Posted by AF [AF] on November 06, 1999 at 01:47:15 {p8g/8h8r5Q1EwaxRomAMdaOt1gg/Zk}:
In Reply to: ******AF-GREG DEBATE BACK ON!!! posted by Dean on November 05, 1999 at 22:17:50:
On the 1975 business, you've fallen for the deceptions of JW apologists. I was there during the entire episode, from way before 1966 through well after the aftermath of 1975. I didn't go to college in 1969 specifically because the Society told me that it was extremely likely that "this old system" would be gone by 1975.
True, they made some disclaimers about the date, but on the whole their presentations were very positive about it. Most JWs, but not all, put a great deal of stock in it. At a series of 1967 Circuit Assemblies a prominent talk was given where the speakers stressed how much stock the Society was putting in 1975. They told the audience about the Society's knowledge of 1975 in glowing terms. I was at one of those talks and it was indeed stirring! Here's an excerpt from one given in Wisconsin by a District Servant:
Well, now, who will be there, of us here tonight? For the Society has made application of this scripture, in pointing out that those of us among Jehovah's Witnesses that are not regularly associating with his people, without good cause, such as being flat on ourck, will not be in the new order. And we're the ones that are going to come around when the doors close, and say `I want in now. Sir, open to us!' And Jesus will have to say, `I'm sorry, I don't even recognize you.' Now wouldn't that be an awful thing. Do you see now why the Society implores us, year in and year out, the same old thing, `Brothers, get in the flock. Don't let any excuses get in our way. Nothing of any nature. There's only one thing that's going to count when that time comes, and that's that we are inside.' And we hope that all of us here tonight are going to listen to the Society's imploring. We're going to listen to the agonizing entreaty, `Brothers get in!', because *they know what's coming*. And it's coming fast -- and don't wait till '75. The door is going to be shut before then.
Do you honestly think that a whole bunch of District Servants simulaneously made up this talk?
As for what the Society said in print, they specifically said that Armageddon would begin 6,000 years after Eve's creation, since the 7th creative day began then. They made several statements in scattered locations that Adam and Eve were created in the same calendar year, within a few months of one another. Therefore they said in print that Armageddon would come in 1975. For a comprehensive look at what the Society said, instead of the incomplete and therefore misleading references given by Stafford and others, check out this link.
When you've checked out all this material you'll see that it was the Society itself that caused the excitement and instructed speakers at the podium to be zealous proclaimers of the events that would culminate in 1975.
AF