24K...First off, your post wasn't THAT long. Believe me, I've seen much longer and have probably written a few also. Having said that, I was married to my first wife for 8 years. She was disfellowshipped and since reinstated and remarried...to another JW. I too, remarried to a JW...but was already on my way to inactive oblivion. I am posting this because I want you to know that not every case is hopeless. My wife (the one I'm with now) is a JW...but she is also a very intelligent and independent career woman. In fact, she's back in college pursuing her master's degree. She attends some meetings and still believes it's "da troof"...but understands that "I ain't comin' back" and my reasons for that stand. She doesn't hassle me about meetings. I always let her know that if (on rare occasion) she does want to go, I will certainly not hinder her...I'll just do my own thing until she gets home. She's a pretty "liberal" JW. She tells me all the time that I'm her favorite heathen. Probably the hardest thing I had to tell her was why I still prayed with her at meals. No, it wasn't from spiritual yearning. I'm an atheist, I suppose, but my saying a prayer with her over meals was simply a matter of respect for her. She doesn't ask me to do it anymore, though I do sit respectfully while she says her own silently before she eats.
It's not a perfect situation, but overall, we are happy and our love transcends a difference of opinion on this subject. My wife is a mature and smart lady. It's just not worth giving up what we do have together over a quibble about religion.
Hang in there if you can.
Ern
