Just downloaded "The Finished Mystery"

by sd-7 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  sd-7

  ...and wow. I read the first page of the Publisher's Preface, and...my gosh, how in the heck did anyone feel this was worth going to jail over? How is it possible that everyone who read this book of the "clergy of Christendom" didn't just laugh in Rutherford's face and call him a nutcase and just move on? I can't imagine anyone on earth taking this book seriously. The first page is all but Russell-worship! Grossly incorrect doctrine and even at this early stage of the game, they're already quoting previous Watchtower articles. I find that to be just a little comical and just a little arrogant.

  It is simply impossible to believe that Jesus Christ looked at all Christians on earth, read this book, and selected Rutherford & Co. to handle his earthly affairs. To even suggest as much is to call Jesus Christ a psychopath and a fool. I understand that under the cult identity I might've excused it all as the 'light not being bright enough back then', except that I never paused to consider the implications of that. "Captives of a Concept" has been a real eye-opener in regards to these issues. I thought I understood reality before, but wow. That book is mighty impressive. Check it out. Had some good suggestions for finding old WT books online.

  Anyone else read part of 'The Finished Mystery' and find themselves totally creeped out?

  SD-7
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  jamiebowers

  Anyone else read part of 'The Finished Mystery' and find themselves totally creeped out?

  I tried to read a copy at the kh that I was baptized into, but everyone threw such a fit that I didn't dare pick it up again. That should've given me a clue, but instead of being suspicious, I just felt guilty.
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  What-A-Coincidence

  and u wanna read this because????????????????????????????????????????????
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  sd-7

  Jamie--I figured that'd be their reaction. I find it ironic that they place these outdated, basically false books in what is called the "Library" in the Kingdom Hall, yet if anyone actually wants to READ the books in the Library, they get nervous! Whose library is it, exactly? Or is it a strange trophy case or something? Imagine if you got kicked out of the library for reading books! Go figure.

  I want to read The Finished Mystery because (1) it was the book that got Rutherford imprisoned and is often referred to as being significant for that reason. (2) It is, as far as I know, the last major publication before Jesus' inspection of the "faithful slave". Knowing just how riddled with unscriptural things the book is, firsthand, would serve my purposes well. I'm going to post again on what I've found in just the first 30 pages. Unbelievable.

  I just skim the new WT stuff, for the most part, but this is important enough to read a little more carefully. It's part of my information-gathering process. I may be leaving or possibly confronted by the Thought Police soon. In order to keep my sanity, I need to absorb as much data to counter the phobia indoctrination as possible. This particular work of art is part of that.

  SD-7
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  sir82

  how in the heck did anyone feel this was worth going to jail over?

  If I recall correctly, I think the flap was just over a few pages toward the back in the earliest editions of the book. There was something there that was viewed as seditious, particularly since the US was caught up in war fever at the time.

  It is possible that the edition you downloaded doesn't have those pages in it, or is the modified/edited version that came out later.

  In any event, yeah, 99% of the book is probably just random lunatic ravings.
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  blondie

  *** w87 5/1 p. 27 Looking Back Over 93 Years of Living ***There were eight pages of TheFinishedMystery that contained quotations of what prominent figures had adversely declared regarding warfare. Under incitement by the religious organizations of Christendom, Catholic and Protestant, the United States government raised objections, so pages 247-54 were cut out. Thereafter, when TheFinishedMystery was offered to the people, an explanation was made to them as to why these pages were missing. The United States government did not remain satisfied with this move, and under further incitement by the religious organizations of the land, it banned the entire seventh volume of StudiesintheScriptures.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/152589/1/Finished-Mystery-different-versions
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  VM44

  I posted this in the thread Blondie mentions above.

  In 1926 George Fisher urged German ecclesias to disfellowship J.F. Rutherford, but Fisher died later that year.

  And the 1927 edition of The Finished Mystery had the Ezekiel section (the part Fisher wrote) removed.