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[watcher]

removed

[el_guapo_64]

Timothy,

I'm sure Watcher's post was awful as u deleted it.

Thank you

[Ingenuous]

Whew! I never thought that post would trigger such a charged exchange.

The only thing that stops me from disassociating myself is the WTS's extreme shunning policy.  I just don't want to risk certain family members or friends never having anything to do with me again.

Russell felt strongly about formally disassociating from any and all religious organziations. He believed religious organizations were a hindrance - even a stumbling block - and believed they were absolutely unnecessary. (I got that from reading his Studies in the Scriptures series.) His ideal situation would be for the letter to be read to the entire congregation from which one was disassociating.

There are many situations which would make disassociation pointless among JWs. Once one has left in body and mind, a letter really is a formality. It often does nothing but trigger the prejudice of one's fellows and make it harder to help them see and accept any truth one has to share.

Taking up one's cross comes in a number of forms: dealing with the scorn of family members with whom one has been honest about one's feelings; losing all of one's friends because they would be certain to betray doubts and disagreements supposedly kept in confidence to the elders; dealing with the harrowing and life-altering struggle of watching one's entire worldview crumble and struggling to build a new one based on personal responsibility and conscience - especially when one has no prior practice in such.

If feeling as if you've stepped off a cliff and are waiting for God to catch you isn't "picking up one's cross," I don't know what is.

[watcher]

Timothy,

I'm sure Watcher's post was awful as u deleted it.

Thank you

Actually, I removed it.

And..I d/a today...what a relief!

I'll put it back per request. My letter:

Letter of Disassociation

To: Jehovah’s Witnesses – East Carmichael Congregation

From James

Brothers,

After considering C.T. Russell’s writings, and comparing with current WT doctrine, and after much study of the Scriptures, and leadings of God’s Holy Spirit, and much prayer, I have come to the conclusion that Jehovah’s Witnesses are not, and have never been God’s “organization.”  I was surprised how far WT teaching had distanced itself from The Truth Brother Russell once shared with the world.

Beliefs that I share with Pastor Russell and the Watch Tower of old:

Ransom for all
Resurrection for all, including Adam, Sodom, Armageddon - ALL
Restoration of Natural Israel
   To be “princes” in resurrection…Not JW elders
Should not belong to any “organization,” but worship in small groups
Heavenly door still open
   All should strive for the “prize,” and make your calling sure
Great Company (Crowd) will be in Heaven
Works are love, manifested by fruits of the Spirit
   Taking care of widows and orphans
   Never judge
   Think no evil of “any” person
   Love everybody
   Let your light shine
   Entertain strangers
Elders elected by congregation, not appointed
Judicial Church matters handled by entire congregation
   Never have closed door meetings
   Keep congregation abreast of all matters
Meetings should allow for alternate scriptural viewpoints to be heard
   Alternate viewpoints allowed
   Letters such as this should be available to any who wish to read
Inclusion of Lord Jesus in prayers and thoughts
No Hellfire
Jesus is not Almighty God Jehovah
No immortality of the soul
No paid clergy class
Earth restored for all mankind

I am not concerned that any of you shall end up in any way worse off by shunning me, or thinking poorly of me, as you are not on trial for your lives yet.  I, however, as a consecrated, anointed Christian, am on trial.  I should not have anything but loving thoughts of you, even should you persecute me, by shunning, speaking evil of me, severing business ties, etc.  I will not, however, honor any request not to speak to anyone in the congregations, as I am a man full of faith and anointed with Holy Spirit, and there is no scriptural basis for my severing ties.  I am quite joyful and grateful for my newfound Christian freedom, and anyone looking will see that, and I will share my faith with anyone who inquires.

I wish each of you well and pray you would read some of the writings of the founder of the Watch Tower. You are kind, loving people, and I am confident that should you come to an accurate knowledge of God, Christ, and God’s true plan, be consecrated, and be faithful unto death, I will see you in Heaven, Jehovah willing (in other words…if I make it). Otherwise, I am confident you will have a smooth transition to life in the Age to come. I am confident I will somehow be able to communicate with you then, most assuredly after Judgment, if not during.  Or, continue talking with me now! I won’t tell anybody anything, other than it is none of their business. (In a loving, kind way) I realize the WT requires you to treat me much worse than a tax collector, but no hard feelings taken.  You know not what you do.



Respectfully,



Jim

www.agsconsulting.com
http://www.biblestudents.net/studies/harvestmessage


Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Act 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified

Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Mat 5:7 Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Joh 5:23 That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

[freyd]

There are many situations which would make disassociation pointless among JWs. Once one has left in body and mind, a letter really is a formality. It often does nothing but trigger the prejudice of one's fellows and make it harder to help them see and accept any truth one has to share.

Taking up one's cross comes in a number of forms: If feeling as if you've stepped off a cliff and are waiting for God to catch you isn't "picking up one's cross," I don't know what is.

Appreciate your insights, Ingenuous. Disassociation would seem the lesser of two evils. While not being df'd allows the opportunity to share thoughts, the way the WT works, it seems unavoidable in many cases as you might be hounded into the reasons for inactivity which leads to judicial actions. Somebody the other day from  my old congregation that I faded from left a msg on the phone. Have been debating whether to return the call. All they said was they hoped all was well and that the group had been thinking about me. It must be a like a burr under their saddle. Of course who knows what the motive was for the call. Was it genuine concern or were they put up to it?  Being df'd or da'd one can be dismissed from their thought process. This way it appears they have to keep wondering about certain possibilities. But I'm sort of unique. For many, fading is next to impossible. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/34518/1.ashx  On the Art of Fading

[homewardbound]

Thank you, Freyd, for posting that link. It was really useful, even though my own fade is pretty much complete, apart from a blip that I caused myself by going back for a short while and mentioning the WTS/UN fiasco. The part I find the hardest is keeping my mouth shut when certain ones snub me. I wore trousers and married an 'unbeliever' so committed two cardinal sins in their eyes.

Does anyone remember a thread where a parallel was drawn between the WTS and the RC Church around the time the printing press was invented? I would love to read it again but am useless at finding old threads.

Love to all
N

[Flowerchild]

Hi Watcher

I just loved reading your post, the one about your DA letter, much love and encouraging words, but I did not understand where you said No Hellfire, as JW don't believe in this either.Aslo that Jesus is God  almighty Jehovah?

The problem with the BS is there is no local places to gather, to bad, as I would attend.

Take care

Sandra

[watcher]

Sandra,

I added those comments as many JWs think they are the only ones free from such superstitions, yet fail to realize where they received such meat?  The Faithfull and Wise Servant, of course.

Much love,

Jim


You can always fellowship online, and I am hoping our small class (9 brethren) will allow others to join us via paltalk.

[Flowerchild]

Hi Watcher

Ok I understand, yes there are many who don't believe in the hellfire doctrine, or that Jesus is God Almighty.

I myself believe there is so much more to Jesus than we have been taught, I have also learned that things aren't as black and white as were taught as JW,

Watcher, I also  have learned that No  religion has it all, and yesCTR always said that relgion is a snare and a racket.

The scripture that says "Christ would exist divided until the end," we certainly see that don't we, as anyone who believes in Christ are all divided by religions.

Take care

Sandra