Where was the semi-apology for the whole 1975 debacle? (page 2)

civicsi00

I would definitely not consider that an apology, considering it took them a whole 5 YEARS to admit SOMETHING. Humility my arse...

Bonnie_Clyde

I think that by 1980 they noticed that the number of publishers was dropping, and they had to do something. I believe Ray Franz had a comment on this, but don't have time to look it up.

mindmelda

Well, they just could not pretend it hadn't happened, could they? Too many "Witnesses" to the fail. *G*

Although I'm amazed that some sort of Jedi Mind Trick about the whole 1975 debacle seems to have affected a lot of the rank and file.

My parents were there in 75, and now when I ask my mother about it, she says it was just "a few over zealous Witnesses running ahead of the organization". Did they manage to blame for that on to Ray Franz and the others who were forcibly ejected too? I wondered.

I countered with, "Mom it was in the Watchtower for years and announced by the Governing Body at talks at Bethel for years before that, that the end was definitely going to come in 1974-75." (remember, there was a horrible recession going on at the time, about as bad as the current one, the gay pride movement and women's lib were in full swing, which no doubt seemed like the end of civilization for Knorr...he was notoriously sexist and homophobic!...I'm sure when the bucks dried up because of the recession, they were all freaking out)

Here's what she said, "Oh, weren't those the apostates that were removed spreading all that 1975 talk?" I asked where she'd heard that, and she said "I think (elder's wife whose husband tells her what to think) told me that."

Yes, somehow, it's filtered down to some of the rank and file through some of the elders that the 1975 debacle was all Raymond Franz and associates doing. Hm, how convenient!

iknowall558

this is what I posted on ninja's thread.....SO THEY NEVER CLAIMED TO BE A FALSE PROPHET

KM May 1974 pg 3 : -

"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."

It may seem plausible enough that the bros. were actually being recognised for their devotion and belief that 1975 would bring Armageddon. They were being held up as an example of great faith for others to follow. Many, many bros. and sisters made sacrifices, some of them huge, all based on a date. As far as they were concerned , they believed with all their heart that Jehovah would be bringing his judgement against the nations, and Armageddon would here.......IN JUST ONE YEARS TIME! That is why they were so ready, willing and able to sacrifice all they had.

BUT THEN WHAT? WHAT WAS SAID WHEN 1975 CAME AND WENT AND THESE POOR SAD BROS WERE LEFT WITH NOTHING? DID THE ORG. STEP IN TO PICK UP THE PIECES?

WT 15th July 1976 : - It suggested that any who were "diappointed" by the non - arrival of Armageddon.......

"...should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his OWN UNDERSTANDING was based on wrong premises."

NO SYMPATHY ! WHEREAS BEFORE, IN THE KM OF 1974, THEY WERE BEING PRAISED FOR THEIR STRENGTH OF FAITH AND BELIEF, THEY WERE NOW IN THE 1976 WT, BEING SHOWN TO BE SPIRITUALLY WEAK AND SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE! THEY WERE ACTUALLY BLAMING THE BROTHERS THEMSELVES FOR HAVING A WRONG VIEWPOINT !

HOW ON EARTH WOULD THESE BROS. HAVE FELT WHEN THAT MAGAZINE CAME OUT ? Some of these people gave up everything they had. Their jobs, their houses, their money. Many put things on hold like getting married, having a family or a career. Some, ..... put off having medical treatment and suffered the consequenses, perhaps dying prematurely.

There is no real interest in the individuals who ultimately give them their strength. They deny responsibility for everything they do wrong...and in this instance, they blamed the bros. even though their belief and enthusiasm in the 1975 date was fanned to a white heat ......BY THE ORGANIZATION !.........THEY DISGUST ME!

VIII

I recall getting baptized because I told that if I were not, Jehovah might not see me as sincere and when Armageddon began (they kinda thought the Great Tribulation may have begun {like now}). So, I went and got dunked. I was way too young, didn't get any of the questions right when I was doing my study with guy who was doing it with me and yet, they allowed me to get baptized.

When the fall of 1975 rolled around the anticipation was palapable. People had gone on extravagent vacations. People with unbelieving spouses got divorces because why remain married to an unbeliever? You could immediately find a new, perfect mate in the New System. People sold businesses and quit jobs to full time pioneer.

The fall rolled into winter and NOTHING. Nothing happened. Christmas rolled into New Years. And still Nothing.

No one acknowledged this. No one. It was simply not talked about.

My Mother, who had divorced my dad in hopes of finding a newer, better model in the New System, fell into a great depression. She layed in bed for months unable to do the simplest tasks. She cried. And cried. And cried.

She wouldn't acknowledge it was because Armageddon didn't roll around, however, when I thought about it years later, it all fell into place. She was hoping and hoping so hard for Armageddon. Now I know why.

Now when I bring up 1975, she says I am totally wrong, it never occured and I must be insane. It is all apostate rantings!!!

No, I will never, ever forget those things that happened or the WT articles or the people that fell away as a result.

MidwichCuckoo

Now when I bring up 1975, she says I am totally wrong, it never occured and I must be insane. It is all apostate rantings!!!

Amazing - I posted similar on another thread today - I recently mentioned the 1975 thing to a JW (who I remember was preaching about it at the time), and they denied it ever happened! Has a whole group of JWs just 'blocked' it out as it's 'too painful' (or embarrassing) to deal with OR do they blame themselves (as the WT has intimated) so would rather forget?

llbh

1975 was a very real date in the mind of many JW's at the time, we became JW's in that year at least in part due to this. If you hear anyone say to the contrary they are at the very least disingenuous.

The talk of 1975 being the time of the end, or the beginning of the time of the end was spoken about throughout the wts then.

Many on here have precisely the same recollection too.

Regards David

VIII

I think they block it out because it is too embarrassing and painful. And, so many fell away over it. So many. JWs still in won't say that is why but they know exactly why.

As for me? I was hoping against hope it would happen so I could be perfect. I was imperfect in so many ways. Ways my mom pointed out day after day. I just knew that Jehovah would make me perfect. I could instantly become everything I wasn't; or what my mother wanted. Instead of the grand disappointment that was me.

It never occured to my childlike mind that billions of people would die when Armageddon would occur. I wasn't thinking in those terms. I was a kid and all I wanted was to be perfect.

My eyes were opened watching my mom lying on the bed crying and crying. No one from the hall came and checked on her. No one came and checked on us kids. My mom was not super popular and they just ignored us. I realized they were just a bunch of selfish, hateful SOBs. And god? He was a cold bastard to lead people on a wild goose chase.

My mom went back eventually and was later DFd for "Conduct Unbecoming a Christian". Then they were real interested in her personal life. Sick bastards.

So, 1975. I will never, ever forget that year. As many, many ex-JWs won't. And when dubs who are still in are confronted with it get defensive, you know they remember all too well.

MidwichCuckoo

1975 was a very real date in the mind of many JW's at the time, we became JW's in that year at least in part due to this. If you hear anyone say to the contrary they are at the very least disingenuous.

The talk of 1975 being the time of the end, or the beginning of the time of the end was spoken about throughout the wts then.

I imagine a lot of people got caught up in it, and the Watchtower would have made a huge profit from the sudden influx of converts - no wonder it didn't want to 'correct' the JWs from preaching 1975.

undercover

Now when I bring up 1975, she says I am totally wrong, it never occured and I must be insane. It is all apostate rantings!!!

Amazing - I posted similar on another thread today - I recently mentioned the 1975 thing to a JW (who I remember was preaching about it at the time), and they denied it ever happened!

I brought this up to my mom some time ago and she claimed that it never happened either and she was in her prime JWness during the late 60s/early 70s.

Now she claims that the Society never talked about 1975 and that it was the fault of some of the friends who read too much into what the Society said.

I learned to not even go there with any of my family any more. It's an exercise in futility trying to make these people see how they've been manipulated.

Where was the semi-apology for the whole 1975 debacle?

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