EdenOne

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Posts by EdenOne

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  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  Brother / "friend" / farmer extraordinaire J. A. Bohnet was also the writer of the 64-page booklet "Features of The Plan of God" (1905)

  Eden
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  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  Brother "friend" John A. Bohnet, Watchtower "farmer", sales executive and designer extraordinaire:

  

  For his exceptional competence as a farmer extraordinaire and sales director for the "miracle wheat", J. F. Rutherford elected him as a director for the Watchtower Society in 1917.

  

  (Second from the right)

  He was so close to Russell that he even went on to design Russell's famous pyramid-shaped grave memorial.

  

  From: Program of the 1921 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society : "The Pyramid monument erected at the grave of Brother Russell was sketched by Brother J.A. Bohnet and approved by Brother Russell several years ago. It was his desire that such a monument be erected on this lot and he set about to procure the materials before his death. After Brother Russell's death, Brother Rutherford, learning that Brother Russell had ordered the erection of this monument asked Brother Bohnet to proceed at once to get the material and let the contract for its construction and erection."

  Eden
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  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  After the case against the Brooklyn Daily Eagle was lost, Russell wrote on the Watchtower: (February 15, 1913, p. 62)

  "THE CASE BRIEFLY REVIEWED

  I am interested in everything progressive and tending to prove that we are entering the great Thousand Years of earth’s blessings under Messiah. In the columns of THE WATCH TOWER I have noted the coming of Divine blessings in fulfilment of the prediction that “The wilderness shall blossom as the rose,” “The earth shall yield her increase,” etc. Five years ago we quoted in THE WATCHTOWER columns reports respecting “Miracle Wheat.” We gave the name and address (Mr. Stoner) of the farmer who discovered this new wheat and his reports of its remarkable qualities. We published also the report of Mr. Miller, the Government expert, who thoroughly investigated it and pronounced upon its superior qualities.

  Some of our readers purchased seed from Mr. Stoner at $1.25 per pound and approved it. In 1910 one of the friends of our Society, [note: turns out to be brother J. A. Bohnet] who had raised some of this wheat, sold it for seed at $1.00 per pound, and donated the proceeds to our Society. In 1911 the same friend, having raised more seed, asked that THE WATCH TOWER give the benefit of this to its readers at $1.00 a pound post-paid, and appropriate the net results to the furtherance of its work. (...) For the accommodation of our readers, we allowed this seed-wheat to be put up in pound packages and mailed from THE WATCH TOWER Office, just as the U.S. Government handles such seeds at Washington. We did the business at the request of others and in their interest, and credited them on our books with the results, setting aside to them proportionately voting shares in our Society. (...) It was in vain that my attorney sought to show the Jury The Eagle’s malice — that it really was attacking me along religious grounds; that it had set itself as the champion of certain clerical enemies of mine, and was seeking to destroy my influence and, if possible, to drive me from Brooklyn. (...) He was allowed to ridicule the “Miracle Wheat,” although I had nothing whatever to do with it, nor with the naming of it; and notwithstanding the fact that its superiority was proven. He was allowed to inveigh against the fact as criminal, that I hold the office of President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and to claim that I hold the office in some corrupt or unlawful manner, and that I misuse the Society’s income in some unexplained way to my own advantage. (...)"

  What Russell failed to say in court - and the court failed to ask, apparently - was in whose land this "Miracle Wheat" was being farmed by brother "friend" J. A. Bohnet: No more, no less the land that was acquired for the Rosemount, Mount Hope end Evergreen United Cemeteries; coincidentally, or not, brother J. A. Bohnet was part of the original people who incorporated the entity that owned this land, back in 1905. So, it appears that, while Russell was waiting for the real estate value to climb, instead of using the land as a cemetery, he used it - via J.A.Bohnet - to cultivate the "Miracle Wheat" to sell to Watchtower readers.

  So, the claim that the "friend" [Bohnet] donated the results of the "Miracle Wheat" sale for "furthering the work" is an attempt to cover-up a commercial endeavour by the Watchtower leader, Russell.

  Edited to add:

  In a letter addressed to Russell and published in Zion's Watchtower, (November 15, 1913, p. 350) brother/friend/Watchtower Farmer J.A. Bohnet wrote:

  "DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--
  Last spring a brother in the West sent me a supply of pea-beans, assuring me "they are very good." I planted them in rows similar to pea-planting and find they bloom and bear continuously from early summer until cut by frost in the fall. We are still picking them for table use at this date, October 14. We have more seed than we need. Am sending you a supply for such of THE TOWER readers as have garden space and may desire some to plant next spring. Should they wish to pay the postage on as many as you could apportion, that would,of course, be their privilege; I donate them. I might state, the stalk resembles a bean stalk, but within the long pods are peas, and suitable for cooking in the pods green, or, after ripening, shelled. They are tender and taste unlike beans or peas. We all like them. Until nearly ripe the pods are stringless or nearly so.

  In Christian love, your brother and servant in the Lord, J. A. BOHNET."

  Funny how this "brother" fails to mention that he is an employee of the Watchtower corporation and the land that he's farming is controlled by the WTS, thus mocking the unwary readers of the Watchtower magazine, in that there's no "donation" whatsoever, as this is a letter of an employee to his boss.

  Eden
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  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  This is a side note, but I've found this on the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of March, 3, 1910.

  It's unrelated with "Pastor Russell" controversy, but at least shows that the Brooklyn Daily Eagle conducted exposés on other clerigy men just the same way they have done to Russell, and around the same time, which leads me to conclude that they didn't have a 'personal vendetta' against Russell in particular, but clearly it was an editorial line that the newspaper pursuited.

  In this particular case, the target was Rev. Victor Patterson.

  Eden

  Edit: To see a larger, readable version, look here.

  
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  10

  The benefits of being out of the Organisation..

  by Dis-Member in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  elder 1. .

  elder 2.. .

  elder 3.. .

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  EdenOne

  Great story, Dis-Member!

  Let each one draw its own conclusions ...

  Eden
• 
  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  You're being obtuse, Focus.

  I'm not questioning the integrity of your story. I'm pointing out that relying on a single source for data [and a highly biased one at that] isn't very solid. Any half decent historian or journalist will tell you that. I'm not jumping onto your wagon just because you say so. Neither are many JW's who are sitting on the fence. For those, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle simply isn't a reliable source of information about their beloved CT Russell, because the Watchtower has done a fine job in denigrating that newspaper on the pages of the "Proclaimers" book and the "Yb 1976", to give a few examples. Thus, it's adviseable to have something more if you want to make your case truly convincing.

  I'm not the enemy. Pick your enemies more wisely. And stop being so sensitive just because someone is pointing out a weakness in your argumentation. This is a discussion board, not a pulpit. Get over it and carry on with your good work.

  Eden
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  62

  Roll call of those of us stuck in for our spouse or whos spouse is still in!

  by BU2B in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just wanted to get a feel for how many here have awakened to ttatt but are still carrying on some jw activities to pacify them and keep the peace.

  also trying to hear from those who have left, but whose spouse has stayed in the wt and in the marriage.. for me it comes down to my own mental anguish.

  i am mentally tortured by attending the meetings, yet i feel compelled to because my wife would kill me with her personality if i had her drag 2 small girls by herself there.

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  EdenOne

  Wife and a lot of family still in. My son is out (inactive). I'm still in trying to do as little as possible, just enough not to get inactive, for the sake of keeping family anf friends. I'm waiting for a certain thing to happen (should take place within this following year) to leave altogether.

  Eden
• 
  109

  The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" Russell (New Light!)

  by Focus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  most of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the watchtower cult, the one and only charles taze russell.. but, are these stories true?.

  this thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities.

  so, bookmark it, please, bro' focus is in possession of noo light, and we're going to explore russell like you've never seen him explored before.. we're approaching his 100th death anniversary, and for all i know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one.

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  EdenOne

  EdenOne , you see - I never bluff.

  I never asserted that you would. I merely pointed out that relying solely on a single, biased source like the Brooklyn Daily Eagle is a common trap that other researchers have fallen for in the past. The article barely passes the credibility test - I only find it believable because it places Maria Russell in a court room where other eye-witnesses could testify her presence [if that would ever come under dispute]. If there was a hotell bill, a train ticket or a picture, it would add considerable wheight. As it stands, it's believable, but just. I look forward to further material.

  Eden
• 
  29

  "God-breathed Scriptures"

  by Doug Mason in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my study responds to the articles inspiration and canon in the book, insight on the scriptures.

  there can be few topics of more significance, regardless of ones attitude to the bible.. http://www.jwstudies.com/god-breathed_scriptures.pdf .

  doug.

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  EdenOne

  The problem with the early church was CONTENT. What shall we talk about in our meetings? Sure, eye-witnesses had much to say about their experience with Jesus, but what about where no eye-witnesses were available to the local community? Travelling ministers. But what to do when those weren't present? That's when the material from the apostolic letters began to circulate among the congregations and in time it became so revered that it was elevated to "holy scripture" status.

  Eden
• 
  29

  "God-breathed Scriptures"

  by Doug Mason in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my study responds to the articles inspiration and canon in the book, insight on the scriptures.

  there can be few topics of more significance, regardless of ones attitude to the bible.. http://www.jwstudies.com/god-breathed_scriptures.pdf .

  doug.

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  EdenOne

  Thanks, Emery! Good catch.

  Eden