Thinking of writing a letter (page 2)

dozy

You can view a few documented cases of letter writing - eg http://www.watchtowerletters.com/Home.html

Carl Jonsson wrote a series of very well researched letters concerning 607 bce - http://www.freeminds.org/category/4-watchtower-correspondence.html

Franz documents a few letters that branch committee members , district overseers etc wrote during the brief "glasnost" era after 1975. They all ended up in the large file markedB. Of course , since then , the WTBTS has become much more authoritarian.

Basically they don't like any inquiring letters and even the most innocent enquiry will be resented. Be warned that it is a risky strategy as the WTBTS will probably copy their return letter (if they decide to send one - often they don't bother) to your elders & you would be "outed" as an apostate or "independent" questioning one.

wannabefree

Their response is typically ... "wait on the faithful and discreet slave ... don't share your observations with others as this will cause division"

The organization is never wrong, the light only gets brighter and when that occurs it is not revealed to the average JW, just to the Governing Body.

When I was researching 607 vs 587 I came across the following website, there was correspondence with the organization.

http://www.607v587.com/

Finally-Free

I doubt the society would respond to you. More than likely they will forward a letter to the elders in your territory so they can take steps to prevent you from contaminating the congregation.

W

TD

Nobody with the ability to speak frankly will ever read your letter. If your letter is answered at all, it will be answered by a Bethel elder who will be as constrained in his reply as any elder at the local level. The only difference will be that the Bethel elder will have access to a much larger library.

I've found calling and writing sometimes useful when an internet JW is making things up. For example, I was once told that JW's are forbidden to "use" blood in any way, shape or form, which would mean that a JW could not work in a med-lab that tested blood samples all day long. I confirmed via a phone call that this is not true --as long as the use is not for the purpose of consumption or transfusion, JW's are allowed to hold these types of jobs.

MarcusAurelius

I think you'll get a courtesy reply from the office to confirm receipt of your letter.

And then nothing, for maybe 6-12 months. Then you'll write again and ask them to make some sort of reply.

And then you'll get a glib "Go talk to your local elders" reply.

Utter waste of your time and calm mind.

Alfred

Been there, done that (several times actually)... They will purposely dodge your question by immediately referring you to Proverbs 4:18, then they will tell you to consider the whole range of truths you've learned from the FDS rather than focus on your lingering doubts and then they will close their response letter by placing guilt in your mind (subtly calling you as ingrateful as the Israelites or something to that effect)... that's pretty much their standard operating procedure. But their response letter is not directed at you... they know you're right... their response letter is really directed at any "programmed" witnesses you might decide to show their letter to... its really just a strategic letter... not one that has any intentions of clarifying any doubts... they pretty much have this down to an exact science...

ranmac

Im certainly not expecting a straight-forward and honest reply from the society. Ive had concerned ones,who feel that the FDS can give me all the answers, suggest this to me. Im thinking the vague, listen to us and everything will be okay, answer will maybe quell some pointless arguments.

However, Id still like to read more opinions and experiences.