my stepfather worked hard to provide for me and my sisters. sometimes two jobs. he's also a controlling prick who is playing the role he was born to play: the p.o. of a georgia j.w. congregation.
the day i moved out, (my 20th birthday), he came in my room, sat on the bed, put his arm around me and said he was proud of me and i was doing the right thing, moving out to learn how to take care of myself. this was 1991, when the jw's were trying to get kids to stay home as long as possible so they could pioneer. maybe they still are?
then he said "you are always welcome to come back if things don't work out. but if you ever turn your back on jehovah, we'll turn our back on you."
here's what he taught me:
1. a man's job is to provide for his family and be a leader. work as hard as you can, take care of the people who depend on you and don't bitch.
2. when you commit to something, be it a job or organization, whatever, give it all you've got.
3. there are many jw's who have allowed themselves to believe that god really wants them to choose him over their families. they will shoot you in the back at the drop of a hat and believe they are doing the right thing, that they'll be rewarded for their faithfulness. (ever heard the one about the suicide bomber and the 72 virgins?)
all three lessons are very real to me. too bad about the third one, eh?
d