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

The book was set mainly through the years that Judge Rutherford was President of the Watchtower Society and related the authors experiences coming into contact with (Bible Students) later called Jehovah's Witnesses when firstly he was in Germany and from the details within the book it seems certain policies where tried in the German congregations that later found there way into USA congregations and eventually globally, and form the "Grass roots" of principles or rulings within Jehovah's Witnesses to-day without them really realizing the link; as no completed taught history of the German experience exists within Watchtower Publications other than some short mentioning's mostly quoted "out of context". This book relates the situation as it unfolded without "omissions".The book gives a good backdrop to past policies practised in Germany that led to the break up of central control of the congregations and the "Elder Appointments" to a [Society based President Approved] "Elder Appointed" arrangement much of which is the basis of modern Watchtower appointment policy. This concept thus [was learned in Germany] with the congregations being taken over by the Society based appointment's, which in turn led to many abandoning the Watchtower in disgust and perplexed with how a simple Bible Student arrangement could become dominated by central control appointing it's servants. Book relates how many left the Watchtower while others remained captive. The author had his own personal struggle that took in all 30 years to escape.For the large part the book is NOT vindictive but perplexing revealing many concepts which form the principled methods used right up until our day with dire consequences with those whom are perplexed with goings on within their local congregations. Hence to those {Enquiring} or perplexed this book MAY HELP in establishing a basis of understanding to policies practised to-day and where these policies originated from and that they are NOT the subject of a self appointed "Governing Body" teaching as they are taught today. Rather "President Rutherford" put certain concepts in place [setting aside] the "headship of Christ as Head" of the worldwide congregation, instead placing an "Organization" concept in place as a so called "theocracy"; which in turn led to it's eventual "Central Governing body" replacing the former "Locally Appointed Elders" is the subject of the book in it's founding principles and takeover that make this book relevant also to-day in understanding whereby these concepts originated and why so enslaving to those ONLY learned in these self deceptive principles, that makes Jehovah's Witnesses [believe the lie] that the Organization and it's Governing Body [whom approve of self vested writtings] is appointed by Christ. However scripture deems otherwise and that those of Christ may be hard to identify "when he [Christ Arrives]", as HE asks "will HE find faith" stands in stark contrast to the concepts [he has already arrived, found the faith and approved of a "Governing Body" of all things to administer affairs the Bible speaks nothing off] is at the heart of the controversy of error within this book? Matthew 24:45-51 is FUTURE!Footnote: for Jehovah's Witnesses Acts 15 account is "NOT a governing body". If you read the account in context it clearly is a "Corrective of false teaching that issued from Jerusalem" just so happened the "Apostles" were located there. The trouble makers came from Judea [of which Jerusalem was it's central congregation] that went up to Antioch where Paul was. Courtesy dictated they go down and see about the affair of error. After deliberations it was agreed in "open congregation" verse 22 and acknowledged verse 24 that the "apostles did NOT give the trouble makers authority to teach error" in essence is what is meant by what is said the "apostles thus corrected any error that came from their oversight" and thus had the message read everywhere the error may have travelled to by any whom by word of mouth may have repeated such in any or all congregations. This principle also applies to many "other religions" as many have quoted their authority from this misconstrued reading into what is NOT there as it suits a layered religious organizational concept based upon such error. For this reason even "other religions" may learn from this books experience and how an "Organization concept" [captivates the minds to believe the lie] and in quoting scripture out of context they become victims of this erred concept. People undervalue their own ability to be guided by scripture and by the spirit which leads all persons seeking such to know "right from wrong" from the Almighty God's viewpoint and let the scriptures determine the acceptable way to "Repentance" and NOT by an "Organization."For the above reasons the book MAY HELP those seeking an [Insight into Present Concepts from Past Grass Root Concepts Learned] and latter perfected into extended error's and allow those seeking to escape such "Induced Slavery" the consequence of such to a better way forward having "learned from this man's account", to current application thus strengthening themselves and giving them a basis of understanding from reading this book and seeing for themselves any perceived dangers thus giving the basis of escape in event are captivated presently to a new found freedom in Christ by learning the "Truth that Sets them Free" as John 8:32 indicates. By helping Jehovah's Witnesses [and other's] see the concepts and policies of today experienced; whether largely originated in concepts outlined within this book of which the author progressively outlined as the book starts from humble innocent beginnings, to eventual realization of the dangers, to attempts to escape and eventual escape from what he refers to as "slavery" in as much as his 30 years he lived a "slave to the erred teachings" that held him bound to the daily upholding thereof. The reducing peoples to central control methods or risk expulsion to weed out and in doing so maintain the status quo and thus instill a system of control over all that made all slaves which conflicted with the "law of Christ" as written which was continually at odds with this man's spirit and well being that he struggled with and eventually after some relapses struggled free. The book details this in-depth account of a system flawed from it's establishment and then enforcement upon rank and file members that is of greatest concern for those currently perplexed by Watchtower Policy or things happening within their mists seeking information to better understand the perplexities and how they may escape by learning from the information within this book so they see through current similar events and see how this man struggled to "walk away"? This book is his life's legacy, to BE WARNED!

First Bless Mr Schell for the beautiful book! The end was my favorite part. I had this in mass paperback in my bookcases for years, however for some reason it got looked over. Now I try and only read on Kindle or Fire tablet as I am older and my eyes are not as great on such small print like was in the old paperback. I loved the book but shed some tears also and learned things I never knew as I got out young and it didn't take 30 years so I don't have a lot of knowledge that he had. He has done all of us a favor and this book should stay a classic just as Mr Franz book is! Two intelligent and living .an to help all the generations, what a blessing! Be sure you follow his his instructions and do what he says to stay safe and free. I never got blinded by it as I am too darn independent, however now I am glad I was so sassy and independent! At least I got free young and without that terrible brainwashing that he had to endure.

I read this on Kindle which I highly recommend as well as this book. I read this after reading Crisis of Conscience and In Seach of Christian Freedom by Ray Franz. These two books can be read online for free, but this book is still more than worth the $10 Kindle price. All 3 of these books (and there are many more) give the true life experiences of Chrisitans who dedicated their entire lives to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, only to end up disillusioned, heart broken and devestated by the realities that finally caught up with them. I read the customer reviews here on Amazon before reading this, therefore I was expecting what others had described as an "angry tone". However, I did not sense "anger" but instead a stern warning from Mr. Schnell in relation to his own experiences, and his concern for others who could suffer the same consequences. He gradually became disillusioned and then finally totally devestated with the hyprocrisy, and the fear based control tactics utilized by the leaders of the WTBTS in their dictatorial rulership over millions of devoted trusting followers, whom the majority are well intentioned, loving Christians who do not realize what is really going on "behind closed doors".Mr.Schnell effectively describes the methodical programming and indoctrination that results in blind obedience to the "governing body", his frozen inability to extract himself even after his realization of the truth, and the pain and suffering that occurs in families when so called "apostates" are disfellowshipped for speaking to others about their doubts and/or when they leave voluntarily after their conscience can no longer allow them to support and engage in a religion that utilizes fear of disfellowshipping and loss of family in order to prevent their followers from questioning or disagreeing with their manmade rules and regulations, which they claim are scripturally supported, but in fact, under the light of investigation, they are not. Instead the "governing body" has become like the religious leaders of Jesus day, just as when He said to them: "You have made the Word of God invalid by your traditions of men".From my own experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses, it is not their primary doctrines that are incorrect or unscriptural, as I carefully researched and re-examined the basic teachings after I left. Controversial doctrines that do not agree with mainstream Christian churches such as the Trinity and Hellfire, pagan origins of holidays, etc, are not the issue at hand. I do not reject those teachings that are supported by Biblical and historical evidence, however what I do reject is the rulership which does not permit any individual to exercise thier own logical reasoning ability and their personal Christian conscience, or to question the scriptural validity of failed prophetic dates, disfellowshipping rules that "go beyond the things written" in the BIble, or any other issues which are not clearly supported by the BIBLE. Because IF they do, they are summarily dismissed from the congregation, and their families are not permitted to speak with them or to have any relationship with them; otherwise they will suffer the same fate of disfellowshipping. The incredible thing is that in spite of the indoctrination and control tactics, statistics show that over the years, 70% of Jehovah's Witnesses have left voluntarily or have been forcibly disfellowshipped. Although Jehovah's Witnesses are not alone in these methods, since Mormons, Amish, and Scientologists also engage in similiar control regulations of Ex-communication and Shunning. There are thousands of personal stories posted online in various websites of ex members of all four of these religions, telling the tales of tragedy, heartache and suffering....sometimes even resulting in suicides.Mr. Schnell certainly understands the power of indoctrination, fear and control tactics due to his being raised in Nazi Germany, therefore his descriptions of the WTBTS are valid analogies. Although I could not agree with him 100% on every point, I do agree with him that we should not allow any religious organization to undermine our faith in our heavenly Father Jehovah or in His Son, Jesus Christ. And as the Bible teaches us, "We must obey God as ruler, rather than men."

This is a page turner. I've been in this organisation for 49 years and can tell you this is so accurate. How hoodwinked we were. The scales fell from my eyes as I was reading the internal workings of the WT organisation.

As described

yes this book has changed the way i think about the watchtower and its salesmen

Hm! Very niche. Loved by some, hated with a passion by others. You will know if you want it.

The author became free of the Watchtower close to the date I was born. His book was published near the time I was baptised as a Jehovah's Witness. I wish I had read it before I made that commitment, it might have stopped me from also becoming a Watchtower slave, in my case for 20 years! Persevere through some of the more ponderous chapters and you will be rewarded be amazing details into the history and machinations of the Society! Highly recommended!