Phin, you are so sweet to care so much. Thanks for the phone call; it really made my day!
And I agree with you. The "empty shell of a man" concerns me too. Here is how I would respond:
Dear Friend,
The fact that you believe carving a Halloween pumpkin would cost me everlasting life and that very soon I'll be in pursuit of even greater thrills such as drugs and alcohol is startling and somewhat sad. Yes, Halloween has pagan origins, but so do a lot of other things. Even Jehovah's Witnesses make use of some practices with the same background such as wedding customs. But since the governing body of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society deems white gowns and the exchange of rings as permissible, suddenly the pagan origins of such aren't a concern to the rank and file.
I do not intend for my You Tube videos to be sensational, but I do hope to capture the attention of people, like you and me, who have left the organization. After much research and study, I have learned that the Watchtower employs brainwashing. Many people, including yourself, have been victimized through the systematic use of thought control.
Please tell me why you feel that you are an "empty shell of a man". If you truly believe that 15 years of not attending meetings is the reason, then why don't you return to the Kingdom Hall? If you feel that you cannot return, please tell me why this is so.
I am sorry you feel that your life is so empty. I am concerned that you are what I once was; alone without support and lacking evidence that most people who leave the cult of the Watchtower go on to live fulfilling, happy lives. With a little help and guidance, you too can recover.
Please tell me what I can do to help you. Someone reached out to me once, and now I would like to do the same for you.
Phin, let me know how it goes. I'll help any way I can. And btw, I love you. I couldn't be more proud of you.