The "new light" never extinguishes the old "light", but adds to it - C.T. Russell, WT February 1881

[Pudgy]

As an aside … I am responding to The Librarian…..

[Srecko Sostar]

Did Pastor Russell start destroying his books after he realized there were errors in them? Did Pastor Russell withdraw his book from circulation and start issuing new editions with altered text because he concluded that there were inaccuracies in the original edition?

Does WTJWorg change the content of its digital "spiritual food", leaving no indication that the changes have been made or warning its readers that such a change is about to happen?

13 hours ago, Fausto Hoover said:

On the other hand, if our "progress" has led to a restricted view of the grace and love of Jehovah, if in our new understanding we have reached the conclusion that only those will be blessed who agree with us and accept the message which, at the best, we are able to present imperfectly, then we have retrogressed, and the glorious light of the true knowledge of God as it shines in the face of Jesus Christ is far Out in front, while we have been left behind In the darkness. 

If there has been a change in CT Russell's status at WTJWorg in the meantime, that is a problem with today's leadership. But the appearance of Russell was for a long time JW's proof that YHVH through Russell is "restoring true worship" on Earth. This part of the Russell quote you posted supports the public lie Geoffrey Johnson told in his testimony before the ARC.

From both texts/statements it appears that WTJWorg is not the only organization or group of believers that "possess the truth", but that the truth can be found among people who are not part of them.
It is evident that such "religious truth" is not taught in JW congregations nor is it found on any digital content of your official site.

So here the main issue is not about who said it wrong or correctly, but it is about concealing historical accuracy and denying the manipulation of information that almost imperceptibly disappears from the screen.

Few, if any, JW people download digital material and create their own archives. Because of this, they cannot be able to compare things. They can only rely on their memory. And after a while they will begin to convince themself that they are misremembering or that they saw the wrong letters and words while reading. In this way, the WTJWorg Corporation does mental and psychological damage to its followers because it makes them insecure and unstable in themselves. How could you not, when you read one thing today, and tomorrow it's not there or it's written differently. It is really a method of "theocratic war" against one's own "soldiers of Christ".

[Srecko Sostar]

5 hours ago, The Librarian said:

Just because Charles Taze Russell wrote those words... it doesn't make it "gospel" so to speak.

Obviously there have been many changes over the last century of which we are all well aware.

And obviously... CT Russell was mistaken. Not the first time. Doesn't make his work, ministry and contributions any less important.

Just my 2 cents

p.s. - it is always unfair to judge the people of past decades and centuries using current knowledge. In that time period he was revolutionary and turning over quite a number of entrenched beliefs and eccliesiastical structures that were in place.

You have written many good things.

But then, JW people should ask themselves why they today think that the words of the GB are as powerful as the "gospel"? Why are they obliged to follow doctrines and instructions that not only appear but are demonstrably unreasonable, from a human point of view. Because the human point of view is the only one we have. We do not have God's point of view. Only God has that. We have an interpretation of what we think, or believe, or claim to be God's point of view.

[Srecko Sostar]

What Russell said in 1881, that the "new light" never cancels the "old light" is very reasonable from a human point of view. Under one condition. That the "old light" was correct and true.

Let's say it with the help of an organ transplant illustration. The "Old Light of Truth" condemned organ transplantation, calling the act cannibalism. The "New Light of Truth" completely denied that view and to this day says that it is a matter of individual conscience.

If "today's truth" is correct then the "old light of truth" was the "old lie" and was not "light" but "darkness". It's the same thing with hundreds of "clarified beliefs". There is no room for claims about progress. These doctrines are rejected delusions or lies (or at least that's what they now claim to be delusions).

Because the rejected dogmas were never even "New Light" in the past tense when they appeared. When the GB rejected the old "new light" they automatically declared it as "false teaching" (announcement without announcement). These false teachings were then a full part of "true worship". Face it, please.

[Pudgy]

“Soldiers of Christ”, and Soldiers of Nations have very similar missions … to change the world to more conform to the wishes of the Government they represent.

The problem Earthly Theocracy and Earthly Nations have is the same  … their leadership is deeply flawed and often only marginally competent.

As each pursues it’s missions there will ALWAYS be massive, unintended casualties. It’s the nature of all organizations, and there is no way that can’t happen. 

There is an adage that goes “Never attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence”. That includes ignorance, agenda driven thinking, greed, vanity, stubbornness, and the list goes on and on.

We see this as “Monday morning quarterbacks”, but any carefully considered plan of action beforehand often shatters upon first contact with reality.  

The Universe has its own rules.

Consider the Governing Body as if they were a Military High Command, as General Officers whose mission is to direct an invasion of Publishers to an Evil World of humans and make them into Disciples of Christ and worshippers of Jehovah God., 

It’s a tough job, and many mistakes will be made, with many “unnecessay” casualties.

Thats just the way it is, to achieve a victory on the battlefield of ideas, and in both cases, Theocratic and Secular, the same is true … the goal is victory, and it is a battlefield of ideas.

In the midst of World War II, two pivotal Allied operations would come to define the Western Front's path to victory. The first, known as "Operation Overlord," unfolded on June 6, 1944, along the coast of Normandy, France.

This audacious endeavor marked the largest amphibious invasion in history, as thousands of Allied troops stormed the beaches. The toll of D-Day was staggering, with an estimated 10,000 Allied casualties, including those killed, wounded, and missing.

Operation Overlord's success would ultimately serve as a critical turning point in the war, establishing a foothold in Nazi-occupied Europe.

The Society’s Governing Body,  and the Allied Forces  General Staff each have the same problem. They each get a lot of people killed, wounded or missing in action because they themselves are as flawed as the “enemy”.

How can you make this not happen?

You can’t.

However, the road to victory was far from linear. Just a few months later, in September 1944, the Allies launched "Operation Market Garden" in a bold attempt to expedite their advance into Germany. “Bold” in this case meant the operation was stupidly concieved and executed based on bad information, and delusional planners.

This complex operation focused on capturing a series of strategic bridges in the Netherlands, opening a direct path to the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe.

Market Garden's ambitious plan involved a massive airborne assault and ground forces. The cost, though, was substantial, with approximately 17,200 Allied casualties, including those killed, wounded, and missing.. 

Operation Market Garden was marked by both triumphs and setbacks, with the famous "bridge too far" at Arnhem remaining out of Allied hands. Despite its challenges, it showcased the Allies' determination to push deeper into enemy territory.

I see important parallels. You may not.

These two operations, D-Day and Market Garden, played pivotal roles in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany, demonstrating the courage and sacrifice of the Allied forces in their quest for freedom and victory.

You don’t fight a war, or send 8,000,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses into the field without wasted lives, screw-ups, and collateral damage, which means people get hurt and killed because … that’s what happens.

Courage and Sacrifice.

Sometimes you are sacrificed by incompetence, self serving leadership, or just plain stupidity.

That’s ALWAYS the price that has to be paid in the wars of ideas.

Get used to it.

I don’t like it either, but that’s the way reality works.

”Stuff Happens”,

[Pudgy]

Don’t pretend “stuff” doesn’t happen, and didn’t happen that should not have happened out of loyalty to what might have happened right.

Of what value is our faith if it is based on what is not true?

”Stuff Happens”.

[Pudgy]

… and “Old Light” and “New Light” have two things in common .

1.)  Among people who SHOULD be given the benefit of the doubt, never attribute as a lie what can be explained by self-centered daydreaming and wishful thinking.  It may be absolutely wrong, but if they believe it… it is NOT A LIE.

2.)  Neither “Old Light” or “New Light” should be confused with “Bud Light”.

[Pudgy]

Statistically, men die eight years before women die.

Often their last words are, “Hey! watch THIS ! … hold my beer …”.

 

[Pudgy]

Well, Fausto, I had resolved not to waste any more time responding to your silly and distorted rants, which I do read, and think about, but a few minutes ago I ran across this, which accurately answers some of your questions, loaded as they are, about what constitutes “Old Light” and “New Light”.  

It is short, concise, direct and to the point.

[Pudgy]

There is a lot to be said for keeping things short, concise, direct and to the point.

You may want to try it someday ……

 

[Pudgy]

I apologise for failing in my resolve to completely ignore you. I will try to do better…

[Pudgy]

On a separate note, without claiming any inspiration or guidance from God, I am hereby proclaiming as if with a chorus of angelic trumpeteers that … ummmm … Armageddon will occur on …. ummmm … April 16, 2654, at 4:20 PM, at the Pacific Ocean International Dateline.

Yeah …. that’s the ticket!

In lieu of monetary contributions until then … ummmm … nevermind …

Send money!