To this day, Watchtower Society's doctrine still prohibits blood transfusions. A doctrine enforced that is actually rooted back to the days in which C.T. Russell's teachings were desired to be overturned, during the reign of second Watchtower Society president, J.F. Rutherford. This same notion stuck with succeeding Watchtower Society presidents, including Knorr and Franz.
Though Franz was well-known among many old timers in the organization to be the author of many of the books printed by the Watchtower Society, little is known about other contributors to doctrinal changes. One of these men is Gene Smalley. He is the author of this 'new light' (As opposed to C.T. Russell's 'old light') on blood transfusions.
There continued to be 'refinements' of this Watchtower Society doctrine as a result of the inaccuracy of research performed by the organization. More so, changes have been implemented due to the legal ramifications in modern times.
Furthermore, many countries have been issued public relations statements that would give the appearance that Jehovah's Witnesses are not prohibited by the organization from having blood transfusions. Nonetheless, if they make the personal 'choice' to have a blood transfusion, they are disfellowshipped and shunned. Of course, this is not mentioned in the information provided to the public.
Here's a list of some Watchtower Society publications and the stance respecting the organization's doctrine and teachings of blood:
12/25/1940 - Consolation, page 19: Blood transfusions permitted.
07/01/1945 - Watchtower, page 201: Blood officially banned.
01/08/1954 - Awake!, page 24: Disallowed the use of blood fractions.
09/15/1958 - Watchtower, page 575: Changed policy allows use of blood fractions.
10/15/1959 - Watchtower, page 640: No storage of blood before an operation.
09/15/1961 - Watchtower, pages 558-599: Disallowed blood fractions.
02/22/1975 - Awake!, page 30: Hemophilia treatment condemned.
06/15/1978 - Watchtower, pages 29-31: Hemophilia treatments allowed.
06/15/1985 - Watchtower, page 30: Factor VIII not allowed.
03/01/1989 - Watchtower, pages 30 & 31: Blood outside body permitted using dialysis.
06/15/2000 - Watchtower, pages 29-31: Blood fractions from blood components allowed.
Besides the current no blood transfusion stance which started under the Rutherford Reign in the mid-40s, notice the other following oddities...
Blood Fractions:
No = 1954
Yes = 1958
No = 1961
Yes = 2000
Hemophilia treatments:
No = 1975
Yes = 1978
Apparently, according to Watchtower Society teachings during the mid-70's God had a disdain towards hemophiliacs. Additionally, it took close to 40 years for God to direct his organization back to the stance that blood fractions are allowed. After teaching it was not allowed in 1954, approximately four years later it was permitted. About three years after that, it became prohibited again, and remained that way from 1961 until 2000. In 2000, God threw some more 'new light' at the Governing Body who gave the thumbs up to blood fractions.
To ponder the number of deaths the above doctrines has caused and still causes are staggering. Not to just adults but to innocent and helpless children. Here's a brief list to consider straight from some of the Watchtower Society's publications:
-Adrian Yeatts - age 15 - Source: Awake! May 22, 1994, page 8.
-Dan Andersen - age 15 - Source: Watchtower February, 1, 1996, page 15.
-Irene Walter - age 2 - Source: Awake!, September 22, 1972, pages 17-21.
-Lenae Martinez - age 12 - Source: Awake!, May 22, 1994, page 10.
-Lisa Kosack - age 12 - Source: Awake!, May 22, 1994, page 14.
-Wyndham Cook - age 15 - Source: Awake!, August 22, 1991, page 15.
Please note…The May 22, 1994 Awake! is a good reference point alone as numerous children are spoken of who have died due to the Watchtower Society's interpretation of Bible verses.
A few more easily referenced:
-Brendon Hood - age 4 - Source: Associated Press dispatch reproduced on page 70 of the book ‘Danger at Your Door’ by Duane Magnani.
-Elihu Canle - age 2 - Source: Cambio 16, October 3, 1994.
-Kelsey Crockford - age 2 - Source: The Houston Chronicle, November 18, 1995, page 42A.
-Kevin Rattenbury - age 14 - Source: The Chicago Tribune, August 14, 1991.
-Lucia Gangi - age 12 - Source: Australia's Telegraph Mirror Journal, March 25, 1992.
There are hundreds to thousands more which could be referenced, but we will leave that for your own personal research. A child of 15, 12, 2 years old age...What 'choice' did these children have?
Indoctrination from an organization claiming to be God's channel of truth provides the directive and they follow or are forced to follow in many cases, their parent's consent or/and legal directive. The blood guilt is clear and is extremely saddening. It is an evil from a false prophet doomsday organization whose victims include helpless innocent children that is reminiscent of the child sacrifices found in the Bible. Molech and Baal would be pleased.
Showing posts with label choice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choice. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Unique?
Jehovah's Witnesses will often pride themselves believing they stand out from all other religions in the world today. They alone have and teach the truth. Let's examine such claims.
Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel Christadelphians in many areas. This is inclusive of but not limited to:
-State that their beliefs are based wholly on the Bible.
-They believe that God is the creator of all things and the father of true believers, that he is a separate being from his son, Jesus Christ.
-Jesus is the promised Messiah, in whom the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment.
-After death, believers are in a state of non-existence, knowing nothing until the Resurrection.
-Reject a number of doctrines held by many other Christians, notably the immortality of the soul, trinitarianism, the baptism of infants, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit.
-Hell is understood to refer to death and the grave, rather than being a place of eternal torment.
-Organized into local congregations.
-Women are typically not eligible to teach.
-Refuse to participate in any military because they are conscientious objectors.
-A strong emphasis on personal Bible reading and study.
Those are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to Christadelphians.
Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel House of Yahweh as well:
-Membership of all races from nations all over the globe welcoming all "who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law."
-Claims to be associated with no other faith and indeed asserts that other faiths, especially Christianity, are corrupt and false.
-Believes it is the one true faith, as revealed by the Creator from the beginning, and reestablished again in what they believe are the prophesied end times.
-Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are not celebrated.
-Once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance Memorial, referring to the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
-Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe.
-Yahshua Messiah gave all glory, honor and obedience to Yahweh who is not a trinity, but one individual being with no equal or partners.
-They publish an edition of the Bible, which removes any and all words or concepts which are thought to be pagan corruptions.
Again, these are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to House of Yahweh. Further, arguably 'Yahweh' is closer to the pronunciation of the Father's name than 'Jehovah'.
The reality is there are hundreds of areas to measure upon, and two extremes for each area. The Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught to take preaching to one extreme (imagining it is the most important of God's commandments), but then love (which actually is the most important) they can take to the opposite extreme (Love is disposable). For example, see where the love goes once an individual disassociates themselves from the organization or is disfellowshipped, despite the reason(s).
Since the individuals running the Watchtower Society are imperfect, their teachings are imperfect; they are therefore really no different from anyone else's imperfect teachings. Would God smite one religion because they only got it 85% "correct", and another got it 87% "correct"? Does the religion which has 75% of the teachings "right" have God's favor over the one with only 50% "right"? No God would be so shallow or stupid.
Truth is Jehovah's Witnesses are deep into Restorationism similar to their Seventh-day Adventists roots. Restorationism applies to the Restoration Movement and numerous other movements that originated in the United States and grew in the early and mid 19th century. It refers to the belief held by various religious movements that pristine or original Christianity should be restored, while usually claiming to be the source of that restoration. This is also seen in the religions mentioned earlier as well as Latter Day Saints (Mormons).
Jehovah's Witnesses are also into Millenarianism; which is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed in a positive direction. While it is true there are groups involved in Millenarianism since centuries ago, dozens of books promoting Millenarianism were published in the first three decades of the 19th century, and many new Millenarian societies were formed since then. A short list of millenarian groups besides Jehovah’s Witnesses includes:
-Aum Supreme Truth
-Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
-Branch Davidians
-Dulcinianism
-Heaven's Gate
-Hinduism
-Hojjatieh
-Joachimites
-Judaism
-Plymouth Brethren
-Rastafari Movement
-Shakers
-Taiping Rebellion
-The Living Church of God
-The Lord's Resistance Army
-Yellow Turbans
Jehovah's Witnesses are not unique with their teachings and beliefs. There are hundreds of thousands of faiths and beliefs in the world. Jehovah's Witnesses are just another one of them with a proven history of inaccurate teachings, flip-flopping of doctrine, and false prophesy. How can they be the 'true religion' or sole communication of truth God is using today?
Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel Christadelphians in many areas. This is inclusive of but not limited to:
-State that their beliefs are based wholly on the Bible.
-They believe that God is the creator of all things and the father of true believers, that he is a separate being from his son, Jesus Christ.
-Jesus is the promised Messiah, in whom the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment.
-After death, believers are in a state of non-existence, knowing nothing until the Resurrection.
-Reject a number of doctrines held by many other Christians, notably the immortality of the soul, trinitarianism, the baptism of infants, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit.
-Hell is understood to refer to death and the grave, rather than being a place of eternal torment.
-Organized into local congregations.
-Women are typically not eligible to teach.
-Refuse to participate in any military because they are conscientious objectors.
-A strong emphasis on personal Bible reading and study.
Those are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to Christadelphians.
Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel House of Yahweh as well:
-Membership of all races from nations all over the globe welcoming all "who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law."
-Claims to be associated with no other faith and indeed asserts that other faiths, especially Christianity, are corrupt and false.
-Believes it is the one true faith, as revealed by the Creator from the beginning, and reestablished again in what they believe are the prophesied end times.
-Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are not celebrated.
-Once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance Memorial, referring to the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
-Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe.
-Yahshua Messiah gave all glory, honor and obedience to Yahweh who is not a trinity, but one individual being with no equal or partners.
-They publish an edition of the Bible, which removes any and all words or concepts which are thought to be pagan corruptions.
Again, these are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to House of Yahweh. Further, arguably 'Yahweh' is closer to the pronunciation of the Father's name than 'Jehovah'.
The reality is there are hundreds of areas to measure upon, and two extremes for each area. The Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught to take preaching to one extreme (imagining it is the most important of God's commandments), but then love (which actually is the most important) they can take to the opposite extreme (Love is disposable). For example, see where the love goes once an individual disassociates themselves from the organization or is disfellowshipped, despite the reason(s).
Since the individuals running the Watchtower Society are imperfect, their teachings are imperfect; they are therefore really no different from anyone else's imperfect teachings. Would God smite one religion because they only got it 85% "correct", and another got it 87% "correct"? Does the religion which has 75% of the teachings "right" have God's favor over the one with only 50% "right"? No God would be so shallow or stupid.
Truth is Jehovah's Witnesses are deep into Restorationism similar to their Seventh-day Adventists roots. Restorationism applies to the Restoration Movement and numerous other movements that originated in the United States and grew in the early and mid 19th century. It refers to the belief held by various religious movements that pristine or original Christianity should be restored, while usually claiming to be the source of that restoration. This is also seen in the religions mentioned earlier as well as Latter Day Saints (Mormons).
Jehovah's Witnesses are also into Millenarianism; which is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed in a positive direction. While it is true there are groups involved in Millenarianism since centuries ago, dozens of books promoting Millenarianism were published in the first three decades of the 19th century, and many new Millenarian societies were formed since then. A short list of millenarian groups besides Jehovah’s Witnesses includes:
-Aum Supreme Truth
-Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
-Branch Davidians
-Dulcinianism
-Heaven's Gate
-Hinduism
-Hojjatieh
-Joachimites
-Judaism
-Plymouth Brethren
-Rastafari Movement
-Shakers
-Taiping Rebellion
-The Living Church of God
-The Lord's Resistance Army
-Yellow Turbans
Jehovah's Witnesses are not unique with their teachings and beliefs. There are hundreds of thousands of faiths and beliefs in the world. Jehovah's Witnesses are just another one of them with a proven history of inaccurate teachings, flip-flopping of doctrine, and false prophesy. How can they be the 'true religion' or sole communication of truth God is using today?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Voting - What Jehovah's Witnesses Are Instructed
What is the definitive stance of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine regarding voting? It depends on what point in time you are reviewing their teachings.
It is a conscience choice according to the November 15, 1950, issue of the Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446 in the article ‘Subjection to the Higher Powers’:
"Likewise where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote. After they have registered and when election day comes, they can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot. They must act in accord with their conscience as enlightened by the study of God's Word."
23 years later and the Watchtower Society is providing this information to Jehovah's Witnesses:
The Watchtower, October 15, 1973, on page 627 in the article entitled: ‘Why People of All Kinds Are Becoming Jehovah's Witnesses’ it states:
"“You gave me the right answer to the first question,” said the man, “but you probably won’t answer the next one right. I am looking for a religion which has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Do you have anything to do with politics?” Informed that Jehovah’s Witnesses keep separate from all politics, not even voting, the man was indeed surprised. Eventually a Bible study was started with him and his wife. Now both of them are baptized witnesses of Jehovah."
The Watchtower, December 15, 1973, page 741 in the article ‘Earth’s Rulers for a Thousand Years’ states:
"They do not have the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. That is, they do not have the identification as slaves of the state and do not lend an active hand in carrying on its worldly activities, often beastly. They do not run for political offices, or vote for political candidates."
For a Jehovah's Witness the above direction was to be applied to their life personally. Voting is clearly not allowed per the Watchtower Society if you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses at this time. Furthermore, this stance continued to be sustained even 13 years later:
The Watchtower, September 1, 1986 issue, page 21:
"They do not seek or offer compromises…To serve in the army, to vote, or to give the Hitler salute would have meant a recognition of the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God."
To go against the directions of the Watchtower Society, the consequences would have been devastating. For the Elder's manual, Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock regarding the revision being used at that time (Copyright 1981) stipulates the following on page 149 under point '(4) Neutrality':
"Jehovah's Witnesses are neutral with regard to political and military affairs of the nations. They do not interfere with what others do as to voting in political offices, running for or campaigning for political offices, joining the military, etc. Since true dedicated Christians are "no part of the world," if one pursues a course in violation of his Christian neutrality, he disassociates himself from the neutral Christian congregation...treated as one disfellowshipped.”
Thereby, if a Jehovah's Witness was to vote when the Watchtower Society stated it was not allowed, it would be seen as an act of disassociating oneself and they would be treated as one disfellowshipped.
But wait, another 13 years later after the 1986 Watchtower article, new light shines forth from the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1999, ‘Questions for Readers’, on pages 28 and 29:
"How do Jehovah's Witnesses view voting?...there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself...As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to State...If someone decides to go to the polling booth that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator...There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not...in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God."
Their stance has gone full circle. They are back to their doctrinal position from 1950.
If you ask many Jehovah's Witnesses today, they may still believe that voting is absolutely wrong according to God and the Bible and they do not have a conscience choice in the matter. Indeed, they may believe that 'true Christians’ do not vote. After all, the Watchtower Society taught Jehovah's Witnesses for years that was the case. Nonetheless, the Watchtower Society has proven once again another doctrinal teaching in which they flip-flop on:
1950 - Conscience choice
1973 - Do not vote
1986 - Do not vote
1999 - Conscience choice
Furthermore, we should not forgot all the Jehovah's Witnesses who either lost their life in such places as Cameroon, Africa during the 1970's and 80's or were beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and starved for following what they believed is God's direction and stance regarding voting.
Does this type of doctrinal position read as coming from an organization exclusively chosen and directed by God? Would anyone want to be led by such an organization? These questions are important to ponder, especially in light of the fact that the bloodguilt and misdirection of the Watchtower Society is undeniable.
What Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught regarding a matter as being “the truth”, as in the area of voting can change to become something different and yet change again to a former belief. Not only do the consequences affect an individual’s freedom, following the Watchtower Society’s teaching can cost you your well-being if not your life.
It is a conscience choice according to the November 15, 1950, issue of the Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446 in the article ‘Subjection to the Higher Powers’:
"Likewise where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote. After they have registered and when election day comes, they can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot. They must act in accord with their conscience as enlightened by the study of God's Word."
23 years later and the Watchtower Society is providing this information to Jehovah's Witnesses:
The Watchtower, October 15, 1973, on page 627 in the article entitled: ‘Why People of All Kinds Are Becoming Jehovah's Witnesses’ it states:
"“You gave me the right answer to the first question,” said the man, “but you probably won’t answer the next one right. I am looking for a religion which has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Do you have anything to do with politics?” Informed that Jehovah’s Witnesses keep separate from all politics, not even voting, the man was indeed surprised. Eventually a Bible study was started with him and his wife. Now both of them are baptized witnesses of Jehovah."
The Watchtower, December 15, 1973, page 741 in the article ‘Earth’s Rulers for a Thousand Years’ states:
"They do not have the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. That is, they do not have the identification as slaves of the state and do not lend an active hand in carrying on its worldly activities, often beastly. They do not run for political offices, or vote for political candidates."
For a Jehovah's Witness the above direction was to be applied to their life personally. Voting is clearly not allowed per the Watchtower Society if you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses at this time. Furthermore, this stance continued to be sustained even 13 years later:
The Watchtower, September 1, 1986 issue, page 21:
"They do not seek or offer compromises…To serve in the army, to vote, or to give the Hitler salute would have meant a recognition of the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God."
To go against the directions of the Watchtower Society, the consequences would have been devastating. For the Elder's manual, Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock regarding the revision being used at that time (Copyright 1981) stipulates the following on page 149 under point '(4) Neutrality':
"Jehovah's Witnesses are neutral with regard to political and military affairs of the nations. They do not interfere with what others do as to voting in political offices, running for or campaigning for political offices, joining the military, etc. Since true dedicated Christians are "no part of the world," if one pursues a course in violation of his Christian neutrality, he disassociates himself from the neutral Christian congregation...treated as one disfellowshipped.”
Thereby, if a Jehovah's Witness was to vote when the Watchtower Society stated it was not allowed, it would be seen as an act of disassociating oneself and they would be treated as one disfellowshipped.
But wait, another 13 years later after the 1986 Watchtower article, new light shines forth from the Watchtower Society.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1999, ‘Questions for Readers’, on pages 28 and 29:
"How do Jehovah's Witnesses view voting?...there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself...As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to State...If someone decides to go to the polling booth that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator...There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not...in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God."
Their stance has gone full circle. They are back to their doctrinal position from 1950.
If you ask many Jehovah's Witnesses today, they may still believe that voting is absolutely wrong according to God and the Bible and they do not have a conscience choice in the matter. Indeed, they may believe that 'true Christians’ do not vote. After all, the Watchtower Society taught Jehovah's Witnesses for years that was the case. Nonetheless, the Watchtower Society has proven once again another doctrinal teaching in which they flip-flop on:
1950 - Conscience choice
1973 - Do not vote
1986 - Do not vote
1999 - Conscience choice
Furthermore, we should not forgot all the Jehovah's Witnesses who either lost their life in such places as Cameroon, Africa during the 1970's and 80's or were beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and starved for following what they believed is God's direction and stance regarding voting.
Does this type of doctrinal position read as coming from an organization exclusively chosen and directed by God? Would anyone want to be led by such an organization? These questions are important to ponder, especially in light of the fact that the bloodguilt and misdirection of the Watchtower Society is undeniable.
What Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught regarding a matter as being “the truth”, as in the area of voting can change to become something different and yet change again to a former belief. Not only do the consequences affect an individual’s freedom, following the Watchtower Society’s teaching can cost you your well-being if not your life.
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