Hi Alovejones,

I always recommend honesty as the best approach. Do you want to continue your pioneering? If no, then just say so and stop. Do you want to continue going to meetings? If no, just say so and stop. Do you want your family and friends who are Jehovah's Witnesses to feel obligated to shun you? If yes, then disassociate by a simple letter saying you no longer wish to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. This will be followed with a simple announcement of "Alove Jones is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses" and the shunning will begin.

Ah, but what if you're not so keen this whole shunning thing? Unless you have a desire to involve yourself in activity that will result in disfellowshipping (such as smoking, using drugs, sex outside of marriage, speaking out against the organization, etc) stopping your involvement does not mean you will be disfellowshipped.

In our congregation a young brother we were grooming for a ministerial servant one day announced to his parents he no longer wanted to continue as a Witness. There of course was the natural reaction of shock and as an elder I followed up. But since he continued respectful and wasn't involved in any "wrongdoing" nothing was done to DF him. Yes, some of his JW friends begged off and some of his extended family also found ways to show their disappointment. But his immediate family soon adjusted as it become obvious he was no going to return.

I don't use the term "cult" in regards to Jehovah's Witnesses since I feel it is pejorative. However, given the hurt and pain this faith has caused and some of their beliefs and practices I understand why others use the term.

Nonetheless, just because you decide this faith is not something you believe in and wish to continue, it does not automatically mean you'll view people inside the faith in a much different way than you do now. I would add, you should prepare yourself for some negative gossip and some will withdraw from you. But even here, what choice do they have? If an active JW is sympathetic with one who leaves it means they too realize something is not quite right with their faith. Many are just not at a spot in their life to accept that. Much easier to view those who beg off as being defective.

Best wishes to you!

Cheers,
-Randy