Steve2 -- That's so sad what happened to your grandparents. The org.are not interested in the devestation they bring into peoples lives.
There was a km where they were actually commending the brothers for the "fine sacrifices" they made with the time being short...
KM May 1974 pg 3 : -
"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
It may seem plausible enough that the bros. were actually being recognised for their devotion and belief that 1975 would bring Armageddon. They were being held up as an example of great faith for others to follow. Many, many bros. and sisters made sacrifices, some of them huge, all based on a date. As far as they were concerned , they belived with all their heart that Jehovah would be bringing his judgement against the nations, and Armageddon would here.......IN JUST ONE YEARS TIME! That is why they were so ready, willing and able to sacrifice all they had.
BUT THEN WHAT? WHAT WAS SAID WHEN 1975 CAME AND WENT AND THESE POOR SAD BROS WERE LEFT WITH NOTHING? DID THE ORG. STEP IN TO PICK UP THE PIECES?
WT 15th July 1976 : - It suggested that any who were "diappointed" by the non - arrival of Armageddon.......
"...should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his OWN UNDERSTANDING was based on wrong premises."
NO SYMPATHY ! WHEREAS BEFORE, IN THE KM OF 1974, THEY WERE BEING PRAISED FOR THEIR STRENGTH OF FAITH AND BELIEF, THEY WERE NOW IN THE 1976 WT, BEING SHOWN TO BE SPIRITUALLY WEAK AND SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE! THEY WERE ACTUALLY BLAMING THE BROTHERS THEMSELVES FOR HAVING A WRONG VIEWPOINT !
HOW ON EARTH WOULD THESE BROS. HAVE FELT WHEN THAT MAGAZINE CAME OUT ? Some of these people gave up everything they had. Their jobs, their houses, their money. Many put things on hold like getting married, having a family or a career. Some, like your grandmother put off having medical treatment and suffered the consequenses, perhaps dying prematurely.
There is no real interest in the individuals who ultimately give them their strength. They deny responsibility for everything they do wrong...and in this instance, they blamed the bros. even though their belief and enthusiasm in the 1975 date was fanned to a white heat ......BY THE ORGANIZATION !.........THEY DISGUST ME!