I heard from my family on the letter that I wrote and posted here. Here is the response...

Dear Laura,
Hmmm, where to start. Since you chose to write I guess I should do the same. Seems "true feelings" can only be expressed in writing.

Surprised I guess not. I never really felt you were happy being a witness. Sorry..yes, I used to blame myself for not having reached your heart..but you were however an adult when you chose to dedicate your life to Jehovah. So I guess some of the blame has to be yours. I'm sorry that you did it for me and not for Jehovah and yourself. You may not have made an educated decision - but I did my homework well. I searched, researched and confirmed my choice. I was a part of "Christian dumb" and learned nothing but confusion and questions. I now have answers and contentment. Jehovah's organization provides everything I need to live a good life. Trust me I am not ignorant nor gullible. I know the Society made some inaccurate statements but the Bible says :the light will keep getting brighter and brighter" so spiritual light is revealed - inaccuracies become accuracies. Men are imperfect. God's word is not. However better to be wrong but keeping on "the watch" than not saying or warning anyone. Jehovah's Witnesses do not prophesy but merely tell what has already been prophesied.

You claim to have done an "honest" accurate Internet search - I'm sorry but Casey ((my husband)) has done an apostate Internet search and is very closed minded to any information that is other than how he sees it. The words you wrote are his not yours.

You full well know that the Bible speaks of 144,000 representatives of Christ (Rev 14:1-4, Rev. 7:4.) that Jesus refers to them as the "faithful and discreet slave" who dispense spiritual knowledge at the proper time (Matt. 24:45-51) these are Christs brothers mentioned at Matt. 25:40 where it definitely says that what you are doing to them you are doing to Jesus.

I'm sure there are 1,000's of websites of anti-witnesses. I too have read one of their books - filled with lies and inaccurate statements, taking the WT publications and misusing them to "quote" misleading statements out of context. So your not fooling me with their apostate garbage. What about the 6 million happy witnesses. I guess they don't count for anything.

If you had a company and you fired someone for wrong behavior is it likely they say wonderful things about the company - I think not!

Many have chosen to leave Jehovah's organization - Satan and Adam to name a few. They decide to chose for themselves what was right and wrong. Jehovah has always had an organized way to be worshiped...1st the nation of Israel...2nd Christians with their governing body in Jerusalem. Acts chapter 15 relates their decision. They also met together in congregations with elders 1 Tim 3:1-10 they were to shepherd the flock. ORGANIZATION!

So is it any different today? NO Heb. 10: 24,25 says to gather together and "all the more so as you see the day draw near." Jehovah's witnesses or the Society patterns themselves as closely as they can to what is outlined in God's word for true worship.

You claim the Society doesn't allow you to examine other teachings - well there are literally 1,000's of WT articles from secular sources that examine others teachings. Examine apostate teachings - no who wants to hear disgruntled teachings. 2 Peter 2:1-3, Acts 20:30, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 John 9,10, Romans 16: 17,18.

It's very easy to be "Christian" right - perhaps your opting for the easy way out. Decide for yourselves whats right and wrong, interpret the Bible for yourselves - no meetings, no one to answer to, no preaching, no regulations - just "Christians" pretty easy. Matt 7: 13, 15-23

I surely hope you think this out well - it means your life! Apostasy is a very serious thing - you may not feel your doing "anything wrong" - think again. Check 2 John 9, 10, Romans 16:17,18, 2 Peter 2:1, Job 13:16 - most serious Heb. 6:4-6.

DEFINITION OF APOSTASY:
Apostasy is abandoning or deserting the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God. Some apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject God's Organization.

Did you know that apostates automatically "disfellowship" themselves!

That is the position you are putting yourself in. And that is how I will have to treat you!

Do I love you? With all my heart! But I can not and do not approve of your course. I wish you had told me sooner we would not have bought the larger motor home.

Am I sorry - yes - hurt more so! I had truly hoped to live with my best friend forever - now I will tearfully miss you forever!

PLEASE reconsider before its to late...and please DO NOT try to influence Clintt ((my little brother)) he told me he doesn't want to hear it and feels the same as I do - he even though at the moment isn't serving Jehovah - believes that Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth and doesn't want anything else!

Lovingly,
Mom, Dad, Clintt and Rich ((my brothers))


I guess I didn't included enough information in my first letter. My being just a Christian isn't the easy way out. No meetings? I am at church a minimum of 3 times a week if not more. No one to answer to? Wrong again, I answer to out Lord Jesus. No preaching? Again wrong, I preach as much as possible. We are currently searching out the homeless to give them McDonald's gift certificates along with Gospels of John and next weekend will be my 3rd prison crusade. No regulations? The Bible is our guide with all the regulations we need straight from God and NOT an organization.
I guess though I just lost my whole family.....

In Christian Love,
Laura

Gabby, I feel so sorry for you right now. I know exactly how you feel. I was 17 when I was disassociated and spent 12 1/2 years with only my big sister (who was out of the org and living hundreds of miles away) standing beside me.

I'm telling you this because ... after those 12 1/2 years "alone", I sent my mother a letter telling her that I was sorry if my decision had hurt her in any way since that was not my intention but that I loved her and always thought about her and missed her. I'm happy to say that it has been 5 1/2 years since that letter - and 5 1/2 years that I have my mom, my brother and younger sister back in my life!! Praise God!! Although my mom is still a very very active JW, she has accepted that I have my beliefs and that they are different than hers. After I told her that I had been baptized Catholic, she told my brother "I can't believe she has strayed in such a way after the way I raised her" but didn't say anything to me nor did she stop speaking to me. She sees only happiness in my life now and even though I don't worship the way she does, I've let her know (in actions and words) that I have God and Jesus in my life and always do my best to follow bible teachings. She no longer preaches at me, which is a Godsend and though she still find ways to preach to me she doesn't criticize me or try to "draft" me to become a JW again. She finally respects my choices.

(Note: My big sister, who had always kept in touch with my mom, told me many times during those 12+ years that my mom would ask about me but it took me that long to stop being angry at her and decide to take the first step.)

Just a short story to tell you: Keep your spirits and hopes up.
God bless you,
CCGirl

Well, Gabby that was quite a lettter from your mom; something I could expect from my sister. My family are all still very active in JW's, and even though there is some contact it is always at my doing. I am elated that you are busy working for the Lord -Wonderful!! This will help you with as you indicate losing your whole family. That is hard, many of us who have JW family are going through or been through the same thing. Also though, you may very well be the first introduction to the REAL TRUTH they receive -we never know how God will free them if their hearts are right.

What helps me is focusing on what I have gained though, by making my stand for Jesus Christ: Jesus himself, millions of other faithful Christians in God's family, the folks on this forum including yourself as friends, and -knowing I don't have to wait for little snip-its of "new light" along the way to reveal God's plan -he gives it all to us now, all we have to do is ask for it.

You are an encouragement in standing firm for Jesus. My mother asked me one time if I was ever coming back to the Kingdom Hall (a requirement for open fellowship with them, I deemed) and I stated firmly 'no'. I was able to give her the reasons for my position, and that I had 'thought it through thoroughly' and had to make my stand with Jesus, and not remain in the misled Watchtower Society.

Gabby, you've encouraged me further, by your stand for TRUTH, the REAL truth. May God richly continue to bless and care for you.

Your fellow servant for Christ;

Gabby, I hadn't answered before because I'm grieving for you. You are definitely in my prayers. Your mother's letter looks like something my own mother would send me if she knew I am an "apostate". Your mother in her letter defines apostacy as "abandoning or deserting the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God." This is inaccurate. Merriam-Websters dictionary defines apostacy as

1 : renunciation of a religious faith
2 : abandonment of a previous loyalty : DEFECTION

It does not say that apostacy is abandoning God, it says it is abandoning a religious faith. In this sense, Jesus Christ Himself was an apostate, since He renounced the Pharisees and Saducees and told God's people that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is the main reason why they crucified Him.

It is interesting how the Witnesses use Acts 15 to prove that the early Christians had an "organization". What they fail to read is Galatians 2:1-3, where Paul says he went to Jerusalem AFTER 14 YEARS! He did not live in Jerusalem and govern Christians from there (the way the GB does in Brooklyn). He went there because a problem arose that needed to be taken care of. Were there laws created at that time? No, because the main contention at Acts 15 was circumcision, and Paul specifies in Galatians 2:3 that Titus was NOT circumcized. Acts 15:10-11 tells us, "Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Does this sound like a governing body to you? They were brothers in Christ, all saved by the grace of our Lord. How very different from what the WT teaches!

I agree that just being "Christian" is not easy. Christian freedom comes with a great responsibility, to God and humankind. Your mom says she is not ignorant nor gullible; I agree with her. She is deceived, and so indoctrinated that she cannot see. I too believed at one time that "Christendom" didn't do anything to spread the Gospel and only JW's were involved in preaching work. Now I know that this is not the case. One woman at my job accepted Christ when a couple of girls came to her door. Others have come to know Him through family, friends, co-workers, and people like you who are actively going out and searching for people who need Christ. What a blessing! Continue as you have been, spreading the Gospel and living for Jesus, and in time you may see your mother change her mind towards you. Just remember Jesus' words at Matthew 10:29-30 - "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life." In the meantime, we are here for you.

God bless,

Mrs. R

Thank you so much Mrs. R and everyone. It makes it easier to know that there is someone else who understands what you are going through. I am dealing with the situation much better now. I realize that their shunning is on them. My heart and door is open for them, it is them that choose to close theirs. Maybe someday they will be more loving. I will in any case continue to pray for them. This however is my reply to them.
Again I can just pray something will touch them and open their eyes.
I do thank God for all of you though and appreciate how much you all care. It helps get through the tough times.


Dear mom,
I understand what you mean when you say "hmmm
where to start." I feel the same way. First off, you
are in no way to blame. You did reach my heart in more
ways than you know. You gave me morals that are higher
than the average person. You also gave me a deep
commitment and love for God. I guess you were right
though that I never really dedicated my self to
Jehovah even though I was baptized.When I was baptized
they (the org) took out the scripture Matt. 28:19,
where you are to be baptized in the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They changed this
in 1985. The Jun 1, 1985 WT. had the new questions
printed in it. Passing a test of sorts ( answering
questions from a book) instead of passing God's
requirements (Romans 10:9&10) isn't biblical.
Mom, you gave me the Society's definition of an
apostate. So, in fairness let me give you the
dictionaries definition...
THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY
One who has abandoned ones religious faith, a
political party, ones principles or a cause.
WEBSTER'S NEW WORLD DICTIONARY
An abandoning of what one believed in as a faith.

According to these definitions I am NOT an apostate
because I never abandoned God nor my belief in Him. I
also have never lost my faith. I would even say that I
have more faith than ever before. It is the
Organization that worries me.
I know you are not ignorant or gullible but
NEVER has Jehovah uttered a false prophecy. You are
100% right when you say that Jehovah has used
imperfect men in the past. However, not one of those
men has uttered a prophecy that was not accurately
fulfilled. Right down to Jesus riding into town on a
donkey.
As far as the light getting brighter and
brighter, The light is Jesus. (John 1:6-9) The
knowledge of Jesus continues to get brighter and
brighter.
I really also think that maybe I have given you a
wrong impression. When I said I wanted to be a
Christian, I didn't mean to imply that I was "opting
for an easy way out." Not by far. The Bible clearly
tells what is right and whats wrong. In front of the
Catholic Bible it says, "The Bible is extremely
difficult to understand, even by Bible scholars. It
was written in languages long dead, and in a manner
and idiom of that time. To interpret the Bible, it is
not only necessary to understand the languages in
which the Bible was written, but to understand the
meanings of the words of the Bible had at the time
they were written. The Bible therefore, has to be
interpreted to be understood and for Catholics, The
Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, is the official
guardian and infallible interpreter of the Bible."
Sound familiar? (2/15/1981 WT, Do we need help to
understand the Bible?)
You said, "No meetings". We do go to church 3
times a week and sometimes more. "No one to answer to"
We most certainly have someone to answer to, God! "No
regulations" The Bible and the Bible ONLY sets our
rules and regulations. And finally, "No preaching"
Lets see, once a month there is the soup kitchen we
sometimes volunteer at. We recently volunteered to
open shelters for the hurricane evacuees. You may be
saying, Laura, this isn't preaching, its helping out or
volunteering in the community. Sometimes our actions
and love we show for those in need is the only bible
they may ever read. There is still more preaching
though. We hand out the book of John with McDonald
coupons in it to the homeless we find. We are
currently holding Bible studies with people in Kenya &
Nairobi Africa. Someday we plan on going to Africa to
be missionaries. Lastly if that isn't enough, next
weekend I will be going to prison again. This is my
3rd prison ministry visit. I go on Friday and spend 3
days encouraging, teaching and offering hope to women
there. I spend 3 days in their cells or dorm with
them, even sharing meals with them. Of course we get
a hotel room at night. So, you see I don't opt for the
easy way out by far. I full well know the importance
of preaching. (Mt. 25:35-46, Mt. 28:18-20) There are
many, many more times w have preached as well. God is
the only one I account my hours preaching to.
I thought about how you said when you were a
Christian you had nothing but confusion and questions.
Sometimes the easy way out is having someone tell you
the answers to all your questions. As long as it makes
sense your satisfied and content. What though if the
answer is wrong? It is harder to clear up questions
and confusion on your own but with God's help it can
be done. This is one reason God gave us the Holy
Spirit. If there are still questions and confusion,
that's OK too. No where in the Bible does it say that
we need to have all the answers. I would rather be
confused and pray and search than blindly follow the
organization. The new "Organized to do Jehovah's Will"
book tells you to do just that. On page 20 it says,
"Another way to show that we trust the slave class
today is to support its decisions. EVEN THOUGH WE MAY
NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND CERTAIN
DECISIONS, WE KNOW THAT UPHOLDING THEM WILL BE FOR OUR
LASTING GOOD." What if they change their minds later>
I would rather be confused than blindly follow. I
would rather trust God and His written word. You said,
"Jehovah's Organization provides everything I need to
live a good life". I say "God has provided me
everything I need for a good life."
Mom, do you not see you in me? When you became a
witness didn't you tell your mom? Didn't you stick
tight to what you believed even through persecution
from some of your family members?
I love you with all my heart and really want you
to come stay with us. You can even just show up if you
want! My door is always open for you and I will never
turn my back on you. You don't have to kiss your best
friend goodbye.

Love,
Laura

Laura -well, that is beautiful. Perhaps I should do something along the same lines for my mom. You mention above how you thank us all for being here for you -you're welcome; but believe me you have helped us too -at least me for sure. Thank you for your solid stand as a Christian. It is so encouraging to others.

Continued Blessings;

I agree with Life After. Laura, we all know what you're going through isn't easy. God has obviously given you much strength. If you persevere, in time your family may be coming to you asking you for help in finding Jesus. So many have left the org after years and years of association, simply because one Christian said something that opened their eyes. Don't give up Laura. I will continue praying for you and your family. I believe God has a plan for us all, and it may just be that He is using you to bring your family and many others out of the org and into His arms.

God bless,

Mrs. R