Projection is the attribution of one’s own ideas, feelings, or attitudes to other people.

 Here is a prime example from the Watchtower.

Down through the centuries since Jesus’ day, so many unfulfilled predictions have been made that many no longer take them seriously. … Undeterred by previous failures, some seem to have been spurred on by the approach of the year 2000 and have made further predictions of the end of the world. … The flood of false alarms is unfortunate. They are like the wolf-wolf cries of the shepherd boy—people soon dismiss them, and when the true warning comes, it too is ignored. (Awake! “Why So Many False Alarms?,” March 22, 1993, pp. 3-4)

 1894: Charles Taze Russell prophesied that the end would come in the twentieth century—in 1914 in fact:

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.” (Zion’s Watchtower, “Can It Be Delayed until 1914?” C. T. Russell ,July 15, 1894, also in Watchtower Reprints, 1894, p. 1677)

Throughout the 20th century, Watchtower leaders were sure it would happen any day, and they said so.

1971: “Shortly, within our twentieth century, the “battle in the day of Jehovah” will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom.” (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah, 1971, 2nd ed., p. 216)

1980:

As indicated by an article on page 56 of U.S. News & World Report of January 14, 1980, “If you assume that 10 is the age at which an event creates a lasting impression on a person’s memory,” then there are today more than 13 million Americans who have a “recollection of World War I.” And if the wicked system of this world survived until the turn of the century, which is highly improbable in view of world trends and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, there would still be survivors of the World War I generation. However, the fact that their number is dwindling is one more indication that “the conclusion of the system of things” is moving fast toward its end.” (The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, p. 31, emphasis added)

1984: “Some of that ‘generation (of 1914)’ could survive until the end of the century. But there are many indications that ‘the end’ is much closer than that!” (The Watchtower, March 1, 1984 pp. 18-19)

1989: “The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century.” (The Watchtower, January 1, 1989, p. 12) [The bound volume changed “our 20th century” to “our day”]

To recap:

  • The end of the world’s time of trouble would come in 1914.
  • Only it didn’t.
  • The “battle in the day of Jehovah” would begin in the 20th century.
  • Only it didn’t.
  • Christian missionary activity would be completed in the 20th century.
  • Only it wasn’t.
  • It was highly unlikely that the world’s wicked system would extend beyond the 20th century.
  • Only it did.

Lest we forget the Watchtower’s warning which began this post:

Down through the centuries since Jesus’ day, so many unfulfilled predictions have been made that many no longer take them seriously. … Undeterred by previous failures, some seem to have been spurred on by the approach of the year 2000 and have made further predictions of the end of the world. … The flood of false alarms is unfortunate. They are like the wolf-wolf cries of the shepherd boy—people soon dismiss them, and when the true warning comes, it too is ignored.