You know, I'm pretty smart and pretty dumb all rolled up into one. I have a pretty decent relationship with my JW mother who basically never says anything about religion one or the other. Well, I got into conversation with her about Hindu music and how I really liked it (Ravi Shankar is awesome!). But, she said she didn't like it because it is "weird." Pressing things I got her to relate that she really didn't like it because of it's religious connections. We talked about this a little and, well, one thing led to another and we got on the topic of her religion. She asked me if I "hated Jehovah's Witnesses." I said no, but that "I find certain of their teachings abhorrent." Well, she just about flew through the roof. This turned into a drawn out conversation about how "good" the JWs are and how I was raised one and how much it beneffitted me . How could I "offend my family by disgracing [their] religion!" All this went nowhere.
Well, I apologized for what I said. Needless to say she continued to proclaim how great her religion is and how she "doesn't hate any religion" and how "the Society doesn't teach us to hate any religion." Well, that was too much for me to handle. "Oh, so you don't believe that all other religions are the harlot of Babylon?" She dodged the question. Mentioning that "something wen't wrong with me" and that I've read "lies on the Internet" she just made her presence harder and harder to tolerate.
How in God's name (if He has a name) could she say this rubbish? I have to relate that my mother is usually a very logical, clear-headed and liberal person. But, when it comes to the JWs, she's been suckered into what I call "mindless liberal JWism." Liberal? Yes, she truly doesn't hate other religions and promotes things like college education and "feel-good" Biblical injunctions while downplaying the nasty stuff. Mindless because she, for all her relative objectivism, cannot bring herself to questioning her faith. She pulls all the tricks of your slickest JW apologist (ie, "We never said that exactly" or "The light has gotten much better" or "We are such a force for good in people's lives -- all partial baloney).
Anyway, I have to admit, the fault was mainly mine. Why can't I just shut up, nod my head in agreement and go along with her silly superstitions? Why must I be the idealist who just has to say something?
So, what? Should I continue my foolish idealistic course and speak my true feelings? Tell it "like it is?" My mother says "I'm the one that left" and should just keep quiet since all the rest of my family are JWs. God, I just hate selling out!
Ranting,
Bradley