Hi Gang-
Alan F. demonstrated the deceit of the Watchtower Organization over the issue of alternate civilian service for military service. There is no question in my mind that the headquarters got numerous letters over this issue after the change was announced in the 1996 Watchtower. They comment on this in the August 15, 1998 Watchtower:
*** w98 8/15 17 Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness ***
6 In the past, some Witnesses have suffered for refusing to share in an activity that their conscience now might permit. For example, this might have been their choice years ago as to certain types of civilian service. A brother might now feel that he could conscientiously perform such without overstepping his Christian neutrality regarding the present system of things.
7 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. Certainly, it is wise to avoid a course that would disturb one’s conscience or that would likely cause others to be stumbled. We can think in this regard of the example that the apostle Paul set.—1 Corinthians 8:12, 13; 10:31-33.
Here are the questions that accompany this paragraph in the study article as well:
*** w98 8/15 20 Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness ***
6, 7. (a) Why might some Witnesses who suffered in the past now have a different understanding? (b) Why should we not view Jehovah as unrighteous for having permitted such suffering in the past?
I think what is telling is that the organization refuses to admit that they manipulated these individuals under the threat of shunning to refuse alternate civilian service. They wish to blame this situation entirely on the rank and file JWs and of course deflect the blame from the borg.
In addition, they turn around and blame the previous view on God as demonstrated in the question they ask above. In other words, do not view the organization/Jehovah unrighteous for allowing you guys to suffer because of the policies we had in place back then. In addition, they tell these poor individuals who suffered due to their crazy policies what they should feel now that the organization allows individuals more freedom to choose alternatives in this area.
The Watchtower organization has no love for the individual JWs at all and situations such as this one demonstrate this.
Jeff S.