GARY,
What I have noticed with my family is a total inability to admit that they don't know everything. It seems that they start coming unglued at the seems if the thought that they don't have an answer for everything enters their mind.
My family truly scares me because they will abandon anything, even family, if they cause them to question anything about their world view. I tried damn hard to keep my views to myself. But, my father wasn't happy until he pushed me to be honest. They have abandoned me. But, in their mind I have abandoned them. They will forever miss out on the love, and friendship that their youngest family member would love to give them. Why they choose this course rather than just agreeing to disagree is quite astounding. I can't understand why we can't just enjoy each other without discussing religion.
It has only been recently that I have had the psychological strength to fully face what it means to grow up as a JW.
The cold hard reality is that your family cannot love you if you are not mentally subordinate to the WT. Even if you are on drugs, make suicide attempts, are a criminal or whatever; if you still admit or act like the WT has mental or emotional authority over you, they will continue to see you.....with no problem.
But, the minute you question WT hypocricy, you are abandonded forever.
I'd rather live out the rest of my natural life without having to pretend. However, the minute a person does that, they must be prepared to face the harsh reality of emotional abandon from your dearest loved ones.
I agree, a person must count the cost of standing for truth.