Letter from Mom... (page 5)

dust

Yes, the letter is long, but it is very well written. I speak English as a foreign language, but even I had no problems following it. And I just couldn't stop reading. It was never boring, it was never unclear--on the contrary, every sentence made me want to read the next one. So the length shouldn't be any problem.

Still, when on paper, the view of a pile of sheets filled with words can sometimes intimidate the reader somewhat. In that case it could help to visually break up the text with subtitles and small illustrations. It also makes it a little easier to grasp the structure of thought, even though that is really not an issue here.

puck

nice reply, odrade.

someday, perhaps i, too, will have the opportunity to explain things to my mom. if such is the case, i hope i am able to do it as well as you have.

dust

(I tried to correct 'subtitles' to 'subheadings'. That strange language of yours is a bit confusing sometimes ;) But obviously I did something wrong, because I didn't succeed in editing my post.)

Odrade

Yes the "pile of sheets" effect is exactly what I was thinking of. (when printed, the pile comes to 7. 7! ugh.) But it will have to do.

Several people have PM'd to ask if they may borrow parts of my letter to use in their own. I just wanted to say on the record, please anyone who can make use, do so. I borrowed part of the content from other letters that have been posted here over the last several years, particularly the part about "normal relationships." I think we need all the help we can get when trying to communicate with family who, chances are, will not even see our love and sincerety because they can't tolerate any dissent against their doctrine.

Good Girl or Bad Girl?

Odrade:

J.R. Brown, on the WT.org website claims that if people will just leave quietly, nobody will stop them, they are free to leave. Yet this is such a gross misrepresentation of what really happens, which is that your family may choose not to speak with you, most of your friends will cut you off, perhaps you will lose your livelihood, etc. All for “leaving quietly.” And if someone should press you for an answer to your leaving, the consequences of being honest and truthful are far, far more egregious.

Can you help me out? Where does it say this???

Thanks

~gg/bg

Scully

GG/BG:

http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

Do you shun former members?

Those who become inactive in the congregation, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, special effort is made to reach out to them and rekindle their spiritual interest. If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. Every effort is made to help wrongdoers. But if they are unrepentant, the congregation needs to be protected from their influence. The Bible clearly states: 'Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.' (1 Corinthians 5:13) Those who formally say they do not want to be part of the organization any more are also avoided. What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. As for disfellowshipped relatives not living in the same household, Jehovah's Witnesses apply the Bible's counsel: "Quit mixing with them." (1 Corinthians 5:11) Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith if they reject the improper course of conduct for which they were disfellowshipped.

Good Girl or Bad Girl?

Thank you, Scully!!!

Odrade

Not the quote I was thinking of, though it's more than adequate and typical of disingenuous WT dogma. I remember about 2 years back there was a "press release" style quote on JW-media where JR Brown stated that a JW may leave quietly and not be shunned. This was not in a WT, it was in response to press I believe, perhaps in the midst of some of the Barbara Anderson stuff? I know I saw it, I can picture it even, but I can't find a link to where it was available.

Makena1

Odrade! - just catching up on my reading. Thanks for thinking of us - as we do you. We met so many exJW's that were very helpful when we doing the fade in the PNW. I haven't been to the beach much of late, but would have been happy to speak with you father. I sincerely hope that before too much longer, more of our families and friends will take the step towards freedom. Aloha!!!

Confession

BTTT...good stuff.

Letter from Mom...

Do you shun former members?

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