This is not a question but a forum for you to express your own bigoted views. Don't ask and answer a question, in the question: "Has the "truth" changed? Every decade when the world does not end their views change!" In my opinion this question counts as trolling. In the words of Stableboy, trolling includes: "Posting 'loaded questions' on sensitive topics, like religion and politics. Examples are 'why is G. Bush such an idiot?'. Questions which scream out your rigid opinion on a controversial topic." - http://tinyurl.com/yrxsj5 Generic information about trolling can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/yyab85 ----- The above reasoning is why I have rated down this question. COMMENTS noletters, I have no problem with people asking critical questions, but this was not a question. When you wrote: "Has the 'truth' changed? Every decade when the world does not end their views change!" you were not asking a valid question, you were attacking JW's. Now I couldn't care less what you think about JW's, but I do care about people treating others on AB with respect and I do care about fighting intolerance. Next time if you don't want a -ve rating and a repeat of this fiasco, just leave your bigoted opinion out of the question. This would have been OK if you wrote: "If JW's have the 'truth' and the holy spirit guides them why have they made false prophecies about Armageddon? Has the 'truth' changed?" To make it even better you could have written an answer/addition to your own question listing examples of false prophecies. [...] That would still be "hard hitting". ----- Re: "If you can find where I put something false in my question then I will gladly change it or even put up an apology." I really don't care about the question and if it is true or false. I neither agree or disagree. I care about *the way* you are asking your question.

The serious answer to what seems like a less than serious question is this: The doctrinal and moral standards of the Bible have remained the same from the time of Genesis being written, though they have become clearer and fuller with the passage of time and greater revelation. During the dark ages that began with the start of the great apostacy in the 2nd century CE, Bible knowledge became very scarce and the churches wallowed in darkness, taking on manmade and unscriptural teachings galore. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries light began to dawn in a greater way as the last days approached. There was still a mixture of Biblical and manmade teachings among those sincerely seeking truth. Still, some basic doctrines were becoming understood by a few. There was also much anticipation regarding the end of the Gentile times and the last days, including the 'end of the world'. This is because that time was approaching. Charles Russell and his associates were among those coming out of the morass of confusing church teachings and when they became aware of Bible prophecy which most churches avoid digging into to this day, they spoke out on what they believed, based on the available light of the time and their limited understanding. Jesus commanded that his people keep awake and await his arrival with eager expectation. Jehovah's Witnesses have done this to such an extent that sometimes their expectations were premature. It has been like awaiting a much loved and greatly missed friend who has promised to return at some approximate time. How easy it is to jump up and look out the window at every passing headlight and noise outside. Is it better to say, "I think he's here! Oh, no, guess not." or to sleep away without caring that the master might come any moment and promised to come at the hour least expected? I remember the whole 1975 thing and how some read much more into it than was ever said officially. Those whose main concern is personal salvation hate to have any disappointment while waiting for their own relief to come. Those who love the truth and are more concerned about the sanctification of God's name, eagerly announce that the end is near and may even venture a wrong guess now and then. Each one must judge the value of this.

I am only aware of one time when people within the Jehovah's Witness organization anticipated a set date in the mid 70's. After that, there have been no 'false prophecies'. The truth hasn't changed, just ones understanding of what the truth is. Armageddon is still coming, that truth hasn't changed... you just cannot put a date on when it is coming, no one on Earth knows when it is coming, but there are signs in the bible of what to look for. JW's haven't been the only ones who mistakingly set a date, but they've only made that mistake once, and were humbled by it. They fess up to their mistakes, and change when necessary.

They only had ONE wrong date??!! Better do your personal study! There have been several years. One of the more interesting scenarios has involved beth-sarim in California.

Like most prophecies, that come up short, they simply find another date to annoy people with.

Matthew 20:16 For the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. Jesus speaking: Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father. 1Thessalonians 5:1-3 But of the times and the occasions, brethern, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as pains upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

C-U-L-T. My 2 cents.

I've been giving this question a lot of thought. While the slant is clearly bigoted, the question in its purest sense is valid. I was an active Witness in the 1970's and still am. I remember the late 60's and 70's very well. I have also gone back and reviewed Watchtower literature and convention talks from the era. Something becomes very clear. Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole and the Watchtower Society particularly didn NOT say that the end would come in 1975. The closest statements i've detected are, '1975 marks the end of 6000 years of man's history; it might be appropriate to see the beginning of the Millenium coincide with that time.' 'With 1975 marking the end of 6000 years of human history, it is POSSIBLE that it would als see the end of this wicked system of things.' Various persons read more into this than was said, just as they often did the Scriptures themselves. I know many of them personally. Of those who changed their lifestyles in order to devote more time to the preaching and disciple-making work, very few were disappointed. Others, who went into debt and bought items of comfort, thinking they wouldn't need to repay the debt, became not just disappointed, but very disgruntled. They believed JWs had let them down. The early 70's saw great growth in the number of persons baptized as Witnesses. Many of them had 'hung on' the fringes of our organization until they thought the end was nigh and so 'got off the fence' and were baptized. In the following years, they made it plain that their chief concern was personal salvation and relief. When this didn't come as they expected, they drifted away or left to join various 'born again' groups. While there are many sincere, self-sacrificing people who have come forward in various religions to 'get saved', most that i've talked to show a selfish spirit, their own salvation being the most important thing in life. Those disillusioned JWs who cared more about their own welfare than glorifying Jehovah left to take up this way of thinking and often their greatest work has been to tear down JWs. So, 1975 clearly was a pivotal year. It has helped to separate those who dedicate themselves to serve their Creator forever, come what may, from those who care only about what they can get from it. JWs are not pew sitters. We are active serving God. Those who don't want to share the harvest work, don't stick with us. there's your answer.