Hey Dave 
Good post...I agree with your comments regarding that strong need to 'know' the future. I think that is one of the things that held me in for so long. That and the very real fear of losing every person I loved and everything that was important to me. When I left, I felt as though the very foundations of my entire existence had been shaken loose; it is a devastating thing to lose one's faith. But as has been pointed out, the WTS demands faith to an organization, and imposes incredibly harsh rules and punitive actions upon those who choose not to be of the 'faithful'. Closer2fine...I can really relate to your post! My mother has been a Jdub for about 35 years now...my sister and I have talked about how easy it would be to completely shatter her faith...but we realize this would be a terrible unkindness to her...she has given up so much...both of her daughters and 4 grandchildren, all for the sake of the bORG. I think my mother would 'snap', as you said. At this point, she is probably much better off dying 'faithful'...sad, isn't it??Dana"A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Good post...I agree with your comments regarding that strong need to 'know' the future. I think that is one of the things that held me in for so long. That and the very real fear of losing every person I loved and everything that was important to me. When I left, I felt as though the very foundations of my entire existence had been shaken loose; it is a devastating thing to lose one's faith. But as has been pointed out, the WTS demands faith to an organization, and imposes incredibly harsh rules and punitive actions upon those who choose not to be of the 'faithful'. Closer2fine...I can really relate to your post! My mother has been a Jdub for about 35 years now...my sister and I have talked about how easy it would be to completely shatter her faith...but we realize this would be a terrible unkindness to her...she has given up so much...both of her daughters and 4 grandchildren, all for the sake of the bORG. I think my mother would 'snap', as you said. At this point, she is probably much better off dying 'faithful'...sad, isn't it??Dana"A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery