Watching from the other side of the pond it is so obvious Harris is a puppet that malfunctions when the auto cue goes out. To not vote for Trump,Vance,Musk and Kennedy is pure insanity. I will start stocking on food too if Harris wins (not toiler paper)as WW3 will be inevitable with these numptys in power.
raymond frantz
JoinedPosts by raymond frantz
-
121
PRESIDENTIAL predictions...let the prognosticators have their say!
by Terry inmy only prowess in making predictions stems from my 77-years of life in the united statesgrowing up under president truman, eisenhower, kennedy, nixon, .....etc.
etc.i was a widdle kid sitting in front of a tiny black and white tv set when the very first broadcastsof political conventions, deal-making, debates (nixon vs kennedy), assassinations (jfk, rfk, martin luther king, etc.
) i grew up with duck and cover under my elementary schooldesk, the cold war, the iron curtain, the korean war, the vietnam war and i went to federal prisonas a jw conscientious objector while hippies, flower children, political activists protested and universitystudents were fired up on by troops.i grew up reading newspapers (2 of them).
-
-
-
75
WATCHTOWER JAN 2025: WHY IS THE WATCHTOWER OBSESSED WITH THE RANSOM?
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/ocufvpm3t04?si=75zmussxknhlsrs7.
the first watchtower for 2025 is out, and immediately, articles 4 and 5 drew my attention.
these will be studied near the memorial season, a time the witnesses prepare for their yearly commemoration of jesus’ death, i will be returning on this articles near at the time.
-
-
raymond frantz
In the New Testament, the Greek word ἀπολύτρωσις (apolutrósis), meaning "redemption" or "deliverance," appears 10 times and where the word ransom comes from appears only 10 times , whereas The term χάρις (charis),or undeserved kindness translated as "grace," "favor," or "kindness," occurs approximately 157 times. The Watchtower concentrates only one the ransom with little to no mention on the second , the Grace. Talking about skewed theology!
-
9
WATCHTOWER IS WATERING DOWN BEDROOM SURVEILLANCE?
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/hwzly3fnpdo?si=0p8zd0_9a-lwtb_9.
the study article 2 from the january 2025 watchtower study edition titled “husbands, honor your wife” represents a marked shift from the earlier, stricter watchtower stance on marital intimacy among jehovah’s witnesses.
this article’s language feels more relaxed, with paragraph 17 and its footnote stating, “the bible does not provide details as to what sexual practices between a husband and a wife should be considered clean or unclean.
-
-
raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/hwzlY3fnpdo?si=0P8zD0_9a-lwtB_9
The Study Article 2 from the January 2025 Watchtower Study Edition titled “Husbands, Honor Your Wife” represents a marked shift from the earlier, stricter Watchtower stance on marital intimacy among Jehovah’s Witnesses. This article’s language feels more relaxed, with paragraph 17 and its footnote stating, “The Bible does not provide details as to what sexual practices between a husband and a wife should be considered clean or unclean. A Christian couple must make decisions that reflect their resolve to Jehovah, to please each other, and to maintain a clean conscience. Generally speaking, a couple would not discuss with others this intimate aspect of their marriage.”
This more hands-off tone is quite the departure from what we might call the “classic” Watchtower approach. In years past, Watchtower publications weren’t shy about setting specific boundaries for what married Witnesses could or could not do in their private lives. Back then, intimacy was not only a personal matter between husband and wife but also, to some extent, a congregational one, with strict expectations about what practices were “acceptable” and what were, well, “dirty.”
Consider the April 15, 1974 Watchtower, where it was explicitly stated that “certain practices, although legal and acceptable in marriage, are considered perverted by Jehovah’s standards and should be shunned by Christians.” This quote left little room for couples to determine for themselves what might or might not be appropriate; instead, they were presented with a clear set of rules that kept certain practices off-limits. Privacy in the marital bedroom was considered secondary to upholding what the Watchtower deemed to be moral purity.
In the January 15, 1983 *Watchtower*, the organization took it a step further by reinforcing that “unnatural practices, even if consensual in marriage, could threaten a couple’s spiritual standing and could lead to serious spiritual consequences.” This language was particularly powerful, instilling a sense of communal responsibility to remain pure, even in private, for the sake of spiritual health. Essentially, the Watchtower’s view was that couples were accountable not just to each other but to the congregation—and even Jehovah himself—regarding their intimate lives.
And then there was the March 15, 1983 *Watchtower*, which asserted that “Christians should not view marriage as a license to engage in morally questionable conduct.” This was followed up by urging spouses to “show restraint” in the marital bed. Such instructions created a clear “bedroom conduct code,” where intimacy was something that had to meet specific standards if one wanted to remain in “good standing.” Over time, these boundaries became something of an unwritten rulebook, and many Witnesses grew accustomed to the idea that their private choices were subject to organizational approval.
So here we are in 2025, and the Watchtower now tells us that “the Bible does not provide details as to what sexual practices between a husband and a wife should be considered clean or unclean.” This shift marks a stark contrast to those earlier Watchtower declarations, which provided plenty of “details” about what should and shouldn’t be practiced between a husband and wife. We remember the tone of those older articles, which issued clear mandates and even warnings that straying from the rules could bring about consequences like disfellowshipping—a form of excommunication that could sever both social and family ties.
One example of this older approach can be found in the September 1, 2006 *Watchtower*, where it was noted, “A Christian husband who practices immoral conduct with his wife may be viewed as defiling his relationship with Jehovah.” This strong language effectively drew a line in the sand, implying that marital practices that did not meet organizational standards could actually “defile” a person’s standing with God.
In light of such past statements, the new tone of the 2025 article feels like a considerable relaxation of the Watchtower’s previous grip on members’ intimate lives. Where older publications insisted on specific behavioral codes, this latest article appears to step back, suggesting that “a Christian couple must make decisions that reflect their resolve to Jehovah, to please each other, and to maintain a clean conscience.” This softer wording offers an unexpected degree of autonomy, as if the organization is finally suggesting that married couples might have the wisdom to make their own choices without a list of do’s and don’ts to follow.
But it’s worth noting that this newfound “freedom” is a late arrival. Jehovah’s Witnesses of earlier generations who might have crossed certain “moral lines” in their bedrooms risked very real consequences, including disfellowshipping. This wasn’t merely a suggestion but a mandate that could affect every aspect of a person’s life. As noted in the February 15, 1978 *Watchtower*, “The congregation must be kept clean, and therefore, those who refuse to uphold Jehovah’s standards can be removed from among us.” For these past generations, the Watchtower’s stance on marital intimacy wasn’t something to take lightly; it was an organizational mandate, enforced for the supposed purity of the congregation.
With this new, softer language, the Watchtower has altered its approach, saying that these decisions are “up to the couple” and “their conscience.” There’s even a tone of respecting privacy, as the article states, “Generally speaking, a couple would not discuss with others this intimate aspect of their marriage.” This privacy is a curious departure from a time when it was not unheard of for congregation elders to ask probing questions if they believed a couple was engaging in practices considered “unclean.” In the August 15, 1978 *Watchtower*, it was even suggested that elders “may need to take action” if a married couple’s intimacy did not align with the moral standards set by the organization. For many Witnesses, this intrusion into their personal lives was seen as a necessary part of maintaining “congregational purity.”
One might see this transformation as both a step forward and a paradox. On one hand, it acknowledges that perhaps micromanaging a couple’s private decisions was overstepping. This new stance suggests that the organization is willing to let couples decide for themselves, as long as they do so with “a clean conscience.” Yet, the language of maintaining “a clean conscience” and “honoring Jehovah” still comes with an undertone of judgment, a reminder that freedom is not without strings attached. For a devout Witness, the expectation of “maintaining a clean conscience” isn’t necessarily as liberating as it might sound when decades of teachings have defined exactly what “clean” means.
Some might even view this shift as a belated gesture toward personal autonomy, one that previous generations of Jehovah’s Witnesses could have only dreamed of. For those who endured the era of rigid bedroom guidelines, however, this change may feel a bit hollow. How many individuals had their private lives scrutinized and reputations tarnished simply because their personal choices didn’t align with the Watchtower’s previous standards? The serene tone of this new paragraph glosses over the fact that this shift is a recent one. For decades, Witnesses weren’t exactly encouraged to “keep things private”; instead, they were often subject to an implicit (and sometimes explicit) expectation to disclose private details if elders deemed it necessary.
In the end, this paragraph reads almost like a strategic rebranding, a calculated step away from the intimate micromanagement that the Watchtower has historically imposed. It’s as if the organization wants to preserve its moral influence while acknowledging that, perhaps, married couples deserve a bit of privacy. Yet, the shift in tone doesn’t erase the long history of strict oversight, nor does it fully address the impact that oversight had on countless lives and relationships. So, while this newfound freedom may seem like a sign of progress, it’s a reminder that institutional change doesn’t always come with an apology—sometimes, it just quietly rewrites the rules.
-
2910
It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)
by Simon inuh oh, looks like the mega thread gave up the ghost, so while i investigate / fix it just continue the discussion here .... it's been a long 9 years lloyd evans / john cedars.
-
-
raymond frantz
Updated X profile photo, he looks like a Hollywood star😅
-
75
WATCHTOWER JAN 2025: WHY IS THE WATCHTOWER OBSESSED WITH THE RANSOM?
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/ocufvpm3t04?si=75zmussxknhlsrs7.
the first watchtower for 2025 is out, and immediately, articles 4 and 5 drew my attention.
these will be studied near the memorial season, a time the witnesses prepare for their yearly commemoration of jesus’ death, i will be returning on this articles near at the time.
-
-
raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/oCuFVpm3T04?si=75ZMUsSXkNHlsrs7
The first Watchtower for 2025 is out, and immediately, articles 4 and 5 drew my attention. These will be studied near the Memorial season, a time the Witnesses prepare for their yearly commemoration of Jesus’ death, i will be returning on this articles near at the time. For many outside this community, this commemoration can feel like a strange ritual where most attendees reject the emblems representing Jesus’ flesh and blood. Despite my views on the Memorial, I was surprised to see two articles dedicated to the topics of ransom and grace, both of which are critical but are, unfortunately, presented in a skewed way. Here, I’ll focus on article 4, which delves into the concept of the ransom.
For Jehovah’s Witnesses, the ransom is a fundamental teaching. They understand it as the mechanism by which God canceled out Adamic sin, offering his son’s perfect life to atone for humanity’s inherited imperfection. But the problem isn’t in what they teach about the ransom—it’s in what they don’t address.
In paragraph one of the article, and i will be spending more time on this article, we read:
"SURELY you agree that the ransom is a priceless gift! (2 Cor. 9:15) Because Jesus sacrificed his human life, you can have a close friendship with Jehovah God. You can also have the prospect of everlasting life. How fitting it is that we show gratitude for the ransom and for Jehovah, who was moved by love to provide it! (Rom. 5:8) To help us remain grateful and never take the ransom for granted, Jesus instituted the annual Memorial of his death.—Luke 22:19, 20."
The issue here is subtle yet crucial. Witnesses often describe the ransom as offering two main gifts: everlasting life and a “close friendship with Jehovah.” But a careful study of scripture and context reveals that these benefits—everlasting life and a relationship with God—were actually available even before Jesus’ sacrifice. The patriarchs, prophets, and faithful individuals of the Old Testament had a relationship with God. They also had the promise of resurrection and hope of life on earth, just as today’s Witnesses believe they’ll have in the future.
This is where Jehovah’s Witnesses miss a deeper, more transformative understanding of the ransom. Yes, the ransom is “priceless,” as the paragraph suggests, but its true gifts go beyond what was available under the old covenant or God’s arrangements with the patriarchs. What’s missing from the Witnesses’ perspective are the aspects of grace, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the idea of becoming a “new creation” in Christ.
The ransom is not just a “canceling out” of Adam’s sin. It’s the key that unlocks an entirely new relationship between God and humanity. But the Watchtower’s teachings seem to reduce the ransom to a mechanism—a sort of spiritual transaction. It’s as if they’re focused on the engine of a car rather than the journey it enables.
To understand the difference, imagine walking into a bakery. The baker shows you a fantastic, high-tech dough-kneading machine. It’s impressive, and watching it in action is fascinating. But you didn’t walk into the bakery for the machine; you came for the bread it produces. This machine is essential to make the bread, but it’s not the final product. In the same way, the ransom isn’t the “bread” of Christianity; it’s the process that allows God to offer something far greater: grace, the Holy Spirit, and transformation.
Witnesses concetrate so much on the ransom mechanism that they risk missing the true gifts it makes possible. They view Jesus’ death as the “payment” that erases Adamic sin and gives people a clean slate. This is, of course, a critical aspect of Christian teaching, but it’s just the beginning. The ransom opens the door, but the real gift is what lies on the other side of that door.
For example, let’s talk about grace. Grace is one of the most profound aspects of the ransom. While the Old Testament faithful like Abraham, Moses, and David had relationships with God and received his favor, they did not have access to the same kind of grace that Christians experience post-ransom. This grace isn’t just God’s favor; it’s an empowering force that transforms us from within.
This brings us to the concept of the “new creation.” When Christ died and was resurrected, he didn’t simply return to life as before. He became a new being—a transformed, glorified person. Likewise, Christians who truly embrace the ransom become new creations themselves. This isn’t simply about avoiding Adamic sin or striving to live forever; it’s about a complete transformation that makes Christians different from what existed in the Jewish era. Witnesses focus so heavily on the mechanics of the ransom that they overlook this transformative aspect of Christianity. They don’t emphasize becoming new creations, nor the profound changes that grace and the Holy Spirit bring into a believer’s life.
Imagine, again, buying a new smartphone. You get a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory where it was made—all the complex machinery, the detailed assembly lines, and the engineers hard at work. It’s fascinating to understand the process, but you didn’t buy the phone to admire the factory. You bought it for its capabilities, the tools, the apps, and the connectivity it offers. In the same way, understanding the ransom is like seeing the factory where God’s salvation plan was made. But focusing too much on the ransom itself means missing out on the actual benefits it unlocks—eternal life, yes, but also grace, a transformative relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit.
Jehovah’s Witnesses often get stuck on the mechanism of the ransom, admiring the “factory” instead of experiencing the “phone” itself. They emphasize how Jesus’ death pays for sin, allowing a clean slate for humanity. But as scripture reveals, the ransom is just the beginning—the real gift is the transformed life that it makes possible. Christians are promised that they will become new creations in Christ, that they will receive grace and the Holy Spirit, which acts as an inner guide and comforter, far beyond anything offered to the faithful in the Old Testament.
Think of it like a treasure chest. The ransom is the key that unlocks it, but the true treasure is inside. And while it’s true that the ransom “pays” for humanity’s sin, the real joy and meaning come from the grace that strengthens, the Holy Spirit that dwells within, and the promise of a new creation in Christ.
In short, the ransom is the means—not the end. It’s like the vehicle that takes you to the destination. Jehovah’s Witnesses explain the ransom well enough, but they risk focusing so much on the vehicle that they overlook the destination itself: a life filled with grace, empowered by the Spirit, and transformed by God. This is what sets Christianity apart from any other covenant or arrangement that God had with humanity in the past.
So, while I appreciate the Witnesses’ dedication to understanding and teaching the ransom, I believe they’re missing the bigger picture. The ransom isn’t the final product. It’s what the ransom leads to that counts. It’s the grace that empowers, the Spirit that guides, and the transformation into a new creation that makes Christianity unique and beautiful. Stick around, as I’ll be diving deeper into these articles and exploring what these teachings mean for those who seek a fuller understanding of the ransom. -
5
WHAT DOES THE NEW LIGHT ON THE UNITED NATIONS REVEAL ABOUT THE WATCHTOWER
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/8p5z-acq8yi?si=zs5r75kguxkk1woc.
so what you are about to watch is the 3rd adjustment that was introduced in the annual meeting by geofftey jackson and it has to do with the their new understanding on the united nations, so here is the verse revelation 17:12 :"these have one thought, so they give their power and authority to the wild beast.
" so they used to believe that the "one thought" in this verse was the one thought to destroy babylon the great but that has now changed to one thought empowering the united nations with more powers to carry on god's will and bring armageddon.
-
-
raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/8P5z-aCq8yI?si=zs5r75KGUXkK1Woc
So what you are about to watch is the 3rd adjustment that was introduced in the Annual Meeting by Geofftey Jackson and it has to do with the their new understanding on the United Nations, so here is the verse Revelation 17:12 :"These have one thought, so they give their power and authority to the wild beast." So they used to believe that the "one thought" in this verse was the one thought to destroy Babylon the Great but that has now changed to one thought empowering the United Nations with more powers to carry on God's will and bring Armageddon. Let's watch it together and then analyse the why and the when of this change...
What you didn't know is that this change in interpretation comes in light of developments surrounding the United Nations (UN) and its "Pact for the Future" that was introduced in September before the Annual Meeting something that Geoffrey Jackson failed to mention. Apparently this pact is seen as a significant step in the UN's role on the world stage, and refers to a proposed agreement among world nations under the UN aimed at strengthening international cooperation to tackle global challenges. It includes initiatives related to climate change, peace, security, and sustainable development, among other pressing issues. It’s seen as a blueprint for a new era of global governance. Now that's how they want to presented but what it really is is another step towards a World goverment and Agenda 2030 and that's why it wasn't accepted by Russia Iran and other 7 countries I think that refuse to take the blue bill and surrender their nations to the UN just yet. So whatever that is , isn't the "one thought" of Revelation 17:12 since all nations will have to sign up to that. Apparently, God's thoughts haven't reached these nations just yet. Now I don't take an issue with that. What I take an issue is the timing and the lack of transparency from Geoffrey Jackson, instead of coming out and saying guys pay attention to what is happening over at the UN he failed to disclose this information because he wants to play the prophet.
So, the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses intentionally holds back this information for now, potentially aiming to position themselves as having foreseen these events after they come to full realization. By withholding this specific detail, they will later be seen as prophetic when the "Pact for the Future" becomes a reality.
This is not the first time that they pretend to play the prophets when in fact they have advanced information on global developments, thankfully this is not the case anymore in the Internet era information travels faster and we all get the memo at the same time so nice try Watchtower but not this time.
So back in September 1942 another snake oil mercgant the then president of the Watchtower Society Nathan Knorr, gave a notable speech at an assembly that later became part of the red book the Revelation its Grand Climax, currently discontinued, predicting the return of an international organization resembling the League of Nations the predesessor of the United Nations , which had fallen into inactivity. What Knorr did not mention was that earlier that year in January, Allied Forces had already begun discussions to revive the League, eventually leading to the formation of the United Nations. By not disclosing this information at the time, Knorr positioned the organization as having made a prophetic prediction, even though key developments were already in motion.
In light of these parallels, the Watchtower's current approach could be seen as a continuation of a long-standing strategy. They may be waiting for the right moment to share their insights on how these global events fit into their interpretation of prophecy, potentially elevating their status as having divine foresight.
I’ll be making a full video soon on Nathan Knorr’s 1942 talk and how it mirrors what we are seeing today with the UN and the "Pact for the Future." There’s a fascinating pattern here that deserves deeper exploration.
Now, back on this verse, Revelation 17:12 , the Watchtower is the only Christian denomination that believes that the "beast" of Revelation is the united nations, most Bible scholars believe it is not an organization at all but a man, the Antichrist the End Time world ruler that will face Jesus Christ in the battle of Armageddon. He is described with many other names in the Bible, the little horn, the man of lawlessness, the beast. If you don't get this right you won't get much right when it comes to prophesy so I urge you to do your own research.So if the Antichrist is not her yet , neither can the kings of Revelation hand over to him their power under one thought so all this nonsense will just blow in their face when things don't turn out to be as I they hoped for, as they are doing already with Babylon the Great, please go back and watch my previous video. Now there is one final adjustment that I will cover next time about the "10 kings of Revelation " that Geoffrey Jackson went through but that's for the next video...
-
23
NEW LEAKED ANNUAL MEETING VIDEO :KENNETH COOK :THE DISFELLOSHIPPING IS NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/6ga9v7ffrwk?si=0lor5qquapmq8ck4.
what you are about to watch is another leaked instalment from the recent annual meeting delivered by kenneth cook with the theme "help to tear down and build up" and highlights tge new take o disfellowshipping that will from now concentrate on major wrongdoing whereas minor wrongdoing will be dealt with kind and love.so the watchtower's at it again, rewriting the narrative like an old tv show that conveniently forgets a character's past.
for decades, the organization has been the ultimate gatekeeper, quick to kick out members for even minor missteps—let's not forget how jehovah's witnesses have had to grovel and practically beg to be reinstated.
-
-
raymond frantz
@BluesBrother
I take it only parts will appear and only from next month
-
22
BABYLON THE GREAT IS NOT FALLING ANYMORE? (NEW LIGHT FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING)
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/rsbfa_7lqv4?si=muuxmgtll1n1ifad.
the watchtower’s babylon the great: a shrinking reality?.
so this latest annual meeting introduced a new idea about babylon the great, and here is the part from geoffrey jackson's talk we real need to dig in and consider it's ramifications..... so you’ve got to hand it to them; they know how to keep things interesting with their ever-evolving interpretations and, of course, those classic "adjustments" in understanding.
-
-
raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/rsbFa_7lQV4?si=mUuXmgtlL1N1Ifad
The Watchtower’s Babylon the Great: A Shrinking Reality?
So this latest Annual Meeting introduced a new idea about Babylon the Great, and here is the part from Geoffrey Jackson's talk we real need to dig in and consider it's ramifications....
So you’ve got to hand it to them; they know how to keep things interesting with their ever-evolving interpretations and, of course, those classic "adjustments" in understanding. For decades, they’ve been pounding their podiums, proclaiming that Babylon the Great—represented by the world’s religious institutions—would face imminent destruction as humanity wakes up and leaves organized religion in droves. Spoiler alert: it’s not quite going according to plan.
Let’s backtrack a bit. For years, the narrative went like this: “Babylon the Great is falling! Look at Europe! People are leaving churches; religion is on its way out!” And yes, the statistics do show that religion is declining in some places like Europe. Churches are empty, priests are getting fewer attendees than a high school reunion, and religion’s influence seems to be on life support. But here’s where things get a little awkward for the Watchtower—turns out, this isn’t a worldwide trend. Africa, South America, and other regions? Religion is alive and thriving, folks. So much for the great exodus from Babylon.
And while the Watchtower has been frantically waving their “Babylon is shrinking” flag, there’s another group that’s seeing numbers dwindle. Guess who? Yep, it’s the Watchtower itself. As it turns out, they’ve been losing members too, and faster than they’d like to admit. Membership growth is slowing down, congregations are consolidating, and some Kingdom Halls are being sold off. It looks like the narrative of Babylon's supposed decline might actually be more fitting for their own organization.
But there’s more! In this latest “adjustment” to understanding—because they do love those—they’ve now subtly shifted their attention to something different. They used to say that Babylon’s demise would kickstart the Great Tribulation. The churches would collapse, people would run for their lives, and Jehovah’s Witnesses would be vindicated. But now? They’ve put a fresh coat of paint on their prophetic timeline.
Instead of Babylon being the central target, they’re now talking about nations handing over their power to the United Nations. Yes, the same UN they’ve demonized for years as part of a corrupt system. But apparently, God’s “one thought” is now about nations surrendering their political power to the UN. It’s a convenient development. By shifting the spotlight away from Babylon’s fall and onto this new scenario, they can gloss over the fact that their predictions about organized religion’s collapse haven’t exactly materialized. Talk about a clever dodge.
And here’s the kicker: this shift might be the first step in their strategy to soften their approach toward other Christian denominations. For an organization that once proudly labeled every other religion as the “whore of Babylon,” this is quite the change. Could it be that they’re starting to realize that publicly demanding the destruction of all other religions doesn’t exactly scream “peaceful charity”?
Let’s be real. In today’s world, religious organizations are under more scrutiny than ever. If you’re going around calling other faiths vile names and predicting their doom, it’s a bit harder to convince governments and charity organizations that you’re a wholesome, community-driven charity that deserves financial support. Countries like the UK and Australia, where Jehovah’s Witnesses are registered as charities, aren’t too thrilled when they hear that one of their beneficiaries is rooting for the downfall of other religions. And with their stance softening, the Watchtower can now maintain their charitable status without that pesky reputation of being a “cult.”
But there’s another layer to this. By distancing themselves from their old "us versus them" mentality, they may be taking a step toward aligning, at least partially, with the Ecumenical Movement.The Ecumenical movement is this initiative started by the Catholic Church aimed at promoting unity and cooperation among different denominations and churches worldwide.They have been promoting this movement for decades ,
the same movement the Watchtower historically criticized. Imagine that! An organization that once prided itself on being staunchly separate from “Christendom” is now, whether intentionally or not, warming up to the idea of finding common ground with other Christian groups. Oh, how the times are changing.
Now, let’s break this down. Why would the Watchtower want to position themselves in a less extreme light? Well, for starters, they don’t want to look like a group of doomsday fanatics. Being perceived as a radical, isolationist group doesn’t help when you’re trying to attract new converts or maintain your status as a tax-exempt charity. Plus, by softening their stance, they might actually find it easier to gain acceptance in countries where they’re currently viewed with suspicion.
The shift in their narrative also serves as a practical move to keep their members engaged. Think about it: if they kept banging on about Babylon the Great falling while churches in various parts of the world continued to thrive, they’d lose credibility faster. Members might start questioning the validity of their prophecies—can’t have that! So, by shifting their attention to a more “political” angle with the UN, they can keep the urgency alive without having to explain why the churches aren’t crumbling as fast as they predicted.
But let’s not forget, this shift also opens the door to something much bigger: financial survival. If they appear more open and less antagonistic toward other religions, they might have an easier time presenting themselves as a legitimate religious organization worthy of funding and support. And by not burning bridges with other Christian groups, they can avoid being labeled as a hostile fringe movement. It’s all about positioning,guys.
So, what does all this mean for the Watchtower’s future? Well, if they keep moving in this direction, we might see a kinder, gentler organization—at least on the surface. The rhetoric of “Babylon the Great” might take a backseat, and we might hear more about unity and cooperation. They could even start framing their mission as one of fostering global peace and understanding (with their own unique twist, of course). It’s a PR dream come true!
But, if they do take this softer approach, will their members be on board? After all, they’ve been conditioned for years to see the world through an “us versus them” lens. Will they accept a narrative that paints other religions not as enemies, but as groups who just need to be led in the right direction? It’s a risky move, but it might be the only way forward for an organization that’s seeing its influence wane and its membership shrink.
In the end, the Watchtower’s latest “adjustment” may be less about prophetic accuracy and more about adapting to a world where being the loudest voice in the room doesn’t always win you friends—or funding. Whether they’re softening their stance for financial reasons, strategic growth, or simply to avoid looking like the “crazy cult,” one thing’s for sure: the real dwindling numbers might not be Babylon the Great’s but their own. And in this game of religious survival, it looks like they’re willing to play a little nicer to stay afloat
-
23
NEW LEAKED ANNUAL MEETING VIDEO :KENNETH COOK :THE DISFELLOSHIPPING IS NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/6ga9v7ffrwk?si=0lor5qquapmq8ck4.
what you are about to watch is another leaked instalment from the recent annual meeting delivered by kenneth cook with the theme "help to tear down and build up" and highlights tge new take o disfellowshipping that will from now concentrate on major wrongdoing whereas minor wrongdoing will be dealt with kind and love.so the watchtower's at it again, rewriting the narrative like an old tv show that conveniently forgets a character's past.
for decades, the organization has been the ultimate gatekeeper, quick to kick out members for even minor missteps—let's not forget how jehovah's witnesses have had to grovel and practically beg to be reinstated.
-
-
raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/6GA9v7fFRwk?si=0LOR5QqUaPMQ8ck4
What you are about to watch is another leaked instalment from the recent Annual Meeting delivered by Kenneth Cook with the theme "Help to tear down and build up" and highlights tge new take o disfellowshipping that will from now concentrate on major wrongdoing whereas minor wrongdoing will be dealt with kind and love.So the Watchtower's at it again, rewriting the narrative like an old TV show that conveniently forgets a character's past. For decades, the organization has been the ultimate gatekeeper, quick to kick out members for even minor missteps—let's not forget how Jehovah's Witnesses have had to grovel and practically beg to be reinstated. And now, they want you to believe they're just the epitome of mercy and love? Sure let's watch it together.
This latest sermon paints a very touching picture of mercy, reminding us that the elders are so eager to assist those "removed from the congregation." How noble, right? They make it sound like it’s been this constant, compassionate outreach—when in reality, the past is filled with stories of harsh disfellowshipping policies. Want to come back? Better crawl and prove your worth.
They even go on to say that while Jehovah’s standards haven’t changed, their “understanding” of mercy has. Oh, so now it’s an *adjustment*? Convenient. All those years of rigid, unforgiving rules—those weren’t mistakes, of course, just “adjustments.” It’s like a company blaming its customers for misunderstanding the return policy.
And the Watchtower makes it clear: if you've been disfellowshipped, it’s not Jehovah turning his back on you—no, no, it's just that you didn’t meet the mark. But hey, if you show even a glimmer of repentance, they’re happy to have you back. Such generosity! And yet, anyone who's been on the receiving end knows how humiliating the process can be. It’s a long, grueling wait filled with judgment, as if they’re doing you a favor by giving you a second chance.
But now, we’re expected to view the organization as the embodiment of mercy, with Jehovah's so-called warm appeal to "return." All the while, they continue to remind us that justice and righteousness are just as important, just in case anyone thought they were letting their standards slide. It's like saying, "Yes, we love you, but don’t forget—step out of line, and we’ll be back to square one."
And what about the "tear down and build up" analogy? They compare returning members to houses that can either be repaired or need demolishing. The message is clear: if you're worth it, they'll fix you up, but if not—well, they’ve got the wrecking ball ready. How's that for mercy?
It’s quite a show of selective memory. All of a sudden, it’s all about extending mercy during the Great Tribulation and looking forward to welcoming back repentant ones, as if their history of disfellowshipping and shunning isn't still affecting countless lives.
So, yes, the Watchtower may claim they're full of mercy now, but let’s not forget the years of crawling they’ve demanded before someone could even hope for a little taste of that so-called love.
-
2910
It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)
by Simon inuh oh, looks like the mega thread gave up the ghost, so while i investigate / fix it just continue the discussion here .... it's been a long 9 years lloyd evans / john cedars.
-
-
raymond frantz
He likes using big words "torrential" online abuse😅 ,welcome to X Lloyd get ready for more exposure and embrace the worm welcome from all the exjw community that you abused, gaslit and milked for money for years.His come back will be shortlived. Like Samson of old who had his hair cut (looks like he also had a hair style change) your comeback will be shortlived. You ruined your brand forever, there is no reset button online...