Some background here; Non-JW family members who are overly RESPECTFUL and PROTECTIVE of the JW's.
I thought I might try a completely different tactic. What are your views on my letter below? I thought I'd let it sit with her for a couple of weeks or more before following it up . . . .
My dear cousin,
More than once you've scolded me for even hinting at a criticism of the Jehovah's Witnesses in our family. You say that if I choose to 'rock the boat' it will be MY responsibilty that the family will become divided - even though it is not I who advocates or practises shunning. You've said that of all the religions you've come into contact with that theirs is the best. The best morals, the best community of friends and the nicest people you know.
I wonder why, in the course of your 45 years, you've never cared to join them?
Anyway, the truth is you've been misled by the Witnesses in our family, fooled I would say. The time has passed for me to be 'tactful' in everything I say so I'm just going to be blunt and tell it to you like it really is. Even though I hold the Bible in no regard, I've supplied a few verses because I know Scripture is important to you. No apologies.
Cousin, Jehovah's Witnesses are like 'ravenous wolves,'out to devour trusting members of other religions, destroying their faith to replace it with what they call 'The Truth'.—Matt. 7:15; 2 Tim. 2:18.
How do these false teachers in our family operate? Their methods reveal a cunning spirit. Jehovah's Witnesses 'quietly bring in' corruptive ideas. Like smugglers, they operate in a clandestine manner, subtly introducing heretical views. And just as a clever forger tries to pass phony documents, so Jehovah's Witnesses use 'counterfeit words,' or false arguments, trying to pass their fabricated views as if they were true. They spread 'deceptive teachings,' 'twisting . . . the Scriptures' to fit their own ideas. (2 Pet. 2:1, 3, 13; 3:16) Clearly, Jehovah's Witnesses do not have our best interests at heart. Following them would only divert us from the real life to an endless road chasing a dream of eternal life.
How can we protect ourselves against these false teachers? The Bible’s counsel regarding how to deal with them is clear. 'Avoid them,' it says in the Bible. Other translations render that phrase 'turn away from them,' 'keep away from them,' and 'stay away from them!' There's nothing ambiguous about that scriptural counsel.
Suppose a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease. You'd know what the doctor means, and you'd strictly heed his warning. Well, Jehovah's Witnesses are 'mentally diseased,' and they seek to infect others with their divisive teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4) God, who you still believe in cousin, tells us to avoid contact with them. Do you think you know better than God?
I'm writing with love,
Yours . . . .