Last Comments regarding Bill Bowen & Silent Lambs:
This is intended to be a positive treatment of the issue by pointing out some very useful things to Bill Bowen and the SilentLambs organization. I am staying clear of responding to Bill's last comments as to debating things he stated which are irrelevant and not accurate. The only negative item I will mention is that Bill's comments regarding Ray Franz by way of attacking Ray's character and misrepresenting his position was a major blunder ... especially if Bill truly intends to help the victims ... you don't score positive advancement by attacking your own team ... instead you focus on the opposition.
Having said that, let's give Bill Bowen the benefit of the doubt that he did not ""intend"" to needlessly harm Ray Franz's reputation, and that Bill possibly ""misunderstood"" Ray's comments regarding their discussions. Ray Franz, in his recent and only direct post on JWD, made some excellent comments that I believe Bill Bowen and SilentLambs organization might find it prudent to seize upon for the warmth and support that Ray offers ... and bring any differences that are perceived to exist to a screeching halt: Ref: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/search.asp?site=3
Here are some direct quotes of what Ray Franz stated, in the order they were given, that I have in mind from the above referenced post by Ray Franz:
"The fact that the Watch Tower Society distorts the purpose of that law principle referred to by Paul and Christ (which was to protect the innocent against a false accuser) does not justify ones distorting the meaning or intent of a quotation of that principle such as is found in the chapter of the manual referred to. As I have already expressed, I do not believe the Mosaic Law was designed to be rigid and "cut and dried."
Here Ray has made it clear that he believes that the Watch Tower Society distorts the purpose of the of the old law, and thereby the Society misapplies this as to how they handle child molestation cases ... Ray then cites a statement of Jesus that challenges the Jews as to exceptions to the old Law:
. . . "So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath." (Matthew 12:11, 12; in Luke 14:5 he refers to an ox falling into a well; obviously in both cases the extraction of the animal involved work, even heavy work, even though on the sabbath day.)"
"What is here stated is in defense of the rightness of Gods law and the validity of citing its principles, not in defense of the misuse of that law by a religious system. One would have to be blind to the evidence of history not to realize the value of this principle contained in the Law and referred to by Paul."
Ray makes it very clear that his does not defend the m-i-s-u-s-e of the law. There is more ...
"As with other principles, this principle of the divine Law can be misused in a harmful way and this is evidently the case with Watch Tower policies regarding child molestation cases."
Ray clearly states that the Watch Tower is misusing a good Biblical principle, a principle used today in our civilian justice system to protect innocent people from false allegations. Clearly this statement could be used by SilentLambs to show how the Society is misusing things written in the Bible as testified to by a former Governing Body member.
Ray goes on to say:
"An organization's misuse or perversion of any part of that law is no basis for our viewing a particular principle as though something noxious and hurtful, so that the mere quoting of it can be seized upon as basis for tying one in with the perverters of its good and just principle. (This is known in the field of flawed argumentation and flawed logic as "tarring others with the same brush.")"
Ray is correct in stating this. His words regarding 'perversion' of the Law by an organization clearly is showing his view of how the Watch Tower Society misuses the Bible to the harm of innocent children ... a statement that should help SilentLambs. Ray went on to say:
"If some choose to engage in what might be termed a form of media-oriented, political activism to fight wrongdoing, that is their privilege. If the goal is the protection of the innocent it is a worthy goal."
Clearly, Ray honors the goal and method used by SilentLambs to seek justice for innocent victims of molestation. While Ray Franz does not choose the same method for his own efforts, he nevertheless honors those who do. Cannot SilentLambs see how Ray Franz has given a positive proactive statement that they can use as well? Ray then states his own attitude toward the crime of molestation:
"Of the many sexual crimes, child molestation is unquestionably one of the most despicable. Those who shield child molesters certainly bear a very heavy responsibility."
Ray Franz shares the view of how this crime is as evil as it gets and those shielding child molesters are in for a heavy accountability. This clearly acknowledges that leaders of any organization, including the Watch Tower, cannot be excused from being held responsible. This most positive statement should be most beneficial to SilentLambs in understanding that a former member of the Governing Body does not support the Watch Tower Society policies on child molestation as they are misused, misapplied, and harm children ... rather, that Ray Franz clearly sides with the innocent victims. Ray Franz remarks as to his own contribution in helping people get free of any system, including the Watch Tower Society where people have been subservient to a false system by saying:
"I wrote two books, Crisis of Conscience and In Search of Christian Freedom, and in these endeavored to help people realize that there is no Scriptural basis for subservience to any human religious organization and its decrees and humanly-originated policies; in both books emphasizing the crucial importance of a personal relationship with God and Christ, and the importance of being true to personal conscience and conviction. How anyone could read their contents and then seek to portray the author as a sympathizer with the Watch Tower organizations legalistic policies of whatever kind is difficult for me to understand ... "
While eliminating some context, I endeavored to stay true to the salient points made by Ray Franz in an effort to highlight those things that Bill Bowen and the SilentLambs organization can use to draw upon Ray Franz as an ally, and not an enemy. The all-important reasons given are to help the victims of molestation within the Watchtower system, and I cannot think of a better supporting set of statements than those published by Ray Franz ... True, the context was defending his position and clearing misrepresentations, but the overriding theme was to show that Watch Tower policy is wrong, and misuses the Bible and religion to the harm of innocent victims of molestation.
That said, this will be may last comment on the topic, unless I comment to clarify some additional misunderstanding, or in the event Ray Franz asks me to post again on his behalf. What I have stated above has not been discussed with Ray Franz. It is my own observations given the statements Ray Franz had me post on his behalf.
Edited by - Amazing on 5 November 2002 21:31:37