A Letter of Gratitude to AAWA from a Jehovah’s Witness
By Lee Marsh

Source: http://aawa.co/blog/a-letter-of-gratitude-to-aawa-from-a-jehovahs-witness/

We often think that nothing we do has any real effect on Jehovah’s Witnesses. However, just a couple of days ago, I received an email thanking AAWA for the work we are doing. According to the writer, we are definitely making an impact.

We aren’t the only ones. Other valuable websites provide information that people need to know to get the Watchtower Society out of their heads. Some may still be in congregations worldwide and may have decided – at least for now – to stay in the organization. But they also tell us that their minds are no longer deceived by Watchtower misinformation.

Here is just such a letter. I received permission to post it with only small edits to hide the writer’s identity.

Hi Guys,

I can’t thank you enough for issues you are addressing related to the jw.org.

I have been an elder for more than [X] years now, born in the org. My grand mother is amongst the first generation of JWs in our country.

I sometimes feel uncomfortable to teach on the platform things I truly disagree with like higher education. Sometimes I have to erase portions of the official speech text. So when I present on the platform, I remove what I deeply disagree with. I do go door-to-door, but I do not make return visits or conduct bible studies. (My report will typically show completely fictitious numbers).

I’m not alone in this. Other brothers and elders have for a long time been pursuing higher education studies in their country or abroad going as far as getting a PhD and postdoctoral and teaching at the University. And yes, I’ll encourage my two sons to go to the university and young brothers to do so.

Shunning … My brother has been disfellowshipped for [X] years and I don’t, not anymore, feel any guilt when I talk to him. Here again, there is, at least for some of us, a complete disconnection between the teaching and the practices of the Watchtower, and what really doesn’t make sense.

My wish is to see an implosion or at least several reforms in the organisation regarding “pagan celebrations”, shunning, blood transfusions, sexual abuse handling… etc.

For you Guys and all others, doing what we can’t do, a warm thank you and… your message will always have an echo within those who are still in. And yes, there are probably more critical thinkers inside the org than you can imagine, but sometimes social and family bonds create this fear that is so paralyzing.

Best,

Your brother

Matt 18:6

icybeth:
Matt 18:6

When Jesus said the above, was he referring to himself and his disciples who was helping people leave Judaism or to the religious governing body of his time (pharisees and saducees ), who were making worship of God a burden for the common people?

Was he referring to himself or was he referring to the set of people who with their legislative and legalistic tendencies would not enter into God's kingdom and at the same time, would not allow others to enter? (Mt 23:13)

Go and tell your governors (governing body) to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves, have I become like the pharisees of Jesus day.