I have noticed that whenever someone asks a question here about Jehovah's Witnesses, a few people answer that the asker should do research on our "Founder", Charles Russell.
Russell was simply a Bible Student (never even heard the name Jehovah's Witness because we weren't called that until after he died) who was just STARTING OUT as a Bible student when he met a group of other sincere Bible students and they would meet to discuss what they were learning (from a KING JAMES VERSION of the bible - he NEVER SAW a New World Translation because it came out after his death). He published the Watchtower because he had the funds to do so and simply published what they were learning at the outset of their bible study. Some of it has, indeed, been found inaccurate but at least the Watchtower Society admits its wrongs and makes corrections asap.
He died and his followers came to be called "Russellites" (still a few left in Eastern USA). Jehovah's Witnesses are something else
2006-11-22 04:50:01 · 9 answers · asked by krobin 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
CT Russell never claimed to be a prophet, he never claimed that God "spoke to him" or that he had a vision. He was simply a sincere bible student that shared what he was learning with others and was open to hearing what others found in their own studies of the scriptures. He was simply a humble bible student that fought for truth when he found it. I respect that.
A bit different than "founders" or "cult leaders".
He'd freak out if he was resurrected today and heard people call him that.
2006-11-22 06:20:15 · update #1
Selar, your "answer" has nothing to do with this question since, as indicated in the question, CTR never SAW a NWT of the Bible.
There is an answer provided here to your claim and there was one provided a day or two ago if you want to search for it. The NWT is not the only one that words it properly.
2006-11-22 07:05:26 · update #2
Jehovah's Witnesses love their God and love their "neighbors".
Each Witness's study of the Scriptures has helped him to clearly understand God's requirements for salvation, as well as Christ's command for Christians to publicly preach:
(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
Each Witness's personal experiences help to convince her that the Scriptural Good News of Jesus Christ will actually improve the lives of her neighbors, not just in the afterlife or after Armageddon, but even in this existing system of things:
(Hebrews 4:12) For the word of God is alive and exerts power
As individuals, Jehovah's Witnesses are students of the bible. They well know that some of their early brothers made mistakes, just as Noah and Moses and David and Peter and Paul made mistakes. Yet the totality of what each Witness has learned from the bible makes him feel as Peter did:
(John 6:67,68) Jesus said to the twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life
Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses are able to appreciate their spiritual heritage while recognizing that their spiritual forebears were imperfect. Charles Taze Russell wrote many intelligent analyses of bible topics, but he also was imperfect. Slandering a man dead nearly a century seems dishonest and picayune.
(Philippians 3:12) Not that I have already received it or am already made perfect, but I am PURSUING to see if I may also lay hold on that [emphasis added]
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://watchtower.org/e/20030815/
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/article_02.htm
2006-11-22 06:53:03 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Watchtower Society has devoted their entire history to bashing all other religions, with the most recent tract campaign a case in point. The Watchtower has bashed Joseph Smith, bashed individual popes and so forth. So why does it offend you when others criticize Russell?
I personally think Russell was well intentioned, even if a bit misguided. Rutherford was the one to make the changes to the Watchtower Society of most damage. Rutherford did claim divine guidance from Angels.
The Golden Age 1933 November 8 p.69
“God uses angels to teach His people now on earth.”
Preparation p.64
“Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah... and is given to the faithful anointed.... the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones.”
2006-11-23 01:49:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
So many people do not realize that the only Bible Witnesses used to teach others was the King James Version, before the New World Translation was published in the 1950's. Thousands became Witnesses using the KJV, including my mother. When you have the truth, it does'nt matter what translation you use. Jehovah enlightens his people to see it.
2006-11-22 13:07:10 · answer #3 · answered by Micah 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is called "Ad Hominem" because they have no answer for the truths we teach. Instead, they vainly try to discredit the people Jehovah has used, both in the past and the present!
Not surprising, because Jesus warned us ahead of time that people would reproach us and lyingly say all kinds of wicked things against us because we are trying to obey him. (Matthew 5:11)
ADDED in Regard to comments by Selar:
It is funny the accusation made by Selar. The same people who accuse us of mistranslating John 1:1 do not realize that in the Greek the exact same grammatical structure is found in Acts 28:4.
The Greek for John 1:1 says “… and god was the word.” NWT renders this “… the Word was a god.” KJV renders this “… the Word was God.”
Acts 28:4 in Greek is “… murderer is the man.” The NWT and the KJV render this in English as: “… the man is a murderer.”
Why is the KJV not consistent? Is it perhaps because of their Trinitarian bias? Hmmm!
2006-11-22 12:54:48 · answer #4 · answered by Abdijah 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
that is the problem with people who know nothing about us as Jehovah Witnesses. they even call us a cult which I am getting tired of them saying. instead of getting to know us, they rather tell lies.. we are inperfect like anyone else but all they seem to do in talk bad about Jehovah Witnesses. they even make jokes about Jehovah Witnesses on tv. Jehovah Witnesses did not change the bible. we don't use the king james because no one talks like that. our bible talks the way everyone talks. remember Jesus said that they hated him so we can understand why they will hate us.
2006-11-22 12:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
That is not true. Russell was the founder of what is Today called Jehovah's Witnesses.
2006-11-22 12:57:26 · answer #6 · answered by Minister 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God....
Ah but the JW changed that didn't they? Changed it to suit there needs. Why don't you read up on the fact the guy who translated your Bible admitted to not knowing the language of the original scriptures.
2006-11-22 12:56:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
This tidbit gives many the clarity they're looking for. It puts JW origins in the stream of time, which aids comprehension of where/how they surfaced as an organization.
2006-11-22 12:56:40 · answer #8 · answered by Zeera 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. . . . A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:18, 20)
2006-11-22 12:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by tillah519 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋