POLICY CHANGE IN
LITERATURE DISTRIBUTION
JIMMY SWAGGERT AND THE
WATCHTOWER
SOCIETY
Why did the Watchtower Society change its literature distribution
program in 1990, eliminating set prices for literature items? Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Governing
Body instituted a "simplified" arrangement. Few know the change really took place because Jimmy
Swaggert lost his case in court.
In a February 25, 1990 letter to congregations, the Society
explained the new policy this way:
"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."
However, this is the REAL explanation:
- Early 1980 - The state of California informs Jimmy Swaggert Ministries that tax is due for religious
books and tapes sold in the state since 1974. Swaggert eventually pays the tax - $183,000 - but sues for a
refund. The case begins moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
- February 1989 - The U.S. Supreme Court rules that it is illegal for Texas (and 14 other states) to
exempt religious books from sales tax. Some states had been taxing books all along.
- Summer 1989 - The Watchtower Society gives away "free" books released at U.S. conventions.
Witnesses are instructed to place donations in contribution boxes to cover the costs.
- June 22, 1989 - The Watchtower Society files an 'amicus curiae' ("friend of the court") brief with
the U.S. Supreme Court in the Jimmy Swaggert case. Others filing similar briefs include the National
Council of Churches and the Society for Krishna Consciousness.
- January 17, 1990 - The U.S. Supreme Court rules against Jimmy Swaggert Ministries, declaring
that the sales tax must be paid.
- February 9, 1990 - The Watchtower Society writes a letter to all congregations announcing that
literature will no longer be sold at Kingdom Halls and no price will be set for door-to-door distribution.
- February 25, 1990 - The February 9th letter from the Society is read at the Sunday meetings of
Jehovah's Witnesses across the United States.
- March 1, 1990 - The new policy of distributing literature without naming a price goes into effect.
- March 11, 1990 - An announcement is made at Kingdom Halls in the U.S. that food will be
available at no cost, on a freewill donation basis, at Society conventions.
CONCLUSION:
The Watchtower Society reverses its literature distribution policy in
order to avoid being taxed.
The April 1, 1990 Watchtower on page 20 says
concerning Jehovah's Witnesses:
"They do not dodge taxes or
seek to evade inconvenient laws."
The timing of this statement is just too close to the previous events
to be believable!