So in the beginning there was a man named Charles Taze Russell who was influenced by other religions, but yet concerned the teaching of main stream Christian religion... He used Egyptian pyramids (now looked at as pagan) as a method of calculation of dates that he felt had an effect of Christian and human culture.
In avoiding pagan ideas now, there was so much to begin with, where was the change and whose idea was this? (Compare now to holidays in how their traditions affect them> does it better a person or worsen them, distract them, or offend God> is God more offended that you changed a different view of looking at him, then, it is to judge another believers way with their traditions, in bringing something evil to something loving and fun? Have you looked at how they view their traditions? As Christian main stream belief as long as they continue morally and whole heartedly in what is good and look at God over things that can be distracting does it really matter?)
Is pagan a sin and truly wrong? In the main stream Christian faith yes it is but how far back does pagan really go and when is it considered pagan? What was considered pagan then and what is it considered now> as a human searching for God out of faith, truth and sincerity, it's a good question (being an open minded thinker).
Does history affect us? Is our belief now just in traditions trying to fit the beliefs over what the bible truly says?
1916-1942 Was it when the second president of Jehovah's Witnesses society came into office, Joseph Franklin Rutherford? To me what I get from Rutherford is that he was a selfish man and very haughty and very strict, changed alot of what Russell taught.
Then when N. H. Knorr came into office after Rutherfords death things started balancing out... the influence of Frederick W. Franz was big in Jehovah's Witness belief because he was the organization's resident seer and long-time student of the bible. Knorr and Franz had great control over the society.
Aside from covering up several of F.W. ("Freddy") Franz's doctrinal blunders, as well as his well-known expectations regarding 1975 as the date for the end of the world, this newly empower-ed Governing Body (ranging from 11 to 18 men) had to come up with some fancy explanations for Rutherford's and Russell's failed prophecies.
Does History Effect us!!
While they have on occasion gone back to previous views, more often than not, as we have seen, the Watchtower leaders have chosen entirely new views, sometimes the exact opposite as before! Even if they were honest in this matter and were to admit their complete failure, one cannot but question why this "holy spirit" would not tell them outright what is doctrinally correct. Nor would it excuse them from fitting the Biblical pattern of a false prophet. (Deut. 18: 20-22) In 1972 they told us to review the record of these self-styled prophets:
Who is this prophet?... Today they are known as Jehovah's Witnesses.... Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a "prophet" of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show? (Watchtower, 4/1/72, p.197)
Time has revealed enough to demonstrate that the Watchtower has a worse prophetic record than most spirit mediums and soothsayers! After dozens of failed dates, expectations and changes in teachings, as well as their life-dishonoring and grossly hypocritical stand on blood transfusions, they can no longer sing this song! Alas! Time for more new explanations!
Influence in thinking has changed why fight it? Going ahead of the Governing Body? Why would it be wrong too? Compare yourself to what the Governing body has already done in the past... they are changing things, your thinking and you don't fight that... If they don't think it's wrong for them to change why would it be wrong for you too. You could save your life! (Failed prophecies, unnecessary no blood policy deaths, disfellowshipment suicides, geepers creepers under elders hats and molesting your kids, money hungry leaders paying off all the lawyers to help keep their errors from biting them in the butt, and mostly an illusion or manipulation that gets you to serve them rather then God)
Jehovah's Witnesses policies: Choosing in participation or in standing firm in beliefs while respecting God... is it truly a conscience matter or is it about obedience? (Holidays, Politics, and Beliefs like abstaining from Blood)
Sins paid with consequences by what role, the leaders judgement\punishment towards that or what naturally happens. Does the sin of one man stem on the whole group or just the individual? (...Sex before marriage, cheating, violence, murder, and stealing, etc.) Is it protecting or harming? Basicly is it doing more harm then good. Who is a rightful judge and who should you put trust in this role> Judge, preacher, therapist, or any professionals.
Do they know their job? What roles do they have in your life and how much control do you give them? What is your role? How do they, your leaders or guides, base their understanding, by facts or faith> what are the consequences in putting faith (your lifes conscience, thinking, or beleif) in certain men? Your life again could be in jeopardy!
How?? Well is it because God may be offended and decide that we aren't worth of his glory or his gift to us... or is it really because the manipulation of man is feeding on this illusion to get us to do their work for them... Think.
Core beliefs and contradictions between wither it's important to God, is it important in figuring out the foundation of beliefs, or is it important as to your personal identity or your life in general, will it save your future> Trinity, Hell, and Jesus's coming, Jesus being God, and Jehovah's name or title.
Purpose on earth> is it to enjoy life? Is it to make a mark in this world? Or is it to make a difference that will affect an eternal life unknown or is that all an illusion that will distract you and hold you down in this life? Reach full potential worth living for... if not now in the future especially in an unknown future life? When do you invest in this things you hold important and how much investment (time) should you focus on giving? What part of life is important to invest time and energy into>> What makes you happy now or what makes you happy forever and ever>
Researching beyond the pages of your core belief... Is it safe? Is it creating unnecessary doubt in your heart? Will God or Good guide you along the way?
Help me figure it out if I'm wrong then... You could save yourself or you could be saving me.
The Love Of Family (literal or spiritual) is GREATER Than The Love of TRIDITION and RELIGION.
