Thank you for all you comments.
Nathan,
I've read that. Actually, I've downloaded it onto my desktop. I think I'll print and hide it somewhere.
sKally,
I see your point...but is it realistic? I live in the United States. Around here, abeit how unpopular JWs are, they are recognized as a "religion" and are just as entitled to teach their children their beliefs as anyone. While I agree that although a parent has a right to teach their children whatever they wish, it is my opinion there is a fine line that separates unacceptable from acceptable, and unfortunately, most courts don't view the beliefs of JWs as being "unacceptable". If they begin taking the rights away from parents because of the cruelty their children may have to endure because of their beliefs or religions, who then would be safe from the court system? The strict Muslim, hindus, etc, who do not conform to American culture and make their children wear the garb, do their mantras, etc...are they being cruel? Do they not have a right to teach their children their beliefs and culture? I am not defending the JWs, but I'm just trying to be practical. This is just, realistically speaking, the type of analogies JWs would try to draw. How do you debunk that? You make some very valid points. I just don't think I can financially go up against WT lawyers for one thing...and I'm afraid it might would come to that if I bring this religion into it. And I do see the harmful affects this religion can have on a child's mental and physical (the blood issue) security, stability, health...and I do want to protect my kids from that. I just don't know which is the best strategy to use in order to accomplish this.
I posted my story here because I want to be sure that I am trying to be fair, and when I read this new book, it frightened me. I have been (ever since I stopped attending the meetings and such) simply telling my kids that I just don't agree with what the JWs teach anymore. But the JWs are indirectly, with their manipulative literature and "christian meetings" chocked full of crafty wording, teaching my children that I can't be trusted because I am not one of them. They are completely undermining my authority and guidance as a parent. It is really difficult to determine your ability to be fair when you feel angry, betrayed, violated, scared, alone... I just didn't know if it is really fair for me to attempt to take these kids away from him because of his misguided trust and complete faith in this publishing company...because I don't want this crap taught to my kids, because I can see how unhealthy their teachings and demands are. But I've also seen the statistics of kids from broken homes, where the father practically disappears completely from their lives. And I'm trying to unbiasedly determine which is the worst case scenario:: Stay with dad sometimes; time with dad spent being indoctrinated into his little cult (emphasize sometimes because his time would them would probably, at most, be every other weekend -- he is, BTW, wanting EVERY weekend with them...I told him to keep dreaming...a cold day in hell, my friend) OR try to keep kids away from the influence of dad and his cohorts as much as possible and risk my kids growing up being juvenile delinquents because of the lack of a father figure in their lives.
Fortunately, my son is the product of another relationship...and my husband has no legal rights to him what-so-ever. He [husband] has expressed that he wants to continue seeing my son. He has been the only father my son has known. My son was only 4 mos old when my husband and I began dating, and he was 8 mos old when we were married, so my son has never known a time without my husband being his dad. My husband has offered to pay child support for my son, although he is not bound to do so, just so he could see him too. My mom has made the comment that I should tell my husband, "I'm sorry, but it's bad enough I have to share my daughter; I'm not about to pimp my son out to you!!" I thought I would let my son decide whether he wants to see my husband or not. To some degree, I feel like he [my son] probably won't want to see him. My son is very sensitive to the things going on around him. He is not dumb to the situation. I don't think he's too happy about "the truth" either, and I'm pretty sure he sees the problems that have resulted from mom and dad being exposed to it. But I don't know. I may just refuse to let him go, and then bear the burden of my son being angry at me.
Thanks again for the advice.
Leslie, thanks for sharing those resources. I hadn't even thought about them.
Sadie