Not to mention the fact that I have 2 children to think of - this means THEIR future as well - if I raise them in "the truth" that will set the stage for the course of their entire life, for the potential for great heartache if they don't measure up to "JW standards" - and that's not a price I'm willing to pay.OK, I dont have any kids myself but I understand your concern. But this means you are choosing not to "pay up the price". I can understand that too. There are many examples in the bible of people who have suffered great loss in the name of God. I would suggest reading the book of Job again. That man lost all of his children ones! Of course at the end he had new children, but that doesn't take away the hurt and feelings for the children that were lost, its not like "Ow I can stop feeling sad about my lost children because I have new ones", at least at the present time it isn't. But what it teaches you is that, if you keep the faith, not only will God save you, but your children can be saved too (I imagine that Job's first children will get a ressurection). Its something only you can decide, either believe, with the chance that if its all true that you, your husband and your children will get a new life in a paradise, or disbelieve, and lose this chance. I agree that the JW-standards are high, but that is parallel to what has been said in the bible, that the path of the truth is small and narrow.The things about the paradise might seem stupid to believe, same with believing in angels and Satan and all the other things. But think about it really carefully... in the end it makes sense, and it gives use, a goal, it adds more purpose to your life. All arrows point in the direction that there is a God, and that we are here because of his will. So it might be smart to not dismiss this believe so easily. Just my few cents ;)
My faith in God is without question, I have faith in Him wholeheartedly and I always have. It's my faith, or lack thereof, in the WTS that is at issue here. I have no problem instilling Bible principles in my children, and I intend to do that. My concern about my children not "measuring up" by JW standards refers to the social structure/expectations within the Kingdom Hall. I will raise my children to question things every bit as much as I do - and as I have demonstrated before, a questioning spirit is frowned on by JWs. I will raise my children to be accepting and tolerant of ALL people - not just people LIKE THEM - which is not in line with the JW spirit of being as far removed as possible from worldly people, not having worldly friends, etc. I find that concept reprehensible. It precipitates an "us vs. them" or "we're better than they are" mentality, which is unacceptable in my book.
It reminds me of something my husband told me once. When girls would approach my husband's best friend (also a JW) and start being friendly with him, his friend would turn his nose up at them and walk away without even acknowledging their presence. When my husband asked him why he did this, his friend replied, "Why would I want to talk to HER? She's not a witness, she doesn't even exist to me".
If either one of my children ever behaved in such a way I would smack the attitude right out of them (no, not literally). My point being, I will not raise my children that way, nor will I let an organization raise my children for me in a way that is unacceptable to me. Let's remember that Jehovah reads the heart in judging his children - I am confident that in reading my heart he will understand my devotion is to him, and not to an organization. My husband's childhood friend, on the otherhand, had better watch out - I don't think Jehovah will be too happy when reading his heart.