September 9, 1996

Dear Mrs. Xxxxx,

I understand that you do not want anyone to contact your daughter about Jehovah's Witnesses, and I will honor your wishes. However, you should know that Jehovah's Witnesses will not honor your wishes in the future concerning your daughter.

I feel like a neighbor who sees that a house is on fire. I have a moral obligation to tell you what I know, and leave it up to you to do what you want.

You see, I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, as were my parents. Being involved in Jehovah's Witnesses nearly destroyed my family, as it will yours. If your daughter continues to associate with and becomes one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you will see the following negative influences on your family:

They likely have already told your daughter that Satan will use close friends or relatives to discourage her from learning all these "wonderful truths" that only they have. They will tell your daughter that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon, which is perpetually just a few short weeks or months away. They will tell your daughter to distance herself anyone she cannot convert and who tries to tell her she is getting involved in falsehood. Even if that person is you!

Your daughter will be discouraged from any extracurricular activity at schools,
whether sports, drama, or a club.

All these things serve a purpose: to weaken existing ties with family and friends and to form a bond with other Jehovah's Witnesses so that they become her only real family. They then will have almost total influence over her life, and you will be left wondering how it all happened. It is modern mind control, very similar to what the Moonies use.

Jehovah's Witnesses as individuals are some of the nicest, friendliest, most honest people that you will ever meet. They helped me learn the Bible and taught me respect for God. On the surface they seem to be one big happy family.

However, the love that they show is very much conditional. Once you become a Jehovah's Witness, you are not allowed to question any teaching of the Watchtower Society. If you persist in questioning, you are quickly disfellowshipped (excommunicated) and no one, not even relatives or close friends that are Jehovah's Witnesses are to have anything to do with you. Not even to say "Hi" or to eat lunch with you. When my father passed away several years ago, my father's mother, brother and daughter refused to come to the funeral or in any way show any moral support for my mother, only because my parents had decided to leave Jehovah's Witnesses and attend a community church.

I apologize for sending this unsolicited, and will not attempt any further communication with you. If you would like further information, please feel free to write to any of the ministries on the enclosed brochures. 1-800-WHY-1914 is a national Helpline for additional information.

Anonymous