If the elders were on a hunt and destroy mission, asking the dreaded question, "do you still want to be a JW" as discussed in another thread, I would say something to the effect:
I personally no longer consider myself one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Having done some independant research and having proved to myself that the WTS is not God's Channel of Communication on earth, I feel that I no longer owe them my allegiance that should be paid to God alone.
However, even though I don't consider myself a Witness that does not mean that I want any public announcement made that would coerce or in any other way influence people to shun me or treat me as though I had committed some wrongdoing. If such an announcement were to be made and people were to treat me differently due to such an action I would have to resort to seeking legal action against anyone who took such action. Please understand that I would not seek action against the WTS but against those who were warned to not slander my name. Your sitting here asking me if I still want to remain a JW would automatically include you as a defendant in any slander lawsuit that I would be forced to bring about.
I hope you understand my position. I have many acquaintances in the Witnesses that cross over to my family life, social life and business life. Any action to try to influence people to keep from associating with me will bring swift legal action.
To show you how serious I am about this, I will state this again in writing and send it to both you and my legal representative by registered mail. Any negative action taken after that to sully my good name will result in the aforementioned legal action.
Is there anything else you wish to discuss?
I think that would scare most elders from doing anything. It's easy for them to talk big if they have the power of the WTS behind them, but once they are singled out as the defendant, they'll think twice about bringing about any hardship to themselves or their family.