Ok, so I finally picked up CoC from my local library last night. And started reading it like crazy. I think I read about 70 pages which brought me close to the end of the second chapter: "Governing Body". While I must say that so far, the book is actually very very interesting, it doens't really seem to contain more than a life story, with a man who started to become disgruntled because his ideas were not taken very seriously. And when they were finally accepted, he became dissatisfied because he did not get all the pats on his back he was expecting.
I must admit that his "inside" knowledge and details did help me reaffirm my previous ideas of how one should see things that come from the governing body. For example: I had already extensively researched some of the doctrines or beliefs that had changed several times during the 1950-1980 period. I had already come to the conclusion that while the Governign Body might have the best intentions, their personal feelings and upbringing definetely get in the way. Reading about Ray's experience with other GB members and their reactions to some of the issues at the time has definetely convinced me that the GB is not to be blindly obeyed, and that I'm entitled to my own opinion and set of beliefs. At the same time, the fact that anyone with a differing oppinion is right away tossed out, means I have to be careful how I exercise this.
Here is one thing that bothered me. At some point Ray makes reference to the book "Proclaimers", and points out the fact that it mentions how JW tried to adhere to the 1st century GB arrangement from the time Russel was around. Then he goes on and on talking about how Russel considered himself to solely be the F&DS appointed by Jesus, and how Rutherford was such a big meanie. Here's my point, Ray had already talked about how sometimes, when he was writing about whatever, his own desire to make things conform to the teaching of the GB and WT doctrine did get in the way a little bit. Even explaining how far he went to try to prove the whole 607BC thing. So could it be that the brother writing this section in the "proclaimers" book did the same thing?? Could have been a personal idea, or maybe information he wrongly got from someone else and just took it as accurate. Just seemed like a lot of ranting to neither prove or disprove anything. Especially considering the fact that most JW do know that at first The Bible Sudents had a sole president, and the GB arrangement did not come in till a while later.
So, I don't know. When I got this book, I said to myself I'd read it with an open mind and no bias whatsoever, neither for the WT or "Apostates". And it actually felt pretty good last night. Like I said, there were a lot of very good points that helped me to clarify some personal ideas. So there!!! Those are my impressions so far......any thoughts????
Jedi Master