Lyineyes: Reading your post was very painful because it reminded me of all the pain that I put my children through on account of this religion. I wish that I had had a proper understanding of what it meant to truly worship the Father in spirit and in truth. It was never about showing loyalty to a man, a religion, a priest, a rabbi, a circuit overseer, or a member of the Governing Body. Worshipping God properly has always been about our PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with Him. Jesus made that plain when he spoke to the woman at the well. Jesus told her: "But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."
Dede, the next thing I write is directed to your Father. To Dede's Father: Where does it say at John 4:23, 24 that worship of our Heavenly Father will only be accepted by him through a particular religion? Where does it say that worship of our Heavenly Father will only be accepted if we show loyalty to a priest , a rabbi, a circuit overseer, a member of the Governing Body? We all stand alone before God. He reads our hearts and observes our actions to determine the depth of our devotion to him. Hiding behind a religion or a man in religious authority will not reconcile us to God. The Pharisees and Sadducees of ancient times claimed to have a favored position before God and yet they were soundly condemned by Jesus. Why? Because they were far more concerned with their power, their authority, their prestige, than in truly worshipping God in Spirit and in truth. As a result of their cruel interpretation of God's word, the religious leaders brought deep pain and suffering towards the people that they were supposed to love with all their heart. The people were viewed as "people of the ground" by the religious leaders. The common people were unwanted, unloved, and despised by those individuals that were charged by God to "shepherd the flock in their care with love and devotion." Is it any wonder that God rejected these religious leaders and gave the Kingdom to those who truly loved their brothers?
Dede's father, you think that by your daughter's exit from the Jehovah's Witnesses that she has left the Almighty God and his Son. Is that what the scripture says? I have heard certain Jehovah's Witnesses say to those contemplating leaving, where are you going to go, this is the truth. Is that what the scripture says? At John 6:68 Peter said: "Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God." Did you notice Peter said: To WHOM shall we go away to? Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses does not equate with unfaithfulness to God.
Dede's father, ask yourself this question. Has your daughter really changed for the worse? Doesn't she still deeply love her husband and her children? Doesn't she still display fine qualities such as love, kindness, selflessness, self-sacrifice and caring for others . What evidence is there that she doesn't love God and his Son?
Finally, I have this to say to you. What if you find out after many years of sacrifice to the Jehovah's Witnesses that those who possess religious authority over you have either outright lied to you or deceived you. Then you will experience the crushing pain of loss and heartbreak. You will realize that all the years of shunning your family have been wasted and that this practice was not something approved by God. Did you know that there are many elders in good standing that have children either disassociated or disfellowshipped and yet they still secretly associate with them? They don't have the heart to cast them away. Why would God disapprove of showing our children hearfelt love and affection? Isn't that what Christlike love is all about?
One day you will have to take a sobering look at yourself in the mirror. Will you be prepared to face the ugly truth? Don't wait before it is too late and you are suffering a terminal illness to try to make amends. What a waste that would be. We all only have a pathetically short amount of time allotted to us. Shouldn't we use the short amount of time that we have to laugh and love and to embrace life wholeheartedly? Shouldn't we especially show deep love, affection and empathy to our children? They are a part of us. Losing anyone of them would be the same as losing your own limb. What if a child died tragically preventing you from telling your child how much you loved them. Your regrets and self recriminations would crush you forever. I am speaking the words of truth to you. I know in your heart that you know what I have said is true. However, the choice is yours to make.
Dede, shunning is a cruel and heartless practice designed to keep the rank and file in their places. By perpetuating this practice the WT can ensure that many millions will remain in the darkness. I hope that your father comes to his senses and realizes what a precious treasure he has in you and his son-in-law and his grandkids. Be assured of the Shakita family's love for you and your family.
Mr. Shakita