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Watchtower and Children

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Today, I will like to look at the organization and children.  The organization is gathering much publicity regarding the child and the alleged perpetrators. This is being directed in part by the organization creating a haven for these individuals.  Let’s take a look at a historical view of children and those within the organization. 

Let’s start with a quote regarding the founder: Charles Taze Russell.

He was married in 1879 to Maria Frances Ackley. No children blessed this union. Eighteen years later a disagreement arose about the management of his journal, and a separation followed.

Overland Monthly. 442

The question must be asked, what caused the separation? 

Brooklyn Eagle: Articles on Charles Taze Russell

The organization printed the following:

Nearly eighteen years later, in 1897, due to Watch Tower Society members’ objecting to a woman’s teaching and being a member of the board of directors contrary to 1 Timothy 2:12, Russell and his wife disagreed about the management of the journal, Zion’s Watch Tower. Thereupon she voluntarily separated herself from him after they had arranged a financial settlement to enable her to live apart from the Society’s headquarters. This agreed separation, however, had absolutely nothing to do with a much later divorce proceeding (1906), charging “adultery,” as clerical enemies of Russell slanderously tried and still try to maintain. The court records plainly fix the lie to all those who falsely accused and even now accuse Russell as having been an immoral man, divorced for adultery.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  January 1, 1955 p. 46

“That Mrs. Russell herself did not believe and never has believed that her husband was guilty of immoral conduct is shown by the [court] record in this case where her own counsel (on page 10) asked Mrs. Russell this question: ‘You don’t mean that your husband was guilty of adultery?’ Ans. ‘No.’” Ibid., p. 19. Also W July 15, 1906, pp. 211-227.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  January 1, 1955 p. 46

So I went to the Watchtower July 15, 1906 to take a look….

The case itself starts on Reprints page 3315.

Watchtower 1916

The outcome of the case is interesting in that she was granted a divorce from him.  However, that’s not the final outcome.  I will embed a link so you can view the pages in question yourself.    

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle ran a story in 1911 that had the following account:

 

So what we have is the stage set for further interaction with children starting with the founder.  The irony here is looking at the evidence alone, we have conflict. 

Looking quickly at Rutherford, there is not a whole lot said or mentioned that he has a child.  You can see that he has one son, Malcolm.  What is interesting as a side note is that this organization that calls itself a family one rarely/if ever showed the leaders early on with their family. 

Here’s a video where “the Judge” is working yet the wife and child are absent.  Ironic considering farming at that time period employed the entire family:

 

The most notable aspect was speaking about having children and here are some quotes:

Would it be Scripturally proper for them to now marry and begin to rear children? No, is the answer, which is supported by the Scriptures.

Face the Facts. 1938. p. 46

There is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world before Armageddon, where we are now. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Kingdom. November 1, 1938 p. 324

Nearly 76 years later and still no Armageddon.

Were statements like these due in part to his son possibly being absent?  We will never know.  However, with the organization relying on the WBBR radio station, using phonographs, picketing, and going door to door, going door to door didn’t necessitate a great need for having children to continue propagating the Watchtower population.  The mindset continued to the administration to Nathan Knorr.  Here’s one quote that speaks of his parenting not that he had any kids though:

Addressing himself to parents in the audience, he asked: “How many times have you mothers or fathers told a child not to take something, and the child just goes ahead and takes it anyway?” It may be a piece of pie or a piece of cake. It may seem like something small. You may conclude that your child is simply disobedient. “No, he is a thief!” declared Brother Knorr. “Even when a person is hungry and he steals, in God’s sight it is wrong.

Convention Report.  1963.  p. 15

This made me think of the verse Proverbs 22:6 that says in part to “train up a child.” 

Hard to do so properly when they are nothing but a thief. 

It should be no surprise that Knorr nor Fredrick Franz had any children.  The anti-children crusade continues with the following:

  

A great crowd of people are confident that great destruction is imminent, which has been a major factor in their decision not to have children.

Awake! November 8, 1974 p.11

Today, childbearing is not specifically a part of the work Jehovah has committed to his people. Nevertheless, it is still a privilege that he grants to married people if they desire it. Christian couples who decide to start a family should not, therefore, be criticized; neither should couples who refrain from having children.

So the matter of childbearing in this time of the end is a personal one that each couple must decide for itself. However, since “the time left is reduced,” married couples would do well to weigh carefully and prayerfully the pros and cons of childbearing in these times.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1988 p. 26

With all this in mind, I would like to ask a simple question: How many Jehovah’s Witnesses starting in the days of Rutherford forwent having children due to the organization’s printed material? 

Those in the leadership seem to not have children:  Here is another obituary:

Milton Henshel Obituary: New York Times

2012 Governing Body Breakdown: 

 

So what is the organization to do?  Ironically, the organization that looks down on children needs them to continue.  I say this since the organization is suffering losses left and right.  There are those that are within the organization that are gaining awareness as to what their organization truly is.  Perhaps the best chance this organization has to survive is this group that it has ignored for so long.    

Here is an excerpt from the article, “Should Youths Get Baptized?” 

Serving Jehovah as one of his baptized Witnesses is a goal that all young ones should have. Yet, godly parents may wonder, ‘I know that my child has made good progress, but is he strong enough to resist immoral pressures and remain clean before Jehovah?’ Others may ask themselves, ‘In facing the pull of materialism, will my child continue serving God with joy and zeal?’ Accordingly, what Biblical guidance can help parents determine whether their children are ready for baptism?

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  June 15, 2011 p. 3

Does this mean that those who are young are getting pressured?

You young ones in the Christian congregation, have you made a dedication to Jehovah? Many may find the choice to serve the true God difficult to make.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 15, 2008 p. 17

This is ironic considering the organization condemns infant baptism with the following:

Clearly, baptism is a serious step. Baptizing an infant is wrong because a baby cannot understand, make a decision, and become a disciple. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Those baptized during Philip’s ministry in Samaria were “men and women,” not mere infants. (Acts 8:4-8, 12) Baptism is for those old enough to learn, believe, and exercise faith. (John 17:3; Acts 5:14; 18:8; Hebrews 11:6)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  January 15, 1989 p. 13

Why is it now that the organization is looking at children when there are no accounts of children explicitly being mentioned for baptism? 

How much does the young one know of all the ramifications if they elect to get baptized? 

Another rationale is simply this, young minds are pliable and the more they are ingrained, the harder it will be for them to leave.  Now, the organization is making an unprecedented push for children using videos.  I looked and currently there are 22 videos in the section.  They have entire section devoted to children as they push for videos such as Sparlock: 

 

So again, if you are wondering about the role of children in the organization, here’s a historical account that shows how little children in some ways are valued. 

Watchtower Hypocrisy: The Organization and Prominent Individuals

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The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is one that throughout it’s history has had it’s fair share of problems as I tend to demonstrate from it’s literature.  However, one thing that this organization has not shied from is a stance that it was once against, it eventually joins.  I would like to start by looking at a changing light doctrine of “higher powers” also known as the “superior authorities” pertaining to Romans 13:1. 

Evil as these Gentile governments have been, they were permitted or ‘ordained of God’ for a wise purpose (Rom. 13:1).

Studies In the Scriptures Series I-The Divine Plan of the Ages. 1886, 1913 ed. p.250

Down to the year 1929 even Jehovah’s witnesses had not been delivered from the popular view that the political rulers of this world are the “higher powers” to whom Christian souls are commanded by God to be subject.  But by publishing the truth on Romans 13:1-7, in The Watchtower of June, 1929, the remnant were given the freedom of the truth that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus are exclusively “The Higher Powers”, whom Christians must obey rather than obey men opposed. 

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1943 p. 298

Similarly, in 1918 Jehovah’s people were tainted by religion in that they looked to world rulers as “higher power”, thus regarding them in the position of gods. 

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  December 1, 1943 p. 367

Jesus and the Apostles and the early church were all law-abiding, though they were separate from, and took no share in the governments of this world.” This book correctly identified “the higher powers,” or “the superior authorities,” mentioned by the apostle Paul, as human governmental authorities. (Romans 13:1, King James Version) In 1904 the book The New Creation stated that true Christians “should be found amongst the most law-abiding of the present time—not agitators, not quarrelsome, not fault-finders.” This was understood by some to mean total submission to the powers that be, even to the point of accepting service in the armed forces during World War I. Others, however, viewed it as contrary to Jesus’ statement: “All those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Obviously, a clearer understanding of Christian submission to the superior authorities was needed.

In 1929, at a time when laws of various governments were beginning to forbid things that God commands or demand things that God’s laws forbid, it was felt that the higher powers must be Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  May 1, 1996 p. 13, 14

So in short the organization was in error from June 1929 until 1962.  This is one way that the organization has been in agreement with the writings of Pastor Russell. 

I’d like to now look at the gift that keeps giving: the United Nations and the Watchtower.

United Nations

After that, the “beast” reappeared as the United Nations. Jehovah’s Witnesses then expanded their global preaching work, and what a great increase there has been ever since!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  October 15, 2014 p. 19

Side note, the organization must be redefining “global” since there are no Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Middle East or North Korea. 

This is an article from the Guardian over in the United Kingdom:

 

 

The irony here along with the organization going the “beast” is that this was quickly suppressed and how many Witnesses remain in the dark about this to this day 15 years later? 

This is just two organizational stances that has changed.  Let’s take a look at some others at the individual level:

Michael Jackson

Evidently not wanting viewers to conclude that it promoted spiritism, the music video begins with the disclaimer: “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.—Michael Jackson.” Nevertheless, it was so realistic that some who saw it admitted that they were horrified at first. What was this short film intended to convey? And how does the performer, Michael Jackson, feel about it in looking back?

“I would never do it again!” says Jackson. “I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what’s right. I would never do anything like that again.” Why not? “Because a lot of people were offended by it,” explains Jackson. “That makes me feel bad. I don’t want them to feel that way. I realize now that it wasn’t a good idea. I’ll never do a video like that again!” He continues: “In fact, I have blocked further distribution of the film over which I have control, including its release in some other countries. There’s all kinds of promotional stuff being proposed on Thriller. But I tell them, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to do anything on Thriller. No more Thriller.’”

Awake! May 22, 1984 p. 19-20

Growing up I did watch the video a few times.  I never understood why there was the disclaimer at the start of the video.  However, once I started to learn about the organization, I finally understood why this disclaimer was present. 

So it’s better for him to have magic in the video Remember the Time when he wants to appear and disappear?

 

Let’s cover another artist: Prince

The artist who is known as Prince then went to an unpronounceable symbol and known now as Prince again is an interesting individual.  He was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist and converted to the Witnesses by Larry Graham who sang the song One In A Million You:

 

His Witness conversation is verified in The New Yorker:

Prince has lived in Los Angeles since last spring, after spending years in Minneapolis, holding court in a complex called Paisley Park, where he made thousands of songs, far away from the big labels. Seven years ago, he became a Jehovah’s Witness.

 

 

Here’s a video and would the average male rank and file Witness be permitted to:

Having multiple piercings in one ear?

Adorning yourself with numerous gold chains?

Dance in public?

It just isn’t musicians but the sports world.  The most prominent sisters in tennis today are Venus and Serena Williams.  They are both active Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

On their website, it says the following about their Witness upbringing:  Despite the inevitable rivalry, the Williams sisters remain close friends. Raised as devout Jehovah’s Witnesses, both were home-schooled by their mother, and have received their high school diplomas. In 1999, Serena joined her sister at the Art Institute of Florida, where they studied fashion design. Venus is now the CEO of her own interior design firm, V Starr Interiors.

 

 

Since they have competed representing the United States, I did a quick search on each sister with the term American flag added.  Both are present carrying the flag as well as having it on their uniform.  I want to the official website and found the following on “flag salute”:

Flag salute. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that bowing down to a flag or saluting it, often in conjunction with an anthem, is a religious act that ascribes salvation, not to God, but to the State or to its leaders.

Keep Yourselves in God’s Love.  2014.  p. 212

I want to go back to the past for a moment.  If you have a copy of the latest history book, “God’s Kingdom Rules,” published in 2014, on page 63 you will see an American flag on both sides of the podium hanging in the air.

Snip20160110_1

One more example:  Nathan Knorr Oath of Allegiance.

When you look it up you will see a picture of Nathan Knorr signing one.  The information I found to verify is:

 

 

 

This site above contains cost and when it was issued.

 

So what we have overall is the organization when it suits, will ignore its own statements for certain individuals.  Not knowing much regarding the inner workings I would say though it is possible that the athletes and musicians are ignored because they have the ability to give far more then the average Witness.  Is it a case of “money talks?” 

When it comes to the organization and leadership, as much as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society tries to cover up its past, it still finds a way to come out.  So with this in mind, are you going to leave the Watchtower and read the bible on your own? 

Watchtower Views on Organization

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Those fully under the sway of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society are huge proponents of one thing-organization.  As a Jehovah’s Witness, you are taught that the word “Trinity” never appears in scripture.  This is something that I believe someone who is not a Jehovah’s Witness can agree.  How much does the Society deride those who use non-biblical terms?  How often do you take a look at the words employed by the Society and realize that there is no scriptural backing?  Here are some examples:

  • Jehovah’s Witness
  • Governing Body
  • Kingdom Hall
  • Circuit or District Overseer
  • Jeremiah class
  • Samson class
  • Remnant class
  • Christendom
  • Publisher-Baptized or unbaptized
  • Undeserved kindness will only appear in the New World Translation.  Mainstream translations will have the word “grace.”

I did hop onto the organization’s official website and did a search for the term “organization.”  Covering only from 2000 to present day, it appears 575 times (some are various articles).  How many times in the bible?  None at all. 

One saying that has always gotten me is that “Jehovah has always had an organization.”  Do you realize that looking at it at face value, there would have to be other beings from the days of eternity?  Irregardless, I would like to look today at the concept of an organization. 

The Merriam Webster dictionary online defines “organization” as:

Full Definition of organization

1a :  the act or process of organizing or of being organized

1b :  the condition or manner of being organized

2a :  association, society <charitable organizations>

2b :  an administrative and functional structure (as a business or a political party);

also :  the personnel of such a structure

With that in mind, let’s examine some quotes regarding the word and emphasis of “organization” and it’s meaning and use within the organization:

There is no organization today clothed with such divine authority to imperiously command mankind.  There is no organization doing this today; though we are aware that many of them in theory claim that they thought to be permitted to do so: and many more would like to do so. 

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1 and 15, 1893 Reprints p. 1573

What we have is the fact that during this time, those under the Watchtower would call themselves Bible Students.  In short this must mean that they were under the authority ultimately of scripture even though there were secular materials produced.  This is reinforced in the same year with the following:

But, says one, must I not join some organization on earth, assent to some creed, and have my name written on earth?  No: remember that our Lord is our pattern and teacher, and neither in his words nor acts do we find any authority for binding ourselves with creeds and traditions of men, which all tend to make the Word of God of none effect, and bring us under bondage which will hinder our growth in grace and knowledge, and against which Paul warned us, saying, “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage.”-Gal. 5:1

Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. September 1 and 15, 1893 Reprints p. 1675

What we have here is a reiteration that those within the organization were not part of an organization.  Those two quotes are pre-Watchtower Jesus inspection.  Watchtower Jesus declared this to be his organization in 1919.  Here is one past inspection from The Golden Age which I’ve been reading.

Can anyone by merely joining the Catholic or the Protestant church become a member of the true church?  I answer: No.  Membership in the true church is obtained in just one way: and that is the Lord’s way. 

The Golden Age.  January 27, 1926. p. 234

So in short we have yet another reiteration that Watchtower Jesus approved of not having any specific organization.  Let’s replace the phrase “Catholic or the Protestant church” with Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.  The result would still be the same at this point. 

However, let’s look at something more recent and if you’re investigating the organization’s material, break out the Watchtower Library CD-ROM:

We should meekly go along with the Lord’s theocratic organization and wait for further clarification, rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave’s provision of spiritual food.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 1, 1952 p. 80

This quote is saying in short that you must be a blind sheep rather than an informed follower.  Ironic that even though some translations render things as a “slave,” it’s fitting that you are expected to “slave” for an organization.  A slave is an individual who is forced to act with no regard to personal well being for the master.  One case I previously talked about was field service where Witnesses in 1943 were expected to put out 160 hours a month in field service. 

And just as a child seeks his parents’ protection when a storm rages, we seek protection in Jehovah’s organization when, like a thunderstorm, the problems of this world strike us.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  April 15, 2011 p. 4, 5

Now when it comes to having some sort of problem, what are you expected to do?  What kind of spiritual council is given?  Why does the organization want you to seek protection in the organization yet when the policies are under fire like they currently are in Australia and the United Kingdom, should those in charge seek protection within the legal department?  Should Jehovah just make everything go away so the Governing Body can carry on with impunity?  When they are not successful, why is it Jehovah isn’t helping them directly?   Just to finish things up with one more quote:

Wonderful events are happening now and more lie just ahead. May each one of us keep pace with Jehovah’s organization.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 15, 2012 p. 29

What are the wonderful events at this point? 

  • Bethelites are getting sent home
  • The organization is losing people
  • The cart campaign is floundering badly
  • There are numerous directives saying that the organization is ceasing from printing many publications. 

However you get told the work is “speeding up.” 

How does one keep pace with a sinking ship such as this one? 

If you’ve not read the 2016 Yearbook, you’re in for some information.  I’ve heard of numerous doctrinal changes that are ahead if the Yearbook is any indication.  So although you have been part of an organization that has changed, why not stick with the bible alone which hasn’t changed.