by KAYTEE 120 Replies latest watchtower bible
We were always lead to believe, when we belonged to the JWs, that Jesus died on a "stake". Was this really true or did he die on a cross as all other religions appear to believe. If it was a cross, what on earth did the JWs get out of saying otherwise. Has anyone done any research on this subject? Your comments and findings would be appreciated.
thanks
Kaytee
Kaytee...Make sure you look at scans of the original sources I placed here too:
Here is something that Satanus put together some time ago. It is scans of an old book.
The picture in some Tower pub showing Jesus hauling a telephone pole up a hill is too funny.
Quite simply, what the JW's got out of teaching otherwise is that it set them apart from the rest of Christianity. This is a true mark of cult-teaching, to set the followers apart from the rest of the world's thinking.
Personally, it does not matter to me what anyone believes Jesus died on, but as a Christian, I respect the symbol of the cross and what it means.
Peace,
AuntieJane
The argument Rutherford used was that the cross is a pagan symbol that predates Christianity, and was a corruption of Jesus' original sacrifice. Too bad his argument can't be supported with historical references. Leolaia's research is difinitive.
I'll address one of your questions, already answered in part.
If it was a cross, what on earth did the JWs get out of saying otherwise.
They get to be different than the rest of "Christendom's Churches". A modern JW has heart palpitations just ENTERING another church, and has a mild stroke when they catch site of the "pagan" cross symbol. There you have it, a handy way of keeping and confining the flock. There is nowhere else to go.
Truth be told, crosses and poles both have been used by pagans long before Christianity. http://www.catanna.com/symbols.htm
Elsewhere.....There really ought to be an English translation of Lipsius' text. Not only is it intrinsically interesting with regard to how his work was used by the Society, but it also was the most exhaustive work at the time on the subject of crucifixion. The pictures however speak for themselves....
A modern JW has heart palpitations just ENTERING another church, and has a mild stroke when they catch site of the "pagan" cross symbol. There you have it, a handy way of keeping and confining the flock. There is nowhere else to go.
The WTBTS teaches the JW's to abhor the cross because it serves 2 purposes. It keeps them in the cult and it also keeps them away from Jesus:
1 Cor 1:18 (HCSB)
18 For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power.
I'm going to just through this thought out there before thinking about it, and through it back in the witnesses faces.......Don't/didn't they always say ..'If Jesus' birthday was important the date would be in the Bible'! So again if it was that important to know on what he died,wouldn't it be in the Bible with NO question of what it was????
