I’m borrowing it from the library and am almost half way through. At times I have to put it down because it makes me so furious. I had a difficult time getting into it at first because it’s definitely not an uplifting book. This may well be the last book I will ever read about the org. I’m presently reading the chapter Double Standard regarding Malawi & Mexico. This chapter is extremely upsetting. For those who haven’t read it yet I highly recommend it. In Tradition and Legalism: the policy change (after 50 years?) regarding alternative service in place of military service (where so many went to prison because of GB policy)
Aug 15, 1998 Watchtower: Was it unrighteous on Jehovah’s part to allow him to suffer for rejecting what he now might do without consequences? Most who have had that experience would not think so. Rather, they rejoice that they had the opportunity of demonstrating publicly and clearly that they were determined to be firm on the issue of universal sovereignty. (Compare Job 27:5) What reason could anyone have to regret having followed his conscience in taking a firm stand for Jehovah? By loyally upholding Christian principles as they understood them or by responding to the proddings of conscience, they proved worthy of Jehovah’s friendship.
The bolded part really upsets me; to state that it was God’s doing that these people suffered. What amazes me is that so many people readily accept what the GB says, and when a policy is changed that people accept that too. I will never understand how my own father accepted it without question. He hated anyone telling him what to do.
I will end with a verse that Ray Franz started with in Tradition and Legalism
Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of you tradition...their teachings are but rules made by man. Matthew 15:6,9 NIV