by Shepherd Book 50 Replies latest jw experiences
The EXACT same thing happened to me!
And Rebel8, I appealed to the WTS. I received a letter back from them concurring with the BOE's decision to announce my DA.
There is really nothing you can do (IMHO), although I am happy with the outcome. Freedom rocks!
Mary & Rebel-
That's a great idea. I hadn't considered that. Maybe I'll write something up during my lunch break (it's either that or go have lunch with my worldly co-workers!).
Calling the elder is a good idea, too, but I fear I'd be way too nervous to do that. As you can tell from my phone conversations (see links above), I am a nervous wreck when dealing with confronations.
AAG-
Wow, the same thing happened to you, too? I guess I'm not unique. As I said above, they seem to really feel like they need to silence those who formerly had 'privileges'.
Yeah, I'm happy with the freedom, too. For a long time, I curttailed how vocal I was about the WT's hypocrisy. But, now, since everyone shuns me anyways, I've decided to become a first-class apostate.
I'm really sorry this has happened to you. I think the longer you are out of the cult the less you will care about what they are doing. Five years from now you will have new friendsm, new interests, new and enjoyable ways of filling your time. In your new life no one will care that the WTBS removed you. The outside world thinks that the JWs are a bunch of freaks. Soon you will feel the same way. I know that it is more complicated if you have family that are JWs but you have to live your own life.
I don't think that you have any legal case whatsoever. You are wasting your time and a lot of money going in that direction.
I do think that it is possible that you could find a reporter that might be interested in the story. Or you could write a book yourself. Seriously. Just sit down at the computer and start writing you r experiences. There are numerous ways you could get it published.
Good luck to you. And congratulations. You have begun a new, happy life.
Shepherd book: This was the thread I started about my experience:
According to the elders book, they can announce a DA for a number of reasons... and they don't have to tell you... but the announcement is the same for everyone: so and so is no longer a JW (whether for DF or DA)
They don't feel the need to contact you because they have decided they no longer RECOGNIZE you, plain and simple.
IF the elders want to go after anyone, they can and simply remove you as a "Jehovah's Witness". IF they think that maybe you're just inactive but might come back, they MAY not go after you. But if THEY CHOOSE a different course, then it's all under their control.
You might get some satisfaction by making your case in the media or telling everyone you know how much they suck but other than that this religion has the RIGHT to make up their own rules and enforce them when they so desire.
But, now, since everyone shuns me anyways, I've decided to become a first-class apostate.
Weeellllllllccccccccccccoooooomeeeeee!
Muhahahaha.
You now have special powers. JWs are literally afraid of you, as you are posessed by demons.
-LWT
Shepherd Book, I wish you would get in touch with Silent Lambs. The fact that this elder discussed your "confidential ecclesiastical privileged" letter with another JW ON TAPE should be evidence that they don't recognize clergy/penitent confidentiality. Not that you were penitent but it's still very telling. Maybe Silent Lambs can find a good way to use this tape as evidence in court cases (like the recent one in CA) where the elders try to hide behind clergy/penitent confidentiality.
StAnn
I find it hard to believe that the attorney you consulted REALLY believes you have a case. what she told you was, in effect, "Yes, I would be willing to bill you $380 an hour to pursue this for you."
Well, heck, I'll do it for $100 an hour! I'm not an attorney, but your chances of "winning" anything would be about the same with either of us.
ANY church is a closed, private society that sets its own rules, and the US government wisely takes a "hands off" position in such cases. The government is concerned with the tangible secular "here and now," not with your standing before one of the various creators of the Universe or the metaphysical everlasting fate of some invisible weightless organ called a "soul."
I think the advice to go to your local media and try to get the WTB&TS some negative publicity is the best way to go. Keep in mind that even there, the odds may be against you. JWs are an insignificant portion of the US religious landscape, especially today. Back in Rutherford's day they garnered lots of attention by challenging the government, but they don't do that much anymore. Each year they become more watered-down, more mainstream and more irrelevant. Fewer than one in 300 US citizens is a JW.
You will need to either make a really strong case showing the deceit and unfairness of the WTB&TS or you will need to reveal some juicy secrets that Brooklyn would prefer not to have people know about. If you aren't prepared to do either, expect the reporter to yawn and say he'll "get back to you."
Another possible route might be for you to get to know Randy Watters of FREEMINDS and see if he would be willing to add your story to his collection of Watchtower injustice stories. I don't speak for Randy, but he might do it. Then your story could be seen by anyone doing that much-to-be-feared "Internet research."
I was just kidding about me taking your case, by the way.
Okay, you all have me convinced to contact the local papers. I'll do that as soon as I have time.
StAnn- That's another good idea. I'll get in touch w/ Silent Lambs. First I need to import the phone conversation into my computer & delete my friend's name. Then I'll contact them and see if they want to use it.
Nathan- You may be right, the lawyer was just looking for $$$. She indicated that, since the elders appeared to have gone against their own rules, and divulged private information to a random guy who called, that my case would be stronger than most. But, don't worry, at that price, I didn't take the bait.
And just for the record, I have moved on with life, and I have a good circle of non-JW friends, including my own sister (my only other family member who's not a JW) and a couple of guys who left years earlier that I reconnected with. My point in posting here was not to try to hang onto friendships with JWs, but to do my part to expose the organization. Actually, if I thought there was a chance in preserving any relationship, I wouldn't be so vocal, because I'd want to maintain that relationship. As I wrote above, my sister-in-law (one of the few JWs who still said hi to us), has recently ceased all association with us. So, apart from very awkward phone calls I get from my dad (about once a month), I pretty much have no contact with any JWs anymore.
First I need to import the phone conversation into my computer & delete my friend's name.
Make sure you keep an original copy in case it is court evidence at some point in the future.
