What really hurts about all this is that I joined the Jehovah's Witnesses primarily because I felt the organisation was genuinely honest and was nothing like the "hypoctical churches". I was thrilled when I learnt (through the organisation's publications) how the organisation had valiantly stood up against nazism, showed the churches up for what they really were and how it refused to dabble in politics. Then, of course, there was the generation speel about how my family and I would never grow old and die but live to witness Armageddon and live forever on a paradise earth.
Everything I believed in has been shown and PROVEN to be total lies! If only I had done some thorough research of my own (but that was frowned upon because, being worldly, 'it was in the grip of Satan' so the information would be a lie). If only the internet had been around in the early 1980s!
My family is broken up because of the lies inculcated by this heinous cult. It has caused immense emotional damage and I've personally known people commit suicide. And yet still this organisation is allowed to go on.
Make no mistake, thousands more are going to suffer what many of us have suffered. Some will commit suicide. Families will break up because those leaving the "truth" will be shunned, allegience being given to Jehovah's whore of an organisation - the veil blinding the eyes of those brainwashed into not seeing. Fear holds sway!
Nothing surprises me anymore and I sincerely hope James Penton's book, if nothing else, makes those still in the organisation ask questions and do some thorough outside research.
Thankfully, I asked questions and did my research while I was still relatively young - late 40s. I can honestly say, now that I am 50, soon to be 51, I have touched the edge of reality; felt the truth of the real truth. I am at the happiest point in my life ever - even with a fatal disease - and I only wish my girls will renounce the organisation and join me in my discoveries.
A wise teacher of mine said that it takes a Buddhist to understand Christianity. My goodness, how true that statement is. I see it all now, but couldn't then!
Congratulations to all those bringing the truth about the "truth" into the open. I only hope people will not waste their lives trying to take revenge or spend it rubbishing Watchtower when the best answer to it would be to live one's life free and happy. By all means let us help others by exposing Watchtower for what it truly is when they request it, but let us not allow it poison our souls and thereby keep us tied to an organisation we need to be completely free from.
Life is so good when one is truly free.
Ian