Im assuming this is finally it for me and my family.
I havent been to a meeting in probably 2 and a half months but Im just considered weak by most I presume. I had decided to let my son go trick or treating for the first time this year, After all my wife and I decided to raise him as a normal kid.
So last month when he came home from school and said to us "someone asked me at school what I as going to be for halloween and I told them Batman", I just said "oh really" and acted excited for him. Today I took him with me to Walmart while my wife was still at work and bought a bunch of candy just in case some children stopped by my home. I dodged one witness from the Hall without really being seen and then continued on.
When I got far away from her I told my son that if we see some of our friends from the kingdom hall dont say anything to them about halloween because they dont like halloween. He told me ok.
Well I then run into this guy that I witnessed to before and were visiting about his animals ect. and then I see the presiding overseers wife pushing her buggie up to mine. I could already feel the beads of sweat forming on my head. Once she got to my buggie she stopped and started visiting with my son while I was trying to end my conversation with this other guy. About the same time Im saying bye to the gentleman my son pops off "So what are you going to wear for halloween this year?" I could have passed out and died!!
The sister immedietly said "Well Ill see you later and started pushing the buggy a hundred miles and hour away from us. I quickly blurted out her name and said "I need to tell you something!"
To make a long story short I just told her with confidence that We dont believe its the truth anymore and that we are not claiming to be JW's any longer. I told her that at this time we are not looking to organized religion but only to Christ. She mentioned that Im an adult and that I have to make my own decisions but she knows that we are very close to the end and when the end comes I will be either on one side or the other.
I simply told her that the wt beliefs are based on false chronology and that I couldnt in good conscience teach it to my son. She then said that It had been proven and that she had researched it. I then told her "no you havent!" you cant even research both sides of the issue. The difference between you and I is that I can read anything and consider both sides of every issue and you cant, and your not allowed to look outside a Watchtower
. She then told me that she knows its the truth cuz she has felt Jehovah personally help her during bad times. I realized that I was upsetting her so I just told her that I would never want to destroy her faith or take that away from her. I ended our brief conversation by atelling her 'now that you know how we feel pass it on." She told me she would.
So now I wonder what will happen? I wonder how quick they will contact me. My wife and I are trying to decide whether to send our dis letter or not. After some of the advice on here we had decided that fading would be better for us because we have lots of witness family that will shun us. Especially if we dis ourselves. But if they are going to disfellowship me anyway I would rather disassociate myself. I have disassociation letters written Ive just never mailed them yet. Right before I was giong to mail them the presiding overseer had a stroke so I left it alone. After all I really cared alot for this couple and had spent many hours with them in the ministry and at there house. I just feel kinda crapy because this wasnt the way all this was supposed to come out. She will view this situation as "Well Jehovah is cleaning house. Jehovah always makes things known!" Brother ********* Just couldnt live up to our high standards of conduct and would rather partake in Pagan celebrations! I felt kinda bad after I left. Not because of my stance but, just because I know that I let someone down that I really cared about.
My son did love trick or treating and had a blast. We enjoyed going with him and watching him have so much fun. I will admit though that throughout the night I had waves of emotions hitting me. Mostly fear and Guilt of doing something terribly wrong. Years of indoctrination is hard to kill even with a mountain of books and support. Oh well good night!