You must accept error.. or else!
Quote from the "Douglas Walsh" trial:
Another example is the testimony by Hayden C. Covington, a former vice president and lead Watchtower attorney, who stated that Witnesses must accept a “false prophecy” as true.
Prosecutor: |
… A false prophecy was promulgated? |
Answer: |
I agree [to] that. |
Prosecutor: |
It had to be accepted by Jehovah’s Witnesses? |
Answer: |
That is correct. |
Prosecutor: |
If [a] member of Jehovah’s Witnesses took the view himself that that prophecy was wrong and said so he would be disfellowshipped? |
Answer: |
Yes … Our purpose is to have unity. |
Prosecutor: |
Unity at all costs? |
Answer: |
Unity at all costs … |
Prosecutor: |
And unity based upon an enforced acceptance of false prophecy? |
Answer: |
That is conceded to be true. |
Prosecutor: |
And the person who expressed his view … that it was wrong, and was disfellowshipped, would be in breach of the covenant if he was baptized. |
Answer: |
That is correct. |
Prosecutor: |
And as you said yesterday expressly, would be worthy of death … |
Answer: |
I will answer that yes, unhesitatingly. |
Prosecutor: |
Do you call that religion? |
Answer: |
It certainly is. |
Prosecutor: |
Do you call it Christianity? |
Answer: |
I certainly do. |
(Douglas Walsh v. The Right Honorable James Latham Clyde Scottish Court of Sessions, November, 1954, p.347-348, Cross Examination of Fred Franz; also see entire testimony for other examples).