Free Minds Journals and Articles

The following list of translators of the New World Translation is a compilation from a variety of sources:

Frederick W. Franz: Main translator. Took liberal arts sequence at University of Cincinnati; 21 semester hours of classical Greek, some Latin. Partially completed a two-hour survey course in Biblical Greek in junior year; course titled "The New Testament--A course in grammar and translation." Left in spring of 1914 before completing junior year. Self-taught in Spanish, biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Entered Brooklyn headquarters facility of Watchtower Society in 1920. Probable ghost writer for J. F. Rutherford (2nd president of WTS) from late 1920s through 1942. Vice president of WTS from 1942 to 1977, president from 1977 until death in 1992 at age 99.

Randall Watters - Free Minds Inc

Listen as Randy Watters Explains Why He Left Watchtower Headquarters in 1980

Free Minds Articles and Journal Archive

Having been a pioneer for two years and anxious to live at the hub of "God's organization,"  Bethel seemed like  a wonderful place to be. From the start, I learned  to run a press, printing the New World Translation  the Aid to Bible Understanding book,  and many other publications. By 1977 I had been appointed a floor overseer and a Bethel elder.  I was in charge of the presses that printed their Bibles, and help start an offset printing training school. Later projects  involved  helping to renovate the  entire printing opera­tion.  Travelling  regularly  around  New England as a speaker,  I made many  fine friends and enjoyed my work.  I was  convinced this was truly "God's organization," and was even zealous to report those who were entertaining thoughts contrary to those of the "faithful slave."  I was well-known as an "organization man."

Growing Up in a Divided Household

I needed to tell all of you how much you have helped me.  I too, have been hurt by the Jehovah's Witnesses.  I grew up in what they call a "divided household."  My mother was a very strict Jehovah's Witness and my father was a military man.  My earliest recollections of being a witness child were in Germany.  My father was stationed there.  I went to school on the military base.  My mom wouldn't let me salute the flag.  I remember the other kids making fun of me and teasing me.  I would wet my pants on the bus ride home.  My mom told me it was good to be persecuted for Jehovah God.  But a little girl 5 years old doesn't understand that.  I remember being afraid from then on.  I was moved around a lot to many different schools.  I was always the Outcast, the Jehovah's Witness, the Communist, the new kid.  I was always afraid.

How to React if your Child has Been Recruited­ by Jehovah's Witnesses

by Andrew X

If your child has been recruited by the Jehovah's Witnesses, my advice would be to act quickly and - most of all - cautiously. Right away at the beginning of the Bible lessons, the Witnesses teach new recruits to expect opposition from "the devil's" forces.  So if you oppose the Witnesses' influence over your child, he is likely to consider even his own parents agents of the devil. Their recruitment techniques are thorough.

How I Helped My Family Leave Jehovah's Witnesses

By Randall Watters 

The question facing many of Jehovah's Witnesses who consider leaving the Watch Tower Society is: What do I do with my family?  If I march into the house and tell them that the Watch   Tower Society is a bunch of bunk, they could all react with standard Jehovah's Witness training and shun me.  I too faced this exact issue, and pondered what I needed to do deal with it.

Holidays - Refuting Jehovah's Witnesses

Reprinted from the book Refuting Jehovah's Witnesses by Randall Watters

Biblical Overview

There are a number of religious groups claiming to be Christian that deny the celebration of holidays to their members, including Christmas, Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, etc.  This is especially the case with Jehovah's Witnesses.  While there are some Witnesses who celebrate these holidays secretly for fear of being caught, most take pride in this prohibition.  Parents are willing to allow their children to suffer much peer pressure and isolation, and are perfectly willing to isolate themselves from their families during holiday times, even taking the opportunity to go door-to-door during these seasons of celebration.  What are the reasons given for this stand against holidays?  Is it wrong to celebrate holidays?

Women Who Are Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses

by Randall Watters

I don't believe a day ever passes without my getting a distress call from either a woman whose husband is a Jehovah's Witness and is a tyrant, or who is seeking to leave the Watchtower and her husband is threatening divorce, or worse.  What could be worse, you say?  Usually these situations are accompanied by either physical or emotional abuse, and often if there are children the threat of a custody suit is hung over the woman's head.

Good Advice When you have a Wife in a High Control Group

notes compiled from the writings of Willard F. Harley, Jr., Ph.D. - Your Love and Marriage: Dr. Harley Answers Your Most Personal Questions

Dr. Willard F. Harley wrote an article on his website that I felt I should share, as his advice is accurate from my experience.  While the scenario he mentions is not typical of all relationships with belief-related conflicts, it is certainly typical of some.  If you are in this position, perhaps it will help.

Harley likens religious conversion in this scenario to an affair:

by Randy Watters

I have roommates.  Three of them!  Why do we fight so much?  I don't treat other people like I treat my roommates.  Sometimes I do not think before I speak, I just blurt out what I feel.  I COULD do better.  I could carefully weigh what I say each time.  But I don't.  Yet I am happy with the arrangement, and I consider them my extended family.  I wonder how many basic families are just like this?  I guess we all could do with a little more kindness.

by Jeanne Jackson

At the age of five, my mind was fresh, my parents taught me the Religious mess.  They sat me down in hard back chairs, in Kingdom Halls full of stares.  They told me GOD put men in power, mediating for us in an Ivory tower.