JWGoneBad,
I joined the cult in 1984 (ironic, no?).
I was completely unaware of past statements like the above from WT leadership.
My "born-in" and still-in, ex-wife showed me this quote back in 2002 or 2003 when we were still married. I'm sure she doesn't know it, but that quote was what actually got me to begin seriously doubting our religion.
I began tugging on a few of the threads that had been giving me more or less minor, but still nagging, doubts. Once you pull of a couple of loose threads of the WT/JW "theology" the whole thing quickly falls apart.
I tried to leave with my family intact, but alas I was unsuccessful. This is how I learned--the hard way--that doctrine actually doesn't matter to most JWs. The mind control is too strong.
Let's review: It's a cult!