bap·tism
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If you want to be picky, you were initiated into a particular activity- that of regularly participating in the recruitment work of Jehovah's Witnesses and counting yourself among their flock. The JW baptism is just a ceremony or a ritual. They will say you were baptized. But it can mean what you want it to mean. It can be meaningless to you if that's what you make of it. I tend to think mine was meaningless, but I took no chances as far as personal meaning goes. I renounced it privately, as I am a fader who wished to maintain contact with JW family. Otherwise, I would have renounced it publicly. On page 2 of this thread, http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/133224/2/My-upcoming-UN-Dedication-Ceremony
I had my unbaptism ceremony. I thoroughly recommend a personally freeing event of your own to really help yourself. It can be private or attended by others of your choosing. It's recorded there, but here's how it went. I drove to a rest area along the highway after dropping my wife off at her Assembly Hall, the first she attended without me since our wedding.
...The rest area had grills, ... (it had been raining) ...
The grill was full of wet leaves. I left them as I didn't want to start a wild fire. I just cleared the center area and shredded a "Live Forever" book, a Watchtower, Awake, "Keep On the Watch" brochure, and several DC invites. It was quite a pile of shreds.
I said out loud (nobody in earshot anyway) "It was 20 years ago this very month of April that my life got sidetracked. I reached out to God for help, but a mind-contol cult snuck in and took over. They led me to their altar and told me to dedicate myself to their organization. They left out some information, so today I officially undedicate myself to the Watchtower Organization."
"Right now, this very minute, my wife is attending a baptism talk at the local assembly hall. The new recruits will undergo the same agony I went through for many years. It is fitting that I choose this time to undedicate."
I had quite a problem lighting the fire, as the leaves were damp and the wind was bad, but I didn't give up. Soon I had a large flame in the grill. That seemed appropriate. It's been hard to break free from the WTS, but once I started on the way out, there was no stopping me, and I reached the point of blazing mad, now hoping the flames will die down, so I can just move on.
As I stirred the paper with a stick, I said "Just as WT left out important information, I no longer concern myself with the information I supply them. I am free to use deceptive methods to avoid their witch hunts or withhold information. Since I was not fully informed about disfellowshipping and false prophecies, my baptism was invalid. By my undedication, I renounce it."
After insuring the flames were completely out after the papers all burned, I left. As I turned the key in the car, here is the song that was playing-
The Clash "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"
Skip first stanza, go right to chorus-
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecisions bugging me
If you dont want me, set me free
Exactly whom Im supposed to be
Dont you know which clothes even fit me?
Come on and let me know
Should I cool it or should I blow?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
I know the answer- I should go now. There will be trouble, but it won't be double because I didn't stay.
A JW at an assembly could use this coincidental song as proof that God was leading him. I said that I will never allow myself to believe such a thing again. Weird coincidence happens. It ain't proof of nothing.
The next song was AC/DC"For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)"We roll tonight to the guitar bite
Stand up and be counted for what you are about to receive
We are the dealers
We'll give you everything you need
Hail hail to the good times
Cos rock has got the right of way
We ain't no legends ain't no cause
We're just livin' for today
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
We rock at dawn on the front line
Like a bolt right outta the blue
The skies alight with a guitar bite
Heads will roll and rock tonight
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you, yes we do
For those about to rock, we salute you
Salute
We're just a battery for hire with the guitar fire
Ready and aimed at you
Pick up your balls and load up your cannon
For a twenty one gun salute
For those about to rock
Fire
We salute you
For those about to rock
We salute you
For those about to rock
Fire
We salute you
Fire
We salute you
We salute you, c'mon
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
For those about to rock, we salute you
Shoot, shoot
Shoot, shoot
For those who give
For those who take
Those left high
And those on the make
We salute you
We salute you
We salute you
Fire
I think heavy rockers will appreciate how appropriate that ending was. I sit at the coffee shop, enjoying the day, catching up on JWD and will get out in the sun before picking up the wife at the prison, and taking her to dinner. She understood that I couldn't sit through the lectures today and didn't comment.
Thank you all for sharing my ceremony. It might seem weird to some, but it is such a freedom. Almost as good as sex. Maybe better, I never keep thinking about sexual experiences.