I've read a lot of Terry's posts lately, and while I am not as eloquent and creative as he is, I'd like to post what I am finally able to express with words (more or less).
Just compare what the WT says to the rank and file to what politicians say to prospective voters. Politicans are always promising something better. "The old administration was crap." "They mishandled (insert thing they mishandled here)." "We are going to make a change. We will make things better. That's a promise you can count on."
The thing is, human institutions are always more or less the same. Yes, progress is made at times, but there are always faults and even back-steps. Sometimes, it's not even faults, but outright devious, malicious activities that take advantages of position of power and opportunities.
So, when you hear those political campaigns promising something new or better, you are right to be skeptical. You've done seen it all. You'd like for the promises to be true, but the real world doesn't work that way. So, even good intentions are for naught at times. If you saw something wrong with the administration, hopefully you would be responsive and do something about it, as would be expected of a good citizen. Just because there was a promise made, and you voted for that candidate, does not mean you loyalties lie with the candidate. You want someone to deliver their promise. If not, they get the boot.
Bring in the Watchtower. The whole concept of New Light is precisely what I've outlined for politicians. They promise something new and better, "progressive refinement" as they call it, but rather just seem to run on and on in a hamster wheel. The "progressive refinement" is purported to always go forward, even when it goes backwards.
Here is the real stinker. Whereas politicans can be voted in or out, WT GB cannot. You simply have to trust they will meet up to their demands and produce "something better." But really, we just see the same old thing over and over. You can also disagree with politicans you yourself have elected, but not with WT GB.
The amazing thing is that looking back, you realise they've been saying this same thing for the past hundred something years.
And for the big one. This "progressive refinement" doctrine is a taken as a guarantee they will eventually get it right. This is what their whole authority rests upon. Their past is irrelevant. Their "future" version will be correct. They will keep you on the perpetual hamster wheel.
You threaten to leave the organisation. You have all the dirt on them. What do they say? "Jehovah will straighten things out. He always does. Things are going to get better, we promise."
It is a false assumption that misleads many. Remember, you have a choice. If they don't deliver, while you can't vote them out, you don't have to follow them either.
It get's better the minute you decide to do something about it. Don't put your life into people's hands you don't even know.