Letter: Jehovah's Witnesses' work speaks for itself

A recent headline in the Times Herald-Record read "Huge developer pays tiny tax bill.” To many people the word "developer" has a commercial connotation; however, Jehovah's Witnesses are the opposite - a religious, non-profit organization.

In 240 lands more than eight million Witnesses conduct some nine-and-a-half-million free home Bible studies with groups or individuals. The education provided in their meeting places (Kingdom Halls) - used by more than 115,000 congregations worldwide - is open to the public and also free. They publish nearly one-and-a-half-billion bibles, books, magazines and other bible study aids each year, in more than 700 languages. Those publications are not for sale, but are made available as part of an educational work supported by voluntary donations. Through these studies, meetings and publications, the Witnesses help millions to lead a morally clean life, to be law-abiding citizens and to honestly pay all taxes that apply. They are also known for their international disaster relief work. All these efforts are coordinated from a central location - their world headquarters, presently in Brooklyn, in the future in Warwick.

Since communities greatly benefit from these activities, isn't it reasonable that exemption from property tax is legally granted? Authorities and courts upholding this principle are to be commended for their insight.
Jan Crans
http://www.recordonline.com/