I've never thought of myself as the brightest bulb in the box and I can only write what my own personal observations are after reading Ray's book "Crisis of Conscience".
I've been out of the borg for years but there have always been some things that have haunted me during that time. After reading Amazings story of his and his familys journey out I decided to buy Ray's book. It was a great eye opener and I could finaly lay to rest the things I wondered about. To me, in the end the message that Ray's book conveyed,along with exposing how the GB actually runs the organization, is that we all have to decide according to our own conscience what we will believe and support. That is, we have to stand on our own two feet. We all as individuals stand before God and have to rise and fall on our own merits. We have to decide our lifes course on our own. The scriptures are there to guide us along in our journey. Ray is under no obligation to be our spiritual leader or to comunicate with us in any way. The message I get in his book is that is the last thing he wants. He is a kind and man and I'm sure would answer questions put to him in a respectful way. Look at the way he helped Amazing.
In no way am I trying to make belittle the horrors that have happened to parents who have lost children or any of the hurts that have come from the terrible teachings of the WTS. I myself have lost family and have experienced the terrible hurt of their shunning process. My heart goes out to IW.
The issue here is not who is for or against the WT society. It is who is for are against Christianity. Ray is simply a Christian. He escaped the WT and has helped most of us to do the same. He hopes the escape will set “us free” to practice true Christianity.
We are all free to pursue and believe what ever we chose. We are truly free now. We all have are own opinions about what is true and whether or not to even believe in God. Ray chose to pursue God through Christianity as this is what he truly believes. While we are all free to believe what we want, how can we condemn those who do not agree with our personal choice? How can we fault a man who refrains from supporting something in which he personally does not believe?
One may feel belief in God is foolish and harmful. Another believes atheism is foolish and harmful. Hopefully we all live our own life now according to what we believe, but stop condemning those who do not agree.
We are talking about a man who left his life of 60 years behind to live by his conscience. Now we dare to call him a traitor because he continues to avoid supporting concepts of which he does not believe!
Ray Franz believes the Bible is the word of God. One statement from him on this board would bolster the hearts of many xJWs who have left the Watchtower but still believe in the Bible or in God.
One statement of support. One word of a helping hand.
This he has chosen not to give. Why?
I hope he will soon speak out!
Hi IW: I will ask him, and see if he will do that. – Amazing
Thanks! Many xJWs are so lost. It's true they should not look to men but to God for help, but still, they are only human and the need for "fathers" is very real. – IW
If you read his books, surely you *must* know that one of the if not THE message of his life's work is that it is a useless waste of time and effort to look to other men to intercede for us with god. I'd be very surprised if he were to come to this site to offer a thunderous word of support to people who are "lost." For me it would contradict everything he said in his books.
While Moses was up in the mountain, the sons of Israel turned to idol worship. On his return, they settled back down to pure worship. Actually, they showed that whatever 'spirituality' they had was not genuine but was only based on the tangible – what could be seen and heard.
If Ray (or some other man/organization) is required for people to have faith in god or his word, is that "faith" really worth having?
Ray is under no obligation to be our spiritual leader or to comunicate with us in any way. The message I get in his book is that is the last thing he wants.
ON THE MONEY
some former jw still want and need someone to wipe thier NOSE
Your belief in the bible and christian though should not be conditioned upon Bro Franz or anyone else. Your spiritual growth and development is your responsibility and while it is comforting to have many around you that think and believe like you, especially your hero, ultimately you are alone with determining reality, what is true and what for you is not true. Neither a clergyman, mulla, rabbi or priest can do that for you.
I hope your faith and certitude is based on logic and reason, not a personality or group.
I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. Solomon
"Many are thirsty and hungry. If they are not fed they will die. Ray Franz and others of his ilk must speak out here!"
Your request is legitimate. But your expectations here are beyond what Ray can provide. He is the first to say he is not the “faithful slave” in the sense you describe. You seem to be sincere in your need for assurance, and I sympathize. Your e-mail is locked. Please e-mail me at [email protected].
Ray Franz believes the Bible is the word of God. One statement from him on this board would bolster the hearts of many xJWs who have left the Watchtower but still believe in the Bible or in God. One statement of support. One word of a helping hand.
This he has chosen not to give. Why?
I hope he will soon speak out!
Newsflah: Ray Franz shit stinks just like the atheists!! Why do you need him to bolster your views? Are you that insecure in them? Perhaps try and "think for yourself"...at least then you won't be dependent on the sayings of another person.
"Ray Franz and others of his ilk must speak out hear!"
Since this forums inception there have been many speak out against the WT and share their feelings. There have also been some of the likes of Ray Franz 'ilk' post here. I myself am glad that Ray does not frequent the forums. I am sure the work he is involved in takes up all his energy and time and is important in ways that most do not know.
