
If you cannot see the hypocrisy here it is because you are being blinded by the Devil. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
And Tom's comment about JWs are already doing them, and yes, they do resolve the problems he details.
This is so laughable it's not even worth a serious reply. In your dreams Tom  

I suppose that "unrighteous wealth" should be achieved by working with one's own hands, "by the sweat of your brow", and not by suing  in the courts. :))

No, you don’t have to explain anything; although you’ve just cemented the fact that no Holy Spirit is needed to run the WT.  It only needs people.  And money.  Just like all the other “worldly” religious organizations, right?
 

Does God, who supposedly guides this organization need any monetary rectification or equality with other religions?  Or, is it men who demand rectification and equality?    
When did Christ’s kingdom become part of the world? 
 “My kingdom doesn’t belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. My kingdom doesn’t have its origin on earth.”  John 18:36
The “followers” of the organization which has its origin on earth, fight for the organization - on all levels.  They are not fighting for Christ, who has no interest in material possessions, including money.  So, why is this fight by “Jehovah’s organization”, for worldly funds from a government, a positive action?  JWs will reason that its rights as an organization must be upheld.  That’s fine, for an organization in the world.  But Christ and the Father cannot be linked to the world, no matter what the GB might tell their "sheep".  
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 16 because everything that is in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance of material possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.”  1 John 2:15-17
To the WT organization, money carries more clout than Holy Spirit.  
 
 

Yeah, small country with diversity of climates, terrain configurations, mountains, lowland, sea, and more :).
We are, most often, short with time, life time, money, willingness to do changes, preoccupied with worries and with a uniformed everyday life.  

Money is strong magnet and people rarely can resist at his call. 

Money is strong magnet and people rarely can resist at his call. 

Neither religion is no longer what it used to be. :))

Good points. WTJWorg made excuses that they have no "institutional settings" for redress scheme in Australia. Also they have no "institutional settings" to announce public apologize for wrongs they done in handling CSA or any other cases. Shameful explanation.
If JW organization is not able to make "institutional settings" that missing now, it is fascinating to hear that this modern, advanced organization with so many Departments and Helpers is not ready and in capacity, competence to produce settings for victims, own members and former members. Such massive and global administration, supposedly backed by God and founded on spiritual values are not ready to face this need. Funny.  

google translation from article in Sweden, - https://www.expressen.se/dinapengar/jehovas-vittnen-kraver-25-miljoner-av-staten/
25 000 000 SEK = cca 2.400.000,00 EUR (2.800.000,00 US Dollar)
 
Jehovah's Witnesses demand 25 million from the state
Published 9 Jul 2020 at 17.00
 
Jehovah's Witnesses have been denied state funding for several years. 
Last year, the government overturned the decision - and now the organization is demanding SEK 25 million in compensation. 
After being denied state subsidies twelve years in a row, the government last year approved the organization as eligible to receive grants for denominations. 
The reason was a ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court which ruled that the practices of Jehovah's Witnesses - such as denying blood transfusions - do not in themselves constitute sufficient grounds for denying state subsidies. 
Requires SEK 25 million
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their rights under the European Convention have been violated. 
Jehovah's Witnesses are now applying for damages of nearly 25 million in compensation for the years without support, as evidenced by documents produced by News Agency Siren. 
The claim, which has been sent to the Chancellor of Justice, applies to both financial and non-pecuniary damage. Jehovah's Witnesses also include legal costs to claim their case.

Lawsuits Among Believers
6 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
What "spiritual leaders" need to be, to have to be classified as competent to judge trivial cases? What are "trivial cases" is about? Murder? Child molestation? No matter are cases "trivial" or not, "spiritual leaders", as Paul gave idea, have to be "competent to judge". To be competent, one need to be educated and experienced in using this education and knowledge of specific subjects that including people and things.
Even over, Paul gave strong suggestion how to deal with "internal lawsuits" without so called "legislative" of any sort, "biblical" or "secular". Give up of your rights and give up of compensation for damage from your "brother". Whether WTJWorg and their spiritual leaders give up of "their rights" from "secular authorities"? Whether any JW member should give up and cancel any damage made by "worldly people"? Paul gave "principle idea". To give up and to be "wronged" and "cheated". If JW member are ready to behave in such manner inside own society of fellow witnesses, how more JW member should show same "faith" in front of "unbelievers"? Matt 5 said: 
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
 
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
Jesus and God were/are "heavenly authority" who put Romans on position of power. And they put them on that position according to "heavenly legislative", if we can said this way. We can assume how God expecting from people to learn and understand "divine law". Why any would think how God, who put them on position of "secular authority" to correct and punish all people, not just "worldly" people but also "christian people" aka JW members, would not be interested that people learn about "secular law" too? Because "secular law" is from God, according to Romans 13. If "secular authority" have legalism and legality established by God himself, than their "laws" have it too. :))
With Jesus you put focus, it is obvious how he, as "spiritual leader", knew what "secular law" said about taxes or any other legal issue. It is clear from what he said that people need to know what "belong" to Caesar for purpose of knowledge and for purpose to be able to give obligated things to "secular authority". 
And for the sake of "balance", God gave people possibility to act according to "personal conscience". And to obey or disobey all sort of regulations, inside "biblical legislation" or inside "secular legislation". This is sort of first "human right" from time of Adam and Eve.
Of course, we need to be in reality and said this too. All this 3 sort of instruments; divine, secular and inside law are susceptible to spoilage.
And because of that, speaking from position of "faith", God in his grace was, is and will help all sort of people according to his judgement.   
So many things are "relative" and our/mine theological discussion too. :))    

I wish everyone could witness the majesty of a redwood tree, and of a grove of the giants.  
What is pretty incredible, is that your small country, Croatia, has an abundance of National Parks from what I understand.  Pictures I have seen of their beauty,  are awesome.  🙂

This is amazing. Wonderful place and time you had.

https://www.econotimes.com/Why-freedom-of-religion-will-likely-not-trump-public-health-interests-with-a-future-COVID-19-vaccine-1590782
This week, three leading Australian religious figures have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlining ethical concerns they have with the potential COVID-19 vaccine being developed at Oxford University.
The three Sydney archbishops are concerned the vaccine utilises a cell line derived from an aborted foetus.
A number of existing vaccines use cells originally taken from aborted foetuses. While the use of these cells is considered ethical by most standards, this does not alleviate religious concerns about the practice.
 
Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, provided for under the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
However, this freedom is not unlimited. Under article 18 of the UN covenant, these rights may be limited in the interests of public health. It reads:
Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
While the potential Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine may “raise serious issues of conscience” for some religious groups, the interests of public health are likely to outweigh any freedom of religion concerns.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is Australian (I think) but it seems to say that Freedom of Religion can be 'removed' or ignored if a government feels that such 'freedom' causes a danger to others. And if the Covid-19 vaccine is really made from 'dead babies' then I think it would cause a problem in the CCJW. 

For sake of discussion. Old Jew Law written by Moses consisted of many legal acts, paragraphs. People who were supposed to deal with the problems of the nation and individuals needed to have a very good knowledge of the law and how the law should be applied in a particular case. So, it is normal to accept the reality of the fact that such "spiritual leaders" were in a way "lawyers", because a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, and its application, meant one thing: the implementation, the administration of justice.

What kind of "spiritual leaders" would be those who do not know the law and all the applications of the paragraph in that law. So, “spiritual leaders” had to study, think, and discuss the law with themselves and with other “spiritual leaders”. Therefore, we can conclude that these people were forerunner, part of a system, called today by a special vocabulary - “lawyers”.
"Biblical legislation," both that of the past and that which is related to Christianity, is based on "spirituality." This would mean that “spiritual leaders” do not have one role, for example to deal with questions of celebrated birthdays, holidays, whether 144,000 is a literal or symbolic number, whether a Christian is allowed to have a tattoo, whether Michael is Jesus Christ or not, and so on. “Spiritual leaders” prescribe and enforce decisions about the behavior of their members.
The behavior of the members is sometimes inconsistent with the "biblical legislation", and sometimes it is also inconsistent with the "secular" legislation. “Spiritual leaders” should be well acquainted with both types of legislation. For “secular” legislation is related to God’s decision, and explained in Romans 13. For the same reason both classes of people, “spiritual leaders” and “church members” must submit to “secular” legislation. And “spiritual leaders” since they are “leaders” to their “members,” then they must guide them not only through “biblical legislation” but also “secular” legislation. That means being a “leader”.

For sake of discussion. Old Jew Law written by Moses consisted of many legal acts, paragraphs. People who were supposed to deal with the problems of the nation and individuals needed to have a very good knowledge of the law and how the law should be applied in a particular case. So, it is normal to accept the reality of the fact that such "spiritual leaders" were in a way "lawyers", because a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, and its application, meant one thing: the implementation, the administration of justice.

What kind of "spiritual leaders" would be those who do not know the law and all the applications of the paragraph in that law. So, “spiritual leaders” had to study, think, and discuss the law with themselves and with other “spiritual leaders”. Therefore, we can conclude that these people were forerunner, part of a system, called today by a special vocabulary - “lawyers”.
"Biblical legislation," both that of the past and that which is related to Christianity, is based on "spirituality." This would mean that “spiritual leaders” do not have one role, for example to deal with questions of celebrated birthdays, holidays, whether 144,000 is a literal or symbolic number, whether a Christian is allowed to have a tattoo, whether Michael is Jesus Christ or not, and so on. “Spiritual leaders” prescribe and enforce decisions about the behavior of their members.
The behavior of the members is sometimes inconsistent with the "biblical legislation", and sometimes it is also inconsistent with the "secular" legislation. “Spiritual leaders” should be well acquainted with both types of legislation. For “secular” legislation is related to God’s decision, and explained in Romans 13. For the same reason both classes of people, “spiritual leaders” and “church members” must submit to “secular” legislation. And “spiritual leaders” since they are “leaders” to their “members,” then they must guide them not only through “biblical legislation” but also “secular” legislation. That means being a “leader”.