More Older Watchtower Quotes and Beliefs

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Black Skin, Negros and Mixed Races

Despite the official end of slavery in America in 1865, the 1800’s were a time of significant prejudice and inequality against African Americans. It was during this time that religions such as the Watch Tower Society and Mormons were formed. This had an affect on some of the early views and teachings regarding black people and mixed races. For example, it was explained in a 1904 Watchtower that in the New System the skin of black people could turn white.

Viewing the quotes chronologically reveals that in more recent decades the Watchtower promotes racial equality and the first black Governing Body member, Samuel Herd, was appointed in 1999.


Watchtower 1900 Apr 15 p.122
“ “There are probably as many as a hundred colored brethren on the Watch Tower lists, some of them very clear in the truth, and very earnest in its service, financially and otherwise. We have received letters from several of these, who had intended engaging in the volunteer work, expressing surprise that in the call for volunteers in the March 1st issue we restricted the inquiry to white Protestant churches. They rightly realized that we have not the slightest of race prejudice, and that we love the colored brethren with just the same warmth of heart that we love the white, and they queried therefore why such a distinction should be made in the call. The reason is that so far as we are able to judge, colored people have less education than whites – many of them quite insufficient to permit them to profit by such reading as we have to give forth. Our conclusion therefore is based upon the supposition that reading matter distributed to a colored congregation would more than half of it be utterly wasted, and a very small percentage indeed likely to yield good results.”

Watchtower 1901 Aug 15 pp.264-266
“ “We herewith supply additional evidence on this subject from highly creditable sources … that this foreign mission world conversion delusion is doing positive and serious harm to the Lord’s true people…. “The Following reports of missionary efforts we clip from the Literary Digest:

    • “ … In commenting on the foreign results received for these vast sums, the special agent of

Reynolds’ Newspaper gives the following facts, based on his study of the official missionary reports.

    • “ “’As to Africa one quotation may suffice. Sir H H. Johnson, our present Special Commissioner for Uganda, and a man of many years’ experience in Africa, says…
    • “ “‘It too often happens that, while the negro rapidly masters the rules and regulations of the Christian religion,

he still continues to be gross, immoral, and deceitful

    • . … They (missionaries) may have succeeded in turning their disciples into professing Catholics, Anglicans, or Baptists; but the impartial observer is surprised to find that adultery, drunkenness, and lying are more apparent among the converts than among their heathen brethren.’
      • ‘I regret to say that, with a few – very rare – exceptions, those native African pastors, teachers, and catechists whom I have met have been all, And again:

    more or less, bad men

    . They attempted to veil an unbridled immorality with an unblushing hypocrisy and a profane display of mouth-religion which, to an honest mind, seemed even more disgusting than the immorality itself. While it was apparent that not one particle of true religion had made its way into their gross minds, it was also evident that the spirit of sturdy manliness which was present in their savage forefathers found no place in their false, cowardly natures.”

Watchtower 1902 July 15 The Negro Not A Beast pp. 215-216. 
““While it is true that the white race exhibits some qualities of superiority over any other, we are to remember that there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and Aryan) family; and also we should remember that some of the qualities which have given this branch of the human family its preeminence in the world are not such as can be pointed to as in all respects admirable. … The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control.” … Noah declared, prophetically, that Ham’s characteristics which had led him to unseemly conduct disrespectful to his father, would be found cropping out later, inherited by his son, and prophetically he foretold that this degeneracy would mark the posterity of Canaan, degrading him, making him servile. We are not able to determine to a certainty that the sons of Ham and Canaan are the negroes; but we consider that general view as probable as any other.””

Golden Age 1920 Jan 7 p.241 

“Even in the case of the human family, if the father and mother are of different races the children are sometimes unfit for brain work. Wonderful are the fixed laws of God.”

Watchtower 1904 February 15 pp.52-53 
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” “What the Ethiopian cannot do for himself God could readily do for him. The difference between the races of men and the differences between their languages have long been arguments against the solidarity of the human family. The doctrine of restitution has also raised the question. How could all men be brought to perfection and which color of skin was the original? The answer is now provided. God can change the Ethiopian’s skin in his own due time. Prof. H. A. Edwards, Supt. of Schools in Slater, Mo., has written for the public press an elaborate description of how Julius Jackson, of New Frankfurt, Mo., a negro boy of nine years, began to grow white in September, 1901, and is now fully nine-tenths white. He assures us that this is no whitish skin disease; but that the new white skin is as healthy as that of any white boy, and that the changed boy has never been sick and never has taken medicines”.

Watchtower 1914 Apr 1 p.105 
“ “WE might have anticipated that many colored people would be deeply interested in THE PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION. But it did not impress itself upon us until gradually their number increased to about twenty-five per cent of the whole audience. Of course, we were glad to see them, glad that they were interested in the DRAMA. We had the same feeling respecting them as others; but it was quickly discerned that it was not a case of feeling, but that, whereas the colored people of New York City are about five per cent of the population, in our audiences they are about twenty-five per cent and the number increasing. What shall we do? As the attendance of the colored people would increase, proportionately the number of the whites would decrease; for explain it how we will, a majority of whites prefer not to intermingle closely with other races. Recognizing that it meant either the success or the failure of the enterprise of the DRAMA as respects the whites, we have been compelled to assign the colored friends to the gallery, which, however, is just as good for seeing and hearing as any other part of The Temple. Some were offended at this arrangement. We have received numerous letters from the colored friends, some claiming that it is not right to make a difference, others indignantly and bitterly denouncing us as enemies of the colored people. Some, confident that Brother Russell had never sanctioned such a discrimination, told that they believe it would be duty to stand up for equal rights and always to help the oppressed, etc. We were obliged to explain the facts, assuring all of our loving interest in the colored people, and of our desire to do them good, and not injury. We again suggested that if a suitable place could be found in which the DRAMA could be presented for the benefit of the colored people alone, we would be glad to make such arrangements, or to co-operate with any others in doing so. Our explanations were apparently entirely satisfactory to all of the fully consecrated. To these we explained that it is a question of putting either the interests of God’s Cause first, or else the interests of the race first. We believed it our duty to put God first and the Truth first – at any cost to others or to ourself! We explained that we thought that all the colored brethren should know our attitude toward them – they should know that we love to serve them in any way possible and to give them the very best we have to give of the Gospel Message; and that it is only a question of whether our giving to them in one way would deprive us of giving the Truth to others. Some who were still tenacious and quarrelsome we merely reminded of our Lord’s declaration that in inviting visitors into the house it is the place of the host to say where they shall sit, and then we showed them the parable of the man who chose the chief seat of honor and was given a lower one. In answer to the query as to how our course of conduct squared with the Golden Rule, we replied that it squares exactly. We would wish others to put God first. If our personal interests are or ever have been in conflict with the real and apparently best interests of the Lord’s Cause, it is a part of our consecration vow to ignore our interests in favor of the interests of the Lord’s Cause. This is what we mean by the declaration that we are dead to self and alive to our God as New Creatures. We reminded one dear sister that the Lord enjoins humility, and assures us that unless we humble ourselves we shall not be exalted. If nature favors the colored brethren and sisters in the exercise of humility it is that much to their advantage, if they are rightly exercised by it. A little while, and our humility will work out for our good. A little while, and those who shall have been faithful to their Covenant of Sacrifice will be granted new bodies, spiritual, beyond the veil, where color and sex distinctions will be no more. A little while, and the Millennial Kingdom will be inaugurated, which will bring Restitution to all mankind – restitution to the perfection of mind and body, feature and color, to the grand original standard, which God declared “very good,” and which was lost for a time through sin, but which is soon to be restored by the powerful Kingdom of Messiah.”

Golden Age 1919 Oct 15 p.44
“..from a criminal viewpoint the desirability of sobering the southern negro speaks volumes for national prohibition.”

The Bible versus Evolution p.30
“(God) has specially blessed and favored certain branches of the Aryan race in Europe and America. But the fact, that the white race has been more abundantly blessed with the light of the Gospel than others, is not to be understood to signify that when members of other races heard and appreciated the Gospel, they were repulsed or rejected by the Lord. While the elect Church will probably be composed chiefly of the highly favored white race, nevertheless, it will probably have in it representatives out of “every kindred, people and tongue.”

Golden Age 1929 Jul 24 p.702 
Question: “Is there anything in the Bible that reveals the origin of the Negro?

Answer: It is generally believed that the curse which Noah pronounced upon Canaan was the origin of the Black race. Certain it is that when Noah said, “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren,” he pictured the future of the Colored race. They have been and are a race of servants, … There is no servant in the world as good as a good Colored servant, and the joy that he gets from rendering faithful service is one of the purest joys there is in the world.”

Memorable Watchtower Quotes

Watchtower quotes range from amusing, to dishonest and even dangerous. It becomes apparent when scanning through the history of Watchtower writings that there is no special guidance behind the writings.

Ironic Quote about Coercion

Referring to people leaving their religion to join Jehovah’s Witnesses:

“No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.” Awake! 2009 Jul p.29 (p.28)

Regarding those disfellowshipped from Jehovah’s Witnesses:

“Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else – including the family bond. … Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.” Watchtower Study Ed 2013 Jan 15 p.16

Despite forcing family to shun relatives that do not agree with their beliefs, Watchtower plays victim, bemoaning that people do the same to them.

“But the greatest threat to our peace may come from unbelieving relatives. Some might ridicule our beliefs, accuse us of dividing the family, or threaten to disown us unless we give up our faith.” w17.10 12″ Examining the Scriptures Daily 2019 May 16

Guess What Year?

Guess what year Watchtower wrote that within 26 years all governments would be overthrown by Jesus?

“within the coming twenty-six years all present governments will be overthrown and dissolved … “

The 1889 edition of Studies In the Scriptures – The Time Is At Hand pp.98-99.

Favourite Quote about Growing up

“If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. … Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in highschool and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!” Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15 Click here for scan

43 years later, as the class of ’69 consider retirement, the Watchtower continues to proclaim the short-sightedness of higher education and a career.

“No doubt, school counselors sincerely believe that it is in your best interests to pursue higher education and to plan for a secular career. Yet, their confidence lies in a social and financial system that has no lasting future.” Watchtower 2012 Jun 15 p.23

Obedience

It is disconcerting to read the demands of the Governing Body for unquestioning obedience.

“All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20

The ongoing errors and false predictions made by the Governing Body prove they are not guided by a direct link to God. For followers to be expected to follow all instructions, even when they appear unsound, is dangerous, and they type of comments made by the leaders of death cults, such as Jim Jones in Jonestown. Would you drink Kool-aid if instructed to? It may sound unlikely, but none of the 913 that died in Jonestown joined with such an expectation.

Doomsday Quotes

There have been no end of false predictions of the world’s end for over a century.

“But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” Zion’s Watch Tower 1894 Jul 15 p.226

“Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith then Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge.” Watch Tower 1923 Apr 1 p.106

“… the remaining months before Armageddon.” Watchtower 1941 Sep 15 p.288

“Shortly, within our twentieth century, the “battle in the day of Jehovah” will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom.” The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah p.216

Homosexuality Quotes

Watchtower advice on masturbation and homosexuality is damaging, illogical and unproven.

“In fact, masturbation can lead into homosexuality. In such instances the person, not satisfied with his lonely sexual activity, seeks a partner for mutual sex play. This happens much more frequently than you may realize. Contrary to what many persons think, homosexuals are not born that way, but their homosexual behavior is learned. And often a person gets started when very young by playing with another’s sexual parts , and then engaging in homosexual acts.” Your Youth (1976) p.39

“Helpful in this regard, then, is appreciating the fact that autoeroticism or masturbation is no mere innocent pastime but rather a practice that can lead to homosexual acts.” Watchtower May 15 1970, p.315

Quotes regarding Women

Watchtower is a patriarchal society that believes women are lesser than men. Women cannot be teachers in the congregation and must consider spiritual brothers and their husbands to be their heads. Most damaging are quotes regarding how women may have deserved being beaten or raped, and even that being raped could be considered as having committed the sin of fornication.

“Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation.” Watchtower 1964 Jan 15 p.63

“So by no means would it be proper quietly to submit to rape, as that would be consenting to fornication.” Watchtower 1968 Jun 1 pp.345-50

““On one particular day,” says Selma, “I didn’t want to have a Bible study. The night before, Steve had hit me as I had tried to prove a point, and I was feeling sad and sorry for myself. After I told the sister what had happened and how I felt, she asked me to read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. As I did, I began to reason, ‘Steve never does any of these loving things for me.’ But the sister made me think differently by asking, ‘How many of those acts of love do you show toward your husband?’ My answer was, ‘None, for he is so difficult to live with.’ The sister softly said, ‘Selma, who is trying to be a Christian here? You or Steve?’ Realizing that I needed to adjust my thinking, I prayed to Jehovah to help me be more loving toward Steve. Slowly, things started to change.” After 17 years, Steve accepted the truth.” Watchtower 2012 Apr 1 p.29

Kingdom Ministry 2015 Mar p.6

Apostates

Conscientious objectors to Watchtower teachings are demonised as apostates.

“Apostates “quietly” bring their ideas into the congregation, like criminals who secretly bring things into a country. … The Bible says that apostates are mentally diseased … ” Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.11

“Strong hope enables us to resist apostates and their gangrenous “empty speeches.”” Watchtower 2013 Apr 15 p.11

Strange Advice

The Watchtower and Awake! (previously called Golden Age and then Consolation) have contained a lot of incorrect and naive medical advice.

“Vaccination never prevented anything and never will, and is the most barbarous practice… We are in the last days; and the devil is slowly losing his hold, making a strenuous effort meanwhile to do all the damage he can, and to his credit can such evils be placed… Use your rights as American citizens to forever abolish the devilish practice of vaccinations.” Golden Age 1921 Oct 12 p.17

“A peculiar factor sometimes noted is a so-called ‘personality transplant.’ That is, the recipient in some cases has seemed to adopt certain personality factors of the person from whom the organ came.” Watchtower 1975 Sep 1 p.519

“Sustaining one’s life by means of the body or part of the body of another human…would be cannibalism, a practice abhorrent to all civilized people.” Watchtower 1967 Nov 15 pp.702-704

“The bobbed hair craze is sure to lead to baldness, sooner or later. The reason for this is that human hair is like a tube sealed at the free end. When the hair is cut, the oils which are the life of the hair become dissipated. The reason why men grow bald so quickly is that they have their hair cut so frequently and, in addition, wear tightly fitting hats, which cut off the circulation of the scalp.” Golden Age 1924 Nov 19 p.100

“There is no food that is right food for the morning meal. At breakfast is no time to break a fast. Keep up the daily fast until the noon hour.” Golden Age 1925 Sep 9 pp.784

“If any overzealous doctor condemns your tonsils go and commit suicide with a case-knife. It’s cheaper and less painful.” Golden Age 1926 Apr 7 p.438

“Sleep on the right side or flat on your back, with the head toward the north so as to get benefit of the earth’s magnetic currents. Avoid serum inoculations as they pollute the blood stream with their filthy pus…. Stop chewing gum, as you need the saliva for your food.” Golden Age 1929 Nov 12 p.107

“Medicine originated in demonology and spent its time until the last century and a half trying to exorcise demons. During the past half century it has tried to exorcise germs.” Golden Age 1931 Aug 5 p.728

 

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27 Responses to More Older Watchtower Quotes and Beliefs

  1. Rene says:

    Jacqueline,

    There is a book that I skimmed at (and plan to get) and it suggests that cognitive biases like the ones I talked about earlier are present in the human psyche and affect how we interpret and understand scripture. Russel and his views on race and even the way in which he treated his wife and marriage as indicated by court filings were sadly not as uncommon then as we would like to believe. The culture and social climate very likely had an impact on the way in which Russel both interpreted and applied scripture to himself and others. Russel existed in a time that was not too far after the civil war and segregation and dehumanization of the decedents of slaves, belief in the inferiority of women and children where blatantly scriptural by modern standards but normal and accepted beliefs.

    Because these where normalized culturally held beliefs that were purported to be supported by God, man, and science he could only conclude that these ideas were natural and truthful and interpreted the word of God through this skewed cultural lens. Public and social policies were also drafted based on these baseless values and traditions, so Russel was constantly reinforced in his decision making.

    Although those people at the time could not see the errors in their logic, and could not for whatever reason accept where these attitudes deviated from the form and function of God’s scripture (or the practical and moral themes), they to an embarrassing degree have not gone unnoticed by modern disciples of and critics of Russel and his writings and interpretations. This places those who believe in other credible and insightful works of Russel in a difficult balancing act of reconciling these two opposing ideologies.

    Russell’s theological framework was like putting new wine in old wineskins (Matthew 9:14–17, Mark 2:21–22, and Luke 5:33–39). By placing the newly interpreted insights about the Bible through an old and corrupted cultural and social context this has resulted over the years in the metaphorical bag (wine-skin) bursting and the contents leaking out.

    I have resolved to conclude that Russel (being a product of his environment) was in error as were most of his contemporaries about race. There where too many biblical examples of God insisting on equality between people to ignore this deviation, and we cannot accept the bible as the authority in some areas and not in others. Peter understood this all too well as not many of us have had the terrifying privilege of being personally corrected by God (Acts 10:1-11:18) over his inappropriate views of his Gentile brothers in adhering to his cultural beliefs about the inherent uncleanliness and unsuitability of gentiles.

    Peters behavior contradicted the preaching work and undermined the credibility of the ransom sacrifice. How? Peter was insinuating that although God deemed the gentiles clean enough by means of the ransom sacrifice for his spirit to take up permanent residence, they were still not acceptable culturally for Peter. This is where Russel’s stance on segregation and race gives me (and should anyone) pause!

    We know that there were (during Russel’s time) and still are individuals who are decedents of slaves who also claim to be ” anointed” and equal in inheritance to Russel, yet he was not willing to accept their place in the body of Christ because of his cultural views. It is also worth noting that the example of Peter and other biblical arguments against racial divisions and prejudice were well established (by abolitionists, Amish, Mennonites, and some of Russel’s baptist contemporaries) during Russel’s time and I find it hard to believe he would not have been familiar with them. Russel was privileged according to his own writings to be a part of an unprecedented spiritual revival in which he believed God drew even closer to him and other men extending mercy and forgiveness, but inexplicably stopped short of accepting and imitating God’s actions with others. This is where some of us are stumped!

    This is why it is not reasonable to find fault with the brothers and sisters who see the scriptural deviations in Russel’s work’s and rightfully reject them (not him). To do otherwise invites censure from God himself as we are not excused from placing greater value on our cultural ideologies when they conflict with his clearly expressed views on a matter. We would also be forgetting the fact that racial segregation of Africans as a race is a modern (Western) invention and was not present in the Near East at the time the bible was written despite revisionist history. Israelite law permitted intermarriage between Jews and converts and we know there were examples of African converts in the New Testament.

    It would be a stretch to conclude that none of Jesus ancestors where Cushites or contained African DNA and we know that Jesus had at least two blatantly non-Israelite relatives in his lineage recorded in the bible. Africa was an important neighbor of Israel (1 Kings 10) in fact, it offered a route of escape for Jews (including those of the priest class) who fled persecution after the Roman Expulsion of 70 c.e. As a result, the Jews established colonies and married African converts to the Jewish faith, but this is not a fact that is discussed and largely unknown in Western American society. Incidentally, some American decedents of slaves are related to and trace ancestry back to these colonies.

    We know now more than Russel did back then and later generations (if we are not in the time of the end) will likely find flaws in our interpretations of the Bible as we have found with his and this is how we make improvements. How far we go to include valid criticisms and how eager or reluctant we are to change our positions in light of these criticisms will also shape how future generations view us.

    It would be safer for Russel if we assign him only to the place of being an imperfect man but an important leader in his moment. To suggest that Russel had a greater position with God than this comes with greater accountability before God for promoting attitudes and behaviors that contradict what God and Jesus were expressing through scripture.

    • jacqueline says:

      Rene thanks for the background on the thinking of that time and I have always agreed that Russell was a victim of his time and some felt the way he did about segregation, children and especially women. His wife, in fact, was a woman’s right activist for the right for women to vote. I have read some of her personal papers she left at her cousins in the attic. He was acting like the time period he was in.
      We have come a long way indeed. Some of Russell’s follower’s brain stop when they can’t see that everybody understands the time he was in. They get very defensive when my grandfather probably had some of the same biases toward women etc.

      But He (my grandfather) would never tell anyone he was an angel spoken to by John from an angel who got it from Jesus who got it from God in the book or revelation.
      And I personally would not keep filling my mind with my grandfathers’ ideas if he felt like most in his day. (He knew Russell). To regurgitate and constantly go over and over things spoken would not be prudent for me.
      So I have refrained from studying 19th-century writings and have taken a new look at the Bible through the lenses of the revealings of the Spirit of God.

      Contrary to the “New” history some are trying to put out there, Jehovah witnesses are directly from Charles Taze Russell. In fact, the organization was begun before the death of Russell and Rutherford carried it on.

      This is an interesting website I came across when I was looking up information on how the Watchtower organization was formed. It seems it was formed while Russell was alive and the annual meeting was held and the shuffling of money in different corporations happened long before Rutherford took over and was started by Russell.
      This is homework I should have done 8 years ago but God took me on the journey so I could hear one story and see the actual true story compiled a century ago. Interesting.
      https://archive.org/stream/SomeFactsAndMoreFactsAboutCharlesTazeRussell/1913_Some_Facts_More_Facts_About_Russell__djvu.txt

      Also, Eventide by John Aquila Brown and The Miller Movement is where Russell got most of his stuff just like Freddie Franz who used info from as far back as the 16th century and called it new light. He also claimed He got stuff from those already resurrected ones in heaven.

      You wrote {It would be safer for Russel if we assign him only to the place of being an imperfect man but an important leader in his moment. To suggest that Russel had a greater position with God than this, comes with greater accountability before God for promoting attitudes and behaviors that contradict what God and Jesus were expressing through scripture.}
      All I can say is AMEN!

      But thankfully now we can go to the Bible and Christ. I had forgotten all about Russell but for the first 70 years of my life, I was born in and immersed in his teaching, now for the next 70, I shall do Jesus and the Bible. LOL

    • jacqueline says:

      Rene, the response and clicks to your comments have been overwhelming.
      Thank you some much for your contributions!
      Hopefully we will all check our facts before we blast off at our mouths.

      I have been advised to no allow political agenda comments but I explained to handled it.
      It is such a joy to have a newly trained mind to watch out for signs of distress in any of our commenters and offer to talk one on one with them.
      You are doing a GREAT JOB by GOD’S GRACE. Hallelujah! This is indeed a God who supplies what we need. Comment more, but I was glad you were watching the site and just had to speak out. Thanks.

  2. Rene says:

    Amen Jacqueline,

    We need to remember that there is a method to Satan’s actions. His system is designed to force humans to make decisions through rewards and punishments for certain behaviors that he deems useful and to reward and punish humans into abandoning behaviors he finds threatening.

    In psychology as you, as a therapist are aware, these methods are called operant and classical conditioning. If anyone wants any further information, follow the links for “Little Albert Experiment”, Pavlov’s dog, and the Milgram obedience studies as well as Googling the Standford Prison Experiments. These are an oldie but goodie experiments that were so groundbreaking they are still be re-evaluated and duplicated by modern behavioral and research psychologists especially the Stanford Prison Experiment that is a really big eye opener on how quickly people can become abusive when given authority both real and imagined.

    https://www.simplypsychology.org/obedience.html

    https://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html

    https://www.learning-theories.com/classical-conditioning-pavlov.html

    Some examples of how Satan uses reward and punishment to program and shape human behavior can be found in examples of paganism. Pagan nations under Satanic control habitually used some form of organized socially sanctioned routine practice that centered on activities that abused God’s natural laws, abused people (including and especially children and animals) and the environment. These practices were necessary in order for people to negotiate resources and survival with the demonic/compromised angelic and Satanic forces who exercised legitimate authority over them. These practices polluted people both physically and mentally and ensured the loyalty of its adherents. In addition, Satan insured through these actions the possibility that God’s influence over humanity was limited to non-existent among people practicing these behaviors.

    Pagans where rewarded by (their Satanic benefactor for) engaging in these perverse and unnatural practices by better crops, protection from war/disease and personal enrichment, but when you look at how brutally and mercilessly Satan treated individuals who wanted to worship God, and where careful to treat his laws, you can see where this can lead to people being afraid to worship God and see benefits to following Satan’s direction. This is how he programs our thinking and how otherwise normal men (women and children, and elderly) could attend mass child sacrifices, lynchings and public executions of innocent people and not think anything is wrong with it because they are taught that these activities benefit society (and are passed on to the next generation) as well as the apathy and even hostility towards the victims and critics as the practices are defended and maintained as useful and necessary.

    Satan delights in placing humans in conditions that produce extremes in thinking and these extremes can include overindulgence and deprivation. These extreme experiences can cause profound changes in the way that humans think and change the way in which humans process information (Job chapter 1-ALL OF IT). These changes can be observed (in behavior) seen in PET, fMRI, and other imaging studies on the brain (physical). Yes, there are structural changes found in the brains of victims of abuse and in those who abuse others. These changes and experiences can also change and be recorded on the genetic level in a recognized phenomenon called epigenetics. If this makes sense to you, you can understand why God was not being cruel when he punished his people who were to produce the Messiah to copulate with Pagans who would introduce Satanically polluted genetic material into the Messiah when he eventually arrived.

    You see, our experiences both good and bad either contribute to or hamper our ability to thrive and survive and our bodies record this information especially extremely beneficial or extremely detrimental experiences to pass on in some form to the next generation. So, maltreatment and abuse can have generational consequences, and this is supported by science. It also affects gene expression, as studies have discovered that in some children who lived in abusive and violent environments developed environmentally induced short stature due in part to neglect and abuse. The genes in these children have been altered due to extremes in the environment so that they do not grow to the height that they were designed to. One hypothesis is that for the sake of survival, the body alters itself to appear small and non-threatening to the abuser so that survival chances are increased for the child. Individuals who have faced economic and social deprivation which causes food insecurity, deprivation of psychological needs and restricted access to basic and merit-based opportunities can suffer from similar arrested development.

    This is why when I see individuals from cultures who have experienced generational poverty especially over prolonged periods of time, I know better (from a moral and scientific perspective) to tell them they can fix their own problems, or they are not trying hard enough as these are grossly oversimplified solutions to a much more complex problem. I also consider the reality that Adam is a great example of how corrupted actions can genetically cripple future generations. This thinking also has a biblical basis in the way in which God proposed to extend support and salvation to mankind. Man was not deserving of help, our first parents were thieves, rebels, scapegoaters, and had persistent problems with personal accountability and justifying sin, and we inherited these behaviors.

    Notice God when considering the human condition highlighted the genetically inherited nature of sin as it deprived all of us from being fully actualized and capable of reaching our full potential as human beings. If God did not feel that our problems and lack of achievement were willful and due to a lack of self-determination. If he had, he would not have encoded mandatory contributions to the poor and public through the tithing system and would never have sent the Messiah if our problems stemmed from an unwillingness not inability to “fix” our own issues. Rather God sees the injustice of our plight and intends to give us justice, compensation, and restoration of life/health because his thinking, love, and mercy are so far-reaching. Wouldn’t it be wonderful and a credit to our maker if we could do the same with one another where we can and should?

    • jacqueline says:

      Rene this was eye-opening. I put the same studies you reference on the other site I was on.
      We see that in Revelation 20 after man has had 1,00 years of everything being in abundance for everyone they still rebelled against God thus proving it is possible to give man everything and like Adam, some will rebel and choose death.

      What an awesome God to let us show who we are and he lets us demonstrate that we will obey him under Good and bad conditions. The second death has no hold on the ones that in this wickedness they chose to stick with God and not follow men’s thoughts that are not in accord with his.

      Sometimes it is hard to break away from something ingrained in you But I have made a personal decision to just do the Bible and put myself in His hands by receiving His Holy Spirit.

      We are doing so well on Thursday night just using the Bible, not lacking anything. God knows the Bible better than any man and he sends the Helper, we experience it when we come together to Praise and Worship him by rejecting man’s words and accepting his.

  3. Chris Johns says:

    Jacqueline,
    That’s why I said you can delete those messages. I get on my soap box and I say so many things. I would appreciate if they were deleted. But if not I understand. ♥️❤️♥️❤️

    • jacqueline says:

      Chris, deletion means all the replies of others have to be deleted. As people comment your comments will go further down the line and be forgotten. One thing I have tried not to do is manipulate the website by not posting comments that disagree with “long-held beliefs ” as was done on some other sites. I personally feel everybody got something to say and as our “Mission statement says” if you don’t like it don’t read it, pass it up or turn off your computer. (:)
      Your comments are okay and quite a few people have come over to read these discussions from Facebook and elsewhere.

  4. Rene says:

    Jacqueline,

    This is some very profound comments here about race. I was working on an article on the subject and decided to put it here because I think its more appropriate so bear with me if it is a little lengthy.

    RACISM THE RED HERRING

    I think that the problem isn\’t race so much as it really boils down to radical difference of perspective. For example, therapist (one I know of personally) have observed situations where a father might be verbally, physically, emotionally and sexually abusing one child and treat his other children very well. When the children become adults and the one says I had the best dad in the world, and the other says my father was the devil and a lived in a hell growing up, who is right? What each child learned in the situation was how to survive living with abuse. The one child learned to accept and defend the family dynamic sometimes as a survival mechanism, and the other child learned that his role in the family is to be a victim and focus for the negative emotions and actions of the family.

    These two perspectives play out in our environment as we try to learn how we should feel about the abuse and victim dynamic living in this imperfect world. This is why I think that racial tensions/racism is an oversimplification that prevents many of us from evaluating the problem in a more comprehensive and thorough way.

    As humans our minds come equipped with ways to evaluate information quickly in our environments. These mental short cuts are quick, but often lead to chronic errors in logic and thinking.

    If you have ever heard of the term confirmation bias, or the action of excluding or only accepting information that supports a previously held conclusion, or cognitive dissonance (meaning that if you are presented with facts that contradict your beliefs you will not change them, and you will only accept ) you have likely used or noticed these logic errors in action. There are several more types of these logic errors that psychologist study, but they are universal (as in every human displays them) but happen in degrees.

    When Jesus said to quit patterning yourself after this system of things, he may have been trying to call attention to human logic errors in thinking that supplant Gods laws and perspectives while favoring flawed human ideologies. Our strongly held belief (sacred institutions) systems come from our cultural/family traditions, national attitudes, personal reflections, religious beliefs, and other areas of our environment. But the scriptures tell us that our hearts (inner sanctum of our beliefs/views ) are treacherous (Jeremiah. 17:9, 10) and that the whole world is lying in the power of Satan (1 John 5:19).

    We know the scriptures contain immutable facts and they are telling us that the way we think is inherently corrupted, and that where we get our information about God, Self and Neighbor is thoroughly false (despite the sprinklings of truth it is laced with) and its author is a pathological liar (John 8:44).

    Jesus admonishments to judge actions and not individuals are based in part on these two problem ares I mentioned earlier because our ability to draw righteous conclusions is extraordinarily defective. God gave us a scope within to operate as we are to judge right and wrong actions (BUT ONLY ACCORDING TO HIS STANDARDS) not the ones we have adopted from others and ourselves!

    Satan as the scriptures illustrate is most concerned with maintaining a positive appearance despite orchestrating situations that bring death, despair and hopelessness to Humans. Though he is the author of evil, he is rarely included as the underlying culprit in problems that result from breakdowns and strife between humans 2 Corinthians 11:14.

    Like most instigators, Satan likes to divide humanity without being seen. He often manipulates humans into doing his dirty work for him creating a state of victims and victimizers, and sadly all of us knowingly and unknowingly engage in both of these roles. Ecclesiastes 8:9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said, \”I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.\”

    Satan and his expansive network of human, demonic and angelic allies have created a persistent and thoroughly invasive system of perverse indoctrination that has not left any aspect of our environment uncontaminated and it is normalized.
    What our parents, religions, culture, news, environment and peers teach us is tainted even and especially the ones we sentimentalize and defend.

    Jesus best explains this dichotomy when he accused the people and the Pharisees of honoring the prophets but polishing the graves of their murderers. Luke 11:48 So you are witnesses who consent to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.

    Regardless of what we have learned through the institutions that we trust, there is a higher reality of thought and law that does not conform to ours. We may believe that our trusted sources of information complement God\’s laws and promote them, but in reality Satan does not want God in our thoughts and directing our actions as this interferes with his manipulating us into accepting behaviors designed to hurt neighbor, self and God.

    If we are brave enough to evaluate our biases and investigate their credibility against God\’s truth we will always find untruth. This truth leads to uncomfortable realities which is why we avoid performing this self diagnostic. Mankind has rationalized the worst human atrocities and lived with child sacrifice, slavery, war, weaponized economic poverty, biological and chemical warfare, rape, and oppression.

    I know I am a sinful, and when someone has something against me my fear of God prompts me to at least consider what the other person has to say even if it has to do with accusations about my race, culture, religion or gender. Why? Because dismissiveness, recriminations, or taking personal offense do not mean anything to God? Matthew 5:25 Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

    David found this out the hard way when God caused a three year famine in the land to bring David and Israels attention to a sanctioned human massacre over land committed by Saul David\’s predecessor. It had never occurred to David who was righteous among his contemporaries, nor the people of Israel that the slaughter of their gentile neighbors was a crime against God until they were confronted with famine. David saved himself and his people by accepting God\’s views on the matter and asking the offended party what compensation/justice they required even though he had nothing to do with the offense (2 Samuel 21).

    I have also learned when I am angry or offended to hire a mental public defender for the court in my head. I try to reason and defend people (where appropriate) I am mad at by placing myself in their shoes. I do this because God uses your views on mercy to judge you Matthew 18:21-35.

    I have learned through my education in psychology but more importantly my studies as a Christian to not trust and be more scrutinizing of my social programming. Whether you are accused of having a victim mentality, or lacking in empathy, just remember to try and fact check and challenge where you received these ideas. Cultivate a stronger understanding of where God says your boundaries in thought and action should be. This way when God says to go right about a matter, and your cognitive bias tells you to go left, you will make a more informed decision.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Jacqueline,
    That was by no means an attack on you. Just my observations. We just had a lady come up behind us in the store and tell us “of course white people would take the last of the greens”. If I would have said that with the word “black” inserted in there what would have happened? Also, when we were at the water park these two black kids ran up the stairs to the slide and skipped the entire line. My friend said something and the kids and the adults said “you’re only saying that because we’re black.” Then when we were at the school fair at an elementary school these one kid came up and didn’t pay and jumped to the front of the line. When my friend called it out his mom said “is it because my baby is black.” This has become so prominent in America that white peoples are becoming more bitter toward black issues. Many have stopped caring. My friend even says “they are making me racist” because we are finding the argument “is it cuz I’m black” being so over used. The word racist has no meaning anymore so they are using words like “white supremacy”. Are there racists in the US. Of course. But much of what’s deemed racist now is just so many using the race card every time they don’t get their way. We had a woman here I don’t know if she was mayor of what she was but she got caught using millions of tax payers dollars on trips and plays and entertaining her friends. When she got caught she played the race card. I had a kid tell me “suck my…” and when I kicked him out he said “it’s cuz I’m black.” This is so common now we are just tired. So when we hear something is racist we just don’t want to hear it anymore.

    My ecclesia said they don’t care about what Russell said about race. It’s his opinion and they move on.

    • jacqueline says:

      Understood Christopher, My explanation was because I was told by the elder he believed every word Russell wrote and when I brought some of these things to his attention he claimed they were never said and after his search, he stood on his belief of belief in every word Russell said. And that is his right but is of interest for persons in the ex JW community to understand where things came from.
      The world at large is not my concern so I really can’t comment nor answer for society, I just simply printed what is provable and in print. I try to keep the subject on Point.

      Rom. 8:20 “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope”. ALL CREATION is subjected.

    • jacqueline says:

      Psalms 11: 1-11 Speaks of when the foundations are destroyed, we turn to the Lord. I will post when I get to a computer.

      So this is what our society has had happen so as Christians we just turn to God and not what men dictates. The whole world is at error and separated from God, ALL creation so truth can only be reliably found in the Bible.

  6. Chris Johns says:

    Jacqueline,
    Did you even read those quotes. Many are from Rutherford. Many that speak negatively about blacks are quotes from professors.
    I wouldn’t let an ignorant brother say something about blessing the Aryan race throw me out of the truth. People as asses. I’m used to it. Did you look at the references?
    For example the one about circulating the truth literature is a waste on blacks? If you read right after it he also said he didn’t want to waste it on uneducated whites as well? You can’t keep looking at site like JWfacts and not think they are telling the truth.

    Example.
    I don’t know if you bolded it but it says “written for the public press an elaborate description of how Julius Jackson, of New Frankfurt, Mo., a negro boy of nine years, began to grow white in September..”. THIS WAS NOT BY RUSSELL.

    And Russell himself said in the first one “They rightly realized that we have not the slightest of race prejudice, and that we love the colored brethren with just the same warmth of heart that we love the white, and they queried therefore why such a distinction should be made in the call.”

    Jacqueline you have to let this race thing go. We’ve all experienced it. The black lady next door called me a fat honky. We have shows like “Dear White People”. Could we do a show called “Dear Black People.” ? No. Every time I pull up news articles it’s trashing white people. I can pull up an abundance of articles trashing white peoples in the media. Have you heard of the Barbary slavey trade? Whites were sold to Africa as slaves. Only 2% of of whites has slaves in america. That’s a fact. They were too expensive and many couldn’t afford it. And plus in America whites fought to end slavery while in Africa they still have slavery!! This is not just a white on black issues. EVERY color has owned slaved. Africans have slaves today!!

    REMEMBER WHITES FOUGHT AND DIED TO FREE SLAVES. Yet we are still blamed everyday. You know the illegal dreamers? How is it they aren’t responsible for the actions of their parents but I’m responsible for the actions of a 17th century colonialist I never knew?

    The democrat party is the party of KKK and Jim Crowe and slavery. That’s why they call republicans racist because they think it’ll hide their history. Like when a cheating spouse accuses the partner of cheating. It hides their crimes. Democrats use race to get blacks to vote democrat. They’ve controlled them with free handouts which have broken up the black families. Ever since welfare the single motherhood rate in the black community has gone from 22% to 76%. Democratic policies not whites are in control of that. This is why the Democratic Party offered free handouts. To keep blacks voting democrat. This is why so many blacks support trump now and the democrats need illegals votes. Obama deported more illegals and now the democrats are welcoming them in and wanting them to vote! Why? Because without the black vote they are
    Done.
    White men are more discriminated against in this country than black. We have articles like “Stuff white people can do better.” Now replace white with black and see how it sounds. Don Lemon got on TV and said white men are the most dangerous threat to our country. Now imagine if that was switched and I said that about black peoples.
    We’ve all been through it. Slavery it not unique to any one group.

    • jacqueline says:

      Christopher, I can’t get into the woes of society for all men are in peril and subjected to futility but on point with our Bible discussion regarding our former teaching.

      What is “The Truth” you speak of that I have been thrown out of? That was always a strange statement that witnesses and Bible students use. Perhaps you can explain, please.

      Truth is defined by one source as “sincerity in action, character, and utterance” [1]. Perhaps the most famous verse about truth in the Bible is what Jesus said “… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) So Jesus is truth and Jesus is also the Word (John 1:1, 14). As Christians we believe that every word in the Bible is true; this is the foundation upon which we live our lives. Knowing what the Bible says about truth and hiding God’s word in our heart helps us to know when we are listening to the Voice of Truth. Here are twenty great scripture quotes about truth.

      The Bible is the Word of Truth
      Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

      Daniel 10:21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

      John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

      Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

      This is the TRUTH as defined in scripture and most ex JW and those formerly associated with Bible Student are believers in these scriptures and others. None have left the TRUTH as defined by GOD.

    • jacqueline says:

      Wow, Chris I just read your entire post. I was out in my yard all day working. Well, this is a great post indeed. I think you equally piqued everyone and no one should feel left out or not offended. Take Care

  7. jacqueline says:

    Christopher, I often go over comments for the second time and I noticed you made reference to the things Russell said about black people.

    Well, this was found and posted because a BS elder asked another BS to look up and give him everything that Bro Russell ever said about Black people.
    It was alarming, but I also looked up the things said and was shocked out of all senses.
    Especially when history records many ministers of that day and time period that stood against segregationists, negative thoughts about black people and slavery.
    Surely an angel, Charles Russell should have known better.
    For homework look up some of these contemporaries of Russell and their bold stand for Black people.
    So this was inspired by someone from the fojw site. Just thought I would address this.

  8. Dear Brethren in Christ:

    I am definitely not a “Russellite”; that means that I can see past the idealized historical figure (Pastor Russell) and see the man (Mr. Russell), the person like you and me, who made mistakes but who also got and did many things right. It is important to retain what is good while rejecting the error.

    Regarding seeing Russell in the Bible (perhaps as “that slave” or the “Seventh Messenger”), I believe that Bro. Russell himself was opposed to that idea. At least that is what I can gather from this comment he made:

    “Some of the dear brethren seem to find as much about Brother Russell in the Bible as they find about the Lord Jesus, and I think that is a great mistake. I do not find it there. Some of them say that I am blinded on that subject, that they all can see better than I can. Perhaps they can, I do not know, but I think, dear friends, that there is a danger in that direction, and I would like to put you all on guard. I think it is the Lord’s will that we should recognize every agency God uses, but we are not to recognize any agency of God as being in any competition whatever with the Lord or with his divine arrangement. He is the fountain of blessing, he only is most to be praised. I think that is the right sentiment. I believe you all agree with that. And yet I think there is a danger of some dear friends preaching Brother Russell. Brother Russell would like for you not to do so. He thinks it would not be to the glory of God. Let me repeat, then, dear friends, that in my opinion we have so much of the Gospel of God, so much of his plan to study, so many opportunities of showing forth his praises, that we should employ all our time in that way. My advice, therefore, is that we give very little attention to anything outside of that. The Scriptures do indeed say that we may render honor to him to whom honor is due, and that is applicable to anybody and everybody; as, for instance, we look back and we see Martin Luther, and he did a grand work, and we thank God for him; and we might say the same of John Wesley, and very truthfully; I am glad in God’s providence he lived, and that he was a faithful man. And there were others of the Lord’s people in the past. Let us be glad and rejoice in every one, and be thankful to God he has used various agencies in helping us, and in helping others, and in bringing forward his great cause; but let us not go into anything that would be at all like man-worship, for I am sure that would be displeasing to the Lord and injurious to ourselves. I remind you again of the Scripture in Revelations where the Church is pictured, which we called attention to, I believe, thirty years ago. John, the revelator, who was seeing these things, fell down to worship the angel who showed them to him, and the angel said, “See thou do it not; worship God; I am thy fellow-servant.” And so, dear friends, if our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Lord have used Brother Russell in any measure he is very glad and very thankful to be used. And if the Lord is pleased to use him any more, he will be glad to be used down to the last breath, but he does not want any worship, he does not want any undue adoration, he does not want any praise. He is glad to have the love of all those who are brethren of the Lord and to be considered a fellow-servant with all, striving to bring to pass all the glorious things that God has promised, striving to tell the good tidings of great joy to as many as the Lord, our God, shall call.
    -1910; (“Convention Report Sermons”, pg. 125)
    http://www.mostholyfaith.com/bible/CRS/1910a.asp#CR125:1

    Love of Christ to all of you, from the Berean Bible Students in Brazil.

    • jacqueline says:

      Andre hello!! Thank you for you comments. I have been reading your info on the Facebook page and am so glad you posted some here, this is information that needs to be said.
      I actually brought out some of the same points from just knowing that worship should go to God only. On the point of not accepting that Russell was an angel in Revelation I was told by one elder that I was in danger of second death and another that the Bible students don’t disfellowship, but. This to me bordered on Creature worship just like the Catholics with their many Saints. The undue attention to deceased brothers in “voices from the past” services was disturbing. Ancestral worship. The constant bickering over covenants,dates and everything being a type was wearisome to the soul. The Bible actually tells you what is a type. It is true you can see a life lesson and a parallel with many things but to type and antitype “everything”??
      One scripture doctrines, such as the pyramid with no other 2 scriptures to support this doctrine baffled me. I was told second death jeopardy existed for me not accepting this doctrine also. During my 8 year association I heard an almost godlike status given to Charles Russell a deceased man, which amounts to for me worship of the dead. Some on this site have never actually associated just chimed in to a convention or meeting but to go in as deep as I did and see this worship was disturbing, so I had to distance myself.
      This was a compelling experience as it forced me to go straight to the Bible, believe and trust Jesus’s words that the “helper” the “Holy spirit” can help you understand the Bible.
      I was told by a Bible student that tbe Spirit doesnt work that way, that we need someone to tell us what the Bible means.
      All of these interactions were good for me as it helped me see why Jesus said to go through him. He knew there would be false christs put up. So these experiences helped me to grow personally and realize if you put no other god before His face, he will open your eyes.
      So far we have 55 countries and 255 cities in the last 6 days visiting this site so please feel free to repost some of your Facebook postings here.
      Welcome.

  9. Ted R. (Bible Student) says:

    Thank you Brother Greg. You are in my prayers. Love of Christ be with you.

  10. Greg says:

    Ted,
    I’m a bit slow in responding to your post. Still, I wanted to thank you for sharing this. And Thanks to Br. Ronald for making his comment. The idea behind these verses and the expressions of the Apostle Paul are indeed very valid and timely reminders for us all.
    Thanks!!!

  11. Ted R. (Bible Student) says:

    Here is a link to Brother Ronald Day Seniors Facebook comment regarding Brother Russell. He makes some interesting observations. According to the article those Bible Students who profess to be “Russellites” are in contradiction with Brother Russell himself: (quote) “Russell did believe that the trinity denied the basis of the atonement as given in the Bible; he did not deny the divinity of Jesus. He did show from the Bible what is meant by Jesus’ divinity. The idea of the trinity is definitely anti-christ (instead of christ), as it demands a basis of atonement that is instead of that presented by the apostles. However, Brother Russell did not condemn all who believed in the trinity, nor did he claim that it was necessary to reject the trinity in order to be a Christian. Thus he referred to the Baptist brethren, the Methodist brethren, the Catholic brethren, etc.”
    “Anyone who is a “Russellite” is in a self-contradiction of belief, since Russell himself preached against being a “Russellite.””
    “Sadly, sectarianism had a great influence on the Bible Students, however, and still does to this day, although many Bible Students do endeavor to have a non-sectarian view as did Brother Russell.”

    If this is true than many of the Bible Student ecclesias are in error by their staunch insistence that we must follow all of Brother Russells teachings to gain the reward of following Christ. We know that the apostle Paul counciled against following after man 1 Corinthians . 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
    13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
    So according to Scripture, while we respect others viewpoints and Bible based teaching we never want to put any man on a pedestal. Men are imperfect, they make mistakes. That is why we must be like the Boreans and examine every “inspired utterance” in relation to Scripture. We need to be careful of any man who claims to have insight beyond what is in Scripture. If something is not clearly stated in Scripture, then it is subject to personal interpretation and is not an issue that is necessarily related to our reward or would condemn us to second death.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ctrussell/permalink/2050627735027729/

    • jacqueline says:

      TedR, thanks for Ronald’s Facebook posting, I know him and I agree with what he has in freedom posted.
      I saw so much disagreement and being told things like, “you know the brothers don’t agree with this brother or that one”. Some classes have names of brothers that can’t speak at their conventions. Each speaker tries to one up the other (not all of them) so much that it was just a barrel of confusion and back biting. I don’t go near those meetings because they are in so much disagreement, but I accept their right to run their organization as they please.
      I don’t think God or Jesus is judging them any differently than he is all the systems of religions that man has set up. They have no more truth than the witnesses or the other major religious organizations, I have learned from many Minister’s who are very sincere.
      To say the Trinity teaching is worse than creature worship of Russell doesn’t make sense. Also to put an imperfect uninspired set of books on par with the Bible is like sticking the “shoot” under the nose of Jehovah.
      That is why I choose to go straight to the Bible and with others rely on the Holy Spirit to help us. It works and no constantly hearing Russell’s thoughts or the old Reprints explanations.
      The witnesses did progress along a better route but like the Bible Students they are date setters and are holding to and captive to the concepts of a man that had to let everything take place before the world ended in 1914. Even creating an invisible presence from the word parousia, when the word also means coming. This whole scenerio is made up using 1874 them 1878 the sleeping saints riding etc.
      For me I am thosing this poor baby out with the bath water as it has mudied the water to badly to see through the myriads of date setting and assumptions with no Biblical support.
      We, along with the Babble of long held doctrines, Trinity and date setters will learn the real truth. For now we have to allow the errors and keep loving Bible Students, Witnesses, Baptist, Methodist persons but rejecting what we see the Bible clearly not teaching.
      That is my imput on you “Sword” posting TedR and thanks for bringing food for thought each time you post. Take Care.

  12. Nubby Tope says:

    Hi Jacqueline,

    Happy New Year to you, and to everyone else on here – all the best for 2019!

    Bro. Peter coming on here? Great! I enjoyed his Memorial Talk last year that I heard a recording of. I’m sure it was him! I like the simple way he explains things.

    I’ve been keeping an eye on Israel; interesting developments there? Hmm.

    • jacqueline says:

      Hi Nubby Tope, Happy New Year to you and yours!
      I am waiting for Greg to confirm 1/12/2019 at 7 pm as the date and time. He will get in touch with Br. Peter.
      For those not aware, Br. Peter is the administrator of the http://www.friensofjehovahswitnesses.com site and an elder with the Chicago Bible Students Association.
      From what I glean, he would like to listen to respond to any grievances of Xjw in regards to the Fojw site. I might be oversimplifying it but he has made a request. We had 8 votes on Saturday that said they will be on and we want all to come on. Kent is working on making sure the BBB is working.
      Because of updates, we have to follow the exact prompts of the sign in to be successful.
      I am visiting with my oldest son (48) for a few weeks in a warmer climate and I had all of my grandchildren over the holidays, so God has blessed me this far this year. I will keep faith this is proceeding according to his allowance.
      Tell us about what is happening in your neck of the woods. How is life treating you? We love to hear experiences.

  13. jacqueline says:

    Rena thanks for your comment. This subject was brought up by me with a Bible student elder to show the reasons one wouldn’t want to keep reading this stuff over and over again in this century. He again informed me he believes every word Br. Russell wrote or tried to say maybe another person wrote those passages for him. Sadly I found many within that movement still believe these writings are from Jesus to Russell as the seventh messenger. Rather than fight the little remarks because my light was to bright and my voice too big I leave those dear friends to their beliefs and thoughts.
    God took a different approach to get me out of these systems and straight to him with only the Bible and Holy Spirit in little groups and listening to other voices rather than only one man for 70 years.
    Btw January 12th, we will have Br Peter Karavas as a quest speaker on the BBB. He requested it, to speak to former xjw. I will put it on email also for some that may not see it on here. Take Care and give my love to Larry.
    “A narrative and history of a movement can be self serving and have alternate and altered facts to deitize a mortal MAN or Men”

  14. Rena Luecking aka Just Stay Sweet and Good says:

    I truly sympathize with this dilemma of race. It has become very apparent to me that the human condition has a long way to go before it is considered “Holy” and fit for the kingdom work. How is Jehovah God going to deal with people who harbor a superior attitude toward their fellow man? My only conclusion is, he will do it in the same way he has in the past……discipline. The scriptures guarantee to us we will be disciplined IF WE ARE TRULY CALLED. The nation of Israel did not escape this discipline so why should any true Christian in this time of the end expect to receive any thing less? Hebrews 2:2 One scripture that has always stuck with me is Paul in Romans 10:20 “…….Quit having lofty ideas, but be in fear” Here he goes on to show that the garden olive can be grafted back in to its home trunk at any time. In other words, nothing is set in stone, if the gentiles prove false they can still be rejected. Jehovah God has high standards for those who are going to rule and reign with his son, but those standards are not unattainable or he would not have asked us to live up to them. May the Lord overule anything I have said in amiss.

  15. jacqueline says:

    At the General Convention of 2018 of the Bible students in Johnstown, PA, I was walking along going to the cafeteria to eat when a brother out of nowhere said, “You know sis Jacqueline, it appears as if the Lord is blessing the Aryan Race now.’ He seems to be using them in this age to get things accomplished.”
    I thought what an odd thing to say to me but ignored him as ignorant.
    Then on 2 more occasions at the same convention, I had similar things said to me by at least 2 other brothers, out of the blue. Which means it is being discussed, the black brothers and sisters coming into the Bible students.
    I had a prominent Bible student elder to start a discussion on Trump with me by his wife then he jumped in and I jumped right back in. It was a hostile conversation.
    The Chicago Bible student elders had a talk given concerning a conversation on facebook where one of my relatives called a Bible student sister a racist.
    They made sure I was there on fourth Sunday and changed the format to give a talk directed straight at me.
    I am sure since it was the husband of the woman that the brothers didn’t expect it to be so directed. Some elders came to me afterward to ask if I was okay, a couple held me tightly and said, ” ARE YOU OKAY” with looks of astonishment on their face. I am sure he didn’t say it the way they expected.
    I was told by friendsojehovahwitness admin that noone would have made me “Ask Jacqueline” one the site, but he did. I told him to remove me.
    So what I am saying is that the Bible students are reading this stuff over and over again and expressing these old outmoded thoughts. I was uncomfortable among quite a few of them.
    I didn’t feel this as much in the modern day congregation of Jehovah witnesses but they too still have these “Questions of Race”, because it comes from Charles Taze Russell.

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