Hi Brutus: Some have wondered about Ray's motives in writing Crisis of Conscience.
You noted that your GF said,
... she tells me she has and that his book was mostly lies about the organization and that's the reason he left was because he was tempted by a hooker and ended up sleeping with her. He told the elders what he did because he was looking for help and he ended up getting DF. Later he found out he ended up contract HIV. What's your take on this?
Ray Franz is a friend of mine. I have visited with he and his wife, talked with him on the phone, and corresponed many times over the last 9 years. Your GF is spreading absolutely untrue gossip about Ray.
I have read C of C about 5 times in great detail. Anyone who claims to have read C of C would know that Ray documented his work very well. I have personally checked every reference (with a few exceptions where I was not able to obtain some references.)
Anyone who has read C of C would also know that Ray wrote a very kind, objective, and fair analysis of Watch Tower Society history, doctrine, policies and practices. He exhibited no bitterness. He wrote his book out of a sense of responsibility to share what he knows to be the truth, and correct serious errors and misunderstandings that JWs believe about the organization, its teachings, procedures, and leadership.
Example: Ray provided copies of the correspondence with the JC that disfellowshiped him. These contain the actual reasons for the action they took. Examination of this as a former Elder, I find Rays statements and record very credible and fits within the way JWs and the Elders operate. I seriously doubt that Ray would have written such a book were he guilty of some serious sin as your GF alleges.
The HIV claim? Ray Franz has been disfellowshipped for 20 years. HIV, as it was contracted in the late 1970s early 1980s, was not at all treatable as it is today. Yet, Ray's health is remarkably good for a man who is nearly 80 years old - 20 years after leaving the organizaiton. If he would have had HIV back then, he would most likely be dead by now.
I highly suspect that your GF did little more than scan the book's cover and maybe a page or two and drew wild conclusions, and then has chosen to spread these. Were she a loyal JW, she would not have read it. If she as a JW chose to read C of C, she would have had to have at least some level of thinking ability and open mind. This would have precluded her from spreading such vicious and twisted lies about Ray Franz.
Challenge: Have your GF either come on to this board, or through you, post her documented and verified sources that support her claims. Have her quote, or at least cite pages and paragraphs from C of C and tell us all how Ray's book is in any way untrue. If you fear a large board debate, you can email me priavtely at: [email protected]. I will be please to discuss her claims on any level you and she choose.
Also, if you wish, you can have your GF directly or through you write to my email any questions she has for Ray Franz, and I will forward these to him for a response. Or she can write to him herself at: -Commentary Press, PO Box 43532, Atlanta, GA 30336-0532 Commentary Press will see to it that Ray Franz gets her correspondence. He is good about responding to first time letters from JWs. I suggest she do this because as the Watch Tower organization itself says, 'Rather than listening to what others say about you, it is better that they ask you personally.' Certainly, Ray deserves that kind consideration. - Amazing