If the Watchtower crumbles will God survive?

The Dilemma

What happens when an organization claiming to be the only ones who speak for God has its veil pulled back so that many, perhaps for the first time, see the fallible humanity behind the claim? For Jehovah's Witnesses who have come face to face with immorality amongst the leadership, favoritism for one person over another when dealing with sin, inconsistency in organizational policy or unscriptural doctrinal teachings, the effects can be devastating. Because the Watchtower Society demands from their followers unconditional affirmation that their organization is divinely directed by God in all they do, a Witness who sees otherwise is faced with living a lie or finding themselves outside the boundaries of the Watchtower.

How does a Witness view God when the organization loses its hold?

How does a Jehovah's Witness view God when they have seen the human nature of the Watchtower organization? It is not uncommon in this situation for a Witness to begin to doubt that there even is a God. For years or even decades these Witnesses have trusted an organization to reveal God to them. Their future hope for a new life in a better world has revolved around the activities and teachings of just one organization. They have been taught that to doubt the organization is tantamount to doubting God and so nagging doubts and questions not originating from the Society's approved questions at the bottom of the page of Watchtower material has been delegated to the back of their mind. However when a Witness is exposed to undeniable proof that the Watchtower is not the faithful, pure organization that they were led to believe it was, the questions and doubts that they have pushed aside now flood their mind. If the Watchtower is unfaithful, is God now himself unfaithful? If the Watchtower leadership has acted immorally or treated their followers with little respect does that mean that God no longer cares for truth or that he no longer loves the Witness? Sadly some have concluded that God is as changeable as the Watchtower Society itself, that he is unreachable or worse yet that he does not exist.

Where can they find faith?

Witnesses whose scarred faith survives their exit from the Watchtower organization can find faith and hope within the words of the Bible. God himself is not ignorant of organizations that seek to elevate themselves to the position of doorkeeper to God. He has given us warnings in scripture to counteract their claims. In Psalms 146:3, 4 he says "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that day their plans come to nothing." God has emphatically said for us not to trust men for our salvation, yet the Watchtower says, "And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's organization for salvation..." The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 page 21.

Has the Watchtower taken Jesus' spot?

In John 14:6 the Bible says, "Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through Me.'" Jesus claims to be the way, the truth and the life. He is the only one. Why does the Watchtower call itself "the truth"?

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. John 17:1-3 says, "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.'" New International Version.

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