"It means they can claim a modicum of scientific respectability"
The only use that The Watchtower has for science is to use it selectively in order to promote their teachings (or, rather, their propaganda)!
The WTS say they are NOT Creationists........
by cantleave 46 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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blondie
*** g02 6/8 pp. 10-11 Reconciling Science and Religion ***
For example, when we understand that the Bible uses the term "day" to represent various periods of time, we see that the account of the six creative days in Genesis need not conflict with the scientific conclusion that the age of the earth is about four and a half billion years. According to the Bible, the earth existed for an unstated period before the creative days began. (See the box "The Creative Days—24 Hours Each?") Even if science corrects itself and suggests a different age for our planet, the statements made in the Bible still hold true.
The Creative Days—24 Hours Each?
Some fundamentalists claim that creationism rather than evolution explains pre-human history. They assert that all physical creation was produced in just six days of 24 hours each sometime between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago. But in doing so, they promote an unscriptural teaching that has caused many to ridicule the Bible.
Is a day in the Bible always literally 24 hours in length? Genesis 2:4 speaks of "the day that Jehovah God made earth and heaven." This one day encompasses all six of the creative days of Genesis chapter 1. According to Bible usage, a day is a measured period of time and can be a thousand years or many thousands of years. The Bible’s creative days allow for thousands of years of time each. Further, the earth was already in existence before the creative days began. (Genesis 1:1) On this point, therefore, the Bible account is compatible with true science.—2 Peter 3:8.
Commenting on claims that the creative days were only 24 literal hours in length, molecular biologist Francis Collins remarks: "Creationism has done more harm to serious notions of belief than anything in modern history."
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First the WTS concedes that the earth itself (bare rock) existed millions of year.
But
Creation still took only "thousands" of years. But officially each creative day is only 7,000 years though the WTS avoids that statement.
They consider creationists people who teach each creative day is 24 hours.
In the end how much better is 7,000 years compared to 24 hours?
If you can find a direct quote from the WTS publications that says creation took millions of years, I'd be interested in knowing where it is.
There was a new brochure? on creation I haven't read....is it there?
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Black Sheep
February 15, 2007 Watchtower is the earliest Watchtower reference to the earth being "millions of years" old. (I only looked in Watchtowers, though, not books or Awake!)
I'm sure this isn't new. I don't recall any article that asserts that the earth didn't exist, or wasn't 'formless and waste', prior to the start of the creation account in Genesis.
As a kid, I spotted a lot of loopy stuff, but that one wasn't on my list.
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designs
The Society should qualify their statement by saying they are not 'Young Earth Creationist's', they definitly believe in creation although they avoid any science discussion of atoms to molecules to cells. Trying to fit in between Fundamentalists and Progressives is a difficult niche.
They have routinely squashed academic science and free thought and favor 'borrowing' knowledge from others, sometimes with good reults. When Ray Franz was sent to outside sources to confirm the 607 date his eyes were opened to genuine archeological digs and the history of Judea.
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undercover
Compared to the evidence of how old the planet really is, what's the real difference if the earth is 10,000 years old (creationist BS) or 50,000 years old (WT BS)? Either one is still a ridiculous claim.
The WTS has painted itself into a corner with its 7,000 years creative days. Over time they've quietly dropped those references yet never renounced them as "old light" or erroneous. They distance themselves from the creationists but they themselves are creationists.
The most they've done is it claim that the planet itself may be as old as science indicates...that the creative days take place after the planet was in place. Yet that claime does not jive with the Bible which indicates that the creation of the planet is included in God's 7 creative days.
In their attempt to appear in agreement with science, they've ignored the holy writings that they claim to place above all other evidence. In trying to get out of one painted corner, they've painted themselves into another one.
Anyone who scratches the surface of their teachings will see the half-lies and deceit. Only the gullible and those already indooctrinated accept them at their word and believe their bullshit regarding creation.
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cantleave
The WTS is deceitful and misleading in the way it labels other groups which have very similar beliefs to itself.
It is a cult / sect, but never admits it, instead call the members of Christendom such things.
It is creationist in its views, but doesn't label itself as creationist, and mocks fundamentalists who do.
It uses propaganda and mind control but will write articles decrying the use of such techniques in other religions.
It makes false prophecies and in the meantime accuses all other religious groups as "false Prophets".
The Watchtower is is the worst sort cowardly bully - all in the name of Jehovah!
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wobble
Good thread !
I just have to humbly make a small correction to Undercover's post, just in case anyone discusses this with a JW who knows their Bible (there used to be one or two in my day !).
The Bible does not really lump in the Creation of the planet with the 7 "Days".
It simply says "In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth" Gen 1v1. No time element is given for this.
In from verse 2 it starts the days.
Chapter 2 v4 would appear to lump it all together, but I believe that would be a poor way of reading that chapter.
Not that I give any credence to any of it, and scientific it ain't !
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undercover
I just have to humbly make a small correction to Undercover's post, just in case anyone discusses this with a JW who knows their Bible (there used to be one or two in my day !).
The Bible does not really lump in the Creation of the planet with the 7 "Days".
It simply says "In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth" Gen 1v1. No time element is given for this.
My good Wobble, please allow me to humbly correct your correction...
Exodus 20:11
For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and he proceeded to rest on the seventh day. That is why Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and proceeded to make it sacred.
Exodus 31:17
...because in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day he rested and proceeded to refresh himself.
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cantleave
We were always told that the bible never contradicts itself and although not a scientific book, where it touches on science it is always accurate - what a load of BS!!!!
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dssynergy
It was my understanding that each day was 1000 years long [based on the scripture that says "1000 years as if one day"] - which is how the importance of 1975 came about because that marked 6000 years of human existence. Combine that with the idea of the 1000 year reign - and they figured 1975 would be the end of the rest day for Jehovah and the time for the Big A. [I could have some details mixed up, but this is how I remember it explained]
My big complaint is that they always focus on the timing of things - when clearly the scriptures state "no one knows the day or the hour" - so why do we focus on that instead of what kind of people we are, and what productive ways we can connect with people to set a good example or contribute to society?
UGH.
DS