What follows is my critique of the two final study articles from the November 2016 Watchtower. The articles titles are: "Called out of the darkness" and "They broke free from false religion".
ARTICLE: CALLED OUT OF THE DARKNESS
Parr 1
IN 607 B.C.E., a massive Babylonian army under the command of King Nebuchadnezzar II invaded the city of Jerusalem.
-Off to a bad start. Historical evidence shows that this event likely took place on 587 b.c.e.
Parr 6 - Under the heading "IS THERE A MODERN-DAY PARALLEL?"
Have Christians ever experienced anything comparable to the Babylonian captivity? For many years, this journal suggested that God’s modern-day servants entered into Babylonian captivity in 1918 and that they were released from Babylon in 1919. However, for the reasons that we shall outline in this article and in the one following, a reexamination of the subject was necessary.
-"Modern Day Parallels?" I thought they weren't doing that anymore unless explicitly indicated in scripture. This according to the March 2015 Watchtower Question from Reader Article which mentioned: "However, even where the Bible indicates that someone is a type of
someone else, we should not conclude that every detail or incident in
the life of the type is a picture of something greater".
Parr 7
On the basis of what they read in the Bible, some among them rejected the unscriptural creeds of the church, but it was dangerous—even fatal—to express such opinions openly.
Parr 11
Any dissent from what the church taught was severely punished. Faithful anointed servants of God had to meet together in discreet groups—if they could meet at all
-Similarly, Jehovah's Witnesses that openly question Watchtower creeds based on "what they read in the Bible" are at risk of being "severely punished" with excommunication, a punishment where they are mercilessly and completely cutoff from family, friends and loved ones.
Parr 13
The second notable factor was the decision by a few courageous men at the dawn of the 16th century to translate God’s Word into the languages spoken by the common people. Many translators undertook this work at the risk of their lives. The church was horrified. A Bible in the hands of a God-fearing man or woman could be a dangerous weapon—or so the church leaders feared! And as the Bible became available, people did read it. As they read, they asked questions: [...] From the point of view of the church, this was an outrage. How dare the multitudes question church leaders! The church fought back. Men and women were condemned for heresy because they rejected teachings of the church
-The internet has had a similar effect in our days. Concrete and reasonable counter-arguments to WT doctrine have become widespread and easy to access. The result has been a marked slowdown in growth within developed countries, as well as an increase in member exits.
Parr 14
Many who thirsted for Bible truth fled to countries where the influence of the church was less pervasive. They wanted to read and study and converse with one another without being told what to think.
-JWs are constantly told "what to think" when it comes to matters in faith and even everyday life. "Independent thinking" is discouraged and framed as a "worldly trait".
ARTICLE: THEY BROKE FREE FROM FALSE RELIGION
Parr 3
God-fearing men and women knew what they must do. They could not expect to receive God’s blessing if they continued to support false religious organizations.[...] But in many countries in the late 1800’s, the church was beginning to lose the backing of the State. Without fear of reprisals in such countries, citizens were free to discuss religious matters and to disagree openly with the established churches.
-JWs whose conscience tell them they can no longer support the organization are NOT free to discuss the 'matters nor to disagree openly' with JW dogma. Doing so can lead them to excommunication and a cutoff from family/loved ones.
Parr 4
The Bible Students understood that it was not enough for them to inform relatives, close friends, and church members of their stand on false religion. The whole world needed to see Babylon the Great for what it is—a religious prostitute
-Similarly today, exJWs worldwide are forming communities with the intention of showing the "whole world" the Watchtower for "what it really is": a tyrannical cult-like organization head that expects complete and unquestioned devotion with severe punishment for those that don't comply.
Parr 5
In years gone by, we believed that Jehovah became displeased with his people because they did not have a zealous share in the preaching work during World War I[...] A more accurate understanding of our theocratic history has led to a clearer comprehension of certain events recorded in the Bible.
-In other words: We were wrong, yet again, on yet another subject; but, hey, "new light"!
Parr 6
in actual fact, the Bible Students who were on hand during World War I (1914-1918) gave a tremendous witness during that time [...] First of all, the main work being done in those days involved the distribution of Bible literature. When the book The Finished Mystery
-...when the book The Finished Mystery was released, it included many obviously erroneous and extremely wacky teachings and ideas. You can find a a nice list of some of the crazy explanations from the book compiled a few years back by Alfred here.
Parr 14
Malachi 3:1-3 describes the time—from 1914 to early 1919—when the anointed “sons of Levi” would undergo a period of refinement.
-A clear eisegesis with no reason given to prove that said scripture applies to said date other than a 'because we say so'.
Parr 14
In 1919, a “faithful and discreet slave” was appointed to provide spiritual food to the household of faith.
-.... and immediately proceeded to begin a worldwide campaign entitled "Millions now Living, will Never Die", a campaign which foretold that the faithful "men of old" would be resurrected in 1925 and begin ruling over the earth.
Parr 15
Multitudes of sincere individuals are still being held captive by false religion. They need to be shown the way out. We can guide them. By all means, then, in imitation of our brothers in the past century, let us do all we can to help them get free!
-Its okay for others to leave their religion, but, if any JW were to attempt the same, they'd be severely punished as mentioned before.
-Let's reword it: Multitudes of sincere individuals are still being held captive by Watchtower. They need to be shown the way out. We can guide them. By all
means, then, [...] let us do
all we can to help them get free!