Were you 'alive in '75' and how was that year for you? (page 11)

NewYork44M

Thank you for bringing back to life this discussion, I am sorry I missed it when it started.

I was 18 in 1975 and graduated highschool. I remember when I was about 10 or 11 I did the math and realized that 1975 aligned with my graduation.

The unspoken fear of the youth at that time was Armageddon would come before we could - drive, graduate, or have sex. Those fears weighed heavy on me.

There were more than a few children that were taken out of school because the end was so close, I remember having conversations with some about what I wanted to be when I grew up and the response always was - don't worry about it the end will come long before you become an adult.

It was a absolutely miserable time to grow up and makes me angry to think how much of an impact the watchtower lie had on my life.

new hope and happiness

Yes i was alive in 1975, with my school execsise book. pen and ink, and decades away from understanding what an email was or what the internet is all about so it was much harder to think or question. But thats why the society is now " obay, dont think or question" thats all it can be now. Infact its all bible based religion can be now, because when Jesus said " it is written" it was was never written, and that can no longer be hidden.

fulltimestudent

How was 1975 for me?

Confusing, I guess.

I'd read Freddy's opus, the second (red?) 'Life Everlasting' book very carefully and had noted that the date 1975 was (in Freddy's reckoning) quite dependent on the length of time that Adam had been in teh garden of eden. Freddy made an assumption and based on that arrived at 1975.

Also the WTS was fairly clear on what they considered to be the pattern of things that had to occur before the BIG A. I was expecting some of those things to happen in, at least, 1974, and none of them came to pass.

Early 1975 came and went and nothing came to pass either.

But in september 1975, Boss Nathan and little Fred came to pass, turning up in Greenacre Assembly hall to explain why all bets were off. Nathan Knorr's body language was clear - he was extremely pissed with Freddy.

Nathan pointed out that none of the things that HAD to happen before the big A, had happened, so it was unlikely that the end would come in 1975.

So I knew the jig was up and 1975 was an anti-climax and that all the things we'd said and done to prepare the brothers for the worst tribulation (read - persecution) ever, wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

I'd been apprehensive about that persecution. I have a low pain threshold. My kids were still young and how could I stand and watch my young daughters (or, son) being raped and knowing that all I had to do was say, "OK! I give up being a Christian."

In reponse to Freddy's fiasco, I turned to more study and prayer, to hide the doubts that threatened to overwhelm me. But the doubts won out - and here I am. Free! free! Free! from superstition at last.

blondie

I was 14 in 1966 and 23 in 1975. During the whole time I would point out that Jesus said it would come at a time you think it not to be. Based on that I told people that means it won't come in 1975....but not loud enough to be labeled an "apostate."

straightshooter

I was 20 in 1975 and 1 year baptized. 1975 meant alot to many jws. But being new I was not wrapped up into it. I thought the same way as Blondie, except I kept it to myself.

Phizzy

I was of a similar age to Blondie at the time (the lass is a little younger than me, bless her) I was born in, so had heard all the hype.

It was all supposed to kick off in October that year. In August , as a mid-twenties serving M.S, I started my Pension Plan.

I don't think I fell for the hype, do you ?

The sad thing is, I had already persuaded myself that this was man's interpretation (quite right) and that Big J would sort them out, (quite wrong).

I continued in the False Prophet Organization for another 33 years. (Quite foolish).

(Phizzy hangs head in shame.)

Aunt Fancy

I was not in at that time but my husband was 21 and I asked him about it because he had never talked about it until a few months ago. He had his great grandparents and parents that were JW's and I am not sure why but his family never made a big deal out of 1975. It could be because they heard them give earlier dates and they never happened. He was young married, a MS, working hard, buying a house, starting a business so maybe he was just so involved in making things work in his life.

Finkelstein

I sure was alive in '75' a couple of years after that year I started to realize that the WTS concocted this

year up as a marketing strategy to heighten public interest to the WTS's literature as well to elevate the

service work by the WTS's devoted followers. (JWS)

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It wasn't until years after that I realized through the WTS's own literature that this 6000 years from Adam's

existence scam was used once before back in the early 1900's via C T Russell.

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Looks like F Franz the leading bible theologian at the time for the WTS. had gone back into the

old pieces of literature by the WTS. and saw this dating calculation and probably thought to himself that yes

he could once use it again to his and the Publishing House's (WTS.) advantage.

Boy was he ever right, the WTS. sold publications sky rocketed as well the money from the proceeds.

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The fear and anxiety that this one corrupt devious asshole caused is well documented by JWS who lived during

that time.

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Good old fashion fear mongering by American religious charlatans is what the WTS. is and has been for over century..

Ironically today now the WTS's own history reveals the real truth and corruption of this particular religious publishing house, something the WTS

has a huge challenge in front of them in distancing themselves from its open historical past.

Band on the Run

I heard Freddie Franz announce 1975 at Yankee Stadium. My mom told me of past Armageddon dates and the Princes return that was not to happen. I was completely shocked that Freddie, knowing the history, would encourage the date. Perhaps I was fifteen.

I graduated college in 1975. Let me say that I was glad when the year ended. Part of me always wonders.....Strange things have happened on earth. I had several scares concerning unusual weather patterns. I wish I could remove all the programming. The Witnesses were early authority for me. I could make fun of them yet the electric lights were on all night to ward off demons.

My JW relatives, my aunt and uncle, were long-term Witnesses. They were well aware of the history. Freddie Franz was fallible to them. I wonder why Knorr went along.

I could not believe when I first read here that Franz blamed the Witnesses b/c his lecture was riveting. I was not bored for once. Nevertheless, I scooted down in my seat b/c I was embarassed. If his remarks were misconstrued, he had ample opportunity to amend or clarify them. He even said we should keep the date within the organization. It was not the time to share it with outsiders.

I thought perhaps I would be punished for graduating college. There were some great rock concerts that year.

Finkelstein

If F Franz was really a well studied bible theologian he would have seen that it is imposable to calculate the

exact year when Adam lived. Thats why most bible theologians at the time laughed at this speculative

dating calculation.

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Franz even had the balls to embellish things even more by stating October of 1975 would the exact month.

Franz probably knew this was imposable unto himself but he liked the prospect of what this could do

for the proliferation of the WTS's publications.

What better way to hide lies and misinformation than the forum of religion, people for the most part

respect and trust religious leaders. They are perceived to be honest and trustworthy people.

Its only after the fact that they can be very devious and corrupt in their self assertive endeavors.

Were you 'alive in '75' and how was that year for you?

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