With what a number of questions from the media proposed and I've seen posted about here in these forums I'd like to address the questions/concerns regarding whether or not Whitney staged this whole thing in order to "get out of the Jehovah's Witness religion".
I feel qualified to comment at length on this as I myself was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and am still currently. Also my wife and I are close friends with her family.
For the sake of addressing possibilities vs probabilities:
1) If a baptized Jehovah's Witness such as Whitney decided to leave her husband and the faith she would not be shunned as some have been suggesting. I have several in my immediate family that have chosen to not be a JW, and that decision does not by itself create a cause for "shunning".
2) The only way someone is party to being shunned is if they were to be "disfellowshipped" from the congregation. Which in order for that to take place the individual would have to of been involved in serious biblical wrongdoing such as stated in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 and been unrepentant of their conduct(meaning they would not have any remorse for their actions and no intention of turning around from their wrong course). After several meetings with the individual and attempts to reach their heart, it's basically that individual and their actions that would lead to their being disfellowshipped.
3) There is absolutely no evidence to suggest she had a "bad marriage" or was involved in anything that could lead to type of action. In fact quite the contrary, as she was fully involved in the congregation along with her husband Clint. If you knew them personally you could tell how much they loved one another.
4) The clues and evidence that has been leaked to the media certainly doesn't suggest someone leaving of their own accord and definitley wouldn't make sense if someone had intentions of leaving the faith. It's a simple process if you decide to no longer be one of Jehovah's Witnesses... you just stop going.
5) One of my siblings was disfellowshipped and has never returned, another one did return after being disfellowshipped. So I well know the process and feelings that go along with that. The viewpoint when someone is disfellowshipped is not that of a lost cause, but rather that of a lost sheep that needs loving care and attention to return!
Although it is possible that someone could go to such great lengths to "leave", it is HIGHLY improbable that is the truth.
Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is such an incredible privilege and someone like Whitney knew that firsthand, and if you were here and able to see what phenomenal support has been with their family the whole world over, you would recognize something very special as the local authorities have and commented on several times.
Keep up your prayers and loving support, we are determined and will not give up until she is found. We love Whitney and her family so very much and look forward to having this mess resolved as soon as possible.
Thank you all so very much!
