Here is the plan

the follower

OK... here is the plan.

I moved to this congregation years ago, but when I came it was the same secretary then as it is now. When I arrived he just said "here is my address, give it to the secretary in your old congregation and tell him to send me your records." This I did, and now my records are here with this congregation. Now this is my plan to get my records all to myself:

I will say to the secretary that I am moving back to my old congregation. I will tell him he has moved address though. I say, "I will give you his new address so you can send him my records." Because he was so easy going about everything when I arrived, he may go for this now. Then shall I proceed to give unto him a false address, in fact the address indeed of a friend of mine in the territory of my old congregation. My friend will get the records delivered to him, and then they will be all mine. I will then be in no congregation at all, and accountable to no body of elders.

I am throwing this plan open to all you experienced apostates because I would greatly value comments that will help me to execute it effectively. Are their any fatal flaws in my cunning plan?

Fatal Error

Isn't there a set of laws that dictate you can have all records shown to you on request?

In the UK, the Data Protection Act would force the Society to hand overa copy of all files on you, albeit for an administrative fee. The same law says that you can also ask to have these files deleted, depending on what they are used for.

I'm not sure whether that would apply in this case, or whether the Society MUST have certain files if you wish to remain known as a JW...

the follower

I know that I can ask to see my files. But that would make them suspicious, wouldn't it?

Besides, I want to have the records to myself. I don't want them to have records on me of any kind.

Anyway, the main point is that I want to belong to no congregation, so that I do not have elders anywhere breathing down my neck all the time.

Fatal Error

I'm sure there's still a copy of your records at some central location, so it wouldn't really make any difference on the Society level, and the elders could still request a new set to be sent out to them... I think...

RunningMan

The official policy for transferring records, is that the secretary of the new congregation should request them from the secretary of the old congregation. So, your plan should not work, unless you can count on some sloppy procedures.

It is possible that, since the two secretaries have been in recent contact, the sender may not worry about receiving the request. However, the change of address would send up a red flag.

Anyway, it's worth a try.

the follower

"So, your plan should not work, unless you can count on some sloppy procedures."

As I said in my original post, our local secretary is very easy going, I am hoping that this will help me to pull it off. What if I get caught though, do you think I would be disfellowshiped?

"I'm sure there's still a copy of your records at some central location"

I am sure that there is. But the beauty of my plan is that both congregations will think that the other congregation has my records. They will both think that I am the other congregation's responsibility and so - I can drift quietly away without a peep from either body of elders.

Will it work?

larc

Just curious,

Why do you care if they have your records or not? If you move to another location, just don't leave a forwarding address, and they can't trace you. At the new address, get a post office box for friends back home who want to reach you. Seems to me that, that would fix the problem.

Kismet

It has worked for at least 10 people that I know of who have used my mailing address as that of their new congregation.

You can count on the fact that the elders just worry about thos in their congregation. Once you move you are no longer their responsibility.

Contrary to what has been posted thusfar, there is no central repository for such information unless you are currently serving as an elder, ministerial servant or pioneer. The only records on publishers is held by the local congregation.

Good luck and I hope your disappearance goes off without a hitch!

Kismet

the follower

I am not moving, that is the thing.

Besides, I want to have my records and at the same time make both congregations think that the other has my records. This way they will both think I am carrying on as normal at the other location, when in actual fact I am freeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

RunningMan

If you do get caught, I don't think you will be disfellowshipped. This is not that serious of an offence. Besides, you can just say it was an honest mistake and have the records sent correctly.

Here is another idea. Pick a congregation out of the phone book, where you do not know anyone. Call the congregation, and tell the secretary that you will be moving there. Give a fake address in their territory. Have him send for your records. Never show up. A couple months later, do it again, sending the records even further away. They will be glad to unload you.

Once your records are sent, they will be pretty much orphaned in the new congregation, where no one will know who you are or how to contact you.
You won't be congregationless, but you will be basically lost in the system.

Here is the plan

Share this