Anony mous
I've seen too with our quick build all inexperienced elders that never help a ladder or a tool in their life were the supervisors, surely a recipe for disaster
raymond frantz
JoinedPosts by raymond frantz
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20
JW WOMAN VOLUNTEER CRUSHED BY A WALL AT A KINGDOM HALL PROJECT
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/1skm8riz7qc?si=ww3ej9orl_91db4w.
the construction of a new jehovah’s witnesses kingdom hall in cybinka, poland, has once again shed light on the watchtower organization’s relentless drive to expand its real estate empire on the backs of unpaid, vulnerable volunteers.
every day, around 40 jehovah’s witnesses show up at the construction site, some traveling long distances, not for pay or proper protection, but to fulfill a sense of “spiritual duty” instilled by the organization.
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20
JW WOMAN VOLUNTEER CRUSHED BY A WALL AT A KINGDOM HALL PROJECT
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/1skm8riz7qc?si=ww3ej9orl_91db4w.
the construction of a new jehovah’s witnesses kingdom hall in cybinka, poland, has once again shed light on the watchtower organization’s relentless drive to expand its real estate empire on the backs of unpaid, vulnerable volunteers.
every day, around 40 jehovah’s witnesses show up at the construction site, some traveling long distances, not for pay or proper protection, but to fulfill a sense of “spiritual duty” instilled by the organization.
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raymond frantz
https://youtu.be/1sKM8riz7Qc?si=WW3EJ9oRl_91db4w
The construction of a new Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Cybinka, Poland, has once again shed light on the Watchtower organization’s relentless drive to expand its real estate empire on the backs of unpaid, vulnerable volunteers. Every day, around 40 Jehovah’s Witnesses show up at the construction site, some traveling long distances, not for pay or proper protection, but to fulfill a sense of “spiritual duty” instilled by the organization. But beneath the surface of this supposedly noble effort lies a harsh reality: the Watchtower organization, in its role as a heartless taskmaster, appears far more concerned with getting buildings up quickly and cheaply than with the safety or well-being of its followers.
The urgency with which these Kingdom Halls are built is staggering. In Cybinka, this particular Hall has been under construction since early September, with the goal of completing it in just a few short weeks. The work is grueling, and many of the volunteers are neither trained nor equipped for the tasks they’re assigned. Nevertheless, the Watchtower organization sees fit to push this project forward, disregarding the physical toll on those who labor long hours with little more than vague promises of “spiritual rewards.”
In a shocking turn of events just weeks into the project, a volunteer was crushed by a collapsing wall due to high winds. This incident, which halted work for a brief two weeks, raises an obvious question: why was safety not prioritized? The volunteer, who suffered injuries and was hospitalized, reportedly expressed a desire to return to the site—a sentiment born not from personal motivation, but from a culture of indoctrination and guilt. This is the Watchtower’s modus operandi: pressuring members to give more, do more, and sacrifice more, with little regard for their safety.
Jehovah’s Witness construction sites, like this one in Cybinka, have long been known for their lack of basic safety standards. Men and women of all ages work shoulder-to-shoulder, directed by a handful of “supervisors” with minimal professional oversight. This disregard for volunteer safety is nothing new; it’s a part of the Watchtower’s larger strategy to exploit the free labor of its members, prioritizing low-cost construction over human lives. For the organization, volunteers are simply tools, endlessly renewable and entirely expendable. If one is injured, they can easily be replaced by another faithful follower eager to earn favor with the organization.
The Watchtower thrives on its members’ dedication, but it also manipulates this devotion, cloaking their demands in the language of religious duty. Volunteers, like those in Cybinka, are frequently reminded to “put into practice Christian qualities,” with words like “self-sacrifice,” “loyalty,” and “faithfulness” used to coerce them into service. But there’s a sinister undercurrent here: the Watchtower knows that its members will interpret these “reminders” as orders. This ensures that, despite the grueling work and risk of injury, they will continue to volunteer, fearing that to refuse would be seen as a lack of devotion to Jehovah.
Behind this façade of spiritual dedication lies the Watchtower’s true motivation: expanding their vast property portfolio at minimal cost. The organization pushes these projects forward at breakneck speed, exploiting the loyalty of its followers to achieve its own goals without spending a cent on wages. There’s no thought for the safety, financial stability, or mental health of those who labor for them. If the Watchtower genuinely cared about its members, it would invest in professional workers or, at the very least, proper safety protocols. But as far as the organization is concerned, these volunteers are a free, disposable workforce, and their well-being is an afterthought.
Perhaps the most telling sign of the Watchtower’s lack of empathy is how it responds to accidents. The incident in Cybinka, where a woman was crushed by a falling wall, briefly halted construction, but operations resumed swiftly. To the organization, this volunteer was little more than collateral damage in their quest for quick and cheap construction. She was not offered compensation, nor were there any changes to safety protocols; the priority was to get back to work. This mentality exposes the Watchtower for what it truly is: an organization that views its followers as tools to be used and discarded as needed.
The tragedy is that many volunteers genuinely believe they are serving a higher purpose, unaware that they are merely pawns in a larger corporate agenda. The Watchtower’s representatives like to emphasize the “joy” of working on these sites, but the reality is that these volunteers are driven by a mixture of fear and obligation. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses know that refusing to volunteer could result in social ostracism, or worse, a mark against their standing in the congregation. They serve not out of personal desire but because they feel they have no choice, a testament to the Watchtower’s calculated psychological grip over its followers.
In the end, the Watchtower’s building projects are little more than a cold, calculated way to expand their wealth and influence without regard for the people who make it possible. Volunteers sacrifice time, health, and sometimes safety, only to be treated as a means to an end by an organization that regards them as entirely replaceable. The Watchtower’s “building spree” continues, and as more Kingdom Halls rise, so too does the tally of exploited, injured, and undervalued members left in its wake. -
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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).
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raymond frantz
@ Wtwizard, I very possible future
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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).
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raymond frantz
Just in AtlasIntel poll shows Trump winning in every swing State
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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).
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raymond frantz
Beth Sarim , here in Soviet Britain is already over, going after people's properties and the farmers and they've only been in power for a couple of months
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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).
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raymond frantz
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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2912
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.
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raymond frantz
Updated X profile photo, he looks like a Hollywood star😅
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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.
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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.