Dear Pullman, WA Jehovah's Witnesses
We had a lot of good times together, I miss a lot of you, and I still love all of you. I haven't been in a Kingdom Hall since 1988. I have not left God, I have not left my values. I am not disfellowhsipped. I chose to disassociate myself from the Watchtower organization because I believe that its teachings and long history of false prophecy actually dishonor God.
Leaving was not an easy decision. It is no small matter to have to make a choice between friends and personal integrity. But in 1973 one of the first things I read in a Watchtower publication (The "Truth" book) was a statement that we must all investigate for ourselves what we believe to be true, what God desires of us, and whether or not or religious association meets those standards. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society does not meet my standards.
I do not believe this should mean we can't be still be friends. If you so desire, I will never bring up religion at all. I will not try to convert you to something else. We can agree to disagree and leave it at that, or we can politely talk about our differences. This is what spiritually mature people do. Today I have friends that are mainstream Christians, Jews, Atheists, agnostics, and Buddhists; just to name a few.
It would be good to hear from you.
Jeff Thomas
Mill Creek, WA
member of the Pullman Wa congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses 1973-1982, later of Opportunity, Wa and Bellevue, WA