1975

by Grouper 21 Replies latest jw friends

  • Grouper
    Grouper

    I am researching 1975 and I was curious to ask any that served as elder back then in the WTBTS ever issue a directive to the congregations to stop or discourage believers from selling their property, cashing out retirements, early marriage, quiting jobs, etc., etc.................

    Thanks

  • jeanniebeanz
    jeanniebeanz

    I was not ever an elder, Grouper, but I do rember exactly the opposite. People who sold their belongings and quit their jobs to join some far off congregation and 'help' were lauded in the KM and other publications.

    They were made to be the example which we were supposed to follow!

    J

  • nowisee
    nowisee

    yes, i remember it well too...though as a female i was obviously not an elder.

    it was deemed "most appropriate" to devote all one's time to spreading the kingdom message before the end soon to come.

    i left jws in 1976.

  • Aude_Sapere
    Aude_Sapere

    My dad was a PO at that time.
    He sold property and we also stocked up our basement with food in preparation for the 'Great Tribulation'.

    -Aude.

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Not an elder back there, but I recall the high praise that was heaped on those willing to sell out and 'pioneer till the end'. There was a specific mention in the KM that encouraged it. I never knew any who did so - but in my own case I was talked out of going to school to be a pilot in 1973 due to the end being so near. I would have loved to fly.... one of my great regrets.

    Jeff

  • Grouper
    Grouper

    If a directive came from New York to congregations in the USA, I feel it would assist them in claiming that it's members made their own judgment call in regards to claiming the end was coming in 1975. I was a kid when this occurred and I am getting to different responses from the questions I am asking of family and friends. My nuclear family that attends Spanish services says that they just saw viewed it as the end of 6000 years and their actions, by buying a house and car during that time attest to this.

    While many of my friends in the English congregation and circuit had family cash out pensions, the majority pioneered, bought disaster kits including commodes.

    From all the research I've done I see that the WTBTS claim that they never said Armageddon=1975 is true but in a very cunning way, it is similar President Bush saying he never said Iraq=WMDS but the implications the administration made tell the opposite.

    How many out their during this time period heard at Circuit Ass and District Ass refer to Armageddon=1975 and if you did hear this how frequent was this commented and when did stop.

    I think the case studies I know personally along with any you might contribute will assist in invalidating our CO who on his recent visit said the WTBTS never said 1975=Armageddon.

    Thanks

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Grouper - I think it would be technically correct to state that they never said outright that 1975 would be the end in the publications - although strong assertions are made in that area. But clearly we all thought they were predicting that by the implications in the literature. On the other hand, many elders, CO's, even members of the GB were making plenty of strong statements that pointed at 1975. I attended the International Assembly in Yankee Stadium in 1973. Both Freddy and Nathan had talk after talk that alluded to such. They clearly thought it was coming and those who heard and associated with them thought so too.

    The old ploy has always been to shove it off on the masses who overreacted. They did it with 1914 and 1925. I saw it with 1975 too.

    Jeff

  • melmoth
    melmoth

    I was very young at the time, but I do recall that it was never said specifically that 1975 was IT. Just that, y'know, don't be surprised if it is.
    Kinda like Dad on Christmas Eve saying 'Gee, I wonder who's going to be getting a new bike tomorrow!' (Except of course I never heard that personally at my house.)
    One family we knew sold everything and built itself a house in a fairly remote place, to wait out the fire and brimstone showers in safety.

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff
    One family we knew sold everything and built itself a house in a fairly remote place, to wait out the fire and brimstone showers in safety.

    Hope they built it well and that it was very remote - now just 30 years later..... tick tock tick tock tick tock..... and we thought that Noah went into the ark early? lol

    Jeff

  • melmoth
    melmoth

    Actually now that I think about it, two families bought adjoining land up on a small mountain a few hours away. I'm not 100% sure if the second family actually sold out and moved there; I think they did also but I'm not certain.
    My family used to up and visit, and I do recall at some point they sold again and moved away. It wasn't until much later that I learned that's why they had moved there in the first place.

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