Raymond Victor Franz

Thanks for your sincere service to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. For your courage, for the books, for everything.

Loving regards to the Franz family, from Brazil.

Standing up for truth regardless of consequences is an indication of real faith, love of God and His Son! He inspired so many including myself to separate from the organization that refused to be guided fully by the Holy Word!
He´s gone home to be with the Lord and there is no greater blessing!

In shadows deep, where doubts arise,
A heart of courage starts to rise,
Raymond Franz, a soul unbowed,
Against the tide, he spoke aloud.

Within the fold of JW's grasp,
He questioned doctrines firm and fast,
A conscience strong, a spirit true,
To principles he would stay true.

With courage bold, he dared to see,
Beyond the rules, to set minds free,
He faced the storm, a daunting quest,
For truth and justice, he'd invest.

In midst of doubt, he took a stand,
To honor conscience, hand in hand,
He faced the cost, the price he'd pay,
Yet stood for truth, come what may.

The Organization's might held sway,
But Raymond Franz chose his own way,
He followed conscience's sacred call,
Though trials loomed and shadows fall.

Through every test, his spirit soared,
For truth and conscience he implored,
A beacon bright in murky night,
He dared to champion what was right.

Oh, courage grand, against the tide,
To stand for truth, no need to hide,
In Raymond Franz, we find the fire,
To follow conscience, never tire.

So let us learn from his brave tale,
To heed our hearts, though systems fail,
For courage and conscience, hand in hand,
Shall guide us through the shifting sand.

I was thinking about Raymond's two books that helped me leave the organization in 2000. In looking the books up, I found out that Ray had passed. I'm so sorry. My sincere condolences to his family. I never met Ray but will be forever grateful to this courageous man for helping me out of the organization. I'm now more spiritually alive then I have ever been thanks to him. I'm sure he is very busy in heaven right now and full of vim and vigor once again.

Thanku u for ur courage. You changed my life.

Dear Cynthia, I am so sorry for your loss. I was so grateful to read Crisis of Conscience, at a time when I had no one and was so scared and didn't know where to turn, that book truly helped save me. I'm forever indebted.

Thank you, Raymond, for giving me permission to ask my questions.

~remembering~

Cynthia, please accept my deepest sympathy at the loss of your dear husband. I profoundly respect him for his great courage in leaving the "organization," a step it took me many years to make, for I knew I would lose all those dear to me in the "death" of disfellowshipping. Your husband, though his books, provided great comfort and validated the rightfulness of my decision to leave. I appreciate knowing exactly what happened at headquarters during the years I was struggling with my own "crisis of conscience." I write through my tears, because I know how many like him have suffered terrible heartache at the hands of disfellowshipping and losing their families who were too blinded to leave with them. . . I will always love Mr. Franz for his courage, love, and kindness in helping other Witnesses in their quest for truth, even though I only knew him through his books. May God always keep him in the palm of his hand. . . Much love and deep appreciation always to him and to you.

God bless Mr. Franz. His books were a source of edification, validation, and comfort to me. In his own gentle way, his tireless efforts helped countless struggling former Witnesses who read his words and contacted him for help in trying to find their way to a true relationship with God. The world is a better place because he was here, and I know he's now enjoying his rich reward. My prayers and best wishes for his family.

I just found out about Ray's passing. I am having difficulty writing due to the tears that are flowing. I have Ray to thank for helping to settle my conscience and finding a closer relationship to our Father and his son Jesus. I will treasure his emails and remember our few telephone conversations. His books surely awakened me. Although we never met in person I feel I have lost a very dear friend. I will miss him very much.

Thank you so very much for all that you did, and for being there for all of us. You had the courage, conviction, and Christian love to speak out and change many lives. I look forward to seeing you in heaven, dear friend.

I really appreciate your work although I just read your articles briefly. You were exceptional human being in terms of your courage and dedication to brought up the issues circulating around Jehovah`s witnesses. R S. (Japan)

How can I "eulogize" someone who is so responsible for who I am today? You made me understand that it's ok to question things when they don't make sense, that you're not an 'apostate" if you believe in the Bible vs. a man made religion.But, most of all, you made me realize that NO earthly organization will get you an eternal reward. Go in peace, my true brother. Thank you for your strength and wisdom.

First of all I want to send my condolences to Cynthia. Ray will be missed but his legacy will live on.
I, too, like many of you who have written in on this guestbook, never had the chance to meet Ray but I am writing in because I am compelled to honor a man who, not only stood up for what he believed in, but did so even though it initially caused him a great amount of loss and sadness. He tried to help as many people as he could and obviously has and will continue to help many through his writings. I often wish that Ray could have stayed in the ‘Organization’ just so that the leadership would have had a more liberal leaning. After 30 years since Ray’s exit it appears that it is starting to.
I’m still ‘in the truth’, though I realize that I use that term quite loosely. I’ve prayed about it many times and I may be wrong, misled, or maybe I lack the courage to break away. I only know that I want what is best for my family and I. Practicing my Christianity through this religion has worked for me to a certain extent. I love the people (most of them) and the principles we live by. The essence of what we teach is, I believe, the truth. Neutrality, the use of God’s name, the following of Christian guidelines to direct our lives have all played an important part in my remaining with this ‘tool’ that Jehovah is using. At the same time I can see the man-made aspect of a religion, and that truly does annoy me. I look forward to the day when we can view those with a differing opinion, not as apostates, but as our spiritual brothers.
Rest in peace, Ray. I know we will meet one day.

i want to thank you for your courage to stand up for truth. i wish i could of met you you, you have helped me and others understand gods word more clearly as it is, and see the false hood in man made religion. for ever i will be great full to you. by gerald c.

I very much wish I had had the opportunity to meet you and have Christian Fellowship with you and Cynthia in person. I feel many of us have had that pleasure by reading your memoirs and comments on things many of us hold dear, and subjects thinking Christians must ponder.

wow thank you....i wish i could have met you...you def took a difficult stand.....only God will be able to see the condition of your heart!

Thank you Ray for the freedom you gave.
See you sson in a real paradise ....

A french friend....

Thank you so much. I wish I could have met you. Through your experiences I gained the courage to take the action needed that would have taken many more years of anguish on my own.

Ray, Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your Master's joy. I am very thankful for your kind e-mail and your words of comfort. God has done wonders since I left the organization, and now my wife (a former Pioneer herself) and I have welcomed a baby in our midst: our little Liam. Liam may not have gotten to know you, but thanks to your courage and faithfulness, now we can give him a good life in true Christian freedom.

You took a difficult stand for the real truth. I salute you

You were a brave man who would not bow to the pressure of persecution, and who could not ignore your conscience when you saw what was wrong.

Thank you Ray for your candid writing that helped me see what I had been feeling all along that the doctrine I was raised with was not accurate. Man made rules hurt people and you helped me see the truth of that through the very publications I used to study. May God bless your family and no doubt you are taken care of by him now.

Thank-you for showing me the way out.

A man whose name will live on for generations. My sincerest thanks for the books and kind emails that helped me to discover the joyous reality of life outside the shackles of organisation. His legacy will be generations of people breaking free, just as so many have already.

Thank you, Ray, for helping me to find peace in my soul, after decades of pain and guilt. Your books put me on the path and helped me find my way.

Jeanie

One of the bravest men I have ever read about. I had hoped to meet him one day. His books were enlightening and reflected a man who stood for the truth despite much opposition from nearly everyone within his sphere of association. I hope that before the end he realized his need to trust Christ alone for his eternal salvation.

Dave Dearinger (Lake Stevens, WA).

"Better to light one candle than curse the darkness - thanks for being the torchbearer Ray - Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, the heavenly angelic family and all of humanity anywhere in the universe will never, ever forget your efforts - well done faithful servant!!"

One thing Ray and I had in commom - we both appeared on the John Ankerberg show. Reading Ray's book was like putting medicine on an open wound. His memory will be in the hearts of many around the world. May the Lord be with you Cynthia, in the days, months and years to come. Jean Eason

Ray's publications and his honesty encapsulate what is necessary to free a person from organizational domination. I left the organization at the same time as Ray after 25 years. I left for the same reasons and experienced the same treatment. I am so glad that Ray was happy afterwards.
Doug Ashcroft Stroud UK

Ray,

Thank you so much for your books, Crisis of Conscience and In Search of Christian Freedom. Through these loving books me and my children have found true freedom - which can last for many generations to come.

Rest in Peace...

Thank you so much Ray!

Sincere condolences to Cynthia

Thank you, Ray.

I remember Ray Franz as a young child at the District Conventions. Years later as an adult suffering from disillusionment with The WBTS, I called him. He was so kind, and answered many of my quesions. I left the Organization and never looked back. Thank you so much Ray. You have been instrumental in my life and the lives of countless others. I will remember your kind words, and encouragement 4ever. Thank you for being there when a person who was so lost needed something that made sense. You gave that to me. I will rember and love you always for that.Cynthia my prayers and thoughts are with you.



Carolyn

Though I never knew Ray I read both his books and because of his courage to speak the truth about the Jehovah Wittness organization I was set free and many, many others. I thank Ray for that and his wife. Jean from Ct.

Thank you for everything Ray. R.I.P. I will never forget you.
My thoughts and prayers are with Cynthia.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." Thank you for guiding so many of us toward the real light. Rest in Peace.

I'm so sorry that such a great soldier of freedom has passed away. Your book set me free, literally and my sons and I will be forever greatful. A great great man.

What can you say to thank someone whose words set your soul free? Thank you would never be enough. Ray was a courageous man who helped more than he will ever know by his bravery. He left a legacy of truth we can only hope to follow.

Isa.57:1&2:"The righteous pass away; the godly often die before their time... God is protecting them from the evil to come." May you feel God's love around you, Cynthia. He is husband to the widow, as I discovered after my husband, Dale Baker, died in 1993, a couple of years after you and Ray stayed at our home in Calif. for a few days. God bless you.

After almost 50 years of being JWs, in 1983 we began having doubts about the WT Org. When Ray's book was released we spent a whole day and night reading it. We thought we were the only ones who had these doubts. We thank God for Ray's courage and honesty.
Cynthia, know that you are loved, not only by Jesus but by us and millions all over the world. Holy Spirit along with Ray's book will be the instruments in freeing many more.

Ray Franz was an icon in his time, he helped me immensely on my life's journey. Freedom from ingrained mind set is what he gave me. RIP

For Ray this race is over. To his dear wife, sister Franz, I send my deepest and warmest sympathy. Brother Franz and yourself have managed to help a great number of people and I consider myself very fortunate to have met the both of you. to have shared a meal with you in your home and the wonderful exchange that occurred there.

The name below is my nickname as I am unable at this time to use my real name. I'm still officially a JW and remain such although "inactive" in order to reach as many of my dear friends as I am able.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray and talking with him---and oh, what a joy it was! I found Ray to be very loving, extremely kind, with an upbeat optomistic attitude. I will be forever thankful for the information that his books provide--information which could only come from a man in his position-- which was pivotal to my being able to break away from the WTS.

My condolences. My wife and I left the "Organization" almost 10 Years ago. I read Ray's books and they certainly helped me with the struggles that I faced. I am glad to say that I have been saved and now give the true gospel to others.All a man has in the end is his name. Ray Franz is the name that countless people will remember. His legacy will continue. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

thank you Mr. Franz for standing up for the TRUTH!

To Ray, for all you have done through your work and books. You helped free countless people so that they could turn and delight in the word of God rather than the word of man.
Your humbleness and courage were matched by your conviction in your love for the true God and his word.
Ray, you gladly took up your armour and fought the good fight.
My prayers and thoughts are with Rays family and friends at this saddest of times.
"Our loss is heavens gain"

Thankyou Ray! *hug*

T.hank you Ray for your courage, and thanks to the family for supporting his decision

Querido hermano Franz, has hecho una enorme labor que sin duda ha beneficiado a miles de personas que han sufrido de una manera u otra. Has corrido tu carrera hasta completarla. Eres un ejemplo de humildad y valentia. Mi mas sentido pésame y mis mejores deseos para la hermana Cynthia Franz. Estaré siempre agradecido contigo, hermano Franz.

My father in law and my wife and my children thank you Ray. We are all out because of you and have built a legacy of life not death because of your books! Generations of Astacio's will follow God not men because of your courageous acts! Rest well in God's hands, dear friend!

To dear Cynthia and to those of your family who love you, and who loved dear Raymond, I send you my love and my prayers for God and His angels to send you love and comfort and friends to be with you in this time of your sorrow. You and your husband are in all of our hearts, and in all of our prayers...may the God of all comfort continue to hold you in His arms...

The truth will set you free. Ray's dedication and humility and courageous desire to speak the truth unshackled many in bondage. I will forever be grateful. Donna Klapp Michigan

After reading Ray's book and seeing what a humble gentleman he was made by descent from the "org"one of confidence and peace not guilt and fear. He will truly be missed!

Cynthia - When you and Ray knew me, I was Diane Beers. We had some good times at Bethel together - I was privileged to be mentioned in his book, Crisis of Conscience. I am truly sorry for your loss. Ray's articles and morning discussions at Bethel helped me to start understanding that I was in the wrong place and needed to change my life. I have never regretted following that feeling - my life has been awesome.

Ray helped me when I was questioning the Society. He always answered when I called and gave me all the time I needed. I am so grateful to him.

May our wonderful Lord grant you peace and comfort Cynthia.

I hope that the love of the Lord comforts , cynthia. May she know that Raymond will always be with her in spirit and in her memories and that what he did to help others was worthwhile and most appreciated.

I meet Ray Franz when I was at Bethel in the early 70's. He was a true Christian all his life, a role model and a great teacher. i read his book and gave copies to others. ThankYou Ray. Joel - MN

Our most sincere condolences being sent from Ohio. Ray changed our lives and we will be forever grateful. R.I.P. good and faithful slave!
s&j shanower

Ray and Cynthia:
I was privileged to know you both. Your loyalty to truth and down-to-earth friendship were an inspiration to me and many others. Ray's legacy will live on long after his passing. May we meet again in a better place. May that hope give Cynthia courage at this time. Blessings,

Ray Showed me the way to freedom and peace through his book 'Crisis of Conscience' ....I will be forever grateful to him and his wife!
My condolences to Cynthia and family.

I had the opportunity of met Ray and Cynthia 2 years ago. A true gentleman, Ray clarified a lot of doubts that I had. Ray, you were an example of integrity , honesty, and what a real christian should be. We'll miss you. And thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Cynthia: We keep you in our thoughts.

TooktheRedPill, Florida.

You profoundly changed my life by your sincerity and heartfelt love shown in writing your testimony in Crisis of Conscience. As a third-generation JW who had their family turn their backs on me, I was hungry to know that someone else walked in the same shoes. I grew up looking up to you, Raymond, and respecting who you were in the organization, and when I read your book, my respect and love for you and your lovely wife just deepened. Out of all of the works written over the years by ex-cultists, and those who have given their testimony, never has anyone shown such love while, at the same time, exposing such long-held secrets of 'the organization.' You changed my life, and my daughter's life, and now my grandchildren are being raised in a Bible-believing family. I will see you in glory and be able to hug you then. Until then, Lord, please hug Raymond for me, Tammy, Hannah, Abby, Summer and Baby Lila.

All my love,
Karen R. Birmingham
Phoenix, Arizona

I read your books and you helped me RIP !

Thanks Mary Aguilar

My sympathy goes out to Cynthia and all survivors of this wonderful man. Ray's books helped me to understand what I was questioning after thirty years in the Watchtower. His life, and love for truth will never be forgotten.

Ray- you were such an honest, brave and loving person. I wish I'd had the pleasure of knowing you in person. I have the utmost respect for you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your knowledge. You contributed to my freedom and happiness, and gave me much information to use to free those I love as well. You will be greatly missed. Wherever life leads after this, it is my wish that you find peace and happiness for all time.

Lamento profundamente la muerte de un hombre tan consciente de su deber para con los demás tan valiente y capaz y que demostró unas cualidades tan desarrolladas...un cristiano ejemplar.
KENDALL MAISON

The written words of your book changed my heart and brought understanding. Hurt and anger was replaced by unconditional love and overwhelming compassion. Your legacy will live in and continue to free those in captivity. Cynthia know that there are many who love and pray for you.

So saddened to read of your passing, regret I did not write to you more often. Thank you for your kindness, and love of Jehovah and of fellow mankind. Cynthia, I have never met you, be strong!

Sincere thanks to Ray and his beloved Cynthia for their steadfast support of the real truth. A greater ministry than can ever be quantified, the release of so many from captivity to a benighted concept. How brilliantly your light still shines, Ray.

Godspeed all who mourn to a place of manifest comfort

Thank you for your insightful work. You will always be remembered

Thank You for following your conscience when everything that you had ever been told pointed in the opposite direction.
Rest in Peace my friend.
Mike

Thanks brother.

Thank you for telling the truth

Thank you for your bravery and honesty in writing your books!

I'm so grateful to have read your wonderful books. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us - such a valuable gift.

Thank you Raymond.
In many, many ways you put my churning mind at rest.

Maria

Thank you Ray for your courage and bravery.

I am grateful that Ray Franz lived simply as a witness for the Truth as he understood it . He had the decency and humility to know that each of us must do the same and answer to God alone for our actions.

It was a pleasure reading Crisis of Conscience, learning of your humility and kind words through correspondence. Will always keep you in memory.

Mr Franz books were instrumental in bringing peace to my heart after leaving the religion.
I look forward to meeting him on the other side.