I got this from a file called flip flops i believe a Leonard R Miller it sapose to come from the 1954 walsh trial transcript and i have downloaded the 810 pages and the part looks like its from examination or cross-examination of Covinton ex president and High profile lawer but i cannot find these questions and answers in those pages since that is the best evidence as i wish to help wake up my wife and mother. Any thoughts
T
o illustrate their perceived need for organization unity in contrast with truth, the
following Watchtower courtroom testimony
1
should help. [A = Covington]
Q. Is it not vital to speak the truth on religious matters?
A. It certainly is.
Q. You have promulgated - forgive the word - false prophecy?
A. We have. I do not think we have promulgated false prophecy, there have been
statements that were erroneous, that is the way I put it, and mistaken.
Q. It was promulgated as a matter which must be believed by all members of
Jehovah's witnesses that the Lord's Second Coming took place in 1874?
(A short discussion of evidence given by Fred W Franz about 1874 takes place
here.)
Q. That was the publication of false prophecy?
A. That was the publication of a false prophecy, it was a false statement or an
erroneous statement in fulfilment of a prophecy that was false or erroneous.
Q. And that had to be believed by the whole of Jehovah's Witnesses?
A. Yes, because you must understand, we must have unity, we cannot have
disunity with a lot of people going every way, an army is supposed to march in
step.
Q. Back to the point now, a false prophecy was promulgated?
A. I agree to that.
Q. It had to be accepted by Jehovah's witnesses?
A. That is correct.
Q. If a member of Jehovah's witnesses took the view himself that that prophecy
was wrong, and said so, would he be disfellowshipped?
A. Yes, if he said so, and kept on persisting in creating trouble, because if the
whole organisation believes one thing, even though it be erroneous, and somebody
else starts on his own trying to put his ideas across, then there is a disunity and
trouble, there cannot be harmony, there cannot be marching ...... Our purpose is
to have unity.
Q. Unity at all costs?
A. Unity at all costs, because we believe and are sure that Jehovah God is using
our organisation, the governing body of our organisation, to direct it, even though
mistakes are made from time to time.
Q. A unity based on an enforced acceptance of false prophecy?
A. That is conceded to be true.
Q. And the person who expresses his view, as you say, that it was wrong, and was
disfellowshipped, would be in breach of the covenant, if he was baptised?
A. That is correct.
Q. And as you said yesterday expressly, would be worthy of death?
A. I think....
Q. Would you say yes or no?
A. I will answer yes, unhesitatingly.
Q. Do you call that religion?
A. It certainly is.
Q. Do you call that Christianity?
A. I certainly do.