In the simplified English edition of the July 15th, 2011 Watchtower, in an article that warns JWs about apostate influences, the following quote is given as a reason to stick close to the Watchtower Organization:
"The organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from God's Word."
A scan of the page can be found here: http://www.jwfacts.com/images/watchtower-2011-jul-15-p12-apostates.jpg
What are the implications of a statement like this? Given the doctrinal changes and false predictions of the Watchtower Society, some level of disappointment is to be expected among the JWs. At the very least, many JWs fully expected Armageddon to have arrived by now, as they were instructed to believe by their leaders. But here, those very leaders who made promises they couldn't keep, tell their followers that the organization - not God, not Jesus, but a group of men - has NEVER disappointed them.
How are those who have been rightly disappointed going to feel about this statement? Likely, they will feel that the disappointment is all their fault (1975, anyone?). Why? Because the Governing Body says that no one has ever been disappointed. If God's chosen representatives say they have never done anything to disappoint, then it must be true...right? So the rank and file begin to doubt themselves. They feel guilty. That guilt gives the leaders of the Watchtower Society a powerful edge.
Sometimes I soften a bit and think, "These guys are just doing what they think is best. They don't mean any harm. They aren't intentionally manipulating their followers. They're just trying to keep them on the straight and narrow." Then I read an article like this one and realize the deplorable level of control and manipulation that is being exercised over the JWs.
I have been disappointed with this religion. I have every right to be disappointed. I refuse to be tricked into thinking that there has been no reason for me to ever be disappointed. How about you?
