Posts by raymond frantz

"Now more than ever, we need to focus on our hope. Why? Because we are living in 'the last days' and we all have problems that are 'hard to deal with.' (2 Tim. 3:1) Jehovah daily helps us to endure by giving us the guidance, strength, and support we need. (Ps. 145:14) In addition, our Christian hope can sustain us during difficult times. Perhaps you struggle to provide for your family’s material needs. Does this mean that you will always have to struggle to survive? Absolutely not! Jehovah has promised to give you what you need—and much, much more—in Paradise. (Ps. 9:18; 72:12-14)" — Watchtower Study Edition, Study Article 31, paragraph 13

Oh, isn’t it just uplifting to hear that Paradise is coming to solve all our woes? The Watchtower’s got us covered with promises of a future where empty wallets and bare cupboards will be nothing but a distant memory. Struggling to buy groceries? Can’t pay the rent? No worries—Jehovah’s got a five-star resort waiting in the New System, complete with all-you-can-eat blessings. Just hang in there, keep preaching, and don’t let those pesky present-day needs harsh your spiritual vibe. Sounds like a plan, right?

But let’s pivot to a little wisdom from James 2:15-16 (NIV(, which cuts through the fluff like a hot knife through butter: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you(=THE WATCHTOWER) says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed(=AND LOOK FORWARD TO PARADISE),’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” Ouch. James isn’t here for empty platitudes or pious well-wishes. He’s calling out anyone who sees a shivering, hungry brother or sister and offers nothing but a cheery “God bless!” before strolling off to their cozy life. Spoiler alert: that’s not faith; it’s a cop-out.

Now, let’s talk about the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the folks behind those glossy Watchtower magazines. In 2023, their Canadian branch alone pulled in a jaw-dropping $142,205,759 CAD. With 124,407 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Canada, that’s roughly $1,143.29 per member. And globally? Whispers suggest the organization’s total worth could be in the billions—yep, that’s billions with a “B.” That’s some serious cash for a group that loves to talk about spiritual riches over material ones. You’d think with that kind of bankroll, they’d be tripping over themselves to help out the faithful who can’t afford a loaf of bread.

Instead, it seems the big bucks go toward building Kingdom Halls, often with free labor from the very members who might be skipping meals to make ends meet. And here’s the kicker: some of those halls get sold off later, padding the organization’s already plump coffers. Meanwhile, the brother or sister James is talking about—the one without clothes or food—is still out there, maybe clutching a Watchtower magazine for warmth while being told to “keep warm and well fed.” Ironic, isn’t it?

James would probably have a few choice words for this setup. His point is crystal clear: faith that doesn’t lift a finger to help someone in need is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. The early Christians got the memo, pooling their resources to make sure no one went hungry or homeless. Acts 2:44-45 and 4:34-35 tell us they sold their stuff to cover each other’s needs, creating a community where “there were no needy persons among them.” No one was left to fend for themselves with a pat on the back and a promise of better days. They acted, and they acted fast.

So, what could the Watch Tower do with all that dough? Well, they could take James’ advice and get practical. How about setting up food banks for struggling Witnesses? Or maybe some emergency funds for those facing eviction? Affordable housing projects wouldn’t hurt either—imagine the good press: “Watch Tower Helps Faithful Stay Housed!” But instead, the focus seems to be on real estate deals and preaching campaigns, while the faithful are told to keep their eyes on Paradise. It’s almost like they’re saying, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” without handing over so much as a sandwich.

Don’t get me wrong—the Watchtower’s message of hope is a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t want to believe in a future where every need is met, courtesy of Jehovah’s divine Amazon Prime? And their meetings and literature do offer a spiritual boost, which is great for the soul. But James isn’t impressed with spiritual pep talks when someone’s literally starving. Faith, he says, shows itself in action—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, not just promising they’ll be fine in the afterlife.

With billions in assets, the Watch Tower has the muscle to do more than churn out magazines and build halls. They could be a lifeline for their members, turning James’ warning into a blueprint for change. Picture community centers where Witnesses can pick up groceries or get help with utility bills. Or vocational programs to help young ones land jobs that pay the rent. These aren’t wild fantasies—they’re the kind of things a multi-billion-dollar organization could knock out without breaking a sweat.

But for now, the script seems to be: keep preaching, keep hoping, and keep ignoring that rumbling stomach. The organization’s wealth keeps growing, those Kingdom Halls keep flipping, and the faithful keep hearing that Paradise is just around the corner. James, though, would probably shake his head and ask, “What good is it?” Faith that doesn’t meet physical needs isn’t faith—it’s just words. And with the Watch Tower’s bank account, they’ve got no excuse for offering anything less than real, tangible help.

Hope is great, but hope with a side of action is better. The Watchtower loves to quote Psalms 145:14 and 72:12-14 about Jehovah lifting up the needy, but James 2:15-16 reminds us that sometimes Jehovah’s people need to do the lifting. With their massive resources, the Watch Tower could make a dent in the struggles of their flock, proving their faith isn’t just talk. Until then, it’s hard not to hear James’ words echoing: “What good is it?”—especially when the answer seems to be buried under a pile of cash.

35

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

raymond frantz

Duran, this is not a Watchtower Study Article, I'm willing to bet the blood cards will also dissappear within the next 5 years for the same reason. Can't remember when was the last time they addressed that in their jw broadcasting either.

35

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

raymond frantz

@Duran , if you noticed ,they never talk about blood transfusions anymore.The most recent significant discussion on blood transfusions in The Watchtower magazine appears to be from the June 15, 2004 issue, 21 years ago!!!. The have quietly shifted the conversation to blood fractions instead, which sounds less triggering...

35

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

raymond frantz

@LongHairGal:. It’s heartbreaking to think about how many have had to make such difficult decisions under immense pressure—especially when it comes to something as serious as life-saving medical care or giving up financial stability for decades of service. The backtracking you mentioned really does make it hard for people to reconcile what they were taught with what’s happening now. I totally understand your relief at having stepped away when you did. It’s a lot for anyone to process, especially for those still in it.

35

Blood decisions are now your problem: WT JULY 2025

by raymond frantz in

the following is from the latest study watchtower july 2025, study article 28, paragraph 17:.

each christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions.

we may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry.

raymond frantz

The following is from the latest Study Watchtower July 2025, Study Article 28, paragraph 17:

“Consider the matter of blood fractions. Each Christian must make up his or her own mind about whether to accept or to reject these fractions. We may find it a challenge to understand this matter fully, but making decisions like this is part of the load that each of us must carry. (Rom. 14:4) If we were to copy what somebody else decided to do, we could weaken our own conscience. We can train and improve our conscience only by using it. (Heb. 5:14) So when should we ask a mature Christian for advice? After we have done our own research but still need help in understanding how Bible principles relate to our situation.”

On the surface, this paragraph from the July 2025 Watchtower reads like a gentle encouragement toward spiritual independence. Look closer, though, and you’ll see something far more calculated happening. This isn’t about conscience—it’s about liability. And not the spiritual kind.

For decades, the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization has been notorious for its hardline stance on blood transfusions. Members who accepted blood could face disfellowshipping, social shunning, and eternal damnation—depending on the severity of their “disobedience.” It was all very cut and dry. Until it started costing them.

Enter the modern European legal system. Spain, for one, has recently turned up the heat, launching investigations and public condemnations against the Watchtower Society over its blood policies, citing violations of medical rights, human dignity, and in some cases, even child endangerment. And here’s where things get interesting: legal troubles are bad for business. Public outrage is worse. Combine the two, and you get a rapidly shrinking pool of converts, mounting court cases, and frozen assets in more than one country.

So, what’s the organization to do? Simple. Shift the burden. Rebrand the rule. Wrap it up in language about “personal decisions” and “training the conscience.” That way, when someone ends up refusing life-saving treatment, the organization can say, “Well, we never told them what to do. It was their own choice.” How convenient.

This paragraph is damage control dressed up as spiritual guidance. It’s theocratic tap dancing, designed to absolve the Watchtower of direct responsibility while still maintaining its grip on the moral framework that guides its members. The goal isn't clarity. The goal is plausible deniability. They still don't want you taking a blood transfusion, but they really, really don't want to be held legally responsible when that decision leads to death.

Even the tone of the paragraph feels oddly passive, like a disclaimer muttered at the end of a pharmaceutical ad. “Each Christian must make up his or her own mind…” Sounds liberating—until you remember that this newfound freedom only emerged after years of intense external pressure. There’s no theological revelation behind this softening. There’s just a growing pile of lawsuits and a desperate need to look less like a high-control cult and more like a mainstream faith.

And let’s not ignore the financial angle. Legal battles are expensive. Government scrutiny means frozen bank accounts, revoked tax exemptions, and fewer countries willing to recognize your organization as a religion. That’s real money on the line. And what’s more cost-effective than giving members a little illusion of autonomy, while still training them to arrive at the “right” decision through layered publications, loaded language, and social reinforcement?

This is strategic retreat, not spiritual growth. It’s the Watchtower stepping back from the firing line, not out of compassion, but self-preservation. They haven’t changed their core beliefs—they’ve just updated the optics. And now the burden of risk, consequence, and guilt rests squarely on the shoulders of the individual member.

——only now it runs on silence, not orders.

39

Memorial attendance

by Balaamsass2 in

curious.

what was your local memorial attendance like tonight?

raymond frantz

Packed full at ours, they never learn

3121

It's been a long 9 years Lloyd Evans / John Cedars (continued)

by Simon in

jw
friends

uh 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

A friend of mine met recently a guy who left the Witnesses over 25 years now, way before the exjw youtube videos era, he is from Wilmslow congragation. He happened to come across one of the great apostate army videos on his lordship's scandal. He was taken so much back by the enormity of the scandal he couldn't stop talking about it. I wonder how many in Wilmslow and surrounding areas are still watching with a bag a popcorn 🍿 his lordship's misadventures

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What is really Babylon the great?

by Halcon in

for believers of god and christ, it seems that it should be obvious that babylon the great of revelation should be all religions and spiritual practices associated with the one true enemy of christ...the devil, satan, the snake etc.

essentially any group or individual practicing and promoting witchcraft, sorcery, devil worshipping etc.

all things practiced in ancient babylon (the nation presumably used as the model for the one in revelation).. or is this too simple of an explanation?.

raymond frantz

Babulylon the Great as the book of Revelation says is an end time capital of the New World Order. As Babylon of old that was deeply religious so it will be the Babylon the Great. Think of it as Rome the city controlling all kings of Europe in the Middle Ages