Ok, so we received our new copy of Crisis of Conscience (since my previous copy was lent out and never returned) and me and the wifey have been reading it together for the past couple nights. I have read the book before, and know the shock felt when you read about certain things in the organization. My wife hadn't read it, and was curious, mostly because everyone here was saying it was an important book to read.
Even though we both decided to disassociate 3 months ago, my reasons were more because I know the witnesses dont have the truth, while hers were more because she felt restrained by the religion. She admits to having lingering thoughts and feelings of guilt for leaving perhaps the only true religion. Last night I was witness to something I myself experienced, but have never observed in anyone else. See when I read CoC I remember the shock, disbelief, anger and loneliness that came from learning the truth about the "truth". I have since moved on and accepted and have been happier no longer feeling captive to that religion. My wife was not there yet. After we finished a chapter last night, she asked me to stop, and sat pensative for a minute. She then went through a roll of emotions, anger, sadness, shock and realization. Her anxiety went out of control, she felt a wave of fear, and loneliness and ultimately cried. All I could do was hold her and let her cry, assuring her that this was the scary part of letting go but that things would eventually get better. This was the difficult part, but after this it will all melt away. The fear, the guilt, the feelings of this organization being directed by God.
I remember going through those emotions alone, angry and upset, crying by myself, feeling betrayed. I feel for her, because I understand what she's going through, but at the same I'm glad I'm here to help her through it, and to make sure she's ok.
It was an emotional evening for us, and I just wanted to share.