I just wanted to chime in as a loving atheist father, divorced to a JW, and what plays as far as educating our children.
We have shared custody but the kids are mainly with their mom - 11 and 14 respectively.
The problem I face is keeping a balance for my children. I have turned atheist during our marriage, so my ex didn't have the spiritual support she signed up for anymore. I can understand it is not easy. Especially for my kids, that saw their father being a zealous pioneer, giving good talks from the platform, believing every word I said.
In time, ironically, it was my deep personal study that made me question. Many elder meetings, and I must say, they were very nice, although incapable of answering my difficult questions. Even the Circuit Overseer told me I knew more than he, and that he couldn't rationalize any answers for me.
Anyway, in time I drifted away, and my wife asked for the divorce - although on unbiblical grounds. It was too hard for her to live with my change of heart and mind. It was hard enough on her that she went thru being disfellowshipped for leaving me. At that point, I turned my attention to science, and have been utterly relieved by what I have learned about evolution, etc…
So now the situation: She wants to continue bringing up the kids in the "truth" (sic), while I want to teach my kids critical thinking. She wants to teach them WHAT to think, I want to teach them HOW to think. But I decided that being brought up a JW didn't hurt me. That I followed my own path after all. In fact, I'm convinced that the more one knows one's Bible, the more the chances of choosing logic and reason at the end. So I will not hinder my kid's JW education. I will just encourage questioning and making their own mind up. In the meantime, I point to the beauty of Natural Selection, and other truisms. I do it with restraint and respect for their mom. On her side, it is obvious she doesn't push them nor try to talk bad about their dad's understanding. But fair enough, she teaches them what she believes to be the best for them. So do I… but not in a spirit of competition - the important thing is the well-being of the kids.
I realize many of you ex-JWs still believe in God, but I do not. But I do believe in compromises that will help not tear apart our already broken family. I just wanted to share this with all of you.
Feel free to comment and even criticize my view on this. I will respond respectfully.
* I will say this; the WTS has turned out to be a lying and manipulative mind-controlling entity. They are dangerous in many ways. This I will counter as time goes by - a little at a time. The kids already had a good laugh at Sparlock, and they "get" the mind control thing. It will all work out. Either way, I must respect whatever path they choose. Here's hoping for the best.