Posted by Adam Covington [AdamCovington] on October 24, 1999 at 12:14:59 {f8eW6hUOe2/CPYT8orz2qRFwJ6xIkI}:
In Reply to: Faulty Memory? posted by Farkel on October 22, 1999 at 10:11:05:
Farkel,
I dont like your name-calling and childish behavior, but feel it necessary to comment as many will read this thread.
Your argument starts with the following:
:First, "GB" is only ONE person, and it seems doubtful that every decision made by the GB over the years is put on CD with search capabilities. On the otherhand, the Writing Department is comprised of a number of persons, all of which have the WTS CD at their disposal, not to mention WT indexes and printed copies of all (or at the least, most) past WTS literature.:
First off, we are discussing what transpired during the years of 1955-1983. The first CD appeared in 1993, so your theory does not hold, sorry. In addition, it is true that all literature is put on indexes, but so are all Governing Body decisions and meetings. Minutes are taken and indexed. So the comparison there remains the same.
:Moreover, there must be members in the writing department who are MUCH younger and have a much better memory, than an elderly GB member:
This is an interesting point. As I believe this would contradict your viewpoint. As one former writing staff member stated to me (who cited Greber's translation, "I was a teenager in 1955, how am I to remember."
The point that most dont realize is that members of the writing staff dont have the resources to investigate every single background of every single translator or author. Some research can be conducted, but no exhaustive research can be made.
All that can be proven is that one writer (author of the 1955 article) had direct knowledge of Greber's association with spiritism. Who's to say that this author was still among the writing staff from the years 1962-1976?
As Raymond Franz himself stated, that as a loyal JW, he would read every Watchtower and Awake, plus books and booklets which were released throughout the years. Since the 1955 article, that would require him to read 120 Watchtower magazines, and 120 Awake magazines, plus dozens of booklets, books released throughout 1955-1965. As he himself stated, How can he remember the name of one person that was "briefly" cited in an article back in 1955. As such, when working on the "Aid Book" project, reading a citation of Greber's translation would not ring a bell.
In addition, I interviewed Reinhard Lengtat, another former member of the writing staff, and also a member of the "Aid book" project. He stated that while working on this project he noticed the citations but was unfamiliar with his background. He also stated that he is confident that had any member of the writing staff was aware of his affiliation during these years, that it definetly would have become a major issue, and would have ceased to be cited.
This then clearly shows that there was no "deliberate deception" on the part of the WTBTS. As soon as Greber's affiliation with spiritism was known to the GB and writing staff, then his translation was no longer cited.
Hope this helps.
AC