Posts by Franklin Massey

311

"Mentally diseased" article to be published in The Independent tomorrow

by cedars in

hi everyone.

as a parting gift to you all before i take a much needed break from this forum, i thought you would be pleased to know that the independent, a leading uk newspaper, will be publishing a piece on the "mentally diseased" watchtower article in tomorrow's edition.. i would like to thank everybody who has assisted the journalist, jerome taylor, in his investigation.. best wishes to all of you,.

cedars.

Franklin Massey

Nice contribution, Scholar.

I've seen some of the JWs rationalizing that posting on this article does not conflict with the admonition in the Watchtower for the following reasons:

- The website is not an apostate website (or blog), rather a news journal.

- The article seems to be balanced and quoted the Watchtower magazine accurately.

- Apostates are twisting the article so we must defend our faith to the public.

- We as JWs don't want to be misunderstood.

It's funny, though, because at the meeting where this article was discussed, several JWs commented on the danger of even reading the comment sections of ANY articles related to JWs.

Also, as Scholar pointed out, the JWs that are posting on these articles are displaying attitudes quite similar to those who choose to leave the Organization. Many on this board are here because they realized that to be a JW, they have to obey the Governing Body, despite their own personal convictions. Not wanting to be hypocrites, or live a lie, they decide that the JW religion is not for them. As for JWs interacting with apostates, we have clear examples of making the religion fit the person, when it should be the other way around. It is ridiculous to practice willful disobedience to the Governing Body while trying to justify the rightness of the JW religion.

Watching this play out proves to me that this religion is definitely not worth my time and energy.

71

Some JWs are exhibiting signs of violence because of WT hate speech. Read the threat to me and others posted at Topix yesterday

by AndersonsInfo in

yesterday, i opened a topix account so i could post the information about watch tower representatives attending the political ocse meeting in poland for two weeks and the proof that they are an ngo.

one of the posters responded with these words: .

"barbs-info," eh?

Franklin Massey

Barb, I'm sorry to hear this. I wish you the best.

To all posters on JWN, we need to remember not to be guilty of the same type of aggressive, hateful, violent speech. There are posters here who, for whatever reasons, say some incredibly offensive and shockingly aggressive things against JWs and the WT Org on this board. JWs and ExJWs are both getting attention right now. The spotlight is going to be directed at both camps. This is where we need to be better. Yes, many of us have been hurt. Yes, our frustration and anger may be validated. But let's try to take the higher road. Let's not live up to the ridiculous stereotype that the WT has created for ExJWs. Let's not scare off those curious folks, JWs and nonJWs alike, who may be drawn to this site after hearing of the recent buzz in the media.

11

Like him or not, Richard Dawkins is helping spread the word about JWs

by Franklin Massey in

jw
friends

http://richarddawkins.net/articles/643264-war-of-words-breaks-out-among-jehovah-s-witnesses.

http://twitter.com/#!/rdfrs.

http://twitter.com/#!/richarddawkins.

Franklin Massey

http://richarddawkins.net/articles/643264-war-of-words-breaks-out-among-jehovah-s-witnesses

http://twitter.com/#!/RDFRS

http://twitter.com/#!/RichardDawkins

It will be interesting to watch the comments.

311

"Mentally diseased" article to be published in The Independent tomorrow

by cedars in

hi everyone.

as a parting gift to you all before i take a much needed break from this forum, i thought you would be pleased to know that the independent, a leading uk newspaper, will be publishing a piece on the "mentally diseased" watchtower article in tomorrow's edition.. i would like to thank everybody who has assisted the journalist, jerome taylor, in his investigation.. best wishes to all of you,.

cedars.

Franklin Massey

Richard Dawkins just tweeted the article (he has 240,000+ followers!), his foundation's twitter feed picked it up (20,000+) and it's featured on his website: http://richarddawkins.net/articles/643264-war-of-words-breaks-out-among-jehovah-s-witnesses

80

2011 Global Survey of Jehovah's Witnesses

by cedars in

jw
friends

if you are visiting this site for the first time, or for the first time in a long while, i would appreciate if you could click on the following link and participate in the 2011 global survey of jehovah's witnesses.

both active jehovah's witnesses and former jehovah's witnesses around the world are invited to participate anonymously, and the results will be forwarded to the governing body and world's media.. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/t7zm5zc.

this thread will be updated with the results of the survey (for the time being at least) should you be interested.. in its first 3 days, the survey collected close to 400 responses.

Franklin Massey

What Franklin has written could very well have applied to me at an earlier time.

Me too. I speak from experience.

Cedars, this board is one of the premier places on the web for those questioning, doubting, coping with, healing from and exiting the Watchtower Organization. Despite your frustration, I think there really is a place for you here.

Big ideas take time. Big projects take time. Temper that zeal and passion with a little bit of patience and forgiveness and you'll make waves. I wish you the best.

80

2011 Global Survey of Jehovah's Witnesses

by cedars in

jw
friends

if you are visiting this site for the first time, or for the first time in a long while, i would appreciate if you could click on the following link and participate in the 2011 global survey of jehovah's witnesses.

both active jehovah's witnesses and former jehovah's witnesses around the world are invited to participate anonymously, and the results will be forwarded to the governing body and world's media.. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/t7zm5zc.

this thread will be updated with the results of the survey (for the time being at least) should you be interested.. in its first 3 days, the survey collected close to 400 responses.

Franklin Massey

Cedars, I admire what you are trying to do. That being said, don't be so sensitive. When things are going your way on this forum, you're fine. When someone challenges you, or, says something that is just plain ignorant, you get so incredibly defensive and the thread then turns into you trying to justify your position at any cost. I think you have some decent ideas and the motivation needed to see your plans through. But your quickness in getting your feathers ruffled, coupled with your insistance on making sure everyone knows that someone complimented you on bringing intelligence to the board and that you have such good ideas, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

If your ideas are that good, people will respond without you reminding them how good your ideas are. Don't boast about your strengths in an attempt to defend yourself. It makes your strengths appear weaker. Just do what you believe in and ignore any distractions that get in your way.

44

Special day Last talk "No formula"

by MommieTiger in

this weekend at our special assembly day, let gods will take place the final talk was a head shaker.... the bethel speaker was quite entertaining when he joked @ the shortcomings of the elders.

he also made us laugh with the comment "we were told the end of the system is right around the corner, but we've found its been more than that, we've been around the blocks a few times.

" he told the young ones to make the truth their own by researching in the wtbts publication (only).

Franklin Massey

Welcome to the board!

60

What Do You Say or Is It Better to Saying Nothing?

by Eiben Scrood in

jw
friends

i miss some of my old watchtower friendships.

usually i can just put the people out of my mind but when a big event comes up like me expecting my first child, i did reach out a bit.

this one friend in particular was kind of like an older brother to me.

Franklin Massey

He seems nice. Your reply shows him you aren't a total apostate Satanist. Likely, he'll just think you're "spiritually weak" or a little misguided. From here on out, drop the religious banter and just keep it friendly. Make sure that you, through your actions, show that your friendship is not conditional.

37

Shunning,, let's twist the knife in a little deeper now !

by man in black in

this morning i took my dog who is a therapy dog over to the hospital and visited with several patients.

it is quite an experience, and it really helps people undergoing medical treatment to calm down and relax.. my wife was one of those patients, she is undergoing some tests before getting her gall bladder removed which will probably be sometime tomorrow.. afterwards i took the dog home, cleaned her up, and changed my clothes.

since i was alone i drove over to panara to try one of their breakfast sandwiches, several of the nurses told me that they are pretty good.

Franklin Massey

Hope your wife is doing well.

Cheers for your work with the therapy dog. In contrast, you probably did more good that morning than all the JWs combined.

I would have bought the nastiest ones of the bunch a cup of coffee.

15

Moulding our JW Children

by angel.face in

every year, at the beginning of the school year i prepare a letter for my daughter's teachers saying 'we are jws don't celebrate this....no anthem....here are some suggestions..blah blah".

and here's our 'jws and education' brochure from 1969, a bit outdated but you know, it's spiritual food at the proper time.

besides, its an easy placement.

Franklin Massey

Idea: Politely ask him to write the letter, since he is so clear on the content and you are not. Then tell him you will deliver the letter or send it to the school, whichever he would prefer. Once the business end of things is wrapped up, maybe suggest a Family Worship session on birthdays. Let the kids explain why JWs don't celebrate birthdays. Let your husband explain how he would explain your family's stance to a teacher. Maybe you could play the teacher and ask a couple of curious questions (What about marriage anniversaries? Birthdays aren't associated with violence and beheadings today, are they? What about baby showers?) to see how he and the kids would respond.

The birthday thing is kind of a joke. I know of JWs that either, send non-birthday birthday cards, post "happy day" messages on facebook, call their grown kids to reflect on the first day of birth, go out for drinks (or to restaurants that offer freebies) on birthdays and some who even buy small tokens of...well, they're bascially birthday presents. When reasoned on, the JW ban on birthdays doesn't add up and it alomst seems kind of cruel to not acknowledge such an amazing event as one's entrance into the world.