Benny Sikter's Letter To The Governing Body.

Dear Brothers!

First of all I would like to say how much I appreciate your Christian activity by continuing declaring The Good News of The Heavenly KINGDOM as foretold in Matthew 24:14. I can say many other things to assure you of my sincere appreciation to your GOD-given work.
But I would like, with this letter, asking you some questions after having been reading the book Crisis of Conscience, written by our brother Raymond Franz. He has in his book revealed many things that have been happening among the brothers at Bethel in Brooklyn during several decades. When I started to read this book I became very upset and wrote immediately a letter to him, even using websites on Internet, and gave him a reprimand according to Proverbs 25:2, 9: “The glory of GOD is the keeping of a matter secret, and the glory of kings is the searching through a matter. Plead your own cause with your fellowman, and do not reveal the confidential talk of another.” You can read by yourselves our corresponding letters I deliver in the same envelope as this letter to you.

After reading more and more pages in his revealing book of the activities in Bethel at that time I changed my attitude to brother Raymond. Especially chapter ten and eleven, the pages 233-351 in my Swedish copy, affected me very much! I have seriously questions concerning his writings and I would like to hear your point of views before I find out the real and true things that actually was happening among you anointed brothers at that time, according to Proverbs 18:13: “When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.” Is it not your responsibility to make things clear according to 1 Peter 3:15 there it says: “But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect”? (See 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Peter 2:19)

I am asking you: What was the Scriptural base to expel brother Raymond Franz from The Christian Congregation? Was it based on The Scriptures or merely imperfect human reasoning? (See Psalm 119:105; Romans 3:23; 7:14-25; 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:6) Is it true that you expelled him because he ate a meal with brother Peter Gregerson? Where in The Scriptures do you find reason to expel him for this? Is it your limited present understanding of the verse in 1 Corinthians 5:11 who guided you into this cold-blooded and terrible action of yours? (See Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31; 20:39; 1 Timothy 5:1, 17; Compare Job 32:6; Proverbs 23:22; Hebrew 6:10; 13:7, 17)

Another question I am asking is: What is the Biblical reason to expel these friends of Raymond Franz: Ed Dunlap, Rene and Elsie Vazquez, Peter Gregerson, Chris Sanchez, Nestor Kuilan? What wrong have they really been doing? What Biblical teaching do they ignore or hate? Did they were disfellowshipped from The Christian Congregation because they did not accept your own imperfect understanding of The Holy Word that is very changeable because you have not the accurate knowledge yet? (Proverbs 4:18) How much Christian love did you show these fellow Christians with your behavior? (John 13:34, 35; Jacob 2:15-17; 1 Peter 4:8)

How could you permit unanointed brothers to judge and expel brother Edward Dunlap, an anointed brother, who has been used by JEHOVAH GOD to feed spiritually the anointed Brothers among you? (Matthew 24:45-47) What Scriptural reason did you have to do this? Apostasy? Apostasy from what I ask? Was it apostasy in Biblical implication or an apostasy from the “wicked” humans so much restricted ability to fully understand The Truth hidden in GOD’S WORD? (See Luke 11:13) Where in The Scriptures do you find the year 1914 mentioned? Where in The Scriptures do you find that you alone as The Governing Body can resolve spiritually issues of others as you did in Mexico and Malawi, which is fully described in Ray’s good book Crises of Conscience?

Are people more valuable in your sight than His Holy Word? How do you think that JEHOVAH GOD will bless you further when you are not fully obeying His Commands? (See Leviticus 19:32; Proverbs 16:31; 20:39; 1 Timothy 5:1, 17; Compare Job 32:6; Proverbs 23:22; Hebrew 6:10; 13:7, 17) What is your understanding to this verse in The Scriptures: “If then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and you there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away; first make your peace with your brother, and then, when you have come back, offer up your gift.” (Matthew 5:23, 24) How is it possible to gain JEHOVAH’S blessings when brother Raymond has so many accusations against you in his written good book? (See Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; Hebrew 12:14; Jacob 3:18)

I am hoping that you will give me a quick answer to my questions. My telephone number is +46500486868, +46737896446.

A copy of this letter is sent to brother Raymond Franz.
I do love you very much and I wish to see all of you, my anointed brothers!

Please remember this verses in The Holy Scriptures:

“My Son, do not belittle the discipline from JEHOVAH, neither give out when you are corrected by Him; for whom JEHOVAH loves He disciplines; in fact, He scourges every one whom He receives as a Son. True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness.“ —Hebrews 12:5, 6, 11.

“Trust in JEHOVAH with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of Him, and He Himself will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5, 6.

“Rejoice in The Hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in Prayer. Share with The Holy Ones according to their needs. Follow The Course of Hospitality.” —Romans 12:12, 13.

Yours forever

Kaytee & Twink's "Resignation" letter


7 March 2003XXXXXXX Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses To - Elders, Ministerial Servants and Friends

This letter is dealing with our concerns over the following-

• WBTS involvement with the United Nations
• Pedophilia and the handling of these matters within the Organization
  
• False and failed Prophecies
• Blood

It has now been six months since we sent letters expressing our concerns over the above matters. One letter was sent to The Society, and one letter each to S. M. & P. E. ( S. M. was confident that we would get an answer from The Society.)None has been forthcoming in all of this period. A few weeks later, during a meeting with the above elders at our home, all of the original and authentic documents relating to these matters were examined by them. P E requested copies of these documents to take away with him, in order to look into matters. Copies were given to P & S.We are still awaiting their reply. Previous to the above meeting, T M & R D were aware of our concerns. T’s response was "I know Brother Gilles" (Watchtower’s spokesman on these matters). I then asked him to look into the matter with Brother Gilles. R D refused to comment over the matter of the UN involvement. It has taken nearly a whole year to compile this authentic material, which can be corroborated from our files and various other sources including the United Nations Organization itself.No response has been forthcoming from anyone within the Organisation The Watchtower’s involvement with the United Nations The Watchtower Society has been associated with the United Nations as an NGO (non-governmental organization) for almost ten years (1992-2001). This membership appears to have been unknown to the majority of Witnesses, whatever their status in the congregations.The criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI (Department of Public Information) have not changed since 1991, these include the following: (See UN letter dated 9.7.2002 – doc. A/1)

• That the NGO share the ideals of the UN Charter.
• Operate solely on a not-for-profit basis
• Have a demonstrated interest in UN issues & a proven ability to reach large or specialised audiences, such as educators, media-representatives, policy makers & the business community.
• Have the commitment & means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities by publishing newsletters, bulletins and pamphlets, organizing conferences, seminars and round tables, and enlisting the co-operation of the media.

Acceptance of the UN’s criteria was, and still is, essential for being a member. This association with the UN has not been disputed by the Watchtower Organization. The reason they gave for becoming an NGO was to obtain a library card. This is a pitiful answer. There is no excuse whatsoever to be part of this worldly organization.It is interesting to note that the November 22^nd 1998 Awake magazine devoted twelve pages to the promotion of the United Nations, even though this organization has been depicted over many decades as the "scarlet colored beast" in direct opposition to God’s will. Watchtower Sept 15^th 1981 pg. 23 says "A person might renounce his place in the Christian congregation by his actions, such as becoming part of an organization whose objective is contrary to the Bible, and hence is under judgment by Jehovah God. (Compare Rev 19:17-21; Isaiah 2:4) So if one who was a Christian chose to join those who are disapproved of God, it would be fitting for the congregation to acknowledge by a brief announcement that he had disassociated himself and is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses."Jehovah is a God of integrity, not of expediency or of politics. The Watchtower have condemned and disfellowshipped themselves by their own words. John 17:16 and James 4:4 and many, many others can be cited to prove that the Organization has not adhered to bible principles.The Elders’ book "Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock" (Ruling for Justice Itself) states persons who deliberately spread, stubbornly hold to and speak about teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses, are apostates. The WBTS in their effort to meet the criteria as NGO are guilty by their own ruling.No doubt, over the years, elders have disfellowshipped individuals for the above reasons. Does then the Organization come under a different set of rules? (2 Tim 2:5).How can any elders, with principles, sit on judicial committees and decide the fate of others, when faced with this damning evidence. They may get comfort from being part of a group. But as they are part of the structure of the Organization wherein many lives have been destroyed and lost, they must accept some portion of responsibility. When the final judgment day comes, they will have to give an account WHY they as INDIVIDUALS persisted in their positions, destroying the lives of many people all under the guise of 2a"we were directed by the Organization" – where have we heard that before! _______________________________________________________________________________Paedophilia and the handling of these matters within the Organisation We expressed in our previous letter, our abhorrence at the way the Organization handles this most serious of situations (i.e. having to obtain two witnesses to corroborate the allegations). This crime is never committed in front of any witnesses and the elders do not have the experience nor expertise needed to arrive at the correct decision. The police have expressed on many occasions, that these cases must be immediately handed over to the proper authorities for investigation and not referred back to the Organization.Mishandling of incidents of such a sensitive nature can destroy the young victim’s whole life by an incorrect judgment. Adding to this problem is the organization’s view on not taking your brother to court. Much of our concern was detailed in our letter dated 20^th Aug 2002.In a conversation with R D regarding Pedophilia, I mentioned the elder from Rugby (shown on the TV News), who was given a prison sentence and spoken of by the Judge as an "arch-hypocrite". R D made a statement a few months ago saying "you take notice of elders whether they are right or they are wrong". My comment to this foolish statement was "how many judicial committees did that elder sit on, determining the fate and future of others, whilst carrying on this disgusting way of life?" Yet again – no reply.We are also troubled to find out that due to the confidentiality afforded to the accused, our children could unwittingly be socializing with such ones. This is a problem that definitely exists within the Organization, contrary to the beliefs of some brothers and sisters, and has been confirmed by the Organisation’s own words._______________________________________________________________________________False and failed Prophecies 607 BCE re: the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Gentile Times.Nowhere in secular history or in any documented evidence, can this date of 607 BCE be found. In fact there are numerous cuneiform tablets that show the date of 586/587 BCE to be more likely the correct year. 607BCE is a vital year for the Organization, as this prophecy has to finish in 1914 CE. A crucial year for the Organization as seen from the comments below.Note: One of the authors of this material was deeply troubled by his findings when compiling this information for the "Aid" book, but was pressurized into going along with the Society’s wishes. The Watchtower addressed the issue in it’s publication "Let your Kingdom Come" page 187:Referring to 586/587 BCE … "Even if the discovered evidence is accurate, it might be misinterpreted by modern scholars or be incomplete so that yet undiscovered material could drastically alter the chronology of the period". A chronology that has to be based on "yet undiscovered material" is resting on a very weak foundation indeed and can be used to answer any statement that the Organization rejects.As we all know, 1914 was an extremely important and pivotal year for the organization. This prophecy was, and is, still clung to though flying in the face of overwhelming documented evidence to the contrary. To establish the truth regarding 607 BCE, material other than the Society’s own, should be used to verify this, after all, they The Organisation had to use other material themselves.If 607 BCE is incorrect, which it is, that makes 1914 incorrect, which in turn makes 1919 incorrect. Therefore the date of the master returning and choosing the true religion is now in doubt and with it, the question still remains "who really is the faithful and discreet slave?" Other WBTS prophecies that have NOT come true. ~ Here are just a few ~Watchtower Oct 1890 page 1243: "The scriptural declaration that the millennium of peace and blessing would be introduced by forty years of trouble, beginning slightly in 1874 and increasing until social chaos should prevail in 1914."Watchtower Jan 1892 page 1355: "The date of the close of the battle is definitely marked in scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, it’s beginning dating from October 1874."Studies in the scriptures, volume 2 – The time is at hand, early edition from page 101 "The battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14) which will end in AD 1914, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership…"Studies in the scriptures, volume 3 – Thy Kingdom Come, from page 153 "…. With the end of AD 1914, what God calls Babylon, and what men call Christendom will have already passed away, as already shown from prophecy."1925 – "Millions now living will never die" page 89 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the apostle in Hebrews 11, to the conditions of human perfection", (even building a house in San Diego California for their return)1975 – another marked yearWatchtower Aug 1968 pages 494-501 "Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975?" "One thing is absolutely certain, Bible chronology reinforced with fulfilled Bible prophecy shows that six thousand years of man's existence will soon be up, yes, within this generation! (Matt. 24:34) This is, therefore, no time to be indifferent and complacent. This is not the time to be toying with the words of Jesus that "concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matt. 24:36) To the contrary, it is a time when one should be keenly aware that the end of this system of things is rapidly coming to its violent end. Make no mistake, it is sufficient that the Father himself knows both the "day and hour"".Whatever happened to the "King of the North and the King of the South", much time was devoted to the studying of this material, only again to find out that we do not know the answers to the prophecy.Discourse given by F W Franz (President of the Watchtower) "Was there a 1^st Century Governing Body" This was recorded on an audio cassette, where he stated that there were just a few months to go before Armageddon.Our Kingdom Ministry March 1968 page 4 "Making some special effort to do more than the usual helps us live up to our dedication. In view of the short period of time left, we want to do this as often as circumstances permit. Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man's existence on earth is completed... Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out, and there are no resurrection hopes for those who are destroyed then. So, now more than ever, it is vital not to ignore that spirit of wanting to do more."Matthew 24:34 "Truly I say to you, that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."Watchtower May 1968 pages 271-3 "Making Wise Use of the Remaining Time" "Some of the generation that discerned the beginning of the time of the end in 1914 will still be alive on earth to witness the end of this present wicked system of things at the battle of Armageddon."Rev. 16:14, 16.We would like to point out here, that there are many, many more failed prophecies that we could cite or quote from our own research to question the validity of the statements from the Organization. If need be we are willing to provide much more evidence to substantiate these statements.Within the Governing Body there exists a "two-thirds" voting system on any new or amended policies. Could this be the reason why so many prophecies have failed? Brothers and Sisters have been led to believe that Jehovah himself directs the Governing Body (i.e. The Faithful and Discreet Slave). Surely if Jehovah is directing the Organization there would be no need for a "two-thirds" vote. When it comes to brothers and sisters having to accept this new thinking they are expected to accept it not 66% but 100%, otherwise again disciplinary action can be taken against them.Now let’s see what the WBTS has said about false prophetsProphecy 1929 page 22 "If these prophecies have not been fulfilled, and if all possibility of fulfillment is passed, then these prophets are proven false" Paradise Restored to Mankind – by Theocracy (1972 page 353-354)"Jehovah will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having his own prophecies fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by false prophets."Now let’s see what Jehovah has said about false prophetsDeuteronomy 18:21-22" and in case you should say in your heart, "how shall we know the word that Jehovah has NOT spoken" … when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak…." Jeremiah 14:13-14. Jeremiah 28:1-4. 15-17. Hananiah prophesied falsely by just two years, but he was recognised by Jeremiah as a false prophet, and was judged by God.1 John 4:1 "Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world"_______________________________________________________________________________BLOOD We have been taught over the years that blood is something very sacred and that accepting blood transfusions would be a violation of God’s principles and therefore a disfellowshipping act. The latest thinking now appears to be as outlined in the following quote, even though there is no scriptural enlightenment on the subject. Is it therefore a change of policy due to the litigation that seems to be on the Organisation’s doorstep? Can you show us from the bible where there is a distinction in whole blood (sacred) and fractions of blood (not sacred?). See documents listed - a/2 "Questions from Readers" Watchtower June 1990 "The Bible directs Christians to ‘abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from fornication.' (Acts 15:29) Beyond that, when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, each Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously decide for himself." If brothers and sisters can now take blood components, where do they think the components come from? Don't they realize that someone has had to donate the blood in the first instance. Even if they accept one tiny blood fraction, someone has had to donate a pint of blood in order for them to have this fraction. These fractions are derived from large pools of donor blood. Question – which part of blood is sacred? Where in the bible is there an option to make your own decision whether blood parts are sacred or not sacred?Thirty three years ago, when I (Pauline) was first studying with the Witnesses, I had to make a stand against Blood transfusions for my son S--- this was indeed a traumatic time, as I nearly lost him, but the decision was taken away from me by his father, my previous husband, who gave the authority to the doctors at the hospital. Repercussions due to my stand at that time are still with me after 33 years. When our son J--- was born, twenty years ago, because of the same antibodies in my bloodstream, we had the same problem. Yet again this was another very traumatic time as he was at the point of being made a Ward of Court. Fortunately alternative treatment helped in his case, and eventually he pulled through. R D was the Presiding Overseer at the time and offered no help or comfort whatsoever. "A crag in the desert?" Isaiah 32:2. A number of years ago, K also made a stand against blood transfusions when he had a major operation, even to the point of arguing his case with the surgeon whilst being placed on the operating table. This is the amount of trust that we, over the years, had placed in the organisation._______________________________________________________________________________ Another thing that very deeply upset us as a family was to find out that thousands of Malawi brothers and sisters, who abided by the Organisation’s rules and did not obtain a "party card" were tortured, raped and murdered, whilst at the same time in Mexico, the brothers who were called up for conscription into the armed forces, were allowed to bribe the officials in order to falsify their training records, this had "a nod and a wink" from the Organization. (At the very least this is double standards ) CAUTIONARY NOTE!Let it be noted that our baptism was prior to 1985, Baptism vows up to 1985 were as follows: (1) "Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his son Jesus Christ?"(2) "On the basis of this faith in God and his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening Holy Spirit?" These questions, or vows, were changed in 1985 (in our opinion, very conveniently) to the following: (1) "On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?"(2) "Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, in association with God's spirit-directed Organisation? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in the right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism."Therefore our allegiance was to Jesus Christ, Jehovah and The Holy Spirit and NOT to any Organisation and that thinking is still uppermost in our minds. We would also like to point out that we do not want the word "Disassociation" to be used as our means of leaving, as there is no scriptural backing or foundation for the use of this word anywhere in the bible. This as we all know, triggers a sequence of events such as Shunning etc. This is contrary to the way that Jehovah would expect us to act towards others. P and S when asked to show us the word "disassociation" from the Bible went into a deep silence.They could not answer this point. If you feel that an announcement must be made from the platform, we give you our permission to tell the congregation that we could not agree with the following:

• UN involvement,
• Mistreatment of Pedophilia cases,
• False and failed prophecies
• U-turn on Blood.

In finality, we would like to express very strongly that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore the Christ. Jehovah is Almighty God, and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God(Gal 1:8) As Christians we have done nothing wrong that would warrant any form of discipline or correction from the Elders/Organization. The reason that we have brought this to your attention is to make sure that our Christian integrity (which is directed by Jehovah not by man) is not besmirched or spoken of in a derogatory way. At the beginning of this letter, we said that we had waited six months for an answer to our previous letter (Ecc 8:11). We would like you to answer all of the points outlined in this document, bearing in mind that the majority of statements and quotes are taken from the Organisation’s own literature. As we have patiently waited for this length of time, we feel we must request your reply with scriptural backing (i.e. the Bible) within 14 days from the date of this letter.We feel that we must heed the clear warning laid out in Rev 18:4 "… get out of her my people if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues….." If you fail to respond to this letter within the given time, we feel we have no alternative but to request that you remove our names from all records held by Jehovah’s Witnesses Organization.

K & P

-------- PS. If this letter upsets anyone or if they are told "it is apostate material" let us once again remind you that the majority of this letter contains the Society’s OWN MATERIAL and has been taken from various publications over the years.

Another Letter Of Disassociation.

October 27, 2002

Dear Frank,

Do you recall a certain conversation we had during one of my bible studies? My wife and son do recall this but I wonder if you do. It was at a point in my study where I was planning on getting baptized and you mentioned that I should write a letter to the Catholic Church and Jill should write a letter to the Mormon Church disassociating ourselves. At that point I sort of jokingly asked if at some point in time down the road I wanted to quit being a JW would there be any problem? You told us that it would not be a problem as at that time you were secretary of the congregation and its simply a piece of paper that needs to be filled out, no big deal. Of course you failed to mention that I would be shunned didn't you? Did you omit that detail on purpose or was it just an oversight? Maybe you were afraid it would have killed the study?

Now with a recent KM article encouraging members to shun their own family members and the recent pulling of an article on the JW media website that claimed that JW's never break up families, I have to believe that I made a very serious mistake believing you or the society. Imagine that, just a few years ago I am sitting in the comfort of my living room with my loving family and friends studying the bible, and now I could be in danger of losing the affection of my son? Do you ever consider that while studying with people? That instead of bringing them closer to Jehovah God you might instead be setting in motion the tools for tearing them apart?

Im curious if you even care or wonder about why I am writing this letter. But no matter, many things have brought this about. Obviously one of them is the caution Christ gave his followers when he said that you can identify his followers by the love shown among the brothers. Almost laughable when you think about that isn't it Frank. Instead of love being shared its usually gossip. When those pioneer sisters in your hall openly gossiped about me it simply chased my wife away too. But this letter is about me, not my wife.

Then of course we have to look at servant and elder appointments in your hall Frank. I will not name anyone but you know how I feel about some of them as I am sure you will recall my walking out of the kingdom hall during one of the announcements. Again you certainly have to question exactly which spirit is guiding this sort of thing.

Frank another concern of mine are the failed prophecies of the society. It would seem that to be a prophet you should get at least one prophecy correct. I recall talking to you about 1914 and the best you could come up with was well at least something big happened that year. Well those writing fake horoscopes can fare just as well cant they? The society claimed to be a prophet, then they had to change the meaning of prophet to teacher because it became laughable when they got them all wrong. They screwed up as recently as when I was attending too. I recall an article about changing the meaning of the word generation. But in the article it continued with certainly the end will come before the end of this century. Oops.

A teacher teaches, a prophet prophesizes. They are not the same. One false prophecy makes you a false prophet every time. 100% failed prophecies, well you get the idea.

Rutherford claimed that millions how living would never die back in 1925. Of course those people all died. Then in the May 1, 1999 Watchtower it was written Yes, it is true, as the apostle Paul says, that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now-but not for much longer. Millions now living will see the restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time, including a restoration of peace, freedom, and justice to the whole human family

The society does not learn from its mistakes does it Frank. The same old prophecies over and over. Of course newly baptized ones wont know about this until its too late and they have taken the plunge. Almost like me when I asked you about if its easy to quit being a JW. I find out the real truth after its too late. Very clever indeed. But I recall Christs warning in Matthew 24 where he spoke of false prophets in the last days deceiving many. In John 14:6 Jesus never said to follow an organization but I am the way, the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Then we have recent events on television about all those child molesters in the society. We know they exist as we have had them in Shady Cove. Heck you have got them in your extended family. My concern is not their existence but the fact that its only reported in states where its required to be reported. This information came from JR Brown himself. That is very very dangerous. Listening to the society's phone conversation to the elder on Dateline was very much an eye opener.

Perhaps you might understand why I would rather follow the bible myself without the help of an organization that protects pedophiles.

So Frank I am quitting, officially. No big deal right? You said so when I was studying, its no big deal, just a piece of paper. But Frank, if my son is ever given an ounce of crap for speaking to me after you receiving this letter I am going to drag you into court. Count on that. Not the society, not the congregation, not Jehovah God, YOU.

I hold my relationship with my son to be very important. Any loss of affection resulting from this will be costly to you. If a judicial committee is formed I will include them in separate lawsuits if I lose the affection of my son. I will not live a lie any longer. I want this mistake Ive made to be over.

I do not want visits and I demand that no witnesses come here any longer, other than my son. I will not accept phone calls or any other form of communication other than the written word. My mailing address is at the top of the first page. I have no ill will towards you Frank. You only do what you have been trained to do. I send best wishes to you and your family.

Sincerely, me

Renee's Letter Of Disassociation.

Renee xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx, xx xxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxx Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx, xx xxxxxx

Dear Mr. xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

Re: Disassociation Letter

It has taken me a long time to write this letter because I could not decide what to say. I thought about discussing every point were I do not agree with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I thought about pointing out how the past false prophesies of the religion has made it obvious it is not governed by God’s holy spirit. (Deut. 18: 20-22) This letter also might have been about my objections to a group of men I have never met, nor know their names deciding my beliefs and my inability to have any thoughts based on my personal study and relationship with God. But instead, I decided to relate to you my own spiritual journey and to show you that my motives are pure, and how I have developed an ever closer relationship with Jehovah.

How beautiful it is to experience the freedom and joy of a love relationship with God! Yet how sad it is that Jehovah’s Witnesses insist on relating to God in a legalistic way. Their righteousness is based on what they can do for the Jehovah instead of on what He has already done for them. They carry around a huge list of "do's and don'ts" to keep them bound to God.

I am no stranger to that depressing kind of negative righteousness. As I was growing up, I considered myself one of the most godly kids because of what I didn't do. I didn't smoke. I didn't associate with “worldly kids.” I didn’t go to watch rated “R“ movies. I was taught that such things were utterly sinful. So not only did I avoid those things, I also believed I was far more righteous than my weaker friends who indulged in them. I thought I was much more holy than some elder’s kids, who was known to sneak around and go to school dances or kiss a boy at the skating rink. I was above all that, and I was sure Jehovah noticed.

Still, I had a big problem. Although I didn't go to school dances, I longed to pick out a prom dress, so I felt condemned. I would get a new determination again every Sunday night and would promise Jehovah that next week was going to be different.

Because my righteousness was a matter of willpower and effort, before long my relationship with God became a tremendous strain. Every summer I would attend our district conventions. On the last evening we would sing the last song and clap, ending a spiritual paradise. I would have written in my assembly program things I would work on to bring me closer to Jehovah. I remember one assembly in particular where tears would roll down my cheeks knowing that I was going put away my teenage fleshly desires. I would tell God that I wanted my life to be consumed by His love and that I wanted to give myself completely over to serving Him.

As we left the assembly I would reflect back on my notes and my new determination to live a life completely acceptable to Jehovah God. I would keep the program in my Bible to look at when I attended the meetings, remembering my promises to stay no part of this world that was passing away.

I was careful to keep all my commitments - but I also ended up in a draining, legalistic relationship with God. I had very little joy in my walk with God because I was tied to God by a contract. I couldn't break my agreement; hadn't I signed and dated it, and didn't I carry it around with me in my back pocket? No, I was committed to keeping this agreement and I fiercely believed that God owed me something for my efforts. God had to be good to me... at least, better to me than He was to those who didn't follow through on their commitments.

Imagine how let down I felt when no matter how hard I tried, I still did not feel like I was happy. I spent summers pioneering. I had set Bethel service as a goal for myself. I worked hard to get above average hours in the field ministry. I tried to place more magazines. I set goals for more return visits. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. Here I was keeping my end of the bargain, yet God seemed to pay no attention at all. I constantly felt let down. I was not having any amazing results in field service. Things in general did not seem to be working out any better for me at all.

Every once in a while, of course, I would get honest with myself and begin to see that I wasn't nearly as righteous as I liked to think. I knew that my attitude frequently was not what it should have been. There were moments when I knew I had thoroughly fallen short of Jehovah's will for my life. I recall a time when I had a boyfriend for 23 hours. For six months afterwards I lived in utter condemnation because I had a weak moment. Often I would give up on the idea that Jehovah would ever see fit to bless me. There were a lot of things I wanted to pray for, but what right did I have to ask Him for anything when I had failed Him so miserably?

This heavy burden of works-righteousness carried over into my early married years in. It didn't take long for me to realize that there had to be more to ministry than what I was experiencing, more to a relationship with Jehovah than what I enjoyed. I wanted to feel his presence in my own personal life!

In the summer of 2005, soon after our district convention I had a hard time understanding a particular point in the scriptures. I pointed it out to my parents and they really did not hear me. It was two weeks later we got a new WatchTower article that featured “new light”. The article said exactly what I had been thinking. It hit me. Why could I not read the scriptures and discover the message they held for us with my own two eyes through prayer and meditation? It was scary for me to believe in “present truth” all the while knowing that any number of “truths” could later be changed due to “new light.” This is when I began to read the scriptures with a new goal. I read them without taking any of my preconceived notions to see what they said. I read the words without literature of any sort and prayed for Jehovah to give me accurate knowledge.

Therefore I began earnestly to seek God with Bible study and prayer. I would study for days at lunch breaks, at night, and every spare moment. I begged God for His blessing, His power, and His love in my life. What I got out of it was completely unexpected. I was amazed that what I was reading was telling me something completely different from what I previously believed. But later I discovered that the ultimate witness we can offer the world is the love we have for one another, a love that flows from the very heart of God Himself. Conforming to rules and regulations simply can't produce that kind of love relationship. We can try to impose the law on our relationships, but God's love is the only way to gain the stability and security we long for. The Bible tells us that love is the fulfillment of the law. In fact, when asked which was the greatest commandment, Jesus replied that it was to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself. Love, not the law, is the key to our relationship with God and with one another.

God wants us to experience the beauty of being drawn to Him by a cord far stronger than the obligation and guilt of the law. If we were still bound to God by a list of rules and regulations, we would soon find ourselves chomping at the bit and struggling against the restraints. There is a huge difference between being bound in relationship by the joy of love, and being tied up in obligation and guilt.

God never intended that His people be bound by an endless list of external pressures. It isn't pleasing to God to hear us moan and complain, "What a drag! I have to go to the meeting again when there are a hundred other things I'd rather do. But if I don't go, God won't love me anymore and the elders will give me the evil eye for missing his talk."
If we find ourselves laboring under such burdensome attitudes, it is a sure indicator that we are not operating in a love relationship with God, but have instead fallen into legalism. God certainly wants better things for us than a drab, loveless existence!

God never made out a long contract that says, 'Abide by all my terms and I will love you and bless you; but if you violate even the smallest provision, it's all null and void and you are out of My kingdom!" Christians are not bound by any heavy contract to God. Paul declared that the only thing that constrained him was the love of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14).
It took months of God's patient work in my life before I was able to break free of the bondage of self-righteousness. I had heard of others getting a tremendous blessing out of the book of Romans and the book of John. Since I was always looking for a blessing, I finally decided to dig into it. I remember my dad calling me once and asking me what I was doing. I replied, “Reading Romans.“ He said, “Why Romans?“ And yet, try as I might, it was difficult for me to relate to. I decided to persevere anyway and see if I could discover what it was that others found so compelling.

One day as I studied this great book, God did nothing less than revolutionize my relationship with Him. It was there that He revealed to me the meaning of that simple, well-worn, but rarely understood word: grace. From that time onward I encountered such a free and loving relationship with Jehovah that I could not have cared less if I ever saw a spectacular miracle in my ministry. I discovered that even though I was prone to stumble and fall, my mistakes didn't alienate me from God. My relationship with Christ became less a roller coaster of highs and lows and more of a steady ride in His wonderful love.
Imagine how I felt when I discovered the profound truth, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). For years I had labored under the misconception that God was against me. I pictured Him waiting for me to step out of line so He could send fiery judgment crashing down on me. I finally understood that Jehovah wanted me to enjoy the peace of His unconditional love, not the fear that always accompanies legalism. I began to relate to God in a whole new way.

I learned that the law was intended to serve as a protective guide to God's people. Its restraints were to function like a parent's safety guidelines, intended only for the welfare of a child. Once we discover the wonder of God's grace, we need no longer be locked in by the law. We can approach life freely because we love God and won't want to do anything to harm the loving relationship we have with Him. When we know the joy of fellowship with God, we won't want any barriers, any blocks, to come between us.

In fact, the more we experience of God's love, the more He Himself becomes the primary desire and focus of our life. The coercive aspects of the law become unnecessary. We find ourselves longing to please Jehovah simply because we love Him.

And that is the greatest joy in life - to experience a genuine love relationship with Jehovah. To know that He is for us, that He loves us, is the greatest source of security any person will ever know. Discovering the glorious grace of God was one of the most important events in my whole spiritual experience. I learned to relate to Jehovah on an entirely new basis: not on the basis of my works, or of my righteousness, but on the basis of God's love for me through Jesus Christ.

That is grace, and that is what makes life worth living. In fact, it is what makes life - real life, abundant life, fulfilling and satisfying life - possible at all. For when our eyes are opened to the astonishing truth that our relationship with Jehovah does not depend upon the puny pebble of our own efforts but upon the massive rock of His unchanging and loving character, life opens before us in a technicolor explosion of awesome possibilities.

Grace transforms desolate and bleak plains into rich, green pastures. It changes grit-your-teeth duty into loving, enthusiastic service. It exchanges the tears and guilt of our own failed efforts for the eternal thrill and laughter of freely offered pleasures at the right hand of God. Grace changes everything!

Sincerely,

Renee

A Letter Of Disassociation.

December 21, 2002

To The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses,

Oh, how I loved Jehovah, still do, in fact, but how I loved His organization. How I looked forward to those Watchtowers as letters from Jehovah.

And Oh, how you broke me, beat me, destroyed me, ruined us financially, and tore my heart right down the middle.

If you are sincere, you will read the rest of this letter. I wrote to you a few years ago, when I still felt that Jehovah's Witnesses were Gods earthly organization, and I asked you scriptural questions, with respect and love, the same questions I had asked elders over and over, all of whom said they did not have time to give me spiritual help. You did not deign to reply to my heartfelt appeal to you to please, please help me to keep on believing that you were Gods Channel.

You must be aware, of the many ways in which the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are unscriptural, others have written you, and from the fact that you would not reply to a very longstanding, dedicated witness appeal to you for help, I see that you do not care in the least.

Do you know that my doubts started as early as 1974? But that my mind was so controlled from being raised in the truth, that while reading the Bible in French, looking up words in the dictionary, instead of through Watchtower glasses in my native English, when I came to realize the position of Jesus Christ and his invitation to me, I got on my knees and begged forgiveness for my apostasy. And this started conflict which lasted 25 years, including 15 years of continual suicide attempts and hospitalizations caused by my doubts, which made me feel like a Judas. You must realize how terrible it is, and the absolute authority you have over the minds of others, when a person reads in the Bible and discovers its true message, that they feel that they are at fault, causing them extreme emotional upheaval and devastating guilt.

But Jesus never left me. For the two minutes while I realized Jesus position, invitation, and hope He offered, I felt joy indescribable, and loved Him. And He stayed, never leaving or forsaking me throughout all the agony of clearing my mind of the control of humans. I did speak to a Circuit Overseer about it, since I felt that I must partake of the emblems at the Memorial, but could not reconcile this with my gut feeling that I was not a member of some elite group, but an ordinary Christian, and the Circuit Overseer instructed me not to partake. I sat through every succeeding Memorial in agony, praying that I would not take the emblems by accident, since the absolute knowledge that I should take them was unmistakable.

And this is the thing I hold you responsible for, more than for ruining our lives with your constant false prophecies, for which you were not even honest enough to take responsibility, instead blaming your obedient slaves, even in some cases, such in the Awake magazine, implying that the Creator had changed His mind, more for the constantly changing present truth (a phrase which conflicts with scripture the truth of the Lord endures forever Ps.117:2; Thy word is true from the beginning, and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever. Ps. 119:160); more than for the constant exhortations to do more than I was ever able to do; more than for covering up and protecting the perpetrator of a rape against me who was not even a witness, just a doctor recommended by the congregation, blaming me for it, causing a lifetime of agony; more than all these things, I blame you for trying to take Jesus Christ away from me as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father, the only mediator between God and man. Because without Jesus, there is no hope for anyone on this earth, and you claim to keep Him to yourselves, and put yourself in His place as mediator for others, a doctrine completely in harmony with scriptural descriptions of false prophets and false Christs.

I pray for you, that you will get on your knees and repent, really think of the untold agony you have caused so many people, and the ruin of so many lives, the hardship of those who believed your false prophecies and put all their energies into working for you (thinking they were working for Jehovah), think of people like me, crazed with guilt for having believed the Bible instead of you, down by the river, crying tears and sobbing great hurting sobs, taking pills so that once I got into the river I would not have the strength to get back out, wanting death because of thinking I was Judas, all because of your teachings. Being pulled out of the river miraculously when a second before there seemed to be not a person in sight, being saved miraculously 15 times from attempted suicide, all caused by you and your insistence that people believe what you say or be damned. And while you are repenting, think of the loneliness you have caused sincere ones who have had to leave, because their conscience would not allow them to preach falsehoods any more, when their own flesh and blood and dear friends called them more wicked than Satan and cut them out of their lives. Think to yourself Who do I think I am to have this much power? And what group of people in the Bible had that kind of power? Certainly not the humble Christians.

They were the ones who so suffered from the attitudes which parallel those you teach. Put yourself in the place of the people you have ruined, and cry out for forgiveness, and go sell all your belongings, and give to the poor, and come be a follower of Jesus. And while you are giving out those immense riches you have amassed, think of the ones who have gone through starvation for having followed your advice.

Jesus will forgive you. He invites you. I, a person ruined according to the world, suffering disabling health problems caused by my zeal to not only be whole-hearted in Jehovah's service but also be the wife of Proverbs 31, constantly thrown at sisters at assemblies, am now rich. I have no money, but I belong to Christ. The Bible is opening up to me, and every day, I learn a great and unsearchable thing Jer. 33:3. And that makes me rich. With the riches you tried to take away from me, and have succeeded in taking away from so many victims, among your other crimes.

So I do not ask for your sympathy. I feel sorry for you. Either you are completely mind-controlled, or you are like Satan, knowing deceivers. I pray for you, that my Abba Father will have mercy on you, and you will accept Jesus, as the only truth, the only way to God.

Its strange how prayers are answered. After the elders told me not to come back to the Kingdom Hall because it made me weep (compassion certainly not in evidence), I prayed every night on my knees for the truth, and every time I prayed, John 14:6 came into my mind, until finally, I realized, Jesus is the truth. His person, his teachings, his life, his sacrifice. And then the Bible came together and I saw, when he opened my blind eyes, the harmonious simple message it is, all about Jesus Christ from beginning to end. A message everlasting, (not present truth), so beautiful.

I have left the step I am now taking for a long time, because I could never give up hope, because I love the brotherhood, and then just because I didn't realize the need the get out from among them, and quit touching the unclean thing. I do now realize that necessity, and therefore wish to disassociate myself from the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.

I weep no more, you brothers at the Kingdom Hall who were so cruel to me in my great need. I no longer long to be part of Jehovah's Witnesses, or to kill myself because I am not. I am a member of the family of God, His child, having had the Spirit bear witness with my spirit, that I am a child of God. I pray the same experience for you brothers.

With love for you as people who my Lord died for, who can repent as long as you have life, and with hope that you will,

Louise Plaskett

CANADA

A page from the Golden Age magazine.