Our JW parents have been programmed for a longer period of time than we have Jah. Admitting they have doubts or they are unhappy with the way the borg is run is not something the average JW would even dream about doing ... never mind say it out loud to someone. There are exceptions of course ... which is why forums like ours are full of people dropping in and out, sharing stories and experiences etc.

I've had discussions with my older JW bro and others about the pagan origins of wedding rings. They wipe things like that off as being 'something that is no longer considered pagan' or that 'things have changed since the bible was first written'. The average JW has a whole bunch of reasons and excuses ... it's part of their training I think!

Angry outbursts aside ... you have to remember that your mum honestly and no doubt wholeheartedly believes the crap she's been fed over the years. My parents have been together for 51 years (50 years of marriage) and in the grips of that religion for a couple of years on top of that.

My parents are SO programmed with the philosophies and doctrines that when I put the question to them ... "knowing that I am NOT a JW and knowing that I DO in fact want a blood transfusion if I need one and if Gav needed one ... would you allow it to happen if you were the only ones around to speak for us?" My dad didn't comment ... my mum said no then said it was 'unfair' of me to put a question like that to her.

To me their answers or lack thereof ... prove that even though they love me and Gav dearly and they're both fully aware of our lack of religious belief ... they would still allow me to die and would allow my children to be without their mother ... based on THEIR religious beliefs and 'conscience'. It's proof to me also of just how insidious that religion is and how it can change the thinking processes of even the most loving of parents.

There isn't a foolproof method of getting through to our JW family members or friends Jah. It's difficult to get through years of programming and the associated fear, guilt and recrimination ... but it can be done and has been done. What works for one JW doesn't necessarily work for another. All you can do is just plod along as you have been ... and hopefully the borg itself will trip up and allow its members to see the many anomalies and lies.