Jacked, I too sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if my family hadn't gotten involved with them when I was an infant and force fed me to believe as they did. Obviously it didn't take because early on I had my doubts but What you say on this post gave me pause. My grandparents (1888-1983) each married 'outside their respective religions' and to avoid being shunned by their family's faiths, immigrated to North America where they were presented with a new set of difficulties. They did not speak the language; had no real support system, and with two babies faced economic struggles to be raised during WWI were overwhelmed and felt totally forsaken. It was at that low point in their lives that Jehovah's Witnesses ("International Bible Students" back then) knocked on their door with the Organization's "apple", the message "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" [but if they are one of us, they'll live forever with no more problems]. For them it was love a first bite. They went after it with missionary zeal.

My father, on the other hand, thought for himself and would have none of it. That caused a schism in the family. He married a "worldly" girl hoping to be free. That was not to be. She became one of his parents most loyal converts. Following their example she alienated her own large family preaching their hateful version of 'The Kingdom'. Into that whole mess I was born.

The extent of the fear I lived with is shown by my allowing myself to go through on of their public mechanical baptisms at age 9--while hoping I could swim. Sixty years later my mother through words I'd spoken that day "this is the happiest day of my life" at me. (I didn't remember saying that, but I'm sure I did because it would have been expected.) Blinded as she was by Watchtower dogma it never occurred to her that if a grandmother's 9 year old 'Dunking Day' was the happiest day in her life, she had had a grim existence. But then again, just maybe that was all they had to show for a life dedicated to the Watchtower Tract Company.

Thanks, Jack, for sharing.

Hugs, Cee Cee