Customer Reviews

30 Years a Watchtower Slave: The Confessions of a Converted Jehovah's Witness

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A candid self-evaluation and evaluation of the Watchtower Society history from 1917 to 1952, written by a former Jehovah's Witness.

Schnell tells a fascinating story of a developing religion. He uncovers the Watchtower Society's sales methodologies developed in Europe and the USA. He also reveals the use of demonstrations and the court system in the US to benefit the Watchtower Society through the influence of public perceptions.

With Schnell's help, you can begin to understand how idealistic youths ended up as dedicated, underpaid promoters of a belief system which Schnell compares to totalitarianism.

I gave the book 4 stars, because I think it has its greatest value as a historical document which may give insight into the origins of the current Watchtower Society. It may be less relevant to the concerns of those who love the JW's of today. Still, a great read!

Perhaps to some who were never involved with the "Witnesses" much of what is written in this book will seem a bit far-fetched. But as one who was also in the "organization" for about 30 years I can say that this man's story made a lot of sense.

A number of books have been written about the Watchtower organization. I have not been very well impressed with most that I have read; I do not feel that they are very accurate. Although this book predates most of those others, with a few exceptions, I feel that most things covered in this book really "hit the nail on the head." Schnell goes into the history of the society after "Judge" Rutherford's hostile takeover (which is about the time Schnell became involved) and describes the Society's tactics in Germany during this time and in the U.S. immediately afterwards. The "modus operandus" that Schnell suggests fits everything I experienced and witnessed personally while in there.

My only exceptions would be to some disparaging suggestions directed towards Bible Students, prior to the "Jehovah's Witnesses". These seem a bit self-contradictory and I would not be surprised that they were added after the original publication, although I cannot confirm this.

This book gives a good background and history of the JW's and what is really behind their organization. The author jumps forward and then comes back from time to time but everything eventually fits togather. His style of English represents some one that grew up in another culture (ie. Germany) so it reads a bit different than comporary English. I'm 58 so readers younger than me might need to rewiew some general history if they need some reference points for the time period of WWI, the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Overall a good book; I'm hoping to get a younger person, that is contemplating joining the JW organization, to read it so she knows about what they really are!

the reason why i gladly gave this book 5 stars is because the author was an actual member (30yrs) and his inside information is sound.
this is an enjoyable read (pp. 214) for anyone that's interested in this CULT. (of course, the jws' insist on this term)
it would behoove anyone that has invited the jws' for a "bible study" via home or anyone that thinks that their pamphlets are convincing, to read this book. this simple volume will give your brain the flexibility to understand their belief system from within...
if it's not to late, as the author WARNS: "Before the uncanny victim realized it, he had surrendered all individualism, abandon all personal thinking" p. 23. please, do your brain a favor, read this book.

****there are many tactics that cult leaders use to manipulate the subconscious. the most effective of all is freezing your ability to think outside of the box...****

again, this is a nice read. (enjoy)

I try to help any struggling Jehovah's Witness and any ex-Jehovah's Witness that I can...and it is almost always under the circumstance of anonymity. (I believe that the average Jehovah's Witness has no idea that there are so many among them that have internal struggles with Watchtower beliefs and doctrines hiding behind that "Theocratic Smile.")

I highly recommend "30 Years A Watchtower Slave" as it gives one the absolute clearest insight on the secret "Black Ops" of the Watchtower Organization, outlining in full detail the systematic and methodic tactics used in designing the Watchtower Organization as it is known today. It was written by one of Rutherford's secret "henchmen," and he was practically Rutherford's "right-hand-man." He did many things "in the service of Jehovah" that he deeply regrets...

If any Jehovah's Witness...if any loyal member of the Watchtower is willing to know the truth of the organization's foundation of the Watchtower as it is known to be in modern times, they need to read this book.

The Watchtower Organization has every reason to be fearful of the information that has become more and more available to their members today, and every reason to vilify those who have left; they know that if the truth about "The Truth" is discovered, they will continue to lose more and more of their members...and those that have "figured it out" have already been leaving by the thousands, being labeled by the Watchtower as "wicked apostates," and as "evil slaves," all the while the Watchtower continues to proclaim to the loyal flock that they are in a "spiritual paradise" in the Watchtower Organization. Again, this book is an invaluable tool for any Jehovah's Witness to have a truly clear picture of the Watchtower's true past; it will then help them to make sense of many things that may have caused them to wonder...

This was interesting and informative reading. It took one man's story of his life and how he and his family became JW, then how the religion changed during his lifetime, and how he finally got out of the religion.
I learned a lot about this religion from this man's experiences.

I am one of Jehovah's Witness and have read through this book by Brother Schnell. Although I understand the Watchtower Society's advice to avoid such "Apostate" literature I also am aware of my own ability to examine with open-mindedness the for's and against in any given subject. Indeed had I not had an open mind I would never have become one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
My experience is that no-matter what Organisation emerges on the world scene be-it Political, Commercial or religious its inner workings become mechanical and mundane. This is a necessity otherwise no progress would be made.
My studies of the "Men" at the top whom have organised and propelled the Watchtower Organisation from its infancy to now has shown me that there motives have been pure and honourable, forged by a desire to help others come to know God and exalt both Jehovah and Christ Jesus. However it is plain for all to see that no matter what level an individual reaches with-in this organisation (or any other) human thinking is fallible, mistakes and often very serious ones are made.
In brothers Schnell's synopsis of his experiences with the Watchtower organisation sadly what comes through is not a thorough citing of scripture to back-up his premises or indeed any balance in his assessments of the Watchtower motives, but rather what comes through is an underlying hatred. This is very sad from a man who claims to be a Christian. Far from lovingly explaining errors made, the brother simply turns the beliefs and actions of the Witnesses into some kind of business-like enterprise with one goal of making money. He highlights regularly the book selling aspect.
Now in the year 2007, the watchtower in many lands distributes literature with-out direct charge relying on voluntary donations to support the preaching work hence the charge of money making from book selling no longer holds any value.
Brother Schnell also harps on about the Watchtower claiming to be the mouth-piece of God that no other organisation on earth is supported by God and everything outside the WTS is from the Devil. Although the statement sounds far-fetched I would remind anyone who is part of an Organised Religion that surely they believe they are part of the correct belief system. That is if you are a Christian, Muslin, Hindu, etc...what-ever sect of that Religion you belong to you MUST surely hold that they (your teachers and teachings) are correct - that is from God? Hence the Watchtower does nothing out of the ordinary in making this claim as most other Religions do the same albeit in a more subtle way.
Some of Brother Schnell's interpretation of scripture is also as much a flip-flopping of ideas as he claims the Watchtower entertains. I find that in reading his book the true underlying essence is rotten and hurtful. I wish I could say otherwise.
That being said, if you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses and very active, you will appreciate that the mechanics of what Brother Schnell talks about with-in the Organisation can be all consuming. It is true that the rank and file witness can become simply a number in an equation. However that is inevitable in any large organisation. Does the Pope know each and every individual in Catholiscm? It is impossible and no doubt many in other Religions perform perfunctory roles that are mundane. To off-set this PERSONEL BIBLE study is essential. This I feel is what the true crux of the matter is with the Watchtower society. From humble (and I feel honest) beginnings the "Bible Students" which were eventually forced into an organisational arrangement by men believing it to be the correct step to take having Gods blessing unwittingly removed the greatest gift from man - that of independent thinking. I have to agree that although fallible most Jehovah's Witnesses accept everything told them by the WT Society. As a Witness I understand that loyalty to God and Christ to be above the words of fallible men even if the statements made are backed up with scripture. This is because interpretation can be erroneous and none of the writers of watchtower articles are receiving inspired expressions. They are simply using there own understanding based on current scriptural understanding. Hence mistakes are made. Therefore each individual should check his/her own conscience before accepting material written. This I think is where people whom are Jehovah's Witnesses fail. Independent thinking is associated with that of the Devil and no facility is available to discuss openly bible text or differing views. This in my opinion slows down understanding and isolates thinking witnesses whom can end up spiritually defunct, disillusioned and depressed. Indeed millions leave the WT Organisation for this very reason - CONTROL. Brother Schnell calls this brainwashing, but this procedure is not isolated to the WTS, brainwashing exists from birth onwards and each one is brainwashed in varying degrees without knowledge. So I would not interpret studying the bible with Jehovah's Witnesses as Brain washing, rather it is simply a study from which the individual student can choose to either become a witness or not. The problem is the lack of free expression once part of the congregation. Free expression would stimulate the congregations and uplift many down hearted. However I fear that this may never happen. So I admit a problem of freedom of expression exists in the WTS. For a more in-depth understanding of this I would suggest reading the honest, humble and candid account written by Brother Ramond Franz.
So to summarize, Brother Schnell has both valid points and misleading points. I do not feel he can categorically denounce the WT Society as he does and that his basis for doing so is frustration, disillusionment and ultimately hatred.
If you are not a JW then you will perhaps side with brother Schell as he words his argumentation towards those without knowledge of the WT workings. If you are a JW then you could read this and be shocked, but you should not be as no-one and no organisation is perfect. Not until the revealing of the Christ in Power and Glory will any of us truly know who was right and who was wrong. We are all in a game and illusions of grandeur should be avoided. Who knows what influences are exacted on the world. Who knows the rules of engagement between God and the Devil? If you have no belief in God and approach this book from a purely secular level then you will announce the WTS as yet another cult siding with Schnell, as indeed you will if you are of another Religious persuasion. But for me the universal issues lay far outside the realms of human understanding. Hence I would conclude this book to be informative, interesting and containing valid points for reflection, yet sadly a corrosive, hateful underlying negative-ness permeates the writing which does not reflect balance or Christian love.

Here's an excerpt found on page 176:

"The present Watch Tower Society, from 1942 to 2942, so they hope, for a thousand years, a New World Society, a class Society ruled dictatorically by a cosortium of self-perpetruating Directors. In the building and erection of this huge edifice, or the Theocracy of 1938, the Watch Tower Society hopes by the practice of its religion of "buying out time out of individual lives for their purposes and making them report that time spent to them" and of selling books, booklets and magazines for them and bring in the contributions, to draw millions of the earth into slavery to it, cracking its Theocratic whip over their hapless backs, as generation cometh and generation goeth, for the next thousand years."

This is just an example of the senseless nonsense the disgruntled author writes. Why did he get so bitter? He himself admits it is because he was selling other religious books and had a conflict of interest! I wonder why other are so blind to the obvious.