So, it finally happened. The first time I have been called out for being an apostate.
It started out innocently enough: my family and I were watching a TV show. Next thing I notice, the family on the show were shooting fireworks for the 4th of July. My parents, on cue, started to insult the family and boost about their everlasting life. It was like something in me snapped. In the middle of their cackling, I said: "what's so wrong about July 4th? Not like it's pagan." My parents told me why I should celebrate a country that doesn't care about me. Due to JW stance on politics, I move on to Thanksgiving. "Same for Thanksgiving. Has no pagan origins." Then they said JWs ate thankful everyday and don't need a day to show that. "Still, nothing wrong with having a feast with your family and friends." Then they made it a point that we should have no part of the world. Besides, the origins of Thanksgiving is horrible: the original Thanksgiving was a celebration of getting rid of the Indians. At this point I'm annoyed, do I shoot back with: "If origin is so important, how come we don't follow nearly none of Russell's teachings anymore? Most of them are considered wrong today." My father states: "The light gets brighter. Jehovah eventually reveals the truth, so that's why things changed." "What about the issues that have gone back and forth? The Watchtower itself said new light shouldn't contradict old light. Doesn't a Scripture in Deut. say that anyone who has a wrong teaching is a false prophet?" Then came the raised voices. My father then said "you've been around too many worldly people. You've turned apostate." My mom nodded in agreement. "Even if you have questions that can't be answered, have faith Jehovah will take care of it" For the first time, I got the last word: "Yes, like he took care of the generation of 1914."
Their faces were priceless. I've been 'marked' by my parents. And it actually feels great.