Welcome DuvanMuvan!
Welcome. Your writing is very good and clear. Your education must be very good.
When I was between 14 and 15, I wanted to go to college. This was 1984. Actually, both of my (JW) parents encouraged me to go to college based on my abilities. They had both gone through 1975, and saw my siblings struggle after foregoing college. Before that, in the late 1940's/early 50s, my father foregone college to pioneer. He also gave up an apprentice opportunity with a tool and die maker. He strongly believed tha the End was coming in the 50s. My mother wanted to be a nurse, and didn't do so until after 1975 due to her belief in the JW religion that the End was going to come. So, in 1984 I attended a convention. On stage, was a young lady who spoke of the horrors of attending college and gave the reasons why she quit after just one semester. She choose to pioneer, "As the End is Near and the Generation of 1914 could not pass away." I discussed her position with my parents, and they both said, "Hogwash Skeeter. If you live at home, we expect you to attend college and we're paying for it. Just don't blab about it at the KH" You see, not all parents believe everything the WTS teaches.
So, I continued on with my studies in High School. And, there came a time when I had doubts about how 1914 date was concocted. My 'door to door' hours slipped to zero. An elder took me aside and asked me. I confided to him that I had doubts as to the 1914 date and I shouldn't go out in service until I was more sure. So, the elder removed me from field service and made an announcement. I told him "Do whatever you have to do." After that, I occassionally attended a meeting here and there with my mother (my father was disfellowshipped at that time, since he's gone back in his old age to become a zealous JW fearing his own judgement.). I went to my last Memorial my senior year in High School. I quietly applied for colleges and was accepted. I went to just one or two meetings after that, and a funeral. No one from the KH hounded me, and my mother didn't hound me either. She just wanted me to complete my degree. I completed my Bachelors in Business and have had a good life. I didn't go wild. I now have a wonderful family, kids, and pets. I'm a very domesticated soul.
It was only until after our first child was born and my parents were aging that we had a few "witnessing" calls at our door. After two visits, never invited in, we told the callers to leave and we were not interested. Pretty much, end of story. Except that now every now and again, I get a preaching to by JW relatives. And, now, I know enough about the religion to really give it back to them. So, they stopped too.
I wish you the best. You seem to have your head screwed on straight, and that's refreshingly wonderful.
Skeeter
