My mom tells me of a conversation with my mother-in-law she had at a family party a couple of weeks ago.
Now, to set this up, let me give you a few details. My wife's brother lives in another state. He quit the Witnesses pretty much right after moving out there, and this has been almost 20 years ago. He is married, has two very bright children, and is a very responsible family man. For the past couple of years, his wife has been going through painful cancer, and it looks like she is terminal. Now, my mother-in-law is very devout, 110%, "it doesn't matter what happens, I have Jehovah!", true blue Witness. My mom still believes, sorta, but hasn't gone to meetings in years.
Okay, now, here is the conversation, as told to me:
"So, how is your son doing these days?", my mom asks, wanting to know about how is he dealing with his wife's sickness.
"Oh, he's not doing any good. He doesn't want to do anything about the Truth anymore. He quit going years ago."
"Well, how's his wife?"
"Oh, she has no interest in the Truth, either."
"No, I mean, how is she doing with her health?"
"Oh, well, the cancer has spread to behind her eye, she can't walk...." and so on.
Amazing, isn't it, that someone can be so immersed in a particular view of things, that the first thing that pops to mind about YOUR OWN CHILD and his family isn't their health, or emotional well-being, but whether or not they go to meetings, or do birthdays, or read the Watchtower? I feel so sad for her, because she has such a warped outlook, and it prevents her from being a mother.