The Ray Franz Saga

by snugglebunny 45 Replies latest jw friends

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  Fisherman

  There were all sorts of rumors and lies that were being spread around about him.

  How do you know?

  The Watchtower should have published the truth about the situation rather than let lies be spread.

  Why? Who says so?
  

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  'Fisherman TMS, It would not be fair to RF to publish anything more about his case than what is publicly known without him being around to defend any claims and I am not saying that there is anything more because even implying it would not be fair to the man'

  What I meant in the statement above that you quoted, simply put: The man is dead and cannot defend himself of any additional allegations against him even if they were true. It is unfair to defame the man with any more accusations against him other than discussing the publicly known allegations about his case -but all of the facts about his case are not known by the public.

  RF went public and by doing that he broke the rules that he subscribed to when he joined jw.
  
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  Listener

  There are numerous reports of what was said about him in the Congregations. I personally heard how he was at the lead in this apostasy movement. That he was spreading false teachings and that he was only interested in gathering followers for himself and to make money from it.
  
  You are right about the Watchtower not needing to do anything about it. However, I was under the impression that they try to do things in a similar manner to the first Century christians. From the secret JC's to the disfellowshipping of individuals without the Congregation knowing of the 'sin', none of this is similar. Disfellowshipping for having a meal with a df'd person is also unbiblical.
  
  

  Fisherman - He went public and by doing that he broke the rules that he subscribed to when he joined jw.

  
  What rules are these that he subscribed to when he joined?

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  Fisherman

  What rules are these that he subscribed to when he joined?

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  God's kingdom rules. Wt is God's org and Jesus is the invisible ruler. When a person becomes a jw he subscribes to ALL jw rules. As an elder and an gb member, RF was no novist at the terms of jw membership, he knew them very well for many many years and expected performance of them by fellow jw- but he excused himself by claiming he had a duty- a crisis of conscience-violating trust and confidentiality, etc.
  
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  OUTLAW

  but he excused himself by claiming he had a duty- a crisis of conscience-violating trust and confidentiality, etc......fisherman

  Ray Franz..

  
  

  

  
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  Listener

  Fisherman, to be more specific, by going public, how did that act in itself break any JW rules which he had allegedly agreed to in the past?
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  James Jack

  I gave a several talks in Gadsden during the 90's. Got to eat and chat with several elders who were in the know such as : Felix Parnell, Willie Anderson, Bobby Rogers, Earl Parnell, Theotis French, Rob Dibble. All said they struggled with the decision of his DFing. "Ray Franz was a great person, but you can't set your own rules, and go against the Faithful Slave! As an Elder, you must be loyal to the Organization that Jehovah is using."

  That is the collective thinking I got from these individuals. I never gave it much thought at the time because I was totally in, very active Elder and Regular Pioneer, totally consumed towing the company line and I didn't want to hear anything negative about the Organization. Knowing what I know now, the conversation would have gone in a different direction.

  One funny note I recall is a conversation with Annabel Anderson(Willie's wife). She told me about a Congregation picnic where Ray Franz attended and another publisher introduced her inactive husband who was wearing a beard. Annabel asked Ray privately what he thought about the man's beard, and Ray said :"I like it and see nothing wrong with!".

  Annabel said,"From that point on, I knew there was something wrong with him and it would be a matter of time before Jehovah will deal with him." I wonder what she thinks now about beards from the 2016 Sept. WT?

  Felix, Earl and Willie are dead now. I still see the others from time to time. Maybe I might get a chance to ask some better questions if given the opportunity.