Itsallgoodnow brings up a good point.
Consider why the watchtower uses personal relationships (shunning, labeling,etc) as a means to control.
It is because they recognize the strenght of family bonds.
Those bonds are the basis of the watchtowers numbers. It becomes tradition and suceeding generations are tomorrows profits. So they fight tooth and nail to hang on.
We on this side see the desperate attempt. But also remember that they are instructed to not fight for their own well-being but for "jehovahs will".
That is a very strong inducement for someone still in. Every meeting is all about guilt, and effectivly using emotional terrorism.
Cutting your ties to that emotional blackmail is first and foremost.
Think back on childhood. Remember how several kids would agree to play hide and go seek, and some dumbell would wanna change the rules and insist you all play his/her way, only that way was stupid?
So you say, I am not going to play that way, it is dumb. And off the other kids go to some other game, leaving that oddball out?
Well, your mom needs to learn that she is that oddball, and nobody wants to play by her rules.
Many times that oddball will change their ways in order to "fit in" with the other kids.
Sorry for such a silly analogy, I am trying to put my thoughts in universal language.
What I am trying to say is that human needs are pretty universal. The dubs are just using human nature to their own ends. So I suppose you can either play tug of war (which I percieve you have already played, and it didnt pan out) or say, " I don't like playing by your rules, they suck".
Either way, you are growing and changing, and are watching out for your own well-being amidst great controversy, and for that I am glad for you.
