I absolutely love my parents. But I can't blame them. It just doesn't make sense to blame them.
My mom came from an extremely poor family. Her father abandoned her and her 7 sisters for about 5 years. They had no idea where he was. Her mother never went to school so they all had to work. My mother started working as a child milking cattle, picking cotton, cleaning, taking care of kids. As a child she didnt celebrate religious holidays and the only thing she got for Christmas each year was a pair of shoes snd a meal. Men took advantage of them sexually. She was smart and learned English and immigrated to America at 16 and started working. She was able to take care of her family. She was sooo broken and still is. I feel sorry for her more than anything.
My father was raised by raging alcoholics with anger issues. He was abandoned several times and his teenage brother had to steal food to feed his 8 siblings. My father started working at 7 years if age or else he would starve to death. He hated holidays and birthdays because only the rich kids got gifts. He was suicidal most of his life and used to physically abuse my mom. The witnesses also provided hope for him.
More than anything I feel sorry for them. I can completely understand why they are still in the religion. I appreciate them for not shunning my DF husband and myself for being inactive. Honestly they have nothing else going for them. They love the attention and admiration they get since they have low self-esteem and are also narcicistic.
Sure, I wish things could have been different. But one thing I am pissed about is the fact that they gave up EVERYTHING to serve the organization. They sold their business, house and we lived off the government just so they can pioneer. THAT is what I'm pissed about. They were regular Jehovah's Witnesses but others started accusing them of being materialistic and should be pioneering etc. They fell for it and we all suffered. Our health suffered. It was horrible!
I am saddened by the fact that this was the only option for them to find happiness. They didn't have much opportunity for anything else unfortunately.
I am happy that my father encouraged me to study, do research and not believe everything I'm told at the meetings. This was the start of me having doubts, asking crazy questions. He loved it whenever I questioned anything in the publications. He never gave me an answer but he would encourage me to check it out at the library. So in way, I owe it to him for where I am.