Thank you all so much!
I apologize for inferring that few would care. I didn't even consider the possibility of taking it that way until so many posted affirmations that they care.
Es, thank you.
FF, thanks for the caution and I'm drafting the letter to friends now. The final version to the mail recipients will be ready by Friday and the article for the local paper will be ready by Sunday. I don't know how long it will take to convince the local paper to print it, but they are usually looking for content for the "Religion" section.
AK-Jeff, basically I will be DF'd for apostasy eventually if I allow myself to be myself. Not because my personal reputation is such that many might be "spiritually harmed," but due to the reputation of my immediate and extended family. I know for sure that if I stop guarding my tongue I will be DF'd. So, I am choosing DA so I can include that in the article for the local paper.
blondie, grape minds think a lot . Thanks.
Narkissos, yes it is a deadline of a sort. I am allowing an opportunity for one more possibility to be closed permanently and irreversibly first. It is because of wanting to preserve my reputation that I will choose DA and report my DA status.
Cordelia, I am so glad to have been helpful to you. Standing by what I think is right is what the choice to DA is all about.
onesong, that is exactly what I want to avoid. Thanks for sharing that with me, it strengthens my confidence this is the best course for me to take.
TopHat, yes. That is why he was killed and that is also why anyone who confessed him as Christ was expelled from the Synagogues. He was considered an apostate by the Jews and anyone who followed him was also accused of apostasy.
willyloman, thanks for the confirmation. Fortunately, I didn't hold my breath. I would have been doing so since February and I don't think my lungs have that kind of capacity. I have been making friends and reestablishing some old acquaintances. Great advice. It will be impossible not to miss my family, but fortunately I am close with my wife's kin (non-wtnesses).
CHL, thanks for the encouragement.
Darth Yhwh, thanks for the welcome. Hopefully the remarks to Narkissos cleared up the "two weeks" thing. I just have to get final relief and breathe some fresh air.
wannaexit, count on it.
Again, thank you all for your words of support and encouragement. It has been said before, this forum is like a triage unit for wounded JWs. Thanks for binding me up nicely. I think I'll mend just fine.
Warmly,
AuldSoul
