I'm not gonna lie, but I had to read this more than once (about 5 times to be exact) just to get my thoughts together and be as unbiased as possible with regards to how I would personally respond if this email had been sent to me. Sorry if I seem to go all over the place but it's 3am here right now and I'm having trouble sleeping anyway...(:
Dear friend,
I'm glad that you want be open and honest with me. Those are truly some of the best qualities that every human being shares with one another in a long lasting friendship. While I understand why the brothers and sisters acted the way they did with me, I can't deny that they're actions didn't hurt me pretty deeply. I hope you can understand. But I prefer that we just leave that alone, as you mentioned in the beginning, you were not going to try to defend anyone but only speak for yourself, and I think that's what matters most anyway.
I want to thank you for your sympathy, and for wanting to help me in one of my lowest points. It really means a lot to me that you wished you could've "carried some of the weight". And although I don't believe condemned was the right word to describe it, I don't really think that it's something that could easily be put into words anyway. Condemned, rejected, damned even, it's almost all the same to me.
Also, who's to say how Asa or that other sister really feel about the choices they made? Although I agree that she might not necessarily have felt judged, who can say, with utmost certainty, how they really feel deep down? Many times at the hall or in service, you may smile and laugh and act all happy but only God knows how you really feel inside. I'm sure you've felt this way sometime or another. But again, as you stating in the beginning, you were only going to speak for yourself so it's best not to get into that.
I'm sorry if I didn't explain myself correctly when I mentioned that I didn't believe that there was only one true religion. Firstly, I don't believe that there's any list I could make that could constitute a true religion. I mean, if you take Christianity in its entire form, you could probably gather a list of common beliefs and doctrines from the thousands of denominations, since they all revolve around the Bible as their source of Devine authority. But if you take the eastern hemisphere and add Judaism or Hinduism, even Buddhism to the equation, you would just wind up with a mess of conflicting beliefs, since they base their fundamental structure on the Torah, the Koran and other forms of Devine ancient writings, not to mention them being polytheistic or pantheistic. You see, I believe that their is no single true religion in this world.
I believe that all religions have their flaws. But their messages are all positive for the most part. If your willing to open yourself up a bit, you'll see that Jehovah's Witnesses are just a tiny, little fish in an enormous ocean filled with other fish, both big and small. I really wish you could see that that way, if only for a second.
I understand if you don't though, so it's okay! The reason why I use the word God instead of Jehovah is a personal one. The best way I think you could understand it is by reading Matthew through John completely and counting how many times Jesus actually called God by that name. Also I wanted to just remind you of the complete definition of the world religion; the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, exp. a personal god or gods. A particular system of faith and worship. Again, there's more to it than just what we pick and choose.
It's also good to note that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job, David, the 12 apostles, Paul etc. and all the others mentioned in the bible we're chosen by God to direct his people or to fulfill his purpose. He did not just sit back and let imperfect humans self appoint ourselves changing and flip flopping beliefs, changing what's true all the time. So it makes you wonder how and when JW's were chosen without a shadow of a doubt by God.
Like you said in the end everyone must decide for himself which group is the true one, and I couldn't agree more. But anyway, I just wanted to let you know that no matter what it is you believe in, or what it is you choose to do with your life, I will always be there for you, whether you need me or not! I hope you can see this the way I see it and don't judge me just like I've never judger you. Just take this as me being open and honest with you. I want you to know that you'll always be one of my dearest friends.
Sincerely,
OneDay
