Posts by rawe

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

A few have asked that. I am not opposed to the idea of media coverage per se, but I am not seeking it either. Part of this speaks to my personality. I am up front about who I am and what I believe, etc. Randy is my real name and when I write SDB:SSY he knows my address. So my interest in keeping a low-profile is not tied to being shy or anything.

Like a lot of folks in the ex-JW community I do not desire to cause unnessary pain to family and friends who remain in the faith -- some who are in their 80s. So it does become a question of how to strike the right balance. On the one hand those who are considering leaving or have doubts may still find themselves under the influence of the faith. Even some who have not gone to meetings for years may still identify with the faith, even while sensing a form of religious abuse is going on, but are not sure what alternatives are really available. For such folks I hope events like this, posts here, a regular meetups can help. To show that it is okay to speak up, to make obvious points that religious shunning really amounts to unwanted third party influence in otherwise private relationships.

On the other hand I fully appreciate how important the faith feels to those who truly believe it. The faith itself of course is responsible for much of the stress that members feel. Constant calls for more service, more loyalty and constant reminders one is sinner in need of forgiveness is a huge burden. I am not resposible for this mess, nor is any of us in the ex-JW community, yet, I really don't want my actions to add to this burden.

I also think certain modes of actions can help refute the sort of thought-stoppers Witnesses throw up in regards to former members. How many times have we heard, "apostates" simply have an axe-to-grind? Or they are trying to "draw away disciples to themselves"? Or that they are disrepectful or glory seeking or always negative and offer no positive alternatives?

So... these are the sort of thoughts and concerns I put into the pot and stir it up to come up with the Shun Run.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Everyone,

To Robert's point, last year our Shun Run included an ex-LDS (aka Mormon) member and two others who were never Jehovah's Witnesses. Our total was nine. When I left the faith in 2007 at first no action was taken against me. Our depature as a family was rather dramatic since we were very active. Our house was used as a Bookstudy location. In fact I was out in service in the morning and left the faith that afternoon. However in 2009 when I decided to celebrate Christmas for the benefit of my 6-year-old and because I no longer believed it was correct for me personally to continue to show open agreement with the edict of Joseph Rutherford from the 1920s, it was then the elders came calling.

I told them I would be happy to meet with them, provided the meeting was recorded and I could have a lawyer present. I also told them I was happy to have them make a public announcement as long as used the wording I provided, that made it clear that while I was not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, that the sharing of such information was in no way intended to incite shunning and that I was not being disfellowshipped, nor had I disassociated myself. Well... despite my explicit instructions that I be kept informed of any intended announcement a standard short-form announcement was made in the spring of 2010 without them telling me.

I eventually got a letter from headquarters with the code SDB:SSY. I responded to this letter when I got it and have since written SDB:SSY annually. I now do so as part of the Shun Run -- which I hope I can keep going each year near the time of the memorial. For those that may be interested here is the first three paragraphs...

Dear Mr. SDB:SSY:

Last February I wrote to inform you of our first Shun Run. Myself and my friend who is a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were joined by seven others. The nine of us walked on the public roads near the Casa Grande Assembly Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Given this was the Sunday prior to the Memorial, I was surprised to see a Spanish language group were using the facility. I approached one of the parking attendants to inform him of our plans. I was further surprised when a deputy from the Pinal County Sheriff's department showed up at our starting point!

I am planning on repeating this event again this year on Sunday, March 24, 2014. The exact location has not been chosen at this point, but will likely be a walking path near the center of Phoenix. I am deeply committed to being peaceable and law abiding (Romans 1:18, Mark 12:17). While some who oppose Jehovah's Witnesses may desire to be flamboyant and disruptive, this is not true of me or my friends. The intent of this event is not to embarrass Jehovah's Witnesses, instead, I hope to be of encouragement to members of the ex-Jehovah's Witnesses community.

The sub-title for this year is: Show Love, Don't Shun. I chose this to highlight the choice involved and the fact that shunning hurts. Admittedly, there may be circumstances where shunning is a reasonable choice. Consider the case of a child who was sexually molested by an adult family member. When that child grows up she may choose not to have any contact with her molester. Who could blame her? Jehovah's Witnesses attempt to justify shunning by suggesting the target of their shunning is deserving – that such shunning is a form of “tough love” (Hebrews 12:11). Yet, can such account for every case of shunning? In most cases, individuals who shun do not even know what the facts in a given case may be. Rather, it is a matter of being unquestionably obedient to men in authority.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Hb48,

Looking forward to seeing you there! It was a lot of fun last year. We did the walk then headed off to Dairy Queen for an ice-cream all dressed in our Shun Run T-Shirts. I should also mention that I sent a couple extra T-Shirts to two moderators on the Yuku Ex-JW forum -- so we've hit three spots on the globe (USA, UK and Australia).

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Glander & QueenWitch,

We did have T-shirts last year and I am hoping to do that again, depending on cost. Although it would be funny, I wouldn't use Sparlock since he is "owned" by the Witnesses. The logo we had on the back last year had a silhouette of a family holding hands.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Marvin,

Absolutely! We took pictures last year and posted them online. As mentioned I tend to post over on the Yuku Ex-JW forum more so than here, but will make the effort to get back and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the encouragement. Your comments about the value of this is exactly on point -- this is mostly for ex-JWs who we might be able to encourage, even if they are unable to come out to the event itself.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Carla,

Thanks. Indeed, here on the forum and elsewhere there are alternative to the propaganda a JW Bible Study would otherwise get from his or her teacher. Personally I feel strongly about freedom of religion and respect the rights of the Witnesses. I merely ask them to consider changing their policies to align better with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I have family members who remain in the faith and to the extent they allow, I continue with a respectful relationship. In fact, I continue to attend the memorial for that very reason. Just-so stories some in the faith might tell about how Ex-JWs feel is often silly -- we're individuals. It is of course true that some of the anti-Family, anti-Blood, anti-Religion and anti-Goverment stance and rhetoric of the faith has unfortunately lead to persecution. Alas, it is the individual Witnesses in countries like Russia and elsewhere who bear the burden of such persecution, while the leaders at HQs merely make the policy.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Steve2,

Last year when we did the Shun Run we did a loop around the Casa Grande Assembly Hall. Like this year it was the Sunday prior to memorial, so I thought their would be a good chance no one would be using the Assembly Hall that day. Alas, there was -- a Spanish group! Although my family was a bit unsettled by this I approached, one of the attendants and discussed our plans and agreed to respect their property line. Well... I was then quite surprised when we headed back to our starting point about 1.5 miles away to get organized and when a Pima County Sherrif Deputy showed up! She was actually very nice and just told us to respect their property, not impede traffic and be careful.

About 1/2 the group ran in a loop. When we got the Assembly Hall we were running past on the road, you see the attendants trying to hide behind pillars watching and moving along with us ;-)

Of course how people feel is beyond my control, all I can do is express what the real purpose of the event is. It is not to embarass Jehovah's Witnesses or protest one of their meetings, etc. The walking trail on Papago Park is a public trail and I don't think there is a Kingdom Hall even close to the downtown area of Phoenix where the library is. No, the real purpose is to help the ex-JW community, by showing one can speak up, be respectful and even have fun while you're at it.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Clarity,

I am original from Canada. Grew up in and around Quesnel, BC, before moving to Phoenix in 1998. Left the faith in 2007 after 27 years of deep involvement, became USA citizens in 2010, living life since then. If you ever head down our way, please feel free to give us a shout. I most often post on the Yuku Ex-JW recovery forum.

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Gayle,

Thanks! I sent a note both to the Chandler Ex-JW and West Phoenix Ex-JW mailing lists. The Chandler group will be having our regular meetup on the 6th, however I plan on being at the West Phoenix on the 20th as well. It will be great to see you guys again!

Cheers,

-Randy

35

Shun Run 2013

by rawe in

jw
friends

i am the organizer of the chandler, az ex-jw meetup group.

last year our group organized a "shun run".

nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning.

rawe

Hi Everyone,

I am the organizer of the Chandler, AZ Ex-JW meetup group. Last year our group organized a "Shun Run". Nine of us walked and ran to bring attention to the issue of shunning. I have been finalizing the details of this year's event. On Sunday, March 24th, 2013 (the Sunday before memorial) we will be meeting at noon at Papago Park in Phoenix. The Double Butte Loop walking trail is 2.3 miles through this lovely desert park. There is also a shorter loop for those who do not want to walk as far.

Afterwards the group will be invited to head down to the Phoenix Public Library where I have rented the "Lecture Room" for one hour from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. I am hoping to arrange for 4 or so speakers. I am planning on sending an invitation to the congregation closest to the library so they can provide a speaker to defend the shunning policies of Jehovah's Witnesses. Naturally I expect they will ignore us -- but if they did want to defend their faith, we'll give them the opportunity.

More details can be found on my post at the Ex-JW Forum on Yuku: http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com/topic/25386

Hope to see you there!

Cheers,

-Randy