APOLOGY

(Investigator 143, 2012 March)


JWs BELIEVE IN APOLOGIZING

The Watchtower (2002 November 1) asks "Why Is It So Hard to Apologize?" 

The Watchtower
(1972 November 1) says "Be big enough to admit a mistake."

And Awake! magazine says: "Sorry seems to be the hardest word… Try being the first to say it." (1982 February 22, page 19)


Some former Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) have apologized to the public:


I DECEIVED PEOPLE

The Florida Times-Union reported:
Falkner will not forgive himself for his actions of the past 38 years.

He regrets decisions he made that hinged on the Jehovah's Witnesses and changed his life and that of his family. He’s sorry he chose not to go to college and he’s sorry he made the same decision for his sons.

And worst of all, Falkner said…he misled the hundreds of people he convinced to become Jehovah's Witnesses and the thousands of people that he tried to recruit.

"I have been a false prophet," Falkner said. "I have deceived people. I have made a jackass out of myself."

Falkner now spends much of his time trying to build up the business he neglected for years… "I want to make up to my sons for what I have done to them." (1987, August 1)

I BECAME A FALSE PROPHET

Another apology appeared in The Fannin County Special of Texas.

Titled PUBLIC APOLOGY it started off:

To my friends and neighbours in Fannin County from Ralph Deal, Former local representative of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; Jehovah's Witnesses

For over 22 years, since 1963, many of you will recall my frequent visits to your home, in support of the views of Jehovah's Witnesses. Because I was particularly active in this work from 1963-1975, I appreciate your kindness and patience in listening to my presentations at your door…

The Watchtower alluded to the year 1975 as the end of the world, and when it failed to materialize, I realized that I had indeed become a false prophet to you. Several years after this much-promoted "end of the world" failed to come in 1975, the Watchtower Society revised its largest selling book, "The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life" (published in 115 languages, 100-million copies). This revision was necessary so that the comments alluding to 1975 could be removed. Add to this, the fact that during those 22 years, more than 20 local residents were lured into becoming Jehovah's Witnesses because of my ministry… (1985, July 30)

HOW WRONG I WAS!

Todd Mitchell of Utah commenced his "Public Apology" with:
This is a public apology to the people of Salt Lake County, Utah. I have been guilty of pushing the publications of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Brooklyn, New York. For 17 years I did so in good faith, having been programmed by their meetings and publications to believe that Jehovah's Witnesses alone had the truth to give the world. How wrong I was!

In recent years many changes have occurred to their major doctrines and chronological dating system. As I examined the publications I found that not one of the many prophecies put forth in God's name had ever come true. (See Deuteronomy 18:20-22) Even their pivotal date of 1914 didn't produce what was originally expected and has been shown to be chronologically wrong!! (Outreach Tidbits 1998, February)


I HAVE LOST FAITH

In South Australia a statement "To all Jehovah's Witnesses" began:
Regarding my relationship to the Watchtower Society:
My decision has been made after much prayerful study of the Bible and sleepless nights and great concern. I have lost faith in the organisation because Deuteronomy 18:21-22 states, "And in case you should say in your heart, how shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken? When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him." …
(Southern Times Messenger 1987, May 20)


JW LEADERS — WEAK OR STRONG?

The Watchtower notes, "Weak and insecure people hardly ever say 'sorry'." (2005 March 1, page 6)

Observe that it's ex-JWs who are apologizing, not JWs themselves despite believing in apology.

So what about the Governing Body of JWs? Have they admitted all the errors of their sect and said 'sorry'?

BS 

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