Can anybody upload a photo/scan of New Encyclopædia Britannica (1988), Volume 16, pages 326 and 327?
Jehovah's Witnesses like YA-user VERY OLD DIRT (also may be EXPOSE TRUTH) use from the JW site a curiously phrased paragraph and am naturally suspicious of it, but I can't see the pages themselves, even Google Book can give only a snippet.
The Paragraph in Question:
What is the origin of the myth? “Veneration of the mother of God received its impetus when . . . the pagan masses streamed into the church. . . . Their piety and religious consciousness [that of pagans converted to Christianity]* had been formed for millennia through the cult of the ‘great mother’ goddess and the ‘divine virgin.’”—The New Encyclopædia Britannica (1988), Volume 16, pages 326 and 327.
I am recognizing three different segments of texts separated by " . . . ", *and the phrase "that of pagans converted to Christianity" appears to have been inferred by the Jehovah's Witnesses, or at least that's what they want people to believe.
So if there is anyway someone here could upload a scan or photo of the New Encyclopædia Britannica (1988), Volume 16, pages 326 and 327, so I can read the whole thing in context, that would be helpful. Be sure also, need not be said, have it large enough to be read easily please. Also if one can't find a 1988 edition of what I am looking for, but an equivalent in a later edition, that would be helpful also.
2014-10-13T21:15:36Z
Now why doesn't this Six Myths Anonymous character reveal itself? Everyone stay away from Jehovah's Witness garbage! If the soul is not immortal, what is with all the descriptions of Heaven and Hell, especially Hell? The Bible already affirms the Trinity. If God didn't approve the use of images, why did he instruct cherubim to be made and placed on top of the Arc? And why is it that no JW antichrist has produced may favor above unless they are lying?!
Anonymous2014-10-13T20:57:13Z
Here are more Christian Myths to study and compare to the Bible.
Exposed: Six Myths About Christianity
3 One Myth Leads to Another
4 Myth 1: The Soul Is Immortal
5 Myth 2: The Wicked Suffer in Hell
6 Myth 3: All Good People Go to Heaven
7 Myth 4: God Is a Trinity
8 Myth 5: Mary Is the Mother of God
9 Myth 6: God Approves of the Use of Images and Icons in Worship
I find it very amusing that one ignorant JW writes:
"Seeker,if you are actually in the mood to do some research, have a look at The Two Babylons by Alex Hislop (non JW) and see even more evidence of the paganism of the mainstream churches. Enjoy :)"
LOL. I wonder if that JW has actually read that book? I wonder if she is aware that that book says the following:
"The three heads are different arranged in Layard's specimen, but both alike are evidently intended to symbolise the same great truth [of the trinity], although all such representation of the Trinity necessarily and utterly debase the conceptions of those, among whom such images prevail, in regard to the sublime mystery of our faith." - page 17
"While overlaid with idolatry, the recognition of a Trinity was universal in all the ancient nations of the world, proving how deep mated in the human race was the primeval doctrine on this subject, which comes out so distinctly in Genesis." - page 18
So Alexander Hislop believed that the trinity doctrine is a "great truth . . . which comes out so distinctly in Genesis" Clearly "The Two Babylons" does not condemn the trinity doctrine as being an entirely pagan originated false doctrine. It only criticizes the Catholic church's pagan-borrowed, false representations of it.
Isn't it very amusing to see a JW holding up as an authority, a book that says things contrary to their teachings? Oh wait, let me guess, the book is right about everything it says that harmonizes with JW teaching but wrong about everything it says that contradicts JW teachings, right? Silly, Watchtower-quote-mine-deceived JW! LOL
Can't find a scan of that encyclopaedia online, but this whole paragraph in context is quoted here...
"Veneration of the mother of God received its impetus when the Christian Church became the imperial church under Constantine and the pagan masses came under Christian influences and became members of the church. The peoples of the Mediterranean area and the Middle East could not make themselves conversant with the absolute power of God the Father and with the strict patriarchalism of the Jewish idea of God, which the original Christian message had taken over. Their piety and religious consciousness had been formed for millennia through the cult of the "great mother" goddess and the "divine virgin," a development that led all the way from the old popular religions of Babylonia and Assyria to the mystery cults of the late Hellenistic period. Despite the unfavourable presuppositions in the tradition of the Gospels, cultic veneration of the divine virgin and mother found within the Christian Church a new possibility of expression in the worship of Mary as the virgin mother of God, in whom was achieved the mysterious union of the divine Logos with human nature. The spontaneous impulse of popular piety, which pushed in this direction, moved far in advance of the practice and doctrine of the church. In Egypt, Mary was, at an early point, already worshiped under the title of Theotokos--an expression that Origen used in the 3rd century. The Council of Ephesus (431) raised this designation to a dogmatic standard. To the latter, the second Council of Constantinople (553) added the title "eternal Virgin." In the prayers and hymns of the Orthodox Church the name of the mother of God is invoked as often as is the name of Christ and the Holy Trinity. (see also Index: Great Mother of the Gods)"
And you are correct that the quoted words you mentioned in brackets "[that of pagans converted to Christianity]*" were deliberately inserted and added as a misquote!
Seeker,if you are actually in the mood to do some research, have a look at The Two Babylons by Alex Hislop (non JW) and see even more evidence of the paganism of the mainstream churches. Enjoy :)
See Carib man using his useful double forked tongue to wriggle any statement around - a real christendom trait :) And yes, I have read the book, I got it very cheaply from amazon :) It is now with about the 10th person Ive loaned it to. And dont be so silly, the fact is it shows just where the paganism of the trinity, the confessionals, the clothing, the idols, the rituals all come from. Stop wriggling.
Sorry cant help you but do you know the watchtowers infamous book "Should you believe in the trinity?" has been taken out of circulation by them ?
Its not surprising they have. Many JWs who have used that book have been taken to task by people and authorities who have pointed out the amount of biased, inaccurate and twisting of historical facts to back up their anti-trinity doctrine including what you are alluding to. This book is a utter disgrace and shows how low they will scoop to.
(1Tim 4:1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and DOCTRINES of DEVILS.
v:2 Speaking LIES in HYPOCRISY; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
These scriptures sum up the watchtower quite accurately !