Multi:
Here's a couple things to consider with regard to "new light".
First off, as you know, the whole concept of "new light" is based on Proverbs 4:18.
"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
Sometime when you've got a few minutes sit down and read the whole chapter. (It's only 22 verses long.) We're encouraged to do that in the "Benefit" book so we don't end up taking something out of context, right? Proverbs Chapter 4 is about sons listening to the discipline and wisdom of a father. Don't follow the wicked. Things turn out bad for them. How about the righteous? Try to be like those guys. Their path starts out pretty good and gets better as time goes on by continuing to live a virtuous life. It's just like the light of day getting brighter and brighter. That's how most non-JWs read Proverbs Chapter 4.
You and I, OTOH, have been told since infancy that vs 18 is all about how Jehovah has been progressively revealing truth to his people during the last 120 years or so. Have a fresh look at it and see if you still come away with that impression.
Now, let's put all that aside for the moment and say that the whole "new light" concept is right on the money & 100% accurate. In that case I would expect to see a progressively accurate, more detailed understanding on various issues over the years. But here's where the whole "new light" idea falls apart. How can the "light" on a given question go "off" "on", "off", "on". That's not the coming of the dawn. That's a strobe light! I think the most "strobes" happened in connection with the "Will Sodom & Gomorrah residents be resurrected" question. The "light" has flicked back and forth many times on this one over the years. Now while the question itself is pretty unimportant, the underlying concept of "new light" gets blown away by this. Is Jehovah really telling the GB yes/no/yes/no/yes/no?
Now who cares if we're talking about something as trivial as the Sodom & Gomorrah question, right? But, now think about life and death issues. When organ transplants came out the Holy Spirit directed the GB to tell JWs not to have them. They said it was "canibalism" even though the recipient's body doesn't digest the donated organ. Go figure. 15 years go by. Many JWs die because of this. Then all of a sudden the ban is lifted. How would you feel if you lost a child one year over this issue and the next year it's OK? Does it really make sense that this is the direction of Holy Spirit? Why would Jehovah want x-number of JWs to die for 15 years before changing his mind?
The bottom line is this: The Watchtower expects JWs to act like what is printed there is the Word of God. They don't explicity say this, and in fact deny it, but in practice that's what is expected. Why does the Watchtower officially say they are not "inspired" or a "prophet"? Because then, when mistakes are made, and there have been plenty, they can say "Oh, we're just imperfect men trying our best. But, don't forget, we're still 'spirit directed'! " They try, sucessfully for the most part, to have it both ways.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Keep reading. Keep thinking. The truth has nothing to fear.
Open Mind
btw, I just read your last post. I'll find the references for the flip-flops on Sodom & Gomorrah and Organ Transplants.
