During the 1930's when the Society was quietly moving Jesus' presence from 1874 to 1914, it only seemed to ruffle a few feathers and most accepted this "brighter light." How could the Society abandon 1914 and still keep most of its followers?
How would the Society give up 1914?
by donny 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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sacolton
Quietly move 1914 to 2014?
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lesterd
Stop pointing to 1914, not mention it, and over time it would go away, just like 1975
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hamilcarr
It's happening already.
The nu generation doesn't fully realize the significance of that date. -
Jeremy C
There is no reason for the Watchtower leadership to abandon the 1914 date. The vast majority of the Jehovah's Witnesses have no idea that that the book The Gentile Times Reconsidered, or Crisis of Conscience exists. Many JWs do not even fully comprehend the chronology of the 1914, or its Adventist origins. The only people who really care about all of this are ex-Witnesses, and Evangelicals who study up on the Watchtower.
There are perhaps a few JWs who are concerned about the chronology, but they are intellectually isolated by the climate of fear that is fostered in the organization toward dissenters. The Watchtower organization has also convinced its members that those who disagree with the 607 date are those who do not trust the Bible - despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. If the Watchtower can convince its members that humans have only been on earth for some 6,000 years despite the enormous archeological findings which disprove such a claim; then it is relatively simple for JWs to be kept in the dark regarding the 587/607 issue.
The entire foundation of the authority bestowed to the "Faithful Slave Class" ultimately rests upon the 1914 date. There is a chain which links the 1914 date to the 1919 selection of the Bible Students as Christ's Faithful Slave. (see the book: Paying Attention To Daniel's Prophecy) There is really no upside to the Watchtower trying to discard the 1914 date now. Why bother? Why make such a radical change in a foundational doctrine when it would only cause them to loose more members? We need to remember that the Watchtower is a religion that places much more importance on pragmaticism than it does intellectual honesty.
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yknot
Ditto lesterd's comment.....just stop mentioning it as time passes.
Or mainstream and lose the appointment all together but still profess being the closests to the 'troof'.
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wha happened?
well they have made a few moves to lengthen the last days. The WT that spoke of the parallel of Noah's ministry and our day takes the date to 2034. That's 26 years to think of the next date. Most JW's that are 50+ who remember 1975 will be gone.
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Rivington
Donny said: "During the 1930's when the Society was quietly moving Jesus' presence from 1874 to 1914, it only seemed to ruffle a few feathers and most accepted this "brighter light." How could the Society abandon 1914 and still keep most of its followers?" Actually, during this period Rutherford alienated the overwhelming majority of of Bible Students who had been with the WT during the Russell era. He succeeded because he ousted the original membership and started all over again with new members who knew very little about the earlier teachings. Most of Russell's followers were to be found in the various Bible Student groups which seceded from the WT between 1919 and the mid 1930s. Rivington
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megawatt
As they always had, by not mentioning it anymore. Revising it's history and never to be brought up, losing any and all importance that it once had...
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VM44
1874 was replaced with 1914 sometime in the 1930's for the simple reason that 1874 was too far in the past (over 60 years in the 30's) to make it relevant to the people living at that time.
But today almost one hundred years have passed since 1914!
I doubt if The Watchtower has a creative idealogue today like Fred Franz was who could come up with the "new light" that would replace the 1914 doctrine.
The Watchtower is tied to 1914. All they can do is de-emphasize that year it and mention it less and less in their publications.
When 2014 comes around, I doubt there will be published any "anniversary" edition of The Watchtower for the 100 year interval 1914-2014, too many questions would be raised, like "What happened to the Generations that Will Not Pass Away"? (see cover article for the May 15, 1984 Watchtower)