Dear Friends:
It's been two months now since I sent in my Baptism Nullification letter. However, it appears to have been effective, as I have not heard a peep from anyone at Bethel or the local elders either. From our point of view, we are now free of the entrapments of the Watchtower Cult, and I feel that it is important to share this with those of you who may need an alternative to the two "official" methods of leaving: disfellowshipping or disassociation. Neither was a choice we wanted to make, since we believed that we had done nothing wrong, but that we could no longer tolerate the lies and hypocrisy of the WTS.
So, I share with you now, word for word, the document we used. It's a bit lengthy and legalistic (but so is the 7 page legal document the Society has mailed some brothers and sisters in the past), so I feel it is not too lengthy by comparison. If you can make use of this, please do so. All you should have to do is copy and paste it into Word or Wordperfect. If you need the mailing address, let me know. Be sure to change the wording where appropriate to fit your situation.
Last, but not least, the credit for this should go to Maverick. Who posted the original on which this variant is based. The bulk of the wording is his, and I hope he does not mind the plagiarism...
To Whom it may concern:RE: Declaration of Baptism Nullification for <Your Name Here>
After careful study of the Scriptures and reflective meditation with regard to my relationship with my Creator, Jehovah, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as of this date, <todays date> I, <Your Name Here>, am officially notifying you that I consider my oral agreement known as my "Baptismal Oath", between myself and The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., to now be null and void. This Declaration of Nullification of Baptism should NOT be considered a Letter of Disassociation.
It is commonly knowledge that The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., (aka "Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses"), is the primary legal corporation, which directs through a governing body, the meetings held by the local corporations at each local Kingdom Hall, as ratified by the membership at each Kingdom Hall. Regular correspondence from the WatchTower Bible and Tract Society to the local Kingdom Hall groups affirms this fact. This body of men (i.e. the governing body) maintains complete hierarchical control over each Kingdom Hall in the United States, as has been proven in numerous court cases. This "corporate governing body" of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society shall be referred to as "The Corporation" in the remainder of this declaration.
"The Corporation" claims to be the legal directors and the sole religious representatives of Jehovah God and His Son, Jesus Christ, on Earth for all mankind- a claim that cannot be substantiated. I, <Your Name Goes Here>, in good conscience, conclude that this claim, along with other similar claims made by "The Corporation", constitute an invalidation of any implied agreement, oral or otherwise, made by me in good faith with the religious group then known as "Jehovah's Witnesses" during my baptismal ceremony on <Your Baptismal Date Goes Here> .
My baptism pledge, which occurred on the aforementioned date, was orchestrated by what I erroneously believed to be a singularly religious body. I also believe that my baptismal oath, which constituted an oral contract, did not occur with informed consent, as should be part of any valid contractual agreement under common law in the state of <Your state or Commonwealth here> . To be specific, I do not believe that I was fully informed as to the complete nature of the belief system of the Jehovah's Witnesses, as directed by "The Corporation", before my baptism. Moreover, all of the doctrines and beliefs, as well as their manner of enforcement, were not made known to me prior to my baptism and my oral agreement to same.
At that time, there was a great deal of peer pressure and coercion from our local congregation to follow through with the baptismal event, with many of my questions left unanswered. I was also suffering at that time from <Your mental condition here> which I am only now recovering with medical assistance.
In addition, "The Corporation" has proven to be in violation of the implied intention of its religious sub-partner in this contractual arrangement. "The Corporation" inserts unconditional loyalty to itself as proof of loyalty to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. This was made effective by the change made in the aforementioned baptismal pledge by "The Corporation" in 1985, one of many points a new baptismal candidate is not made aware of at the time of his or her baptism.
Furthermore, "The Corporation" requires that all members believe that all writings of "The Corporation" are inspired by God, and requires that its members have absolute acceptance of its interpretations of scriptural passages and meanings, world events and trends. Moreover, no member is invited to participate in, vote on, or discuss any changes in the rules, regulations or doctrines imposed by "The Corporation" upon its members. This constitutes a "closed belief system".
Finally, when I gave my oral affirmation during my baptismal swearing-in session, it was not my intention to be a party to, or a willing member of, any corporation with such a manifesto. Therefore, my baptism was formulated under false pretenses, due to a negligent or intentional misrepresentation by "The Corporation", and consequently any resulting conditions of this alleged contractual membership are unenforceable, null and void under common law of the state of <Your state or Commonwealth here> .This request for Baptismal Nullification asserts no malicious intent as to the motive of "The Corporation".
This Declaration of Nullification of Baptism should NOT be considered a Letter of Disassociation.
By this declaration, I am stating that my status within the community at large is now the same as a person who was never baptized as a member of Jehovah Witnesses. "The Corporation" is hereby instructed to amend my membership status in accordance with this declaration on any and all official records of the aforementioned "Corporation", and its corporate and or religious affiliates.
This statement is not subject to any further interpretation, or any internal judicial review, or AD HOMINEN attacks. "The Corporation" is further instructed to maintain all possible confidentiality with regard to this declaration.
The undersigned fully understands the final and binding effect of this Declaration and is signing it voluntarily.
Dated: <Todays date here>
By: ________________________________ <Sign in Ink>
<Your Typed Name Goes Here>
It's great to be free of the shackles of Watchtower oppression and lies. It takes courage to take this step, but as for me and my family, we have not regretted it.
I invite your comments...