Holly
First of all, I'm sorry that you're feeling so sad. Try to think of it as being like a romance or job that didn't work out the way you thought it could due to incompatibility. That won't make it any easier, but it might help you resist the temptation to let them back into your life. They really are looking for an easy "mark" and you weren't just falling into line according to their "program".
What happened to you is a perfect example of how they fail to live up to their own publications' directions:
*** Watchtower August 15, 1950 p. 263 Name and Purpose of The Watchtower ***
?The Watchtower? invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures.
*** Is This Life All There Is? (1974) p.46 What Is This Thing Called "Soul"? ***
?God, who is himself "the God of truth" and who hates lies, will not look with favor on persons who cling to organizations that teach falsehood. (Psalm 31:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8) And, really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?
*** Watchtower November 15, 1963 p.688 Execution of Divine Judgment upon False Religion ***
3 Can there be false religion? It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion.
*** Watchtower March 1, 1966 p.132 Should Falsehood and Corruption Be Exposed? ***
Therefore, how will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person or organization making the exposé? Do you feel it is all right to teach lies and misrepresent God's Word, but wrong to expose the error? Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption.
*** The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life 1968 p.13 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***
4 However, you have no doubt heard people say: "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you lead a clean moral life and deal kindly with your neighbors." But is that all there is to worshiping God in an acceptable way? These things are necessary, but God requires more. Doctrines are also involved. The Bible informs us that "the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth." (John 4:23) If our worship is to be acceptable to God, it must be firmly rooted in God's Word of truth. Jesus reproved those persons who claimed to serve God but who relied heavily on the traditions of men in preference to God's Word. He applied to them God's own words from Isaiah 29:13, saying: "It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines." (Matthew 15:9) Since we do not want our worship to be in vain, it is important for each one of us to examine his religion.
5 We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God's will is for us, and then to do it.-John 8:32.
*** Awake! October 22, 1973 p. 6 Examine the Evidence ***
Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth.
*** Watchtower April 1, 1991 p.17 Mankind's Search for God ***
Mankind's Search for God
[?]
To help us to have a clearer understanding of other religions, their teachings, and their historical background, the Watch Tower Society released around the world during the 1990 "Pure Language" Conventions a new publication entitled Mankind's Search for God. Equipped with this instrument, we will be better able to preach to people of the non-Christian world as well as to those of Christendom.
A Practical Instrument
[?]
The book then raises the logical question. "Is it reasonable to assume that the religion imposed at one's birth is necessarily the whole truth?" Thus, every person is encouraged to examine other religions with an open mind. As is stated on page 10: "Understanding one another's viewpoint can lead to more meaningful communication and conversation between people of different faiths." It continues: "True, people may strongly disagree about their religious beliefs, but there is no basis for hating a person just because he or she holds a different viewpoint."-Matthew 5:43, 44.
*** Watchtower March 1, 1966 p.132 Should Falsehood and Corruption Be Exposed? ***
Therefore, how will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person or organization making the exposé? Do you feel it is all right to teach lies and misrepresent God's Word, but wrong to expose the error? Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption.
*** The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life 1968 p.13 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***
4 However, you have no doubt heard people say: "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you lead a clean moral life and deal kindly with your neighbors." But is that all there is to worshiping God in an acceptable way? These things are necessary, but God requires more. Doctrines are also involved. The Bible informs us that "the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth." (John 4:23) If our worship is to be acceptable to God, it must be firmly rooted in God's Word of truth. Jesus reproved those persons who claimed to serve God but who relied heavily on the traditions of men in preference to God's Word. He applied to them God's own words from Isaiah 29:13, saying: "It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines." (Matthew 15:9) Since we do not want our worship to be in vain, it is important for each one of us to examine his religion.
5 We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God's will is for us, and then to do it.-John 8:32.
*** Awake! October 22, 1973 p. 6 Examine the Evidence ***
Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth.
*** Watchtower April 1, 1991 p.17 Mankind's Search for God ***
Mankind's Search for God
[?]
To help us to have a clearer understanding of other religions, their teachings, and their historical background, the Watch Tower Society released around the world during the 1990 "Pure Language" Conventions a new publication entitled Mankind's Search for God. Equipped with this instrument, we will be better able to preach to people of the non-Christian world as well as to those of Christendom.
A Practical Instrument
[?]
The book then raises the logical question. "Is it reasonable to assume that the religion imposed at one's birth is necessarily the whole truth?" Thus, every person is encouraged to examine other religions with an open mind. As is stated on page 10: "Understanding one another's viewpoint can lead to more meaningful communication and conversation between people of different faiths." It continues: "True, people may strongly disagree about their religious beliefs, but there is no basis for hating a person just because he or she holds a different viewpoint."-Matthew 5:43, 44.
*** Watchtower April 1, 1991 p.17 Mankind's Search for God ***
Mankind's Search for God
[?]
To help us to have a clearer understanding of other religions, their teachings, and their historical background, the Watch Tower Society released around the world during the 1990 "Pure Language" Conventions a new publication entitled Mankind's Search for God. Equipped with this instrument, we will be better able to preach to people of the non-Christian world as well as to those of Christendom.
A Practical Instrument
[?]
The book then raises the logical question. "Is it reasonable to assume that the religion imposed at one's birth is necessarily the whole truth?" Thus, every person is encouraged to examine other religions with an open mind. As is stated on page 10: "Understanding one another's viewpoint can lead to more meaningful communication and conversation between people of different faiths." It continues: "True, people may strongly disagree about their religious beliefs, but there is no basis for hating a person just because he or she holds a different viewpoint."-Matthew 5:43, 44.