G’day Shauna, and welcome to this friendly place.
Mrs Ozzie and I were very interested in your previous post on H2O and are pleased you have been able to keep us up-to-date with what’s happening with you.
It may not be of much help to you to know that there are thousands in similar circumstances. Each one is a little different so it’s very hard to give cut and dried answers to people in these situations.
It seems that all in your family feel stress or a little disoriented. Your father probably thinks that as the P.O. he may face the criticism of his fellow elders because his daughter has “strayed”. In fact, he could be disqualified in these circumstances if he were on some bodies I know!
It seems to us you have no need to act any differently towards your family, nor to limit your association with them. They are your family, no matter what. The way they have acted is unnatural, influenced by the strict mind-control of a cult. At the same time, as Raymond Franz put it in one of his books, they are all “victims of victims”. So show your usual self to them. If they reject that, then that’s on their head, but you will have done nothing wrong. When they are much older, how much they would miss having their daughter’s companionship, and perhaps their grandchildren too.
It’ s not essential that you express your beliefs to them. They probably won’t listen anyway! But seeing that you have a happy life will do much to re-assure them. You must realise though that telling them that you plan to move away from the area and live with your boyfriend is not likely to “win” them. Even non-Witness parents would be concerned at that news. The Witnesses believe that anyone leaving “the truth” becomes “worldly” i.e. sinful etc. You need to be able to show that your life is better from living true to your beliefs. Is it?
In your previous post you mentioned that your marriage had broken up. This must have been very traumatic for you. Are you sure that a new relationship should start this way? Yes, this may sound moralistic, but I hope practical.
You said previously that you read Crisis of Conscience last summer. Why not read the second book “In Search of Christian Freedom” which will clarify many of the doctrinal distortions you formally had. It will help you to be deprogrammed.
Finally, remember that you do have a Father who will never turn you away. He’s not found in a Kingdom Hall, and you don’t have to gain access to Him through the elders. King David knew that, and even after his sinning he cried out to Jehovah. His Psalms written at that time are beautiful entreaties to God. He knew that God was always there for him. So He is for you too.
Good luck and God Bless,
Ozziepost