During Winter school holidays here in South Africa,my wife and I decided to travel down to our hometown
to confront our parents about the JW issue.We felt we needed to clear the air and let them know what our
standpoint regarding the JWs are,and why we will not be raising their grandchildren in the org.
Once and for all we needed to get this behind us.We needed to tell them about my book and felt it would
be unfair for them to find out via the media.
We decided to confront my dad first.I got all the documents ready,especially the ones regarding the U.N.
issue and the child sexual abuse issues.As we stayed with my mother-in-law while we were down there,I
gave him a call and asked if we could come over to discuss some important issues.He obliged and told us
to come round after the bookstudy.We arrived and settled in.Dad made us tea and brought us some cake.I then
broke the ice ."Dad,what we are about to tell you and Mom will affect you more than Mom,"was what I said.
My Mom never took to the Watchtower and remained a Congregationalist Church member all these years."You
probably have been wondering why we as a family have not been attending meetings and conventions over the
past few years?"I asked.Dad never really confronted me on the issue and would on occasion say that I should
get my spirituality back up.I then proceeded to talk about the research I had done into the org and what
triggered the whole thing.I systematically told him what used to bother me while growing up in "the truth"
I backed up my statements with copies of the transcripts with regard to the U.N. issue and child sexual
abuse issues.
Believe me,it was very hard for me to do this as I respect and love him very much and I knew this would
be a great disappointment to him.However, I felt he needed to here the truth, and that to me was very
important.My Dad is a very kind and soft-hearted man and very often gets taken advantage of because of his
soft nature.
As the discussion progressed I sensed the dissapointment in his eyes.I then mentioned the publication of my
book and what it is about."Are you saying that you want to DA son?" he asked."I will not DA Dad,as I do not
see the organization as having any authority over my life anymore."was what I replied.I told him that I was
baptised before 1985 when people were still baptised in the name of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit.The
organization DA'd itself from me after 1985 by saying that their baptism is now into the organization.
He then concluded by saying that we have presented him with food for thought,and that he still loves us no
matter what happens or what our point of view may be.He assured us that he will not shun us or our
children.That was all I needed to here from him.I only hope that I have planted some seeds of doubt in is
mind or I may have watered the ones he probably already had.
Next: Part 2 - Confronting my Mum-in-law.
jakes