THE GENERATION OF 1914

by Mary 54 Replies latest jw friends

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  Mary

  It makes you wonder when exactly the Governing Body and their lawyers decided to change the "generation of 1914" doctrine. The first quotation below is from the 1992 WT and the second one from the 1993 brochure The Purpose of Life, just two lousy years before they imfamously dropped the whole idea:

  *** w92 5/1 p. 7 The 1914 Generation?Why Significant? ***

  Before the 1914 generation passes away, the Kingdom-preaching work will have accomplished its purpose. "Then," foretold Jesus, "there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world?s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."?Matthew 24:21, 22.

  *** pr section 7 pp. 27-28 God?s Purpose Soon to Be Realized ***How long a time period would these last days prove to be? Jesus said regarding the era that would experience the "beginning of pangs of distress" from 1914 onward: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." (Matthew 24:8, 34-36) Thus, all the features of the last days must take place within the lifetime of one generation, the generation of 1914. So some people who were alive in 1914 will still be alive when this system comes to its end

  And considering how far in advance they have to write the magazines, this one was probably worked on in 1994 before it was released:

  ***

  w95 11/1 p. 17 A Time to Keep Awake ***

  Eager to see the end of this evil system, the Governing Body Jehovah?s people have from day one at times speculated about the time when the "great tribulation" would break out, even disfellowshipping those who didn't agree with us tying this to calculations of what is the lifetime of a generation since 1914. However, we have run out of excuses as to why the Big A isn't here yet "bring a heart of wisdom in," not by speculating about how many years or days make up a generation, but by trying to con you into believing more bullshit thinking about how we "count our days" in bringing joyful praise to Jehovah. (Psalm 90:12) Rather than provide a rule for measuring time, the term "generation" as used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary people of a certain historical period, with their identifying characteristics. This last sentence means fuck all, but we're counting on everyone not to rock the boat by asking too many questions.

  How long in advance did they know they were going to change this doctrine?
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  Elsewhere

  They are just stumbling along in the dark... they have no light at all.
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  blondie

  For all our days have come to their decline in your fury; We have finished our years just like a whisper. 10 In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; And if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, Yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; For it must quickly pass by, and away we fly. PSALM 90:9-10

  I feel that as they saw that JWs were hoping the end would come in 1984, 70 years being thought to be a generation. Then they were waiting for 1994, 80 years then must be a generation.

  As time approached 1994, the WTS knew it would have to have a plan should the end not come. It could even be they had the dismantling of the 1914 generation in mind for some time but did not feel the need to upset the applecart until absolutely necessary.

  Many JWs did not really understand what was happening then and some still cling to the 1914 generation, especially older JWs who were told that they would live through the great tribulation.

  I do think that the GB are true believers but have to adjust or clarify things for the rank and file.

  I have relatives that still expound on the 1914 generation teaching as if it were still valid.

  Blondie
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  garybuss

  Where's this "heart of wisdom" been hiding? When will we see it again?
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  gumby

  Good question Mary.....and as usuall......your funnier than a cussin sailor!

  Ray Franz related how the GB knew full well some of their ideas were total bullshit (not his words) on many things, yet didn't change them at all, or waited till a better time. So much of their doctrines hinge on politics that one wonders how much of this tripe they truly believe in their hearts is truth.

  The generation doctrine sounds as though it's change was only understood near the change date. Why? Because the usual fashion of the society is to slyly gear up the rank and file slowly so they can accept the change when it comes......but this change was different. This change sent many in a tailspin right out of the Organisation unlike many changes have produced. The baptismal change was a biggy......but not like the "Generation" change. The society is STILL feeling the reprocussions from that change and might for some time.

  Gumby
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  Dansk

  Mary,

  Claire and I studied the Live Forever book with the P.O and his wife, who literally lived just around the corner. It was the book that brought us into the organisation. Just as now, problems in the world were many and we had a young family. We were concerned for their future - making us gullible to the JW doctrine. I still feel that, somehow, there must be a way of sueing the organisation due to the fact many people were brought in, as we were, on untruths that are still in print to this day - i.e. the evidence is still there. We were never told that this information might change; we were told that we definitely would be around to see Armageddon with our children and that many of the 1914 generation would still be alive. What the organisation does is preach a doctrine as being sacrosanct to get their claws in, and then change it later knowing full well that it would be extremely difficult for the person to leave. They call it "new light".

  Could you imagine what would have happened if a JW spoke out against the teaching of the 1914 generation at the time? He/she would have been put on reproof or disfellowshipped - and yet the teaching has been proven to be false, just like many other Watchtower teachings. The disfellowshipped person would not be forgiven even though they were now proven to be right - unless, of course, they apologised to the society!

  I'm absolutely staggered at how this heinous cult gains charity status when it is injuring tens of thousands, if not millions, of people. Families are broken up, people die through not taking blood, suicides are not infrequent and depression amongst JWs is rife. People, especially the young, miss out on what should have been a wonderful life with their parents. Instead, almost every hour of every day is taken up through meeting preparation, theocratic ministry school preparation, service item demonstration rehearsals, field ministry and the drudgery of district conventions and circuit assemblies. No wonder my sister-in-law said that while we were JWs we always looked pale and ill. Now, she says we look so happy

  I still have faith that my children's generation will eventually see through all the lies. Then, it will be the end of Watchtower as we know it.
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  outbutnotdown

  The years getting towards the 70 to 80 years, 1984 to 1994, (Psalms quote) was a relatively peaceful period of time on earth. I think if anything major (on a world scale) had happened during that period, they would likely have shown that this was in fact the very beginning of Armageddon. (They did the same with World War One, changing their doctrine to Jesus taking over in Heaven and tossing Satan out, rather than Jesus coming to Earth as they had predicted earlier.)

  It seems that the "best" way out of this latest failed prophecy was to change the interpretation of "generation". A lot of people are leaving because of it, but not nearly as many as I thought would. I can picture the Governing Body sitting there and the conversation goes like this..

  Head honcho GB member- "OK, here are our choices.. 1) we gamble that something significant enough will happen in the world in the next ten years that we can sell it to the people as the start of Armageddon....... 2) we explain the "new light" interpretation of generation. (wink, wink, chuckles all around at how they are still amazed at how 6 million people still buy their egotistical crap...)

  Brother Optimistic - "How about my suggestion about admitting that we now no longer believe in a catastrophic Armageddon as it has been taught?"

  Head honcho (with a look of intimidation towards Brother Optimistic) - "You do remember 1980, don't you? OK, votes everyone."

  And the rest is history.

  Brad
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  Gill

  How long can you possible stretch 'a generation' to.

  Time alone can destroy the JW cult. Many people WANT to believe it and there are non so desperate as those who have wasted a lifetime in nonsense.

  It's the saddest thing in the world to still have family in the cult. You miss them but know that your happiness depends on your not being a JW.

  Dansk and Claire, I hope your children come to their senses soon.
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  garybuss

  Dansk, It's called bait and switch. That which is unethical as well as illegal in business is all fine and dandy in religion.
  
  The church down the street from my house is much smarter that the Watch Tower religion. The church makes promises that only pass or fail AFTER the mark is dead. Nobody to complain:-)
  
  
  
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  garybuss

  Gill, It seems to me that the psychology book, When Prophesies Fail showed that the people who made the most sacrifices as group members were the strongest most loyal members. The failure of the world to end on time just made the members stronger and more determined . . . similar to what happened to the William Miller group after 1844.
  
  When the promise is not delivered the true believer sees it as a test on THEM and they step up their group involvement. The rational are seen as defective, the intelligent are seen as proud, and the brave are seen as bad association. In the Witness group, stupidity is a virtue to aspire to. The gullible advance to the next level. The blindly loyal are advanced to their own level of incompetence.