Was doing some research this evening and i think ive found possibly the most damaging Awake magazine issue the JW's could have printed. April 22nd 1970. You can download the entire 1970 volume here: http://da-ip.getmyip.com:8080/PDF/Old%20Publications/?sort=d
In this issue, the Watchtower calls other religions on their hypocrisy for changing doctrine, upbeat music in their services, the clergy meddling in worldly affairs (UN anyone?) - in fact EVERY article they accuse "false religion" on, THEY themselves are guilty of right now.
My fave quote has to be from page 232 of the bound volume:
The churches are in rapid decline. Even in the United States, were religion still enjoys perhaps the greatest popularity, nearly three out of four persons polled said that it is losing influence. Why is there this decline in religion?
One of the reasons is that people are disturbed by what is happening in their churches. Yes, millions of persons have been shocked to learn that things they were taught as being vital for salvation are now considered by their church to be wrong. Have you, too, felt discouragement, or even despair, because of what is happening in your church?
A businessman in Medelling, Colombia, expressed the effect the changes have had on many.
"Tell me", he asked "how can I have confidence in anything? How can i believe in the Bible, in God, or have faith? Just ten years ago we Catholics had the absolute truth, we put all our faith in this. now the pope and our priests are telling us this is not the way to believe any more, but we are to believe "new things". How do i know the "new things" will be the truth in five years?
Im printing this off and keeping it for teaching my daughter when she grows up, and of course any JW's that may be unfortunate enough to knock on the Pale.Emperor's door.
