“I always look forward to reading the feature “From Our Readers.” I’m just amazed at the tactfulness you show in your responses. If there is a misprint or error, you humbly admit it. Yet, no matter how upset a reader may become, you never back down from the truth of God’s Word. And you even have a sense of humor! I got a nice chuckle from your response under the item “Mistaken Identity” in the February 22, 1991, issue. (Awake March 8, 1992 pg. 30)
Curious about the validity of this statement I typed “we apologize” in the search box of the Watchtower CD Library. As a result, I found 11 instances of apologies and or acknowledgments of mistakes. Here are a selection of the results:
“I was a little disappointed and dismayed to see “adult diapers” mentioned in the article. The term is very demeaning to anyone who is in the situation of having to wear protective underwear. Not one of the commercial packages containing “protective helps” uses the word diaper.
Name withheld, United States
“Awake!” responds: Thank you for bringing this point to our attention. Our heart goes out to anyone who is dealing with serious health problems, and we certainly do not want to add to a person’s suffering by using terms that some may consider to be demeaning. We apologize for any distress this may have caused our readers. (Awake June 2012 pg. 29)
“Art Error? I was in the hospital reading the January 8, 2000, issue, with the cover series “Bloodless Medicine and Surgery—The Growing Demand,” when a senior cardiologist and a team of students came in. He said that the EKG (electrocardiogram) strip on the cover was backward.
J. T., England
The strip appeared as an artistic device. It was shown to some health-care workers before its publication; however, the consensus among other medical personnel who have seen the drawing since then is that it was drawn incorrectly. We apologize for the error.—ED. (Awake December 8, 2000 pg. 30)
“Photo Mix-Up The series “Science Fiction—A Glimpse Into Our Future?” (December 8, 1995) was thoroughly enjoyable. However, the picture of Jules Verne on page 3 would seem to be that of William Morris, a 19th-century artist and writer.
R. G., United States
A number of readers caught this mistake. A clerical error was made, and our file photo of William Morris was mislabeled. We apologize for the mix-up.—ED. (Awake September 8, 1996 pg. 30)
“Harpy Eagle?
In your issue of November 22, 1986, you featured a story entitled “‘The Snatcher’ Lives Up to Its Name.” The picture on page 20 of the article, which the Zoological Society of San Diego provided, is not a Harpy Eagle. It is a Guiana Crested Eagle. The Harpy Eagle is the world’s largest eagle, and you have disgraced it by showing a picture of a spindly-legged, snake-eating bird.
N. R., United States
We have received from the Zoological Society of San Diego the following: “I’m sorry to report that the photo you ran as a Harpy Eagle is indeed a Crested Eagle, Morphnus guianensis. Apparently, the two birds are very much alike in appearance . . . It would take a very sharp eye to tell the difference . . . [We] apologize for the misidentification. We make the utmost effort to properly identify our photos and we appreciate it being called to our attention if there is a question.”—ED. (Awake May 8, 1987 pg. 28)[1]
As can be seen, these all appear in the series “From Our Readers” in the Awake magazine. Does this mean that mistakes only occur in articles presented in the Awake? No.
“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. (The Watchtower February 2017 study edition pg. 26 par. 12)
In fact, this is not the only time this frank admission is made.
Admit-a-MistakeJehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19. (Awake March 22, 1993 pg. 4)
This does, however, raise the question if they admit they can err in doctrinal or organizational direction why don’t they apologize for those errors as well?
Instead of admitting their mistakes why are they listed as beliefs clarified? Why in the very next paragraph are they treated as rather than mistakes or errors but as evidence of divine guidance as if God considered them truths originally but just made it easier for others to see?
“Evidence of holy spirit. The holy spirit has helped the Governing Body to grasp Scriptural truths not previously understood. For example, reflect on the list of beliefs clarified that was referred to in the preceding paragraph. Surely, no human deserves credit for discovering and explaining these “deep things of God”! (Read 1 Corinthians 2:10.) The Governing Body echoes the apostle Paul, who wrote: “These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:13) After centuries of apostasy and spiritual darkness, can anything other than holy spirit explain the rapid increase in spiritual understanding since 1919? (The Watchtower February 2017 study edition pgs. 26-27 par. 13)
Clearly, if Holy Spirit was needed to clarify the printed information it must have formerly been erroneous. So why not apologize for past mistakes? The Watchtower comments on what a failure to admit mistakes reveals about a person:
“Many people equate humility with humiliation. World rulers seem to feel this way. Although entire nations submit to their will, political leaders shrink from the challenge of humbly admitting their errors. Hearing a ruler say, “I am sorry” is newsworthy. When a former government official recently apologized for his failure in a fatal disaster, his words made headlines.
Note how one dictionary defines humility: “The quality of being humble or having a lowly opinion of oneself . . . the opposite of pride or haughtiness.” So humility describes the view that a person has of himself, not the opinion that others have of him. Humbly admitting his mistakes and sincerely asking for forgiveness does not humiliate a man; rather, it enhances his reputation. The Bible states: “Before a crash the heart of a man is lofty, and before glory there is humility.”—Proverbs 18:12.
Regarding politicians who do not apologize for their errors, one observer said: “Unfortunately they seem to think that such an admission is a sign of weakness. Weak and insecure people hardly ever say, ‘Sorry.’ It is large-hearted and courageous people who are not diminished by saying, ‘I made a mistake.’” The same is true for those without political power. (The Watchtower March 1, 2005 pgs. 6-7)
Could the same also be true of the governing body? It was reported by Karl Klein member of the governing body that former president J.F. Rutherford once admitted making an ass of himself .
“Regarding his misguided statements as to what we could expect in 1925, he once confessed to us at Bethel, “I made an ass of myself.” (The Watchtower October 1, 1984 pg. 24)
However, why was this admission never printed in the Watchtower for the benefit of all the persons who were expecting the end to come in that year as a result of his dogmatic assertions? What are we to conclude about Rutherford and his admission when we learn that he later went on to have Beth Sarim built as a temporary residence of the “princes” that would soon be resurrected?
“House of the Princes”
Brother Rutherford had a severe case of pneumonia after his release from unjust imprisonment in 1919. Thereafter, he had only one good lung. In the 1920’s, under a doctor’s treatment, he went to San Diego, California, and the doctor urged him to spend as much time as possible there. From 1929 on, Brother Rutherford spent the winters working at a San Diego residence he had named Beth-Sarim. Beth-Sarim was built with funds that were a direct contribution for that purpose. The deed, which was published in full in “The Golden Age” of March 19, 1930, conveyed this property to J. F. Rutherford and thereafter to the Watch Tower Society.
Concerning Beth-Sarim, the book “Salvation,” published in 1939, explains: “The Hebrew words ‘Beth Sarim’ mean ‘House of the Princes’; and the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house was that there might be some tangible proof that there are those on earth today who fully believe God and Christ Jesus and in His kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of the visible affairs of earth.” (Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaimer’s of God’s Kingdom pg. 76)
In fact, the belief in this prophecy was so certain that the names of some of the resurrected ones were even included on the deed and was used by the Watchtower society until after the death of Rutherford. The Proclaimer’s book continues:
“A few years after Brother Rutherford’s death, the board of directors of the Watch Tower Society decided to sell Beth-Sarim. Why? “The Watchtower” of December 15, 1947, explained: “It had fully served its purpose and was now only serving as a monument quite expensive to keep; our faith in the return of the men of old time whom the King Christ Jesus will make princes in ALL the earth (not merely in California) is based, not upon that house Beth-Sarim, but upon God’s Word of promise.”
At the time, it was believed that faithful men of old times, such as Abraham, Joseph, and David, would be resurrected before the end of this system of things and would serve as “princes in all the earth,” in fulfillment of Psalm 45:16. This view was adjusted in 1950, when further study of the Scriptures indicated that those earthly forefathers of Jesus Christ would be resurrected after Armageddon.—See “The Watchtower,” November 1, 1950, pages 414-17. (The Proclaimer’s book pg. 76)
The view was adjusted but, to my knowledge there was never an apology printed. What can be said about an organization that would admit to mistakes that cause only minor disturbances to a few of its readers, such as using the term “adult diapers”, yet fail to apologize for such a monumental blunder that affected the lives of millions?
Yet, this is not the only mistake that was corrected without an apology issued. The official position of the Watch Tower Society against allowing brothers who were conscientious objectors to accept alternative service developed in the early 1940s during the Second World War. It was reasoned since this service was offered in place of military service and since military service involved the shedding of blood, then anyone accepting the substitute became “bloodguilty.” Failure to adhere to this policy would mean being viewed automatically as “disassociated” for involving oneself in what was termed non-neutral activity and being treated the same as if disfellowshiped.
Contributing to this view was the interpretation beginning in 1929 with J.F. Rutherford that the superior authorities mentioned in Romans 13:1, rather than being secular governments, were said to be Jehovah and Jesus Christ. In an article entitled: “Subjection to the Higher Powers” the Watchtower stated:
“In view of not recognizing worldly political powers as the “superior authorities” ordained by God, but recognizing only God and Jesus Christ to be such now, the Christian witnesses conscientiously refrain from taking part in the politics of this world, yes, even from voting. (The Watchtower November 15, 1950 pg. 445 par. 21)
Prior to this, C.T. Russell taught that the superior authorities were human governments. However, this view was changed back to what Russell taught in 1995:
“The Watchtower of November 15 and of December 1, 1962, shed clear light on the subject in discussing Jesus’ words at Matthew 22:21: “Pay back . . . Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” Relevant were the apostles’ words at Acts 5:29: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” Christians are subject to Caesar—“the higher powers”—only so long as this does not require that the Christian go contrary to God’s law. Subjection to Caesar was seen to be relative, not absolute. Christians pay back to Caesar only what does not conflict with God’s requirements. How satisfying it was to have clear light on that subject! (The Watchtower May 15, 1995 pg. 22 par. 5)
Terry Walstrom was incarcerated for refusing non combatant military service from 1967-1969 beginning in Tarrant County lock up in Fort Worth Texas and ending in Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution. In his book entitled: “I Wept By the Rivers of Babylon” he writes:
“If you understand nothing else, try to understand this one thing. In this religion, like a marriage, you bind and intertwine your life in such a way your own personal preferences fade to second place. Your commitment and your loyalty define you among your peers. Loyalty to the Governing Body is more important than a simple choice of right or wrong. Loyalty: friend- or -foe identification affects everything. They may be wrong but, in the long run, you simply accept it. Why? So much trust has been placed in the bona fide authority that these men are being used by Jehovah. It is no different than a child who trusts his parent even though what is being asked sounds far-fetched. You simply shrug and do as you are told in total trust.” (pgs. 60-61)
Describing his experience in the county jail he writes:
“How can I really place you in there with me and make it feel more real? Let’s try this: First, put away your cellphone and your laptop and turn off your TV. Throw out comfort: no chairs or couches or a bed with mattress. Get rid of your kitchen, groceries, restaurants, snacks or candy. You cannot drive your car. You will not go outside. You cannot turn off the lights. Day and night look the same in a crowded room with people who have nothing to say that interests you. Conversation is impossible. There are no friends of family. You won’t see the face of a baby or a child or woman for years! County jail is a grave where the corpses still blink!
Noise never ends and you’ll learn to sleep when you’re too exhausted not to. There is no color and there will be no beauty or music or art; only what you’ve stored in your own heart before you walked inside. Okay? Have I made it clear enough? It isn’t TV jail or movie jail.
Jail is leaning on hard surfaces for hours at a time and squatting without new thoughts for days on end. Jail is trying not to breathe while breathing just enough to stay alive. Jail is living at the bottom of the drain with matted hair and split rotten teeth.
Jail is for cheaters, thieves and molesters, bullies, sober drunks and dangerous creeps. There is no safe distance or personal space or intermission to the s-t-r-e-t-c-h-ing elasticity of time.
Jail is not for 20 year old virgin Christian boys who never hurt a fly. So, why do I think God wants me in here? I mean, really? Am I supposed to persuade somebody here of something? (pgs. 63-64)
He went on to describe the frantic begging and sobbing of an inmate as he was being sexually abused and then later on in the book the humiliating experience of his own rape.
The May 1, 1996, Watchtower reversed this policy. In an article titled “Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar,”it stated:
“However, there are lands where the State, while not allowing exemption for ministers of religion, nevertheless acknowledges that some individuals may object to military service. Many of these lands make provision for such conscientious individuals not to be forced into military service. In some places a required civilian service, such as useful work in the community, is regarded as nonmilitary national service. Could a dedicated Christian undertake such service? Here again, a dedicated, baptized Christian would have to make his own decision on the basis of his Bible-trained conscience. (The Watchtower May 1, 1996 pg.19 par. 16)
During the over 50 year span of time that this policy was in force, many Christians were imprisoned because of not being allowed to make their own decision on the basis of his Bible trained conscience and choose alternative service.
Yet no apology was ever issued to Terry Walstrom or any of those brothers that suffered.
Does it not seem odd that an organization would admit mistakes involving an incorrectly labeled calendar, an art error, a photo mix up, or an incorrect animal or bird and receive praise for humbly doing so and yet not mention a word about mistakes seriously affecting the freedom, health, indeed the very lives of its members?
[1] See also Awake July 2011 pg. 23; Awake September 2009 pg. 29; Awake May 8, 2002 pg. 30; Awake December 22, 2002 pg. 30; Awake February 8, 2000 pg. 30; Awake June 22, 1995 pg. 30; Awake February 8, 1986 pg. 28