Growing Up Jehovah’s Witness

Letter to Myself,

I have heard that you have decided to disassociate yourself from the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  I can sympathize with your feelings and understand the hurt you are currently coping with since I myself am a disfellowshipped brother from the same congregation.  I was indoctrinated into the religion since birth so I am cognizant of the internal pathos the splitting of families may actualize.  I say that this action separates loved ones because that is the intended purpose of shunning.  If not, this weapon would have no teeth.  The sharpness of its actions would have no barbed effect.  Smooth intentions lead to gentle outcomes, and that is not the outcome that is intended.  The harshness of this compulsory engagement is required to turn people back towards the “truth.”  However, what if this religion is not the truth?  Are you willing to stake your future life in a faith that you cannot without certainty declare as true? 

How can you avoid the pain of shunning from others?  Tertullian once said that “The pleasure of those who injure you lies in your pain. Therefore, they will suffer if you take away their pleasure by not feeling pain.” 

Shun them first, and you will have severed the connection you have with the congregation, a group of people who only have their self-interests in mind or maybe care for you but are in the same situation that you are.  They may doubt as well, but their bonds with their families are stronger than their will to be set free.  Losing your loved ones can be difficult but owning the one life you have is eternally more valuable, satisfying and a much more successful way of living. 

Do not listen to the members of the congregation.  They are masters of portents and smooth speech.  They are sly speakers that only are able to deploy false rhetoric to keep you captive in the Jehovah’s Witness cult.  You never know who the wolves are until they show you their teeth and by that time, it is too late.