special talk 15.3.07 - what is official position on earthquakes?

by jeanV 13 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  jeanV

  there is a lot of 1914, how JW's (then known as Bible studends) anticipated it was a marked year. ever since things are going bad, wars, wars and wars, food shortages, pestilences and earthquakes. here the speaker mentions that earthquakes have increased tremendously since 1914. oh oh oh where did he get it? some old publications? did he insert the point? has not the position on earthquakes changed?

  I could not believe my eyes, it is in the outline! with the following reference:

  rsp.236LastDays

  "Therewillbegreatearthquakes"(Luke21:11)

  It is true that there were major quakes in centuries past; furthermore, with their sensitive equipment scientists now detect more than a million quakes a year. But no special instruments are needed for people to know when there is a great earthquake.

  Has there actually been a significant number of major earthquakes since 1914? With data obtained from the National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, supplemented by a number of standard reference works, a tabulation was made in 1984 that included only earthquakes that measured 7.5 or more on the Richter scale, or that resulted in destruction of five million dollars (U.S.) or more in property, or that caused 100 or more deaths. It was calculated that there had been 856 of such earthquakes during the 2,000 years before 1914. The same tabulation showed that in just69years following 1914 there were 605 of such quakes. That means that, in comparison with the previous 2,000 years, the average per year has been 20 times as great since 1914.

  So what is the official position? Have earthquakes increased or not?
• 

  robhic

  You might find this useful:

  http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/general/handouts/increaseinearthquakes.html

  And this:

  Watchtower 12/1/93 page 6 paragraph 2 Natural Disasters-Is God Responsible?

  In this regard, note what the book Natural Disasters-Acts of God or Acts of Man? has to say: "There is no evidence that the climatological mechanisms associated with droughts, floods and cyclones are changing. And no geologist is claiming that the earth movements associated with earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunami (earthquake waves) are becoming more violent." Similarly, the book Earthshock observes: "The rocks of every continent contain a record of innumerable major and minor geological events, every one of which would be a catastrophic disaster to mankind if they occurred today-and it is scientifically certain that such events will occur again and again in the future." In other words, the earth and its dynamic forces have more or less remained the same throughout the ages. Hence, whether or not some statistics indicate an increase of some forms of geologic or other activity, the earth has not become uncontrollably violent in recent times. (bold lines mine)
• 

  drew sagan

  Here are some recent quotes that show their view on earthquakes has become very watered down:
  
  *** w06 9/15 pp. 4-5 Are We Really Living in “the Last Days”? ***
  
  What can be said about the foretold earthquakes? According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the number of earthquakes powerful enough to destroy buildings has averaged 17 a year since 1990 alone. On average, earthquakes strong enough to cause almost total destruction of buildings have occurred once each year. “Earthquakes have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in the last 100 years,” states another source. One reason for this is that since 1914 many large population centers have developed in earthquake zones.
  
  *** w05 10/1 p. 6 Do You Recognize the Sign of Jesus’ Presence? ***
  
  “Earthquakes.” (Matthew 24:7) During the past 100 years, earthquakes have snuffed out the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. According to one source, earthquakes with the power to ruin buildings and split open the ground have averaged 18 per year since 1914. Deadlier quakes strong enough to level buildings have occurred about once a year. Despite advances in technology, the death toll remains high because many rapidly growing cities are located on earthquake fault lines.
  
  ----
  
  As you can see they simply now give a few general statistics about earthquakes in general. This is then compared to a modern day analysis of damage that has been caused by earthquakes. Because they no longer wish to be caught misquoting from scientific sources I believe they are staying away from their official position that there have been more after 1914. They seem to be leaning in the direction of stating that increased population near danger zones is the fullfillment of scripture, but have only gone as far as to imply it.
  
  Notice also that in their quotes they say 'since 1914...' By doing this they imply that 1914 was a real turning point in earthquakes and their damage. Why did they have to mention 1914 in both of those quotes? Why not just 'the 20th century'? or something similiar. They seem to be wanting to keep the old position but are writing the articles in order to save their own asses from looking like fools.
  
  Great to ask the question how much differant their statistics would be if they included 1913, 1912 and so on.
• 

  greendawn

  This whole composite sign issue is bogus, the JWs just made up the whole thing there were worse earthquakes, wars and famines in times past and in fact the 20th century was one of the most civilised and enlightened in human history despite the two world wars.
• 

  dawg

  I agree with greendawn.. our species is seeing an increase in longitivity as our life expectancy has risen every year since 1900... This destroys their whole "were all doomed" mentality.
• 

  carla

  Are you saying that will be the talk on Sunday? Wish they would make up their mind.

  As a side note, did anyone catch the History channel that had a Chinese made machine about 2000 years old that measured when earthquakes happened and N, S, E or W? it had these balls drop out of dragons mouths if one occured. You will have to google yourself for details, it was a within the past few months. Very interesting. If you are interested I think it was ancient inventors or something on that order. (Sorry, my head was bobbing and my eyelids just wouldn't stay open that night)
• 

  blondie

  You might enjoy this article by XJW Alan Feuerbacher on how the WTS has backpedaled on its earthquake stance.

  http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/watchtower-society-backpedals-on.html

  Along with many other features of what it calls "the composite sign of Christ's presence since 1914," the Watchtower Society has long claimed that earthquakes have been far more frequent and severe in the 20th century than previously, and have caused far more deaths and damage. The December 1, 1993 Watchtower virtually abandons these claims, but does so in a manner calculated not to let on to the average Jehovah's Witness that the earlier claims have indeed been abandoned. We will here examine the earlier claims and see how the Society neatly reduces them to almost no significance without letting on that it has done it. The Watchtower article is a fine example from the Society's arsenal of intellectual magic tricks and illustrates how to divert the reader's attention from the main issue.....(continued)
• 

  zack

  JW's possess their own set of facts. All manufactured, of course,
• 

  Stealth453

  So what is the official position?

  They happen. End of story.

  PS, that would be the official Stealth position. Who really gives a crap what the watchliars think.
• 

  zack

  While sitting at the KH listening to this great "sign" of the end, I thought:

  If earthquakes are so ubiquitous, how many people in this congregation know someone who was killed by one?

  And how many know someone killed in a car wreck? That one I could answer: everyone knew at least one because there have been 6 deaths over the years at this cong.

  due to traffic accidents WHILE IN SERVICE! Maybe car wrecks should be a sign of the end?