I've been thinking lately about how I can get my family out of the organization. My dad was once an elder (has been df'd once). My mom was once a regular pioneer (hasn't in over 10 years and doesn't even work). My brother was publicly reproved before marriage and currently has one foot in and one foot out (that's my opinion, because actions speak louder than words). One of my sisters was a Sunday school teacher at a church in another state a few years ago (was never df'd for that because she didn't tell anyone...actually, my parents know that she was attending the church, but they never turned her in because she decided to move back home and go back to the meetings). My youngest sister is coasting and doesn't seem strong in her faith and her husband doesn't attend the meetings at all anymore.
My parents came into the truth individually a couple of years before they married. They both already had children. My mom had two (my sister, who is one year older than I, and myself). My dad (stepdad) had one (who was not raised in the same household and thankfully never took hold of the JW faith). My older sister and I (since age 4 & 5) and my younger brother and sister (since birth) were raised as JWs. We were all baptized and all our friends and most of our family are all JWs.
I was df'd over 4 years ago, and recently made the decision (after careful research) that I will never return to that religion. I'm not exactly where I want to be with regards my faith, but when I do get there, I want to be able to share the things I've learned about the religion with my family so that they can make an educated decision about staying or leaving.
Since they haven't completely shunned me - because they still have some hope of me returning to the flock - I cannot berate the religion. In fact, I don't think that I can speak directly to them about my recent findings about the disturbing truths I've learned about the religion.
Here are some ideas that I've come up with to plant some seeds.
1. Every three months, send (anonymously, of course) a copy of discrepancies in the JW teachings, such as accepting blood, alternative service, and time prophecies, including copies of the various changes in dates (i.e., 1914, 1925, 1975), the constant change in definition of "this generation will not pass away," and the subsequent change in the description of the purpose of the Awake! magazine to exclude any mention of the year 1914.
2. Send stories of people who lost their lives and family members because of strict adherence to WTS constantly changing policy.
3. Send a copy of Ray Franz's in the February 1982 Time magazine article.
4. Send copies of quotes from WTS publications that explicitly state that devotion to Jehovah = devotion to the organization, along with scriptures that condemn such devotion and allegiance to men..
Of course, the problem will be that my family firmly holds to the "new light" "progressive understanding" explanation.
Any ideas?