This is a document with quotes from WT literature.

In all discussions it is important to not misrepresent anyone’s position. That would be a form of deception. Thus to allow the reader to check the veracity of the quotes many of the links below point to the Watchtower Online Library the official website of publications produced by the organization. However, this site only contains materials that go back to 1950. Older Watchtower publications can be found at this site: http://jws.library.one or at another site located at archive.org. The jws-library.one site contains searchable texts of older materials but many of them have misspellings due to automated scanning and OCR problems and haven’t been corrected (yet).

Qualified to be ministers Feb 1, 1967 “8 Be very careful to be accurate in all statements you make. Use evidence honestly. In quotations, do not twist the meaning of a writer or speaker or use only partial quotations to give a different thought than the person intended. Also if you use statistics, use them properly. Statistics can often be used to give a distorted picture.”

Jesus is not the mediator of all christians, only the 144,000. (1986)

*** ws chap. 1 pp. 10-11 par. 16 The Desire for Peace and Security Worldwide ***
16 Just as the ancient nation of Israel was in a covenant relationship with Jehovah God through the mediator Moses, so the nation of spiritual Israel, “the Israel of God,” has a covenant relationship through a mediator. (Galatians 6:16) It is as the apostle Paul wrote to his Christian fellow worker: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) Was Moses the mediator between Jehovah God and mankind in general? No, he was the mediator between the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the nation of their fleshly descendants. Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members. This spiritual nation is like a little flock of Jehovah’s sheeplike ones.— Romans 9:6; Revelation 7:4.

Theocratic warfare

In an internal document, the WTBTS describes one of it’s policies as a “theocratic war strategy”. It claims: “In time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth. It is done unselfishly; it does not harm anyone; on the contrary it does much good.”

*** w57 5/1 p. 285 Use Theocratic War Strategy *** Did she tell a lie? No, she did not. She was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth by action and word for the sake of the ministry. (Watchtower May 1, 1957)

*** w57 4/15 p. 256 THE USE OF THEOCRATIC WAR STRATEGY *** In time of war great effort is made to keep one’s movements or plans from the enemy. To keep the enemy in the dark and divert him from gaining knowledge, war strategy is used. Soldiers for Christ in dealing with enemies of God, who hate truth and want to stop others from learning it, wisely use theocratic war strategy, not to hurt or harm, but to keep the “wolves” from hindering efforts to aid sheeplike people who are hungering for knowledge of truth and righteousness. On meeting “wolves” Christians will use strategy, being wise as serpents yet innocent as doves, in accord with Jesus’ direction at Matthew 10:16. (Watchtower Apr 1, 1957).

Index to Watchtower publications: *** dx30-85 Lies *** distinguished from “theocratic war strategy”: ad 1061; w60 352; w57 285; w56 86-87

WT was an accepted NGO with the UN (associate status from 1992-2001)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/08/religion.world
A letter that was posted on the UN site for a time can be seen here: The letter originally appeared on the United Nations website at un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf and then at ask.un.org/faq/14501. As of 25th May 2022, an archive of the ask.un.org pages can be viewed at web.archive.org/web/20170304073619/http://ask.un.org/faq/14501 and http://web.archive.org/web/20090126152929/http://un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf. It is still available (as of March 2023) at the UN site at this url: https://www.un.org/en/civil-society/watchtowerletter

At some time during the second century C.E., the true Christian congregation began to be overrun by false Christians, who had adopted pagan teachings and who were hiding the truths found in God’s Word. From that time until the late 19th century, there was no organized group of God’s servants on earth. The weeds of false Christianity flourished and hid the identity of true Christians. Source

Thoughts on “the evil slave” Mat 24:45-51. “In effect, Jesus was saying: ‘If the faithful and discreet slave were ever to mistreat his fellow slaves in these ways, this is what the master will do when he arrives.’” ( Watchtower July 15, 2013)

Rutherford condemned those who take away or add “signs” to scripture. Those who ‘hate instruction and east[sic] the Word of the Lord behind them’, who take away from God’s Word of Revelation or who add thereto by adding the signs such as the pyramid of Gizeh, will not understand. “None of the wicked shall understand.” — Ps. 50:17; Dan. 12:10; Rev. 22:19. (Life 1930). Didn’t this condemn Russell who was greatly impressed by the pyramid?

Charles Russell seemed to have no problem worshipping Christ. Even up until 1945 the WT Society used language that included worshipping Christ.

1. 1879 “His position is contrasted with men and angels, as he is Lord of both, having ‘all power in heaven and earth’. Hence it is said, ‘Let all of the angels of God worship him’ [that must included Michael, the chief angel, hence Michael is not the Son of God] and the reason is, because he has ‘by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.’” (C.T. Russell, Watchtower Nov. 1879, bracketed comment in the original)
2. 1880 The foundation was not even laid until Christ was risen - a spiritual being. The building is a spiritual house, and is built on a spiritual rock. The true church has always recognized and worshiped a living spiritual Christ - there is no other. (Watchtower May 1, 1880)
3. 1880 “He was the object of unreproved worship even when a babe, by the wise men who came to see the new-born king… He never reproved any for acts of worship offered to Himself… Had Christ not been more than man the same reason would have prevented Him from receiving worship.” (Watchtower Reprints, 1, Oct., 1880, p. 144).
4. 1881 “Even so now also there are more than two or three who worship Jehovah and His Christ only, and are controlled only by His Word;” (Watchtower Oct 1, 1881)
5. 1898 “Question… Was he really worshipped, or is the translation faulty? Answer. Yes, we believe our Lord while on earth was really worshipped, and properly so… It was proper for our Lord to receive worship…” (Watchtower Reprints, 111, July 15, 1898, p. 2337).
6. 1911 “The exalted Christ is to be honored, yea, worshiped, because the Father has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess to the glory of God the Father.” — Phil. 2:8-11. (Bible Students Monthly May 1911)
7. 1915 “As the special messenger of the Covenant, whom the Father had sanctified and sent into the world to redeem the world, and whom the Father honored in every manner, testifying, ‘This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased’ - it was eminently proper that all who beheld his glory, as the glory of an Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, should reverence him, hear him, obey him, and worship him - do him homage - as the representative of the Father.” (At-One-Ment Between God And Man, 1899; 1915 ed.; p. 134)
8. 1945 “Since Jehovah God now reigns as King by means of his capital organization Zion, then whosoever would worship him must also bow down to Jehovah’s Chief One in that organization, namely Christ Jesus, his co-regent on the throne of The Theocracy.” (Watchtower, Oct 15, 1945)
9. 1945 “The purposes of this Society are: … public Christian worship of Almighty God and Jesus Christ; to arrange for and hold local and world-wide assemblies for such worship…” (Charter of the Watchtower Society of Pennsylvania, Article II, Feb 27, 1945 [the 1969 Yearbook quotes Article II of the Charter, “and for public Christian worship of Almighty God….” leaving off the original requirement to worship Jesus])
10. 1970 “But when He again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ‘And let all God’s angels worship him’ Hebrews 1:6.” (New World Translation, 1950, 1961, 1970 editions, [The NWT revised 1971 edition was changed to read, “do obeisance to” rather than “worship”])

From the book “Millions now living will never die.”

“Every man should be persuaded in his own mind and no man should permit himself to be deterred from examining a question based upon the Bible because a clergyman or any one else makes the unsupported assertion that it is dangerous or unworthy of consideration. Error always seeks the dark, while truth is always enhanced by the light. Error never desires to be investigated. Light always courts a thorough and complete investigation. Light and truth are synonymous. They are progressive, and “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”. (Proverbs 4:18) The Psalmist plainly tells us: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. — Psalm 119:105.” (Millions now living will never die. 1920 p. 13) Link to Google Books p. 13.

Other Scriptures show that there were to be Seventy jubilees kept. (Jeremiah 25:11; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21) A simple calculation of these jubilees brings us to this important fact: Seventy jubilees of fifty years each would be a total of 3500 years. That period of time beginning 1575 before A.D. 1 of necessity would end in the fall of the year 1925, at which time the type ends and the great antitype must begin. What, then, should we expect to take place? In the type there must be a full restoration; therefore the great antitype must mark the beginning of restoration of all things. The chief thing to be restored is the human race to life; and since other Scriptures definitely fix the fact that there will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will have the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth. … Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection. (Millions now living will never die. 1920)

Based upon the argument heretofore set forth, then, that the old order of things, the old world, is ending and is therefore passing away, and that the new order is coming in, and that 1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of reconstruction, it is reasonable to conclude that millions of people now on the earth will be still on the earth in 1925. Then, based upon the promises set forth in the divine Word, we must reach the positive and indisputable conclusion that millions now living will never die. (Millions now living will never die. 1920)

When the times of restoration begin there will doubtless be many men on the earth who will be very old and almost ready for the tomb. But those who learn of the great ransom-sacrifice and who accept the Ransomer shall return to the days of their youth; they shall be restored to perfection of body and mind and live on the earth forever. … Perfect food, therefore, seems a necessary element to sustain human life everlastingly. When the kingdom of Messiah is inaugurated, the great Messiah will make provision for right food conditions. Thus, when restoration begins, a man of seventy years of age will gradually be restored to a condition of physical health and mental balance. The Lord will teach him how to eat, what to eat, and other habits of life; and above all, the truth, and how to think and how to fix his mind upon holy things. And by the gradual process of restoration he will be lifted up by the great Mediator and restored to the days of his youth and live on the earth forever and never see death. (Millions now living will never die. 1920)

1914 How true it is, therefore, in our day, when we are made to see clearly that the year 1914 will be the full end of the Times of the Gentiles, and that the next twenty-four years, therefore, must bring about the full consummation. (Watchtower Feb 1 1890.)

1914 While it was an agreeable surprise to us (in view of the contrary sensational accounts so often published) to find the situation in Europe as we here describe it — in harmony with what the Scriptures had led us to expect — yet so great is our confidence in the Word of God and in the light of present truth shining upon it, that we could not have doubted its testimony whatever had been the appearances. The date of the close of that “battle” is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874. Thus far it has been chiefly a battle of words and a time of organizing forces — capital, labor, armies and secret societies. (Watchtower Jan 15, 1892).

1914 Now, in view of recent labor troubles and threatened anarchy, our readers are writing to know if there may not be a mistake in the 1914 date. They say that they do not see how present conditions can hold out so long under the strain.
We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble. We see no reason for changing from our opinion expressed in the View presented in the WATCH TOWER of Jan. 15, ’92. We advise that it be read again. ( Watchtower July 1, 1894.)

In the Watchtower May 15, 1896 edition Russell takes 2 other preachers to task for predicting the future and criticizes their methods, namely a certain Mr. Totten and Mr. Dimbleby. He criticizes them for using a “this means that” method of interpretation, connecting seemingly unrelated verses on his own authority. He states: Though his chronology and starting times are erroneous, his calculations seem to be truthful, except when he tries to bring together various prophecies which have no real connection, and there he persuades himself that the following statement is true. … Such language is not that of a teacher properly under the lead of the Lord’s spirit. A teacher should present the Scriptural or other evidences, and there rest his case. Beware of any teachings “hammered in” thus. The implication is that Mr. Dimbleby’s work is infallible, beyond question; sooner question God’s veracity and fidelity, and sooner yet doubt the sunrise: the thing farthest from failure is Mr. D’s. chronology and figures, — which we have just shown are inconsistent in every important part. … We could just as easily fix up a statement of solar cycles, conjunctions and transits and affix it to various items of our truly Bible chronology. We could claim that astronomy verified every date; and we could no doubt deceive many by such attempts, and few would see through the sophistry. But God would know it, and we would know it ourselves; and we believe that it is as dangerous for one to deceive himself as to deceive others. We advise all to be especially on guard against self deception in handling the divine Word. - 2 Cor. 4:2. (Watchtower May 15, 1896).

A reader wrote to Russell and presented his own thoughts about how to understand what the Bible says about the future and (supposedly) Russell responds with: We conclude to place the matter before the TOWER readers with the foregoing cautions against accepting this matter as of the same weight and authority as the more definitely stated prophecies treated in the MILLENNIAL DAWN volumes. There are two things to comment here. First, Russell issues a caution, so he definitely knows how to express humility for a view. But, second, he puts his own interpretation far above the one supplied by a reader without any such reservations. (Watchtower Mar 15, 1898).

1914 … which would bring us exactly to (Autumn) 1914 A.D. — the very year and time shown us by Daniel’s prophecy to be the full end and limit of the “Gentile times.” Can this be accidental? Nay; it is design. What stronger testimony could be asked by the eye and ear of faith. Surely, anything plainer or clearer would be sight and leave no room for faith. (Watchtower Sep 1, 1898).

1914 So far as the Scriptures guide us, we expect the climax of the great time of anarchous trouble in October, 1914. Our opinion is that so great a trouble would necessarily last in violent form at least three or four years before reaching that climax. Hence, we expect strenuous times by or before October, 1910. And this agrees well with the corresponding and typical trouble with which the Jewish age ended. (Watchtower Feb 1, 1903).

1914 Charles Russell was so convinced that 1914 would bring something significant that he was prepared to quote anyone else who mentioned that year, even astrologers. The above thoughts came to us as we recently read the predictions of some noted astrologers, whose information we credit to the spirit demons and not to ability to read destiny in the stars. One of these in particular closely touches dates and incidents on the line of our Scriptural expectations as follows: … “For France, at least, peace will not be reestablished until 1914, when a ‘warrior king’ — ‘he who is to establish the reign of good’ — will set things to rights. This ‘Caesar imperator,’ realizing the astral reproduction of Napoleon I., will commence to manifest his presence in 1914, and will be definitely crowned in 1916 or 1917. Until then — alas! poor France!” (Watchtower Oct 1, 1905) It seems that peace did not come to France in 1914, even if they mentioned that year.

By 1910 Russell began to express some hesitation as to whether his dates would be correct. We admit, as we have always(?) done, that “We walk by faith and not by sight — that our chronology is not indisputable — that our opinion of it is fallible — that it is not clear to us just how all of the “little flock” can pass into death so speedily! … The sentiment of all seems to accord with our own - that the chronology (and the prophetic times and seasons which so wonderfully interlock with it and seem to prove it) has brought great joy and refreshment, even if later on it should appear that we have not located the end of the Times of the Gentiles exactly. Their end is surely near, if not on October 1st, 1914, as we still believe. ( Watchtower Dec 15, 1910).

On January 1, 1911 Russell broaches the possibility that the predictions could be off in a section title “Was the alarm clock right?” Chronology (time prophecies in general) was evidently not intended to give God’s people accurate chronological information all the way down the path of the centuries. Evidently it is intended more to serve as an alarm clock to awaken and energize the Lord’s people at the proper time. … But let us suppose, for instance, that October, 1914, should pass and that no serious fall of Gentile power would occur. What would this prove or disprove? … Suppose that our chronological calculations (never set forth as infallible) should prove to be fallible and in error. Our conclusion would merely be that the error could not be very great. … The stress along the lines of social, political and financial affairs all indicate that the great time of trouble and anarchy with which this age will end cannot be far off — cannot lie much, if any, beyond October, 1914. And if that date pass it would merely prove that our chronology, our “alarm clock,” went off a little before the time. ( Watchtower Jan 1, 1911).

1914 And in harmony with this parallelism, October, 1914, will witness the full end of Babylon, “as a great millstone cast into the sea,” utterly destroyed as a system. ( Watchtower Jun 15, 1911).

In other words, during the same period that Israel would be having “seven times” of tribulation and subjection, the Gentiles would be having “seven times” of prosperity, and both will terminate at the same time — in 2,520 years from B.C. 606-October, A.D. 1914, the close of the Gentile Times. If any be disposed to dispute the exactness of these figures we need have no quarrel, but simply say that any difference in the calculation must of necessity be but small — possibly one year, possibly twenty years — but in so long a period how trifling would be such a variation. (Watchtower Aug 1, 1911).

Russell seemed to accept that true Christians could be found in other christian denominations: Throughout this Age some Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and others have had this real baptism into Christ’s death, and accordingly have had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. These constitute the members of the One Church. (Watchtower Jul 15, 1912).

We believe that the year 1915 will be even more wonderful than the present. We fully believe that the year 1914 will see the end of the Gentile Times, for we cannot find even one flaw in our Bible chronology. But we do not claim infallibility. To err is human. If, therefore, the Father permits us to blunder in respect to His Word in this matter, nevertheless, He will undoubtedly have a great blessing for us. And if it should be that the year 1914 should not mark the close of the Gentile Times, we would still believe that the time could not be very far distant; for the nearer we come to that time, the nearer we see the fulfilment of the things which the Scriptures indicate will then occur. (Watchtower Oct 15, 1912).

Man of lawlessness

*** w83 9/15 pp. 13-14 par. 14 ‘Quietly Bringing in Destructive Sects’ ***
14 Showing that the composite “man of lawlessness” would not be destroyed until the time of Christ’s “presence,” the apostle Paul wrote: “The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence [pa.rou.sías].” (2 Thessalonians 2:8) Yes, the destruction of the clerical “man of lawlessness” class, along with the rest of Satan’s Babylonian religious empire, will come as a remarkable “manifestation” of Christ’s “presence,” or Parousia, proving to friend and enemy alike that the Lord Jesus is invisibly present and that the foretold “great tribulation” has begun.
https://www.jw.org/

Deny being inspired

*** w17 February p. 26 par. 12 Who Is Leading God’s People Today? ***
12 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. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. So how can we answer Jesus’ question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” (Matt. 24:45) What evidence is there that the Governing Body is filling that role? Let us consider the same three factors that directed the governing body in the first century.
https://www.jw.org/

In 2017 They whitewash what Charles Russell predicted.

*** w17 February p. 25 par. 8 Who Is Leading God’s People Today? ***
8 In the late 19th century, Charles Taze Russell and some of his associates endeavored to reestablish true Christian worship. To help them disseminate Bible truth in various languages, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was legally incorporated in 1884, with Brother Russell as president. He was an outstanding student of the Bible, and he fearlessly exposed as false such doctrines as the Trinity and the immortality of the soul. He discerned that Christ would return invisibly and that “the appointed times of the nations” would end in 1914. (Luke 21:24) Brother Russell devoted his time, energy, and money unsparingly to share these truths with others. Clearly, at that pivotal time, Brother Russell was used by Jehovah and the head of the congregation.
https://www.jw.org/

Criticizing other religious organizations

After hearing the “Flag Salute” record, the judge did remark that the record was a little rough, and we took this occasion to inform him that we had nothing against anyone because they were Catholic, and that we criticize the Hierarchy of the Church, which is the governing body. Since it is proper to criticize the president of the United States and any other public official, there is no reason why this organization should be exempt, since the governing body has a 95 percent representation in foreign countries. (Consolation Apr 29, 1942)

*** g84 8/22 p. 28 From Our Readers ***
We surely were not trying to take cheap shots at the pope or the Catholic Church, nor were we criticizing Catholics. The Catholic Church occupies a very significant position in the world and claims to be the way of salvation for hundreds of millions of people. Any organization that assumes that position should be willing to submit to scrutiny and criticism. All who criticize have the obligation to be truthful in presenting the facts and fair and objective in assessing such. In both respects we try to live up to that obligation.—ED.
https://www.jw.org/

*** g80 1/8 p. 18 John Paul II on the Move—Can He Unite His Divided Church? ***
John Paul II would have done well to heed the apostle Paul’s advice at First Corinthians 4:6, as rendered by the Catholic Jerusalem Bible: “Remember the maxim: ‘Keep to what is written.’” By going beyond what is written in God’s Word, the pope has prolonged the tremendous dissent and division within his Church.
https://www.jw.org/

Examining your beliefs

*** tr chap. 2 p. 13 par. 5 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***
5 We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God’s will is for us, and then to do it.—John 8:32.
https://www.jw.org/ and https://www.jw.org/

Weird Stuff

Women being transformed into men

Bible Questions and Answers (Golden Age, April 2, 1930)
QUESTION: Will husband and wife live together after the resurrection is completed, if both are in harmony with God? Answer: The Scriptures do not reveal what the relationship of men and women will be after the resurrection is completed. The most that we know is that there will be no children born during the last 100 years of the Millennium (Isa. 65: 20), nor any born after that, because men and women do not have children after they reach the age of 100 years. Whether the identity of the sexes, as such, will be preserved, we do not know. There have been some well authenticated instances in which women have been transformed into men, and it is possible that this transformation may become general and we shall all be brothers together.