I would appreciate some input from the board that is weighing quite heavy on mind.
As some of you may know, my ex divorced me six years ago, strictly for religious reasons. After an enormous amount of legal funds, I succeeded in getting an agreement signed that states that when the child reaches an age that the courts consider mature enough, we would both allow him to make his choice of religions. Even if he wanted nothing to do with religion.
It would seem that the time has finally arrived. He is 12 years old now and here in Ontario, there have been cases where this was allowed. The stipulation is that the minor would have to be seen by a court appointed psychologist and he would try to determine the minors real desire. They want to be sure that either parent is not exerting undue pressure on the child to conform to either of their desires.
This sounds fair and equitable in NORMAL situations but we know that when it involves the CULT known as Jehovahs Witnesses, this is almost impossible.
My son will be turning 12 on December 6 th of this year. I have made it known to his mother that I WILL take this step soon after this date. Obviously she is quite traumatized by this development. She is pulling all stops in order to stop this. She kept on asking my son if I had already gotten a lawyer for December 6 th . She told him that he should not have to go to court. That I am very unfair to subject him to this. She told him to tell me that her and I should duke out again without involving him.
The only problem is that she does not seem to understand that this has absolutely nothing to do with us. This is strictly his choice. We have a signed agreement that stipulates that it is his CHOICE and only his. In a complete panic, she went to see her jw lawyer and she has served me with a motion on December 6 th . Somehow she thinks that this will stall my plans for the psychologist. It will not. I have made an appointment for November 20 th .
Just in case anybody is wondering what the motion is all about I will tell you. When child support was awarded, I got the short end of the stick. I was ordered to pay her 1100.00/month. According to some tables that I looked at, it should have been approx. 150.00/month. I strongly objected to this through my lawyer but he said that I could go for a variance soon after. What a friggen idiot he turned out to be. I paid her that amount for almost two years. (Not wanting the stress of going back to court) This became impossible to continue therefore, through a mutual verbal (large mistake) agreement, she excepted 500.00/month.
Of course, like all honest little jws, she is suing me for all of the shortfall, which amounts to 25,000.00.
That is not my main concern. She has been putting a lot of pressure on our son. After each meeting or bookstudy, he is being swarmed by all the robots about giving up Jehovah. Some are even screaming at him to straighten out. She has had the PO and another elder over twice in order to convince him to continue. Monday night, in a desperate move, he called me from his room to plead that I go and pick him up. This totally broke my heart. I felt totally helpless. It would be very detrimental if I had gone. He is only 12 and did not quite understand.
Just an example of wonderful jw style love. I would much prefer a roomful of Satans or Ossamas to deal with.
This brings me to my main concern. I have heard some stories of congregations helping in abducting children in these situations and hiding them from us evil ones. What do you think the chances of this happening are? Prior to her breaking into my home and stealing contents, I would have said nil. Now I am NOT so sure. These people do not think period.
I am loosing some sleep over this. Am I panicking needlessly?
Some input please.
68storm