If You Disassociate Yourself , Should You Be Notified In Writing , You Have Done So ?

by smiddy 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  smiddy

  When a person dis-associates one-self from the congregation of Jehovah Witnesses , could , or should , such a person request a written document / letter attesting to that fact ?

  Should the organisation formally inform such a person they are no longer a part of their organisation ?

  Why I ask this is because of dis-fellow shipping cases , correspondence between the two parties is common place . So why is their not a formal letter of severance from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses to the dis-associated person not given. ?

  Could that mean they are not truly , no part of the religion of Jehovah Witnesses ? or are they still legally affiliated with this sect..?

  smiddy
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  stuckinarut2

  hmmm...good thought!

  Using witness logic, whenever new ones want to be baptised as JWs, they are asked if they "have formally cut ties with any part of B the G"... and are often asked if they have proof of such dis-association.

  So I guess a letter verifying it the OTHER way around is not out of the question.
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  The Searcher

  The Org - and "by extension" (TM) the Elders - will not lower themselves to give a dis-fellowshipped person any kind of documented acknowledgement.

  I made a request to my last BoE to have the details & outcome of a meeting with them put in writing to me, and was refused - on the grounds that "God's organization doesn't do things that way."

  It's their game & their rules, hence the reason so many of us advise others not to play their game, but change the game and make up your own rules!
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  stuckinarut2

  Yes 'the searcher'...same with my case.

  I asked for a copy of the letter to the branch about my "deletion" and was told "oh there isn't any letter"

  I pushed for a copy and they slipped up and snapped back "You don't have a right to any corresepondence"!!!

  Yep, even if it is ABOUT me, I cant have a copy of it!!??
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  dozy

  You don't get a letter when you are baptised so I don't see why you should expect a letter when you DA.

  Identifying oneself as a JW doesn't represent any kind of legal affiliation or anything like that. In fact , there isn't any kind of connection with the branch. The WTBTS have made this clear on many occasions when JWs have abused children or crashed vehicles while on field ministry. They have successfully argued in court that the witness isn't an employee or even a representative or agent of the Society in any meaningful way. What they term "rank and file" JWs have no status whatsoever.
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  DesirousOfChange

  It's their game & their rules, hence the reason so many of us advise others not to play their game, but change the game and make up your own rules!

  Totally agree with Searcher. Many who have come to know TTATT and have even progressed to the point of leaving, still feel the need to do it the JW way by DA. Some state they need to make it clear they have "cut the cord" so perhaps it is an important way to feel "closure" for them.

  Personally, once I learned TTATT, their rules were no longer from a Higher Power that required me to play their game.

  Doc
  
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  konceptual99

  Unless it's one of the "disassociated by actions" special cases then there has to be a letter of disassociation from the individual to the congregation. Of course an acknowledgement would be polite but the individual has taken the formal step of documenting their wishes so I don't see that the lack of any further correspondence is a problem.

  The other thing is that there will be a public announcement at the next meeting.

  In some cases the elders may try and speak to an individual if they think there is some chance their mind can be changed or if perhaps there are some other circumstances specific to the case but in my experience most people that DA themselves have absolutely no intent of being any part of the org and will already be considered bad pennies. Most of the time the BoE will be only to glad to be shot of the person.