Easter - Birthdays - Christmas - Government's:
The attitudes of the Watchtower Society today concerning Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas and many other teachings were greatly influenced by Judge Rutherford.
J. F. RUTHERFORD 1917-1942.
J. F. RUTHERFORD 1917-1942.
Rutherford became the second president of the Society after Pastor Russell died in 1916. He was not Russell’s choice of a successor. Men he seized control of the Society he caused a division in the organization.
Almost immediately he began to change Russell’s doctrines and wean the people’s affection for him. It is estimated that in a ten year period he altered 148 of his teachings.
Many of Rutherford’s new doctrines and attitudes reflected his own personality and life style:
Witnesses of Jehovah, pp. 45-50 tells how his wife Mary and son Malcolm left him and went to live in Los Angeles. One of the reasons given was his “choleric and self-righteous temperament and what was quite evidently a serious case of alcoholism”.
Rutherford is also described in all his self-righteousness, driving expensive Cadillacs and living an extravagant life style in the Beth-Sarim mansion:
“The Judge pointed his finger at the doomed world of decadent people while himself enjoying fine liquor, quality cigars, and the company of female traveling companions.”
BIRTHDAYS & FATHER & MOTHER’S DAY:
Under Russell’s leadership the people had enjoyed celebrating such occasions. But now Rutherford’s publications condemned them.
Father and Mother days are not in the Bible.
Almost immediately he began to change Russell’s doctrines and wean the people’s affection for him. It is estimated that in a ten year period he altered 148 of his teachings.
Many of Rutherford’s new doctrines and attitudes reflected his own personality and life style:
Witnesses of Jehovah, pp. 45-50 tells how his wife Mary and son Malcolm left him and went to live in Los Angeles. One of the reasons given was his “choleric and self-righteous temperament and what was quite evidently a serious case of alcoholism”.
Rutherford is also described in all his self-righteousness, driving expensive Cadillacs and living an extravagant life style in the Beth-Sarim mansion:
“The Judge pointed his finger at the doomed world of decadent people while himself enjoying fine liquor, quality cigars, and the company of female traveling companions.”
BIRTHDAYS & FATHER & MOTHER’S DAY:
Under Russell’s leadership the people had enjoyed celebrating such occasions. But now Rutherford’s publications condemned them.
Father and Mother days are not in the Bible.
Ephesians 6:2. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:
Could the reasons be?:
1. Attitude to Pastor Russell.
Russell’s followers had loved him and were reticent to give up his teachings. He was a real “cult figure”, so to counter this, Rutherford began to oppose this as “creature worship”.
2. Attitude to His Family.
After Rutherford’s wife and only son left him, Birthdays and Mother’s Days would bring him little joy.Easter
3. His “Self-Righteousness”.
Teaching these days were pagan suited Rutherfordʼs nature and it also gave the members a feeling of self-righteousness.
Could the reasons be?:
1. Attitude to Pastor Russell.
Russell’s followers had loved him and were reticent to give up his teachings. He was a real “cult figure”, so to counter this, Rutherford began to oppose this as “creature worship”.
2. Attitude to His Family.
After Rutherford’s wife and only son left him, Birthdays and Mother’s Days would bring him little joy.Easter
3. His “Self-Righteousness”.
Teaching these days were pagan suited Rutherfordʼs nature and it also gave the members a feeling of self-righteousness.
“... we had never known before they were pagan... we felt we were privileged to know things that others were ignorant about. “ Yearbook 1975,p. 147:
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because of His birth.
Matthew 2:11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Scriptural support against it? There is none. To argue birthdays should not be celebrated because “the pagans did” would be to stop worshipping, praying, etc. because the pagans did!
CHRISTMAS:
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus because of His birth.
Matthew 2:11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Scriptural support against it? There is none. To argue birthdays should not be celebrated because “the pagans did” would be to stop worshipping, praying, etc. because the pagans did!
CHRISTMAS:
Christmas was celebrated by the Society until Rutherford in 1926, also declared it “pagan” and “creature worship”. As his opposition to the Deity of Christ grew these words took on a new meaning:
1. “Creature” Jesus was only a created being or creature.
2. “Worship” Jesus was not to receive worship. Christmas carols like, “O Come Let Us Adore Him.” were now offensive to these new beliefs. Previously the 1925 Manna book on “December 25” read:
“Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer,... we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Saviour.”
GOVERNMENTS:
Rutherfordʼs anti-government attitude led him to reinterpret the Higher Powers in 1929 to mean Jehovah God and Jesus Christ rather than worldly rulers and governors.
Even after this new light was reversed in 1962, some of the anti-government attitudes still persist:
HONOURING PEOPLE:
The Truth Shall Make You Free, p.312 records:
“In 1929 the clear light broke forth... that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, rather than worldly rulers and governors, are The Higher Powers. “ (See below:)
1. “Creature” Jesus was only a created being or creature.
2. “Worship” Jesus was not to receive worship. Christmas carols like, “O Come Let Us Adore Him.” were now offensive to these new beliefs. Previously the 1925 Manna book on “December 25” read:
“Although we cannot agree that this is the proper day for celebrating the birth of our dear Redeemer,... we may properly enough join with all whose hearts are in the attitude of love and appreciation toward God and toward the Saviour.”
GOVERNMENTS:
Rutherfordʼs anti-government attitude led him to reinterpret the Higher Powers in 1929 to mean Jehovah God and Jesus Christ rather than worldly rulers and governors.
Even after this new light was reversed in 1962, some of the anti-government attitudes still persist:
HONOURING PEOPLE:
The Truth Shall Make You Free, p.312 records:
“In 1929 the clear light broke forth... that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, rather than worldly rulers and governors, are The Higher Powers. “ (See below:)
It was interpreted that to stand in honor of such a person was to worship them.
Jehovah’s Witnesses refused then to stand in honor of Royalty or Heads of State.
SALUTING FLAGS:
Jehovah’s Witnesses refused then to stand in honor of Royalty or Heads of State.
SALUTING FLAGS:
The Society also contends that to salute a flag is “an act of worship in direct violation of the first and second of the Ten Commandments”. Awake!, September 22, 1978.
The Society fails to distinguish between worship and honor. The Bible commands Christians to honor:
Submit to Government:
Roman's 13:1-2. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
1Peter 2:17. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
To honor the king one would stand; to honor his flag one would salute but to worship one would kneel.
Submit to Government:
Roman's 13:1-2. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
1Peter 2:17. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
To honor the king one would stand; to honor his flag one would salute but to worship one would kneel.
IN TIME OF WAR:
Seventh-day Adventists believe in time of war, Christians should not kill but should try to save life and make peace.
Matt. 8:5-10. Jesus healed the servant of a Roman soldier. He did not refuse because they were part of the army.
Witnesses would do well to follow the attitude of Jesus.
GIVING TO CHARITIES:
Seventh-day Adventists believe in time of war, Christians should not kill but should try to save life and make peace.
Matt. 8:5-10. Jesus healed the servant of a Roman soldier. He did not refuse because they were part of the army.
Witnesses would do well to follow the attitude of Jesus.
GIVING TO CHARITIES:
he Society discourages its members from supporting any charities other than its own organization.
Witnesses can receive help from other charities but not give it.
Some years ago an Adventist missionary pilot saved the life of a leading Witness missionary in Papua New Guinea. However, Witnesses are still not allowed to donate towards this life saving work.
A former Witness observed, “We used to be able to accept help from the charities of Babylon the Great, but not assist them!”
This attitude is not the Golden Rule that Jesus taught.
DOES THE WATCHTOWER KEEP PAGAN TRADITIONS?
The Society has no problems with other pagan customs such as wedding rings; the names for the days and months of the year; Why such inconsistent attitudes?
Sunday Worship is Pagan:
Witnesses can receive help from other charities but not give it.
Some years ago an Adventist missionary pilot saved the life of a leading Witness missionary in Papua New Guinea. However, Witnesses are still not allowed to donate towards this life saving work.
A former Witness observed, “We used to be able to accept help from the charities of Babylon the Great, but not assist them!”
This attitude is not the Golden Rule that Jesus taught.
DOES THE WATCHTOWER KEEP PAGAN TRADITIONS?
The Society has no problems with other pagan customs such as wedding rings; the names for the days and months of the year; Why such inconsistent attitudes?
Sunday Worship is Pagan:
Sunday worship starts at midnight instead of the Biblical sunset and holding worship services on the day dedicated to the Sun god! ( Sunday.)
Sabbath - Sunday Worship.
Sabbath is from Friday sunset unto Saturday sunset yet most Christians worship for one or two hours on Sunday and then continue their worldly activities. If we follow Jesus example them we should keep the Sabbath just as He did.
Time:
Midnight unto Midnight is a Roman Catholic tradition and not biblical. The Bible only talks about a day from Sunset unto Sunset.
Sabbath - Sunday Worship.
Sabbath is from Friday sunset unto Saturday sunset yet most Christians worship for one or two hours on Sunday and then continue their worldly activities. If we follow Jesus example them we should keep the Sabbath just as He did.
Time:
Midnight unto Midnight is a Roman Catholic tradition and not biblical. The Bible only talks about a day from Sunset unto Sunset.
Days of the week are Pagan:
Sunday: First day of the week. Latin dies solis, "sun's day," a pagan Roman holiday.
Monday: Second day of the week. Latin: dies lunae, "day of the moon."
Tuesday: Third day of the week. Named for the Norse god of war.
Wednesday: Fourth day of the week. Named to honor Odin, chief god in Norse.
Thursday: Fifth day of the week. Named for Thor, Norse god of thunder.
Friday: Sixth day of the week. Named for the Norse goddess of love, Frigg, or Frija.
Saturday: Seventh day of the week. Named in honor of the Roman god Saturn.
Sunday: First day of the week. Latin dies solis, "sun's day," a pagan Roman holiday.
Monday: Second day of the week. Latin: dies lunae, "day of the moon."
Tuesday: Third day of the week. Named for the Norse god of war.
Wednesday: Fourth day of the week. Named to honor Odin, chief god in Norse.
Thursday: Fifth day of the week. Named for Thor, Norse god of thunder.
Friday: Sixth day of the week. Named for the Norse goddess of love, Frigg, or Frija.
Saturday: Seventh day of the week. Named in honor of the Roman god Saturn.
Even the month come from a pagan background.
EASTER:
Easter is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after his crucifixion at Calvary.
It's interesting to note that that Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in Easter but they worship on Easter Sunday which comes from a pagan festival.
Wedding Rings and Jewellery are Pagan:
Wedding rings and Jewellery are also pagan but again not a problem for the Watchtower members and other Christians to use them.
It's interesting to note that that Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in Easter but they worship on Easter Sunday which comes from a pagan festival.
Wedding Rings and Jewellery are Pagan:
Wedding rings and Jewellery are also pagan but again not a problem for the Watchtower members and other Christians to use them.
The use of money is Pagan:
Coins and money were used by the Pagan Roman and others pagans.
Coins and money were used by the Pagan Roman and others pagans.
