Strange WT contradictions and backpeddling (page 3)

Frenchy

Fascinating.

-Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-

JT

larc

nice background info for the uninformed like Fred Hall smile

thinkers wife

This is so interesting. I knew a little about Beth Sarim. But nothing about Beth Shan. How they do cover their tracks.
TW

DannyBear

Larc,

Thanks larc for the excellent research on the 'BS' saga!

Jw's seem to pride themselves with the notion that they are very pragmatic, not subject to whims of fancy or 'virgin' sighting's, that is another dishonest appraisal. From 1874 thru 1975 they have literally bombarded r&f with every sort of sighting, predictions, promises, and false hope. Involving almost every faceit of life, aluminum cookware, vaccinations, blood, education, grooming, you name it they have made some ridiculous claim or insight...only later having to revise or completely abandon the teaching.

'BS' was one of those special JW mysteries, that inspired old timers (those active since early 1900's) who were used to all of Russell's Pyramid, photo dramas, miracle wheat, fantasies that excited the r&f. Rutherford acting similar to other notorious cult leaders (Hubbard, Jones, Ammie Sempel McPherson(sp?), Armstrong,Franz et al) realized they needed to keep the brother's and sister's agitated and excited. What better way then to tell them their contributions to the work, would allow him to prepare a place for 'the ancient worthies'?

Yes, I do remember talk about still having expectations of seeing this fantasy realized. I know I was probably 6-10 year old, which would put me in the years 1955-1958. I can still recall the 1953-54? convention in New York City we stayed in the 'tent city' I have vivid memories. On the train from Los Angeles to New York in 1958, half or more of the passenger Jw, for three days hearing all sorts of talk about what this assembly may portend. So to answer your question, it was during this time that the 'ancient worthies' struck my youthful
fantasies.

JW's don't have sightings of virgins, but they have a whole slew of other religious propaganda, to satisfy the void! '144,000, spiritual paradise, loving organization, 1,000 year reign, paradise earth, faithful and discreet(oxymoronic as respects them)slave class', long lists of classes to set one above another, on and on.

Sorry for getting wordy here, but your comments regarding 'BS' just got me going.

DannyBear

Edited by - DannyBear on 20 February 2001 8:45:7

larc

DannyBear,

Thank you for providing your recolletions. Your memories indicate that the ideas in 1958 were not restricted to the midwest, where I live, but must have pervaded the country.

TR,

They cover their tracks by rewriting history. Since most people, not just the witnesses, have little interest in history, very few go back to review the actual historical record. In my own case, it was this research quest that lead to the demise of my beliefs. This began when I was 18 years old. I met a young man, my age, who was an ocassional meeting attender. His grandfather was an old time believer, but not involved. The grandfather told my friend, who told me about the pyramid belief. I thought that such an idea was not possible so I went to used book stores, got some of he old books, and read about this foolishness, plus much more. That enlightenment was the beginning of the end of belief for me.
The JW's most recent history book is chock full of errors, deception and down right lies. I'll give you an example. They state, rightly so, that Ruthford's wife remained in California due to ill health. They also talk about Rutherford's many trips to California. One would assume that he spent time with his wife, as is implied by their statements. The fact is, that Mrs. Rutherford never lived with the Judge at Beth Sarim.

larc

Another opps,

I meant to address my last comments to TW's question.

waiting

Hey larc,

Thank you very much. The insight into jw history is so relevant - no matter what faithful jw's say. I, like wendy, had never heard of Beth Sarim before getting on the web. Until your information, I had never heard of Beth Shan.

In Randy Watter's book, "Thus Saith the Governing Body", there are scanned copies of the deed to Beth Sarim, and the newspaper notification of it's rightful owners.

The WTBTS also stipulated that the resurrected Abraham, Isaac & Joseph (and the others also) would have to provide proof of identity in order to claim Beth Sarim. Scanned copy shown in above book.

Of course, the WTBTS article didn't stipulate what this *proof* consisted of. Perhaps the ancients were resurrected and tried to claim Beth Sarim but couldn't prove to the WTBTS sufficiently that they were who they said they were?

Rather boggles the mind, eh?

waiting

larc

Hey Lurker,

With your background in computer science and working with other gurus in R&D, I am sure that you will debug the demons in no time!

TR

LYING

"Lying to God's enemies is not really lying but war strategy"(WT 6/1/60 p.352)

"Did she tell a lie? No, she did not. She was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth by action and word for the sake of the ministry." (WT 5/1/1957 p. 285)

MARRIAGE

"Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scriptures." (FACE FACTS, p. 46)

"There is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world before Armageddon, where we are now." (WT 11/1/1938 p. 324)

vs.

"Forbidding to marry is wrong." (WT 4/1/1964 p. 199)

"Those who would forbid marriage have departed from the faith." (WT 9/15/1979 p.31)

TR

Strange WT contradictions and backpeddling

Share this