Franklin Massey

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Posts by Franklin Massey

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  243

  Victoria, Australia: Steven Unthank's Press Release: JW's Hierarchy Formally Charged Today With Child Abuse

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  jehovah's witnesses hierarchy charged.

  immediate press release: 26 july 2011. link to this press release: http://wp.me/p1g1hc-4o.

  worldwide church hierarchy charged with child abuse.

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  Franklin Massey

  marking
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  33

  What's The Worst Thing About Being A Witness?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  for me, a jehovah's witness does not have a real life!

  jw's are like trained soldiers.

  they could be fervent or lax or happy or unhappy in their role but they are trained to drone on like stepford wives.. what an utter waste of an existence being a jehovah's witness!.

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  Franklin Massey

  Thought suppression coupled with information control.
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  47

  Wife is on that yellow brick road to the WT.

  by trailerfitter in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hi, this is my first post on this forum although i have been reading many posts on here.

  i feel safe enough to ask your advice and become involved now......from what i have learned about this forum it is occupied by sensible people who have left the watchtower influences for one reason or another.

  i am, for want of a better word, a none believer.

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  Franklin Massey

  WTWizard, as if the inside lingo the Watchtower Society uses isn't hard enough to understand! Would you care to provide our new member with a crash course in your dark twists on JW slang? I'll start you off:

  "boasting sessions" - JW meetings
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  19

  2011 DC Friday Keynote Address - Who are Preaching the "Good News Of The Kingdom"

  by dontplaceliterature in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  did anyone happen to hear this talk?

  ours was given by a southern circuit overseer.

  it was really a "whoa team!

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  Franklin Massey

  They didn't do the JW unison response at our DC, thank the flying spaghetti monster. However, I was turned off by the condescending tone of talk. Our speaker used various mocking voices when citing "Christendom's" beliefs and intentions. He stopped at one point to address the sarcastic tone by saying, "We don't use this tone to attack people, we use it attack the IDEAS that Satan is feeding to these people." Then, he picked right back up with the funny voices.

  I don't know what message was worse. The "JWs are superior in thought and action to every other religion on the earth," or, "Every other religion on earth is being spoonfed garbage by Satan the Devil. Therefore, they are incapable of doing anything good."
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  47

  Wife is on that yellow brick road to the WT.

  by trailerfitter in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hi, this is my first post on this forum although i have been reading many posts on here.

  i feel safe enough to ask your advice and become involved now......from what i have learned about this forum it is occupied by sensible people who have left the watchtower influences for one reason or another.

  i am, for want of a better word, a none believer.

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  Franklin Massey

  Welcome to the forum. I agree with the advice of posters who say that you should keep your cool and always take the high road. If you do have legitimate concerns, find a way to express them in a loving, caring way. Keep your statements and questions simple. Don't pile on too much at once or none of it will ever sink in.

  Until recently, I served as an elder in a JW congregation. We had several JW wives with unbelieving mates. I regret dispensing the counsel I'm about to mention but I, like many JWs, thought I was doing the right thing. Here was the general procedure:

  If an unbelieving husband was peaceful, moral and did not try to prevent the sister from attending to her JW duties, then he was viewed as a friend and a potential convert. Occasionally, one of the elders may offer him a Bible study. In some instances, he would be invited to share in JW recreation like a picnic, dinner or other social outing. The sister would be constantly reminded that the husband may be "won without a word," as is mentioned at first Peter 3:1. We would point to the example of a sister in the congregation who followed this advice and eventually, helped to convert her husband.

  If an unbelieving husband showed resistance to his wife's association with JWs, then a different approach was taken. He would not receive the special invites and enjoy the camaraderie that is extended to an unbelieving but non-opposing husband. He may get a slightly more formal visit from the JW elders from time to time. But an "opposing" mate is dealt with very carefully so as not to start any fires in the household. The wife would be encouraged to be submissive and respectful but to draw the line when it came to the opposition interfering with her worship to Jehovah (which is, by definition, her participation in JW activities). This would be labeled as one of Satan's tricks. We would also read Mark 13:12 where Jesus said that our own families may try to come between us and our faith. Then, we would point to an example of a faithful sister who has continued serving with the JWs for years, despite the pressures from here unbelieving husband.

  Now I ask you, which type of "unbelieving mate" stands the best chance of maintaining a happy marriage? Which one has the best opportunity to get JWs to examine their beliefs?

  You'll need patience no matter what course you take. Things may not turn out the way you hope. Lower your outcome expectations and focus on being the best husband you can.

  There is another thing to consider and I'm only saying this to be fair to those feel they really need the JW religion to survive. Each person has their own level of personal spiritual needs. Could this course actually be a good thing for your wife? Is there anything you can learn from JWs? I'm not making any recommendations with these questions. I'm just saying that they deserve to be considered.
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  66

  To Dissassociate or just Fade into Inactivity ? Your Choice ? Reasons ?

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this has been asked before, however i thought it may be good for newer members of the board to read some of our reasons on how we decided to exit the jw cult and why we decided to do it the way we did.. first off - i have been faded for almost 8 years.

  essentially i decided to fade into inactivity and not da because i have elderly jw parents who would shun me if i did get dfed or daed myself.

  also- i like keeping open the possibilities that some of my many jw relatives may in time start doubting and have questions and reach out to me in my inactive state.

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  Franklin Massey

  SIAM, you have a PM.

  Thanks, SBC. My hours are low. Most of my weekends are now spent enjoying quality time with my family and friends. There are also some of the older ones that I like to visit. Sometimes one of the friends will need help with a project or something and I'm happy to assist. That kind of stuff has mostly replaced field service. Therefore, I have almost no time to report.
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  9

  What is the official procedure for JWs in disaster relief situations?

  by Franklin Massey in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is my understanding of how jws handle disaster situations: they are directed to take care of only jws first.

  once all the jws are accounted for and assisted, they will move on to preaching to others in the affected area but not providing any real material assistance to non-believers.. i hope i'm wrong about this.

  i have been told by some people that my view is incorrect and that jws are also told to go out into affected communities to provide material assistance to non-believers by providing shelter, water, food, etc.

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  Franklin Massey

  I can't imagine them turning anyone away.

  I also understand the "take care of our own first" mentality. I don't agree with it. But I understand why they would operate that way.

  The part I'm unclear on is whether the Society will reach out to non-believers with no-strings-attached material assistance. For instance, will they have arrangements to rebuild the homes of neighbors of JWs in a disaster area? Or are they instructed to just help the JWs and then, pack up and head out?

  I would like to see some sort of personal testimony, official letter, or Branch policy statement.
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  66

  To Dissassociate or just Fade into Inactivity ? Your Choice ? Reasons ?

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this has been asked before, however i thought it may be good for newer members of the board to read some of our reasons on how we decided to exit the jw cult and why we decided to do it the way we did.. first off - i have been faded for almost 8 years.

  essentially i decided to fade into inactivity and not da because i have elderly jw parents who would shun me if i did get dfed or daed myself.

  also- i like keeping open the possibilities that some of my many jw relatives may in time start doubting and have questions and reach out to me in my inactive state.

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  Franklin Massey

  I stepped down. I slowly lowered JW activity in all areas. Currently fading. I've "come out" (on varying levels depending on the person's capacity to handle the "full flavor" version of me, or, the 'lite' version of me) to a few trusted friends and family members. So far, the results have been good. I'm finding that there are, indeed, more and more people like us in the Org and that the number is growing every day.

  I went from being a Watchtower Superstar to a low level JW in a relatively short period of time. Watching it all unfold is quite fascinating to observe. I'm getting mixed reactions from JWs.

  Some are intrigued and have opened up to me a bit about their own personal views. It seems that questioning minds and those with doubts/complaints about the Organization are afraid to open up to those in positions of "authority," or, those who appear to be ultra-zealous. Once I showed that I lacked full-fledged allegiance to the WT Org., I became more appealing to those on the fringe. I'm heard everything from, "What is your secret?" to "I admire what you're doing," to "I'm finding it harder and harder to (insert adherence to JW rule or activity here)."

  There are others who don't personally like my recent decisions but are still being loving and supportive, sensing that something may be wrong. They offer some encouragement or adjust their speaking manner to the tone that one would use to address a sad child. I appreciate their effort and their willingness to show some feeling toward me. It comes from a loving place. It's kind of interesting, though, to watch their confused reaction when I smile and wholeheartedly assure them that I'm happier than ever and then, return their offer of assistance and support.

  Lastly, there are those who are keeping their distance. I've received a few "stink-eyes" from those who can't figure me out or who may perceive me as some sort of threat to their spirituality. These folks are few and are mostly super-devout JWs who are more Watchtower Society worshippers than Christians. Since I'm showing (in their opinion) signs of weakness, they have decided to steer clear. That's fine with me.

  The bottom line is this: The less I have to do with the JW Organization, the happier I am. The people who I'm closest to are enjoying my newfound sense of peace and calm. I'm sleeping better. I'm more productive. Im more loving. I feel more alive. I'm a better person for it.

  Who can argue with those results?
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  9

  What is the official procedure for JWs in disaster relief situations?

  by Franklin Massey in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is my understanding of how jws handle disaster situations: they are directed to take care of only jws first.

  once all the jws are accounted for and assisted, they will move on to preaching to others in the affected area but not providing any real material assistance to non-believers.. i hope i'm wrong about this.

  i have been told by some people that my view is incorrect and that jws are also told to go out into affected communities to provide material assistance to non-believers by providing shelter, water, food, etc.

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  Franklin Massey

  Here is my understanding of how JWs handle disaster situations: They are directed to take care of only JWs first. Once all the JWs are accounted for and assisted, they will move on to preaching to others in the affected area but not providing any real material assistance to non-believers.

  I hope I'm wrong about this. I have been told by some people that my view is incorrect and that JWs are also told to go out into affected communities to provide material assistance to non-believers by providing shelter, water, food, etc. This is, of course, after fellow JWs are taken care of first. Still, I'm told they have an organized plan for helping non-JWs.

  Which is true? Please provide evidence either from Watchtower materials, news articles, or, personal experience.

  To be fair, I have never helped with JW-organized disaster relief. I have, however, helped "secular" groups with charity work, which has provoked some ridiculous responses from a few JWs, who think we should "keep it all in the family," so to speak.
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  18

  The Most Hateful Christian Group on Earth Today?

  by sizemik in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm very hesitant about starting this thread .

  because i don't want to judge anyone or inspire hatred myself.

  also, i believe i'm past the anger/bitterness thing well and truly.. so i'm asking this question not out of emotion .

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  Franklin Massey

  I disagree with the "most hateful" label. When I think of someone who is hateful, I think of someone who practices hate in a calculated, puropseful way. When I look at how many JWs hold the "US vs. THEM" stance that punk mentioned above, I don't see them using calculated, purposeful hatred. Rather, I see them blindly following what their leadership tells them, as clarity pointed out. They think what they are doing is a protection. They think they are operating in love. They think that pushing people away will bring them closer to God. There is no malice there, just ignorance.

  Sizemik, you mentioned something that I want to get a clearer view on. Here is my understanding of how JWs handle disaster situations: They are directed to take care of only JWs first. Once all the JWs are accounted for and assisted, they will move on to preaching to others in the affected area but not providing any real material assistance to non-believers.

  I hope I'm wrong about this. I have been told by some people that my view is incorrect and that JWs are also told to go out into affected communities to provide material assistance to non-believers by providing shelter, water, food, etc. This is, of course, after fellow JWs are taken care of first. Still, I'm told they have an organized plan for helping non-JWs.

  Which is true? Please provide evidence either from Watchtower materials, news articles, or, personal experience.