The quiz will be followed by the answers. DON'T PEEK!
The answers should be avoided while taking the quiz
You are on the honor system!
GOOD LUCK!
1. In what year did the Watchtower bible and tract society BEGIN teaching that Jesus Christ returned invisibly in 1914?
2. When, according to the Society, did 6,000 years of human existence end?
3.True or False: C.T.Russell solicited donations under the pretense that donors would neither die nor get sick.
4. The origin of the door to door work as a christian duty commenced because:
a. It was costing Russell $42,000 to hire 300 boys to pass out literature
b. It kept people busy and distracted them from all his failed prophesy
c. Clergy managed to keep Russell's books out of regular bookstores so self-distribution was the only alternative.
5. In 1894 four leaders of Bible Study groups using Russell's writings rose up to accuse Russell of what?
a.Sexual impropriety
b. false prophesies contained in his older books
c. Pope-like power for trying to increase his power and control over their groups
6. Russell slept with another man on a narrow bed-lounge. True or False?
7.In what year did the WTS begin soliciting donations? Why?
8. In what year did the GB decide to forbid Blood Transfusions as doctrine?
9. For how long was a ban imposed (punishable by disfellowshipping) on vaccinations by Jehovah's Witnesses?
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"Vaccination never prevented anything and never will, and is the most barbarous practice...We are in the last days; and the devil is slowly losing his hold, making a strenuous effort meanwhile to do all the damage he can, and to his credit can such evils be placed...Use your rights as American citizens to forever abolish the devilish practice of vaccinations." |
10. Has the Watchtower ever claimed that Baptism is of pagan origins? Yes/No.
11. Has the Watchtower Society itself ever celebrated a birthday?
12. Which published book is the most printed?
a. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
b.The Diary of Anne Frank
c.The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey
d.The New World Translation
e.The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life (containing the bogus 1975 claim)
-----------------------------------------------------DO NOT PEEK WHILE TAKING THE TEST!----------------------------------------------------------
Answers:
1.In 1930 Christ's return and "presence" was switched from 1874 to 1914.
Reference: http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JWBoastfulLies72.htm
In The Golden Age magazine (1930 p.503) Joseph Rutherford, the second president of the WTS, wrote "Jesus has been present since 1914" but he gave no supporting explanation.
In 1932: The prophecy of the Bible, fully supported by the physical facts in fulfilment thereof, shows that the second coming of Christ dates from the fall of the year 1914.
(What is Truth? 1932)
2. 1873: The end of the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam and the beginning of the great 7th day, the 1000 years of Christ's reign. - The Time is at Hand, (1916), Pg2.
Also: 1975: The end of 6000 years from man's creation and the probable beginning of Christ's millennial reign. - Life Everlasting in Freedom... (1966), Pgs 29, 30.
reference: http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JwPropheticRecord4.htm
3. TRUE! At first Russell solicited donations under the pretension that the donators would neither die nor get sick "except by God's will". (*) When some did die the offer needed amending. But miraculous healings allegedly continued, including arthritics, deaf people, and even old persons restored to youth. (**) This was discontinued in the 1890s.
reference: *Watch Tower Reprints 1881 January p. 181
**Watch Tower Reprints 1883 pp. 436-437; 1885 pp. 748749; 1885 pp. 782-784
4. ALL 3! Tract production and distribution in 1880, including hiring of 300 New York boys to distribute tracts at church doors, cost Russell $42,000. Such commitment meant no turning back. So, to reduce costs Russell introduced tracteering as a Christian duty within the sect. Being thus kept busy diverted their attention from failed prophecy and instilled a sense of commitment in all. The "keep them busy" stratagem is still successful a century later.
Russell commenced a set of books, "Studies in the Scriptures". Local clergymen opposed their sale in bookstores. Therefore Russell introduced colporteuring in which selected followers earned incomes by doorstep book selling.
Reference: http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JWRussellCT4.htm
5.ALL 3! in 1889. Already he had followers overseas. To secure his authority among them, Russell made his first overseas trip 1891 to Britain and the Mediterranean. Next he appointed "pilgrims" to visit ecclesias, give sermons and enforce use of his books.
Russell's early books were already dated. His failed prophecies, ever changing "truth", increasing power and stricter oversight sparked "rebellion". Several small groups split off in 1881. In 1894 four leaders united in accusing Russell of sexual impropriety and of "Pope-like" power. But Maria, Russell's wife, came to the rescue visiting the ecclesias, defending him. There were disturbances in Ireland and Switzerland after 1900. In Melbourne the Branch Leader took 80 of 100 converts with him in 1908. A major revolt in 1911 included the sect's vice president and Russell's private secretary.
Reference: http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/JWRussellCT4.htm
6. TRUE if Brother Bohnet's words are correct. Alternatively "Brother" Bohnet's words are suggestive if inconclusive:
"I had for many years been a member of the Bible House family, had eaten and lived there, and even enjoyed your uncomfortable bed-lounge with you on various occasions since the year 1895."
Reference: Watch Tower Reprints 1910 3/15 p. 4590
7. January 17, 1990 the Supreme Court in California Board of Equalization vs. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries ruled against Swaggart. The lawsuit was lost. WTS had joined Swaggart in trying to escape taxation.
8. Around 1945
9.The group banned their members from having vaccinations from 1931 to 1952. Since Golden Age 1921 decrying articles began to appear.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness6.htm
10. Yes, but they practice it anyway. "The practice of baptism...predates the Christian faith. It was employed in Babylonia and ancient Egypt, where the cold waters of the Nile were thought to increase strength and bestow immortality." (WT 1993 April 1 p.4)
11. Yes. They celebrated their 100th birthday. The WTS had no compunction in declaring their July 1, 1979 Watchtower a "special issue" celebrating a century of publication. The Watchtower Corporation also celebrated its own hundredth birthday as a Centennial to Remember in 1984! (WT 1985 January 1 p. 16)
12.
The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life 1969/1981 108,000,000
New World Translation (In whole or part) 1950s-2000 100,000,000
American Spelling Book 1783 Noah Webster 100,000,000
Automobile Association Handbook 1908-1991 98,000,000
Guinness Book of Records 1955-1999 85,000,000
The McGuffey Reader 1853-1879 William H McGuffey 60,000,000
A Message to Garcia 1899 Elbert Hubbard 50,000,000
Knowledge that Leads to Everlasting Life 1995 46,000,000
The Living Bible 45,000,000
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth 1982/1989 42,000,000
True Peace and Security 1986 37,000,000
To Kill A Mockingbird 1960 Harper Lee 30,000,000
Gone With the Wind 1936 Margaret Mitchell 30,000,000
Valley of the Dolls 1966 Jacqueline Susann 29,000,000
The Diary of Anne Frank 25,000,000