Dear Seven,
Let me first mention to you that I am terribly sorry for the heavy predicament you're experiencing not being able to share your love with your dying mother the way you should be!! You have a natural right to be with her as many times as you desire and that love connection should never be taken away from anybody existing...
I also understand your feelings of despair to the point of showing visible anger and disgust and it may be difficult at times to be above reproach in this instance, yet I dare ask you to restrain yourself - however difficult this may be - we are all hurting in a similar way Seven... Let us do out utmost to be an "example" to those who are "imprisoned" in a network of false compassion from which there is hardly an escape.
We all have to stick together and this way we will stay strongly bonded to each other as we all see people suffer because of the rigidity, narrow-mindedness, even arrogance of men in charge, elders and others, or recognizing the hurtful effects of certain edicts of the organization that did not rest on a solid scriptural foundation.
I must say however that RealElder shows courage, more than I must say the vast majority of elders who in their heart recognize the wrongness of extreme shunning. The hard fact is, however, that within the community of Jehovah's Witnesses today there is simply no possibility for such discussion to take place. Anyone's attempting to do so would be viewed as showing a rebellious spirit and would only result in further disfellowshipping. That's why one has to give a measure of respect to RealElder insofar as he is trying to understand us who are now outside the organization showing free will as well as keeping afloat within the congregation until the time arrives for him to decide to embrace the intelligent and compassionate course to leave the Witnesses thereby causing minimal "damage" to his loved ones including his family. Please recognize that RealElder in this instance faces a serious crises of conscience and guilt until he makes his decision to freedom of will and thought..
Richie :*)
You are the music as long as the music last...............