About a year ago we informally started the 'fade'. I have never been able to keep quiet about things that bother me, but in this instance I have not said much to anyone - due to the typical fear of being DF'd as an evil 'apostate'. As if reading my mind I began to hear comments from elders -that got back to me - that I was 'borderline apostate'. That rumor must have had legs, for the 'shunning' started immediately and has not stopped. I have never been approached by the elders - I think they don't want the showdown and know that I will have my pistols ready to fire - and yet I am usually treated as if invisible.
This week I was in the local video store when a witness couple came in and tried to act like they did not see me for 10 minutes. I stood in the aisle I knew they were going to come down next and they 'bumped' into me. We did start talking, and Rob brought up an article in a wt about love (can't remember what prompted it) - I suggested he get several copies and distribute to all the elders who had gossipped about me and created a 'shunning without conviction' - his eyes widened as he tried to get a scripture pulled out of the back of his mind - he finally hit upon Hebrews 10:24,25, and stated that no matter what others had done this was a command from God - I agreed, but after quoting the scripture added - that there is no mention there of 5 meetings per week and assemblies too, and that was just a witness addition to a basic direction to encourage those who also serve Christ - he now recognized the danger-zone he was in - I was 'apostate' and poison was in the air. I think if I had turned into a giant rattlesnake he couldn't have gotten out the door any quicker. I later emailed him to let him know I hoped he was not too upset by my frank words - then slipped in a mention of the UN debacle (told him I had come across it in an internet search and found it amazing) - didn't tell him what I found- just thought he would enjoy the press release if he read it - I doubt he did.
"There is no one more fearful of facts, than a man who cannot defend his faith". Someone said that I think - if not I will take the credit -
Jeff