Franklin Massey

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Posts by Franklin Massey

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  322

  WT Nov. 1, 2011 (public) - When Was Ancient Jerusalem Destroyed - Part 2

  by AnnOMaly in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  out now.. yes, yes, yessssss!

  on p. 26-27 they talk about how the lunar positions on vat 4956 fit 588/7 bce!!!.

  "clearly, much of the astronomical data in vat 4956 fits the year 588 b.c.e.

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  Franklin Massey

  Marking.

  Alleymom...wow.
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  62

  WE CAN DO THIS....if you think the idea is as good as I do!

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have long had an idea that i think is a very powerful tool in reaching even hard-nosed jw's.. .

  it would consist only of actual photographic scans of various documents, articles, photographs such as these from marvin shilmer's blog: (see next panel).

  there would be no extraneous non-official text whatsoever.. it would be published the size of an old life magazine and sent anonymously to jw's at their homes.. the cover would clearly contain the words: "all contents originally published by watchtower bible &tract society".

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  Franklin Massey

  Jesus Christ! I've never seen the letter that Bangalore posted. Proof that JWs are already living in their own little government.
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  33

  "The organization has never disappointed us..."

  by Franklin Massey in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the simplified english edition of the july 15th, 2011 watchtower, in an article that warns jws about apostate influences, the following quote is given as a reason to stick close to the watchtower organization:.

  "the organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from god's word.".

  a scan of the page can be found here: http://www.jwfacts.com/images/watchtower-2011-jul-15-p12-apostates.jpg.

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  Franklin Massey

  unshackled, OUCH. Is there a thread that discusses that issue of AWAKE!? Were blood fractions really an issue in those cases? I would look it up myself but I don't have a the WT Library CD. I used to keep one with me here at work but I threw it away in a moment of anger.
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  33

  "The organization has never disappointed us..."

  by Franklin Massey in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in the simplified english edition of the july 15th, 2011 watchtower, in an article that warns jws about apostate influences, the following quote is given as a reason to stick close to the watchtower organization:.

  "the organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from god's word.".

  a scan of the page can be found here: http://www.jwfacts.com/images/watchtower-2011-jul-15-p12-apostates.jpg.

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  Franklin Massey

  In the simplified English edition of the July 15th, 2011 Watchtower, in an article that warns JWs about apostate influences, the following quote is given as a reason to stick close to the Watchtower Organization:

  "The organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from God's Word."

  A scan of the page can be found here: http://www.jwfacts.com/images/watchtower-2011-jul-15-p12-apostates.jpg

  What are the implications of a statement like this? Given the doctrinal changes and false predictions of the Watchtower Society, some level of disappointment is to be expected among the JWs. At the very least, many JWs fully expected Armageddon to have arrived by now, as they were instructed to believe by their leaders. But here, those very leaders who made promises they couldn't keep, tell their followers that the organization - not God, not Jesus, but a group of men - has NEVER disappointed them.

  How are those who have been rightly disappointed going to feel about this statement? Likely, they will feel that the disappointment is all their fault (1975, anyone?). Why? Because the Governing Body says that no one has ever been disappointed. If God's chosen representatives say they have never done anything to disappoint, then it must be true...right? So the rank and file begin to doubt themselves. They feel guilty. That guilt gives the leaders of the Watchtower Society a powerful edge.

  Sometimes I soften a bit and think, "These guys are just doing what they think is best. They don't mean any harm. They aren't intentionally manipulating their followers. They're just trying to keep them on the straight and narrow." Then I read an article like this one and realize the deplorable level of control and manipulation that is being exercised over the JWs.

  I have been disappointed with this religion. I have every right to be disappointed. I refuse to be tricked into thinking that there has been no reason for me to ever be disappointed. How about you?
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  69

  WT Society Alters their History as " The Party " did in George Orwell's 1984

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  finally my wife and i got around to reading george orwell's " 1984 " .

  as many of you know who have read the book that " the party " or " big brother " as the ruling power in the book is called ; constantly changes records of it's past dealings so as to deceive the public about any false forecasts they may have mistakenly made ; in an effort to put forth a positive image of itself it destroys past embarrassing records or paperwork which would expose the " party " as a failure.

  much the way the wt society has altered their history to deceive the public and their own members.. notice this quote from george orwell's " 1984 " on pg.

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  Franklin Massey

  I don't think that many have read it but the terms "1984" and "Big Brother" are synonymous with conspiracy and control. I've mentioned the book before and received negative reactions by those who assumed (correctly) that I was suggesting some strange business going on behind the scenes.
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  69

  WT Society Alters their History as " The Party " did in George Orwell's 1984

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  finally my wife and i got around to reading george orwell's " 1984 " .

  as many of you know who have read the book that " the party " or " big brother " as the ruling power in the book is called ; constantly changes records of it's past dealings so as to deceive the public about any false forecasts they may have mistakenly made ; in an effort to put forth a positive image of itself it destroys past embarrassing records or paperwork which would expose the " party " as a failure.

  much the way the wt society has altered their history to deceive the public and their own members.. notice this quote from george orwell's " 1984 " on pg.

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  Franklin Massey

  I've always noticed 1984-ish behavior within the JWs since the first time I read the book as a teenager.

  Some advice: Don't mention 1984 in relation to the Watchtower around any devout JWs.
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  15

  Exposing the WT Affair with the UN - 9/11/11 Call to Action!

  by Timothy Riches in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  although many ex-jehovah's witnesses know about the watchtower's secret 10 year affair with the united nations, the vast majority of jehovah's witnesses do not know.

  on sunday september 11, 2011, we plan to let them know about it!

  there was never a formal disclosure to jehovah's witnesses at meetings or in wt literature or letters telling the jw's about the affair.

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  Franklin Massey

  Here in the US, 9/11 might not be the best day to go about doing this, especially if one of the goals is to attract media attention. Poor form if you ask me.
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  24

  Oct. 15th WT - Who Should be your Friend to Associate & Recreate With ?

  by flipper in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  with many of us here on jwn in a fading state trying to stay halfway connected to jw relatives - i thought it would be informative and helpful to know what the wt society is telling jehovah's witnesses about who or who should not be their close friends.

  so if you experience even more shunning than normal - this article may be influencing some jw's to do this.

  you won't find any new information here- but the wt society is definitely trying to control who witnesses hang out with.. in the article " is your recreation beneficial " ?

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  Franklin Massey

  I always had an awkward time making this type of WT counsel fit into the Bible study arrangement.

  When I was conducting Bible studies, I tried to become the person's friend, albeit with limits that I imposed. Although I knew that the point of the study was to help someone become a JW, I never wanted to be too formal and make the study seem like some kind of indoctrination process with an agenda (yeah, I know better now). So I would allow the study to get off topic, maybe hang around a bit after the service visit and chat. A phone call or email here and there. I felt like I was being friendly enough without putting myself in some sort of risky situation. In other words, any interactions beyond the actual study had to be on my terms. Now I realize that it was not friendship; it was selfishness.

  I had two studies that enjoyed the sessions and wanted to create real friendships outside of the hour that we spent together each week. One asked me to come over for pizza and movies. Another wanted me to join him and a group of his friends for coffee to just hang out and talk. I was torn. I liked these guys. But they weren't JW enough yet. I also worried that if the study stopped, they might (gasp) still want to be friends on a purely social level. That would be a definite no-no. So, I would make excuses and avoid any recreation time with them. Both studies eventually stopped. They were both smart guys and they probably saw the real truth behind the JW study process before I did.

  What makes me feel the worst is that, because of counsel like that found in the article above, I missed out on the chance to have a couple of good friends. When people in the hall would ask why so-and-so wasn't studying anymore, I didn't know what to say. Often, the questioner would say, "Don't worry. You did your part. Jehovah draws those who are deserving." That always made me feel sick to my stomach. They stopped studying because I wasn't being a real friend. They probably thought something weird was going on. I don't blame them one bit. Then to say that maybe they didn't deserve "The Truth..."

  I've never conducted another JW study since.
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  133

  "Forged" by Bart Ehrman

  by Dagney in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062012614/ref=s9_simh_bw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=atvpdkikx0der&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0eppm5kwv5zydqhmh1ar&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1287771322&pf_rd_i=283155.

  has anybody read this recent book by erhman?

  wondering.. thank you..

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  Franklin Massey

  I'm somewhere between Terry and PSac on my opinion of Bart Ehrman. When I read his work, I see the scholarly craft and attention to detail. As for the title FORGED, he and his publishing company have to sell books. The title grabs attention. It may be enough to cause someone to pick up the book and read the synopsis to see if it's for them.

  When I see him speak I get a different impression. I've watched his lectures on YouTube and I don't like how he comes across. He lacks poise, polish and sophistication. He seems like a nerd that was bullied one too many times but now has the power of a microphone and a PhD. He tries too hard to make his point with "can you believe this stuff?!" gestures and facial expressions instead of letting the points make themselves. When he gets ready to set up and argument, it just feels cheap, even though he is usually right.

  Just my opinion.
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  140

  Why So Many Young People Are Leaving The Watchtower

  by Jeremy C in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i have been giving a lot of thought to the young people who are leaving the watchtower organization in recent years.

  last night, i was reading the thread posted by jwfacts a while back in which he provided some statistics and graphs showing the rapidly declining growth in the watchtower.

  one factor that was discussed at length was the high number of young people who do not stay in the organization.

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  Franklin Massey

  This is the kind of post that should be sent around to JWs. It hits so close to home for so many. These kind of observations are safe enough for JWs to hear without tripping the cult mindset. It can spark a flow of personal thoughts that are normally supressed.

  It’s like a twisted game from the Middle Ages, where everyone is trying to make it to a finish line, or else get executed if they don’t

  It's not LIKE that. It IS that. You described it perfectly.