Another Resignation Letter

[scarlett]

Dated July 25, 2006

To All in ____________and (American) Providence:
 
You all may have wondered what has become of me. Many leaders even had their personal talks with me as they sensed that I was distancing myself from Providence members and activities over the past year or so. As I tried to explain to them, I have gone through a time of great self-discovery and can no longer remain in the "status quo" of Providence under an obligatory structure.
 
Much has transpired in my life over the years in Providence. I have experience many things and have seen many people come and go through its doors. Each person had a good and pure heart, that is why they came in the first place. Each left with a story. But no one will ever know their true stories because it is against the unspoken Providence "Code." I write this, recalling the others that have taken this path before me.  And I wonder how many more M.S. even now are contemplating it but have yet to take this step. For it is only a matter of time before one realizes his true persona, values and belief system. Many others before me have called upon the Providence structure to examine itself honestly for what it is. But their calls were immediately silenced or discredited, to the further determinant of Providence.
 
Some may wonder if I have lost my faith. To this, I say emphatically, "No". If anything, I have come to understand God's unconditional love and grace now more than ever. Everyday I seek to know Him more.
 
I will be returning next month to my roots in __________________ to see what God has planned for me there. I am taking with me all the good experiences I have had over the years. Please be clear that I have no ill feelings toward any of you. 
 
May God direct you all to "whatsoever is good, whatsoever is honest, whatsoever is true."
 
Sincerely,

[Peter]

Thanks for sharing that Scarlet,

I think sincere, honest, and compassionate letters like that offer the best way to reach current members.  Sites like mine and videos on youtube really have no chance to reach the most commited, as opposed to sincere letters like that from their friends who know Providence.

Do you know what kind of reaction that letter received?
Was it the usual "excommunicate immedately" immediately?

I was listening to some Jung sermons the other day and I heard a segment in which Jung specifically addressed the issue of people who leave. Just a 50 second excerpt. It speaks volumes about how former followers are to be viewed:

That comes from the February 11 Sunday Service this year, the whole speech is dedicated to the "weeds."

[scarlett]

Not sure the response this letter got if any. Usually these types of letters are kept from the new M.S. to "protect" them. Those in the middle or higher ups are told the same schpeel. "The person left Providence because they had their own way of thinking."

Two reactions usually occur from current members to these types of letters.

1. Sadness=Let's pray for the lost soul to find their way back to providence. 
2. Disbelief=How could a person ever leave? I must keep my mind focused on R. This will never happen to me. 

There is also a third reaction...One that hopefully lingers when the person himself wants to leave.

3. Why=What does this person who left know that I don't?  (This kind of thinking is suppressed because it "comes from Satan".) Therefore the person still in Providence goes back to reaction #2.)

But yes, I think letters such as this one and others by former members are very powerful because they come from the "inside" and can meet a member where they're at. It's hard to really know how everything works unless you've lived through it. Not to lessen  your work in any way Pete. You are doing a great job in exposing "providence". I just think we always need to be sensitive to current members situations and the reasons why they do the things they do while in providence.