by Greybeard 9 Replies latest jw friends
Just preparing and looking for information. I suspect I will be under the gun soon as a close friend of mine already is. They are asking him to meet with them as they have "witnesses to his apostacy". When they come after me I will name them all in a law suit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Greybeard
Ive pointed out the problems with using such a letter in previous threads. First, unless you have some compelling circumstances that affect your case more than the ordinary Witness, they have no liability. They know this and will most likely laugh. If they do become fearful, it will only last until they call the WT Legal Department. The letters posted here would not dissuade me at all.
Law does not equate with justice and fairness. Obtaining such a letter is inflamatory. A few people, CEOS, who are repeat litigators can take a threat of a law suit, Typically, these people have large legal departments ready for such events. Think of the WTB&TS. Sending such a letter will cut any bonds of civility and any attempts at compromise.
On the other hand, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. No court can make them cease their ministry. It is hard to see the whole picture when you are one of the parties, I suggest seeing a local lawyer for a small sum of money. Personally, I don't like the way most members seem to acknowledge the legitimacy of the WT when they find themselves in trouble. Tort law may apply. A lot depends on your state. They have the legal right to do a regular disfellowshipping. Whether they are going to do more that would expose them to unusual liability should be decided by an impartial professional who has time to hear your whole story in some detail. One legal letter should not cost that much.
I don't see how that letter can possibly make a difference. If they go ahead and announce that Greybeard is no longer a witness......isnt that (the adding of and deleting of congregational members) protected by the 1st amendment?
Even if you sued.....I don't see how you could win
If the letter doesn't work, would this change their mind?
A long time ago I did some paralegal and investigative work for an attorney with a sense of humor. He would have some of his letters "served" by a group of guys who actually were licensed process servers. They were a biker gang. Imagine your elders getting a visit at HOME by a gruff, bearded, tatooed guy who drove up to the door on a noisey Harley. All for a mere $50...... Priceless.
There was another letter from a law firm on here about 6 months ago. humm.
Don't give them power or play in their court.
Grey beard, use a REAL Attorney if you can. If not, I have used Legal Shield a few times for nasty letters. I wouldn't want them for a REAL case, but hey for $17.00 you can get a real Attorney to write a nasty letter on letterhead with lots of names on the letterhead and some advice. Be sure to NAME them all. Send it to their HOMES and the HALL certified-or have it served. (if you don't like the Biker idea, the Sheriff works well.. for a mere $30-You can have a real cop bang on the front door of their home or the hall- uniform, marked car, guns and all ! ). WTBTS & Elders HATE being served and certified letters.
If they go ahead and D'f you afterward anyway, it does give you more options. You sent a demand and attempted to mitigate. California now has a $10,000 small claims limit. Not many elders will risk even 10k for WTBTS.
Greybeard I found this from Dec 2011;
Disassociation letter
This law firm has been retained by "R" to remove her good name from your roster and all records because of her wishes to no longer be a member of the Jehovah Witness religion. Per your request of my client, this letter will serve as "R" formal notification of her intent.
It is of great concern that it is your common practice to make formal announcements of this sort public in an effort to stop family and friends from ever associating with her again, despite the fact she desires this decision for her own person only. With this concern, it is of great importance that you understand defamation of character is a serious offence punishable under both state and federal law. Therefore, it is this firm's demand that any public or private discussion that demeans the good name of "R" either in the near or distant future will be met with legal action.
As with all cases, our goal is satisfaction of both parties if possible. We trust you understand that dissatisfaction for our client can only be experienced by purposeful, hurtful and unnecessary action on your part.
From a JW/WTBS standpoint, if CHILD MOLESTERS get off with a simple denial, then I might add a general statement like " I have always lived an exempliary christian life and followed my Bible trained conscience, any suggestion to the contrary is false and slanderous".
A broad statement denying ANY wrongdoing would give the elders an "out"..... "he denies everything,and we didn't have enough proof". Case closed.
Greybeard, search the thread 'I too have been charged with apostasy! Stunned.'
Greybeard,
If you want to remain just a fader,
A couple of times before I have known JWs to effectively make strong general denials to elders, and then say "I have a right to know my accuser, and they had a scriptural duty to approach me first, before involving the elders. This is slander and I insist on speaking with them first to iron this misunderstanding out."- If the elders refuse to give you names or allow you to speak with your accusers privately, you might act shocked, and remind the Elder he is not following directions of the faithful slave. And THAT could be viewed as Apostacy.
- I have rarely seen JWs stick to their guns on an accusation when slander is brought up. If these "Witnesses" recieve a certified letter with a couple of scriptures, and a Watchtower quote, starting with "I hope this is a misunderstanding, perhaps you mis-heard me" I doubt you would ever hear about any of this again, and you might not have to use the above disassociation letter.
You could do the above over the phone or in a letter. Make em squirm.
