Revisionism a WTS Specialty.

hillary_step

Hello,

The cunning ability that the WTS has in burying its past from its adherents is quite remarkable. I would confidently state that by far the majority of JWs do not know the true history of their own religion, nor even the revisionist version that the WTS pumps out every so often.

I can only imagine the internal turmoil that Barbara Anderson and others had to contend with as she unearthed information about the WTS that was then prepared for public consumption by manipulating the facts beyond reality - a little like trying to pass off Mae West as the girl next door.

Imagine if you can, this following quotation being part of the Watchtower Study for this week.

The people thus being put in fear, great multitudes rush into religious organizations ( Isaiah 29:13 ) Such credulous persons have been induced to believe that salvation depends upon their joining some religious organization. Thus the Devil has kept the mass of people in some religious organization. - Joseph Rutherford, Fascism Or Freedom, 1939 pp. 50-51

And further:

Jehovah's Witnesses have no desire, and make no effort, to build up a religious organization on earth. Their sole mission is to bear testimony to the people in obedience to Gods commandment, and to inform the people that Jehovah is Almighty God and that his theocratic government is their only hope. Joseph Rutherford, Fascism Or Freedom, 1939 p.57

.

I read this quotation to a very active and intelligent JW a while ago. Rather surprisingly they did not try the 'light gets brighter' pacifier in dealing with these complete reversals in dogma. What they did say was even more stunning, "Oh well, all is well that ends well".

Best regards - HS

Edited by - hillary_step on 30 September 2002 18:0:37

LovesDubs

" read this quotation to a very active and intelligent JW a while ago. Rather surprisingly they did not try the 'light gets brighter' pacifier in dealing with these complete reversals in dogma. What they did say was even more stunning, "Oh well, all is well that ends well".

Dang...thats right up there with "hey...if nobody reports a molestation, then I guess it never happened."

hillary_step

Or, "I put the Bible above Panorama anyday', a recent comment made to me by a very senior level JW.

HS

DannyBear

HS,

Rutherford was somewhat of a master at pointing the finger of judgement at individuals, groups, or governments. I think he realized the power of such 'radicalisim'. It drew the media, it added drama to his message.

Almost single handedly he loudly proclaimed as 'unchristian', Christmas, birthdays, military service, the cross, christendom, the clergy...and topped it all off with selecting a name for his 'bible students' that would serve his purpose well. Anything to garner more attention, more notoriety. He changed the face of adventists far more than CT Russell did, Rutherford put the muscel behind CT's dogma's.

So in the quotes you have cited, he was just following suit, in his heart of hearts he knew he was empire building himself. But say or do anything to take a radical deviation from the norm. He was mired in organization and ceo tactics.

He was a tricky dick in saying whatever it took to diminish and tear down anyone else....all with the 'righteous intent' of building up his precious Jw's. He was the organization, he was the church...he wanted them all to flock to him! He was pretty damn successful to!

Danny

hillary_step

Danny,

Yes, the ever unchallenged belief in himself that only addiction or insanity, or addiction to insanity, could produce. Yet his spectre still lives on in the WTS today in a million guises. It is this that seems to be unravelling the WTS, as those who once trembled at his stare try similar tactics but are abandoned to themselves in their in a one-act play.

Best to you Danny - HS

DannyBear

HS,

***belief in himself that only addiction or insanity, or addiction to insanity***

How true your words. Towards the end of my parents stint at Bethel in the late 30's, it became increasingly apparent to them/others that the Judge was unstable.

Accusations of all sorts, regarding possible plots on his life, gun play, treasonous activities, made life so unbearable for my folks, they had to leave...basically 'with the shirts on thier backs'.

And of course as any good jw then or now will tell you, 'full time service' is the answer to all lifes issues. So off they went in a little tent trailer pioneering thier way accross the US, working along the way. Finally ending up in Hollywood Ca.

Dad using everything the judge had taught him regarding recording and record making, to land a job at NBC recording legends like Frank Sinatra. That is about the only thing the Judge did that was a positive imo.

Danny

hillary_step

Danny,

What a facscinating tale. You must tell us more when you feel like it. Did you follow in your fathers career footsteps?

HS

DannyBear

HS,

My biggest regret is not having saved the 100's of 78's piled up in my dad's workshop...they would have been worth something today. Even though the majority were of the Judge's haranguing. And vacum tubes as big as your arm, to very tiny. I would often build play station space ship cockpits with vacuum tubes, resistors of all colors, and transformer's were a real find.

Anyway I did not follow in his footsteps, radio/tv hardware held no interest. I was interesed in acting....received my screen actor's guild card at the Hollywood Bowl at the age of 7or 8. Screen tested for the part of Danny Thomas's son Rusty. Can you believe my folks, anointed and still very devout jw's allowed such?

BTW the other kid got the part, but mom told me I was second choice. Yeah mom. Maybe?

All the rest was living the life a good jw boy....for the most part anyway. Pioneered, moved to Ga need greater?, elder, married 2 children, 1975 and five years later df'd. The only real apostate in the entire clan..of 50-75 or more, if you inclulde all the aunts and uncles.

From childhood to dfing...did it in record time eh?

Danny

hillary_step

Apolgies Danny,

This swept off the Board. Thank you for sharing.

As to acting, well it is never to late you know! Why not give it another whirl.

HS

DannyBear

No worries HS. This board moves so fast it's a wonder anyone get's to conclude a conversation.

I suppose if there is one suggestion I would make to Simon....please limit everyone to no more than 1 thread per day. Why anyone would need more is beyond me. Certainly with 6000 members, when you have some posting 2-3 or more, sometimes within minutes of each other, the board moves way to fast.

I suggest it is rude and selfish on the part of these prolific posters.

Danny

Revisionism a WTS Specialty.

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