Hey guys,
So I've written up a letter to my friend that I plan on sending him to try to wake him up. He's a very sensible man who I care deeply for. Can you guys give me your opinions? Is there anything I can add?
Here is the letter: Hi Anonymous,
I hope all is well with you. I'd like to start off by sincerely apologizing for not responding to your texts or phone calls but I had to be left completely alone in order to weigh the facts and make the right decision.
You are and always will be (for me) my best friend so I feel I should give you a reason for my disappearance.
To be honest, I'm not too sure where to start. As you know, I have many issues with the brothers and sisters. One of the biggest ones is their hypocrisy. If there is one thing I despise it's hypocrites. People are friendly when you're around and then don't give a care in the world about you when you aren't. As the saying goes, out of sight out of mind.
A while ago, I had told two elders that I was feeling really depressed. Note that both of these elders told me in the past, that if I got depressed, that I should contact them. Well, I did... can you guess what happened? I never received a response from either of them. I waited a week and received nothing.
While there are many things that contributed to my leaving, some which are minor while others are more major issues, there is one major thing that I cannot ignore.
Child sexual abuse being ignored. 3 news stations aired a news segment that the organization deliberately covered up child sexual abuse. At first I thought this would be a huge lie, so I watched it to see these people make fools of themselves. Well, I found out it was true when they showed scans of letters to the Body of Elders from Bethel that specifically stated that they were not to tell anyone, not the congregation, not the police that there could potentially be a child molster in their midst.
Now, I can understand if the child abuse was covered up by elders at their own accord, since we could say that they are earthly and sinful men, however, when the organization itself tells the elder not to speak of the abuse, then I have a huge problem. And to top it off, we had Lett, in the recent JW broadcast tell us that it was all a lie. Can he explain why he said it's a lie when there are scans of official documents from the branch office as well as depositions from elders confirming that they knew about a child being molested but were told not to tell authorities.
Here is a link for you to look at: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/leaders-jehovahs-witnesses-cover-child-sex-abuse/
So, I cannot be part of a religion that deliberately covers up child abuse. Now, Anonymous, I understand how this looks and I understand if you wish to show the elders my letter and I understand if you refuse to talk to me anymore. All I want you to remember is that I think you're an amazing person and someone who is very close to my heart.
Love and peace,
Garrett
What do you think? Also, @Simon , would it be possible for me to PM you and you could delete this entire post at a later time?
Thanks in advance for your time guys!As always, peace and love,
Garrett.