Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry
I would preface what I have to say by the lack of transparency regarding LSM finances leaves open allegations of impropriety even if brothers were careful to avoid any entanglements. Since there is no transparency, Sal's taped conversation with Witness Lee is as close to evidence of impropriety as there is in North America.
Say for example the property on Ball Road was indeed a gift from a wealthy Chinese brother on which the LSM/Church in Anaheim building was completed 1976/1977. Suppose Witness Lee decided to sell the property prior to the structure being built with free labor and give the proceeds to his sons, I'd have no problem with it.
However when thousands of brothers and sisters across the earth tithe money to their localities. Their localities in turn give money to LSM. In turn Witness Lee directs LSM to give money to his children. That I would have a problem with. Many brother and sisters being deceived LSM is for the churches and for the Lord's move on the earth when in fact it is used as a family enterprise under the guise as a non-profit religious entity.
Now that is disgusting. Even more disgusting are brothers who knew about it and looked the other way. Whatever happened to the money from North America intended for the Linko project in Taiwan?
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Just within the last year, various
Local Churches of Witness Lee in Southern California all donated money to purchase a camp. I heard that the purchase price was in the $8-10 million range, with part of that coming from donations, part of that from the proceeds of a sale of an existing camp, and the rest from loans. I also don't have a problem with anyone donating time/labor/money for such purposes, but the concern that came to my mind is ownership. Real estate is lucrative. Especially when the initial investment and subsequent improvements come free. It's not the local churches who end up participating in a collective ownership. It is a particular publishing house, likely through some type of front organization. That is a scam. They reap the benefit of those who are willing to freely give without a second thought.