Posts by Doug Mason

8

Who first applied Daniel 9 to the Christian's Jesus?

by Doug Mason in

i am seeking information, not an exegesis or an eisegesis.. .

"somewhere", i came across a statement identifying the person/group that first interpreted the 70 "sevens" of daniel 9 as identifying the year of jesus' appearance as the "messiah".. .

try as i might, i cannot relocate that information, so i am hoping someone can point me to authoritative sources that identify the person/group who first provided that interpretation, and hopefully the contemporary context.. .

Doug Mason

I am seeking information, not an exegesis or an eisegesis.

"Somewhere", I came across a statement identifying the person/group that first interpreted the 70 "sevens" of Daniel 9 as identifying the year of Jesus' appearance as the "Messiah".

Try as I might, I cannot relocate that information, so I am hoping someone can point me to authoritative sources that identify the person/group who first provided that interpretation, and hopefully the contemporary context.

Thanks,

Doug

18

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovahs Witnesses

by Doug Mason in

research studies on the mental health of jehovahs witnesses.

http://www.jwstudies.com/scandinavian_medicine_march_8_1946.pdf.

http://www.jwstudies.com/paradise_postponed_jerry_bergman.pdf.

Doug Mason

EmptyInside,

Thank you for your thoughts and observations. May I use them?

Most appreciated.

Doug

18

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovahs Witnesses

by Doug Mason in

research studies on the mental health of jehovahs witnesses.

http://www.jwstudies.com/scandinavian_medicine_march_8_1946.pdf.

http://www.jwstudies.com/paradise_postponed_jerry_bergman.pdf.

Doug Mason

Mattieu,

Thank you!

Doug

18

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovahs Witnesses

by Doug Mason in

research studies on the mental health of jehovahs witnesses.

http://www.jwstudies.com/scandinavian_medicine_march_8_1946.pdf.

http://www.jwstudies.com/paradise_postponed_jerry_bergman.pdf.

Doug Mason

just n,

I appreciate your thoughts.

The JWs are by no means unique. As you say, people's insecurities are manifested in many ways. Most of the time, people go around thinking "I wonder what they are thinking about me" - a circular thought process.

This forum happens to be dedicated to JWs, and these articles are on JWs, so the linkage is quite apparent. I feel certain that the outputs of these studies - and I deliberately posted several simultaneously - could be applied to other organisations where insecurity is not resolved but enhanced, they would conclude with the same devastating mental impact as is seen with JWs.

It is a real pity that more recent studies, using better rigour and updated understandings, do not appear to have been conducted, so that people with these illnesses can be better helped, and the stigma associated with mental illness may be set aside. Nevertheless, these do provide a historical context, which some will be able to identify in their own lives today.

I hope that there is one JW who is helped by reading these studies. I hope that this one JW is empowered by these studies to take positive action that helps them to better manage the internal trauma they are experiencing. I hope that other JWs will support these ill people, while at the same time question the unrelenting mental pressures put to bear on the followers of this exclusive brethren style operation.

Doug

18

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovahs Witnesses

by Doug Mason in

research studies on the mental health of jehovahs witnesses.

http://www.jwstudies.com/scandinavian_medicine_march_8_1946.pdf.

http://www.jwstudies.com/paradise_postponed_jerry_bergman.pdf.

Doug Mason

If you want my own thoughts on the high mental illness rate with JWs, I will oblige below. But I simply wanted to make these studies available for personal research and reflection.

One could argue that these are studies made some 30 to 60 years ago, and that today's non-JW environment is different, given the impact on the brain of drugs. That may be valid; I don't have any facts one way or the other. I am no expert on the subject of psychiatry. I simply know that the WTS is sufficiently concerned at the rate of mental illness in its ranks that it provides detailed supportive articles on the subject.

We must not demonise people who suffer a mental affliction. To do so causes them to withdraw and their suffering becomes more intense. I feel that the kind of people who are attracted to such groups are seeking solutions to problems they already have, and when their fears are not resolved, but indeed are added to with additional concerns, their condition worsens. When they are continually told that everone else in the organisation is happy, the poor sufferer believes the problem therefore lies with them. They dare not question the organisation.

I also hoped that some JWs might be able to identify with the stories given in these studies, and if they did, I would hope they would recognise the situation they are in and take appropriate medical action.

Here, then is the scenario as I see it, and I believe is reflected in the accounts provided in the studies I made available:

----------------

(1) A JW’S TYPICAL EXPERIENCE

• A person attracted to a sect would likely be seeking for a solution to their fears and concerns – wars, catastrophes caused by nature, crime, drugs, dishonesty, climate change, even death.

• Any number of sources are available that claim to provide THE solution (Pentecostal exuberance; Eastern mysticism, including practices such as meditation and yoga; even drugs). The housebound soul is confronted by friendly confident Jehovah’s Witnesses right at their front door. While being only one very minor sect, the JWs are well-known because of their aggressive outreach.

• The previously disturbed householder is thus drawn in by the positive, simple, confident solutions offered by the JWs, and they experience a honeymoon period as a shiny new JW.

• Rather than seeing their anxieties allayed, the new JW is constantly confronted with warnings about wars, earthquakes, crime, dying instead of accepting certain medical treatment, having to accept constant changes in beliefs, and above all being constantly confronted with the fear of the very imminent Great War of Armageddon.

• At the same time, the JW is confronted with glowing happy JWs pictured here and now as well as in the coming future on earth.

• The JW internalises that the problem is within, that something is wrong personally. Here are these happy, joyful, positive images and stories, yet at the same time there is the confrontation of the very concerns they came with. The initial concerns are not being resolved.

• They are likely to feel ostracised by the community, former friends and relations, perhaps even their spouse and family. Having to take up the door-to-door ministry can be daunting, particularly when having to put on a positive front when confronted by a concerned householder.

• As they are drawn in further, the new JW realises that conformity to the organisation is paramount, regardless of anything else. Personal views are not permitted; instead of the confident freedom they desired and anticipated, their anxieties are magnified. But there is no one they can turn to. To express a concern is likely to result in immediate expulsion, with the certain knowledge that one’s opportunity to share in the glorious imminent New Earth has gone.

• The WTS’s leaders say that they are the sole representative on earth of Jehovah’s kingdom government, so to doubt or disobey them is the same as disobeying Jehovah. The new JW is both encouraged by this, but at the same time is very fearful of disobeying in any way.

(2) THE WTS’s POSITION

• The WT constantly portrays its followers receiving positive benefits from reading the Bible. They are joyous; their lives are enriched and enhanced through reading the Word of God, courtesy of the explanations provided by the WTS, the sole representative of Jehovah’s kingdom government. Their faith protects them.

• Nevertheless, the WTS agrees that mental illness does exist within its ranks. Their JW community is indeed no different to the rest of society. They do not provide the solution to people’s concerns.
--------------------------
These Studies suggest that the presence of mental disorder within the ranks of JWs is much higher than in the general community. This is likely explained through the combination the nature of the people attracted by the JW message and that the environment within the sect contributes further to their prior condition.

18

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovahs Witnesses

by Doug Mason in

research studies on the mental health of jehovahs witnesses.

http://www.jwstudies.com/scandinavian_medicine_march_8_1946.pdf.

http://www.jwstudies.com/paradise_postponed_jerry_bergman.pdf.

Doug Mason

Research studies on the mental health of Jehovah’s Witnesses

http://www.jwstudies.com/Scandinavian_Medicine_March_8_1946.pdf

http://www.jwstudies.com/Paradise_Postponed_Jerry_Bergman.pdf

(provided by permission)

http://www.jwstudies.com/Mental_health_JWs_John_Spencer.pdf

http://www.jwstudies.com/JWs_mental_illness_John_Stedman.pdf

http://www.jwstudies.com/Pessimistic_Sect_s_Influence_Montague_Social_Compass_24.pdf

(Havor Montague and Jerry Bergman are the same person.)

Doug

3

It is Jehovahs organization because it has to keep correcting itself

by Doug Mason in

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Doug Mason

So if Jehovah's organization is prone to error, so much so that it has to keep making changes, how can we know when it is teaching the truth?

How can it point fingers at claimed errors of others, when it also teaches error?

Doug

3

It is Jehovahs organization because it has to keep correcting itself

by Doug Mason in

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Doug Mason

[Question]

How does Jehovah's spirit help the "faithful and discreet slave" arrive at the truth of a matter? The Society does not claim infallibility or inspiration. How much is dependent upon the written Word? How can we be sure that this is the organization Jehovah is using when some things are published and later changed?—C. P., United States.

[Answer]

In regard to how the truth is brought forth through Jehovah's organization, please note that if the Watch Tower Society were infallible there would be no need for future CORRECTION of viewpoints held; but because it is not infallible and has never claimed to be, from time to time CORRECTIONS ARE NECESSARY. If Jehovah's spirit operated in the way it did upon Bible writers, inspiring them to write according to Jehovah's thoughts, then no FUTURE CORRECTIONS in matters would ever be necessary. But because the spirit does not operate in this way today some CORRECTIONS ARE MADE from time to time.

Jehovah God, in fact, foretold or indicated that such would be the case. At Proverbs 4:18 (AS) it states: "The path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." While the light is still dim the broad outline of an object may be visible but the details of it are not always distinct, and as the light increases these details may be seen with more clarity and a CORRECTED VIEW is obtained. Full dependence is placed upon Jehovah's Word in the formulation of truth and it is from his Word that proof should be forthcoming. However, with greater clarity and understanding, NEW TRUTHS are discerned and something that previously appeared very logical may require REVISION.

Jehovah did not say that the entire matter would be seen in crystal clarity instantaneously. With these last days in mind, Jesus spoke of the "faithful and discreet slave" that would be appointed to bring forth "food at the proper time." (Matt. 24:45, NW) This is a progressive process, food being continually provided, and as we advance in the stream of time and observe further fulfillment of prophecy new truths are discerned and brought forth and constitute fresh and nourishing food for our day. Some truths were not essential for us prior to the time of their discernment, otherwise JEHOVAH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THEM TO BECOME KNOWN earlier.

Even the ERRONEOUS VIEWPOINTS HELD BY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR served their purpose in contributing to the fulfillment of prophecy, for Jehovah had long ago foretold a condition of SPIRITUAL UNCLEANNESS UPON HIS PEOPLE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME and the cleansing work that would be done. Hence such things are to be expected according to prophecy and their occurrence is a CONFIRMATION THAT THIS IS JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION, rather than a cause for raising question concerning Jehovah's use of the organization.

JEHOVAH USES THIS ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT IS MEEK AND TEACHABLE AND IS NOT SET AND BOUND in its viewpoints. It is an organization that looks to Jehovah for guidance and direction and watches his maneuvering of matters on the world scene and the outworking of events that fulfill prophecy and it lines up its views in accord with these things. It is WILLING TO CHANGE and keep up with the developing conditions, to keep up with the light as the light is revealed brighter and brighter. THAT IS WHY JEHOVAH CAN USE THIS ORGANIZATION, and certainly the facts show that he has been using it and is continuing to use it. He is bringing the increase. He is using this organization to preach the good news of the established Kingdom in all the inhabited earth. Prophecies are being fulfilled upon this group. We are counseled to REMAIN CLOSE TO THE ORGANIZATION, FOR EVEN IF THE ORGANIZATION DOES HAVE VIEWS THAT ARE LATER CHANGED, OUR SAFETY LIES IN REMAINING WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND CHANGING WITH IT WHEN THE LIGHT INCREASES AND NEW TRUTHS ARE DISCERNED.

NO OTHER ORGANIZATION HAS SHOWN THIS FLEXIBILITY TO ALTER ITS VIEWS, to keep up with the changing times, to be alert to the increased light that conies from Jehovah from the temple, for other groups are bound by their centuries-old creeds. Rather than a stumbling stone, THE SOCIETY'S READINESS TO ALTER ITS VIEWS WHEN NECESSARY SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT, an assurance that THERE WILL BE CONTINUAL ADVANCEMENT AND INCREASE in learning, an ever-brightening light as we approach closer to the perfect day with its noon-day brightness. A false religion may have some truth in it, but it never gets rid of its many falsehoods and the truth it does have continues to be contaminated. With Jehovah's organization the beliefs can be established from the Bible, and when some erroneous view does creep in it is soon ferreted out and discarded.

An analogy might be drawn between the first and the second presence of Christ Jesus. At his first advent certainly the apostles at first thought he would be an entirely earthly King and that the kingdom would be earthly. Only after Pentecost did they learn that it was to be a heavenly kingdom. Prior to that time they could not discern this truth, and they entertained a false idea, as shown by Acts 1:6-8 (NW): "When, now, they had assembled, they went to asking him: 'Master, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this tune?' He said to them: 'It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own Jurisdiction; but you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you.'" Likewise it was some time until they saw clearly that they were no longer under the Mosaic law as such, as shown by Acts chapter 15. But that did not mean that they were not Jehovah's servants and his channel for bringing the truth to the people. So we should not stumble because the same is true today.

In fact, this ability to discard the erroneous as the light increases marks the difference between Jehovah's true worshipers and the false religions of Christendom. When it can be clearly shown from the Bible that an idea once held does not have sufficient Scriptural support and that a different viewpoint has the weight of Bible testimony behind it, then the new viewpoint is adopted and the former understanding is set aside. To be too proud to do this is to have a pride that would presage a fall.

(Prov. 16:18) Increased understanding of the Bible itself and growing proof from the Bible itself are the basis for altering the viewpoint. This organization is always probing and studying to find solid foundations in the Scriptures for its beliefs and as the light increases the foundations of our beliefs become stronger and stronger. We have ears to hear a clarified truth, not ears that refuse to hear. We have eyes to see the increased light, not eyes that refuse to see. We are anxious for new light and for new "food at the proper time."

This Jehovah supplies, not through individuals, but through his organization. (Prov. 3:5, 6) He has so operated with this group in the past and he is still doing so, as the physical facts abundantly confirm. Past history of the organization has shown that those who split off, thinking themselves smarter than the Society, are soon swallowed up in the seas of humanity. The new ideas they entertain are soon forgotten. They are not preached world-wide to all the inhabited earth, as Jesus said would be done with the truth. These separating, disgruntled ones are not fulfilling the prophecies that Jesus said would be fulfilled by his true people. It is this organization that is enjoying that fulfillment and it is through this organization that Jehovah sends further light and spiritual food that rectifies any erroneous conceptions previously entertained, as well as adding to the rich storehouse of spiritual food available for those devoted to him and willing to exert themselves in his service by telling it to others.

Jesus said: "All the same, wisdom is vindicated by its works." So this organization is vindicated as the one Jehovah is using by its activity in doing the preaching work Jesus foretold and in being used to fulfill many other prophecies.—Matt. 11:19, NW.

(The Watchtower, October 15, 1954, pages 638-639, emphases added)

Jesus is the firstborn because he ranks first in resurrection

by Doug Mason in

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Doug Mason

Jehovah God follows a certain order with regard to the resurrection of the dead. This is called to our attention by the apostle Paul ... As he goes along, he says: "Just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own RANK: Christ the FIRSTFRUITS, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence [Greek: parousia]." (1 Cor. 15:22, 23) God alone was responsible for Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus Christ was resurrected on ... the day when the Jewish high priest OFFERED UP THE FIRSTFRUITS of the barley harvest. This fits in accurately with Jesus' being the "FIRSTFRUITS" in the resurrection of the human dead. (1 Cor. 15:20)

This put Jesus Christ in the first "RANK." ...

SINCE Jesus Christ RANKS first, Paul called him "the FIRSTBORN from the dead, that he might become the one who is FIRST IN ALL THINGS."—Col. 1:18. ...

Jehovah God will observe ORDER and “RANK” with regard to the resurrection of those who are dying “in Adam”. (The Watchtower, June 15, 1979, pages 22-23)

2

Could someone identify this book for me?

by Doug Mason in

at the bottom of page 146 of the wts' book, "the bible -- god's word or man's?

" there is a photo of a guy holding a book.. is anyone able to tell me the name of the book?.

doug.

Doug Mason

Black Sheep,

THANK YOU for your great help!

Douhg