The Watchtower describes the "back to Palestine" movement as directed by the "spirit of Jehovah's archfoe, Satan". (1955 May 15 p.296) This is astonishing, as for over 50 years the Watchtower was supportive of the Zionist movement.
Pastor Russell, founder of the Watchtower Society, was a Zionist. He was strongly against converting Jews to Christianity and actively involved in encouraging the establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine. Benjamin Netanyahu, the ninth prime minister of Israel, when he was the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations stated, "A recognition of Pastor Russell's important role as an early American Christian advocate of Zionism is long overdue."

Russell made the following comments regarding the nation of Israel and Jews:

"There are now in the world more than ten million Jews, about three-quarters of whom are in Russia, Poland, the Balkan States, and Turkey. If the movement toward Palestine should get the impulse that the Hirsch committee is able to give it, an imaginative person can conceive of the country's doubling or trebling its Jewish population before the close of our century, and of its having a larger Jewish population fifty years hence than it had in ancient times, when its census ran up to three millions. Should the restoration be accomplished, all hail to the New Jerusalem!" Watchtower 1892 Nov 1 p.329

"The more closely we investigate the New Covenant, the more we must be convinced of this fact - that it belongs to Israel alone." Watch Tower 1909 Jan 15 p.28

"Although the Jews are gradually flowing into Palestine, gradually obtaining control of the land of Canaan, and although reports say that already nineteen millionaires are there, nevertheless, prophecy requires an evidently larger number of wealthy Hebrews to be there before the Armageddon crisis be reached. Indeed, we understand that "Jacob's trouble" in the Holy Land will come at the very close of Armageddon. Then Messiah's Kingdom will begin to be manifested. Thenceforth Israel in the Land of Promise will gradually rise from the ashes of the past to the grandeur of prophecy." Studies In the Scriptures Series IV - The Day of Vengeance - Forward pp. xviii, xix

"… expected the year 1914 to mark a significant turning point for Jerusalem." Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p.135

In reference to the prophecy of Amos 9:11-15, Thy Kingdom Come stated:

"That the re-establishment of Israel in the land of Palestine is one of the events to be expected in this Day of the Lord, we are fully assured by the above expression of the Prophet. Notice, particularly, that the prophecy cannot be interpreted in any symbolic sense." Studies in the Scriptures Series III - Thy Kingdom Come p.244

Until 1909, the Watchtower Magazine was titled Zion's Watch Tower Herald of Christ's Presence.


Modern day Bible Students still have a Zionist view of Jews. As stated on agsconsulting.com (20 Apr 2005), a website run by modern day Bible Students:

"Bible Students were the first to appreciate and act upon the commission of Isaiah 40:1: "Comfort, oh comfort My people." (TANAKH, Jewish Publication Society) And they took this commission very seriously. In 1891 Charles Russell, the Pastor of Bible Students congregations around the world, proposed to Baron Rothschild and Baron Hirsch a practical plan for Zionism that involved the purchasing of all government lands (lands not held by private owners) in Palestine from the impoverished Ottoman Empire of Turkey. (Years later Herzl made similar proposals). Pastor Russell prefaced his proposal with the prediction of a massive exodus of Jews from Russia and Eastern Europe. As he predicted, history records over 3 million Jews emigrated from Russia and Eastern Europe by 1924."
The Finished Mystery mentions Russell's preaching work to the Jews.

"It is possible that A. D. 1980 may have something of special interest for Fleshly Israel, but certainly not for us. It is 70 years beyond 1910, the date when Pastor Russell gave his great witness to the Jewish people in the New York Hippodrome." Studies in the Scriptures - The Finished Mystery p.62

The 1917 pamphlet Parable of the Penny explained that 1980 could be the year the Jews receive their resurrection.

Until 1932, Rutherford continued upholding Russell's ideal that the Jews and Jerusalem had a special place in prophecy. It was believed that the Jews had remained as God's chosen people and Jerusalem was to be restored. The Finished Mystery, on pages 536 and 555 was openly Zionist, as was Comfort for the Jews p.55

"The promise, time and again repeated, that the Lord would regather them and bless them in the land and keep them there and bless them for ever is conclusive proof that the promise must be fulfilled ... Behold, that time is now at hand!"

On 17th October 1920, Rutherford delivered a lecture in Jerusalem in which he is quoted in The Golden Age 1921 Easter pp.369-382 'Zionism Certain to Succeed' as saying;

"Israel is absolutely certain to be fully established as a nation and the Jews again as a specially favored people of God. The zealous workers in Zionism today are fulfilling prophecy Zionism is one of the steps in the great divine program."

This was more than just an expectation as the Proclaimers book puts it, it was "absolutely certain". Up until the 1930's, the events happening to the Jews in the 19th and 20th century were even considered to be proof that this is the time of the end.

"(The) regathering of Israel to Palestine would be one of the most conclusive proofs of his presence." The Harp of God (1921) p.256

"In the spring of 1918, the Jews began to rebuild Palestine; … This is another physical fact or circumstantial proof of the Lord's presence at the end of the world" Creation (1927) p.306-307
Anti-Semitic comments crept into the Golden Age during the late 1920's, and in 1934 Zionism was renounced by Rutherford.

"Be it known once and for all that those profiteering, conscienceless, selfish men who call themselves Jews, and who control the greater portion of the finances of the world and the business of the world, will never be the rulers in this new earth. God would not risk such selfish men with such an important position" The Golden Age 1927 Feb 23 p.343

"The Journal of the A.M.A. is the vilest sheet that passes the United States mail. Nothing new and useful in therapeutics escapes its unqualified condemnation. Its attacks are generally ad hominem. Its editorial columns are largely devoted to character assassination. Its editor (Morris Fishbein) is of the type of Jew that crucified Jesus Christ." The Golden Age 1934 Sep 26 p.807

Rutherford contradicted his previous views when renouncing them in the 1932 book Vindication - Book II, pages 258.

"In 1917 the Balfour Declaration, sponsored by the heathen governments of Satan's organization, came forth, recognized the Jews, and bestowed upon them great favors. ... The Jews have received more attention at their hands than they really deserved."
In 1946, during the time the horrors of the holocaust were emerging, the Watchtower made the following comments about Jews.

"Nothing in the modern return of Jews to Palestine and the setting up of the Israeli republic corresponds with the Bible prophecies concerning the restoration of Jehovah's name- people to his favor and organization … The remnant of spiritual Israelites, as Jehovah's Witnesses, have proclaimed world-wide the establishment of God's kingdom in 1914" Let God Be True (1946) Second ed. pp.217-218

"There is no evidence in the Scriptures that the Jews as a people are meek. On the contrary, Jehovah's Witnesses only find it stated in the Bible that the Jews are "stiff-necked and hard-hearted", but when they call at their homes with the message of God's kingdom they witness the same characteristics. They seem to think that because they are Jews, and were once God's chosen people, they must ever remain that way." Consolation 1946 Jan 2 pp. 14,15

The Zionist teachings, once of absolute certainty, was henceforth said to have no Scriptural support. This change in doctrine is discussed in the Watchtower 1955 May 15 p.296, and the "back to Palestine" movement that the Watchtower had promoted became labelled as a teaching of Satan:

"By the publication of Volume 2 of the book Vindication that year, Jehovah's witnesses came to see that such a "back to Palestine" movement was by the spirit of Jehovah's archfoe, Satan, who has deceived the entire inhabited earth."

How ironic for the Watchtower to denounce Zionist teachings as from Satan, after the Organization had spent the previous 60 years actively preaching it. Is this saying Satan had been influencing Russell and Rutherford? If Satan was behind this prominent Watchtower teaching, how many other prominent Watchtower teachings is Satan influencing? At what point did the reasonings of Satan stop being promoted by the Watchtower Organization?

Source of article:

http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/zionism.php

I sent you a pm

constance500: I sent you a pm

PM is malfunctioning, couldn't fetch your mail, why don't you post what you want to tell me here?

You know the problem of apostates? You have set up a strawman argument. Then you proceed to demolish the said strawman, and you feel cool.

What do I mean? You insist that the Governing Body claims to be inspired by God, despite being told time and again that they don't. Okay....test of sincerity, see what the Governing Body had always said about themselves:

."It is not our intention to enter upon the role of prophet to any degree, [/b]but merely to give below
what seems to us rather likely to be the trend of events--giving also the rasons for our expectations."
-March 1,1904 Watchtower.

" Someone may ask, Do you, then, claim infallibility and that every sentence appearing in "The Watch Tower" publications is stated with absolute correctness? Assuredly we make no such claim and have never made such a claim. What motive can our opponents have in so charging against us? Are they not seeking to set up a falsehood to give themselves excuse for making
attacks and to endeavor to pervert the judgments of others?" Zion's Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, 15 September 1909. 

[b]"Many students have made the grievous mistake of thinking that God has inspired men to interpret prophecy. The holy prophets of the Old Testament
were inspired by Jehovah to write as his power moved upon them. The writers of the New Testament were clothed with certain power and authority to write
as the Lord directed them. However, since the days of the apostles no man on earth has been inspired to write prophecy, nor has any man been inspired to
interpret prophecy." - Prophecy, 1929


"The Watchtower is founded on the very pinnacle of reliable wisdom, namely, God's Word the Bible...because its words find their foundation in God's Word ... [b]However the Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. Its purpose is to aid others to know Jehovah and his purposes toward mankind, and to announce Christ's etablished kingdom as our only hope." "Name and purpose of the Watchtower",
15 August 1950, 262-26 

Why don't you go after those that really claim God is showing them prophecy today? Leave honest hearted people who just want to study the Bible and live their lives in accordance with it alone, biko.

honeychild: You know the problem of apostates? You have set up a strawman argument. Then you proceed to demolish the said strawman, and you feel cool.

What do I mean? You insist that the Governing Body claims to be inspired by God, despite being told time and again that they don't. Okay....test of sincerity, see what the Governing Body had always said about themselves:

."It is not our intention to enter upon the role of prophet to any degree, [/b]but merely to give below
what seems to us rather likely to be the trend of events--giving also the rasons for our expectations."
-March 1,1904 Watchtower.

" Someone may ask, Do you, then, claim infallibility and that every sentence appearing in "The Watch Tower" publications is stated with absolute correctness? Assuredly we make no such claim and have never made such a claim. What motive can our opponents have in so charging against us? Are they not seeking to set up a falsehood to give themselves excuse for making
attacks and to endeavor to pervert the judgments of others?" Zion's Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence, 15 September 1909. 

[b]"Many students have made the grievous mistake of thinking that God has inspired men to interpret prophecy. The holy prophets of the Old Testament
were inspired by Jehovah to write as his power moved upon them. The writers of the New Testament were clothed with certain power and authority to write
as the Lord directed them. However, since the days of the apostles no man on earth has been inspired to write prophecy, nor has any man been inspired to
interpret prophecy." - Prophecy, 1929


"The Watchtower is founded on the very pinnacle of reliable wisdom, namely, God's Word the Bible...because its words find their foundation in God's Word ... [b]However the Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. Its purpose is to aid others to know Jehovah and his purposes toward mankind, and to announce Christ's etablished kingdom as our only hope." "Name and purpose of the Watchtower",
15 August 1950, 262-26

Remember that the same governing body made the following assertions about themselves

"Today, Jehovah provides instruction by means of "the faithful steward." Pay Attention to Yourself and to All The Flock p.13

"commissioned to serve as the mouthpiece and active agent of Jehovah … commission to speak as a prophet in the name of Jehovah…" The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah" - How? pp.58,62

"… commission to speak as a "prophet" in His name…" Watchtower 1972 Mar 15 p.189

"The Watchtower is a magazine without equal in the earth …. This is not giving any credit to the magazine's publishers, but is due to the great Author of the Bible with it truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies." Watchtower 1943 Apr 15 p.127

"No man can properly interpret prophecy, and the Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people." Watchtower 1936 Feb 15 p.52

"The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in The Watchtower. God feeds his own people, and surely God uses those who love and serve him according to his own will. Those who oppose The Watchtower are not capable of discerning the truth that God is giving to the children of his organization, and this is the very strongest proof that such opposers are not of God's organization." Watchtower 1931 Nov 1 p.327

"Jehovah God has made known to his anointed ones in advance what these Scriptures mean." Watchtower 1931 Jun 1 p.160

"… the truths I present, as God's mouthpiece…" Zion's Watch Tower 1906 Jul 15 p.230

It even went as far as specifically predicting that the end of World War 2 was from Jehovah.

"In 1942 the "faithful and discreet slave" guided by Jehovah's unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up." Watchtower 1960 Jul 15 p.444 

Why don't you go after those that really claim God is showing them prophecy today? Leave honest hearted people who just want to study the Bible and live their lives in accordance with it alone, biko.

Current interpretation may have changed, but my question is

If it invites critical examination of its content in the light of scripture, why does it hold a judicial comittee to try members who question their doctrine, or sometimes go as far as disfellowshiping them?

Why are other sciptural interpretations, labelled as apostacy?

Can you confidently question any watchtower doctrine that you suspect may not align with scripture?

@PaulGrundy

When the Watchtower says Jehovah's Witnesses are prophets, they do not mean prophets in the sense that they make predictions or foretell the future. They mean prophets in the sense that they publicise the message in the bible.

Awake! of June 8 1986. In that article, under the heading "All true christians are prophets"' the following statement was made:g86 6/8 p. 9 “Would That All Were Prophets!” ***


All True Christians ARE Prophets

""The New American Bible correctly states: “Prophet means ‘one who speaks for another,’ especially for God. It does not necessarily mean that he predicts the future!” Pope John Paul II said: “The ‘prophetic office’ of the People of God must be consciously exercised as a true service of the Word.”

............You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people, all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God. In fact, they are known throughout the world as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Out of love for God and his Word, they are carrying on a universal Bible educational work among old and young, rich and poor. They have hundreds of thousands of full-time voluntary workers, some of whom translate and print Bibles and Bible educational literature that is distributed inexpensively, or even free of charge. They are assisted by millions of part-time workers. Any of these will be happy to help you “discern the signs of the times” and embrace the wonderful hope contained in God’s Word, the Bible.""

The Watchtower has always been quick to distinguish the 'prophecying' that Jehovah's people today partake in, from the miraculous gift of prophecy of the prophets and 1st century Christians:

Watchtower 1961 10/1 p. 593:
Prophesying with the Loyal Organization ***

This particular prophesying (carried on by Jehovah's Witnesses today) was not the special gift of prophecy that was inspired, a gift that was not shared by all Christians. It was the declaration publicly of the magnificent things of God.

Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for our stand that the miraculous gifts of the spirit (including prophecy) ceased in the first century. So why would we now lay claim to prophecy? The Watchtower says we are prophets, because we declare the magnificient things of God, not because the Governing Body is inspired to foretell the future or receives divine interpretation of scripture.

Another quotation from the Watchtower of March 1 1962 shows that this is what the Watchtower Society means when it calls itself prophets or when it says Jehovah’s Witnesses prophesy:

“Loyalty to God’s organization requires that we prophesy all we can, as effectively as possible and where we can do the most good. We may not hold back in any of these respects. We must take the quality of our prophesying seriously, ever seeking to become more able ministers. Nor may we content ourselves with but one hour a month if we can devote ten hours to prophesying. Ten hours a month is only one hour every three days, and surely we can find that much time for prophesying. And if we can do more, loyalty requires that we do more, even going to places where there is a greater need for witnesses if we are able to do so.

The Yearbook contains many interesting experiences had by Christian ministers as they engaged in prophesying from house to house and on return visits. It also tells of how effective incidental witnessing can be, that is, prophesying as opportunity affords, as at one’s place of business, while in a hospital or when at school. Are we always alert to opportunities, or better, to make opportunities to prophesy about the “magnificent things of God”?

Please try to be objective. Jehovah's Witnesses use ''prophesying'' as a synonym for ''witnessing'' or ''preaching''


Jehovah's people are a people zealous for God. That means we don't hold back whatever we are convinced the Bible teaches. Of course we are wrong sometimes - every human is. But I think it will be more culpable if we hold back on what we know because we don't want people to say we were wrong. I will rather teach all and sundry what I am convinced of as the truth from the Bible. If it happens that I am wrong, I will be humble enough to admit it.

paulGrundy:

my question is

If it invites critical examination of its content in the light of scripture, why does it hold a judicial comittee to try members who question their doctrine, or sometimes go as far as disfellowshiping them?

Why are other sciptural interpretations, labelled as apostacy?

Can you confidently question any watchtower doctrine that you suspect may not align with scripture?

Do you know this from personal experience or from what you read from apostate websites? If you have had any personal experience of being disfellowshipped because you questioned watchtower teachings why not post your own personal experience so we can see if your disfellowshipping was simply because you questioned Watchtower teaching, or it was because you were seeking to 'draw disciples away after yourself.'"

With apostates, there is always an agenda. I remember the story of a woman who claims she worked in Bethel in the writing department. According to her she did most of the research for the 'proclaimers book' which is a history of modern day Jehovah's Witnesses. Of course she wanted prominence and to be recognized for such important work. Unfortunately that doesn't happen among Jehovah's people. So she became an apostate.

My point, if you have legitimate questions and doubts, you can write to the branch offices. They will try to explain as best as they can. If you are unsatisfied with the explanation, what do you have to gain spreading it to others - trying to seek 'followers' for yourself? That is what the Watchtower organisation has issues with.

And as for you, I think it's high time you were honest with yourself. Stop hiding behind other people's grievances. If you have any personal reason for your vendetta against Jehovah's Witnesses, please be a man and bring it out let it be discussed.

honeychild:


Do you know this from personal experience or from what you read from apostate websites? If you have had any personal experience of being disfellowshipped because you questioned watchtower teachings why not post your own personal experience so we can see if your disfellowshipping was simply because you questioned Watchtower teaching, or it was because you were seeking to 'draw disciples away after yourself.'"

With apostates, there is always an agenda. I remember the story of a woman who claims she worked in Bethel in the writing department. According to her she did most of the research for the 'proclaimers book' which is a history of modern day Jehovah's Witnesses. Of course she wanted prominence and to be recognized for such important work. Unfortunately that doesn't happen among Jehovah's people. So she became an apostate.

My point, if you have legitimate questions and doubts, you can write to the branch offices. They will try to explain as best as they can. If you are unsatisfied with the explanation, what do you have to gain spreading it to others - trying to seek 'followers' for yourself? That is what the Watchtower organisation has issues with.

And as for you, I think it's high time you were honest with yourself. Stop hiding behind other people's grievances. If you have any personal reason for your vendetta against Jehovah's Witnesses, please be a man and bring it out let it be discussed.

You did not answer my question, neither did you address it.

Am not sure you know that it is stated in your literature that questioning watchtower doctrine is grounds for apostacy. The apostate (going by your claim) backed up his claim with references from your literature.

honeychild: @PaulGrundy

When the Watchtower says Jehovah's Witnesses are prophets, they do not mean prophets in the sense that they make predictions or foretell the future. They mean prophets in the sense that they publicise the message in the bible.

Awake! of June 8 1986. In that article, under the heading "All true christians are prophets"' the following statement was made:g86 6/8 p. 9 “Would That All Were Prophets!” ***


All True Christians ARE Prophets

""The New American Bible correctly states: “Prophet means ‘one who speaks for another,’ especially for God. It does not necessarily mean that he predicts the future!” Pope John Paul II said: “The ‘prophetic office’ of the People of God must be consciously exercised as a true service of the Word.”

............You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people, all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God. In fact, they are known throughout the world as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Out of love for God and his Word, they are carrying on a universal Bible educational work among old and young, rich and poor. They have hundreds of thousands of full-time voluntary workers, some of whom translate and print Bibles and Bible educational literature that is distributed inexpensively, or even free of charge. They are assisted by millions of part-time workers. Any of these will be happy to help you “discern the signs of the times” and embrace the wonderful hope contained in God’s Word, the Bible.""

Going by your quote can I safely conclude that you are a prophet?

The Watchtower has always been quick to distinguish the 'prophecying' that Jehovah's people today partake in, from the miraculous gift of prophecy of the prophets and 1st century Christians:

Watchtower 1961 10/1 p. 593:
Prophesying with the Loyal Organization ***

This particular prophesying (carried on by Jehovah's Witnesses today) was not the special gift of prophecy that was inspired, a gift that was not shared by all Christians. It was the declaration publicly of the magnificent things of God.

Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for our stand that the miraculous gifts of the spirit (including prophecy) ceased in the first century. So why would we now lay claim to prophecy? The Watchtower says we are prophets, because we declare the magnificient things of God, not because the Governing Body is inspired to foretell the future or receives divine interpretation of scripture.

Another quotation from the Watchtower of March 1 1962 shows that this is what the Watchtower Society means when it calls itself prophets or when it says Jehovah’s Witnesses prophesy:

“Loyalty to God’s organization requires that we prophesy all we can, as effectively as possible and where we can do the most good. We may not hold back in any of these respects. We must take the quality of our prophesying seriously, ever seeking to become more able ministers. Nor may we content ourselves with but one hour a month if we can devote ten hours to prophesying. Ten hours a month is only one hour every three days, and surely we can find that much time for prophesying. And if we can do more, loyalty requires that we do more, even going to places where there is a greater need for witnesses if we are able to do so.

The Yearbook contains many interesting experiences had by Christian ministers as they engaged in prophesying from house to house and on return visits. It also tells of how effective incidental witnessing can be, that is, prophesying as opportunity affords, as at one’s place of business, while in a hospital or when at school. Are we always alert to opportunities, or better, to make opportunities to prophesy about the “magnificent things of God”?

Please try to be objective. Jehovah's Witnesses use ''prophesying'' as a synonym for ''witnessing'' or ''preaching''

I think you've just striken a controversail aspect of your doctrine, before I jump into conclusion let me ask:

Does the interpretation of prophesying include speaking for God?

Jehovah's people are a people zealous for God. That means we don't hold back whatever we are convinced the Bible teaches

Yes members of other religions admire the members of watchtower for their evangelistic zeal shown in their door to door preaching.
.

Of course we are wrong sometimes - every human is. But I think it will be more culpable if we hold back on what we know because we don't want people to say we were wrong. I will rather teach all and sundry what I am convinced of as the truth from the Bible. If it happens that I am wrong, I will be humble enough to admit it.

Its not about who is wrong or not, members of other religions are sometimes wrong too. What matters is being open too others, admiting mistakes and not being too quick to judge.

paulGrundy:

You did not answer my question, neither did you address it.

Am not sure you know that it is stated in your literature that questioning watchtower doctrine is grounds for apostacy. The apostate (going by your claim) backed up his claim with references from your literature.

I addressed your issue. MERELY ASKING QUESTIONS is not the reason most apostates are disfellowshipped. It's the fact that they try to gather "followers after themselves".

Let me give you an example: the author of silent lambs had a legitimate issue. Peadophiles' information was kept confidential. So a brother who had committed paedophilia and been disfellowshipped could move to a new town. He could become reinstated. And no one but the elders in his new congregation would be aware that he was a paedophile.

He wasn't disfellowshipped until he went on TV labelling Jehovah's Witnesses "paedophile paradise". What was to be gained from that? Anyone listening to him talk would immediately imagine anything from 1/2 to 80% of Jehovah's Witnesses are paedophiles. When you read apostate materials, the bitterness evident therein shows what the real issue is.

And like I said, read the experiences of ex Jehovah's Witnesses that abound on line. How many were disfellowshipped for merely asking questions? Most were for immorality.

honeychild:

I addressed your issue. MERELY ASKING QUESTIONS is not the reason most apostates are disfellowshipped. It's the fact that they try to gather "followers after themselves"

Hehehehe forgive me for laughing at the above. But I don't think you are in the best position to say that, because you are not the one that is feeling the pinch in the shoes. There are several accounts of people on the internet who got disfellowed, either due to disillusion, or bitter experiences. The rationalization you put forth is itself not logical. Why are they gathering followers for themselves? Their quest for veagance may cause them to speak ill of the watchtower, but what would they be doing with followers? to start a ministry? Hehehehe.

Take for example Rayomd Franz, former governing body member who got disfellowshiped for resisting some doctrinal changes in the society, he was in a best position to garner members, but he didn't, but instead he retreated to a quiet life and wrote his experiences in Crisis of conscience.

I think you are saying that because former members become critical of the society.

Let me give you an example: the author of silent lambs had a legitimate issue. Peadophiles' information was kept confidential. So a brother who had committed paedophilia and been disfellowshipped could move to a new town. He could become reinstated. And no one but the elders in his new congregation would be aware that he was a paedophile.

He wasn't disfellowshipped until he went on TV labelling Jehovah's Witnesses "paedophile paradise". What was to be gained from that? Anyone listening to him talk would immediately imagine anything from 1/2 to 80% of Jehovah's Witnesses are paedophiles. When you read apostate materials, the bitterness evident therein shows what the real issue is

He had his reasons, I have gone through the his story, he didn't like the secretive manner the society handled peadophilia, he said it favoured peadophes and victimized the victims, that led him to question the legitmacy of the society and then jump into conclusions. You would never understand why he did what he did except you were in his shoes.

And like I said, read the experiences of ex Jehovah's Witnesses that abound on line. How many were disfellowshipped for merely asking questions? Most were for immorality.

paulGrundy:

Hehehehe forgive me for laughing at the above. But I don't think you are in the best position to say that, because you are not the one that is feeling the pinch in the shoes.

Like I said, if you have 'felt the pinch' because you 'merely asked questions' please feel free to paste your own experiences and stop hiding behind other people's one sided experiences. If you haven't, then neither are you in any position to say what really happened.

honeychild:

Like I said, if you have 'felt the pinch' because you 'merely asked questions' please feel free to paste your own experiences and stop hiding behind other people's one sided experiences. If you haven't, then neither are you in any position to say what really happened.

I haven't. Its funny how you ignored the points I expected you to touch and my questions.

paulGrundy:

I haven't. Its funny how you ignored the points I expected you to touch and my questions.

I still don't get what points you are looking for answers to:

paulGrundy:

If it invites critical examination of its content in the light of scripture, why does it hold a judicial comittee to try members who question their doctrine, or sometimes go as far as disfellowshiping them?

Nobody has ever been disfellowshipped for questioning doctrine. They are disfellowshipped when they go ahead and malign Jehovah's witnesses, often with half truths and in pursuit of their own agenda.

Case in point: Barbara Anderson (purported researcher for Proclaimers book).

She worked in the writing department. According to her so many Awake articles having to do with women and children's rights were written based on her suggestions:

e.g.
'"I remember the time I was in Harry’s office in January 1992 when I was telling him and another senior writer, Eric Beveridge, what I had heard from Witness women during my vacation. According to them, too many men in the organization treated women with disrespect and as inferiors...............Harry and Eric were not happy about my tales. The discussion led Harry to authorize Eric to write an Awake! series addressing the “women problem” and assigned me to do the research. The result was the July 8, 1992 Awake!, a 15-page series of articles, the cover title being, “Women Deserving of Respect.”

and

""A young woman I worked with in the Construction Engineering Department excitedly told a group of us about a prominent elder in the congregation where she attended in upstate New York before she moved to Bethel, who was arrested for pedophilia. I found out later the molester had been convicted and sent to prison where he served three years........The evidence that there were more than just the case related above where children of Jehovah’s Witnesses were molested and kept silent about the abuse, was the authorizing of a series of articles in the January 22, 1985 Awake! the cover title being, “Child Molesting, Every Mother’s Nightmare.”

and
Due to the health problems of my elderly parents, in August of 1992, we decided to terminate our stay at the Watchtower facility in Brooklyn leaving there at the end of the year. However, before I left, I spent time on one more research project. Harry authorized me to put together a package of information alerting and proving to the Governing Body that they had a serious problem with child sexual abuse within the organization. In early January 1993, a few weeks after I left headquarters, a huge packet of documented information gathered by me was provided by Harry Peloyan to each one of the Governing Body members........After we’d been back in Tennessee some months, a letter dated February 3, 1993 was received by all bodies of elders in the United States addressing child sexual abuse once again. It was apparent the work I had done had reaped results as the letter actually discussed information I had included in the package for the Governing Body.

So, whenever she had suggestions and raised it with the Governing Body, she was listened to, and her suggestions were implemented. Why then would she go on national TV and paint a horrible picture of an organisation filled with paedophiles? She wasn't disfellowshipped for her questions. In fact her suggestions were highly appreciated. She was disfelloshipped because she decided to malign her former brothers.

paulGrundy:

Can you confidently question any Watchtower doctrine you suspect may not align with scripture?

I believe I can. If I have a question about a particular doctrine, then I address my question to the appropriate quarters. My Governing Body, in a letter to the branch. If I am given an answer and I am not satisfied with it, I have two options:

I may choose to accept what the Governing Body says or I may not. Personally, when the Watchtower makes pronouncements on procedure, I choose to view them as suggestions. For instance, if truly there had been a time when victims of paedophiles were discouraged from reporting to the police, if my child were to be a victim of a paedophile at that time.....I can assure you the police are going to be hearing about it - and I know I would not be disfellowshipped for that.

But what I shouldn't do is go around my neighbourhood complaining to all and sundry about what I disagree with. It achieves no purpose, other than gathering sympathy for myself. It's neither the loving nor the Christian thing to do. And that is why apostates get disfellowshipped

As an aside, I think not reporting to the authorities is actually a decision taken for the protection of the child by anxious parents. I remember a few years ago, a neighbour's daughter was sexually abused by her class teacher in Nursery school. I was all for going straight to the Police to get the man arrested. My neighbour wouldn't. She didn't want the matter becoming public so her daughter wouldn't be stigmatised for life.
.

honeychild:
@PaulGrundy

When the Watchtower says Jehovah's Witnesses are prophets, they do not mean prophets in the sense that they make predictions or foretell the future. They mean prophets in the sense that they publicise the message in the bible.

So then why is the watchtower calling other groups who makes predictions prophets?

"Some believed that the earth would end on October 21, 2011. It did not. Thus, the[b]prophecy[/b] of U.S. radio broadcaster Harold Camping rang hollow. He predicted that Judgement Day would come on May 21, 2011 …" Watchtower 2012 Feb 1 p.25

Why was a different standard used to judge Harold camping?

Awake! of June 8 1986. In that article, under the heading "All true christians are prophets"' the following statement was made:g86 6/8 p. 9 “Would That All Were Prophets!” ***


All True Christians ARE Prophets

""The New American Bible correctly states: “Prophet means ‘one who speaks for another,’ especially for God. It does not necessarily mean that he predicts the future!” Pope John Paul II said: “The ‘prophetic office’ of the People of God must be consciously exercised as a true service of the Word.”

............You will be interested to learn that God has on earth a people, all of whom are prophets, or witnesses for God. In fact, they are known throughout the world as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Out of love for God and his Word, they are carrying on a universal Bible educational work among old and young, rich and poor. They have hundreds of thousands of full-time voluntary workers, some of whom translate and print Bibles and Bible educational literature that is distributed inexpensively, or even free of charge. They are assisted by millions of part-time workers. Any of these will be happy to help you “discern the signs of the times” and embrace the wonderful hope contained in God’s Word, the Bible.""

The Watchtower has always been quick to distinguish the 'prophecying' that Jehovah's people today partake in, from the miraculous gift of prophecy of the prophets and 1st century Christians:

Watchtower 1961 10/1 p. 593:
Prophesying with the Loyal Organization ***

This particular prophesying (carried on by Jehovah's Witnesses today) was not the special gift of prophecy that was inspired, a gift that was not shared by all Christians. It was the declaration publicly of the magnificent things of God.

Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for our stand that the miraculous gifts of the spirit (including prophecy) ceased in the first century. So why would we now lay claim to prophecy? The Watchtower says we are prophets, because we declare the magnificient things of God, not because the Governing Body is inspired to foretell the future or receives divine interpretation of scripture.

Another quotation from the Watchtower of March 1 1962 shows that this is what the Watchtower Society means when it calls itself prophets or when it says Jehovah’s Witnesses prophesy:

“Loyalty to God’s organization requires that we prophesy all we can, as effectively as possible and where we can do the most good. We may not hold back in any of these respects. We must take the quality of our prophesying seriously, ever seeking to become more able ministers. Nor may we content ourselves with but one hour a month if we can devote ten hours to prophesying. Ten hours a month is only one hour every three days, and surely we can find that much time for prophesying. And if we can do more, loyalty requires that we do more, even going to places where there is a greater need for witnesses if we are able to do so.

The Yearbook contains many interesting experiences had by Christian ministers as they engaged in prophesying from house to house and on return visits. It also tells of how effective incidental witnessing can be, that is, prophesying as opportunity affords, as at one’s place of business, while in a hospital or when at school. Are we always alert to opportunities, or better, to make opportunities to prophesy about the “magnificent things of God”?

Please try to be objective. Jehovah's Witnesses use ''prophesying'' as a synonym for ''witnessing'' or ''preaching''


Jehovah's people are a people zealous for God. That means we don't hold back whatever we are convinced the Bible teaches. Of course we are wrong sometimes - every human is. But I think it will be more culpable if we hold back on what we know because we don't want people to say we were wrong. I will rather teach all and sundry what I am convinced of as the truth from the Bible. If it happens that I am wrong, I will be humble enough to admit it.