I try to keep up with discussion on this forum, but I missed the threads about the new policy on the announcement of disfellowshipping and disassociation. So excuse me if I am covering old ground.
The new "Organized To Do Jehovah's Will" book stated that in future announcements of disfellowshipping and disassociation would follow the same formulation: "****** ****** is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". This means that while there remains a distinction between disassociation and disfellowshipment in the judicial hearings and in the official records, that distinction will not be made clear to the whole congregation when the judicial committee reaches the decision and the announcement is made.
That this change constitutes one of the very few noticeable changes in the new 'Organization' book was evidenced by the fact that this was the only new feature which was highlighted in the letter from the Society accompanying the release of the new publication. What was the significance of the change?
Interestingly, although the Witnesses usually explain all changes (no matter how minor) in terms of at least some vague reference to their interpretation of a particular principle or scripture text, no 'spiritual' justification accompanied this alteration. Perhaps the change was prompted by some legal technicality of which I am unaware: a possibility considering the society's increased concern to counter litigation. But perhaps the motive was simpler. The distinction between disassociation and disfellowshipment had allowed the creation of an apparent hierarchy of the 'shunned'. Whereas disfellowshipped persons were removed from the congregation for 'bad' behaviour; those who disassociated had not been thus removed, but had chosen to separate themselves from the congregation on matters of principle. (this is generally true, although a significant number apparently also disassociate themselves in anticipation of inevitable disfellowshipment proceedings)
If my interpretation is correct then I would view this as the Final Insult. For those leaving the association on matters of principle, some small consolation was previously to be had from the fact that the announcement of their 'disassociation' would at least make clear to those former friends and acquaintances who would not all hear their motivations for leaving, that at least the decision had been theirs and that they had chosen to remove themselves from the congregation - not the other way round. From this point of view, the new policy on the announcement of disassociation removes any vestige of dignity that the Society has accorded to those who have decided to leave the religion.
My proposal: those who wish to make clear to fellow Witnesses that they are not in the same category as the 'disfellowshipped', but have voluntarily disassociated themselves should seek other ways to make this clear. Someone in this position could simply make the announcement that they disassociate themselves in an answer during the Watchtower Study or at the Ministry School meeting. This way all the congregation can still be made aware that the reason why you are 'no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses', as the later generic announcement will confirm. If many of those choosing to disassociate themselves follow this practice, then new policy of the Society can be made to backfire on itself as those who disassociate will create greater publicity than the previous acknowledgement did. If ever I find myself in such a position, that is what I intend to do.
If you choose the material during which your 'announcement' is made carefully, then you could also work in a justification, or explanation, into your statement. The comment you could make during a discussion of Christendom could start unobtrusively enough:
'Because they hypocritically involve themselves in worldly politics, such as with the United Nations...'
'Because they talk about true Christianity evidencing genuine love, yet among themselves and their leaders they display a distinct lack thereof...'
'Because they claim to follow the Bible, but teach things contrary to what the Bible teaches...'
Or whatever is appropriate to your own particular situation.
And then end with the punch line:
'I have decided, of my own accord, that I wish to disassociate myself from Jehovah's Witnesses'.
By which time it is too late for an elder or the roving mike to snatch the microphone. The generic announcement will still be made a couple of weeks later in the Service meeting, but no one in the congregation will be in any doubt as to why you are 'no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses' when that statement is made.
So what do you think of my proposal?