by sass_my_frass 23 Replies latest jw friends
So, should I reply? Should I include the words 'actually I will never be reinstated into you insane cult'? I'm thinking that my reply will be the last communication I ever have with any of them, pending say a parent's funeral, so I know that I should be cheerful and upbeat.
I would respond by saying: "..Thank you so much for your last email. Your attitude is eerily similar to the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned for shunning those who didn't obey their man-made rules and regulations..."
"I'm sorry I can't bring myself to get re-instated because the organization is so lacking in showing love."
metatron
Part of me says "fuck em, let em rot in their JWism" but then the sensible part says something different. Maybe on your next newsletter, you can personlize theirs just a bit to express how dissappointed you are that they are acting in such a way. But, you're going to continue to include them in you newsletter emails because they are family and you love them as family. If they choose to disregard it and not read it, that's up to them. Maybe in time, they'll come to see the folly in how they are treating their family and will reach out to you.
I'm reminded of something I've seen on TV recently. I don't remember the plot of the story, but a young lady had cut off all contact from her father for years and years. He continued to write, but she never opened them. Instead, she saved them in a box. Much later, when she realized that she didn't have all the facts, she went back to the letters and read them. Years of hurt and pain were caused because she refused to hear his side, to listen or read his thoughts and feelings. Now, she had a change in heart.
This can and does happen with JWs and ex-JWs. Look at the thread started by a new member who came here a few months ago to blame "us" for breaking up their family, but today, after much research realized that something was wrong with the JW belief. They came back to say that they learned something and that things weren't as they thought previously.
Maybe one day your family, my family, anyone's JW family will see it and seek us out to repair the damage done. But we have to be there, ready to accept them back as readily as they are to be a part of our lives again.
but its not really appropriate for you to be communicating on such a casual basis with us,
I have a problem with this. You have the right to initiate communication with anyone you please unless there is a court order forbidding you from doing so. If they choose not to respond, that's their business, but you most certainly don't have to cease communication just because they say so.
W
Wow, isn't wonderful just how much they're being pleasing to god the man-made org? He must be pleased with himself.
You have the right to initiate communication with anyone you please
I agree with the above; I think you should act as though you never got his email and just keep them on the list.
If you remove their address from your list, this is just helping them justify not talking to you. They don't have to acknowledge or answer you. By sending them emails they have to take the action to personally delete your mail. This has to put pressure on them. It will eventually eat away at their conscience each time they throw you away. I know that emails are less expensive than regular mailing but could you send them a postcard several times a year. A letter won't cut it. They might toss the envelope without opening it, just by seeing your return address on the envelope. Don't send an envelope without a return address either. Loyal Dubs will spot that as well and will react the same and go into toss mode without reading the letter. A postcard is quickly and easily seen. Your handwriting, a joyous note, showing that you can live a happy life outside their organization. Just another bug that they need to acknowledge. Emails can be blocked too.
Sorry Sass, to hear of the treatment you've received. You'd be tempted to forward a copy of his email to all your non-witness relatives with the plea that you need their support right now!! I wouldn't bother communicating with him again. He's not worth the effort. If he changes his mind in the future, he still owes you an apology.
please respect our beliefs and remove our email addresses from your mailing list?
Response:
You ask me to respect your beliefs but in the same sentence you make it clear that you have no intentions of respecting mine.
So, should I reply? Should I include the words 'actually I will never be reinstated into you insane cult'? I'm thinking that my reply will be the last communication I ever have with any of them, pending say a parent's funeral, so I know that I should be cheerful and upbeat. I want their last memory of me to at least have a chance at making them think.
Respond with something like:
"I'm sorry for emailing you, it's just that we want to share the joys of our life together with our friends. We are having a wonderful married life and just can't contain ourselves!"
A little reverse psychology - show them that the JW view that apostates are all miserable is flat wrong.
So sorry for what you're going through. I think I agree with Lisa that you should do a 'reply to all' so everyone can see the unkind response you received from your loving JW relatives. I remember when I was disfellowshipped and my sister began shunning me, how angry my non JW relatives and family were--it caused quite a commotion and it ended up showing people how unChristian the JWs are. My aunt was so upset that whenever the JWs would knock on her door--she would yell at them and literally run them off her property and tell them that they were ruining our family relationships.
Wish you the best!
