gsark wrote:If they hold Ray Franz responsible in some way then I am on their side one hundred percent.
The very implication behind this comment is chilling to me. Obviously, Ray simply wrote a Bible commentary on clearly written scriptures by an Apostle in the first century regarding said Apostle's views on the number of witnesses it takes to resolve a matter. Christians believe that Christ on God's authority spoke through that Apostle!
Therefore, anybody who blames Ray is blaming the messenger of clearly stated Bible counsel to Christians.
As a side note, I did a search for the word "apology" and it doesn't appear anywhere in the Bible. In the following scripture Jesus Christ never even implied that in order to forgive someone who has offended you, an apology from them is necessary:
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matthew 18:21, 22)
Matter of fact, followers of Jesus Christ keep forgiving without expecting an apology let alone using the legal system against the transgressor. Those who seem to have added to Jesus's words, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, provided your brother is willing to apologize to you for his transgression," simply have never grasped the true meaning of Christianity. I pity those of you who fall into that category, because it is your attitude that is part of the reason that mankind has never enjoyed global peace in world history. Most people today are only willing to forgive provided someone posts a public apology for their transgression, or at the very least publicly states they apologize for having offending anyone.
Those who respect the wisdom of God will simply forgive their brother who sins against them "seventy-seven times," and in the spirit of this counsel they will lose track of the number of times they forgive others! JESUS REQUIRED NO APOLOGY. The legal system and lawyers are feeding on the haste of people to easily take offense at others.
I have not seen evidence anywhere on the site or the Internet that Bill, Silentlambs or Ray failed to forgive the other for any miscommunication or misunderstanding occurring between them if at all, or expect an apology from the other if there is anything to even apologize for. Both exercised their freedom of speech to disagree with the other on various issues regarding the application of certain scriptures, unless it eventually turns out they actually agreed all along.
I challenge anyone on this board who is taking sides with either Silentlambs and Bill or Ray and on the warpath against the other:
- Show everyone here where Ray expects an apology from Bill or anyone at www.silentlambs.org or has failed to forgive Bill or anyone else at Silentlambs if a miscommunication did occur between them?
- Show everyone here where Silentlambs or Bill Bowen continue to blame Ray Franz for the Watchtower Society's interpretation of Ray's commentary in the 1970's on those scriptures or intend to "hold Ray Franz responsible in some way" or judge Ray negatively in any manner?
I don't expect any response from anyone (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) who generously doled out adverse judgment against either side in their posts. On both of these bulleted counts, I don't expect anybody to defend their position by posting one valid shred of evidence that would "show everyone here" and support either challenge on this bulleted list!
Notwithstanding any forthcoming evidence in this regard, the best thing you self-appointed Judges and demanders of apologies can do, IMO, is STOP TAKING BILL'S OR RAY'S SIDE! Let them resolve their differences offline, if any differences still exist. You might be better off getting out of this bright light and humid heat by slithering back into the cool dark place under that rock you normally hide under. However, be forewarned that if you quietly slither away, it won't protect you from anyone with cameras and flashlights intent on broadcasting whatever it is you practice in secret down there.
Derrick