Here is the Letter I am thinking of sending ,give me your input

by troubled mind 43 Replies latest jw friends

  • troubled mind
    troubled mind

    Here is my revision of the letter. I will also put my name at the top of the letter instead of a signature at the bottom .

    Attention to the Elder body of the ****** Congregation Of Jehovah’s Witnesses


    Criminal harassment is defined as "engag(ing) in intentional conduct which the actor [harasser] knows or has reason to know would cause the victim, under the circumstances, to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated; and causes this reaction on the part of the victim. (M.S. § 609.749, Subd. I). Such conduct can include following or pursuing you, returning to your property without your consent, making repeated phone calls, inducing you to make calls, causing your phone to repeatedly ring, repeatedly mailing or delivering unwanted letters, objects, or gifts to you.

    On Monday May 31,2010 I specifically requested D. Smith to inform the Elder body to stop calling, and stop coming to my home uninvited . This morning June 5,2010 once again my wishes were ignored . This morning at 8 am I received another phone call by J. W .

    I consider this repeated harassment as threatening to my personal health and well being. These intimidation tactics must come to an end .

    You are hereby notified to immediately terminate any contact with me ,including phone calls ,home visits , mail or electronic mail ..

    A copy of this letter has been filed with the Geneseo Police Department per legal advice .

  • Quillsky
    Quillsky

    All very well, but they will DA you. Do you want that?

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    Good letter.

    It is immaterial in my opinion what they do after [DA you or not]. The letter is perhaps more for your peace of mind than any real legal end to the matter. Am I right?

    They may elect to DA you when seeing the letter. Que Sera Sera I suppose. You took charge, you did it your way. Either way I think you will not see them again.

    Peace

    Jeff

  • babygirl30
    babygirl30

    I would make it totally a legal letter. By you mentioning disassociation, you are in effect, giving them permission to disfellowship you.

    I was going to say something along the lines of that!!! The letter, although VERY good and precise, is 'personal'...and once you make it a personal issue, that is also how they can respond back to you - by 'personally' deciding to disassociate you. It continues to amaze me how BOLD some JWs are - and downright pushy. It's as if they just have no 'societal boundaries' that click when it comes to others. You don't just 'stop by' someones home all willy-nilly like that, constant calling, emails inquiring into your business...that kind of things (on the street) could get your butt kicked. -hahahahha.

    I would recommend writing the letter as business/legal as possible - a Cease and Desist letter:

    June 6, 2010


    To whom it may concern:

    On (xx/xx/2010), Bro. XYZ from XXX Congregation/Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, contacted me through (phone call/email/text/unannounced visit) about my attendance at the meetings. After initially discussing my health issues with him, I do not believe that I legally owe any further explaination of said inactivity, and I have asked that to be respected.

    Criminal harassment is defined as "engag(ing) in intentional conduct which the actor [harasser] knows or has reason to know would cause the victim, under the circumstances, to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated; and causes this reaction on the part of the victim. (M.S. § 609.749, Subd. I). Such conduct can include following or pursuing you, returning to your property without your consent, making repeated phone calls, inducing you to make calls, causing your phone to repeatedly ring, repeatedly mailing or delivering unwanted letters, objects, or gifts to you.

    Please provide this letter to all involved so that they may have notice of my request.

    Finally, Cease and Desist from contacting me (directly or indirectly), also all friends/family associated with me, in this and any and all related matters. I demand to only be contacted via United States Mail or through email, and only then to inform me of any emergency. Continued contact (except for US mail/email) will result in me taking legal action by notifying the authorities and also filing a formal complaint with the police department.
    Sincerely,

  • Quillsky
    Quillsky

    Que sera sera is all very well, Jeff, but does one want the family consequences of that?

    (How bizarre that I'm even asking this question in the context of a 21st century western so-called Christian religion.)

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    I too believe you have put way to much information and emotion into the letter. Simply mention the repeated unwanted calls and visits as well as your legal request that they stop doing so. Cut out the depression reference. References to the specific dates (or even estimates of the month) as well as a detailed list of each request you have made to them for privacy would be preferable. I think the wordy intro about the definition of harassment is excessive, as well as all the info AllTimeJeff pointed out.

    If you are trying to avoid being disfellowshipped, then you need to keep the letter as simple as possible. Probably no more than three paragraphs (intro, body, conclusion).

    Also, take out the emotion and ambiguity. For example, in your final paragraph you write:

    A copy of this letter has been filed with the ****** Police Department. I really do hope you will abide by my wishes because I really do not wish to pursue this into legal criminal matters , but I will do whatever I have to protect my well being.

    Elements such as "really do hope", "really do not wish" and "will do whatever I have to protect my well being" are excessive and reveal too much emotion. Cut these sorts of phrases out of your letter. Instead, I would write something along these lines:

    It is my hope that you will respectfully cooperate with my request for privacy. Any further contact from (insert Elders, publishers, or generic info about who you don't want contacting you) will be understood as a violation of this request. Please know that while I do not want to file criminal action, I am prepared to if pushed that way. Per their suggestion, A copy of this letter has been filed with the ***** Police Department.

    Another suggestion:

    My spirituality is between me and my heavenly Father. I wish to be left alone and allowed to seek that journey on my own .

    I would instead write:

    At this point in time I no longer wish to be contacted by any representatives from the ****** Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. If at any point in time in the future I feel comfortable will visits and calls from the congregation I will be sure to notify you.

    Good luck! Remember, it is always better to write and rewrite. Take your time and bring your revisions back here.

  • troubled mind
    troubled mind

    Good points Drew , I will rewrite and use those ideas . I appreciate the input because I do tend to be on th emotional side and I DO NOT WANT MY LETTER to reflect that .

    They also can do what ever they want after the letter as far as DF or DA but I certainly DO NOT want the letter to sound as if thats what I want . The intent is only to stop legallly their harrassment .

  • troubled mind
    troubled mind

    Better ? Short and direct .....

    Attention to the Elder body of the G***** Congregation Of Jehovah’s Witnesses


    I specifically requested D Smith to inform the Elder body to stop calling, and stop coming to my home uninvited . My request has been ignored .

    I consider these repeated phone calls ,personal questions and uninvited visits as Harassment .

    Disrespect of my personal privacy is unacceptable . These intimidation tactics must come to an end .

    You are hereby notified to immediately terminate any contact with me ,including phone calls ,home visits , mail or electronic mail ..

    A copy of this letter has been filed with the Geneseo Police Department per legal suggestion .

  • Think About It
    Think About It
    Attention to the Elder body of the G***** Congregation Of Jehovah’s Witnesses


    I specifically requested D Smith to inform the Elder body to stop calling, and stop coming to my home uninvited . My request has been ignored .

    I consider these repeated phone calls ,personal questions and uninvited visits as Harassment .

    Disrespect of my personal privacy is unacceptable . These intimidation tactics must come to an end .

    You are hereby notified to immediately terminate any contact with me ,including phone calls ,home visits , mail or electronic mail ..

    A copy of this letter has been filed with the Geneseo Police Department per legal suggestion .

    That should do the trick. Enjoy your peace of mind.

    P.S. You might consider listing what date you requested D.Smith to inform the BOE to stop harassing you. Also, you might say your request was "blatantly" ignored.

    Think About It

  • Scarred for life
    Scarred for life

    I don't think you will hear from them again. Who cares if they DA you? Go on with your life of freedom. Congratulations!

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