"Stumbling"

tall penguin

Before I disassociated myself a month ago, I sent out a brief letter to a few of my friends to let them know about my choice and my reasons for so choosing. The responses varied. One of the common responses I received was "I'm sorry you were stumbled."
This bothered me. Actually, the whole concept of stumbling (from a jw standpoint)is truly absurd to me. I decided to respond to these comments with the following letter:

Dear XXXXXX,
I would ask for your patience and mercy as I explain why I think that reducing my choice to disassociate as based on my being "stumbled" is an unfair and inaccurate conclusion. As often used by Jehovah's Witnesses this term "stumbling" implies being irked by the actions of a few imperfect people in the congregation to the demise of one's faith in God or the organization. There is an undercurrent of blame directed to the one "stumbled" as if their pride just couldn't get over some hurt caused by some person or even a group of people. This is used to explain in the observer's mind how someone could possibly leave "God's organization" or why any action taken against the person by the congregation would be justified. Granted, I have been through enough in my years "in the truth" to have been "stumbled" out a long time ago yet I was not. In fact it was my firm and wholehearted belief that this was indeed "God's organization" that lead me to stay with it and endure the hardships I suffered and watched others suffer as well. I wish I could say that it was a case of me being "stumbled" in this way, feeling slighted and overcome by pride that has lead me to my decision to disassociate myself from the organization. That would imply that some day I'd be able to "get over myself" and return to the organization. That is not the case.
The study, research and events which lead me to disassociate were not pride-inducing. In fact, they left me feeling incredibly humbled,'repenting in dust and ashes.' (Job 42:6) For what I've learned has lead me to realize that the organization I followed and wholeheartedly supported virtually my whole life was not "God's channel." To admit that to myself meant taking responsibility for having believed false doctrine and preached it to others, giving over my conscience and mental faculties to men, and
often exchanging good common sense based on Bible principles for the maintenance of the Society's status quo. Rather than feel a sense of pride, I felt shame and a deep sense of regret.
Over the years I've had questions accumulating in my mind and heart, based on what was taught to me as "the truth," Bible study, prayer and the growing concern I had to draw closer to Jehovah as well as experiences I had and things I saw others experience. If you are interested in knowing what those questions are, I'd be happy to share that with you, yet it would need to be your choice.
After much prayerful consideration of the Bible, in context, as well as in-depth research in the Society's own publications, I came to answers to my questions, answers that no longer supported the belief that the Watch Tower organization was "God's channel" as well as the conclusion that affiliation
with an "organization" is not a requirement for a Christian. In fact, I found the opposite to be true, as religious organizations, regardless of how good their intent, tend to end up being more Pharisaical than Christian.
As painful as these realizations were, the decision to do something about them was even more painful as it came at great cost to myself. Yet I recalled that in my personal dedication to Jehovah in prayer at the age of 15, I had dedicated my life to Jehovah God alone, not to any organization. I had vowed to do HIS will and to follow in the footsteps of His Son, my Mediator and Redeemer. In line with that dedication, I could no longer in good conscience be affiliated with an organization that, although sincere, is misguided in its representation of the truth of God's Word and The Way laid out for followers of Christ. And I definitely could not go forth and preach that message to others knowing in my heart that much of it was not Biblically accurate.
"With your power of reason...prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:1, 2) And know that my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Love,
XXXXXX

tp

kid-A

TP,

That letter was absolutely perfect, from start to finish.

daystar

tp

That is a wonderful letter; very clear and concise. Bless you.

Darth Yhwh

Will your friends read it, or throw it in the trash?

jaffacake

That was an excellent letter deserving of a more appreciative audience than the one it will get. However, you may have planted a seed, even in one mind, that could germinate is a few years from now.

A Warm Welcome.

tall penguin

Darth Yhwh,
A few friends read the letter. One replied with:

I wholeheartedly disagree but I still wish you well.
The early Christian's were organized. The apostle Paul and so many others worked so hard under God's holy spirit. And I have yet to find another group of people who've even come close to the knowledge I've
witnessed in this organization. (And trust me I've studied with quitea few) So until then I'll be sticking close. Knowing that God's channel on earth would be an organized people... I guess it's sad to
see you go it alone... well I hope you find what you're looking for.
Take good care ok? I will miss you.
Warm Christian Love,
xxxxxx
PS- Even the meekest and humblest of people can be stumbled. I guess I have a broader definition.

I didn't bother replying. As far as I'm concerned she missed the point of my letter and I figured it best to just respect her view and let it go.
tp

schne_belly

Good letter.

I believe the reason that people say you left becasue you were "stumbled" is because that takes the blame off of them or the org. and places it on YOU. It's YOUR problem, not thiers. You are right, most JW's do just assume that is the reason why people leave...

BrendaCloutier

Ya. When my dad challenged me as to why I left, I told him of the loving brothers and sisters in my KH, and how that when my eyes were finally opened to their hypocritcal behavior, that even when I went to a different hall, my eyes were opened and I could no longer shut them again.

Darth Yhwh

Tall Penguin, I liked the letter and thought it was very well written. I asked if your friends would read it because as we all know that the rank and file is discouraged from reading this type of thing.

Thanks for posting your friends response. It’s always interesting to read how a JW responds to a letter like this.

Lady Lee

That is one awesome letter

And no I don't think they will "get" it

"Stumbling"

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