I am doing some research on Walter Salter, and apparently one of his objections to the Watchtower was that they used "blood-curdling language" in the Golden Age magazines.
The reply to Salter, given in the Golden Age of May 5, 1937, says:
"Salter says The Golden Age uses "blood-curdling stuff and obscene language", meaning, of course, the cartoon where is illustrated the statement of Jehovah God:
They give gifts to all whores, but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. And the contrary is in thee from other women in thy whoredoms, whereas none followeth thee to commite whoredoms: and in that thou givest a reward, and no reward is given unto thee; therefore thou art contrary. - Ezekiel 16:33,34"
Now what seems interesting to me is that the word "whore" is quite strong and used in various places, even in relatively modern literature:
*** Rbi8 p. 1551 Bible Words Indexed ***
WHORE. See HARLOT(S), PROSTITUTE(S).
(Not found in Spanish)
*** w89 4/1 p. 3 A Mystery—Who Is the Harlot Babylon the Great? ***Without a doubt this is a prostitute with worldwide influence. But she is no commonplace whore. She is “the mother of the harlots,” the madam of the institution. When it comes to fornication, she gives the orders. But she also has special clients.
Spanish:
*** w89 1/4 pág. 3 Un misterio... ¿quién es la remera Babilonia la Grande? ***No hay duda de que esta es una ramera que ejerce influencia por todo el mundo. Pero no es una ramera común. Es “la madre de las rameras”, la patrona de la institución. En lo que toca a la fornicación, ella da las órdenes. Pero también tiene clientes especiales.
*** w89 4/1 p. 5 The Great Harlot Unmasked ***In accordance with the prophetic vision, Babylon the Great is the great whore that has led nations, peoples, and tribes into bloody wars, crusades, and vendettas, blessing them with incantations, holy water, prayers, and fiery patriotic speeches.
*** w89 1/4 pág. 5 Se desenmascara a la gran ramera ***Según la visión profética, Babilonia la Grande es la gran ramera que ha conducido a naciones, pueblos y tribus a guerras sangrientas, cruzadas y venganzas, bendiciéndolos con conjuros, agua bendita, oraciones e incitantes discursos patrióticos
*** w89 4/15 p. 3 False Religion Plays the Harlot ***False Religion Plays the HarlotSOME call it the oldest profession—that of the harlot, prostitute, or whore.
*** w89 15/4 pág. 3 párr. 1 Las ramerías de la religión falsa ***ALGUNOS la llaman la profesión más antigua... la de ramera, prostituta o mujer pública.
Here's the thing:
The last example translated "harlot" and "prostitute" correctly, but "whore" was translated as "public woman".
Now, EVERY English-Spanish dictionary I have seen translates "whore" as "puta", which, if you know any Spanish and have been in contact with Hispanic culture, is quite the slur.
What are your thoughts? Is "whore" too strong a word to be in Watchtower literature? Do you think that the Spanish translators shied away from using the correct translation because it would be "too strong"?
In other words, I think Salter was right. The "Judge" was known for language that would probably get you disfellowshipped today.