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Crisis of Conscience
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Crisis of Conscience Customer Reviews
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To read or not to read that is the question
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As a Christian and baptised JW I can say that this revelation by Brother Franz has brought me much relief and understanding. Having spent 12 years actively serving in my congregation and on the verge of becoming an elder I began to re-evaluate my faith in light of scripture and in-particular the teachings of Christ. The argument over "Truth" and who's right and who's wrong will go on either until the Lord ends this system or if evolution is correct the Human species dies out.
The fundamental question for myself is has Brother Franz acted wrongly by sharing with us his experiences and feelings. I have read that in some areas of the world this book has been used to "incite hatred" against JW's, but this has happened everywhere with all types of beliefs, and Brother Franz cannot be held responsible as to how others use the book.
To answer this question i.e. "Should it have been written" I have to observe the witnesses I know. Most fit the mould prescribed them by the WT society as they are absolutely convinced that Christ Jesus has no other channel of communication with mankind. Such brothers and sisters fit the mould and happily serve in this capacity loyal to the WTS doing so in all sincerity through their life. Any doctrinal or personal ups and downs experienced are brushed off (sometimes as a test of faith and sometimes as demonic or apostate thinking) and such JW's often ignore the prodding's of their conscience. In essence they service the WTS as if doing so is in affect serving Jehovah and the only way to Salvation. This loyalty is not unique to the WTS members in fact anyone with a conviction to a specific religion will uphold their beliefs. That is obvious.
On the other hand thousands who serve in JW congregations are in a land of limbo. They try to fit this mould prescribed above but see inconsistencies and doubt the infallibility of WT releases and teaching. They sit at Kingdom Halls feeling guilty and inadequate judging themselves on hours of service and "Theocratic" progress. Such ones cannot explain their feelings openly without being branded as one "lacking faith" or "running ahead" doctrinally. What elders would suggest is re-adjustment to WTS teachings. That is the medicine. Sadly the WTS does not cater for individuality when it comes to opinions other than those written in stone by themselves. Changed views can only come via the correct channel. Hence the dogmatism of the WTS has and is damaging thousands of genuine Christians, robbing them of individuality and indeed the chance to allow the Holy Spirit to work correctly upon them as true Christians.
So was Brother Franz correct? Should he have written it? Is he an apostate? This man was in the centre, the hub of the organisation, at the level where decision and policy making occurs. He saw the inconsistencies and the control over other Christian consciences. His love for his brothers moved him to attempt to change this archaic mindset found in the Governing body, yet although not alone in his feelings he was rejected out of hand after faithful service over decades. As I myself am a "nobody" in the JW organisation (as regards high ranking) my comments and feelings cannot change anything, but Brother Franz's position could change things and indeed he tried, all to no avail. How Jehovah must weep at what is happening in the WTS. How faithful sincere men like Brother Franz have their hands tied and cannot change the way the society functions even when presented with scriptural proofs.
So my summation of this book? If you are happy living in your world of control, where you believe all that is given you without testing such scripturally, and by that I mean books, watchtowers, awakes, etc...If you are happy with congregational life, meetings, and are satisfied beyond any doubt that to question the society using the Bible is apostasy then Do NOT read this book.
However, if you are disfellowshipped disassociated or disillusioned at what you have experienced. If you see hypocrisy and a lack of genuine love. If you see organisational control and little Holy Spirit, then PLEASE read this book. It is written for those with questions. Those who know something is wrong with the WTS but cannot place a finger on it. In a kind and loving way without hatred or malice or retribution to fellow witnesses Brother Franz simply lays the cards on the table for you to see and then make an informed decision on the evidence, by yourself with your own mind! - As you once did when you became a witness, with your own mind.
The book for me was a god-send and I give thanks to Brother Franz for his courage in presenting the world and in-particular his fellow Christians with this book. It will help anyone who lives in fear of the organisation, or in guilt, to understand why they feel that way and how to raise themselves up from an otherwise hopeless pit of doom and despair.
I served for 12 years. I followed protocol. I was a yes man and moved up the ladder, yet slowly but surely I began to feel hollow inside. Like a sponge rung dry with no more to give. As I contemplated life and especially my life as a JW all I thought of was Jesus words; "Come to me you who are toiling and loaded down and I will refresh you" This just never occurred via the WTS. This scripture and its sentiment was spoken often but in essence was not applied and rather than "refreshed" I (as many others are) felt loaded down, alone, and lost. I was filled with grief, for the organisation was doing the exact opposite of Jesus commission. Control of mind and ones life robs you of Jesus kindly yolk. Absolute subjection to a human agency can only bring hurt. Five meetings a week, field service, conventions etc...keep one in check but prevent free thinking and interaction of ideas and suppress the Holy Spirit.
Brother Franz shows clearly how inadequately the Governing Body functions and blows away the idea that they are in some way directly in contact with Christ Jesus. He has done this to "lift the veil" from the eyes of righteously inclined ones, those searching for truth. Hence although Brother Franz was and is disfellowshiped (excommunicated) the crime for such was eating with a disassociated man whom actually was his landlord and employer, he is no anti-Christ. In fact his love for fellow man, Jehovah and Christ has compelled him to share his experiences, not in a negative way, but in a way that can free ones mind from the enslavement to men and refocus ones mind on what being a Christian is.
As regards basic doctrinal beliefs many of which were first brought together by C.T.Russel (from other sects) I hold fast to the majority, but it is the WTS's all consuming control over others, wielded by an authority structure, usurping the role of Christ Jesus that is the most upsetting. As soon as men are judged on "Works" alone, and "Works" demanded as evidence of "Spirituality" and "Loyalty" to God, then true love and true Christianity will fail. Indeed the Holy Spirit will not operate and the organisation whatever its original honourable basis will fail. Christ Jesus set us free from such enslavement when he announced he was the "Fulfilment of the Law" yet we see its ugly head (Pharisaic Law) rising up in the form of WTS control (and I hasten to add prevalent in other so-called Christian religions)
I am today free from fear to express myself and can thank Brother Franz for showing me that I can be loved for who I am and not what I am or do. I still hold fast to "Truth" but not "Control" I await the "revealing of the sons of God" to obtain true clarification of who is right and wrong and of course my Judgment. But until then I thank you Brother Franz from the bottom of my heart. I will continue to call you brother as your Judgement was by the hand of men and on the basis of fear of change and fear of truth. You remain a Christian and hence a brother as do all who walk in Christian freedom. Thank you.
I recommend Brother Franz's second book "In search of Christian Freedom"
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