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Summary: A Man of Honor
Review: Thank you for saving my life, these are the words that I would utter to Raymond Franz if I had the chance. What he has done by writing Crisis of Conscience and Christian Freedom is unbelievably brave and honorable. After two suicide attempts I finally decided to leave the organization of JW's. I thought it would be better to just take my life than to be judged, shunned, ridiculed, insulted and shamed by the JW community. It was very difficult. I was baptized when I was only 11 years old. At sixteen I began having strong doubts that it was the truth. But I persisted. My father was the presiding overseer of the congregation, and my entire family, my sisters, my brother, my cousins, aunts and uncles, all my relatives were witnesses, and most of them still are. It wasn't until ten years after that I finally got the courage to leave, despite the consequences that I knew would be inflicted upon me by this CULT. I have lost my entire family because of leaving the JW's, but I have found true happiness. I actually love life, for the first time ever. I wish more witnesses would open their minds and hearts, and know their own beauty, their own worth and that of others from all different walks of life, religions and beliefs. Ray Franz was brave to do what he did. I feel pity for JW's who write negative reviews about this book and keep anonymous, it proves that they live in fear, and I feel sad for them. I hope someday they will realize that the men controlling their lives are not spokepersons of Jehovah God, but men who are misled by their own sense of authority. Please have the courage to read this book and at least give yourself a chance to be free.
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Summary: THE BEST EVER!
Review: This book was not available when I left the Watchtower Society in 1974. Had it been, I would not have had to go through so many confusing and agonizing years of readjustment away from the Watchtower Society. I read many books in my effort to make sense out of it, but not until Ray's, Crisis of Conscience, did it come together. He not only confirmed the things that I had seen that were terribly wrong, he revealed and explained many more deceptive strategies of practice and policy from his vantage point within the Governing Body of the organization. He uncovered the sinister twists and turns on which this organization moves and operates. But he does so with great skill, gentleness and poise. He is not in the least bit offensive or mean spirited, but writes out of compassion and consideration, while uncovering the deception and corruption of the Watchtower organization. I my opinion, it is the best book ever written exposing the truth about the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of the Jehovah's Witnesses. http://www.psnw.com/~awaketothewt/
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Summary: so true
Review: I was baptized a Jehovah's Witness in 1972 (three years before Armageddon came) and served as an Elder for a good number of years. All I can say is put Franz book to the test for yourself. I did, and it was right on the money. After much praying on the matter, last week me and my wife "disassociated" from the Witnesses based, in part, on what we saw going on in our area which truly reflected the timely information presented in this and Franz second book, In Search Of Christian Freedom. If you feel you have the "truth," then you should not fear at all to read this great work. Thank you, Brother Franz!
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Summary: What is left to say? (zrizez@yahoo.com)
Review: As said many times below, this books candor and most importantly its tone will simply blow you away. Franz is everything you would expect of a person who left the JW org and attained a deeper faith in God and the Bible rather than losing his faith. Never, not once, does anger or any of the adverse emotions you might expect from someone in his situation come into this book. Instead you see the thing you would expect from a true Christian, love, mercy, consideration and more love. Yet, he leaves no stone unturned taking you from the beginnings of the JW's history "knitpicking" every detail as one critic said. Why? Because an organization that claims to be the "mouthpeice of God" and the only way for you to attain a good place in the afterlife deserves to be "knitpicked". Christianity in general is treated this way, and it comes up fighting. On the other hand, the JW orgs defense is preventing it's members from reading "apostate" literature. That's very telling. All in all, if you need to know the facts about the JW's straight from a 9 year veteran of their Governing Body, then this book is for you.
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Summary: The Truth About The So-Called "truth"
Review: Crisis of Conscience should be read by every Jehovahs Witness.Just the chapter entitled Double Standards should tell any thinking Jehovahs Witness that the Watchtower Society is not Gods channnel and that it is a false claim.That chapter shows that the Watchtower Society is actually Bloodguilty.Our Creator has nothing to do with the Watchtower Society.Crisis Of Conscience shows that God does not use any organization on earth.It is not necessary to be involved with an organization to serve God acceptably. READ CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE. I am a third generation witness and now I know that my life has been wasted with this organization.The Governing Body are nothing more than a bunch of power-hungry money-loving liars who will do anything to protect their authority structure.I look forward to the destruction of the Watchtower Society.It is false and oppressive.
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Summary: GREAT GREAT BOOK
Review: As a jws this is a must read book to know what is going on! As an ex jws it will help you heal and believe again! Ray gives it straight and to the point lets all know what was and is going on.
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Summary: Crisis of Conscience sincere
Review: This appears to be an accurate description of life in the core of a large religious organization. All individuals who put their trust in any religion should read this book.
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Summary: If you have the heart, the insight is astonding!
Review: The book offers insight into the operation of the Governing Body in recent history. The book lacks insight in comparing previous organizational arrangements of Jehovah's name people through the ages (from Moses through 1st century Christianity). Also curiously Franz never mentions the name Jehovah without giving any explanation. Other obvious failings exist in the book. Overall, it is very insightful. A must read.
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Summary: heart opening..
Review: Born and raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I am well aware of their teachings. Even as I write this I fear I am doing somethng "wrong". Anyone once a Jehovah's Witness will understand what I mean. This book allowed me to stop feeling guilty and to stop feeling that I am alone in my feelings. You don't have to give up belief in God to stop believing in the "organization". The guilt can stop now!
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Summary: Helps educates both Jehovah's Witnesses and those who aren't
Review: This book puts into perspective the organization behind the name. Really, it is the organization that they follow. It is of particular interest to those that have experienced being a JW in the 1970's and 1980's and the major changes of "this generation" and nuteral stand with governments. These major doctrines that changed in 1995. Yet the book was written in early 1980 gives the reader something to think about, knowing the organization was thinking of changing them then but could not get a 2/3 vote to do so. Mr. Franz in writing this book surley shows his Crisis of Conscience and the many things he did to please the organization, yet went against his conscience. He is very candid about himself. He also lets the reader know how the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses treats their own kind. It is to be noted that JW's are discouraged in reading such material, for if they knew the truth about the organization they followed many more would leave. This book can also help an X-witness to understand that what they experienced as a JW was common even amoungst the "upper class". I'd suggest that if you can help one, JW, to understand their history you maybe able to save them the pain from this cult. It helped me to understand I was not crazy and by god's grace I was not dead in his eyes. Mr. Franz's second book "In Search of Christian Freedom" is as equally encouraging. If you are a x-witness and need help, in the Seattle.
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