Hey forum goers. I'd like your opinions on constructing an email reply to this shocker below.
Bit of background about the sender: She is a middle-aged, cheery uberdub whose siblings left when a schism occured in her congregation in Canada way back when. The controversy was kicked off by one of the local elders over there who went by the name, Brother James Penton. Unable to see the light for herself, this sister knuckled down and dug her heels in the organization, saying goodbye to her brother and sister who woke up and left. She is therefore extra vehemently against apostasy. This sh*t is personal to her.
She doesn't know much about my fade as I only see her once every three or four months. One day last month, she swung by en route to her cleaning job at a local business I live nearby. She asked me about my cong and I casually replied that I've been taking a break from things, gathering my thoughts.
I spoke about the Bible (I still feign a belief in God and chalk up my absence at the meetings to my deep study of the scriptures unassisted by WT exegesis). I happily showed her my Manual Grammar of the New Testament by Julius Mantey (the same addition Fred Franz had appealed to when constructing the Kingdom Interlinear!) and spoke of my passion for getting as close as possible to understanding the original text of the epistles.
We touched on the blood doctrine. I gently expressed some of my concerns I now have as a mother. She told me very seriously why blood transfusions are heinous - even if the organization were to permit them. This sister is very much into homeopathy, natural pathology and some other New Age bullsh*t. I listened respectfully and told her I'd love to read up more on where she was getting her information. She promised to send me some of the research she'd done in favor of her WT confirmation bias.
She did email me some Youtube links to Governmental videos speaking about the dangers of transfusions (yes - there are some videos like that which exist). I thanked her and promised to read/watch all that she sent me. And I did!
So that was that.
And then this morning, I received this email in my inbox after a few weeks of silence...
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Hey [WHAM!]
I came across this article and it reminded me of when we spoke and I warned you to be careful that your "questioning" doesn't get out of control and turn to actual sinning against Holy Spirit?
Don't read this with the view to picking it apart, but rather with a humble heart asking Jehovah to guide you. Ok?
I love you and [WHAM! Jr.] and want what is best for your long term future. This world has nothing to offer you but to use you and then spit you out as it already has and you came near to death!
You owe Jehovah humility and honesty. He doesn't favour the intellectual ones who are proud and showy with their academic knowledge.
He sees your loving heart [WHAM!] and has tried to help you on numerous occasions. Now it's time to walk the walk, no more talk. Get to work in proclaiming the kingdom blessings to the lost souls in this dying world. You will be so much happier! (Ignore the occasional hypocrite and just put your nose to the ground pleasing Jehovah).
Lots and lots of love!!
[Sister Blind Faith]
Sin Making Reinstatement Impossible — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1952162#h=9
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Now, I'm just wondering... do I even bother with this, you guys? She is clearly wearing some heavy cult blinders, making waking up impossible. I just don't know how to go about this. On the one hand, a part of me just wants to respond with: "Oh, WOW. Thank you so much for sending that amazing article! It all makes so much sense now. Whew, glad to be back in step with everyone."
From what's left of her brain, she'll detect the insincere tone because that's not how I usually write to her. But how could she really argue with that?
The other part of me wants to sit down and address this arrogance head-on. I'm calling on you for any input and suggestions of where to go from here.
@Vanderhoven - you're still a Christian, from memory. If you're around, do you mind putting together some Biblical zingers that will shut this down? That would be amazing.
Any believers and atheists alike who can still appeal to scriptural reason to help me nip this in the bud, please chime in. Usually, I'd be okay with compiling something myself. It's just, my son is going into an operation in the next several hours and I'm a bit stressed :(
I appreciate any advice - even if you tell me to just drag and delete her email and carry on in the real world.
Thanks in advance,
WHAM!