Hi, Member... You're going through quite exactly what I did about a year and a half ago. I've been writing my treatise, "Why the Watchtower Society Is Not What it Purports to Be," for some time now. I'm on page 18; don't know WHEN I'll get it done. But if you'd care to read an excerpt that deals with the particular subject you've brought up, here it is...
Best,
Confession
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Apostasy
Having demonstrated that the Watchtower Society has many, many times—in assuming the role of Publisher of God’s interpretations—been wrong in declaring dates in which significant events would come to pass, should we not be willing to make a “rational inquiry” into its claims as God’s channel? Indeed doesn’t justice demand we do so? Isn’t it wrong to think that doing so is somehow an act of disloyalty? What does the Watchtower Society itself teach about willingness to examine an organization based on its teachings?
[Watchtower, November 15, 1963]
It is not persecution for an informed person to expose a certain religion as being false.
[The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, 1968, p. 13]
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.
[Is This Life All There Is?, 1974, p. 46]
Knowing these things, what will you do? It is obvious that the true God, who is himself “the God of truth” and who hates lies, will not look with favor on persons who cling to organizations that teach falsehood. (Psalm 31:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8) And, really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?
[Awake, November 22, 1984, “An Open or a Close Mind—Which Do You Have?”]
A necessary part of life is that we make decisions and reach judgments. But decisions made "without due examination" or judgments reached "on other grounds than reason or justice" are evidences of a closed mind.
Having an open mind, on the other hand means to be receptive to new information and ideas. It means being willing to examine and to evaluate information without a biased attitude. By retaining what is worthwhile and rejecting what is worthless, we can reach definite conclusions on a solid basis. A closed mind may betray a lack of interest in the subject matter, or a reluctance to look into the matter. ... If we are unable to defend our religious views, we may find ourselves lashing out against those who challenge our beliefs, not with logical arguments, but with slurs and innuendoes. This smacks of prejudice and of a closed mind... An open mind can serve to your advantage, a closed one will almost certainly serve to your detriment.
This is certainly an admirable position: a religious organization teaching that we should all have nothing to fear in examining “any religious organization with which we may be associated.” They emphasize how important it is to separate ourselves from organizations that “teach falsehood,” and to have an “open mind” in examining other religions. But does the Watchtower Society apply these same positions to the examination of its own religion?
[Qualified, 1955, p. 156]
5 The first essential for study is the right condition of mind and heart, appreciating that Jehovah grants understanding only to the meek, and not to the stiff-necked. If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, 'believe all things,' all the things that The Watchtower brings out…
[Watchtower 1967 June 1, p. 338 “Move Ahead with Jehovah’s Organization”]
We may think of study as hard work, as involving heavy research. But in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing , to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society. But you do not study enough? Take this suggestion: Often the very best and most beneficial studying you do is that done when you read a new Watchtower or Awake! or a new book with the joy of getting the new truths and a fresh view.
[Watchtower 1981 February 15, p. 19 “Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?”]
Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful . We should have confidence in the channel God is using.
[Watchtower 1984 May 15, p. 17]
"So important is it never to raise the voice in bitter criticism of the Lord's organization or its appointed representatives. Jehovah is the omniscient Judge before whom accounting must be made for these and other unprofitable sayings. -- Matthew 12:36, 37; Leviticus 19:16; Jude 8. Those who despise Jehovah's teaching include individuals who criticize and complain about Jehovah's clean organization and its rules for maintaining peace and good order. There is only a fine line of demarcation between such and those who are outright rebels."
[Watchtower 1986 March 15 pp.10-15 “Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason”]
7 Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate teaching— subtle reasonings—claiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth? For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: 'It won't affect me; I'm too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt.
So, although the Watchtower Society encourages a thorough and open-minded examination of the things taught by a religion, this only applies to religions other than its own. We should “believe all things” they say, leaving most of the study and research to certain “brothers in the organization.” How incongruous it is for them to publish that “if we are lovers of the truth there is nothing to fear” in examining another religion, but the same sort of examination into Watchtower teachings is something in which “Jehovah is not pleased.” Any suggestion that “what you believe as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not the truth” must be considered—not an open minded examination—but instead the devious propaganda of apostates.
