Thank you for the warm reception. However, a little clarification is in order. I do not live in the Dakotas, but in Washington State. I chose that name as I drive a bright red Dakota pickup truck, my baby, so to speak.
As to the rest, my wife and all three of her kids have all been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, manic depressives, you name it. The same docotrs give me a clean bill of health and do not prescribe any medications for me, but I am considered the one with the problems. Go figure, huh?
This is my third marriage and I honestly feel that in time, there will be enough interference from the JWs to fully destroy the marriage. I have tried to point this out to the wife, but like was said, it is a total waste of time. Whether or not she asks the elders means little to me. I have let them all know they have absolutely no say so in my house. I include the wife in every decision I have to make and often, get little or no feedback. She does complain to me that I don't do things with her, but almost every day, she is off either at a meeting or some JW social function. Of course, I am not welcome at those functions and will not attend any meetings.
One thing I did note early on: when the JWs found out I was an auto mechanic, they were very friendly to me, when their cars needed fixed. Even when inactive, the only calls I got were car related. Once I made it known that I didn't do "side jobs," the calls and friendship abated. Of course, now that I am DA'd, since early 2000, they won't even come to the dealership I work at. I see that as simply their loss.
I doubt I will join any churches in the future as I have been to many over my lifetime and have come to believe that all religion is hypocritical. God does not mandate any religious affiliation, in my opinion and we can research and draw to him with the Bible without the aid of man slanting things to suit their whim. I am not an atheist by any means, but have come to reject religion as manmade, all of them. I do have quite a library, both of Watchtower related publications and many others from various scholars and religions and all have abused the scriptures, in my opinion. I do not and have never accepted the trinity, but do not condemn those that do. To me, true Christianity is summed up at John 13:34,35.
Funny thing is, I once brought that scripture up to an elder that was perturbed that I had the audacity to challenge him on scripture and he didn't even know what it said.
To me, when we can comply with John 13:34,35, then we have truly found Christ and realize that almost all of the other arguments seem quite petty.
Once again, thanks for the warm welcome and I look forward to associating with you all.
If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?