Raymond Franz, as part of the Governing Body, was responsible for writing some of the literature supplied to the membership. He was believed when he was part of the Society. His testimony is worth no less now that he has found the courage to leave and speak out.
His fascinating story along with copies of the correspondence that took place is available in his book. For an in-depth insight into the inner workings of the Watchtower Society and photocopies of their history of pronouncements, I can recommend "Crisis of Conscience," a heavy weight textbook by Raymond Franz. (Commentary Press - Atlanta - Released in 1983, revised and updated in 1999 Available through Amazon Books)
Many of those whose conscience also moved them to speak out and leave had served as Witnesses for many decades, in some cases more than forty years. The following quote is taken from a chapter in the book just highlighted, entitled "Price of Conscience:"
"They include persons who were prominent members of the Witnesses' international headquarters staff at Brooklyn, New York; men who were travelling superintendents and elders; women who spent long years in missionary and evangelistic work. When they first became Witnesses, they had often cut off all previous friendships with persons of other faiths, since such associations are discouraged among Jehovah's Witnesses. For the rest of their life their only friends have been among those of their faith. Some had built their whole life plans around the goals set before them by the organization, letting these control the amount of education they sought, the type of work they did, their decisions as to marriage, and whether they had children or remained childless. Their "investment" was a large one, involving some of life's most precious assets. And now they have seen all of this disappear, wiped out in a matter of a few hours." (Page 4)
Among those that left the Bethel home was Randy Watters, who went on to establish a Christian help group for the many thousands of Witnesses that decided truth lay elsewhere. The help group known as "Bethel Ministries" has helped many of these sincere people examine the Watchtower Society in detail. They have had to come to terms with the shock of finding that they could no longer support an organization that has failed the very test that it set for others.
To dismiss such dedicated long serving members because of their desire to speak the truth is a serious indictment. To label them as evil slaves and erase them from memory may have worked in the past, but as their numbers increase and more find the courage to speak out with documented reasons for their discontent, they will eventually get their message across to the many Witnesses who have never questioned.
