I intended to write a DA letter at the same time, but am having a hard time figuring out how to word it. I basically faded over the last 10 years and have had nothing to do with the JW's in that time. I have refrained from writing the DA letter in the past as I still had some hope that I cuold have some semblance of a relationship with my parents. With the relationship idea out the window, I would really like to take the opportunity to sever all ties with the JW's as I have never been DF'd or DA'd. I feel That this will also underscore the letter to the units, they will have to be willing to deal with me outside the possibility I will unfade (is that a real word?).
I have sen many letters here and elsewhere that are very well written, but would like more input from the group. While I want to remove myself from the JW's, I don't want to go into any great detail about what beliefs, rules, etc I disagree with. I do want to express my issues with thier overall belief system and their shunning in particular. I just can't seem to put the words to paper so to speak.
Are you still a Christian? If so, describing the gulf between Watchtower teachings and Christ's teachings might be a good tack. Don't quote the "he without sin cast the first stone" bit though, since they see that run of verses as only maybe being in the Bible. (Maybe it should be there, maybe it shouldn't. I don't know/care. But that's how they see it, so it's not useful to throw at them.)
Jesus never shunned anybody. He even allowed the Law to be violated out of compassion for the woman with the 'flow of blood'.
No particular religious leaning other than possible pagan interest (to lazy to do the research). Mostly apathetic, just don't care to waste any time & energy on the "who are we..." questions.
Therein lies my problem, most o f the good DA letters I've read have a fairly extensive listing of the particular dogmatics they disagree with, I disagree with the entire idea of Christianity (but that's a loooong rant I will save for another time ).
On the one hand, you're going to be way ahead of the luck curve if they read your letter at all. So if you've got something to say, you'd prolly want to say it quickly, at the head of the letter.
Maybe you could grab some particularly striking item from the Bible to show them why you reject the god of the Bible or Christianity out of hand? That scripture where God orders the murder of all the women and children is a good one to toss out. Don't know it off the top of my head, but Scully's quoted it a time or two. I'm sure we could dig it up.
I'm all for "Millions now dying will never have lived. I prefer to live, and I can't do that as a Jehovah Witness. Please drop my name from the membership role. Sincerely, Me", but that might not accomplish what you're after. (I like the idea of saying "a Jehovah Witness" since it so grates on them!)
I like that AA, I'm sure most of us would agree we never lived until we left the org. I do have to admit to a strong desire to spit in their eye, but would like to take the high road so to speak.
If it were me, I'd go out with great fanfare! A huge party even. Bring a bottle of champagne to your very last meeting. Better yet, bring one to next years Memorial too!! LOLOLOLOLOL!!!
Hey, tonight, take a very hot oil bath. It will do you wonders.
