1975 statements

A Believer

From JW org

“Six Thousand Years of Human Existence”

In 1969 the Watchtower magazine in Czech began publishing a series of articles based on the book Life Everlasting—In Freedom of the Sons of God. Chapter 1, under the subheading “Six Thousand Years of Human Existence Closing,”contained an explanation of the Jubilee and of Bible chronology. This material influenced some in a positive way; it also led to many questions and much speculation.

The office in Czechoslovakia sent a letter dated February 22, 1972, to all congregations. It set out a lengthy explanation of reasons why we should not make any definite assertions about the date when Armageddon will strike. It pointed out that no publication of the Society had said that Armageddon will come in a certain year. The letter concluded: “Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world are familiar with these facts, and no one should add any personal claims as to what will happen before or during the year 1975. There are no Scriptural grounds for any claims, and they could have a detrimental effect on the preaching work. Strive, therefore, that you ‘all speak in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.’ (1 Cor. 1:10) For concerning that day and hour nobody knows.”—Matt. 24:36.

JWdaughter

I dont think the Redondo, WA congregation got that memo from the Czechoslovakian office.

JWdaughter

In 1966 supposedly cautionary statements were made. I was born then. They forgot the cautions by the early 70s when it was a frenzy of WT declarations that 1975 was it. Any disclaimers were delivered with a wink and a chuckle that am gone would be so stupid as to ignore their warnings about the impending calamities.

"There were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year (1975) was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated." -Watchtower, 1980 March 15, p.17, par. 5"

WT literature combined with the talks. . .don't be naive. Whether you have been studying for mere weeks or years (you've stated both) you werent their before OR soon after1975. I was and with all due respect, you need to be silent on this subject that you are truly ignorant of.

scratchme1010

The office in Czechoslovakia sent a letter dated February 22, 1972, to all congregations. It set out a lengthy explanation of reasons why we should not make any definite assertions about the date when Armageddon will strike. It pointed out that no publication of the Society had said that Armageddon will come in a certain year. The letter concluded: “Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world are familiar with these facts, and no one should add any personal claims as to what will happen before or during the year 1975. There are no Scriptural grounds for any claims, and they could have a detrimental effect on the preaching work. Strive, therefore, that you ‘all speak in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.’ (1 Cor. 1:10) For concerning that day and hour nobody knows.”—Matt. 24:36.

What's the point of any of this? Is that supposed to cancel everything else that the Wt has claimed and then changed? Besides, high demand, controlling cults like the JWs never take a full stand of anything, especially something that comes out of their behinds about a date to the end of the world. Of course "they never said such thing", the never do. They "always do" when things actually happen". The rest is about instilling fear and gossiping around.

Listener

A Believer, you link to a website that claims Ray Franz was behind the 1975 saga.

prologos

did not wt, riding the 75 wave, initiated a "6 month limit of study to baptism" program to finish the work by 75? No cautionary letters were read in the mainstream North American field imho. but then,

the Czechs were always smart, still are,- smarter than merkel.

krismalone

May 1974 KM - WT commends those who are selling their home and serving where the need is great. Great way to spend the short time of this system has left is what they said.

May 22,1969 Awake- Youths are told that they need to face the fact that they "will never get old in this system of things". So why take up a college education that will take 4-6 years. This system will be already gone by then.

Life Everlasting & freedom p.29 - It would be "appropriate" for God to bring the end by 1975. It would "not be a coincidence" if armageddon came in 1975.

The GB are masters of double speak. They strongly encouraged the probability that 1975 would bring the end. But they also used weasel words such as " it could be but we are not saying". That way if it did happen they would claim they had predicted it accurately...and if it failed...they can claim they never said it. Instead blame the followers. You can youtube the word "1975 watchtower" and you can hear talks given by Fred Franz and a District overseer Sunutko and after listening to those talks reach your own conclusions.

Why did the GB issue a half ass apology in the 1980 YB p.7 or 17 in digital form and in the W80 3/15? They knew that they were responsible but only offered a half ass apology. Typical of cult leaders that keep the masses in control.

Was the district overseer removed for giving that talk where he specifically stated that 1975 would be the end? NO...instead he continued as a traveling rep of the WT. That same district overseer died in good standing with the cult in southern CA.

How about Fred Franz...was he disciplined for coming up with that false prophecy and causing hundreds of thousands financial hardship and distress? NO! Instead he was promoted to President of the Watchtower Society.

http://jwfacts.mobi/1975-watchtower-quotes/

wannaexit

The note didin't make it over the pond. But then, I heard that there were some rogue, independent witnesses in the czech republic.

OUTLAW

I dont think the Redondo, WA congregation got that memo from the Czechoslovakian office........JW Daughter

Canada never got it..

I got my ass dragged from door to door to preach 1975..

It`s a Fucked Up Way to spend your childhood..

JWdaughter

Outlaw, it was messed up. The real good news is that it's over.

1975 statements

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