Posted by Camryn [camryn] on November 30, 1999 at 07:52:34 {JEfy6n1mcICAoFoSdQ9.DroBvA4afs}:
Dispite all the false teachings and false prophecies that have been created by the Watchtower Society for the past 120 years, we cannot find a single one of them listed as such in their literature? Why is this?
This is because the literature has simply removed the word "false" in connection with anything the Society has ever taught. Many of their previous teachings that were false are referred to as "past truths" - thereby not only avoiding the word "false," but using the word "truth" in its place!
The word "false" is reserved for all other religions which just happened to be full of "false teachers," "false teachings," "false prophecies," "false prophets," and therefore are "false religions."
The Society, on the other hand, has never had a single one of the above and therefore is the "true religion." Or as they prefer to call it, "The only true religion."
Jehovah's Witnesses have been so conditioned by this line of reasoning that they actually look forward to "new truths." Rather then being negative evidence proving that a previous teaching must have been "false" - which would suggest that the Society may not be God's organization - "new truths" are viewed as positive evidence which proves that "God is continuing to refine his organization."
They also avoid the word "prophecy" in connection with their prophecies once it is realized that they are not true. All during the period of time Russell's and Rugherford's false dates/events were being proclaimed, they were said to be "in fulfillment of Bible prophecy." This has been true of every prophecy that has ever come from the Society. But once their prophecies are discarded, the word "prophecy" is also discarded.
The March 15, 1986 presents the following example...
"Yes, (we) have had to revise *expectations* from time to time...but the need to revise *our understanding* somewhat does not make us false prophets. (Such were just) *expectations needing some adjustment*."
Here they not only avoid the word "false," but they also change their "prophecies" into "expectations," "our understanding" and "expectations needing some adjustment."
The following is a partial list of the various terms they use to substitute for false teachings and/or false prophecies...
1. "mistakes"
2. "errors"
3. "misinterpretations"
4. "misunderstandings"
5. "mistakes in their understanding"
6. "unrealized hopes"
7. "premature expectations"
8. "misplaced expectations"
9. "misplaced optimism"
10. "disappointed expectations"
11. "hopes and expectations"
12. "inaccurate concepts"
13. "incomplete concepts"
14. "views in need of refinement"
15. "formerly cherished views"
16. "serious disappointments"
17. "past truths"
18. "old truths"
19. "wrong beliefs"
20. "matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed"
This substitution technique allows them to openly discuss their false prophecies - like "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" (even showing pictures of it in the Proclaimers book) - since it was only "a mistake."
If the above Watchtower quote had been written according to what the Society's prophecies really were, it might make it easier for Jehovah's Witnesses to notice what is really being said...
"Yes, we have had to revise our false prophecies from time to time. But the need to revise our false prophecies somewhat does not make us false prophets."
(The above is from the book, "Captives of a Concept" (http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/1949/index.html)