Katy - As you can tell based on the responses you have received, many people have strong opinions about the people and the beliefs. Just the same as you would ask people to respect your views, that is all Witnesses can ask of others. I can already hear the SREAMING from the crowds. I recognize that I am asking you to do something that a lot of Witnesses will not do and that is to be understanding and accomidating to other's beliefs. However, I can honestly say that having left the "truth" and having many family and friends that are still in the "truth", I have not been shunned or treated badly by those who love me. In the end you can only hope for the best and work hard on not thinking with a heavy heart that you are losing your daughter but rather you have been given the chance to be a mother who loves her daughter unconditionally. As for brain washing, I suppose we all could claim that in some fashion (i.e., young girls think they are too fat; young men think they must act macho, etc.). Religion has always been a catlyst for good or evil, even before Russell came along and formed the religion.
A mother's love can overcome many things.