Rutherford makes a good point

by carla 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  carla

  I just received the Millions reprint book. I actually found something I agree with!

  Error always seeks the dark, while truth is always enhanced by the light. Error never desires to be investigated. Light always courts a thorough and complete investigation.

  Maybe I should have included the above sentence as well, sorry-

  Every man should be persuaded in his own mind and no man should permit himself to be deterred from examining a question based upon the Bible because a clergy-man or any one else makes the unsupported assertion that it is dangerous or unworthy of consideration.

  Too bad they don't apply the 'thorough and complete investigation' today. Or because clergy-men (or elders, gb, ms, co's, etc..) consider something dangerous.

  pg 13 Millions Now Living Will Never Die
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  onacruse

  Too bad they don't apply the 'thorough and complete investigation' today. Or because clergy-men (or elders, gb, ms, co's, etc..) consider something dangerous.

  I've somewhat thoroughly investigated this, but, honestly, at this point in my life, I don't particularly care to delineate all the evidence theretowith (LOL...now, there's a Rutherfordism for ya! ). But, as far as I know, the "window of opportunity" for open and frank discussion within the WTS ended no later than in the late 1890s--as soon as the organization really began to become an organization. Russell fell prey to the very same weaknesses of any person who finds him/herself in a position of power.

  The "Millions" book fits the pattern of every religious and political publication that has been examined and documented, since the beginning of human existence: hopes, dreams, promises--and then hopes dashed, dreams lost, promises broken...and the cycle begins all over again.

  Pardon me for interjecting this one observation: Rutherford was, as a pig of a man, one of the worst Pigs I've ever read.
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  bavman

  The interesting thing is Carla, the WTBS still makes statements similar to what Rutherford made back then. They simply don't allow THEMSELVES to be investigated. Of course, they would say but, 'you have the choice. You can go wherever you like.' However, along with choosing to go elsewhere you have to choose to be shunned by family and friends. I ask, is that really a choice? I don't think it is. It's emotional blackmail. I find their statements (such as Rutherford's and what you may read now) to be hypocritical.
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  jaffacake

  Carla,

  This is very useful to me, as I still have lines of communication open to an active JW (just) who seems to show some signs of doubt. I collect these kind of quotations.

  Do you know if this publication is available online? I am reminded of the scriptural quote:

  "If one rejects a matter before he hears, it is folly and shame to him." (Proverbs 18:13, LITV)
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  carla

  Hi Jaffacake,

  I thought you were in Florida or something? I think I got this from Lulu. It is a reprint of the Million Now Living Will Never Die. The copyright ran out and it is an exact replication, so it says on the back cover anyway. I think it is, looks like it to me anyway. Can't beat the cost either, I think it was under 9-10 dollars. I haven't looked in awhile but if you can even find one on ebay the originals are quite pricey. I also just bought an original Harp of God 1921 and that was about 40.00.
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  IT Support

  Jaffacake,

  I collect these kind of quotations.

  So do I. Here are some from my collection:

  We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated… If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. - The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, p. 13, par. 5

  Fraud and deception run from investigation; truth welcomes it. - Unknown

  Fact is fact and truth is truth; no matter from whence it comes. - Unknown

  It is error alone which needs the support of authority. Truth can stand by itself. - Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia

  We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. - Denis Diderot

  I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies. - Pietro Aretino

  I do not believe that truth has anything to fear from open discussion, any reason to hide from careful scrutiny. Any teaching that has to be shielded from such investigation does not deserve to be upheld. - Unknown

  Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so. - Acts 17:11, New World Translation

  Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are. - 2 Corinthians 13:5, New World Translation

  When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning? ... God’s servants… have had to expose falsehood and wrongdoing and warn people of dangers and deception… It would have been far easier to keep silent or say only what people wanted to hear. - The Watchtower, January 15, 1974, p. 35

  Therefore, how will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person… making the exposé? Do you feel it is all right to teach lies and misrepresent God’s Word, but wrong to expose the error? Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption. - The Watchtower, March 1, 1966, p. 132

  It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false... it is a public service.. - The Watchtower, November 15, 1963, p. 688 par. 3

  A religion that teaches lies cannot be true. - The Watchtower, December 1, 1991, p. 7

  WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE THE TRUTH COVERED OVER . . . ? . . . OR DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS? - The Watchtower, January 15, 1974, p. 35 (picture caption)

  Only persons truly responsible for injustice prefer silence and seek to impose it. - Unknown

  As you will see, a number of them are either unattributed (i.e. "Unknown") or the attributions are incomplete. If anyone can fill in these gaps, it would be appreciated.

  Carla,

  Many thanks for adding a new quotation to my collection!
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  jaffacake

  
  IT

  That's a tremendous boost for my collection. Thanks!

  Carla,

  I leave for Florida on Wednesday