Jesus H. Christ!! All these posts are so frightening. I have to say I feel very lucky!! Very LUCKY! I know they hate that word so I use it on purpose. My parents were in the so-called truth from their late teens onward. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on the year) they were mostly fence-riders. They wantd to be "good" but they never let their common sense be trotted upon so they were often cast as rebels needing frequent visits from the so-called elders. For one, my parents married in the 40s and were promptly told not to waste time and energy building a house or having children. My sassy-assed mom told my father that she fully intended to have children and if he wanted to be their father, he'd best hustle up. Those ill-advised kids are now in their late 40s and early 50s.
As for the house, my parents were again discouraged and lots of old ass idiots shook their heads in despair at the waste of time since the end was near. At 23 years old and in the face of much discouragement, my late father built the home my now 80 year old mother still resides in. It was a small, modest home, but they built it as they could afford the pieces - week by week - month by month - they eventually had their home. My parents have been 100% mortgage-free for 60 some years and that is certainly NO THANKS to the "Society" and the "Friends." We lost my father in 2003 at 80 YO. Don't ask me about the hospital drama and the TOTAL lack of Witness support to his able-minded decision to forego blood -- suffice it to say -- the 30YO "elders" were absolutely ABSENT at the hospital as my father struggled against the very loud, strong-opinions of medical profs in his decision.
In any case - I can absolutely see and hear the despair in the voices of those of you whose parents put their entire trust in this organization and now have NOTHING to secure their old ages and future. How maddening and frightening. My heart aches for you all. And my anger toward the WTBTS is inflamed to new heights. I'd especially be pissed to contend with able bodied siblings who remain in LaLa Land about the future. Nothing against any of your families - but I praise God that my parents didn't drink enough of the KoolAid to totally rob themselves of a future and security. My mother can live out her life secure in her home and her daughters can rest easy about that.
Praise God for sassy parents! I am filled with anger for your stories and gratitude for my irreverant parents.