Crisis of Conscience

by Freeatlast2024 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Nathan Natas

  WELCOME FreeAtLast2024! "Making shiy up" is what religion is all about.

  Ray's book was a magnificent act of contrition on his part, and it helped many people see what he finally understood.

  "But BEWARE, beloved ones!"
  

  It is appropriate to be grateful for the gift he gave, but don't join The Ray Franz Fan Club.

  I left the JWs before Ray did, and before he himself left, Ray would probably disfellowship me for discovering in the early 1970s that The WTB&TS (as represented by the elders of the Middle Village Congregation, Queens, NYC) protected pedophiles. This audacious pedophile was unpunished and rose in that congregation and started partaking during the Memorial! Ray Franz has been criticized for claiming ignorance of The Society;s pedophile problem, even AFTER he wrote CoC.

  Point is, Ray was no more perfect than you or I or anyone else. He was a man who told his story fearlessly.

  We can be like him in that respect. That may be a good tribute to him.
  
• 

  LongHairGal

  NATHAN NATAS:

  Yes, good point.

  I don’t idolize anybody on the planet…I’m just glad he wrote his tell-all book. I was already Out of the religion anyway….What I have wondered (and what we can never know) is IF he would have ever written a book at all if he were not shunned, etc.

  But, because history happened the way it did, he wrote his book and we all got a look at what goes on behind the curtain in the Witness religion.
• 

  Beth Sarim

  Captives of a Concept by Don Cameron is a must read too.

  The exception on thiis book,,Don doesn't delve into his history too much like Ray Franz did

  Mr Franz outlined his background in the Borg quite,, involved.

  Don Cameron just goes right into the things in the Borg which are damaging.
• 

  Nathan Natas

  Yes, Don Cameron's book is excellent.

  "COAC" gave me the idea to launch my own "replica reprint" career.

  Over at Six Screens right now (May 2024), Rick is giving away a few copies of "Captives Of A Concept".
  
• 

  Balaamsass2

  Welcome to the group! Congrats on opening your eyes.

  Ray and Cynthia were very bright, kind, and engaging people. True believers who walked the walk but were bothered by institutionalized hypocrisy.

  I enjoyed knowing them at Bethel and enjoyed their hospitality at their modest Bethel room.

  Keep in mind Bethel is compartmentalized and it is quite possible Ray was unaware of the size of some of the issues like child molestation. "Idle" talk of "things that were not upbuilding" was always frowned upon at Bethel.
• 

  Beth Sarim

  Sometimes going to BetHELL,,, is what it takes for the jW's to,, snap out of it.