Posts by raymond frantz

7

U.S. 2024 Report on Religious Freedom: Challenges for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan

by raymond frantz in

thehttps://youtu.be/ycplox56-rk?si=l51-gppfzccoguhd u.s. department of state’s 2024 report on religious freedom sheds light on various challenges faced by minority religious groups around the world.

while the report covers many nations, one of the key regions of focus is japan, where jehovah’s witnesses are encountering growing hostility amidst a shifting legal and social landscape.

this article explores the issues jehovah’s witnesses face in japan and the broader implications for religious freedom in the country.. ### the u.s. report: focus on cults and minority groups.

U.S. 2024 Report on Religious Freedom: Challenges for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan

by raymond frantz in

thehttps://youtu.be/ycplox56-rk?si=l51-gppfzccoguhd u.s. department of state’s 2024 report on religious freedom sheds light on various challenges faced by minority religious groups around the world.

while the report covers many nations, one of the key regions of focus is japan, where jehovah’s witnesses are encountering growing hostility amidst a shifting legal and social landscape.

this article explores the issues jehovah’s witnesses face in japan and the broader implications for religious freedom in the country.. ### the u.s. report: focus on cults and minority groups.

Thehttps://youtu.be/YcPLox56-Rk?si=l51-GppFzCCOgUHd U.S. Department of State’s 2024 report on religious freedom sheds light on various challenges faced by minority religious groups around the world. While the report covers many nations, one of the key regions of focus is Japan, where Jehovah’s Witnesses are encountering growing hostility amidst a shifting legal and social landscape. This article explores the issues Jehovah’s Witnesses face in Japan and the broader implications for religious freedom in the country.

### The U.S. Report: Focus on Cults and Minority Groups

The 2024 report, much like its predecessors, takes a close look at the treatment of minority religious groups, often referred to as "cults" in the media or legal frameworks. In particular, the report focuses on groups that have emerged relatively recently, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church. The report’s findings have sparked concerns about how these groups are treated in various countries, especially in Japan, where recent legal actions have raised eyebrows internationally.

One of the criticisms of the report is its apparent emphasis on the protection of newer religious movements rather than traditional or well-established denominations like the Catholic or Orthodox Churches. This focus, according to some, is part of a broader U.S. soft power strategy, used to influence international standards on what constitutes religious freedom violations.

### Japan’s Shifting Attitude Towards Religious Freedom

Japan is a nation that generally upholds religious freedom, as guaranteed by its constitution. However, in recent years, there has been an increased scrutiny of certain religious organizations, particularly after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, which exposed troubling ties between the assassin and the Unification Church. This incident ignited public outrage and led to significant legal and political fallout.

In response to the assassination, the Japanese government took unprecedented legal steps, targeting the Unification Church, a group with a long history of controversy. In a landmark decision, the Tokyo District Court approved the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology’s (MEXT) request to dissolve the Unification Church, citing civil law violations. While this move was largely seen as a reaction to public demands for justice, it has sparked concerns about the broader implications for religious freedom in Japan.

### Jehovah’s Witnesses Caught in the Crossfire

Although the government’s legal actions have primarily targeted the Unification Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses have found themselves caught in the crossfire of growing public suspicion and government scrutiny. The assassination of Shinzo Abe set off a wave of media coverage and public debate about the role of religious groups in Japanese society, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, with their distinctive beliefs and practices, have faced increased social ostracism.

According to the U.S. report, media coverage in Japan has contributed to shaping negative public perceptions of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The organization has been portrayed as secretive and manipulative, with much of the coverage relying on the testimony of former members. This portrayal has fueled harmful stereotypes, leading to social exclusion, discrimination, and harassment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in various parts of Japan.

### Social and Legal Challenges for Jehovah’s Witnesses

One of the most pressing concerns for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan is the potential for legal action similar to what the Unification Church faced. While Jehovah’s Witnesses have not yet been directly targeted by government-initiated legal actions, there is growing fear within the community that the government may expand its scrutiny of religious organizations.

In particular, Jehovah’s Witnesses are concerned that the legal precedent set by the dissolution of the Unification Church could be applied to other religious groups. This fear is compounded by the presence of anti-cult organizations such as the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales, which have been vocal in pushing for stricter regulations on religious groups. While these efforts are aimed at protecting citizens from harmful practices, they have contributed to a climate of fear and suspicion surrounding religious minorities like Jehovah’s Witnesses.

### Public Discrimination and Social Ostracism

The U.S. report highlights the social difficulties Jehovah’s Witnesses face in Japan, where they are often ostracized and excluded from public life. Members of the community have reported being shunned at public events, denied participation in community activities, and, in some cases, facing harassment or discrimination in the workplace. This social exclusion has made it increasingly difficult for Jehovah’s Witnesses to practice their faith openly without fear of ridicule or hostility.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are particularly concerned about the long-term implications of this social climate. Many fear that continued public suspicion and media bias could lead to further legal actions or government crackdowns on their religious activities. In a country that prides itself on social harmony and conformity, the distinct beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses—such as their refusal to salute the national flag or participate in military-related activities—often make them targets of public scrutiny.

### The Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion

One of the key factors contributing to the difficulties faced by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan is the role of the media. According to the U.S. report, media outlets in Japan have played a significant role in shaping public opinion against Jehovah’s Witnesses, often portraying them in a negative light. This coverage has been fueled by the testimony of former members and has perpetuated harmful stereotypes about the group.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have publicly denounced this media bias, arguing that it fans the flames of fear and hostility toward their community. The group has called for more balanced coverage that accurately reflects their beliefs and practices, rather than relying on sensationalized accounts from disaffected former members.

### U.S. and International Concerns About Religious Freedom in Japan

The U.S. Department of State’s 2024 report on religious freedom raises important questions about the state of religious liberty in Japan. While the Japanese government’s actions have been largely focused on addressing the legal violations of specific groups like the Unification Church, the broader climate of suspicion surrounding minority religious organizations has raised concerns among international observers.

International experts, including those from the United Nations, have expressed concerns about Japan’s shift toward using civil law violations as grounds for dissolving religious organizations. They argue that this approach could have far-reaching consequences for religious freedom in Japan, particularly for groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, who already face significant social and legal challenges.

### Conclusion: The Future of Religious Freedom in Japan

The 2024 U.S. report on religious freedom highlights the growing tensions between Japan’s legal framework and its obligations to uphold religious liberty. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, the current climate of suspicion and media scrutiny represents a serious threat to their ability to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. As Japan continues to grapple with the fallout from the assassination of Shinzo Abe and the dissolution of the Unification Church, the question remains whether other minority religious groups will face similar challenges in the near future.

While the U.S. report remains neutral for now, presenting both the Japanese government’s perspective and the concerns of religious liberty advocates, it is clear that the issue of religious freedom in Japan is far from resolved. The coming years will be critical in determining whether Japan can strike a balance between protecting its citizens from harmful organizations and upholding the fundamental right to religious freedom.

1

NEW WATCHTOWER: TERRYFIED OF THIS VERSE

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/cvomv5lxdk4?si=ab9qkymcdz31bqzz.

some religious people claim that jesus’ words found at john 6:53:"unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you" about eating his flesh and drinking his blood set a pattern for the lord’s evening meal because on that later occasion, he used wording that was somewhat similar.

(matt.

raymond frantz

https://youtu.be/cvoMV5LXdk4?si=Ab9QkYmcdz31bQzz

Some religious people claim that Jesus’ words found at John 6:53:"unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you"
about eating his flesh and drinking his blood set a pattern for the Lord’s Evening Meal because on that later occasion, he used wording that was somewhat similar. (Matt. 26:26-28) They claim that everyone who attends the Lord’s Evening Meal should partake of the bread and the wine that are passed among those in attendance. Is that correct? It is important that we investigate the validity of that claim because each year millions around the globe gather with us for that event. We will note a number of differences between what is stated at John 6:53 and what Jesus said at the Lord’s Evening Meal.8. What are some differences between the two occasions? (See also pictures.)Let us note two differences between these occasions. First, when and where did Jesus speak the words recorded at John 6:53-56? He did so to a crowd of Jews in Galilee in 32 C.E. That was about a year before he instituted the Lord’s Evening Meal in Jerusalem. Second, to whom were his words addressed? Most of his listeners in Galilee were more interested in satisfying their temporary physical needs than in satisfying their spiritual needs. (John 6:26) In fact, when Jesus said something that they found hard to understand, they quickly lost their faith in him. Even some of his disciples stopped following him. (John 6:14, 36, 42, 60, 64, 66) Contrast that event with what happened about a year later in 33 C.E. when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Evening Meal. On that occasion, his 11 loyal apostles were with him even though they did not fully understand all that he was teaching. Still, unlike most of those in Galilee, his faithful apostles were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God who had come down from heaven. (Matt. 16:16) He commended them: “You are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials.” (Luke 22:28) These two differences alone undermine the claim that Jesus’ words found at John 6:53 set the pattern for the Lord’s Evening Meal. And there is further evidence.
The argument presented in the text makes a distinction between Jesus’ discourse in John 6 and the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26, suggesting that the differences in context undermine the claim that all Christians are meant to partake in the bread and the wine. However, these distinctions are largely irrelevant for several reasons.
1. **The Audience and Timing are Secondary to the Message**: While it is true that Jesus gave the discourse in John 6 to a crowd in Galilee a year before the Last Supper, the timing and audience are not the primary focus. The essence of Jesus' teaching in John 6:53-56 centers on the necessity of spiritual communion with him, symbolized through eating his flesh and drinking his blood. This teaching aligns with the later institution of the Lord's Supper, where the bread and wine represent Jesus’ body and blood. The fact that one group was less faithful than the apostles at the time doesn’t cancel the command for ALL to partake in his body and blood.
2. **Jesus' Words in John 6 Set a Universal Spiritual Principle**: Jesus’ statement that "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53) points to a foundational spiritual principle, not a one-time event for a specific audience. It is a declaration of what is necessary for salvation and ongoing spiritual life. This teaching transcends the particular audience of Jews in Galilee and speaks to all who seek to follow him. In fact, the very rejection by many of the Galileans only highlights the difficulty and importance of the teaching rather than limiting its application.
3. **The Faithfulness of the Apostles Doesn't Restrict Communion**: While it is true that the apostles remained faithful when others turned away, this doesn't imply that the Lord's Supper is only for a select, spiritually elite group. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to remind and renew all believers in the sacrificial death of Christ. When Jesus instituted the Lord's Evening Meal, he said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19), a commandment given to his apostles, who were representatives of the wider Christian community. The notion that only a special group is invited to partake is inconsistent with the New Testament’s teachings on the inclusivity of Christ’s sacrifice for all believers (1 Corinthians 11:26).
4. **The Lord’s Supper is a Continuing Ordinance for All Believers**: The practice of the Lord’s Supper is affirmed in early Christian communities as a regular practice for all Christians, not just the apostles or a chosen few (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). Paul's teaching makes it clear that the act of sharing in the bread and wine is central to Christian worship, available to all who believe. His warnings about partaking in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27) are about the attitude of the participant, not a restriction on who is allowed to partake.

In conclusion, the distinctions between the events in John 6 and the Last Supper, such as the audience or timing, do not undermine the universality of Jesus’ teaching about the bread and wine. All Christians are called to participate in the Lord’s Supper as a reflection of their communion with Christ and as a means of remembering his sacrifice. The reasons given in the text fail to address the broader biblical context and the theological significance of Jesus’ words and actions.

22

WHEN WILL THE ANOINTED BE TAKEN TO HEAVEN

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/sptboe8_kuc?si=cnb837qqdlm1glx0.

this is a question that has preoccupied the minds of the governing body " when will the last anointed be taken up to heaven?

" when did this nonsense begin ?

raymond frantz

Jokes aside,judging by how the sided with W.H.O. on vaccinations 100% I expect them to stay put and go through the Great Tribulation telling the Witnesses to submit to the Antichrist by "submitting to the higher authorities " or take the mark of the beast because it is a mandate from the higher authorities, of course they will be taken away by angels at the End of the Tribulation to be burned with the rest of the "weeds" never to be seen again

41

Is Watchtower totally off base on Armageddon?

by Vanderhoven7 in

to me it is quite evident that the gt spoken about in matthew 24, mark 13 and luke 21 is a one time, non-repeatable localized event resulting in the destruction of jerusalem and the temple followed by the dispersion of surviving jews throughout the nations.. however, what is not so clear to most is that the gt of revelation deals with the same event.

my understanding is that the gb of jehovah witnesses has no clue as to how to interpret the apocalyptic messages found both in the synoptics and revelation.

but steve greg has armageddon down pat.

raymond frantz

I used to believe that Arnageddon was a global event but it is quite clear that Arnageddon is a local event that will be fought in the vicinity of Israel it has everything to do with the Antichrist who will at the time reign from current Jerusalem

18

AWAKE MAGAZIBE'S SURPRISING NEW DIRECTION

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/ze4q_7_-uo4?si=l0xe0drc5a9urhyt.

so there was a time the awake magazine was printed every 15 days but now since jehovah is blessing them so much the magazine is printed once a year, and here you have the 1st edition for the year , which is nothing more than an informatial of how good of a charity they are to their local community.

so we read in the following box: what we are doing firstly, jehovah’s witnesses promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

raymond frantz

Westiebilly11

What are you on about? Are you a jw pioneer doing hours here? Redaction of printing has everything to do with reduction of blessing as Charles Taze Russell famously said. And as regards the Awake! It's mission was always to inform the public on world events and their significance in Bible prophesy but since the Watchtower is now serving the beast system there is no point exposing it or reporting on world events anymore nothing to do with organising their ministry. Is it only once a year their ministry needs organising?

22

WHEN WILL THE ANOINTED BE TAKEN TO HEAVEN

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/sptboe8_kuc?si=cnb837qqdlm1glx0.

this is a question that has preoccupied the minds of the governing body " when will the last anointed be taken up to heaven?

" when did this nonsense begin ?

raymond frantz

Vidiot, indeed

22

WHEN WILL THE ANOINTED BE TAKEN TO HEAVEN

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/sptboe8_kuc?si=cnb837qqdlm1glx0.

this is a question that has preoccupied the minds of the governing body " when will the last anointed be taken up to heaven?

" when did this nonsense begin ?

raymond frantz

OK, show's over folks - you don't have to go to heaven, but you can't stay here"

Jw purgatory 😀 Simon

22

WHEN WILL THE ANOINTED BE TAKEN TO HEAVEN

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/sptboe8_kuc?si=cnb837qqdlm1glx0.

this is a question that has preoccupied the minds of the governing body " when will the last anointed be taken up to heaven?

" when did this nonsense begin ?

raymond frantz

https://youtu.be/SPTBoe8_KUc?si=CNB837QQDlM1gLX0

This is a question that has preoccupied the minds of the Governing Body " When will the last anointed be taken up to heaven?" When did this nonsense begin ? Well for sometime after 1914 they believed that any anointed Christian living during the day of the Lord that started in 1914 and comes to the end of his life he is automatically whisked up to heaven without having to experience death in the grave here on earth. If that idea was to be followed to its logical extreme, there could have been a time where only 1 anointed remained here on earth. This is one of those bizarre teachings of the Watchtower.
This idea worked for a while, but when it became painfully obvious that most of the "anointed" that had witnessed the coming of the Lord in 1914 have died since we are now 110 years away from that date , this explanation was quickly faded into the background. Now anyone can claim to be off the 144,000 in which case if you reside in Bethel in New York you become the next governing body member but if you are a member of one of the thousand congregations of Jehovahs Witnesses you are being branded an idiot, an emotional disturbed individual and you are becoming a target for the local elders.
So here are the 2 verses that dictate their current understanding of the matter. Matthew 24:31:" And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity" and Revelation 19:11-14: "I saw heaven opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness...Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen." These two verses set the current timeline that they promote in their publications, first Jesus sends his angels to pick up all his anointed from the 4 corners of the earth in Matthew 24:31 and then after acquiring their new heavenly bodies they come back to fight the nations at the battle of Armageddon with Christ.
Now keep this timeline in mind and let's consider their current understanding about the Great Tribulation which kicks in with the attack on Babylon the Great , then they attack the anointed in Bethel New York and that elicits an immediate responce from Christ that comes back to protect only Jehovah’s Witnesses. Put these 2 timelines together and there is hardly anytime for suffering or persecution. I have never read in recent publications that section that speaks of how much persecution, imprisonment and painful deaths the current governing body will have to go through in order to inherit their coveted position as kings in heaven. THat is because suffering has never crossed their minds, they expect to go from their lavish lifestyle of free pampered accommodation, big free luxurious meals and roaming the earth with their many luxurious trips around the world to a place right next to Jesus in heaven. Well this narrative is crazy, is false and outright dangerous.Well the Bible is quite clear , you want to inherit a kingdom in heaven you have first to suffer here on earth. This is the same mental illness that had taken over the minds of the "superfine apostles" in the Corinthian congregation in the first century, they were more preoccupied becoming kings in heaven than suffering for the cause. Paul had to smack them down back to reality in 1 Corinthians 4:8-13:"
Are you already satisfied(=they are full of free food you can tell from how obese most of them are)? Are you already rich(=they are everything is being paid for them, they live above the living standard of most jws on earth)? Have you begun ruling as kings without us(=yes they have, they have already declared themselves kings before their time)? I really wish that you had begun ruling as kings, so that we also might rule with you as kings. 9 For it seems to me that God has put us the apostles last on exhibition as men condemned to death, because we have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to angels and to men. 10 We are fools because of Christ, but you are discreet in Christ(=dont they call themselves the faithful and discreet slave?); we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor(=they are like celebrities for most jws), but we in dishonor. 11 Down to this very hour we continue to hunger and thirst and to be poorly clothed and to be beaten and to be homeless 12 and to toil, working with our own hands(=when have you seen any of them working with their hands). When insulted, we bless; when persecuted, we patiently endure; 13 when slandered, we answer mildly; we have become as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now."
These verses fit them like a glove don't they? Instead of being preoccupied on how they will suffer for the shake of the kingdom they constantly preoccupy themselves on how they will leave planet earth first class before the great tribulation devastate all of their members , the great crowd. That's why they keep returning on this subject because of guilt , because they can feel it that something doesn't add up here, and I'm here to tell you that you are right and if anyone of these "superfine" apostles of the Headquarters is watching this video get ready for judgement because as the Bible says the ones that set themselves as teachers they will receive twice the judgement.
James 3:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP) this is the last verse today:
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]
...I say ,if the shoe fits, wear it...

37

NO SUPPORT FOR EXJWS DRAFTED IN UKRAINE

by raymond frantz in

https://youtu.be/ulan2hhagz8?si=jpedzunzb5o_6axd.

here’s a cautionary tale for anyone counting on past ties with jehovah’s witnesses to dodge conscription: they’ll throw you under the bus faster than you can say “conscientious objector.” a man in ukraine learned this the hard way after refusing military service and hoping his old religious connections would save him.

spoiler alert—they didn’t.

raymond frantz

100% agree. You would not catch me putting my life on the line, or encouraging anyone else to put their life on the line to support US hegemony in a part of the world that should be none of their business. I think a substantial proportion of Ukrainians feel the same about this tragic war that didn’t need to be fought, but this will never be reported in the West. Check out interviews with Jeffrey Sachs and John Mearsheimer for the real deal on this awful, unnecessary war.

Me too

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