Ray Franz and setting up a fund $ assistance &a... (page 4)

MadApostate

Ray, do you need some money? If you do, we will publicize it all over the internet and take up a collection for you. Those who can drop your name have promised the big bucks. Ray? Ray? Just say the word. Are you having money problems or not? Can't hear you Ray. Speak up!!!

bluesapphire

Hey Cat! I would send you some kitty treats but I can't get them to fly over that big wrought iron fence you built in front of your house. I know you!

JanH

I think it's pretty obvious that Ray Franz needs money. In 1996 I asked him for permission to put one chapter of CoC on the net, and obtained it (orally, not in writing, alas). Note that this was early in the history of the Net. I made links to various sites where interested readers could buy the book. I assumed that after having read this chapter (about 1975), readers would be interested in reading the whole book. I am quite certain this actually happened.

Fast forward to early 2001. For various reasons, my website had been discontinued and all pages removed (including Ray's) for six months. I received a rude legal threat from a lawyer representing Ray Franz, that if I didn't remove the page ASAP I would be sued for damages.

So, oh yeah, I think Ray is dsperate for money. So desperate that he breaks gentlemen's agreements with his allies. Does he deserve money? Your call. His books are excellent. He had unique first-hand knowledge. He was at least 95% JW when he wrote his books, obviously making the books easier to read for exiting JWs (me included). I think he still is.

Why hasn't Ray publicized the original documents he has in his library(ask Kent about this!)? Why hasn't he told the world anything whatsoever about JW finances? Why hasn't he publicly told about the scandal with Chitty & Greenlees? Why, essentially, is nothing except what he's written in those books he is selling ever been publicised? His knowledge is unique. Face it, when he's gone, that knowledge is lost.

Has he changed the way he deals with people since his days in the GB? I hope. I don't think so.

I was very, very disappointed when I received that letter. And I am sure as hell not going to do anything to help him before he apologizes for sending me legal threats.

- Jan
--
"Doctor how can you diagnose someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then act like I had some choice about barging in here right now?" -- As Good As It Gets

Maximus

Jan, with your permission I'll ask Ray about this thing with Commentary. Or you could call him yourself; he certainly would speak with you. His life style is even lower than modest; he has never complained, ever.

I've heard a couple of comments such as yours that just do not jibe with what I know. He certainly did not finance Commentary Press. Maybe there are wrinkles with others ...

: Has he changed the way he deals with people since his days in the GB? I hope. I don't think so.

My dealings with him are identical to reports of others who also dealt with him when he was on the GB. His was not the stereotypical, authoritative way at all; rather it was always warm and kind appeal to reason. He's vulnerable to the whim of public opinion. Do ten thousand kindnesses, but the imagined slight will kill you every time. I saw one thread where folks were ready for the hot oil to punish him. Ouch!

'He was 95% JW.' No way--personal knowledge.

Meant to drop you a personal note about our apparent mutual interest in Asimov's Foundation series. I was thoroughly entranced by the twists; loved his I Robot and the rest of his works.

Warmly,
Mule
PS: Edit Feel free to drop me a note

JanH

Max,

Jan, with your permission I'll ask Ray about this thing with Commentary.

By all means, please do. I have not myself bothered with it. My modus operandi with legal threats is to wipe my behind with them. Ambulance-chasers are never used to total disrespect, and tend to run away when meeting unexpected opposition.

I greatly respect you for the knowledge and compassion you display on this board, Max. I hope to meet you one day. You already know quite a few of my good friends.

Ray is far away from me, and I don't wish him any ill, and have never done anything to him (on the contrary, I recommended his books publicly and no doubt helped sell many of them). It is simply the fact that anyone who ever sends me legal threats is not my friend. If this is a misunderstanding, feel free to clear it up.

And do get back to me re. the Foundation. I am a huge fan, and only need a small excuse to read it for what must be the 10th time.

- Jan
--
"Doctor how can you diagnose someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and then act like I had some choice about barging in here right now?" -- As Good As It Gets

apostate

Ray wrote two excellent books, they are very valuable to EX-JWs. Millions were dissfellowshiped over the decades. There are many those who never been JWs but lost their family members to the Watchtower and would do anything to get them out.
.
If someone reads one of his books most likely s/he will read the other too. No doubt there is demand for his books. Thanks to the Internet more and more JWs become inactive every year. I heard that here in Canada alone the Watchtower lost about 20,000 of its members in the last five years. They too will read his writings.

I think if Ray would sell his books like most writers, he would earn enough money to live a modest life.
He spent over 40 years in the “full time service”. He never had much money to spend.

If he suffers financially it is shame on us all. He helped us greatly, he deserves our support! I am leaning toward becoming an atheist but many EX-JWs claim to be Christians. Christian love and obligations should move us to find out how his doing financially. Many of you who post here know him personally. Why don’t you give him a call or pay a visit and ask if he needs help.

I just checked there were over 2700 accounts created just on this board alone and who knows how many lurkers are out there who read our posts regularly. We could organize a campaign to buy a book from him.
Those who have Rays books already, they could donate it to public libraries or mail them to active JWs.

Doing so would help Ray to earn the many he and Cynthia needs and would also help to “Brake up the works of the Devil”. The more books are out the better it is. It would probably help to brake free many still active JWs and best of all piss off those evil cone artists in Brooklyn.

Amen

Fredhall

You guys are do a good job making an ass out of yourselves.

larc

Driving like Fred,

Thank you Fred for your comments. I really respect your opinion.

LovesDubs

Poor Freddie...trying so hard to stifle any good in the world. Sitting here reading apostate sites alllll day. :) Misery loves company does it Freddie? So far down you can only look up?

If this was a CO we were discussing giving gifts to, you'd be all over it. "Oh yes what a fine idea to send Brother Limpshwanz some new suits! How about a computer so he can do research for his fine uplifting talks to the Circuit chimps? Oh! And a new scarf for those cold days in service, and new fingerless gloves for Sister Limpschwanz for easy Bible page turning! And a NEW Buick LaSabre for his Circuit work...since the other one is dusty. And lets invite him over for ALL his meals and put a roof over his head and give him medical insurance. He is after all, a messenger of JEHOOVER himself. And Im sure then, he will help us organize the relief work for all the JWs in Texas affected by that AAWWFUL flood a few months ago, making sure no NONJWS get anything from us by mistake...."

yes..charity does indeed begin at home. Right Freddie Foo Foo?

Fredhall

LoveDubs,

Are you jealous because your husband is not an overseer? Or do you want some cheap like Kent Steinhaug or Stephanus?
Oh!! Where did you find your computer? In a junkyard while looking for some food?

Ray Franz and setting up a fund $ assistance &a...

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