Part 18: The Last Stand – My Brother’s Gift

I had almost forgotten about my brother’s gift. The Amalgamated Wedding was now well over 2 years in the past. My brother Joe died in June of 1994. The Elders did not know he was deceased. He left a “gift” that he would not disclose, but assured me it would someday become clear to me what he had done. Now, I was about to find out.

The Elders were at times unusually fearful of me. I understood the paranoia they develop toward ex-JWs as ‘Apostates – a frightful suspicious type of paranoia planted in them by the Watchtower Society. I understand that they did not appreciate my career, resented my measure of wealth, and were uncomfortable with my education. But I never could completely figure out just why they acted as they did with respect to me – after the wedding.

My reporting the molester to the Sheriff was a major cause for their fear ... but that passed ... and yet their dread of me continued. One of my informants disclosed that I was even labeled the “Chief Apostate” of the region. A title that I believe is better given to other more capable and active former Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though now, I was about to be reminded of Joe’s “gift”, and how it would play out in this final saga with the JW Elders.

Controlling Apostates: The anti-Apostate stand of the Society begin shortly after Ray Franz was Disfellowshipped in 1981. But the effects took time to be felt at the local level. There were some changes in Doctrine. The Kingdom “Service” monthly paper was changed back the Kingdom Ministry. This was no doubt done in rejection of the strong influence of former Watchtower leaders, like Ray Franz, who leaned toward “Service” instead of “Ministry.” The new Insight books replaced the Aid Book, another of Ray Franz’s great work products. Certainly this is why the “Gentile Times” discussion in the Aid book was revised in the Insight Volumes. After 1983 when Crisis of Conscience was published, the effective changes became even more noticeable. The softening toward Disfellowshipped people was now returning to its former days of rigid and harsh measures. The Society was in dead reversal to go back to Rutherford-ism.

The New Enemy: Unlike Hippies, or the government, or false religion, or social issues such as drug abuse and teenage promiscuity, the Society had a new and bigger enemy – Apostates. The modern JW Apostate is no longer the quiet “wall-flower” who disappears into the woodwork – no, they are open, vocal, and have publishing tools – and now the Great Equalizer – The Internet. We could see this as JWs observing how the Society prepared us as far back as the mid-1980s.

One of the things I recall that JWs were encouraged to do by the early 1990s were: 1. Consider divorce from an Apostate mate on grounds of “Spiritual Endangerment” – a new reason other than adultery to end a marriage, and 2. To get control of an Apostate’s “assets.” The idea behind this second goal was that an Apostate mate cannot be trusted, so the faithful JW partner must get control and own the assets. In the event of a divorce, the faithful JW mate would have much more leverage. (This was not a published policy that I recall, but was discussed among Elders after meetings with the CO at Assemblies or in congregation visits.)

Contrary to popular opinion, Community Property is not practiced by all states and is being replaced in many states by a law called “Tenants by the Entirety.” This means that each party in the marriage wholly owns 100% of all the assets. This makes it easier when one party dies to transfer assets to the surviving mate. This legal rule also means that each can come into the marriage with their own assets, or acquire additional assets of their own during the marriage, and leave the marriage with the same assets in tact. The longer the marriage, and the more that assets were commingled in some areas such as car ownership and bank accounts, the more likely equal division according to older Community Property standards will be used. Nevertheless, Oregon, like other states, has become a “Tenant’s by the Entirety” state ... and this means that a faithful JW could over time take control of assets in a way that could pose serious problems for the ex-JW mate.

The Stage is Set: Earlier, I mentioned that a Special Representative (SR) was sent into the territory to monitor the situation in the local congregation. I have no doubt that the Society was far more worried about extended, maybe even rampant “apostasy” than about any concerns I raised with them or the CO. A few years earlier, in a not too distant congregation, there was a large break-out of apostasy, and this became well known throughout the region. So it stood to reason that they would have similar fears for our congregation and congregations in the general area.

Note: I do not know for a fact that SR is actually appointed by the WTS to serve as a monitor in problematic congregations. That is rumor to me ... but, my informants up to this point had been reasonably reliable. SR could have been a higher profile Elder from another location that the Society simply asked to move in to the territory and keep an eye on things. Whatever the relationship SR had with the Society or local CO, it was clear that he was living there for more than the enjoyment of being in that part of the country. It also seemed obvious to me that the level of fear on the part of the Elders in dealing with SR that he was something more to them than just another JW Elder in town ... no, his presence had special significance.

Mr. SR advertised to the JWs that he was into buying and selling businesses and making other various investments. Many of his business activities took him to the People’s Republic of China and other nations. He acquired a good measure of wealth in his business activities. Shortly after he moved into the territory, he became very respected right away among the local JWs.

Somehow, Brother K managed to allow his wife to convince him to invest with SR (even though Brother K was now a Disassociated Apostate). They handed over all their “life savings” to SR. He promised orally that the investment would be safe and grow. It was out of state, but in the safe control of SR – in one of his investment schemes.

Brother K did not get any “Prospectus” or have any statements other than oral assurances that his money was safe and growing. He was scared that his life savings would never be seen again. So after several months passed, he asked me what he might do – and here is what we did.

The State of Oregon: I contacted the State offices that regulate Securities in Oregon. Each state, in addition to the USA Federal Securities Exchange Commission, has its own regulatory body and unique securities laws to enforce. When you partner people in an investment deal you must provide a “Prospectus” or other similar documentation and comply with other regulatory rules ... none of which SR had done. He was not known to the State of Oregon - and - the State was MOST INTERESTED in this SR and his practices. They advised me to have Brother K contact them because they cannot work with me unless I am an attorney for Brother K. I am not an attorney, so the most I could do was gather helpful and important information.

The State of Oregon also advised me to have Brother K immediately retain his own attorney AND immediately contact the District Attorney in his County to file a complaint. This way, both civil and criminal charges can be filed against SR and the local Elders. This would allow discovery of assets in an effort to get Brother K’s money back and possibly lead to criminal sanctions against those responsible to taking Brother K'’ money.

I did some investigating work and obtained documents on SR’s assets so that these could be seized. In addition, we obtained the necessary documentation on the Kingdom Hall real property so that this asset could be seized in the event that they were named as co-defendants with SR. The battle lines were drawn.

Call to the District Attorney: Brother K was too scared and ashamed to call the DA. He was afraid that somehow his wife, a faithful JW, and the Elders would find out, and his money would really be lost forever. It was a substantial sum, though Brother K would not disclose to me the exact amount, I guessed from his comments that it was on or about the high 5 or low 6 figures. So, I agreed to call the DA and explain the situation. The plan was to have the DA call Brother K at a discreet time so that he could be assured of privacy. Then he could move quietly as he sought to protect his assets.

The District Attorney was utterly fascinated: He appreciated the context of the situation and agreed to contact Brother K. He asked for my assistance so that in the event we needed to work through me at times, he could count on that ... and avoid compromising Brother K’s sensitive position. I gave the DA much of the basics from the documentation I had collected, and agreed to send him my full package. I asked the DA that if he calls Brother K’s home, and anyone but brother K answers to hang up, because it could harm his efforts. The DA agreed.

The DA phones Brother K: When the DA called Brother K, he was unfortunately late in arriving home. Sister K was not there either. Somehow, perhaps by habit or not thinking, the DA left a phone recording. He mentioned that he got a call from Mr. Jay, and that he was calling to discuss the matter. He left his name and phone number and ended the message. That is all that was said – but – it was enough.

Sister K arrives home before Brother K ... and of course, you guessed it, she listens to the phone recording from the District Attorney! A loyal JW might conclude at this point that Jehovah’s angels were acting to pre-empt Brother K, a known Apostate, and was directing matters into the Elders wise hands. Sure enough – Sister K called the Elders and informed them of the call from the DA ... and she mentions that Mr. Jay is involved in helping Brother K!

The Tribal Elders beat their drums for an emergency meeting: The Elders all get together to discuss this situation. They had had interactions with me indirectly before ... and I managed to evade them ... such as giving help to new Bible Studies ... or to some who were leaving the religion ... and my nearly two year Stand-Off with my appeal to the Society’s Legal Dept. created consternation in them that only a person about to jump off of a cliff can fully understand. My report to the Sheriff likewise frightened them and created a level of anger in them that I have little doubt caused them to make sure I was Disassociated. Yet, in none of this could I really find a reason for them to act so scared. Especially was this true after the Society’s attorney was representing them, and they got their wish to have me Disassociated.

They had a very new problem now: Mr. Jay and Brother K were both already Disassociated ... so any leverage they might have had was gone. We became like dead men who came back to haunt the living – but the living can only kill us once – and now we can no longer be manipulated and threatened.

This time, it was not a matter of finding a way to remove us from their ranks – but a serious matter involving the civil authorities from the DA to the State of Oregon ... a very different matter ... one filled with extreme uncertainty and dreadful possibilities ... but then again ... there was one more factor to add to their extreme trepidation ... as this was proving to be an enema covered with concentrated Jalapena’ Sauce ...

My Brother Joe’s Gift: During the Amalgamated Wedding, Joe got into a discussion with Elder G. He and Elder G appeared to be having an excited and maybe heated conversation, but short of an all out fight. It was something that Joe said and threatened that resulted in the Elder’s fears of me ... I must digress ...

Joe was a surveillance spy in the military branch of the Army Security Agency. His agency provided information to the National Security Agency which reports to the National Security Council under the President. The ASA primarily provides military intelligence. His activities at times involved some rigorous events where people were shot. He was also a specialist in scaring the hell out of the opposition ... and he could do it with conviction. He scared me at times and I am his brother. ... Now let’s peak in on the Tribal Council:

Elders meet with SR: SR had purchased a very nice home on a large parcel. He spent about $350,000 for this estate. At the time, in Oregon, a price tag in that amount in the area he bought meant enjoyment of very luxurious property. I checked the deed, and at the moment I do not recall seeing any mortgage amount recorded, which means he likely paid cash. Prices in Oregon have more than doubled since then, and so today, the same property would easily command $600,000 or more. He had a large stake, unmovable, and openly vulnerable to seizure unlike any liquid assets he might have out of state or off-shore.

The Elders called this meeting to strongly urge SR, on no uncertain terms, that he must immediately get Brother K’s money back from any investments and pay it to Brother K. They were scared, and they reveal my brother’s gift to SR:

The Gift: They tell SR that Mr. Jay is involved with Brother K ... that Mr. Jay knows the law and is a formidable opponent. They advise SR that the District Attorney is making calls, and that the State of Oregon is now involved and may join the DA. Further ...

Mr. Jay’s brother is a high profile attorney who works for a well-establish law firm. Mr. Jay’s brother specializes in suing Jehovah’s Witnesses, the congregations, Elders, and the Society ... and he has a strong track record of winning. Mr. Jay has contacted his brother and his brother will be stepping into this situation ... and this could prove a disaster for the Elders, the Congregation and the Society!

Yes, my Brother Joe was so bold as to tell Elder G that he is a lawyer who sues JWs as his professional specialty. He was evidently so convincing that he scared the life out of Elder G ... and I suspect that Elder G’s earlier reference to continued threats that I would sue them may well have come from my brother making follow-up calls.

The Irony: I do not condone what my brother did by posing as an attorney. I certainly did not receive any direct benefit from his little “gift.” But somehow the poetic justice in this ... the shear humorous lampoonery ... was just too good. The Elders did not know that my brother had already been deceased for nearly two years. They took his statements and embellished them to believe that I had contacted my brother – and that this was part of the events taking shape with the District Attorney and the State of Oregon.

Needless to say ... Brother K got all his money paid back, with the promised return on his investment within a very short time.

Knowing my brother as I do ... I have no doubts that he may have even threatened other harm to Elder G ... but I will never really know. I still sit back and think about how the Elders must have felt when they were informed about the DA’s call ... how their little white under-panties must have changed to some color of brown as their bowels emptied like a ruptured hydroelectric dam. They must have feared that they would be considered complicit by the authorities, otherwise, why take the extreme measures they did with SR. And SR himself must have likewise understood how all of his investment programs might come under scrutiny – how they would appear as scams to the State of Oregon. He must have thought about sitting in the big chair, next to the man clothed in a black satin robe --- while he spells the word – d-e-f-e-n-d-a-n-t! Perhaps this was mixed with visions of being in the Gray-Bar Hotel rooming with a 300 pound cell mate named Bubba who calls him ... Sweetie!

Epilogue: Since the events of this series ended, I have had no contact or any involvement with the local JW Elders or with any JWs except for brief encounters here and there. The last several years have been peaceful in that the JWs are truly gone from my life ... except for posting on forums.

I never would have believed that when I first read Crisis of Conscience what would unfold over the following 6 years. I could not have believed this, even if it were a fiction ... it was all too bizarre ... yet looking back ... each step ... each new development all made some kind of sense, given the JW world of fantasy ... given the mystical and eccentric religion that they adhere to. My only shame is that I was ever part of this absurdity in the first place ... that I stayed so long ... and that I participated to some degree in the events that seem to never end.

What is all this worth to me now? How do we assess the reason for our experience as JWs? What can we take with us that will prove useful to others so that we can leave this world a little better than we found it? My only thought is that ex-JWs can act like “social antibiotics” and be there to help others exiting cults ... or better yet – preventing their entry in the first place ... maybe in some cosmic way it is our lot to help bring an end to the madness and be the contributing cause of the demise of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society as it is today. Maybe long after we become fertilizer, some future historians or mental health professionals will shower kind words on us for helping to expose the folly of mind-control. Who knows?

IN RETROSPECT

Purpose of this story: I provided this exit journey in the hopes that it will add to the collective information now available, so that JWs just now exiting the religion can see what others have been through, and learn from our successes and failures ... and to find some comfort in knowing that they are not alone, but there are hundreds of thousands of ex-JWs who are there, many of whom can be most supportive and maybe become good friends with them.

Legal points: Many have emailed wondering what they might be able to do legally to somehow force the Watchtower to allow them to fade away without official discipline, disfellowshipping, or disassociation. The most typical questions have to do with whether one can sue over being disfellowshipped or disassociated, or whether one might find a way to have their baptism as a JW made null and void.

I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. Also each state has its own laws that may affect how a person might proceed with a cause of action against the Watchtower Society ... so even a lawyer cannot give advice across state lines, where he is not licensed, beyond generalities and advice to consult with an attorney in your respective state. However, you can contact your state bar association and get recommendations as to which attorneys practice law specific to religious issues, and save yourself a lot of frustration.

General opinion from my experience: I do think that there are some issues worth considering in the event you feel the need to take legal action. So, I give my unprofessional opinion as a general suggestion on what you may consider discussing with your attorney:

First, in the United States, the Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion. This is a two-way street in that you are free to leave any religion and do as you wish, and any religion is free to have whatever church government it chooses, issuing whatever rules it wants to impose. A religion can and will be held accountable for criminal activity, even if these are part of its rituals, or if they commit financial fraud. Otherwise, they are free to invent any kind of rules and regulations that they want, and excommunicate members at will in accordance with these rules ... no matter how painful and destructive this is to the relationships with one’s family and friends. It is a price to be paid for such freedom.

Historically, the JWs have had to make certain changes because of litigation or threat of litigation. Before I was a JW, back in the 1950s or thereabouts, they use to announce the specific offense when taking disfellowshipping action against a member ... such as saying that, ‘so-and-so’ is disfellowshipped for drunkenness, or fornication, etc. This was changed, as reported to me, because some ex-JWs successfully sued and won cases of libel. I do not know at this time where any such case law or court settlements are recorded. Out of court settlements can often be held in confidence.

So when I became a JW, the announcement simply stated that ‘so-and-so’ is disfellowshipped for conduct unbecoming a Christian. This too was changed a few years later, I think in the late 1970s, to simply state that, ‘so-and-so’ is disfellowshipped – thus deleting any comment about the reasons for the action. While this may be a blessing in one regard, - yet, in another way, it still might be a curse, an implied libel, because active JWs would always assume that the disfellowshipped person did something immoral to merit the action. This is reinforced at a near future date, because a talk is given to the congregation, typically during the Service Meeting, where the conduct is discussed. An attorney would be the best person to advise whether a disfellowshipped or disassociated JW had a legal cause of action. But, I think it is worth at least one visit with an experience attorney to explore the possibilities.

Nullifying Baptisms: I seriously considered this myself. I reasoned from two points: 1) I was baptized at age 19, a legal minor in the State of California in 1970. Therefore, I might argue that I was not legally able to make such a serious decision. The Watchtower Society might counter-argue that I went through the 80 questions in the Lamp book at the time to make sure I knew what I was doing. (Today, as found in the book, Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, the total number of questions are about 200 to 227 depending on how the interview is conducted with the prospective baptism candidate).

I could counter-argue that I did not make an “informed” decision, because the Watchtower Society failed to disclose important fact about its history, policies and practices that would have affected my decision. When buying a home, by way of example, if a home-owner fails to disclose certain material defects that they know about, or could and should have known about, the buyer can take them to court. One might then argue, in the case of a religion, that they were induced by deceit to join, and thereby provided labor, materials, and/or financial support for a religious organization that they would otherwise not have supported had they been given proper disclosure. I have no way of knowing whether this kind of argument would stand up in court, but an attorney would know if it could be made to stick.

1985 Baptism Rule Change: Prior to 1985, the policy stated to then ‘new’ JWs was that no membership roles are kept, for a JW is not joining a religion, and therefore, he only a citizen of God’s Kingdom. His/Her baptism did not make one a member of anything, for it was only a dedication to Jehovah to do his will ... and the baptism followed closely the terms in Matthew 28: 19-20 to ‘go therefore ... baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and holy spirit.’

This was all changed in the April 1985 issue of the Watchtower where the vows now taken state that one is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and one recognizes that they are in association with God’s spirit-directed organization. The holy spirit is left out of the vow. While such a religious statement would likely not concern any court in and of itself, the fact that a JW who was baptized prior to this change might want to argue that they never accepted or understood this ‘new’ representation, for when they became members, the original representation was that they were not members or in association with any organization, and were not entered onto any membership role.

The Watchtower Society, prior to Rutherford’s time, was run as a ‘congregational’ church government, similar to individually and locally owned operated franchises. During Rutherford’s tenure as President of the Society, they required all congregations to register with the Society, and then instituted a hierarchical church government, except for local ownership of Kingdom Halls, which were owned by the local congregation. Then, in the 1980s after the case in Bonham, Texas was lost, it is my understanding that the Society instituted more changes so that in the event of the demise of a local congregation, the Kingdom Hall would become the property of the Society as beneficiary. This tightened the hierarchical control, but the baptism loophole was still wide open. The 1985 change in the baptism vow is obviously designed to make an individual JW a member of the congregation, and accountable to the Watchtower organization by recognizing his/her association with it. Nevertheless, I have no knowledge of whether any case could be won to Nullify one’s baptism on this ground, or to repudiate the religious authority of the Watchtower Society. In actual practice, any legal maneuvers against the Society, even if successful, will likely still result in total shunning and effective disfellowshipping anyway. It will be merely handled orally, with subsequent denials by all parties.

A ray of Hope: The Internet has become a most powerful tool, the Great Equalizer, in the balance of power to combat the deceptive and cunning practices of the Watchtower religion. This tool alone has proven so effective that the Society has tried to get JWs to stay off the Internet in its long discussion in the November 1999 Kingdom Ministry.

So, were I exiting the religion today, and wanted to explore all avenues and resources before deciding how I wanted to exit, I would search every ex-JW site possible, looking for legal experiences of others, and then discuss these with my attorney before making any final decisions on how I want to proceed. There may well be some very good case law available that would be of considerable help to some.

TEN STEP PROGRAM – In retrospect, would I do anything differently?: I made many errors in my journey out of the Watchtower organization. Much of it was caused between my desire to fade away quietly, and still find a way to be open and vocal. One cannot have it both ways ... if your need to be open and vocal is strong in order to be true to yourself, then it may be wise to accept the inevitable, and let the religion go sooner than later, as I did. There are some things to consider though:

While I would do many things the same way as I did them years ago, I would definitely make some changes in how I proceeded – hindsight being 20/20. J

1. My prime goal was, and would continue to be, to get my family out first, and that I would not change.

2. Before I left, however, I would have kept more documentation, such as my Elder handbook, and judicial file notes ... especially where crimes were hidden from the authorities, such as those of child molesters. (Provided, of course I knew of these and had access to the information, otherwise, I would forget Step 3.)

3. I would have contacted the authorities right away, without letting the Elders or the Society in on what I was doing, and I would have retained an attorney, and gone to the public media. The light of public exposure and open truth is very powerful, even with some of the corrupt and complex aspects of our civilization.

4. I would have written even more and published it sooner, but done so under a fictitious name.

5. If I did not have such information mentioned in Item 2, either because of not being an Elder or not privy to solid evidence that Elders have, then I would leave quietly, and never respond in anyway, written or oral to the Elders or the Society. Never give then anything written except through an attorney. Never discuss any details with any JW friends ... simply leave, and if possible, move away to an area where I was not known.

6. If I could not move due to family and financial considerations, then I would avoid the JWs at every turn, never giving them any cause to talk to me, or learn of my activity in any form.

7. If I learned that the Elders took any action, such as disfellowshipping or disassociating me, I would ignore it, and treat it as of no force or effect – a total repudiation of their system ... give them nothing. I would not honor the shunning arrangement, and live my life as if they were never a part of it. I do this now, but unfortunately, the Elders likely still have my 29 page parting letter ... and this will always be kept on file. They will always have a little piece of my words, as documented evidence, a little tiny bit of control ... yet, I guess that is okay. It is the principle that irritates me.

8. I would have been far more active, and have done this sooner, by contacting other former ex-JWs to expose the religious fraud of the Watchtower organization. I do this daily now, with great vigor, mostly on the Internet. Many thousands of other former JWs do this, and I have absolutely no regrets ... for this is the only way that I can now at least help contribute to other JWs who are having doubts, and former JWs still exiting, something that in a small way will make up for what they suffered.

9. I would have had, and taken, more time to start healing and recovering. Much of my delay tactics prolonged the additional steps and growth I needed to make. I would have reached where I am at now, perhaps a few years sooner. By reading the experiences of others on the Internet, and in ‘face-to-face’ association, I have learned much from them that has helped me in the recovery of my mental and emotional freedom ... enjoying the burden of guilt, uncertainty, and have any fear lifted much sooner.

10. Time Spent: None of us can take back the time lost as JWs. We can only draw on that experience for what it is and make the best of it. Had I let go of the religion sooner, I could have spent more time enjoying each moment in life, treasuring and savoring every minute with whatever I was doing; more walks and talks with my wife and children, a quiet cup of tea with my wife at our favorite restaurant, visiting the shopping malls with her, saving more money J and rejoicing in life as it is now. I have no way of really knowing what life there is after death, for whatever God has in store, he has chosen not to reveal it. So I take this as our cue to take “this” life – now – very seriously and make the most of what we are, and have now. To waste our lives worrying about some eternal future, especially by endlessly knocking on doors, filling out time reports, attending boring repetitive meetings and assemblies hearing the same material over and over is a gross abuse of the talents and gifts that God has given us to do the things in life that really matter. Things that Jesus and the Apostles endorsed, loving care of our families, visiting the sick, helping the poor, doing good to those in need ... for:: “Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, (and) to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27

Matt 25:34-40, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, (even) these least, ye did it unto me.”

Who are the least of Jesus brethern? Are they the special self-appointed leaders of a religion that label themselves an exclusive ‘Anointed’ or holy class? Or are they your neighbor, everyone human being around you?

Luke 10:29 to 36 the account of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us who are our neighbors, “But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” ... “Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Jesus made it clear that all, even those not of our religious affiliation are our neighbors to be cared for, loved, and tended to in need ... this is our holy command from Jesus, to carry forth the love of God in our hearts.

Do I still have fears or concerns that I might be wrong, and I was somehow in error leaving the Watchtower organization, no longer being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

NO. The assurance I finally learned as a Christian is to look to God alone, and not any human, to go to Christ exclusively and not any church or organization. Perhaps what I learned in a positive way in my 25 years as a JW is the powerful lesson that our relationship with God is not through any organization or set of doctrinal interpretations of men, but only to trust and have faith in Jesus Christ as savior. The words of Paul to the Romans take on special significance here:

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:31-39 (KJV)

As Paul stated, it is Christ that died for us, not some organization or group of men. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate us from God; for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through him. This powerful statement of Paul makes it clear what was wrong with our religion as Jehovah’s Witnesses, because it is a religion with faith in an organization, whereas Christianity is about faith Jesus Christ alone. Once we learn that lesson – even the hard way as I and others have done – then we come to understand that never more can any human take us out of the hand of God!

I hope you enjoyed this series. And maybe in addition to any entertainment, there are some lessons for others going through their own unique exits from the Organization ... lessons and ideas that may help some know what “might” work ... and many more lessons in what will “not work.” I hope that in any case this contribution will be a good part of the overall amount of information readily available to help JWs to exit and former JWs move on with their lives. I give my thanks to many former JWs who have been there for me, who have helped me through my own recovery, and who made a difference in my life. – The END

Whatever we make of our JW experience, I can honestly say, "It has been simply Amazing!

FINAL NOTES:

1. I first posted this series on JWD forum. In releasing it to Freeminds, I have gone back and made several editorial corrections in grammar, spelling, etc. I also added a few clarification notes, and changed the wording in some sentences to improve the points, or in others added a line or to add clarity. Nothing substantive had changed from the original publication.

2. There will be a “Part 19: My Coming Out Party” posted on JWD, when I reach my ten year mark on May 1st, 2002. I will post this final part - maybe. It will be the final step in my Exit ... that is ... disclosing my name and some or all of the players and congregations I mention. This part will require some additional thought.

3. Informants: I cannot reveal these except one. Not long after this event with SR, Elder G was stricken with some illness that affected his brain functions. A number of JWs were asked to assist in his care in various shifts. One of these was one of my several informants. Elder G violated Society instructions and kept the congregation JC files at his home. He further violated Society policy by keeping extensive notes, letters, and related documentation over many years ... at least ten years in Brother Ks case. My informant happened to see these files out on Elder G’s desk. My informant made notes and relayed this back to me. They corroborated things that only I knew ... and well, the rest is history. This particular informant eventually left Jehovah’s Witnesses. The rest are still involved with the religion in some way, and so I cannot reveal who they are at this time.

4. The taped radio interview will have to wait until I can secure permission to release it. I have to check to see if KPDQ is still operating ... and find out if they sold their station, and if the new station has the rights to the tape. If I can, I will send it off to Freeminds to publish.