The Watchtower Society
(WTS) advises against association with the occult, including spiritism,
astrology, necromancy, mysticism and other similar beliefs and practices
condemned in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 18:9-11)
For example:
The Flood
forced the disobedient angels to dematerialize, and, now separated from Jehovah's holy organization,
they became an invisible demonic organization under Satan's
domination. (Ephesians 6:12) In order to control mankind, they use spiritism, necromancy, astrology
and other occult devices. Although unable to take on human form again, they
often possess humans, animals and inanimate things such as fetishes. The
Watchtower 1984 March 15, p. 28-29
Let's examine whether
the WTS has followed its own advice and avoided spiritism, necromancy, and
astrology.
Necromancy
Necromancy refers
to divination through alleged communication with the dead.
After Charles Russell
the first president of WTS died in 1916 the following was said about him keeping
contact with the WTS:
This verse
(Revelation 8:3) shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing
every feature of the harvest work…We hold that he supervises, by the Lord's
arrangement, the work yet to be done.
The Finished Mystery 1917 pp. 144, 256
Hence our dear Pastor,
now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest
work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon.
Watch Tower 1917, November 1 p. 6161 [ WTS's reprints]
The second president of
the WTS Joseph Rutherford under whose aegis the above two statements were made,
later contradicted them:
No one of
the temple company would be so foolish as to conclude that some brother (or
brethren) at one time amongst them, and who has died and gone to heaven, is
now instructing
the saints on earth and directing them as to their work.
Jehovah 1934 p. 191
However, in a complete
flip-flop the WTS in 1989 reverted back to their necromantic belief:
It is fitting,
then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven,
should stir John's thinking…(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate
the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders
group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.
Revelation – Its Grand climax At Hand! 1989 p. 125
Spiritism
Charles Russell believed
that "A truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by
God…Accept truth wherever you find it, no matter what it contradicts." (Zion's
Watch Tower 1879 July pp. 8-9) In similar vein the WTS of today also uses
any sources at their disposal to confirm their "truth", notwithstanding that
Russell's statement is condemned in the Bible! (John 8:44)
Although rejecting
spiritism the WTS repeatedly used the writings, of a known spiritist Johannes
Greber, as a scholarly support for their beliefs. The WTS was aware of
Greber's spiritistic connections from 1955 but continued to use his works until
1987 (particularly to support their incorrect translation of John 1:1)
while at the same time denying that they were aware of Greber's
spiritistic practices! (Investigator No. 24, May 1992.) After being exposed
for the use of Greber's works the WTS apparently stopped using
him.
WTS has however
found another spirit medium in one John S. Thompson to support their John 1:1
translation! He is listed as an authority in the WTS's Kingdom Interlinear Translation
1985 p. 1139-1140. Research in Thompson's book, The Monotessaron, or The
Gospel History, According to the Four Evangelists (1829) shows that
his inspiration and direction came from the spirit world!
Demons
The WTS has always
had a morbid fascination with the subjects of demons and Jehovah's Witnesses
(JW) have developed tremendous fear of demons and Satan. Russell used to write
about spirit manifestations. (eg. Zion's Watch Tower 1907 October 1 p.
4069 WTS reprints)
Recent Watchtower
publications also have warnings and instructions on how to deal with demons
and demonized objects, shunning omens and "voices", rejecting modern
"demonized" music, resisting wicked spirits etc. (The Watchtower 1974
June 1 p.328; 1983 October 15 pp. 11-15; 1963 March 15 pp. 186-190)
Jerry Bergman in his
book Jehovah's Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Health (1992) relates
case histories showing how the WTS is seriously demon-oriented.
There have been numerous
cases where a JW was perceived by the WTS elders to be demon-possessed.
The elders then frequently take charge of the unfortunate situation and
enter the house of the "possessed" JW and systematically start to destroy by
burning whatever objects which they think are devil-related! This Shamanistic
practice would result in the destruction of crosses, rosaries, pictures,
books, heirlooms and even items like blankets, furniture and clothing if acquired
from someone or a body which is considered by the elders to be in league
with Satan!
Havor Montague
in his article The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on Mental Health: The case
of Jehovah's Witnesses states that he "has worked with many cases where
the suggestion of "demon influence" has been the factor that has caused the
neurotic witness to become a complete psychotic." (p. 144)
Astrology
WTS regularly condemns
astrology and star worship as pagan.
(Awake! 1994 July 8 pp. 3-7)
But, for 62 years (1891-1953)
the WTS taught that God resided on star Alcyone, which was the eternal throne
of God, and from there he governed the universe. Also the Great Pyramid, of
Egypt, which was also considered by the WTS as God's Stone Witness, provided
additional proof of the location God's throne on the star Alcyone. (Studies
in the Scriptures Volume 3 1891 pp. 313-369; Reconciliation 1928
p. 14) At the WTS's burial lots in near Pittsburgh City a large pyramid
shaped monument is erected near Russell's grave, seven feet high and nine feet
across with the Knight Templar logo atop the pyramid.
Astrology and
planetary positions were used to support the WTS's predictions of the
"long promised era" to start by 1914.
(The Watchtower 1903 May 1 p. 3184 WTS
reprints)
The three Magis, who
came to visit the new born Jesus, are considered by the WTS as pagans because
they came "from eastern parts" which was the then centre of occult worship and
because they depended on astrology (a star) to guide them! (The Watchtower 1983 October 15 pp. 11-15)
For more details regarding
WTS astrology connection refer Investigator No. 41, March 1995.
WTS and the Freemasons
Fritz Springmeier in
his book The Watchtower and the Masons presents a convincing
insight in WTS's early connection with the occultic Freemasons.
The following are a
few of the parallels between the two organizations presented by Springmeier.
· Jehovah is the most important word being the basis of their dogma, and the name
of their God.
· Both use the Masonic term "Great Architect"
· Both believe God yielded power to a lesser god.
· Both
believe in a future life for all mankind, a new Golden Age.
· Both
emphasize continuing revelation.
· Both
see an exclusiveness to truth.
Russell used the Egyptian
Trinity Winged Sun-Disk on his books and tracts. This use of the Sun-Disk is similar
to 33 degree Masonic Knights Templar
logo. (Springmeier p. 111-115)
Communication with
Angels
Joseph Rutherford the
second president of the WTS believed his spiritual enlightenment came from angels
because the Holy Spirit had ceased functioning since 1918. The angels channeled
information into his mind from God residing on the star Alcyone. (Preservation 1932 pp.51; 201-203; Watchtower 1931 November 1 p. 327; The Watchtower 1934 April 1 p. 105)
Finally a quote from The Occult (Colin Wilson 1979):
The artist…sees
clearly that the 'solution' to the curious pointlessness of most human existence is not another
life but the occasional moments of ecstatic intensity and control when
this universe seems infinitely interesting and the idea of eternal life, in
this universe, entirely delightful. This is an idea that can be
found in Russian mysticism - in Fedorov, Dostoevsky, Rozanov - that
eternal life means life on this earth, not in another world. The Jehovah's Witnesses
oddly enough hold a similar doctrine: that after the Day of Judgment, the earth
will turn into Paradise. (p. 762) (Italics in bold added)
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