My children have a friend who lives in the neighborhood and who comes over often to hang out. He is a little JW boy, but he and his mom have no idea that I'm an ex. "Gabe" has been a frequent visitor to our home for over a year now and nothing about religion has ever come up...until today.
He and my son got into a discussion about evolution vs. creation, and, as the conversation seemed to be heating up, I got involved. He, bless him, gave the usual rote-responses that JW kids are taught (makes me sad) but I refuted them, gently of course, for a few moments until I suddenly realized that I was being incredibly unfair to the kid (he's about 10) and ended the conversation. After all, I was raised a dub and have been out for quite a long time now, I'm an adult and he's a kid (altho he was so cute when he offered to go home and get his bible!)...it was a totally one-sided discussion! I don't feel that I have the right to undermine this boy's faith, and surely, his mother would be horrified if she knew that I'm an ex. But at the same time, I know all too well the reality of growing up a dub...the loneliness, the feeling of being one against the ''world"....so my question to those of you out there who are interested, is where to go from here? Do I instruct my children to avoid conversations regarding his religious beliefs or not? I am certainly not going to say anything to him again, but my kids have pretty much developed decent critical thinking skills and aren't interested in backing down from any discussion regarding god, creation, etc. etc.
Gabe is a very nice, intelligent, but lonely little guy and I have to confess that my heart goes out to him, as I hate the idea of him growing up in such a destructive cult. But at the same time, I don't feel that I have the right to interfere, if that makes any sense. It's one thing when dealing with other adults, but this is a kid! So.....suggestions, thoughts, opinions, would be welcome.
Dana