I have an idea that I'd like to share. Someone previously mentioned the idea of current JWs not to report time or attend meetings for February. Let's add to that some things us "exes" can do simultaneously.
Now that the blood misrepresentation issue is getting national media attention--let's capitalize on the momentum!
Feb 14 in the US is Valentine's Day, a national celebration of love. How about using the week of Feb 12 - 18 as a time to publicize the dangers of the WTS (an act of love really)?
1. Reach out to someone who is still in the org. who you care about. Write them a short letter, not full of venom or anger, but stating how much you care about them and are concerned for them. Mention one thing about the org that is of concern--say Jerusalem didn't fall in 607, send a copy of the UN document, whatever you feel would appeal to them personally. Then say you are there for them when they want to talk.
2. Go to your public or school library and find pro-JW books. I was surprised to see there were many in mine. Print out a copy of the foldable brochure on my web site (
http://www.jwinfo.50megs.com/catalog.html
) and insert it inside the books. Or donate to your library a copy of a book that explains the dangers of the WTS--Crisis of Conscience or whatever you like.
3. Leave the pamphlets in public places
, such as doctor's offices, laudromats, etc. If you are going to a pediatrician's or gyn/obstetrician's office especially, you may want to use Silent Lambs ones instead
http://www.silentlambs.org/assistance/brochure.cfm
).
4. In lieu of the pamphlets, you could leave copies of the articles in the national media about the blood misrepresentation issue (
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012600943.html)
or the molestation issue (http://www.silentlambs.org/press/NYTarticle.htm or
http://www.silentlambs.org/McClean.htm
) in public places.
5. Write a letter to the editor
in your local newspaper discussing a serious issue with the WTS. Mention in your letter that there is an international campaign to educate the public about the dangers of the WTS during the week of Feb 12.
6. Put an ad in your local newspaper bringing attention to the molestation issue. This can usually be done very cheaply and your identity is not revealed. Silent Lambs has some templates for ads (
http://www.silentlambs.org/assistance/advertizement.htm
).
7. Use public bulletin boards
(my community has one in each grocery store, post office, etc.) to post activism materials, such as the business card size ones at
http://www.silentlambs.org/assistance/brochure.cfm
I have used the one that says "stop child abuse" with much success. The sentiment is appealing and does not look religious in nature. I bring a tack with me and the cards in my pocket, and quickly put a stack of them up. I've noticed many of them are taken and I have to replenish my supply regularly.
8. As Danny Haszard already suggested, use the Internet to get the word out. Blog, post on different forums, etc.
9. Send the WTS a protest email about the blood issue:
http://www.jwtruth.com/articles/BloodMailtoWT.aspx
10. Put a "
no trespassing
" sign on your front door, and along with that, affix the document of your choice for the week of Feb 12--UN letter, blood misrepresentation article, whatever you like. (If there is any ex-jw who makes the types of signs that go on your door and ships them, please let us know! I am in need of a "no trespassing" sign.)
10. Put a "
