Brother John May was an elder in Ireland for many years. Back when Brother Ray Franz was wrongly disfellowshiped he was bothered by it so much that he actually went into debt so that he could buy a plane ticket to America. He and another brother flew to Brooklyn, New York so that he could meet with the governing body at that time. He knew a couple of the brothers serving on the body personally, and had been an elder for many years, but despite that they refused to meet with him or the other brother, or to discuss what happened at Bethel and what happened to Brother Franz.

John May Speaks

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9 Comments on One of the best testimonies I’ve heard

  1. Scepticalone says:

    Hello:

    Is it possible to get John May’s home address or telephone number?

    Thank you

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  2. DanielB says:

    Thank you JJ for the testimony of John May . He is a faith-strengthening brother . I agree that there is much to gain from the bible understanding of Jehovah’s Witnesses . I prayed for direction and was led to the organization in 1970 , and I know that my Maker wouldn’t mis-direct me . Then in ’92 He led me on from there , after 12 years of coldness since in 1980 I had the call . I can relate to Brother May’s chagrin over the human politics within the organization . And I have a sense of pitty toward those who are hanging on . I had no idea that there has been such commotion in the Irish community of witnesses . I’ve been away since the spring of 1992 . I am glad though that I had finally graduated from the TM School , and the organization in general . I still refer to their publications , though with much more discretion than during my tenure with them . Once I had secured advertisement on 17 radio stations for an upcoming district assembly and the News Overseer called to commend me and said that he could tell that it was Jehovah’s spirit that was with me . How nice and re-assuring from my brother Burlan Howse . I hope that he too has gone forward from the Watchtower guise . Thanks JJ .

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  3. JP Cox says:

    John May’s testimony seems honest enough, but there is a subtle arrogance I can’t help notice. He really tries to sell his morality, and makes it seem like he should be appeased “to his satisfaction”. I think there is a big difference between the humility Ray Franz has and this brother. He claims people called him “the exception” in that he did not tell lies and cared about people. Between all the plurbs on “his” articles, and his “demands” to talk with the GB together over the Franz issue…shows a line of arrogance in his approach that is tough to stomach.

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    • JJ says:

      JP

      I honestly did not get that feeling myself. But that is not to say it isn’t there. There is also a YouTube clip of him and his friend discussing what happened. You may want to look at that also because I definitely didn’t get that feeling in it, and you can see his expressions and face. It is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBa9HRSrnFk

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      • JP Cox says:

        I guess I see these brothers looking for a fight, and looking to make a sensational splash on their way out. In my opinion this is in stark contrast with certain other brothers associated with the 1980 debacle who left the way you would expect a Christian to handle himself. I believe Franz was one of the only brothers in a position to be as high profile about his leaving the WT. John Mays acts like the GB should have accepted his demand that they meet with him to explain their actions in the Franz situation…that is crazy, not to mention inappropriate on many levels. We who left the organization could do way more good for people still inside by being humble, reasonable, and focused less on “splashes” and more on setting a good example.

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  4. JWB says:

    “However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. But he said to them: ‘The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. You, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in your midst as the one ministering.'” [Luke 22:24-27; NWT]

    I agree with JP Cox about the need for humility, however it works both ways and those who would ‘be greatest’ among the flock should be taking the lead. It should also be noted that the continual call to be ‘humble’ can be used as a tool of manipulation to keep one under the thumb of those who should be called to account. Also Jesus himself showed great humility, he was not what we call in the UK ‘a wimp’, when righteous indignation arose within him, he would speak out. No doubt the religious leaders of his day, who probably considered themselves to be Jehovah’s appointed teachers (sitting in “the seat of Moses”), objected to his lack of ‘humility’ when he called them out, but was he wrong to do so? Is the demand for truth and justice something that should simply be whispered in reverence? Is the GB beyond reproof?

    “… Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.” [Luke 12:48; NWT]

    Those who claim to follow Christ should indeed be humble, but so much more so those who would ‘be greatest’ among the flock. Can we imagine Peter telling Paul he should have been more ‘humble’ when he “resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned”? (Galatians 2:11)

    Lastly I would say that since the GB wish JWs to make allowances for the fact that they are imperfect, shouldn’t they also do likewise when it comes to other members of the flock? Or maybe it doesn’t apply to them, since they feel that Christ has already appointed them over “all his belongings” and so maybe they think themselves to already be rulers. It kind of reminds me of these words of Paul:

    “You men already have your fill, do you? You are rich already, are you? You have begun ruling as kings without us, have you? And I wish indeed that you had begun ruling as kings, that we also might rule with you as kings.” [1 Corinthians 4:8; NWT]

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    • Amos says:

      Hi JWB,
      Another good reply concerning the GB. I would like to toss in a thought for all to consider, you said;

      “shouldn’t they also do likewise when it comes to other members of the flock?”

      “Who really are the ‘flock’, is it all who claim to be christian, or is it only those who really are Christ’s Spirit begotten brothers.”

      Personally I believe that it is only those who are “Spirit begotten.” I also believe that these ones are sprinkled throughout ALL demoninations, & very firmly believe that it is very erronious to think that they are only within one denominaton.
      I also believe that the WTS is just another part of Babylon The Great, (BTG) as one of the Harlots daughters, this is why WE are admonished to get out of her, in Rev. 18 4. I firmly believe that this includes the WTS.
      I will also state that while “getting out” may include “leaving”, it may also include “staying in” to help others who are, “sighing and groaning over the detestable things being done.”

      Any thoughts on this?

      Amos

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  5. JWB says:

    Amos, I’d just like to add my thoughts concerning those who choose to stay. One thing we know about Jesus is that he sometimes said things that that his listeners were not expecting. It seems to me that at least some of his disciples had certain preconceived ideas about the proper way to do things. Here is an example and Jesus response:

    “John said to him: ‘Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.’ But Jesus said: ‘Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; for he that is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink on the ground that you belong to Christ, I truly tell you, he will by no means lose his reward. But whoever stumbles one of these little ones that believe, it would be finer for him if a millstone such as is turned by an ass were put around his neck and he were actually pitched into the sea.'” [Mark 9:38-41; NWT]

    I also think this scripture shows that circumstances may dictate we have to be in a less than ideal situation, but that in the final analysis God knows our heart and whether we are living by “the spirit of the Law” so to speak, rather than the “letter of the law.”

    “In this thing may Jehovah forgive your servant: When my lord comes into the house of Rimon to bow down there, and he is supporting himself upon my hand, and I have to bow down at the house of Rim′mon, when I bow down at the house of Rimmon may Jehovah, please, forgive your servant in this respect.” [2 Kings 5:18; NWT]

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  6. Gilbert says:

    I went crazy when I heard this on youtube Holy Cow. This is the best started slow but ended in a bang. Back stabbed by Swingle. WOW. Good for him. What an example he is. A true Brother in Christ!

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