Customer Reviews: Read 110 more reviews...
 Free yourself from a life of regret, doubt and fear: READ THIS BOOK! November 20, 2008
IT TOOK ME 10 YEARS TO FINALLY READ THIS BOOK, or any book for that matter other than Watchtower literature, and I have to say, I am finally free. Free from the feeling of never being able to measure up, free from the fear of turning my back on GOD and armegeddon, and free from all those mind numbing meetings. But most importantly, freedom from not having to do what the Watchtower says I must do, in order to "earn salvation". I was not brought up in this religion but accepted a bible study in my twenties and got sucked in and have not been able to leave without tremendous guilt. If you are a witness and just curious, please read this book. It is not poison, and the truth about the truth will most definitely set you free. But please don't stop there, READ THE SECOND BOOK (Christian Freedom) which in my opinion, is even better. You will be enraged when you find out how much you have been lied to by the Watchtower and how much is covered-up. If anything, read this for your children's sake, dont they deserve a normal childhood? I did and it was the best thing I ever did for myself and my family. I am so happy; I finally can say I feel free, very angry but nevertheless free from the hold the organization has had on me for twenty years. Thank you Raymond Franz.
The pressure is gone! November 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
By reding this book the inner uncomfortable pressure, the feeling that something is very wrong without being able to identifye the reason all the time, is confirmed and taken away! It's like being at the kitchen watching the boiler: you can see the steam but don't know what's inside.. This book remove the lid, so that the steam can get out and you can clearly see the true contents. And I have to say: it's not a pretty sight.. To know I've been a part of it all from my birth, make me sad(I'm now 48); but in a way still happy, because without knowing the org. with a insidewiew I wouldn't been able to identifie the falsehood and then be able to see it when the real truth was put in front of me. I have no doubth what so ever that what Raymond Franz here is telling is the true story of his lifeexperiences, and I never for one minute had a reason for doubth his motivation for writing it. In my eyes, this book is among the MOST IMPORTANT BOOK's EVER WRITTEN, because it open up the eyes of millions of people; not only those from JW org, but from any religious org. The only problem is that most JW, or other religious persons, will never touch it, thinking of it as dangerous reading..If they only could know the fact.. If someone out there has second thoughts about reading it or not: PLEASE READ IT. Remember, if it's a lie it won't conqure the truth, but if what you believe is a lie, would you not be glad if someone told you? Have some faith in your self! You can identifie a lie, can't you? And after all, you got only a few years on this earth to investigate this things-would it not be nice to spend them in the happiness of deep trust in God and His son, instead of putting your trust in man - who will surely die and be forgotten? Read this book. You will never regret!!
Shows 'the truth' of the organization November 12, 2008
This book is highly recommended for any JW who has questioned his/her faith. Most JWs have some level of doubt, and when it gets strong enough, many find they have to research outside the faith about the organization. Crisis of Conscience is the perfect book to confirm your doubts.
Crisis of Conscience does an excellent job describing how the WatchTower organization really works, including its false prophecies, lies, and cover ups. Ray Franz cites numerous sources to back up his claims of flip-flops and lies.
For those of you who think everything negative about the organization is 'all lies' this is far from true. I was shocked myself to see that everything Ray Franz mentions is actually true. The Society says they are all lies in an effort of mind control, to scare its members from reading the truth about the organization.
For anyone with doubts, this book will solidify all your concerns, and will show that you are not going crazy. Trust your gut, if you have doubts, there's a reason. If the JW faith is 'the truth' then no lies can stumble it.
I personally left the JW faith after 10 years, and Crisis of Conscience was a major turning point in my progression away from the mind-control of the Watchtower Society.
 Crisis of Conscience October 10, 2008
There is good information in this book for those trying to escape the hold of this cult/religion. It shows a unique view from a man that was an insider of this organization. A good read!
One of the Most Enlightening Books I've Read September 15, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This review is written specifically with Jehovah's Witnesses in mind.
I have been associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses organization for almost my entire life. I was raised by Witness parents, baptized in my late teens, and was a very active member (including being a pioneer and ministerial servant) for 7 years.
When I first learned of this book, my initial reaction was "I have little interest in reading the words of an apostate." Actually, I was afraid of being swayed by one man's "smooth words," a concern I'm sure all witnesses share. The organization regularly warns against reading apostate literature. In a way, this is good counsel, as the majority of "apostate literature" simply isn't worth reading. Far too often the writers employ abusive speech, lies, personal attacks, and one-sided presentations of the facts. Sadly, the writers often use their books as a thinly-disguised vehicle for promoting their newfound beliefs.
I can confidently say you will find none of this in Raymond Franz's book. Here are some of the outstanding qualities of "Crisis of Conscience:"
- A calm, objective, rational tone pervades the entire book. Franz's writing comes across as humble and never mean-spirited. I would describe his attitude toward his former brothers and sisters as "compassionate."
- Franz's treatment of the organization is fair and balanced. He's not interested in exaggerating the facts, painting the Watch Tower as some sort of evil, cultish, antichrist organization. At the beginning of one chapter he even commends the Watchtower and Awake magazines for promoting belief in a Creator, the Bible, and good family values.
- Franz displays a great concern for truth and accuracy. He is careful to never quote anything out of context, and if he doesn't know certain information, he says so. Nearly every statement made is accompanied by references, the vast majority of which come from the Society's own publications. The reader can then look up the material referenced in their own personal "theocratic library" or at their local Kingdom Hall.
- Franz's background fully qualifies him to write such a book. In one of the early chapters, he shares a history of his 40 years of service, during which time he served at every level of the organization, including 9 years on the Governing Body.
Franz did not write this book to "expose" or "get back at" the organization. As stated in his book, his many years of service gave him information to which the vast majority of Witnesses have absolutely no access. He felt bound by his conscience to provide this information to all witnesses and the general public, so that they may come to their own informed decision.
Whether you are a former, current, or prospective member of the Jehovah's Witness organization, read "Crisis of Conscience." After the Bible, it may be one of the most important books you'll ever read.
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