A few days ago it was Halloween. Approximately 99 years ago, Pastor Charles Taze Russell died. A biography was printed in the December 1, 1916 issue of The Watchtower and Hearld of Christ’s Presence. Before getting into the topic the organization denied writing a biography:
“But, is it true you have never published a biography of Pastor Russell?
John: That’s right. Jehovah’s witnesses admire the qualities he possessed as a man, but were we to give the honor and credit to Pastor Russell, we would be saying that the works and success were his; but Jehovah’s witnesses believe it is God’s spirit that guides and directs his people.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. 1959. p. 63
After funeral services at The Temple in New York and at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh, Brother Russell was buried at Allegheny, in the Bethel family plot, according to his request. A brief biography of Russell along with his will and testament was published in The Watch Tower of December 1, 1916, as well as in subsequent editions of the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures.
Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. 1993 p. 64
I want you to read a single verse, Ephesians 5:27 which says, New World Translation “In order that he (Christ) might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, without a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but holy and without blemish.”
In short looking at the last portion of the verse, Christ wanted the church to be without reproach and blameless in the world. So with that in mind, today I want to cover “What Kind Of Headlines Does The Organization Generate?”
This is an organization that has had many controversies from the first leader until today. Aside from the bible and it’s doctrinal stances that have changed or practices such as blood transfusions, it extends into the media whether it be print or video. If you are a Watchtowerite, when there is great press given to the organization, it is readily promoted on the official website. Something along the lines of “this is Jehovah will or doing” is mentioned. When there is press that is completely negative, the organization says it is “persecution.” By claiming persecution, your conditioned response is to completely ignore everything that is said and you may have something in your mind that “this is Satan trying to prevent our work.” With this in mind, here’s some Watchtower generated headlines over the years:
Pastor Russell 1879-1916
- Pastor Russell Say’s He’s Not Frightened
- Girl’s Midnight Visit to Pastor C. T. Russell: Girl got arrested
- Skeptical Uncle Sam Seeks to Know More About “Miracle” Grain
- Pastor Russell Sues Eagle for $100,000
- Girl Kissed Pastor and Sat On His Knee
- Reason’s Why Pastor Russell’s Wife Left Him
- Giving Up Their Homes, Following Russellism
- “Pastor” Russell’s Imaginary Sermons
- “Pastor” Russell Loses Libel Suit
- Russell Follower on “Fallen Angels”
- Russell Finances Bared by Follower
- Call “Pastor’s” Wife In Russell Trial
- Miracle Wheat Low In Government Test
- Russell In Court As Lawyer Sums Up
- Pastor Must Pay Taxes
- Asks Who Pays Bills of Bethel Inmates
- “Miracle Wheat” Again: Being Exploited in an “Ad” Disguised as News
- (T) Not Produced at Court Hearing
- Eagle Upheld in Libel Suit Victory
- Eagle’sVictory over “Pastor,” Complete
- The Vindication of a Cartoon
- Canada Deports “Pastor” Russell
- Offers Cancer “Cure”: “Pastor” Russell Publication Which Boosted Miracle Wheat Offers Recipe
- ‘Pastor’ C.T. Russell Dies; Burial Here
- Watch Tower Will Elect a New Head
- Watch Tower Gets “Estate” of “Pastor”
Rutherford 1916-1942
- Are We At the End of the World? Oakland Tribune. August 25, 1917
- Million’s Campaign: The Boston Evening Globe. December 17, 1920
- Million’s Campaign: Los Angeles Morning Tribune, February 25, 1918, as recorded in Faith on the March by A. H. Macmillan, 1957, p. 86
- Great Pyramid
- Can the American Government Endure? No! Says Judge Rutherford. The Sunday Times Signal. October 16, 1933.
- Rutherford Dead But Burial of Sect Leader Delayed
- Wanted to bury him at Beth Sarim. January 12, 1942.
- Shrine Planned for Rutherford. The Coshocton Tribune. January 12, 1942.
- Judge Rutherford Lives Again, Sect’s Trial Witness Tells Jury. Brooklyn Eagle. May 21, 1943
- Rutherford Thundered Rebukes, Witness Says. Brooklyn Eagle. May 24, 1943
Knorr 1942-1977: Shift from leadership to the people
- 1958: Jehovah’s Witnesses Yankee Stadium
- 1975: Sects: Witnessing the End (Times article)
Franz 1977-1992
1990: Watchtower Exec Jumps to Death: Brooklyn Heights Newspaper. August 3, 1990.
Hershel 1992-2000
- Quiet Period with not much
Adams 2000-Present
As you can see, these headlines are things generally hidden and not what the organization would promote. After going through headlines like these from the beginning until now, this organization would not, as I see it, qualify as a spiritual paradise. Again, in a bought of hypocrisy, when something negative is said, the response is similar to, “there’s someone like that in every organization,” however, when amongst Jehovah’s people, there is no “badness” or “anything that would bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name” amongst the congregation.
The headlines started with the leadership and since the focus was on them, what was going on with the average “rank and file?” It is quite possible that some things were known amongst the members. If this is the case, did they model their activities after the leadership? This is an organization that has had problems from the beginnings with its foundation and they are always there and going through the organization. The question comes then, why do you elect to stay in this organization that continues to be shrouded in controversy and has been proven wrong over again and again. Put the publications down, come directly to Jesus since He would not have a part of this in the least bit.