I don't think we can put all Bethelites in the same category. There are many loving sons and daughters who serve in Bethel but for those who prefer to be loners and who don't care for family, Bethel may be a place they would gravitate to.
believingxjw
JoinedPosts by believingxjw
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Why are Bethelites so discusted by their own "real" family members?? {Like Fred Franz e.g}
by Witness 007 insome friends of mine at bethel had slightly disfunctional families at home....nothing huge, just dad was a bit loud....sister had depression at times mum was abit emotional etc etc {all of them faithful witnesses though} ....i was amazed that even at assemblies when they came from interstate the bethelite friends would "shy away" from their real family.
they would always be too busy, or have something to do....one family drove home in tears because their bethel son did not seem to "have time for them...".
e.g fredrick franz 1939 when he was told by his mom his father died franz told her due to press work at bethel he can't make it!!!
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I would like to hear your experiences with being SHUNNED
by jwfacts ini am going to put together a page of short experiences of how shunning has affected exjws.
you do not have to be disfellowshipped, even if you were shunned after being marked or after fading.
all comments are welcome, such as who shunned you, how long since family have spoken to you, what your situation is, why you are being shunned and how it has made you feel.
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believingxjw
I am shunned by most but not all. Some JWs come up at the meeting and say hello and give a hug.
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Watchtower installs a "Trojan Horse" in their followers and take over their brain
by TastingFreedom ini'm convinced jw's are under sooo much brainwashing and fully indoctrinated that their brains are disabled.
they will never analyze or question any beliefs.
it is all about the emotions, their brains are literally paralyzed.
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believingxjw
Tasting Freedom,
"I'm convinced JW's are under sooo MUCH brainwashing and fully indoctrinated that their brains are disabled. They will never analyze or question any beliefs. It is all about the emotions, their brains are literally paralyzed."
This is a gross exaggeration. Many JWs recognize what is going on. To believe the above is just plain silly.
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The Significance of Raymond Victor Franz
by AllTimeJeff inthe significance of raymond franz.
in the light of the passing of raymond franz this week, it is clear from the reaction that many were affected by the deeds of this man.
while he was called gentle by those who knew him (for the record, i never got to meet him personally) his reputation preceded him both in the ex jehovah's witness community, and still to this day at the world headquarters of jehovah's witnesses.. while his writings were indeed fair and reasonable, (i challenge anyone to read his books and find bitterness associated with him toward his former peers) i think it would be a mistake to remember ray franz as somewhat of a gentle, doting old man.
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believingxjw
AllTimeJeff,
"I just wanted to comment on believingxjw and others who pointed out that Ray Franz was forced to resign, implying that he did not do so over principle."
Ray continued to be a JW and attended meetings. He apparently still believed enough to do so. Or are you saying he attended meetings as a hypocrite?
Ray was being honest when he wrote COC, I believe we should be as honest as he was.
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The Significance of Raymond Victor Franz
by AllTimeJeff inthe significance of raymond franz.
in the light of the passing of raymond franz this week, it is clear from the reaction that many were affected by the deeds of this man.
while he was called gentle by those who knew him (for the record, i never got to meet him personally) his reputation preceded him both in the ex jehovah's witness community, and still to this day at the world headquarters of jehovah's witnesses.. while his writings were indeed fair and reasonable, (i challenge anyone to read his books and find bitterness associated with him toward his former peers) i think it would be a mistake to remember ray franz as somewhat of a gentle, doting old man.
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believingxjw
AllTimeJeff,
" In my opinion, you were/are looking to manufacture a controversy where none exists.
Other then that, you hit it right on the head."
I was just trying to keep the conversation on what Ray actually said and not what we think he said. Your words above are contradictory by the way. I "hit it right on the head" because it's what Ray said. I was not trying to manufacture anything. That's the problem here sometimes, if someone disagrees with what is said they are put down and sad to say sometimes it's not really all that different from what happens in the Watchtower. I know, I experienced for myself when I disassociated.
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The Significance of Raymond Victor Franz
by AllTimeJeff inthe significance of raymond franz.
in the light of the passing of raymond franz this week, it is clear from the reaction that many were affected by the deeds of this man.
while he was called gentle by those who knew him (for the record, i never got to meet him personally) his reputation preceded him both in the ex jehovah's witness community, and still to this day at the world headquarters of jehovah's witnesses.. while his writings were indeed fair and reasonable, (i challenge anyone to read his books and find bitterness associated with him toward his former peers) i think it would be a mistake to remember ray franz as somewhat of a gentle, doting old man.
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believingxjw
AllTimeJeff,
I admire Ray just as must as anyone here but I believe he would have wanted us to speak the truth. You said, "Why would a man in his 50's resign his leadership position (though not leave the religion)? It was over principle. It was over what was right."
In COC Ray wrote, " That afternoon Chairman Schroeder brought the Governing Body's decision to me. Evidently those seeking disfellowshiping had not attained a two-thirds majority, for he simply informed me that I was being asked to resign from the Body and also as a member of the headquarters staff...."
Next paragraph, "I wrote out my resignation..." COC, page 332
Ray resigned because he was asked to resign.
Ray continued to attend meetings after he left Bethel. The elders in his congregation even considered appointing him elder.
I believe we should be just as honest about things as we ask the JWs to be.
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Ray Franz has had a stroke
by coffee_black injust setting the record straight.
there is another thread that notes a claim on wiki that said that ray has died.. he had a stroke yesterday, and is in the hospital.
he is still alive.
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believingxjw
Raymond Franz is resting in his hospital bed, it's his wife who suffers now. If he is on a respirator then at some point hard decisions may have to be made and his wife must make them.
Cynthia, read the Bible to him. It will comfort you. And consider the advice your good friends with you today at the hospital are giving you.
Hold on to God he will sustain you today and everyday.
Remember death is not the end but rather a beginning.
You are loved, dear sister.
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In the News: Pope Forgives Molested Children
by Elsewhere in(for those not familiar with the onion, this is a satire website.).
http://www.theonion.com/articles/pope-forgives-molested-children,101/.
pope forgives molested children .
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believingxjw
I know.
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In the News: Pope Forgives Molested Children
by Elsewhere in(for those not familiar with the onion, this is a satire website.).
http://www.theonion.com/articles/pope-forgives-molested-children,101/.
pope forgives molested children .
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believingxjw
Let the Pope himself have his day in bed with those children who in their filth seduced him! May he teach them a thing or two.
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Dr. Jerry Bergman and Joe Anderson on Dialogue Saturday March 20,2010
by koolaid-man injoin former jehovah's witness and watchtower historian richard rawe on his telephone conference call.
his special guest tonight will be dr. jerry bergman, author of the book "jehovah's witnesses and the problem of mental illness".
and former bethelite, joe anderson, barbara anderson's husband.
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believingxjw
Jerry Bergman is riding a wave pure and simple. He has no depth.