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Raymond Franz died in 2010, however in this re-publishing of Crisis of Conscience based on it’s very last printing in 2008, the authors story, heart and expressions of his love for God and his fellow man remain with us. By Franz, Raymond Publication date 2002 Topics Christianity - Jehovah's Witnesses, Cults, Reference, Religion - Spiritual Warfare, Franz, Raymond, Jehovah's Witnesses.
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Raymond Franz, former member of the governing body shares his true account in an honest, unbiased manner of his experience of his life as a Jehovah's Witness and the events that led up to his formal resignation from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Published June 2002 by Commentary Press (first published 1983)
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KatrijnThis might be a bit late but on amazon and barnes and noble they're selling a new 5th edition of crisis of conscience for $25.99 paperback
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Mar 26, 2008Stacey rated it it was amazingRecommends it for: present/former JWs, anyone who has family or friends in the JW organization.
Shelves: my-review-or-notes, religion-or-mythology, my-library-tradepaper
This book was written quite a few years back as an expose of the JW religion, told by a former high-level insider.
It is well written, with enough documentation so that anyone who was present as a JW at the time these events were happening, will recognize the honesty of his account.
CoC motivated me to open my eyes and really examine what I believe, instead of just believing what I was told.
P.S. I'm no longer a JW, and would never go back. I'm indebted to Mr. Franz for stimulating my critical th...more
It is well written, with enough documentation so that anyone who was present as a JW at the time these events were happening, will recognize the honesty of his account.
CoC motivated me to open my eyes and really examine what I believe, instead of just believing what I was told.
P.S. I'm no longer a JW, and would never go back. I'm indebted to Mr. Franz for stimulating my critical th...more
This book rocked my entire world. Ray Franz was a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses and talks about what goes on during their secret meetings about the affairs of Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world. Case in point, the rape, brutal murders, and village burning of the Malawi people all because the Society told them not be buy a 25cent political card, when across the world in Mexico, the brothers were told they could bribe soldiers just to avoid the draft.
In other words, alot...more
In other words, alot...more
This book is perfect at the job Ray Franz set out to accomplish. He was a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's witnesses and left due to cognitive dissonance. He writes about his experiences and has well documented proof of the things he says. The tone is perfect: Not angry but factual and honest. I am afraid that only a Jehovah's Witness or a former member would understand or appreciate all of the contents. But considering that the audience is just that, it is appropriate.
Book Crisis Of Conscience
As a former Jehovah's witness, this book was beyond eye opening. I am so grateful to the author for writing this book in such an honest and articulate fashion.
Feb 05, 2013Don Skotch Vail rated it it was amazing
If you have never been part of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, I am not sure what this book would mean to you. If you are interested in the subject of thought control, or institutional evil, then you may get something out of this. But if you have been a member of this religion, then this book will resonate from your teeth to your toes.
To be a Witness is to give up much of your creativity, your ability to express yourself freely, and the sum of your critical thinking. Above all, being a Witnes...more
To be a Witness is to give up much of your creativity, your ability to express yourself freely, and the sum of your critical thinking. Above all, being a Witnes...more
Jun 24, 2007Kimberly Schwelm rated it it was amazing
I bought this book back in 2002 I believe. I read half of it and then got side tracked by life I guess. :) I was raised in the religious organization of the Jehovah's Witnesses and so was the author of this book. I have not been affiliated with the Jehovah's Witnesses or any other religion for almost 10 years now. I have recently been back in contact with some friends I grew up with and who also left the organization 7 years ago. I have one brother and one sister who have also recently left the...more
Jul 10, 2012Jewel rated it really liked it
After investing some 20 years under the domination of the this man made organization this book gave me a great deal of reassurance that after having escaped I was not alone. Ramond Franz who dedicated the majority of his vital years to the society tells his intimate life story of dedication and then betrayal even though he was considered a loyal and tirelessly dedicated member of the governing body. Boycotted after decades of service he was cast off as an ugly stain on this predomately white sel...more
This is an insider's view of the Jehovah's Witness organization from a man who was a higher-up for a long time. With this sort of exposé you run the risk of the author being one-sided, but I really felt like Franz tried hard to be fair and I could sense his sadness at how things came out. There were some parts where I got bogged down in the minutiae of their procedures, but it was fascinating with regard to JW prophecies and how they seem to change to suit the circumstance. I also was intrigued...more
A MUST READ for anyone thinking of leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses or have already left!
Pretty powerful. And heartbreaking. It's slow in some places but I would recommend skimming through and reading more into the 1980 era he writes about. Only a JW or former will really understand. It's written with eloquence and respect, certainly not a religion bashing book by any means.
May 01, 2008Daniel Chamberlayne rated it it was amazing
This is a powerful book about Raymond Franz, former member of the governing body in the Jehovah Witnesses...A must read!
Sad. He spent virtually of his life in the Jehovah's Witness organization (with a few years at the very top) only to end up being excommunicated for eating a meal with an excommunicant. Unlike many exposes, He doesn't seem to have an ax to grind and refrains from hyperbole. He does get bogged down into technical details that I found it hard to care about (I guess biblical chronology becomes very important when you're a biblical literalist), but he does a good job conveying the sincere heartache...more
Ultimately you will take away yet another example of religious hypocrisy. This was a great book but it won't make a bit of sense to someone who is not a Jehovah's Witness. I found this book maddening as a former member of the religion. I wanted to picket the WBTS headquarters, but it's a total waste of time to do so. Great for educational purposes, but please don't let bitterness against JW's keep you from growing as a person.
Sep 21, 2011Russ Painter rated it really liked it
Fantastic insider look into the crooks at the top of the Jehovah's Witness empire. Extremely well documented.
This text, which has been reprinted several times, is an indispensable guide to understanding the Jehovah's Witnesses. Franz himself was a member of the Governing Body, whose deliberations have been and remain secret, which means that his perspective as a former JW is both unique and well-informed.
Franz describes the early days of the Jehovah's Witnesses, details early presidents and their leadership styles, traces doctrinal shifts from earlier to later iterations and discusses the infamous fail...more
Franz describes the early days of the Jehovah's Witnesses, details early presidents and their leadership styles, traces doctrinal shifts from earlier to later iterations and discusses the infamous fail...more
Sep 14, 2014Jim Reaugh rated it it was amazing
I personally found this book helpful when leaving this organization. It helped to fortify my feelings and ease my conscience. It helped me see that what I was feeling was not in my head but based in facts and , most important, unscriptural. I would recommend this book to anyone who questions the date of 1914, anyone who feels loaded down or guilty by this organization for not doing more, or if you don't understand the generation teaching. It becomes clear by the author why these things are said....more
Jul 19, 2013Kristi rated it it was amazing
A massive eye opener for me. The last snip to sever my cult umbilical cord.
Jun 03, 2015Sidney Davis rated it it was amazing
I found great comfort in reading this book when it was first published in 1983. It tells of the gut wrenching experience of having lived a lifetime under an inherited religious tradition to finally come to the realization that its doctrine and tenets of faith could not stand up to critical scrutiny. The book explains and chronicles the experience of one who after many years encountered the greatest personal challenges to ones long held religious tradition and religious faith. What is so signific...more
The author humbly shows what it is to be a moral person.
This book was written by former governing body member (highest title in the organization), Ray Franz. This book is a MUST READ for any Jehovah's Witness or former Jehovah's Witness. That said, i could see how it would bore you to tears if you were not affiliated and didn't know the Watchtower lingo. Ray Franz had the courage to put down what was really going down in the organization and paid for it in his elderly life. Although it does get bogged down with scripture, it is beyond interesting to...more
excellent eye opener of what i use to be very actively apart of.... Thank God He (Allah) showed be the real truth in Islam.. never felt so free the only judge for me is Allah, may Allah bless this man Ray Franz for exposing the truth of this organization that tries so desperately to hide it by excommunicating any member for showing any disagreements in views.
Excellent book & very helpful understanding the Watch Tower Society from one of its former main leaders.
Aug 30, 2018Carla (Carla's Book Bits) marked it as gave-up-on
I am what you would call an ex-JW.
There, I said it. When it comes to topics like these, I have a lot of emotional baggage to bring into my reading and learning. I chose to read this book because it's one of the church's 'most controversial books.' In fact, it's so controversial that if a person were to be found with this book in their possession, it would be grounds enough to be ex-communicated from the church.
So it's a given that with its notoriety, I expected certain things from this book. How...more
Jul 18, 2017There, I said it. When it comes to topics like these, I have a lot of emotional baggage to bring into my reading and learning. I chose to read this book because it's one of the church's 'most controversial books.' In fact, it's so controversial that if a person were to be found with this book in their possession, it would be grounds enough to be ex-communicated from the church.
So it's a given that with its notoriety, I expected certain things from this book. How...more
Raymond Franz Crisis Of Conscience
J. T. rated it it was amazingRecommends it for: current or former JWs, anyone considering becoming a JW, anyone who works with cult survivors
TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual abuse and rape, brainwashing, violence, theft, ableism, sexual harassment, cults, forced marriage, cheating/adultery, homophobia, fascism/totalitarianism, racism, religious abuse, religious intolerance, antisemitism, child sexual abuse, paranoia, victim blaming, sociopathy, psychological abuse, sexism and misogyny
Ray Franz lived and worked in every level of the Jehovah’s Witness (JW) power structure, and was a member of their organisation for 43 years. This book is a ve...more
Ray Franz lived and worked in every level of the Jehovah’s Witness (JW) power structure, and was a member of their organisation for 43 years. This book is a ve...more
It took me 20 years after exiting the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses (JW.org) to finally get the courage to sit down and read Crisis Of Conscience. I truly think I have been in denial for 20 years, and could not handle how deeply I had been lied to since birth. Reading Crisis Of Conscience was indeed life changing. The depths that the Governing Body sunk to, the blatant lies, the manipulation, and extorting our loyalty was criminal in my legal opinion. (After exiting the JW cult I was determined to...more
Feb 03, 2018Raymond Ferguson rated it really liked it
I was a JW for 25 years. I remember all the rumors and lies that were told about Mr. Franz and others who were disfellowshipped in the 80's. Of course I was told they were apostate and we would never want to read anything they wrote
I have since left the organization as well. I found this book to be a very honest, straight forward account of the inner workings of the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Mr Franz in never vindictive or hateful, in fact at times I felt he still feels sorrow over t...more
I have since left the organization as well. I found this book to be a very honest, straight forward account of the inner workings of the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Mr Franz in never vindictive or hateful, in fact at times I felt he still feels sorrow over t...more
Best EXJW book by far! If you want to know not just why many of the beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses are immoral and dishonest but also a behind the scenes tale of the internal politics of the governing body read this book!
If you are a Jehovah’s Witness please think: If you have “the truth” and think all other religions are false what do you have to fear from an examination of “the truth”?
I for one will not believe anything if it isn’t supported by evidence, logic and common decency....more
If you are a Jehovah’s Witness please think: If you have “the truth” and think all other religions are false what do you have to fear from an examination of “the truth”?
I for one will not believe anything if it isn’t supported by evidence, logic and common decency....more
Truly this is the 'Bible' for people outside the Jehovah's Witnesses as well as some inside and wanting out. It's difficult to rate this one because of its historical nature. I will explain. The book soars on information previously found nowhere else. In this, Franz is groundbreaking and his effect on the movement is not to be denied. With that said, the writing does at times get boring and repetitive. Franz with no college education obviously has a talent for writing, and I am glad it is not wa...more
A must-read from a cult and JW perspective. Extremely unlikely to be repeated again as the WT corporation vets their GB members extremely well as they are company men. Franz was no exception, perhaps his relation to WT president Fred Franz was the factor that pushed him into this role. Franz is notoriously silent on this issue. Though I am a non-believer, I can appreciate Franz's perspective as a believing Christian, albeit one who realises how the WT corp. has strayed from mainstream Christiani...more
Feb 02, 2017NotListeningItsABook rated it it was amazing
This is a fantastic book. Well written and insightful.
Raymond Franz tells his life story and adds his opinions of what he saw and experienced during his life in the Jehovah's Witnesses. He became a member of the Governing Body and contributed much to the doctrine that Witnesses still believe in.
He provides inside information that the Jehovah's Witness organization doesn't want their 'rank and file' to know. Such as how the Governing Body decides issues, and what happens when they don't all agree...more
Raymond Franz tells his life story and adds his opinions of what he saw and experienced during his life in the Jehovah's Witnesses. He became a member of the Governing Body and contributed much to the doctrine that Witnesses still believe in.
He provides inside information that the Jehovah's Witness organization doesn't want their 'rank and file' to know. Such as how the Governing Body decides issues, and what happens when they don't all agree...more
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