Has the Governing Body EVER apologized for anything?

by Wild_Thing 26 Replies latest jw friends

  • fastJehu
    fastJehu

    Quotes from WT - PIMI JWs will show as evidence, that the WT has apologized AND was not wrong:

    *** w76 7/15 p. 441 pars. 15-16 A Solid Basis for Confidence ***
    15 But it is not advisable for us to set our sights on a certain date, neglecting everyday things we would ordinarily care for as Christians, such as things that we and our families really need. We may be forgetting that, when the “day” comes, it will not change the principle that Christians must at all times take care of all their responsibilities. If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.
    16 However, say that you are one who counted heavily on a date, and, commendably, set your attention more strictly on the urgency of the times and the need of the people to hear. And say you now, temporarily, feel somewhat disappointed; are you really the loser? Are you really hurt? We believe you can say that you have gained and profited by taking this conscientious course. Also, you have been enabled to get a really mature, more reasonable viewpoint.—Eph. 5:1-17.
    *** w80 3/15 pp. 17-18 pars. 5-6 Choosing the Best Way of Life ***
    5 In modern times such eagerness, commendable in itself, has led to attempts at setting dates for the desired liberation from the suffering and troubles that are the lot of persons throughout the earth. With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man’s existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated.
    6 In its issue of July 15, 1976, The Watchtower, commenting on the inadvisability of setting our sights on a certain date, stated: “If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.” In saying “anyone,” The Watchtower included all disappointed ones of Jehovah’s Witnesses, hence including persons having to do with the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date.
    Not false - only premature
    *** w97 9/1 p. 21 par. 11 Keep Jehovah’s Day Close in Mind ***
    11 Ridiculers may well have mocked faithful Christians because these had as yet unrealized expectations. Shortly before Jesus died, his disciples “were imagining that the kingdom of God was going to display itself instantly.” Then, after his resurrection they asked whether the Kingdom would be set up right away. Also, about ten years before Peter wrote his second letter, some were “excited” by “a verbal message” or “a letter,” reputedly from the apostle Paul or his companions, “to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.” (Luke 19:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 1:6) Such expectations of Jesus’ disciples, however, were not false, only premature. Jehovah’s day would come!




  • never a jw
    never a jw

    Watchtower only apology below. Dig deep, churn a little, flip it few times and you will find the apology somewhere. You may need to read several times

    "With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man's existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility ." Watchtower 1980 Mar 15 p.17

  • never a jw
    never a jw

    Or may be not an apology. The text below is what followed the "apology"

    "It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated."

    It's the fault of the rank and file after all. In its issue of July 15, 1976, The Watchtower, commenting on the inadvisability of setting our sights on a certain date, stated:

    “If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.”

  • Londo111
    Londo111

    "It is to be regretted" is not an apology. First, it is written is the passive voice which obscures who is supposed to be in regret. And to regret something is not the same as saying, "I'm sorry. I was wrong."

    When Jackson said, "The Governing Body has apologised on other matters...we have apologised on things in the past", it was pure theocratic warfare. If they've ever apologised for anything, it has not been public or on printed page.

  • Joliette
    Joliette

    Nope.

  • stuckinarut2
    stuckinarut2

    The closest to an apology would be something like this:

    "In the past, some well meaning individuals have proposed ideas that were not in harmony with our current understanding. These individuals have been helped to humbly change their thoughts and ideas with the help of Jehovah and his Spirit directed organization"

    In other words, "IT WAS YOUR FAULT that you believed the things we told you"

  • neat blue dog
    neat blue dog
    Often the phrase "this publication once stated" is used when referring to major errors in the past, as if the magazine or books came up with the erroneous ideas by themselves!

    'I put the wood into the fire . . .

    and this calf came on out!'



  • smiddy3
    smiddy3

    "What will the 1970`s bring"

    "Stay alive till 1975"

    " 1975 is 6000 years since Adams Creation an appropriate time for Christ Jesus Rule to begin"

    "Indications are that Gods kingdom Rule by Christ Jesus will begin before the end of the Twentieth Century "

    etc,etc.

  • LongHairGal
    LongHairGal

    WILD THING:

    I cannot see them admitting blame. They are too arrogant and it would detract from their know-it-all holy mystique.

  • atomant
    atomant

    maybe the Gb need to be reminded of what the bible says about admitting mistakes.Romans11:21do not be puffed up with pride tremble rather for if god did not spare the natural branches neither will he spare you.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit