When we commit an action we own the consequences of our act. If we are cleaning our pistol and it discharges a bullet into our best friend's head the act is not intentional, but, the consequential death is still OUR act.
The effect is perpetrated by the cause.
When the Watchower Society's Governing Body perpetrates mandatory teachings there are consequences.
The effects may not be intentional but they are caused and the Society must own them.
Why?
A JW who fails to keep solidarity with accepted teachings is acting single-mindedly. Such is not tolerated. It is rebellion and that person will be removed from the congregation.
Testimony of Hayden C. Covington (Vice President of the WTBTS):
Q. That was the publication of false prophecy?
A. That was the publication of a false prophecy, it was a false statement or an erroneous statement in fulfillment of a prophecy that was false or erroneous.
Q. And that had to be believed by the whole of Jehovah's Witnesses?
A. Yes, because you must understand, we must have unity, we cannot have disunity with a lot of people going every way, an army is supposed to march in step.
Consequently, all JW's in good standing are compelled to accept and act upon the declartions of True Teaching from the GB.
Why is the Society not held accountable for PROVOKING CONSEQUENCES that occur when flagrant errors are made?
The JW cannot do otherwise except on pain of excommunication.
Who suffers consequences when a false date such as 1975 is promoted at a fever pitch?
Among others:
Those who did not pursue higher education, financial security or begin families.
Our Kingdom Ministry from June 1969 on page 3 states the following:
"…in view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous....Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."
The JW families who sold their belongings to engage in full time preaching in the lead up to 1975 were practising "good faith" and were praised in the Society's publications. What about the consequences TO THOSE FAMILIES when 1975 fell flat as a prediction?
Our Kingdom Ministry on page 3 in the May 1974 edition states:
"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."
These were not errors created by the compliant and faithful rank and file--but-- consequences provoked by the GB.
The impact on these trusting, dedicated, hard-working families were PROVOKED CONSEQUENCES brought down by error and hubris.
We need to RETHINK Organization errors in terms of those consequences!
1. Faithful followers compelled to harm their own self interest by following instructions by the Society
2. Jehovah's name and reputation is damaged with ridicule and shame brought on by connecting false events to wrong dates
3. Honest criticism by those harmed led to oppressive and harsh accusations by the leadership often resulting in disfellowship actions.
4.Families were split apart in dissensions connected to Loyalty to the Organization vs an honest accounting for errors taught in the name of God.
5.A class of scapegoats was created: Apostates. These former members took the heat away from the leaders and diverted attention from the real issues.
6.The Organization had huge increases in membership and revenue due to the false scare leading up to 1975 all under false pretenses.
7.The blowback gave the leaders a pretext to ramp up new policies of repression silencing all honest inquiry for decades to come.
8.The Society accused itself of "eagerness" for Jehovah's promises shifting blame to members who over reacted. Blaming the victim for reading too much into such overt propaganda as this:
