question (page 2)

Welcome to the forum, next time they call...just tell them that on the advice of your lawyer you're not signing anything...and that you are putting them on notice not to call anymore...that your lawyer is listening on the other line and is a witness to that fact.

Maverick

This sounds a little suspicious to me. I was a dud for 24 years and never heard of anyone having to sign papers. They may have other motives. Be wary! They would rather DF you than let you DA yourself. They may have something on you and want to trap you into fessing up. Then they will just DF you and tell the RF anything they want. Remember they arte nothing! Call block them, and to really piss them off, live your life well!

And Welcome! Maverick

shamus

Yes, they would like you to give it to them in writing, wherever possible. I had an elder tell me that... so there!

I suggest using Yerusalim's advice. Tell them in no uncertain terms to get lost and stop harassing you. You do not need to listen to they're b.s. They're just seeing how far they can push you. Don't let them. Don't give them one ounce of satisfaction.

Sentinel

Hi Alison and welcome to the forum. When I "walked away" around '81, in my mid thirties, my circumstances were a bit different. I sent a letter to the congregation and to the WT headquarters explaining why I was leaving. Because of how my mom immediately began shunning me and spreading the word in the congregation not to have anything to do with me, I thought that I'd be given a notice or something to show up at a hearing.

But no one ever called me or responded in writing, but about six months later, four elders showed up at my front door. My first reaction was not to open the door, but I did. I didn't let them in the house, and instead I walked outside and we talked on the front porch for nearly an hour. I have to admit, they seemed genuienly interested in me my spiritual welfare and they didn't try to find out about my personal life since I'd been out.

However, they were definitely fishing around for information about my own mother. They said that the congregation was having problems with women overstepping their positions and they were trying to find out the source. I knew my mom was doing this, but I kept my mouth shut. When they left, two of them were crying. I had known these brothers since I was thirteen years old, and they knew "me". They had watched a very sincere and dedicated young girl of thirteen, grow and become a woman; they had known how very much I put into the organization by my service records and Pioneering. They knew how dedicated I was to their "truth". They told me that I was NOT disfellowshipped and that I was welcome to "come back" or "visit" anytime I wanted.

It was a big relief to have it all conclude in this way, but it had taken a very long time. I often thought, that had they showed me such genuiene care and concern a few years before, I may not have had the strength to make the decision to leave, because the assemilation is so deep. I'm glad I did and I have never regretted it, not one time.

The borg is powerful, and if they can see that you take heed to their letters or their requests, then they also know that they can manipulate you because you are still showing a dependent attitude towards them. The only power they have over you is the power you allow them to have.

Personally, I would not respond to their letter. You don't owe them any explanation unless that is what you want to do. I don't know your circumstances as to everything going on. I do know that I did not have a place like this forum until some 22 years after my exit. I was very depressed and lost and had to find my way by myself.

I found this forum in 2002, and it is a wonderful place where you will find lots of support, encouragement, love and compassion here.

/<

Undecided

The elders are not very pushy here. I was attending a church with my non-JW wife and someone reported I had joined a church. They came by and inquired if it was true. I said I hadn't joined but was just attending out of curiosity. They said if I joined to send a DA letter. I haven't heard any more about it since. I quit going to church, it wasn't much different from the JWs, just not a cult, they didn't try to controll you at all and showed more real love in many ways.

Ken P.

jst2laws

Alison,

They are trying to cover themselves legally.

They are going to make a public announcement. They prefer a signed letter from you to go into your file.

If you have done your research and know for sure that they are not "God's Organization" then you realize they have NO authority over you. You do not have to do ANYTHING they want you to do.

In fact, if they pester you enough by calling or coming by you might have a case of harassment or even stalking.

Welcome to the board, Alison.

Steve

blondie

Welcome, Alison. Good answers from everyone. You don't have to sign anything. It is for their legal benefit. Elder bodies have announced that people have DA'd themselves without anything in writing to the chargrin of the individual.

As to pestering you, get caller ID and if they "drop" by, let them know that your next call is to the police if they don't get off your property. Do all this with a nice normal voice with a smile on your face. I doubt if you will have to get a restraining order. If the pestering continues, just PM me.

Blondie

Blueblades

Hi Alison! It's been a year and a half since we stopped going to the hall.First there were some letters and phone calls,then the letters stopped and the phone calls were only to give us information about the meeting time and field service report,our time in service, we miss you ,we love you etc.

Then it stopped all together.No calls to see how we are doing with the snow storms,bad weather etc.So don't pay them any mind just continue to fade.If you must talk to them ,tell them you have personal concerns,sickness, family matters etc.Don't give them details on anything.

Welcome to the forum

Blueblasdes

Mulan

Welcome to the forum, next time they call...just tell them that on the advice of your lawyer you're not signing anything...and that you are putting them on notice not to call anymore...that your lawyer is listening on the other line and is a witness to that fact.

Yes, that is good advice.

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KKLUV155

Yerusalyim