The fact that the org. was/is critical of those that that use their God given gift to be able to think critically has always bothered me.
As Seeker said, If you remove independant thinking, what are you left with? Dependant thinking. Now who's doing my thinking for me? That's an excelant question we should always keep in mind whenever some group tells us not to question them, just follow.
Funny how the WT can be so critical of everyone and everything on the planet but when someone takes a critical look to see if they really measure up to claims to be God's channel they are all of a sudden being attacked by 'apostates' or being persecuted.
The logic of these people is really sad. Proof of being the channel is "Who else is doing the preaching work?"
Who else is imagining they are preaching when instead they are driving around, knocking at not-at-homes and hanging out in donut shops?
One of the things that really bothered me when I was immersed in the mindset was that one standard was used for the world and another for the witnesses. We offered our literature to others but refused to read theirs. We made fun of them for changing their doctrine (esp. the meat on Friday thing) but then we did the same thing and called it new light.
I suppose the only way to not let that bother you is to do like JT promoted in his talks: Don't think!
Excellent contribution, as usual. I've printed it out for the much-better, but still-clinging-by-a-singed-hair-to-denial, half. And, of course, to keep in mind myself.