Nominally this website is for ANYONE with an interest in Jehovah's Witnesses.
But it is my hope that the information, views, and what is presented here will have a much more profound effect upon persons of my generation and especially upon younger Jehovah's Witnesses. It may be cliché but the Jehovah's Witness future does belong to the young.
Today's young Jehovah's Witness faces two very different sets of circumstances that persons of my generation were only on the vanguard of having. These things are exciting because they raise the very real possibility that for the first time in the Organization's history, needed change may occur as a result of a persistent "grassroots" movement within the Organization. These are the following:
First, the possibility of a young Witness obtaining a higher education without the degree of censure and social ostracism from the friends that used to be. (Although, some have suggested that the "tide is already turning" and that the Society is once again positioning against (any) higher education, I believe that the "cows have left the barn" and short of an all out ban, it is now too late for the Society to attempt to shut the door to college with any effectiveness.)
I cannot overemphasize the value of a higher education in so many facets of life and especially in being able to come to a greater understanding of being one of Jehovah's Witnesses and with understanding that change is needed within the traditional model of the religion.
The second and much more important circumstance is the development of the Internet/World Wide Web and the access to information. This is nothing short of revolutionary and I believe that it will ultimately result in fundamental reform among Jehovah's Witnesses in the forseeable future.
Thus the primary audience that I have tried to address with this website is the Jehovah's Witness youth of today - although paradoxically I have made no attempt to try to make it "cool" or specifically "marketable" to these youth.
By no means should this be understood that older persons are neither important nor unwelcome here. Indeed those that are still active in the Organization and especially which have any kind of "authority," influence or leadership are more than welcome to consider this website and will, I hope, be spurred to begin taking some action.
However, it is my guess that the kind of major changes to Jehovah's Witnesses which I anticipate occurring will not reach fruition until at least a few more decades.
Therefore I wish to address any current or active Jehovah's Witness who are over 50 years old now.
Please think considerably before deciding to delve into anything presented on this website or indeed anywhere else on the Internet regarding Jehovah's Witnesses. This website contains a great deal of information which, I believe, demonstrates that there are several important "cracks" in the Watchtower. If you have spent a life-time in faithful service (as my own parents have) or if it is possible that you might decide to "leave the Organization" at this late stage in your life, please consider the consequences very carefully.
Indeed, if you feel that consideration of any information that is critical of the Society may be harmful to you, then by all means please go away.
This is for your own good. I would rather you die with your belief and your faith and hope than to have a hand in taking these from you at the twilight of your life and just when you may need such comforts the most. In this, I differ from what Ray Franz says in his groundbreaking book, Crisis of Conscience, where he writes "there isn't any kindness in encouraging people to live in illusions." (p.337)
I believe that for a few elderly Jehovah's Witnesses, the most loving thing to do is to permit them to live out their lives in quiet ignorance than in the heartbreaking realization that some or even much of what they have dedicated their life to and sacrificed for have been falsehoods. Yes, even lies, malicious or not, that is what they have been.
Now, it is probably true that for many, reality must be faced sooner or later and if this occurs very late in life, just when the most comfort is needed, it can have devastating effects. But my weighing of the balances leads me to err on the side of caution when it comes to trying to expose elderly Jehovah's Witnesses to the "truth about the Truth." If such ones come to a point where they wish to leave the Organization, that may be inevitable and unavoidable, but I personally do not want to be responsible for it. In such situations I am guided by my own feelings toward my elderly parents who have spent their lives in dedicated service to Jehovah (the Organization). The fact is that I truly do not know what they would do if they were to realize at this point in their lives that they have been misguided in many of the things they have been taught by the Society. My mom and dad dream of Paradise and have been told all of their lives that it will definitely come in their lifetimes - and that they will never die. Indeed, they are the children of the generation of whom it was told "Millions Now Living Will Never Die."
So, even if it was possible, who am I to rob them of that wonderful hope - or rather this illusion of paradise to be regained which has fueled and fed them so long?
Their belief and faith in what they have learned and been taught has provided them with meaning and structure to their lives and keeps them going from day-to-day. I believe that true Christian kindness mandates that I take a hopeful but neutral stance towards their accepting the truth about the Truth. Of course, as a Christian, I have to make a "defense" of my own faith and understanding; but not to the detriment of others. The first commandment with a promise in the old law was "Honor thy Father and thy Mother, for it will go well with you" and this sometimes requires allowing such ones to continue in their blissful ignorance.
If you are a senior like my parents and for some reason you are considering leaving Jehovah's Witnesses, please see this page for more specific discussion about the unique concerns that you face: Senior Concerns: Advice for Jehovah's Witness Seniors
But aside from this concern for our elderly ones, everyone, even they, are welcome and I do hope that this site will find its audience.
