From: todd@palomar.tivoli.com
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: JWs -- Part 3, Silly Ideas
Date: 2 Sep 92 02:23:09 GMT
Distribution: talk
Organization: TIVOLI Systems, Inc.

Jehovah's Witnesses -- Part 3, Silly Ideas

**** Warning **** 

This is a long posting, divided into several parts.  Each part begins
with this same paragraph, skip ahead if you have read it before.  This
is a series of postings that I hope will encourage some intelligent
discussion in this newsgroup on the Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs).  I am
not a Jehovah's Witness, and I have never been a Jehovah's Witness.  I
believe that many JWs are not completely aware of the facts that are
presented here.  Unfortunately, my understanding of the JWs is almost
entirely from secondary sources (books, articles, and so forth that
cite JW publications).  I do have access to some JW publications and
the JW's own translation of the Bible, the New World Translation
Please let me know if any of you find my sources unreliable.

**** End of Warning ****

Some abbreviations:

  JWs = Jehovahs Witnesses
  WTS = Watch Tower Society, the official organization
  NWT = The WTS translation of the Bible
  *xyz* = xyz in italics present in original quotations.

In previous postings I have discussed the doctrines and early history
of the JWs (Part 1) and their claim to be God's prophet (Part 2).  I
would like to repeat my statement that although I believe the
information in this posting to be correct, much of it comes from
secondary sources that are frankly opposed to the WTS, but in almost
every case they cite primary sources that are official publications of
the WTS.  

Background
==========

The JWs' official publications have stated a number of silly ideas.
Its important to understand the background of these statements by the
WTS.  

JWs claim to be God's "Channel"
-------------------------------

From The Watchtower, 12/1/1981, p. 27:

  ... Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his
  "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirt-annointed ones ...
  Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God
  is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how
  much Bible reading we do ...

From The Watchtower, 1/15/1917, p. 128:

  The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation
  in the world, because from the time of its organization until now
  the Lord has used it as his channel through which to make know the
  glad tidings to many thousands ...

But don't fallible men edit The Watchtower?  Not according to the WTS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

According to Fred W. Franz (vice-president of the WTS from 1949 to
1977, president since 1977), under oath in a courtroom, Jehovah is the
editor for The Watchtower (New York Supreme Court, Kings County
Clerk's Index No. 15845, 1940):

  Q: Who subsequently became the Editor of the magazine, the main
     editor of the "Watch Tower" magazine?
  A: In 1931, Oct. 15th, as I recall, the "Watch Tower" dicontinued
     publishing the names of any editorial committee on the second
     page. 
  The Court: He asked you who became the editor.
  The Witness: And it said ---
  The Court: Who became the editor?
  Q: Who became the editor when this was discontinued?
  A: Jehovah God.

The WTS claims to be the one right religion
-------------------------------------------

From The Watchtower, 2/15/55:

                      ONLY *ONE* RIGHT RELIGION
  ... That remaining one right religion is that of Jehovah's
  witnesses.  It is not conceited for us to say that.


The WTS claims to be God's Prophet
----------------------------------

The Watchtower, 4/1/1972, states: 

  ... They have at hand the Bible, but it is little read or
  understood.  So does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn
  them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can
  be answered in the affirmative.  Who is the prophet? ... This
  "prophet" was no one man, but was a body of men and women.  It was
  the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that
  time as International Bible Students.  Today they are known as
  Jehovah's Christain witnesses. ... Of course it is easy to say that
  this group acts as a "prophet" of God.  It is another thing to prove
  it.  The only way this can be done is to review the record.

Awake!, June 8, 1986, states:

  ... You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people,
  all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God.  In fact, they are
  known throughtout the world as Jehovah's Witnesses

Thoughout 1980 and for years before the *Watchtower* included this
statement in its masthead:

  A *Watchtower* enables a person to look far into the distance and
  announce to others what is seen.  Likewise, this magazine, published
  by Jehovah's Witnesses, aids the reaader to see what the future
  holds. 

Russell was "The Faithful and Wise Servant"
-------------------------------------------

From the 1909 Convention Report:

  ... Our reason for appreciating Brother Russell's recognition more
  than that of any other man living is that, we have Faith that the
  Lord has returned, ... that He has been supervising that work now
  for about thirty-five years, that He has placed Brother Russell in
  charge of that work ... if any oppose the Lord by opposing the
  Channel and the Servant the Lord has delegated to do His work, to
  that extent he loses the favor, the Spirit of the Lord, light
  becomes darkness ...

From The Watch Tower, 12/1/1916:

  Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that
  he filled the office of "that faithful and wise servant" ... His
  modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title,
  but he admitted as much in private conversation.

Later the WTS claimed to be "The Faithful and Discreet Slave"
-------------------------------------------------------------

In 1981, they admit that they are not infallible -- how could they
deny it ; however, they are still quite adamant that they are the one
source of guidance needed to understand the Bible.  From The
Watchtower, 2/15/1981, pp. 18 & 19:
  
    To help us understand God's Word in these "last days," Jehovah God
  has lovingly provided a visible organizatin under Christ -- the
  "faithful and discreet slave."  ...  How shall we view the spiritual
  food provided by this "faithful and discreet slave"?  
  ...  If we have once established what instrument God is using as his
  "slave" to dispense spiritual food to his people, surely Jehovah is
  not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain
  something harmful.  We should have confidence in the channel God is
  using.  At the Brooklyn headquarters from which the Bible
  publications of Jehovah's Witnesses emanate there are more mature
  Christian elders, both of the "remnant" [the 144,000 that get to go
  to heaven] and of the "other sheep," [the rest, like us that will
  remain stuck here on earth] than anywhere else on earth.  
    True, brothers preparing these publications are not infallible.
  Their writings are not inspired ...
    Rather, the record that the "faithful and discreet slave"
  organization has made for the past more than 100 years forces us to
  the conclusion that Peter expressed when Jesus asked if his apostles
  also wanted to leave him, namely, "Whom shall we go away to?" No
  question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we
  cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful
  and discreet slave" organization [the WTS].

Some questions for witnesses that may read this posting:

[1] Does the WTS claim to be God's organization?
[2] How must we obtain information from God?  Is reading the Bible
    alone enough?  Who acts as God's channel on earth?
[3] With whose authority is The Watchtower edited according to the
    president of the WTS?
[4] If the Witnesses are right could any other religion be a true
    religion too?  If the WTS is the one true religion should it always
    be in the truth?  If the WTS is not always in the truth is it the
    one true religion?
[5] Does the WTS claim to be God's prophet?  How can we tell the
    difference between a prophet of Jehovah and a false prophet? 
    (see Deut 18:20-22)
[6] Who is God's "wise servant"?
[7] Would God allow his channel to mislead the faithful?  Would God
    allow his prophet to make a mistake? (remember Deut 18:20-22)
    Would it be necessary for God's faithful and discreet slave to
    mislead of be deceptive?

Silly Ideas from God's "Channel", "Prophet", and the editor Jehovah!!
=====================================================================

Shape of the brain controls degree of reverence in people
---------------------------------------------------------

From The Watch Tower, 3/15/1913, p. 84:

  The drawing power which the Almighty exercises over humanity is in
  different degrees.  Some have a strong desire to worship God,
  othrers have a weak desire, and others have no desire at all.  This
  difference is due to the shape of the brain.  Mankind are born with
  differences in this repect.

[8] Is man a free agent? (consider Adam) If a man has no desire to
    worship is this his choice or his creators for giving him a
    certain shaped brain?

They had a cure for "surface" cancer in 1913
--------------------------------------------

From The Watch Tower, 7/1/1913, p. 200:

  ... We have recently learned of a very effective and simple remedy
  for cancers which show themselves on the surface of the body.  ...
  we are willing to communicate the formula, but only to those who are
  troubled with surface cancers and who will write to us directly ...
  we require a promise that they will not sell the formula to others,
  nor receive pay for the use of it, nor communicate the formula to
  anybody. 

[9] If you had a cure for cancer would you want it to be widely known? 
    Did the WTS feel the same way?

Dark skinned people are inferior
--------------------------------

From Zion's Watch Tower, 7/15/1902, (215-216)

                  THE NEGRO NOT A BEAST
      The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the
  Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the
  commingling of blood amongst its various branches; ...
  ... We are not able to determine to a certainty that the sons of Ham
  and Canaan are the negroes; but we consider that general view as
  probable as any other.

From Zion's Watch Tower, 8/1/1898:

  ... The negro race is supposed to be descended from Ham, whose
  special degradation is mentioned in Gen. 9:22, 25.

From The Golden Age, 10/1/1929, p. 702:

  There is no servant in the world as good as a good Colored servant,
  and the joy that he gets from rendering faithful service is one of
  the purest joys there is in the world

Ibid, p. 8:

  While it is true that `of one blood God hath made all nations of
  men', nevertheless under present imperfect conditions a wise
  segregation is probably an advantage to all concerned.

The Watchtower, 2/1/1952, p. 95:

  Really, our colored brothers have a great cause for rejoicing.
  Their race is meek and teachable, and from it comes a high
  percentage of the theocratic increase.

The Watch Tower, 4/1/1914, (105-106)

                     THE COLOR LINE FOUND NECESSARY
  ... Recognizing that it meant either the success or the failure of
  the enterprise of the Drama as repects the whites, we have been
  compelled to assign the colored friends to the gallery

Views From The Watch Tower, 2/15/1904 (Allegheny, PA)

                 CAN THE ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS "SKIN?"
  ... How could all men be brought to perfection and which color of
  skin was the original?  The answer is now provided.  God can change
  the Ethiopian's skin in his own due time.  ... a negro boy of nine
  years, began to grow white.  He [Prof. Edwards] assures us that this
  is no whitish skin disease; but that the new white skin is as
  healthy as that of any white boy, ...

[10] Would God use his channel to make such statements?  Do these
     statements promote brotherhood?  Why does the organization that
     firmly claims to be "the means by which the Will of God is worked
     out on earth make these statements?

God lives on a star in the Pleiades system!!
--------------------------------------------

This has been a part of the Watch Tower Society (WTS) official
teaching from 1891. 

Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. III, 1891, p. 327:

  ...Alcyone, the central one of the renowned Pleiadic stars ...
  Alcyone, then as far as science has been able to perceive, would
  seem to be `the midnight throne' in which the whole system of
  gravitation has its seat, and from which the Almighty governs his
  universe... 

Reconciliation, 1928, p. 14:

  The constellation of the seven stars forming the Pleides ... It has
  been suggested, and with much weight, that one of the stars of that
  group is the dwelling-place of Jehovah ... But the greatness in size
  of other stars or planets is small when compared with the Pleiades
  in importance, because the Pleiades is the place of the eternal
  throne of God.

[11] Does the Bible mention Alcyone?  Why does the WTS believe that
     God lives there?  
[12] Are scientists wrong to say that gravitation
     does *not* have "its seat" there?

Revelation is written with specific reference to the WTS
--------------------------------------------------------

Revelation 14:20 states

  And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out
  of the wine press as high up as the bridles of the horses, for a
  distance of a thousand six hundred furlongs.

[13] How many furlongs are mentioned in Rev. 14:20?  
[14] Compare this to Isaiah 62:1-6.  Are these passages related?

The WTS states that this Biblical passage is a prophesy that describes
the exact distance from where The Unfinished Mistery, vol 7 of their
Studies in the Scriptures, was produced to the the point from which it
was shipped!!

From The Unfinished Mistery, Vol 7 of Studies in the Scriptures, 1926,
p. 230, in its verse by verse comentary on Revelation states:

    By the space of a thousand and [six] TWO hundred furlongs -- This
  can not be interpreted to refer to the 2100 mile battle line of the
  world war.  A furlong or stadium is not a mile and this is without
  the city whereas the battle line is within the city.  See
  Rotherham's translation.
    A stadium is 606 3/4 English ft.; 1200 stadii are, mi., 137.9
    The work on this volume was done in 
  Scranton, Pa.  As fast as it was com-
  pleted it was sent to the Bethel.  Half 
  of the work was done at an average dis-
  tance of 5 blocks from the Lackawanna
  station, and the other half at a distance
  of 25 blocks.  Blocks in Scranton are 10
  to the mile.  Hence the average distance
  to the station is 15 blocks, or ........         1.5 mi. 
    Official Railway Guide time table dis-
  tance Scranton to Hoboken Terminal,            133.0 
    New York City Engineer's official dis-
  tance Hoboken to the Bethel, via Barclay 
  Street Ferry, Fulton Street and Fulton 
  Ferry, 8,850, 4,950, 2,540, and 1,460 feet 
  respectively, or a total of...............       3.4
    Shortest distance from place where 
  the winepress was trodden by the Feet 
  Members of the Lord, Whose guidance 
  and help alone made this volume possible. 
  (John 6:60,61; Matt. 20:11.).............  mi.,137.9.
    The treading, be it remembered, is a mental process.  As rapidly
  as the erroneous doctrines and practices which have been the
  life-blood of Christendom [the WTS word for all other false
  Christian churches] are recognized in their relationship to the true
  kingdom of Christ, and as rapidly as those ideas are discarded by
  the individual, just so rapidly is the blood trodden out of
  Christendom's false systems.  This book is the result of such
  laborious treading, and is a means to enable others, in their turn,
  to do some treading.

[15] How many furlongs do the Studies in Scriptures use?  
[16] Why don't the Studies in Scriptures agree with the number of
     furlongs presented in the NWT of the Bible?
[17] Did God simply know ahead of time how far it was going to be from
     Scranton to Hoboken by train or did he insure that when the train
     tracks were put in place that the distances would add up?
[18] For the centuries before the Studies in Scriptures were written in
     1926, how was this passage to be interpreted?
[19] What happens when a new train track is laid between Scanton and
     the Bethel?  Is this passage still meaningful?
[20] Does this indicate that the Bible propheticly predicted the
     Studies in Scriptures?
[21] Does the WTS indicate that through its help alone this volume was
     possible?  Is this the same book that is "the result of such
     laborious treading"?  Why does Isaiah refer to this same harvest
     time and indicate that the Lord had no help for the trodding of
     the grapes? 

This quotation is not from some insignificant WTS publication.  This
is from volume seven of the seven volume Studies in Scripture.  The
WTS has this to say about the Studies in Scripture (from The Watch
Tower, 9/15/1910):

  Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine
  plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if
  anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used
  them, after he has become familiar with them, ... and goes to the
  Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our
  experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness

[22] Is the Bible the inspired word of Jehovah?  Does the Bible
     indicate a need to use the Studies in Scriptures?  Are the
     Studies in Scriptures inspired?  
[23] Could God's "faithful servant" say that the Bible can't be
     studied by itself if God didn't intend for His channel to make
     such a statement?  Could God mean that the Studies in Scriptures
     must be used with the exception of a few silly parts?

The leviathan of Job is a steam locomotive
------------------------------------------

As an example of more of the WTS Bible exegesis occurs in the same
book, vol. 7 of the Studies in the Scriptures, The Finished Mistery,
1926 ed.  Page 85 presents a "corrected" translation of Job 40 and 41.
This corrected translation indicates that the leviathan of Job is a
prophecy of the steam locomotive.  They indicate the prophetic
interpretation in braces interposed in the text:

  "Thou wilt lengthen out leviathan [the locomotive] with a hook
  [automatic coupler] or with a snare [coupling-pin] which thou wilt
  cause his tongue [coupling-link] to drop down.  Wilt thou not place
  a ring [piston] in his nostrils [cylinders] or pierce though his
  cheeks [piston-ends] with a staff [piston-rod]?  Will he make
  repeated supplication unto thee [to get off the track]? ...

[24] Why does God discuss the steam locomotive in Job?  What if a
     Witness wanted to disagree with this interpretation?  What if the
     Witness wanted to disagree with the WTS interpretation of other
     passages? 
[25] For thousands of years this passage couldn't have been correctly
     interpreted because the steam locomotive didn't exist.  What
     prophetic purpose did it serve?

Marrage forbidden
-----------------

The Watchtower, 11/1/1938, p. 323:

    If in obedience to the divine command the Jonadabs or great
  multitude will marry and rear children after Armageddon, would it
  not be Scripturally proper for them to begin doing so immediately
  before Armageddon? and should the Jonadabs now be encouraged to
  marry and rear children?  No, is the answer, supported by the
  Scriptures. 

The WTS uses the term Jonadabs to refer to those faithful followers
outside the select 144,000.  The Witnesses believe that only 144,000
people (sometimes called the remnant, these people know who they are
and by now most have died) will actually live in heaven, the Jonadabs
on the other hand will get to live on a perfect earth after the
Armageddon. 

[26] What if you were a Jonadab in 1938 and wanted to start a family?
     Would it have been wrong to marry?  
[27] Devote Witnesses would have missed a chance to have a family
     during this period.  Did Witnesses before and since get to have
     families?  Why didn't God want Witnesses to have families during
     this period?  Did God change his mind?

Man will never travel into space
--------------------------------

The Watchtower, 1943, p. 285:

  "THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE"
  
  Man on earth can no more get rid of these demonic "heavens" [the
  organization of wicked spirits] than man can by airplane or rockets
  or other means get up above the air envelope which is about our
  earthly globe and in which man breaths.

[28] Is this statement the "TRUTH"?  Man did get above the air
     envelope, so can man get rid of the organization of wicked
     spirits?  

The Great Pyramid of Gizeh reveals God's truth and plan
-------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10 of Thy Kingdom Come, Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 3, 1903
edition, pp. 313-314 is on the Great Pyramid, it starts:

       THE TESTIMONY OF GOD'S STONE WITNESS AND PROPHET,
                  THE GREAT PYRAMID IN EGIPT
  ... the Great Pyramid is certainly the most remarkable building in
  the world; but in light of an investigation which has been in
  progress for the past thirty-two years, it acquires new interest to
  every Chritian advanced in the study of God's Word; for it seems in
  a remarkable manner to teach, in harmony with all the prophets, an
  outline of the plan of God, past, present, and future. 
  ... The Great Pyramid, ..., proves to be a storehouse of important
  truth -- scientific, historic and prophetic -- and its testimony is
  found to be in perfect accord with the Bible,

This book has charts and measurements of the chambers and passageways
of this pyramid that it converts into a calendar of important both
past and future.

From The Watchtower, 6/15/1922, p. 187:

             FURTHER PROOF OF PRESENT-TRUTH CHRONOLOGY
  There is a well known law of mathematics called "the law of
  probabilities".  Applications of this law are frequent in everday
  life in settling matters of doubt. ...
    The chronlology of present truth might be a mere happening if it
  were not for the repetitions in the two great cycles of 1845 and
  2520 years, which take it out of the realm of chance and into that
  of certainty.  If there were only one or two corresponding dates in
  these cycles, they might possibly be mere conincidences, but where
  the argreements of dates and events come by the dozens, they cannot
  possibly be by chance, but must be by the design or plan of the only
  personal Being capable of such a plan -- Jehove himself; and the
  chronology itself must be right.
    In the passages of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh the agreement of one
  or two measurements with the present-truth chronology might be
  accidental, but the correspondency of dozens of measurements proves
  that the same God designed both pyramid and plan ...
    It is on the basis of such and so many correspondencies -- in
  accordance with the soundest laws known to science -- that we affirm
  that, *Scripturally, scientifically, and historically, present-truth
  chronology is correct beyond a doubt.*  Its reliability has been
  abundantly confirmed by the dates and events of 1874, 1914, and
  1918.  Present-truth chronology is a secure basis on which the
  consecrated child of God may endeavor to seearch out things to come.

The Watchtower, 5/15/1925, p. 148:

  The great Pyramid of Egypt, standing as a silent and inanimate
  witness of the Lord, is a messenger; and its testimony speaks with
  great eloquence concerning the divine plan.

Russell (the founder of the movement) has his grave marked with a one
and one-half ton stone pyramid!

[29] Where is the great pyramid located?  Isn't Egypt mentioned
     prominently in the Bible?  Why doesn't the Bible mention the
     pyramid?
[30] Were the people of Egypt pagans?  Why would the WTS use the most
     conspicuous pagan structure as a witness of the Lord?  Does this
     seem to contradict their beliefs with respect to other things
     pagan such as the celebration of Christmas, Thanksgiving,
     birthdays, etc.?

Prohibition Against Blood Transfusions
--------------------------------------

This is one of the WTS's most well known silly ideas.  By their
reading of the Bible they have determined that blood transfusions
violate God's law.  This issue has been discussed in many previous
postings in another thread so I don't want to reopen it here, except
as an example of how flawed the reasoning of "God's Channel" is.
Consider this quote from an official letter on the subject from the
WTS to a concerned Witness.  This Witness wanted to know if she had
broken God's law by giving a blood transfussion to a dog.
                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From a copy of a letter dated April 6, 1963, on official stationary
and signed "Watchtower B & T Society":

  ... In considering the Scriptures, it is noted that, unless blood
  was under certain circumstances used on the altar, it was to be
  poured out on the ground and covered over with dust. ... To use
  blood for transfusion purposes, even in the case of an animal, would
  no be proper.  The Scriptures are clear in showing that blood should
  not be eaten. (Gen. 9:3, 4; Acts p15:28, 29) That would apply in the
  case of a human, naturally, but it would also apply to this question
  of giving a blood transfusion to a pet that was under the
  jurisdiction of a Christian.  It would not be Scripturally proper to
  do so.

[31] Is the eating of blood prohibited?  Is a transfusion considered
     eating of blood?
[32] Is it God's intent that animals eat blood?  (Numbers 23: 24)
[33] In nature, cats and dogs catch and eat prey without draining their
     blood.  According to the WTS haven't these animals broken God's
     law?
[34] How should responsible cat owners keep their cats from
     unwittingly breaking this law by catching birds?  Are Witnesses
     that allow their cats and dogs to run unsupervised where they
     might catch something being unscriptural?
[35] What about buying dog food prepared from meat that hasn't been
     drained properly?  Is this unscriptural?
[36] Is it unscriptural to use blood meal fertilizer?  On your
     vegetable garden?

Sources
=======

William Cetnar, Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses "who love the
  truth", 1983. (more good photo reproductions of actual WTS
  publications)  
M. James Penton, Apoalypse Delayed The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses, 
  University of Toronto Press, 1985. (recommended)
David A. Reed, How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watch Tower, 
  Baker Book House, 1989. (lots of good photo reproductions of the
  actual Watch Tower issues quoted above)
Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience, Commentary Press, 1983. (A very
  important book.  Franz was a former governing body member that
  reveals the inner workings of the WTS.  I don't see how any Witness
  can read this book and remain in the organization!)
WTS, The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1961.
WTS, Aid to Bible Understanding, 1971.


Part 4 will be Doctrinal Vacilation of the WTS

--

Todd
-- 
Todd Smith                                     TIVOLI Systems, Inc.
todd@tivoli.com                                6034 West Courtyard Dr.
                                               Suite 210
(512) 794-9070 [794-0623 fax]                  Austin, TX   78730