@ Finkel - Whats up bud. Just a couple quick things. I didn't ask my mother about this yesterday. We spoke about this a long time ago. She became a JW slightly prior to 75, but did not do so because of it. I agree with you of course. Who can discount your PERSONAL experience. But her PERSONAL experience was different. Not everyone that went through that time saw the same thing, experienced the same thing, or interpreted things the same. For her it was just another year, and the elders in her hall never spoke about it, or hyped it. No off the reservation CO's saying ridiculous things at an assembly. Just another year. I would say others probaby felt the same. An arguement for the entire group being one way, when all you have is a localized personal experience, doesn't consider other localized personal experiences may differ. I'm not saying your perception is wrong, just that perception IS reality. The question was is 1975 a weak arguement for active JW's to take notice and begin to ask questions.....I believe it is.
@ FW Franz - I completely understand where you are coming from. From a practical perspective, no active JW believes that the GB are prophets or that they have ever called themselves such. I am aware they have called themselves Gods prophet. In the context of the statement however, the definition of prophet falls more along the ambiguous lines of "proclaiming" something. Here is an accepted definition that is benign and their default position.
4. The chief spokesperson of a movement or cause.
I'm not saying its accurate, but it is their explanation. Its double talk, and they are trying to have it both ways just like when they compare obedience to Moses to obedience to the GB(FDS). But it resonates and stonewalls the conversation.