See the Watchtower crumble to dust under the weight of its own words!
This is part three of a three-part article. If you haven’t done so yet, please read parts one and two first. In this, our final chapter, we’re going to get serious and determine once and for all who is the liar. If you’ll stay with me–and put forth a little energy and thought–by the end of this article you will know the answer.
It turns out that our task will be pretty easy, because the easiest liars to identify are those who tell lies habitually, or have a long record of writing or speaking falsehoods. You can often catch them contradicting themselves so that you know that at least one of their statements must be false.
The Watchtower has made the blanket statement that all those who come to disagree with them are liars. In part two of this series we showed that the evidence they give for this statement is faulty, and in fact proves their blanket statement is itself a lie.
For instance, one piece of evidence the Watchtower gave was that “Apostates accuse Jehovah’s Witnesses of refusing medical care for their children.” Since Jehovah’s Witnesses do, in fact, refuse to let their children have blood transfusions, apostates are not lying in this regard; they are making a true statement. It is the Watchtower that is lying when it calls apostates liars for stating this truth about them.
Now that we have fairly considered the Watchtower’s evidence against us, and answered their charges, it’s time to turn the tables and look at the Watchtower’s own record of truthfulness. This is how we follow the Watchtower’s own method of truth-finding that we praised in part one: by examining both sides.
Below, I have gathered together a sampling of actual statements made by the Watchtower over the years [often paraphrasing their meaning in the table, while giving a reference to the exact citation–just click the question number to view the references.]
You be the judge
But don’t let me influence your decision as to what the record shows: I invite you to be the judge by marking these statements as true or false yourself. And remember: as odd as some of these beliefs may sound, all of them were held as true at one time or another by the Watchtower (as their printed publications prove.) You are not being asked whether it’s true or false that the Watchtower held (or now holds) these beliefs. No; that they held/hold these beliefs is an established fact not under dispute [please consult the references if you have any doubt.] What you are being asked is whether these beliefs are true or false.
Keep in mind that we are holding to the Watchtower standard in determining what is True (as quoted in part one of this series). Heck, it really is such a great quote that I’m going to go ahead and quote it again right here:
Truth does not contradict itself or deny the facts. It does not go contrary to reality… It does not change because of location or time. The truth is provable by actual fact. The truth endures, persists, because it is genuine, actually existing, in harmony with reality.
– Things in Which it is Impossible for God to Lie p. 22
In accordance with the above definition, your answers may be changed to keep you from inadvertently assenting to two contradictory statements.
Watchtower Belief | True | False |
---|---|---|
1. There is no such thing as rabies. | ||
2. It has never been proven that germs cause disease. | ||
3. Aluminum cookware can kill you. | ||
4. Radio waves can cure just about any ailment. | ||
5. You should sleep with your head pointing north in order to absorb Earth's healthful electromagnetic waves. | ||
6. Your heart is literally the source of your emotions, and your personality is in your blood. | ||
7. The fall of Jerusalem occurred in 607 BCE. | ||
8. "The time of the end" began in 1799. | ||
9. "The time of the end" began in 1914. | ||
10. The "Lord's presence" ("parousia" aka "second coming") dates from 1874 "without the slightest room for doubt." | ||
11. The "Lord's presence" ("parousia" aka "second coming") dates from 1914. | ||
12. The great pyramid of Giza is "the Bible in stone." | ||
13. The great pyramid of Giza was built by Satan in order to deceive the faithful. | ||
14. One particular measurement of the pyramid grew from 41 inches between the 1904 and 1910 publication dates of Thy Kingdom Come, in order to comport with the change in dates from 1874 to 1914. | ||
15. 1874 marked 6,000 years of humankind's existence. | ||
16. 1975 marked 6,000 years of humankind's existence. | ||
17. The people living in 1914 (Of an age of understanding–typically given as 10) will by no means have died off before Armageddon comes [they would be 113 years old as of this writing.] | ||
18. The "generation" of MT 25:14 refers to non-believers living in the last days. | ||
19. Russell was the faithful and wise servant of MT 24:45. | ||
20. The Watchtower never claimed that Russell was the faithful and wise servant of MT 24:45. | ||
21. All of the anointed are the faithful and discreet slave of MT 24:45. | ||
22. Only the Governing Body are the faithful and discreet slave of MT 24:45. | ||
23. God lives on the star Alcyone. | ||
24. Millions of people living in 1921 [now over a hundred years old, using the WT’s “age of understanding”] will never die. | ||
25. It was "a certainty" that the ancient worthies would be resurrected in the year 1925. With more evidence than Noah had for the coming flood, and more certainty than the 1914 date. | ||
26. It was only selfish people who read into a probability about 1925 that it was a certainty. | ||
27. The Bible foretold electric cars and the railroad, giving a particular description of the latter. | ||
28. The other sheep are a heavenly class. | ||
29. The other sheep are an earthly class. | ||
30. The door to the heavenly calling closed in 1935. | ||
31. The door is still open, and no one can assign a date to its closing. | ||
32. Although there is no precedent in the Bible, inanimate objects such as Smurf dolls or action-figure toys can become "demonized" | ||
33. Vaccinations are against God's everlasting covenant, have never saved a life, and do not prevent smallpox. | ||
34. Vaccinations are not against God's law and were instrumental in eradicating smallpox from the face of the Earth. | ||
35. Organ transplants are cannibalism, and against God's everlasting covenant | ||
36. Organ transplants are not against God's law. | ||
37. Oral sex between a husband and wife is against God's law. | ||
38. There is no law against oral sex between a husband and wife. | ||
39. A woman who fails to scream while being raped is guilty of fornication. | ||
40. A woman who fails to scream while being raped is not guilty of fornication. | ||
41. The inhabitants of Sodom will be resurrected. | ||
42. The inhabitants of Sodom will not be resurrected. | ||
43. The test of membership in the new world will not be based on menbership in any earthly organization. | ||
44. It is solely in association with the new world society that we can possibly survive into the New World. | ||
45. The Watchtower has never changed its teachings. | ||
46. Jehovah's Witnesses have abolished hatred within their organization. | ||
47. You must loathe, hate, and despise apostates. | ||
48. Apostates often make true points. Some of them sincerely believe in Bible and God. | ||
49. All people who come to disagree with the Watchtower (i.e. "apostates") are antichrist, liars, mentally diseased, helpers of Satan, and haters of God. | ||
50. The Watchtower has proven itself dependable and has never uttered a falsehood: they stand out in the world as "the truth tellers" | ||
Concluding Thoughts
“Mentally Diseased”
The Watchtower calls us “mentally diseased” because we no longer will say that all of the above statements are true and will no longer subscribe to the idea that the source of these quotes is a reliable fountain of truth. But I think if someone came to me and said that they really did believe all of the above, then I couldn’t help but suspect that they were suffering from a mental illness.
“Feeding from the poisonous table of lies”
The Watchtower claims that apostates “cook up wicked reasonings and season their brew with poisonous lies that deceive minds. Their preference is to partake of falsehood at the table of demons.” Sounds pretty awful, doesn’t it? Eating poisoned food could kill you! By way of contrast, the Watchtower also claims that it is in charge of feeding the faithful with the “proper food at the proper time from Jehovah’s table.”
But what does the evidence show?
The facts are these: Those who ate at the Watchtower’s table swallowed the lies regarding vaccination and organ transplants. Those needing these medical procedures put their lives in danger, and some of them died. Where is the evidence that anyone ever got sick or died from listening to an apostate?
When deadly smallpox was rampant, and vaccination was containing it, do you really believe that the message “Vaccination is against God’s everlasting covenant,” was the “proper food at the proper time” to be dispensing? Or does this “spiritual food from Jehovah’s table” (which was later admitted to be a falsehood) sound more like poisonous food which resulted in sickness and sometimes death for those who partook? Be honest now. The poison they are continuing to serve today is that “blood and platelet transfusions are against God’s everlasting covenant.”
The Usual Excuses
Presented with the above facts, a member of the Watchtower religion will probably trot out the standard Watchtower-approved excuses. These excuses are meant to save face by allowing the Watchtower to wiggle out of responsibility for the falsehoods they’ve published. If you’ve been reading the references you’ll already know why these excuses fail. But let’s go over them here explicitly.
Excuse #1. This is old light. All this shows is that “the light gets brighter.”
In the first place, we’ve seen instances where the light does not “get brighter” but flickers on and off. So the Watchtower’s changes in understanding don’t always fit the pattern of a gradual increase in understanding. If you first publish the statement that the inhabitants of Sodom won’t be resurrected, then you publish a statement that they will be resurrected — You could possibly say that the “light got brighter” regarding this matter. But if you subsequently publish a statement that the inhabitants of Sodom won’t be resurrected you’d have to say that the light was on, then off, and then on again: not fitting the pattern of it “getting brighter.” It more closely resembles the pattern of men stumbling around in complete darkness, indiscreetly shouting out what they think they’re bumping into as they flail wildly about: “It’s a bird! No; it’s a plane! No; it’s truth for its time!”
In the second place, “the light getting brighter” can’t excuse lies told about their own history. The “light getting brighter” supposedly applies to understanding of the Bible and God’s plan: not understanding one’s own recent history! You can’t publish the statement that “Russell admitted privately to being the F&D slave,” then publish the statement “Russell disavowed any claim to being the F&D slave” unless someone is lying somewhere. You can’t go and measure the pyramid and publish that its measurement is x and points to 1874; then publish a statement that its measurement is y and points to 1914 without someone lying somewhere.
Finally, this excuse fails because the Watchtower’s own definition of truth states that it “does not change with time.” Therefore “old light” cannot possibly be called “truth for its time.” If truth does not change with time there can be no such thing as “truth for its time;” something is either true or it’s not–without regard to what time it is.
On a personal note: When I was a Witness I was going door to door with the message shown in statement #17, above. Was that the “truth” that I was spreading? No; it was not true that the 1914 generation lived to see the start of Armageddon (as the Watchtower has since admitted.) If I’d stayed a Witness a few years longer I would’ve been spreading the message shown in statement #18, above. Would that have been the “truth”? No; the Watchtower has since repudiated that message, and now claims–incredibly–that “generation” refers to “overlapping” generations. But I left, so I no longer spread the lies that they somehow continue to call “truth.”
Excuse #2. It’s all just human imperfection.
This is a straw-man argument. In asking the Watchtower not to lie we are not asking for perfection. We are merely asking for honesty and integrity. Is that too much to expect from an organization that claims to be “God’s prophet on Earth” and the exclusive source of truth?
Yes, “human imperfection” can cause one to lie and engage in cover-ups to save face. But when an organization has engaged in that kind of cowardly behavior for a hundred years, isn’t it time to give up on them due to their being way below average on the honesty scale?
Excuse #3. This is all taken out of context.
The old catch-all excuse. Yes, these quotes are not presented here in their full context. That’s what makes them “quotes” rather than reproductions of entire magazines and books. So what? If you think that reading these quotes in their full context would change their meaning 180 degrees, then by all means go and read the entire works I have cited and report your findings back to us in the comments section. Enlighten us by all means; we are loyal to the real truth here and will retract anything we may have inadvertently misrepresented.
On a personal note: I was in the Bethel library reading some of these things in their full context when I discovered that the organization I had sworn my life to was a liar. I remember stumbling upon statements 25 and 26 in particular (the 1975 Yearbook was then current) and it came as a huge shock. No “apostate” had lied to me about it; I wasn’t reading “apostate literature;” I held the Yearbook in one hand and had the Watchtower bound volumes laid out in front of me on the Bethel library table — and there was the undeniable lie, clear as day staring up at me.
These quotes are real, people. You can prove it to yourself if you can gain access to the older literature. Then you will see that the context does not somehow change these lies into truth.
Other Excuses?
We’d love to hear them! But until we hear a really good one I think that in all honesty, with the abundance of evidence at hand, we are forced to draw the obvious conclusion that the Watchtower is a lying organization.
References (All citations, unless otherwise noted are from works published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.)
1.The Golden Age, Jan. 1, 1923, p. 214 return
2. “It has never been proven that a single disease is due to germs.” –The Golden Age, Jan. 16, 1924, p. 250 return
3. “[Aluminum cooking utensils are] a curse to humanity and their manufacture and use should be forbidden by law.” –The Golden Age 1932 Oct 26 p.35
The Watchtower waged a virulent campaign against aluminum cookware for decades. A small sampling of their triads can be found at http://middleman777.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/jw-the-watchtower-society-and-aluminum/
In reality, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated: “Exposure to the levels of aluminum that are naturally present in food and water and the forms of aluminum that are present in dirt and aluminum pots and pans are not considered to be harmful.” And: “The FDA considers aluminum utensils, cookware, and packaging to be nontoxic” –Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Aluminum. Atlanta: ATSDR, DHHS (PHS). October 1990. return
4. The Watchtower, through the pages of The Golden Age endorsed the ideas of Dr. Albert Abrams who held that body parts were radio receivers which could be tuned to good health by application of the correct radio waves. A Witness named Dr. R. A. Gamble created the “Radio Biola” based on Abram’s theories. The Biola was featured in a Golden Age article and was offered for sale on the back cover. It claimed to treat “All Chronic Diseases” —The Golden Age, April 22, 1925, p. 479
In fact, the theories of Abrams had been thoroughly debunked in the scientific community prior to 1925. And as for the Radio Biola: the device did nothing at all. Read all about it at: http://www.seanet.com/~raines/biola.html return
5. “Sleep on the right side or flat on your back, with the head toward the north so as to get benefit of the earth’s magnetic currents.” –The Golden Age 1929 Nov 12 p.107 return
6. “The Bible does not speak of a symbolic or spiritual heart in contradistinction to the fleshly or literal heart, just as it does not speak of a symbolic mind, and thus we do not want to make the mistake of viewing the literal heart as merely a fleshly pump as does orthodox physiology today… more significantly, our emotional and motivating capacities are built within it. Love, hate, desire (good and bad), preference for one thing over another, ambition, fear—in effect, all that serves to motivate us in relationship to our affections and desires springs from the heart.” –Watchtower 1971 March 1 pp.133-9
And, if you believe the above is true, get ready for the contradiction new light:
“The ancient Egyptians believed that the physical heart was the seat of intelligence and the emotions. They also thought that it had a will of its own. The Babylonians said that the heart housed the intellect as well as love. The Greek philosopher Aristotle taught that it was the seat of the senses and the domain of the soul. But as time passed and knowledge increased, these views were discarded. Finally the heart became known for what it is, a pump to circulate the blood throughout the body.” –The Watchtower, June 1, 1986, page 15
[They neglected to mention that this realization occurred “in the world” a century or two before “God’s organization on Earth” caught on.]
As for your personality being in your blood:
“The blood in any person is in reality the person himself. …The poisons that produce the impulse to commit suicide, murder, or steal are in the blood. Moral insanity, sexual perversions, repression, inferiority complexes, petty crimes — these often follow in the wake of blood transfusion.” –Watchtower Sep 15 1961 p.564 return
7. “If we follow the accurate timekeeping of Jehovah God as recorded in his Word, we see that the desolation of Judah ran from 607 to 537 B.C.E. and will thereby avoid making the mistake of the chronologers of Christendom who ignore the prophecy of the seventy years’ desolation and date Jerusalem’s destruction as occurring in 587 B.C.E. They limit the desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah to merely fifty years, accepting the unreliable calculations of pagan historians rather than the infallible Word of God.” –Watchtower 1965 Sep 15 p.569
In reality: Jerusalem fell between 586 and 587 B.C. The evidence for this includes more than two thousand dated cuneiform documents, making this one of the surest dates in history. The Watchtower, however, is stuck with this date because it was the mistaken date used in Russell’s time before extensive archaeological research had been done. The date became the basis for Russell’s arriving at his “prophetic” year 1914, which soon became an indispensably critical date in Watchtower doctrine: so much so that the Watchtower finds it necessary to defend it to this day in the face of all the evidence to the contrary. return
8. “The indisputable facts, therefore, show that the “time of the end” began in 1799…” — Watchtower Mar 1 1922 return
9. “…the great sign of the ‘last days’ has been in the course of fulfillment since the beginning of the ‘time of the end’ in 1914.” –-Watchtower, 1 May 1968, pp. 271-72
I guess the “indisputable facts” regarding 1799 were disputable after all.
It’s interesting to note that prior to 1914 that year was believed to be the end, not the beginning of the “time of the end.”:
“The date of the close of that ‘battle’ is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874.” — The Watchtower Reprints, January 15, 1892, p.1355
“We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” — The Watchtower Reprints, July 15, 1894, p. 1677
“The ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Rev. 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership, is already commenced.“–The Time Is at Hand, 1907, p. 101
But as that year was winding down, the backpedaling began:
“1914… We did not say positively that this would be the year.” — The Watchtower Reprints, November 1, 1914, p.5565
So, when the Watchtower says that something “definitely” “will” happen, and is in fact “already in progress” and that they are”God’s dates” rather than their own: then–if their prophecy should fail–we are to understand that they were not making a positive statement!
After 1914 came and went with no Armageddon, the meaning of the year was simply changed to the start rather than the end of the “last days:” assuming the role that 1799 had played–as that date quietly faded from the Watchtower publications.
So, can we write this off as a mistake due to “human imperfection,” the dim early light, and “over-anxiousness for Jehovah’s kingdom to arrive” — as the Watchtower would like us to do? No, we can’t dismiss it this easily even if we wanted to, because the Watchtower has since made the following claims:
“Jehovah’s witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in advance, as marking the start of “the conclusion of the system of things.” –Awake! 1973 Jan 22 p.8 (emphasis added.)
“The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honest-hearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914.” — Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5 (emphasis added.)
The two statements above cannot be excused by “the light getting brighter;” these are statements regarding their own history: something for which they need no light from above to see. There is really only one thing we can honestly call the above statements: deliberate lies. return
10. “Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874.” –Watchtower, January 1, 1924, p. 5
“The time of the Lord’s second presence dates from 1874.” —The Harp of God, 1928 ed., pp. 236, 239-40. return
11. “ “In Matthew 24, Jesus gives His disciples some proofs that He would be present… These tangible evidences will be the beginning of the work of destroying the present evil conditions and systems. This work of destruction began in 1914… If it is true that Jesus has been present since the year 1914, then it must be admitted that nobody has seen Him with his natural eyes.” –The Golden Age 1930 p.503
“Did not Jesus say as much when he spoke of his second presence in these ‘last days’?…Christ Jesus has been present since 1914 and witness has been given of the signs that prove it, but the veil will not lift from the sightless ‘eyes of understanding’ of humanity’s majority till his power is revealed in Armageddon’s fury” –Watchtower, 15 January 1950, p. 22
Hmm…In hindsight, it looks like we maybe should’ve left a little room for doubt about the 1874 date after all!
Evidently Jesus’ “presence” has no discernible effect if “God’s organization” can think he’s present for 40 years and then discover that he was not really there at all! According to the Watchtower, the “second coming” — looked forward to by Christians for millennia — turns out to be a non-event.
Abandoning a “truth” such as this seems fairly significant. The Watchtower, in effect, said: “You [false] Christians were all expecting a visible second coming, but trust us; we discovered that it has already occurred invisibly! Trust us, Christ is present, he has come again… trust us he’s present, he really is, though only we recognize the fact–which makes us pretty special!” They repeated this claim over and over again for more than half a century in issue after issue, lecture after lecture, and in publications ad nauseum. Then they simply shrugged their shoulders and said: “Oh, he wasn’t present at all for those forty years from 1874 to 1914. But he is present NOW: trust us; we have a revised date!”
In yet another lie regarding their own history, the Watchtower claims that the change in understanding from the 1874 date to the 1914 date was not made until 1943, although the evidence [see the quote above from the Golden Age] shows that the change was made in 1930:
“In the year 1943 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published the book ‘The Truth Shall Make You Free.’ In its chapter 11, entitled “The Count of Time,” it did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his invisible presence or parousia. –God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached 1973 pp. 209-210 return
12. “The Testimony of God’s Stone Witness and Prophet, the Great Pyramid in Egypt… seems in a remarkable manner to teach, in harmony with all the prophets, an outline of the plan of God, past, present, and future…” — Thy Kingdom Come (1903 edition), p.313
“In the messages of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh the agreement of one or two measurements with the present-truth chronology might seem accidental, but the correspondency of dozens of measurements proves that the same God designed both pyramid and plan.” –Watchtower 1922 Jun 15 p.187 return
13. “It is more reasonable to conclude that the great pyramid of Gizeh, as well as the other pyramids thereabout, also the sphinx, were built by the rulers of Egypt and under the directions of Satan the Devil… Then Satan put his knowledge in dead stone, which may be called Satans’ Bible, and not God’s stone witness.”–Watchtower 1928 Nov 15 p.344 return
Above: The same measurement of the stone pyramid is miraculously found to have grown from 3,416 inches to 3,457 inches in order to match the changed Watchtower belief about the “time of the end” starting in 1914 rather than 1874! return
15. “Here we furnish the evidence that from the creation of Adam to A.D. 1873 was six thousand years.” –The Time Is At Hand 1915 ed. p.39 return
16. “In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man’s existence and also the first 6,000 years of God’s rest day come to an end? The year 1975” –Awake!, October 8, 1966, p.19 return
17. “Some of the generation that discerned the beginning of the time of the end in 1914 will still be alive on earth to witness the end of this present wicked system of things at the battle of Armageddon.” –Watchtower, 1 May 1968, pp. 271-72 return
18. “Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term ‘generation’ as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics. … Therefore, in the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy today, ‘this generation’ apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways.” –Watchtower 1995 Nov 1 p.20 return
19. “Pastor Russell… admitted in private to being that ‘Faithful and Wise Servant.’–Watchtower 1/12/1916
“THE WATCH TOWER unhesitatingly proclaims Brother Russell as ‘that faithful and wise servant.'” –Watch Tower 1917 Mar 1 p.67 return
20. “From this it is clearly seen that the editor and publisher of Zion’s Watch Tower [Russell] disavowed any claim to being individually, in his person, that ‘faithful and wise servant.’ He never did claim to be such” –God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached, 1973, p. 346 return
21. “The abundance of spiritual food and the amazing details of Jehovah’s purposes that have been revealed to Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are clear evidence that they are the ones mentioned by Jesus when he foretold a “faithful and discreet slave” class” –Watchtower 1964 Jun 15 p.365
“Witnesses of Jehovah understand that the “slave” is comprised of all anointed Christians as a group on earth” –Watchtower 1981 Mar 1 pp.24 return
22. “In keeping with Jesus’ pattern of feeding many through the hands of a few, that slave is made up of a small group of anointed brothers who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food during Christ’s presence . Throughout the last days, the anointed brothers who make up the faithful slave have served together at headquarters. In recent decades, that slave has been closely identified with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” –Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.22 return
23. “Alcyone, then, as far as science has been able to perceive, would seem to be the ‘midnight throne’ in which the whole system of gravitation has its central seat, and from which the Almighty governs his universe.” –Thy Kingdom Come (1903 edition) p. 327
“Pleiades is the place of the eternal throne of God” –Reconciliation 1928 p14
[Alcyone is a star-system in the Pleiades open cluster.]
Unfortunately, after having proclaimed their “truth” about having found God’s throne, the Watchtower subsequently lost it:
“Pleiades can no longer be considered the center of the universe and it would be unwise for us to try to fix God’s throne as being at a particular spot in the universe.” –Watchtower 1953 November 15 p.703 return
24. “Proof Conclusive that Millions now Living will never Die” –Subtitle on cover-page of the 1921 book The Harp of God
“Based upon the argument heretofore set forth, then, that the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die.” — Millions Now Living Will Never Die pp.89-98
Interestingly, the Watchtower taught that those “millions” were non-believers. At that time they still held to Russell’s idea that the “great crowd” was a heavenly class, and that all non-believers would survive Armageddon into the new world and there be taught the truth:
“[Bible Students] Understood that people then living–mankind in general–had the opportunity to survive right into the time of restitution and that they would then be educated in Jehovah’s requirements for life. If obedient, they would gradually attain to human perfection. If rebellious, they would, in time, be destroyed forever.” –Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom p.163
But the Watchtower misrepresents their own history in the following quote:
“The ‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die’ slogan applied only to the ‘great crowd’ of ‘other sheep,’ mentioned in the Scriptures at Revelation 7:9 and John 10:16, whose destiny is an earthly paradise.” –Watchtower 1963 May 15 p.294 [emphasis added.]
Recently they’ve begun to reuse the slogan “millions now living will never die,” though now they mean only the 7 million Jehovah’s Witnesses. For more on this, please see: http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1925.php return
25. “We may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old … 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of the reconstruction.” — Millions Now Living May Never Die, pp. 89, 90, 97
“We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925.”— Watchtower 1922 p. 147
“Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith then Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge.” –Watch Tower 1923 Apr 1 p.106
“The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914” — Watchtower 1924 Jul 15 p.211 return
26. “The end of 1925 is about here. Some had expected to see the work of the church in the flesh completed this year. Probably this expectation has been induced somewhat by the desire to end earth’s journey of toil and to sit at ease in glory. If so, then is there not a measure of selfishness in such a desire and expectation?”–Watchtower 1925, p. 259 [emphasis added.]
“1925 was a sad year for many brothers, some of them were stumbled; their hopes were dashed. They had hoped to see some of the ancient worthies resurrected. Instead of being a “probability” they read into it that it was a “certainty.”–1975 Yearbook, p. 146 [emphasis added.]
Now, according to the Watchtower, 1925 was lumped together with 1914 as dates for which they had “no doubt whatever” (Watchtower 1922 p. 147). And 1925 was “more clearly marked in Scriptures” than 1914 (Watchtower 1924 Jul 15 p.211). Since 1925 was a total failure, what does that logically do to our confidence in the 1914 date? return
27. “The railway train has been in use less than a hundred years; and yet the prophet of God many centuries ago gave a clear and particular description of the railway train and the manner of its operation, and prophesied that the same would be in vogue at the time of the end (Nahum 2:3-6). And he also foretold that at that time there would be a great running to and fro by other means of transportation, such as automobiles, electric cars, etc. (Daniel 12:4)” –The Harp of God 1921 ed. paragraph 18
Rutherford used the above statements as “proof” that the Bible was inspired by God. But someone must’ve clued him in that this was quite a stretch, so he toned it down a bit in the 1928 edition of the book, removing his embarrassing interpretation of the passage in Nahum as being a railroad [crossed out, above]. You can see this for yourself by consulting non-apostate online editions of the book at:
- http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12868/12868-h/12868-h.htm (the 1921 edition, transcribed by volunteers at Project Gutenberg)
- http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/harp/harp1.html (the 1928 edition, transcribed by a Jehovah’s Witness — http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/reason.html)
28. “… all the facts and the scriptures bearing upon the matter under consideration show that those who form the great multitude constitute a spirit class, born on the spirit plane.” –Watchtower 1927 15 Jan pp.19-20
“They believed that if these who were said to be of the great multitude were faithful at that time, they would be resurrected to heavenly life–not to rule as kings but to take a position before the throne.” — Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom pp.160, 161 return
29. “At the end of May of that year [1935] a five-day convention of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses was in session… the president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society discussed the subject of ‘the great multitude,’ spoken of in Revelation 7.9-17, Authorized Version. He made it clear that the ‘multitude’ was no spiritual or spirit begotten class, would not attain the angelic nature in heaven so as to assist the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ. It was a distinctly an earthly class with hope of endless perfect human life in the earthly paradise under Christ’s kingdom” –Holy Spirit, 1976, p. 156 return
30. “Logically, the calling of the little flock would draw to a close when the number was nearing completion, and the evidence is that the general gathering of these specially blessed ones ended in 1935.” –Watchtower 1995 Feb 15 p.19 return
31. “Thus it appears that we can not set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends.” –Watchtower 2007 May 1 p.31 return
32. “Sometimes, after a spiritist dies, a surviving relative unwisely takes the household effects of the spiritist into his own home, with tragic consequences. False religious pictures and symbols have also been implicated. … One under demon attack should calmly, not in hysteria, investigate his house and household articles. In some few cases the house may be the cause of trouble and the best thing to do is move out. Some demons delight in haunting a place. But if a house has a clean history, instead of moving out, investigate objects in the house…. Get rid of every vestige of demonism…. One must be absolutely free of any relics of spiritism, so as to allow the demons no beachhead…
“A vital question to ask if one experiences trouble with the demons is: Have you accepted any gifts from relatives or persons who dabble in spiritism? Any kind of article from such a person can cause trouble. In some actual cases it has been a radio, a sewing machine, a pair of shoes, jewelry, a ‘good luck’ charm, a bathrobe, a blanket, a book…
“Sometimes keeping a letter from a spiritistic relative has brought trouble. Some persons have reported gaining relief by burning letters from relatives who dabble in spiritism. … However, sometimes objects through which demons make contact resist burning, indicating demonic anger at efforts to destroy them. … Persist in your efforts to get rid of suspicious objects and relief in some measure usually follows.”–Dec 15 1966 Watchtower
“Then one day the husband noticed that his wife had a chain around her neck to which was attached a wedding ring that had belonged to her grandmother, who had been a spiritist. So they got into their car and drove down to the water’s edge, and soon out over the water sailed the ring. What a surprise they both had at that moment! For as the ring left the thrower’s hand a voice was heard crying, “Ah . . . aah . . . a-a-a-h” until finally the ring hit the water and there was silence. Now there is peace in the home of this couple.” –June 8 1970 Awake!
See also: the “Jehovah’s Friend” (aka “Sparlock”) video: http://junkdrawerofthought.blogspot.com/2012/06/this-is-sparlock.html
Also: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080729103848AApj0FU
And, of course JWB’s own contribution to the topic: http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/funnies/the-evil-ted/ return
33. “Vaccination never prevented anything and never will, and is the most barbarous practice…We are in the last days; and the devil is slowly losing his hold, making a strenuous effort meanwhile to do all the damage he can, and to his credit can such evils be placed…Use your rights as American citizens to forever abolish the devilish practice of vaccinations.”–The Golden Age 1921 Oct 12 p.17
“Thinking people would rather have smallpox than vaccination, because the latter sows the seed of syphilis, cancers, escema, erysipelas, scrofula, consumption, even leprosy and many other loathsome affections. Hence the practice of vaccination is a crime, an outrage and a delusion.”–The Golden Age, May 1, 1929, p. 502
“[Vaccination is] a direct violation of the everlasting covenant God made with Noah after the flood… Vaccination has never saved a human life. It does not prevent smallpox.”–The Golden Age, February 4, 1931, pp. 293-294 return
34. “…all objection to vaccination on scriptural grounds seems to be lacking.” —–Watchtower, Dec. 15, 1952 p. 764
“There can be little doubt that vaccinations appear to have caused a marked decrease in contagious diseases, including smallpox and polio.”–Awake!, August 22, 1965, p. 20
Was this just another mistake due to “human imperfection?” No; this one was serious enough to probably have cost some lives. Furthermore, the Watchtower once again failed to apologize or admit its mistake. In fact, they lied about it by stating that they had ever held any other view:
“Previous articles in this journal and its companion, The Watchtower, have presented a consistent position: It would be up to the Bible-trained conscience of the individual Christian as to whether he would accept [vaccinations] for himself and his family.”–Awake! 1993 Aug 8 p.25
For more details on this, please see: http://smmcroberts.net/blog/putting-it-all-in-context/ return
35. “…removing the organ and replacing it directly with an organ from another human… Those who submit to such operations are thus living off the flesh of another human. That is cannibalistic. However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others.”– Watchtower, 11/15/1967, p.702 return
36. “Regarding the transplantation of human tissue or bone from one human to another, this is a matter for conscientious decision by each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some Christians might feel that taking into their bodies any tissue or body part from another human is cannibalistic. . . . Other sincere Christians today may feel that the Bible does not definitely rule out medical transplants of human organs. . . . It may be argued, too, that organ transplants are different from cannibalism since the ‘donor’ is not killed to supply food.”–Watchtower, March 15, 1980, p. 31
So, between 1967, when organ transplants were “cannibalism,” and 1980 when they were not, faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses in need of organ transplants (such as Delores Bussleman) died. All for a lie: a falsehood perpetrated by the Watchtower as it posed as the great “truth-teller” and God’s mouthpiece on Earth. return
37. “Nevertheless, if future cases of gross unnatural conduct, such as the practice of oral or anal copulation, are brought to their attention, the elders should act to try to correct the situation before further harm results, as they would do with any other serious wrong. Their concern is, of course, to try to help those who go astray and are ‘caught in the snare of the Devil.’ (2 Tim. 2:26) But if persons willfully show disrespect for Jehovah God’s marital arrangements, then it becomes necessary to remove them from the congregation as dangerous “leaven” that could contaminate others.” –Watchtower 12/1/1972 p.734-736 return
38. “A careful further weighing of [oral sex], however, convinces us that, in view of the absence of clear Scriptural instruction, these are matters for which the married couple themselves must bear the responsibility before God… It must be acknowledged that the Bible does not give any specific rules or limitations as regards the manner in which husband and wife engage in sexual relations.” –Watchtower 2/15/1978 p.30-31
[If they didn’t have the truth back in 1972, when they made oral sex a disfellowshipping offense (despite the lack of “clear Scriptural instruction”), why did they open their “discreet” mouths?] return
39. “Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation. The Christian woman who wants to keep clean and obey God’s commandments, then, if faced with this situation today, needs to be courageous and to act on the suggestion made by the Scriptures and scream. Actually this counsel is for her welfare; for, if she should submit to the man’s passionate wishes, she would not only be consenting to fornication or adultery, but be plagued by the shame.”–Watchtower 1964 January 15 pp.63-4
“So by no means would it be proper quietly to submit to rape, as that would be consenting to fornication.” –Watchtower 1968 June 1 pp.345-50
“Also, that if she did not scream she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation; that then she would be disfellowshiped or excommunicated from it and that this would be worse than being killed as far as she was concerned.” –Awake! 1974 March 8 pp.13-16 return
40. “Myth: A rape victim bears part of the blame unless she actively resists.
Fact: Rape by definition takes place when force or the threat of force is used to gain sexual penetration, of any kind whatsoever, against a person’s will. It is the rapist’s use of force against an unwilling victim that makes him a rapist. Thus, a rape victim is not guilty of fornication. Like an incest victim, she may be forced to submit to an act she doesn’t want because of the perceived power held over her by another person. When a woman is forced to submit to a rapist out of terror or disorientation, it does not mean that she consents to the act. Consent is based on choice without threat and is active, not passive.
“Myth: Rape is an act of passion.
Fact: Rape is an act of violence. Men rape, not solely for sex, but to feel power over another person.” –Awake! 1993 March 8 pp.4-5
So, now we know that the Watchtower spreads what it itself calls “myths.” And, we can add: they do this knowingly, because even after the above admission, they continued to spread this myth:
“Even in the sad case where a woman is overpowered and raped, her struggle and screaming for help is not in vain. On the contrary, it establishes that she did all she possibly could to resist her attacker. (Deuteronomy 22:26) Despite going through this ordeal, she can still have an undefiled conscience, self-respect, and the assurance that she is clean in God’s eyes.” –Watchtower 2003 February 1 pp.30-31 return
41. “Another judgement period is brought into view when those championing resurrection for exterminated Sodomites quote Jesus’ words on a certain occasion. From this some argue that there is a future judgement, in the millennial reign, for both Sodom and these Jewish cities. If we take this expression to mean that, then it would contradict Jude’s statement that Sodom had already undergone the `judicial punishment of everlasting fire’.” —Watchtower, 1 June 1952, p. 338 return
42. “Since Jude 7 shows that Sodom and Gomorrah became a `warning example by undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire,’ does that not bar the inhabitants of those cities from a resurrection? For it to be `more endurable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah’ than for others, it would be necessary for former inhabitants of that land to be present on Judgement Day… So apparently individuals who used to live in that land will be resurrected. —Watchtower, 8/1/1965, p. 479
Is this a simple case of “the light getting brighter”? Well, if it is, then the light went out again in 1988:
“In this light, Jude 7 would mean that the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah were judged and destroyed everlastingly. It is apparent, then, that those whom God executed in those past judgments experienced irreversible destruction.” —Watchtower, 6/1/1988, pp. 30-31 return
43. “Must I not join some organization on earth, assent to some creed, and have my name written on earth? No, Gal. 5:1; ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.'” –WT Reprints p. 295
“The test of membership in this New Creation will not be membership in any earthly organization.”–The New Creation p. 78 return
44. “Those mature in Christian growth have, through the Scriptures and the evident manifestation of Jehovah’s favor on his faithful and discreet slave, come to appreciate that Jehovah deals with his people as an organization and that his spirit operates in conjunction with that organization.” –Watchtower 5/1/1958 May 1 p.285
“It is solely in brotherly association with the New World Society that we can possibly survive when this old world passes away.” –New Heavens and a New Earth p. 363
“As Jehovah’s dedicated Witnesses, all of us must be loyal to him and to his organization.” –Watchtower 11/15/1992 p.20
“Favored indeed are all those who serve loyally with the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ organization, Jehovah’s visible agent of communication! Theirs is the wise choice, for their pathway leads on to the precious goal of everlasting life in the new order that Jehovah is creating. –Watchtower 12/1/1981 p.31
“Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind… Jehovah poured out his spirit upon them and assigned them the responsibility of serving as his sole visible channel, through whom alone spiritual instruction was to come… Those who recognize Jehovah’s visible theocratic organization, therefore, must recognize and accept this appointment of the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ and be submissive to it. … in submitting to Jehovah’s visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements.” –Watchtower, 10/1/1967 pp. 587-592 return
45. “At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as “tacking.” By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination…
– Watchtower 12/1/1981, p. 27 [emphasis added.] return
46. “Yes, the international society of Jehovah’s Witnesses is living proof that hatred can be abolished. It is a foreglimpse of a worldwide program to eliminate hatred and its causes.” —Watchtower, June 15, 1995, p. 8 return
47. “The obligation to hate lawlessness also applies to all activity by apostates. Our attitude toward apostates should be that of David, who declared: ‘Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies.'” —The Watchtower, July 15, 1992, pages 12, 13
“You have seen the benefit of godly love, but do you know how to hate? These very strong words are an expression of godly hate, and you too must have this quality to be pleasing to God. “–Watchtower, July 15, 1974, p. 442
“We must hate in the truest sense, which is to regard with extreme and active aversion, to consider as loathsome, odious, filthy, to detest.” –Watchtower, October 1, 1952, p. 599 return
48. “Apostates often bring out points that may be true, but are taken way out of context.”–From the speech “Feed Your Mind at Jehovah’s Table” delivered by Watchtower spokesmen at the “Safeguard Your Heart” Circuit Assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Autumn, 2012
“From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude…They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago.” –The Watchtower, 8/15/Aug. 15, 1981
“Some apostates profess to know and serve God… Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization…” –Watchtower 10/1/1993 p.19 return
49. “Like Satan, apostates are unruly men who cook up wicked reasonings and season their brew with poisonous lies that deceive minds. Their preference is to partake of falsehood at the table of demons… If Satan and his demons are chefs in his evil kitchen, then apostates are his helpers… Apostates are mentally diseased and they try to infect others with their disloyal teachings.” —Excerpts from the symposium “Beware Apostates!” given at the 2013 District Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses
“Apostates are included among those who show their hatred of Jehovah by revolting against him. Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah… True Christians share Jehovah’s feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas. On the contrary, they ‘feel a loathing’ toward those who have made themselves God’s enemies, but they leave it to Jehovah to execute vengeance.”–Watchtower 10/1/1993 p.19
“Such ones [apostates] willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the ‘antichrist.'” —Watchtower 1985 July 15 p.31 return
50. “The ‘Watchtower’ An Outstanding Bible Aid…Since 1879 it has been published regularly for the benefit of sincere students of the Bible. Since that time it has proven itself dependable.” — Advertisement in the back of the 1953 edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
“For over a century, delightful, correct words of truth covering every aspect of life have been presented in the Watch Tower Society’s publications and widely distributed in many languages.” –Watchtower 12/15/1990 p.26 [emphasis added.]
“God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people; it does not consist of men’s opinions.” –Watchtower 1/1/1942
“JESUS assured us that after his death and resurrection, he would raise up a ‘faithful and discreet slave’ that would serve as his channel of communication… Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave… All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the ‘greatly diversified wisdom of God can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.” —Watchtower, October 1, 1994, Page 8: CHANNEL TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE
“A mature Christian … does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and ‘the faithful and discreet slave.'” –Watchtower August 1, 2001 p. 14 [emphasis added.] return
This was amazing!! From beginning to the quiz to all of the extensive research done in the footnotes… WOW. I will be reading this again, just to make sure I digest all the points. Very, very well done. Man I wish my mother could read just one paragraph in this article. Any paragraph would do… It’s filled with so much pertinent and just plain LOGICAL information. It’s so sad that the active JWs do not see what is going on right before their very eyes.
This is a very well researched article and it makes very logical sense. I think anyone reading this can see the lies and coverups. The worse part is when the Governing Body blames the members for misinterpreting what they clearly proclaimed, like the dates for prophecies. Thanks for doing all the extensive research. This is what should be handed out door-to-door!
all said and done, the truth does not change. so I ask you, do you now believe in a trinity or in one God? Do you believe that the dead have an immortal soul that will burn in a hell fire, or do you believe that teh dead are really dead? do you believe that everyone goes to heaven? what happens in the new earth at 1 Peter 3:13? Whether you like it or not, there is what is called “TRUTH”; and the truth will never change. Seek it humbly and you will find it. Do not be like those who try to find excuses to do the wrong thing and not be held accountable, because you are already accountable….
You’re right Charles: the truth does not change. Therefore the Watchtower, with its constantly changing doctrines does not have the truth.
To answer your questions:
Do I believe in a trinity or in one God? No.
Do I believe the dead have an immortal soul that will burn in hell fire? No.
Do I believe that everyone goes to heaven? No.
What happens in the new earth at 1Pet 3:13? (I think you meant 2 Peter) You’d have to ask the forger of that document what he meant.
All of the above answers were held by us atheists long before the Watchtower was ever thought of.
Thanks for the advice, Charles. I DO like it that there is “TRUTH.” It keeps me out of cults which would trick me into doing the wrong thing such as shunning my children, letting my children die by refusing medical care, and failing to protect them from child molesters.