Many congo's that I know of don't have letter boxes, I know ours didn't and the local one doesn't either, would have to go to an elder maybe. To be honest I wouldn't send any letter as it will just make the cult personality appear and they will probably not read it. I understand you want to do SOMETHING though and the letter is well written, I wish you luck
A CALL TO ACTION: HIGH PRIORITY
by Wingman 112 Replies latest jw friends
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Gregor
Wingman,
Speaking for myself, I think your letter is a breath of fresh air in that it is an approach that has not been used enough. It is a very intelligent and clever Trojan horse method of getting across some facts that will cause some to start thinking and others to realize they are not alone in their secret doubts. All this in the guise of "reforming" the WTS! LOL. I think there have been some responses here that reveal that some are so frustrated and bitter about their JW experience that they have not stopped to think about this with a cool head.
We get way too many posters here who seem to think they can accomplish something with shenanigans like disrupting meetings with megaphones, putting semi pornographic notes into contribution boxes and other counter productive, childish acts that will only reinforce the JW resolve (they thrive on persecution you know). It has been a disapointment to me that more have not discouraged these tactics.
I think the suggestion to also send this to rank and file publishers is excellent.
I have printed it out and tonight will be handing a copy to a young JW man, a regular pioneer, who just last night approached me when he found out I was an XJW and started asking me all kinds of sincere questions as to why I had left.
Thanks for your efforts and best wishes.
Gregor
PS - A coup? To take over what? It is a rotten cult through and through. What needs to happen is to tear down the razor wire fence and let the inmates escape.
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willyloman
I'll join the chorus: Great letter!
And I agree, it should be distributed as widely as possible. It may not have much effect (for reasons cited already) but if it gives hope to one person or puts just one dub on the road to freedom, it's worth the effort. I tossed all my old KH records years ago but if I can find a name and address somewhere I will pm it to wingman.
Buried on my computer hard drive is a similar letter I wrote four years ago, addressed to a newly appointed member of the Governing Body who had been our CO back in the day, someone I used to correspond with in the 1980s. I figured he would read it since he knew the sender. I used the same "here are some concerns the friends have" approach and made many of wingman's points. But in the end I did not send it. I realized that the WT cannot be reformed and that the letter would just be sent back to my Body of Elders and I'd be called in for a talk in the back room. Afterwards, I'd be removed as an elder and lose what little opportunity I had to effect change. In time, I came to realize that any such opportunity was only imaginary, and that's when I gave them their elder title back and started to fade. I do not regret my course.
Still, I admire wingman's initiative, and his wide distribution approach has merit.
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Twitch
if it gives hope to one person or puts just one dub on the road to freedom, it's worth the effort.
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Shawn10538
I am just amazed and apalled at the mean responses this man got from all you "DO NOTHINGS" out there with your bullying remarks that only attempts to hide your pathetic apathy and uncomfortableness with action. Once again JWD you have failed to take so much as a tiny flick of the wrist towards doing a meaningful action against the WTS. I think it is a great letter and I plan on taking the action that this man proposed. IP SEC, with his fat southern hick mouth, and others who only want to sit back in their comfy houses and heckle people are truly sickening to me. This site is letting me down, and letting down a lot of others who actually want to take action in this life. I think it's time to start a forum that is action centered, not bullshit centered. Then all you wusses out there can masturbate unhindered in front of your television.
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watson
This letter/appeal is one of the best I have read on JWD!
If a letter is written with an acusatory, angry, belittling tone, the defensive walls go right up. It stands no chance of being read.
This one has a shot.
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IP_SEC
Hi Shawn
Wingman's very first post on this board was condescending and arrogant. None of us deserve that. If you like it, go ahead and lap it up like the good little refined boy that you are.
Take care.
matt
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eclipse
I just wanted to post this letter again so that it is easier to find for those who wish to copy it and distribute it.
If you think that a new thread should be started with the letter on the first page, feel free to do so.
I will do my part and distribute this letter to as many congo's and JW's as I can.
The Body of Elders
Dear Brothers,
It is with matters of great concern that we write you. We feel at this time the organization is in serious crisis. Indications are that Jehovah may have removed his spirit from the organization as he did to his people in ancient times. This is reflected in the yearly report and a definite downturn particularly in countries where the work is well established. Many have lost their zeal for the ministry and are inactive. Too many young ones are not staying with Jehovah. The increase of family breakdown, poor meeting attendance, fewer baptisms each year and the apathy of the brothers also indicate a withdrawal of God’s spirit. Depression is a real issue among the brothers. The internet is having a major impact with thousands of brothers frequenting ex-witness sites while still remaining active in meeting attendance and field service.
A number of issues may have lead to this situation and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
1) Our young people in general are not learning to be spiritual men and women. Too many are turning to the world. Many seem to have a foot in both camps. It is common practise for young ones to be in the field ministry in the morning and drinking at night clubs in the evening. Little is provided for our young people. Other religious groups are flourishing because they recognize the special needs of youth. We urgently need programs for our youth. Individual congregations are unable to initiate such programs. The future of the work depends upon our young people. They are the Elders and Servants of tomorrow.
2) Too much emphasis has been placed upon the organization and following its lead rather than on a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. Following Christ has become equated with following organizational directions. For instance the blood issue is now so complex that many are confused and an example of how they must consult the publications on every little matter. It is noted that many brothers do not seem to have a personal relationship with God and are better able to explain congregational or organizational tradition and procedures than the scriptures.
3) Our record of interpretation of Biblical Prophecy is very poor, one for which we all need to take responsibility. It would seem our own words condemn us. (WT May 1 1997 pg.8.) Much of the older literature is now available through the internet enabling anyone to confirm the embarrassing past record of failed predictions, the truth of what was said prior to 1930 regarding 1914 and the manner in which they were presented. The Proclaimers book was less than candid about many things. God’s blessing depends on setting things straight with a detailed apology and recognition that Jehovah had nothing to do with these interpretations as was claimed. It is time for honesty and repentance. No other religious organization can match the list of failed predictions made on a worldwide scale for which we are responsible.
4) The disbanding of the 1914 generation teaching in 1995 only after it had clearly failed showed we acted with hindsight, not insight. After publicly preaching for nearly fifty years the generation of 1914 would see the end, this fundamental teaching was abandoned, even though claiming in every issue of Awake up to the time that it was God’s promise. This teaching was not speculative as suggested in the WT 1 Sept 1995. It was taught as definitive truth. It was listed among the unique truths of Jehovah’s Witnesses and apostasy to deny it. The Watchtower was less than honest in the way it dealt with this major change.
5) The discovery the Watch Tower Society applied for and was associated with the United Nations as a Non-Government Organization, (NGO) from 1992 until 2001 when exposed by a British journalist, despite condemning other religions for their association (WT June 1, 1991 pp. 15-20 par. 11). The library card excuse is not valid as an NGO associated with the UN DPI must support the principles and the charter of the UN. Time is overdue for a printed apology in the Watchtower for such hypocrisy in light of the faithful example of our brothers in Malawi and other countries. Many have left over this issue having felt betrayed, including some anointed ones. Details are still clear for all to see on the United Nations website showing the seriousness of this matter.
6) We have become legalistic, even Pharisaic in many ways. Insisting on trivial matters and creating a myriad of rules both written and unwritten that weigh the brothers down and rob them of the joy that should be theirs in serving Jehovah. While disfellowshipping wrong doers keeps the congregation clean, there is little consistency between congregations and a myriad of guidelines has devalued the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus. We find no scriptural example for our judicial procedures. Thousands of families have been torn apart and many are suffering. This goes far beyond what Jesus implied at Matt.10:37 and is only a result of our policies.
7) We have been too judgemental of others, belittling them as “so-called Christians”. Though quoting religious leaders of the past and condemning them and their religion as a whole to destruction, we have distanced ourselves from our own words, explaining them away with terms such as “present truth” or “new light”. If we have judged others for what they said and did in the past then surely we too should be responsible for what was said and printed in Jehovah’s name. Surely Jesus words at Matt 7:2 apply to us.
8) Most concerning is the issue of child abuse. A recent court case in the Superior Court of California saw Jehovah’s people fighting a case against a victim of abuse for the right to withhold information it held about the abuser.
How is this different from Christendom’s behaviour? We lost the case. Will elders be asked to destroy information regarding child abusers to deny courts access to this information? Would the brothers be happy to know their donated money is being used to fight cases in court that really only protect the rights of abusers and the organization rather than the victims? This is most disturbing after the distribution of Kingdom News #37, highlighting the failures of other religions in handling child abuse.
Of further concern, the Society lawyers claimed before the court “clergy penitent privilege” despite the fact we have always claimed to have no clergy as distinct from Christendom. The court rejected this claim.
One recent out of court settlement to sixteen victims of child abuse by Elders and Ministerial Servants cost the Society millions of dollars in donated money. This was widely publicised in the media. Many more cases are pending. While our procedures have tightened up in recent years this has only been a result of legal action and bad publicity. We now face many years of legal action by abuse victims and costly settlements for our lack of insight in the past.
In ancient Israel, God’s earthly organization at the time, Jehovah sent faithful men to set things straight. Men like Jeremiah, Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others spoke out before Jehovah’s anointed ones at the time. Today any person who speaks up is fearful of being disfellowshiped. Individuals have no voice within the organization. Even anointed brothers with many years of faithful service have been disfellowshiped for raising concerns to the Governing Body. It seems in reality that the “faithful and discreet slave” does not include these anointed ones after all. Any expressed criticism of the Governing Body or denial they are the sole channel Jehovah is using is considered apostasy. This is an unhealthy situation.
For this reason we have decided to remain anonymous for fear of losing our families. Many active brothers are in contact, including anointed ones, Bethel family members and Elders, secretly communicating with each other about these matters. How sad an “underground” has even developed among Jehovah’s people. These brothers are genuinely concerned, love Jehovah and have strong faith in the ransom of Christ but have lost confidence in the earthly organization. No person or group is making any claim to being used by God in this matter. Love of God and Christ and the brothers is the only motivation. We feel more can be accomplished by remaining in our positions of oversight and having an effect upon the brothers at a local level and working for change with Jehovah’s direction.
Attacks by apostates are increasing particularly through the internet. This can be negated by being honest both with ourselves and with others. As Luke 8:17 says, “There is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, neither anything carefully concealed that will never become known and never come into the open”. Instead of shooting the messenger, we need to take responsibility and repent before Jehovah. The apostate problem will disappear if we become more reasonable and admit our mistakes. The internet problem will not go away by simply warning the brothers against typing “Jehovah’s Witnesses” into their search engines.
It is hoped this letter will appeal to the conscience of those with honest hearts to make a real examination of the situation. We believe Jehovah’s future blessing is dependant on our repentance. We can no longer say we have the “truth” if we are not truthful with ourselves. It is our prayer that all Bodies of Elders will pray on these matters and express their concerns to their Circuit Overseers and the local branch. We have no doubt it will bring Jehovah’s blessing. Our fear is the organization will become irrelevant if change is not made. The very fact we need to send you this letter anonymously is a striking example of the situation we have created for ourselves.
We pray for Jehovah’s blessing in your consideration of these matters.
Your Brothers in Jehovah’s service -
JK666
Wingman,
I have been thinking about your plight since my last post. A level headed inside approach from within the organization by a true believer has been done before. It wasn't even a coup attempt, it was an honest hearted attempt to make meaningful changes for the betterment of his fellow brothers and sisters, whom he dearly loved. He had friends that shared viewpoints similar to his, and they independently worked to understand the changes that needed to be made to gain Jehovah's favor. And this man was actually on the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
That sounds like a great opportunity, doesn't it?
Now please do not get up your apostate hackles when I tell you who this is. The man's name was Raymond Franz. He peacefully tried to affect many of the same changes as you from within the organization. What happened when others at headquarters found out about him and his efforts. One of the darkest chapters in Jehovah's Witness history. The witchhunt was much like what is going on now within the organization. Thought control at Bethel ran rampant, and anyone that had anything to do with discussing matters with Ray were disfellowshipped. This was also used as a way to trump up charges against him to be rid of this nuisance forever.
I encourage you to read some of his writings, it will confirm the facts that I just referred to. Believe it or not, the banned writings of his are in a tone as conciliatory if not more so than yours. The points that you correctly made in your letter are the ones that he expresses in his writings.
Please do not dismiss what I am trying to convey to you. I really think reading his experience would help you in how to proceed with your quest.
I wish you every success in your efforts,
Sincerely,
John
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Gregor
IP_SEC ..."Wingman's very first post on this board was condescending and arrogant. None of us deserve that. If you like it, go ahead and lap it up like the good little refined boy that you are."
I read it again and I don't see what you see. A general thread topic shouldn't be taken as personal. This doesn't seem like you to jump ugly so hard.
chill out daddy-O!