The thing is, when I got Baptized™ in 1980, I did NOT make a dedication to an organization. Here is what I said YES to:
(1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him the Father through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightenment of the holy spirit?" ~ Watchtower 1956 Jul 1 p.407
Five years later, they change the rules and try to say that I agreed to this:
The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism." ~ Watchtower 1985 Jun 1 p.30
The problem with this is that they have removed from me the privilege of having "the enlightenment of the holy spirit" or having God's will revealed directly to me through Jesus and through the Bible. Instead, I must be part of an organization that claims to be spirit directed, without having any recourse when they screw up. I can't disagree with them. I can't petition them for clarification. I can't openly refute their teachings. I have to shut my mouth in order to remain in association with the people I care about, in order to maintain a relationship with my family and friends. If I can't do that, I am risking social suicide.
