I thought the easiest way to share the pathetic tale of one faithful family in a different sort of way. We'll start at the top and work our way to myself.
Grandfather Mom's Side=never saw him, abused his children sexually/physically, emotionally, finally got the Big DF and has been sighted at halls around country using different names. Other wife/family also abused and left.
Grandmother Mom's Side= Lived w/abusive elder/alchoholic for many years, after he left for life w/other wife, went crazy, then she got cancer, but wouldn't get transfusions, or bone marrow transplant. Dead
Grandfather Dad's side=left JWs after argument over appropriate attire at Hall and never went back. My favorite relative. RIP
Grandmother Dad's side=never attended regularly, except passover, always dipped snuff even when she preached about other's wicked ways. Got Alzhiemers and was sent to rest home.
Dad=lost many jobs throughout years because of percieved rights or wrongs on job having to deal w/job vs biblical practices. Created severe probs keeping us in house and home. Unhappy w/marriage and currently unemployed. We don't speak.
Mom=overworked, had four kids, one of which ended up being disabled at birth, despite doctor's warning against having baby. Now works for hospital and has daily struggle w/conscience over medical practices and university research. Can't afford to quit job. We rarely speak.
Sister 1=Suffers from severe depression, way overweight, never goes to hall, but constantly spouts verse and JW policy. Ended up marrying crack addict and has two kids, both out of wedlock.
Sister 2= Has Downs Syndrome and has no hope for life outside JW box.
Brother=Was home schooled to keep him away from worldly influence. Ended up sneaking out of house when parents weren't there to help w/studies or monitor his behaviour. Ended up getting addicted to speed, started stealing and went to prison. Now in California, whereabouts unknown.
Finally Me=Left at 17 and went off deep end. Spent several years doing inumerable bad things to my body, finally went a little crazy around 23. Eventually went to college and developed my own world view and drug myself from the pits of despair and overwhelming guilt. Failed marriage and two lovely children who I see on weekends.
Now, this may seem like average family drama, but I really think that things could have been different. It seems to me that strict religious upbringing causes some kind of abberant behaviour in all kinds of people, young and old. Perhaps if my family had spent more time celebrating the each other, instead of going to hall 3 times a week, service once a week and studying the litterature the other days, we might have been more stable. Just thought I would share one extreme example of what I am sure is not an isolated case.