That Rutherford or Russell were into Phrenology. Anyone have any info on this and is there anything in the Tower or other publications going back about it? Thanks.
I remember reading somewhere a long time ago
by mickbobcat 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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mickbobcat
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jonahstourguide
Found this mickbobcat.
It's from the screwed generation utube. It references a zions wt July15 19097 p4028 &4029.
https://youtu.be/dGsFw9CsDfQ?t=70
At about one minute thirteen seconds in. Seems they acknowledged it.
jtg
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Earnest
The Watchtower of July 15, 1907 says in an article on the Tabernacle (p.4028) :
Without claiming that phrenology has reached a perfection of development - without claiming that any has learned to read accurately from the shape of the human skull the various traits of character therein represented, even while admitting that such a reading of character might be defective, and particularly so with those whose characters have been transformed by the renewing of their mind through the begettal of the holy Spirit - nevertheless we may admit that phrenology so far as understood fully corroborates the picture given us in the arrangement of the Tabernacle of Israel surrounded by the camp.
It then goes on to say that if we imagine the human skull spread out flat that the central part of it would correspond to the Tabernacle and its court. It's very strange but it is hardly an endorsement of phrenology.
There is also a reference to the shape of the brain in the March 15, 1913 Watchtower (p.5201) but that is not talking about phrenology.
The drawing power which the Almighty exercises over humanity is in different degrees. Some have a strong desire to worship God, others have a weak desire, and others have no desire at all. This difference is due to the shape of the brain. Mankind are born with differences in this respect.--Psa. 51:5
In the Watchtower of July 15, 1978 in an article on the Human Brain (pp.14-18) it says :
By the use of electrodes, areas of the cerebral cortex have been mapped out, showing what functions are performed and where. Some false beliefs have been removed, such as phrenology—the study of “character traits” by feeling bumps on the head. The shape of the skull is not determined by the shape of the cerebrum, nor is it possible to assign “character traits” to specific areas of the brain.
So, really not very much at all. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some mention of it in the Golden Age but couldn't find any.
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Anony Mous
@Earnest: The first two articles seem to suggest that phrenology is true, just that the scientific community came to the wrong conclusion, namely that it was "god" and religiosity you can read from the skull.
I don't think they have a position on for example multi-world hypothesis or quantum physics, but I'm sure you will eventually find something that says it is a fact and attributes it to Jehoober being superior. Just like they switched from being young-earth to old-earth creationists, they take whatever is convenient for them and twist it.
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Earnest
Anony Mous : The first two articles seem to suggest that phrenology is true ...
The second article is talking about the shape of the brain, not the shape of the skull which is what phrenology measures. The pertinent section in the article is discussing that those who possess particular qualities of mind are naturally drawn to God. It is not talking about measuring the skull or the brain in any way. It (Watchtower Reprints, 03/15/1913, p.5201) goes on to say :
Man was created in the image of God. The fall has greatly marred that image, but no one is totally depraved. All have unbalanced brains, some in one direction, others in another. When the truth comes in contact with those whose organs of veneration or conscientiousness are less impaired, they are drawn to investigate it, with the hope of being drawn close to God. Those whose organs of veneration and conscientiousness are more impaired, do not have this experience, and are not drawn unto God, if haply they may find him.
I really don't think there is any endorsement of phrenology here. In fact, in the first article, which does talk about phrenology, it specifically says "without claiming that any has learned to read accurately from the shape of the human skull the various traits of character therein represented", which settles any doubt a reader might have that such a claim is being made.