In regards to the hierarchy that was written on the board, I can recall this kind of sentiment expressed at Bethel on numerous occasions. I can tell you that there is a sense of pride that exists among rank & file Bethelites at giving unwavering allegiance to men. When I was going through my orientations, another new Bethelite and I were sitting in the office of a very prominent brother who is now on the U.S. Branch Committee. I will leave out his name. He was speaking to us about loyalty to the faithful slave. He related that he loved music by Pavarotti. He went on to say that if the brothers told him he could no longer listen to Pavarotti, that he would gladly throw it all into the trash. At the time, I thought that he was a fine example of spirituality. Now I look back and shudder to think that a man like this now has one of the most powerful positions in the organization.
There is an atmosphere of what I call “consensual stupidity” within the organization. Jehovah’s Witnesses are actually conditioned to view themselves as “spiritual” if they are willing to NOT think, and blindly follow orders. Complete compliance with a lack of critical thinking is considered praiseworthy in the organization. All we have to do is look at history to see that no society like this can flourish forever. Just like Soviet Union, they will eventually have to face a collision course with reality.