Ray Franz - Points in " Christian Freedom " book- " The Recurring Pattern"

by flipper 18 Replies latest jw friends

  • flipper
    flipper

    As we all mourn Ray's passing last week - I think it's good to remember some awesome points he brought out in defining a " recurring pattern " of control and dominance that the WT society has exercised over it's members the last 130 + years. So as I'm reading his second book right now " In Search of Christian Freedom " there are some revealing nuggets I wanted to share with you all.

    In the chapter entitled " The Recurring Pattern " it states about C.T. Russell on Pg. 78 in the year 1910 , " Russell stated that, " the person who read the Bible alone without using the Scripture Studies he had written would, according to experience, ' go into darkness within 2 years ' , whereas the on reading his Scripture Studies without reading ANY of the Bible itself would still be " in the light " at the end of that time. " Sound familiar ? Nothing has changed in the WT society's impression of itself in 100 years.

    Then in a 1952 WT article it states, " Jehovah and Christ direct and correct the slave as needed , not we as individuals. If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather than opposing and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave. We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarification , rather than balk at the first mention of a thought unpalatable to us and proceed to quibble and mouth our criticisms and opinions as though they were worth more than the slave's provision of spiritual food. Theocratic ones will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to pit against Jehovah's channel their wn human reasoning and sentiment and personal feelings. " It continues, " After being nourished to our present spiritual strength and maturity , do we suddenly BECOME SMARTER than our former provider and forsake the enlightening guidance of the organization that mothered us ? " Forsake not the law of thy mother. " " Are you nauseous yet ? Translation : Don't criticize the GB or alleged " faithful slave " they know more than us - you can't trust your mind and reasoning because you are not smarter than us.

    Then it continued into the 1970's . In a February 1976 WT it states, " Sometime in the future a test may be imposed on us to comply with certain information that God brings to our attention. It may hit something we love dearly. What will we do ? Will we hesitate in applying counsel, perhaps pondering in our mind as to WHAT we want to do about it ? ( God forbid we use our minds ! Italics mine ) If that would be the case, wouldn't we really be asking ourselves the question, ' Do we really want the rulership of God ? ' Would not a failure to respond to direction from God through His organization really indicate a rejection of divine ulership ? " Translation : If you reject us the " faithful slave " and our counsel- you are rejecting God's rulership.

    And so it continues until this year 2010 ! Last year a WT article came out saying to obey the " faithful slave " even if you DON'T UNDERSTAND what they are telling you to do ! The Jehovah's Witness cult and WT society DOES NOT want ANYBODY thinking or using their own minds to reason these matters out. It's obvious. So any lurking JW's think about that. Next time you are asked to believe something from the WT society ask yourself " Does this make sense ? Does it jive with what the Bible says ? Or does it seem real or a fantasy ? "

    As always I welcome any and all observations on this information. WT society is enslaving people. WE all need to show thanks for what Ray Franz did and individually carry the torch of freedom of mind and let people know that the WT society is enslaving unsuspecting minds ! Peace out to all of you, Mr. Flipper

  • crazyblondeb
    crazyblondeb

    I just wanted to pop in and say I. I haven't read his 2nd book yet....looking forward to it sometime!

  • OnTheWayOut
    OnTheWayOut

    If we do not see a point at first we should keep trying to grasp it, rather than opposing and rejecting it and presumptuously taking the position that we are more likely to be right than the discreet slave.

    I am not trying to derail your discussion into a rant against organized religion or the Bible, but this lends itself to looking at something along those lines. Fundamentalist Christians (on this board) have done the same thing mentioned in the quote above. They ask that we trust that Jesus or God knows what's best for us and want us to expect and accept that the Bible is God's word, then (and only then) will we be led by the spirit- or whatever words they want to use. Then (and only then) will what we had faith in be fully revealed to us. It's really the same thing that Russell wanted except he took it one step too far and asked for faith in his books over the Bible. It's being repeated by WTS as you mention in your opening post.

    While I know the difference between a dangerous mind-control cult and a Christian religion, it seems clear to me that the path toward control is easy to find oneself on; it matters little what the original intent was. (It's like Anikin Skywalker finding that the dark side was calling him.)

    In a February 1976 WT it states, " Sometime in the future a test may be imposed on us to comply with certain information that God brings to our attention. ..... Last year a WT article came out saying to obey the " faithful slave " even if you DON'T UNDERSTAND what they are telling you to do !

    Meet the new boss, the same as the old boss.

  • dgp
    dgp

    I fully agree with On the Way Out. In fact, I think he put into words what I had always felt but I had never been able to say myself. You're told you'll see the light if you give in first; the real deal would be that you could "see the light" without ever giving in.

  • flipper
    flipper

    CRAZYBLONDEB- Hey, how are you my friend ? Nice hearing from you. Wife and I are fine. I just started reading Franz's second book a couple months ago. It's good. Highly recommend it to anybody.

    OTWO- Interesting points you make. Very true , many religions use control, as do politicians, big corporations, and mind control cults. Which I feel many religions are too. Some religions or other controlling entities may not initially look to control people, but it becomes that after assuming power over other people's lives and dictating doctrine and what they should or shouldn't do. For 130 + years now the WT society still dictates through control to it's members. By using fear and guilt.

    DGP- The WT society ENFORCES that it's members " give in " to whatever it is they are dictating to them. It's really almost like a Nazi regime whereby if any DO NOT agree with new teachings - they are thought of as a renegade or rebel and shunned and kicked out. A recurring pattern since this organization started in the late 1870's

  • compound complex
    compound complex

    Points well made, Mr. Flipper.

    Just for the sake of discussion amongst those here who may no longer believe in God and, hence, the operation of his holy spirit:

    Is the GB declaring outright that there is no possibility that the holy spirit could direct a God-fearing individual independently of WT edicts? Does a servant of God in the wilderness, with no access to Society literature and the Bible and approved association, go without God's care and direction? Does God check in with the F&DS first?!?!?!?

    I probably know the answer to this one!

    Thanks,

    CoCo

  • Lozhasleft
    Lozhasleft

    Hi Mr Flipper ...I'm reading this at the moment too...its good stuff isnt it? And Ray puts it down in such a way that its an enjoyable read despite the shocks...

    Loz x

  • wobble
    wobble

    It is a great read, and some of Ray's prose is so elegant that I have a file on my computor containing quotes. We have been blessed by a wonderful man who not just showed us the inner workings, and falsehood, of the WT , but was a wonderful writer too.

    OTWO's point about Christians (especially fundie types) expecting you to surrender your thinking ability, and your very soul, first is pertinent.

    It is also against a scriptural example, did Saul, later the Apostle Paul, surrender before his Damascene vision ? No.

    Christ was a fighter for freedom of thought, he would abhor any attempt to enslave mentally, he simply appealed to those who would listen using reason and scripture, not obfuscation and half-truths.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    Ha I think it's more like they are waiting on God's great plan even though God created our brains... dare we use it out side of his thinking! BS Thank you Ray Franz for reviling the truth to those who needed a way out!! God created our brains for a reason... so we should use it and not fear man!

    RIP Ray Franz ... his conscience is clean and God Bless.

    I bought the COC for my mother. She said thank you. Even though I feared her reaction... she smiled and excepted it. She said I made sence and agreed with me. I have hope for my family yet!

  • lepermessiah
    lepermessiah

    Flipper-

    Thanks for the quotes. That is my favorite book of the two that Ray wrote - I think "In Search Of" is where Ray really took the gloves off and disintegrated the WT myth. You can see it right from Russell on down. It is all loaded mind control babble by self-appointed prophets. He absolutely blew them away in both books.

    I think COC condemned them by their actions and he just really expounded on it in the second book, with a healthy dose of exposing the doctrines.

    I like what Ray said about Christ in a video I saw - he basically said that Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the light", but the WT has shoved Jesus aside by saying that Christ may be the Way, but THEY present themselves as the "truth and the light"

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