[.ca] Crisis of Conscience (ISBN 0914675249)

Cult survivor's story:
Nearly 20 years after I broke ties from the Jehovah's Witnesses I found the book that was the subject of much gossip and character assassination among my former "Brothers" in small-town Texas. Reading this book, I came to know the truth about the "purge" that took place in Brooklyn in the early 80's: That it was not about exposing the wickedness of apostasy nor about expelling "bad association" (read baseless rumors of "homosexual tendencies") from among the servants of the Society, but was rather all about a power struggle that had its origins in the backlash against the fact that 1975 came and went without so much as a whimper. I was surprised after all these years to recognize in Franz' pen the voice of the Watchtower magazine, and even more surprised to find it in agreement with many of the decisions I came to over the past two decades. Franz' story is not melodramatic, accusatory, or defensive. He methodically chronicles the flippant manner in which doctrines that rule and sometimes wreck people's lives were concocted, justified, changed, or even deleted. Among these doctrines were ones that sent thousands to their deaths in Africa on a technicality, promoted bribery and real estate fraud in Mexico, landed Americans in prison or on their deathbeds, and turned a blind eye to depravity at the expense of common sense and good manners. Franz' only failure is that he backs away from connecting the dots and calling a cult what it is. For example, his own uncle was not only President of the Watch Tower Society and for many years the chief theologian for the Witnesses, but was among them also the most flippant and cynical when it came to doctrinal change, and was at least complicit if not active in Franz' expulsion from the Governing Body. The victim of shunning at its most cruel and misapplied, Franz clearly unmasks the arrogance, pettiness, and predation that operate among Witnesses under the guise of Christian counsel and shepherding of the flock. Franz, like me, is a survivor. I know personally and understand his disappointment and his pain, and I congratulate his bravery and the strength of both his will and conscience. This book at long last lifted a veil of self-doubt and loneliness that has plagued me for years. It is a confirmation once and finally from another intelligent, reasonable, and God-fearing man that one worldwide media conglomerate has ruined many lives and will continue to trample the hearts and devotion of any who stand in the way of the corporate practice of religion or its mission to prevent its members from engaging in dissent, self-examination, or intelligent debate, and to punish those who go there.

A heartfelt "thank you" to the author.:
As someone who was raised a Jehovah's Witness and served in the organization for 22 years, this book was at times shocking, infuriating, and inspiring. Mr. Franz was a member of the Governing Body, the inner sanctum of the organization, and also of "the annointed" class. There was noone more qualified to write this book, and I am glad he did. His book details a life spent in dedication to an organization that has not only been proven incorrect on countless occasions, but also lies to it's followers and uses heavy-handedness and intimidation tactics to keep it's followers in the dark and "in line". Would a true religion need to employ such methods? Indeed, would a "God of love" WANT those working in his stead to employ such tactics? Mr. Franz's detailed and brave account of how he was set-up and systematically put on a "witch trial" for something as simple as pointing out a dogmatic inconsistancy with NO SCRIPTURAL BACKING is both heartbreaking and eye-opening. His concern for the other Jehovah's Witnesses who were placed in hardship and, at times, even torturous and life-endangering situations due to these dogmatic and scripturally incorrect doctrines is palpable. Is it any wonder that he had a "crisis of conscience"? When so many others were affected by this group of men's stubborn and scripturally UNINSPIRED decisions? His writing voice is not one of anger, not one of revenge, but one of sincerity, concern, heartbreak, and disillusionment. I relate to his feelings strongly as someone who so much wanted to believe, but in the end could not accept doctrines which have no scriptural basis. I am not an angry person, I am not an apostate, I am simply a person who could not accept something I feel was not the "truth". I have a large family, and nearly all of them are Jehovah's Witnesses. I would encourage all of them and ALL JW's to read this book. After all, if you have the truth, nothing else that you read would change that if you firmly believe it. If it has been proven to you beyond a doubt, there should be no fear of simply reading a book. I love my family, and indeed, I care for nearly all of the Jehovah's Witnesses I have ever met. They are good people trying so hard to please their Organization's requirements of "What God wants". It truly saddens me to think that so many, including those most important to me in my life, are being misled, blinded, and lied to. If someone is not ever allowed to disagree with a doctrine of any religion...how can the truth truly ever be known? In banning all of you from reading the opinions of others and slapping them with the absurd label of "apostate", this Organization has imprisoned you all in the dark, with no escape. I know many of you will disagree with me, and I understand why. Remember, 22 years is a long time. ;) Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, their religious freedom, and whether or not to read a book. However, the Organization has taken two of those freedoms away from you. Have you ever asked yourself why? Once again, if it's the "truth", there should be no need to do this. Thank you Mr. Franz, for your bravery, your tenacity, the sympathy you had for all of those who followed, and most of all for writing this account of it.

He Shares His Story WithOUT Pushing Fundamental Faith:
What I like so much about Ray's book is not only is it honest but also I greatly appreciate the way Ray does NOT try and push a fundamental faith proganda message in his book, which is very rare these days. He merely shares how he still believes in God and likes to "Gather together with 3 or more" friends but personally is NOT in a faith group and how nice it is that in contrast with so many anti-JW and anti-Mormon books out these days..Ray does not try and replace JW's fundamental Armageddon threats with Fundamental Protestant's "Left Behind", and/or Hellfire threats. He does not push the issue of trinitarism verses unitarianism in your face. He does not tell the reader that you MUST agree with his take on faith or else you'll be on God's eternal "Bleep" list. Also see book, "Amercia's Alternative Religions." By timothy Miller.

Christian Classic - Get this book and lead it - Wont Regret!:
Raymond Franz's Crisis of Conscience is one of the greatest Christian books ever written (outside the bible). It ranks way up there with J.C. Ryle's 'Holiness', Jerry Bridges 'Holiness', Dallas Willard's 'Divine Conspiracy', J. Packer's 'Knowing God' and the like. It has a large historical content, but the pure Christian wisdom in the last chapters will be of extreme benefit to all sincere followers of Christ. His endurance in the JW faith - amongst the secretive and mis-guided policy makers 'fighting' these incorrigible modern day pharisees was useful in that he himself was improved tremendously spiritually. As Christ says in the epistle of John and Peter, James and Paul make clear: 'we shall reign with him if we suffer with him.' One essential truth of scripture is that the Christian faith is a calling not just to holiness, love and life, but to suffering as well. Christ died leaving us an example of suffering. Ray Frank has shared in this suffering! His efforts and endurance have not been in vain. People like you and I now can now benefit from it. Reading his writings, we can boldy say good bye to the JW/Watchtower society and live for Christ. Christ is the way, the answer and everything - God has purposefully made that so. A Christian ignores that to his/her peril. This is where the JWs have gone wrong. For this lesson alone, please buy this book and read it. His writing style and knowledge of scriptures are superb! He is certainly one of the spiritual gems that have been hidden among the JW pharasaism - having been there I know that a lot more still remain. People go there when a spiritually seductive message is preached to them. As time proceeds the spiritually and biblically more astute ones notice the error, pharasaism, heavy-handedness and other errors. But then they scare you with their organisational exclusivity from leaving their group. The exclusivity that belongs solely to Christ is stolen and misapplied to the hurt of many! All serious Christians whether in out of the JW group, I admonish you to get a copy of this book and prayerfull read it. And if you are a JW, be courageous and leave in faith from JW to JC (Jesus Christ). You see its not about organisations or churches, it is about Jesus Christ!! So says the bible so very often and so very plainly. Yes the Kingdom and all that are important, but it is Christ first, and you get too little of Christ from the JWs - he is only given lip service. I have been there, so I also speak from experience. Ray Frank's sincerity is obvious. Afterall he was loved by the rank and file, who notice his genuiness, but the pharisees around him he was not 'kosher'. Political correctness, keeping traditions of men, doctrinal twisting, mis-leading prophetical interpretations, multiple end-time date fixing with no lessons being learned from failures and plain biblical admonitions, hatred of those who for the love of God want to follow the bible more purely. Persistence in this kind of wrong doing cant be right can it? If you are a JW and you rank this book a 1,or 2-star, where is your conscience? Who do you love? Jehovah and his son or the Watchtower organisation. Let us all be circumspect and fight for the one true faith. Behold the judge stands at the door!! Finally, in virtually every other church you can read other biblical stuff without trouble. I challenge the Watchtower society to write a few articles in the watchtower, kingdom ministry and even in sermons every six months or so admonishing the faithful to be like the Beroeans and check what they are taught. Also to let them freely read what their 'adversaries' say. That would be a good barometer of their own authenticity!!

A MUST READ for Current, Ex, and Related to, J W's.:
This book documents what my gut, and personal experiences have told me for 25 years. As a twenty something year old, who liked the field service, bible study and christian living, but had withdraw from being a ministerial servant, I used to say,"I'll have no part in the operation of this organization." That took courage back then,(80's)and I'm glad I had it. Raymond Franz and others have had the courage to speak their conscience, and Raymond to document/write about it. And to think I was considering returning to the "organization". That's why I read, and you should read,this book. Learn the realities of how the Jehovah's Witness organization operates. Learn the difference between "dissent" and "disloyalty/appostacy". My christian life will now have much less frustration with "organized unreasonableness", often cloaked in the expression "loyalty to the Organization". Yours could to! To Ramond Franz. Thanks for producing "Crisis of Conscience"