Abandoning a damaging cult is not a crime, in fact it might be viewed as a moral imperative given the levels of abuse awaiting those surrendering to its teachings and worse –its "ecclesiastic authority".
It has always seemed counter productive to inform potential enemies when your life´s goals now conflict with their rigid agendas. Disassociation letters and manifestos may be cathartic in the writing, but the outcome is a 100% certainty because of the inflexibility and lack of caring by the very group it is delivered to.
"Fading" from under "high control" seems an oxymoronic risk at best, and currently faders walk on eggshells and look over their shoulders for years during and after the attempt - fearful that the price of their freedom will be the destruction of their friendships and family ties.
Perhaps a peculiar additional preparation to a fade can reverse the balance of power – and high control cults are all about power.
.
Bear in mind: -
- that you have a legally established right to abandon any religion, any time, without coercion or interference,(or even an explanation)
- that an individuals basic Human Rights are valued and protected by law far more vigorously than any cults right to enforce conformity or persecution.
- that you may/will be subject to ecclesiastic authority as long as you willingly participate/consent to such as a condition of membership.(Shepherding book)
-that membership/participation in religion is a wholly voluntary endeavor as contrasted with a contractual obligation,(example employment by the religion). Baptism is not a contract.
- that a churches ecclesiastic authority cannot be invoked upon former members who left in good standing (ie .not leaving legitimate moral or legal issues needing to be dealt with)
.
Faders can be happy that WT lied on JUU.ORG when they asked the question “Are Former Members Shunned ? … they went straight to devious misdirection to be able to reply “…are not shunned.” The second paragraph insinuates (lies) that all who are disfellowshipped/shunned have committed wrong doing. Both paragraphs glare intellectual dishonesty.
This level of deceit suggests that WT is ashamed of the truthful answer (who wouldn´t be?), and, more importantly –so afraid of legal action or a human rights challenge that they deliberately lie about their own ecclesiastic policy.
Their policy is of course as insane as all the other Theocracies infecting the world,- that those who can no longer stomach the myriad injustices of religious hypocrites are deserving of death.
WTs trouble is that this policy is in direct opposition to human rights freedoms that have been legislated into law in many democracies. Apostasy is a cherished human right, not a crime and certainly no sin when fleeing ignorant, abusive zealots..
What has this got to do with preparing to launch a successful fade?
Imagine embarking on your fade with a trump ace up the sleeve - some legal assurance that no judicial proceedings could be forthcoming to jeopardize or penalize your liberties.
Since to fade is to risk interference from elders why not establish your own, known, eventual outcome (Freedom of religion) right at the outset and then “fade” from that position of knowledge and protection.
The danger with all fades so far, has been that you are doing it as a JW and can fully expect to be disfellowshiped if even the smallest circumstance goes wrong…
What if you had already quietly, effectively and deliberately- abandoned the entire religion before you peacefully and publicly fade to whatever level of freedom suits your situation?
What if your fade progressed from day one, as a person no longer subject to anyone´s “ecclesiastic authority”? … as a person who has already exercised their rights to freedoms of thought, association and beliefs ?... as a person already one big legal step ahead of the hounders?
The essence of Quitting Quietly as a prelude to fading is simple – write (email is better) and file a dated letter with a trusted friend (doctor, therapist, lawyer, relative, friend) - anyone who might understand the sort of damages cults insidiously inflict .
Your email will record the date, important as your letter states your position from that time forward. (Emails still available on the servers are acceptable as legal documents).
If your letter makes abundantly clear that you are through with the religion, the hierarchy, the .org, the hamster wheel etc. etc.., you are now free to attend the meetings as a non-JW !
Go ahead, sit with your family, talk with your friends, enjoy seeing the grandkids as often as you like – or skip a meeting or three, read a good book while others around you parrot WT rot,.
And of course, never stop repeating with happy conviction “ No thanks.. I´m fine, just fine…I´ll let you know (never) if I need anything.”
You can´t be Df´d because you are no longer subject to ecclesiastic authority, and because you have done absolutely nothing wrong.
Enjoy your fade,