Jeremy:
I understand your pain, but believe you’ve probably saved yourself a lot of pain in the long run.
My heart was broken as well by a woman studying with the JWs. She was not baptized, but her mother was. Finally, my questions, the fact I wasn’t a JW, and her natural desires had to be suppressed and she left a note ending the relationship along with some things of mine she had at a neighbors. At the time, I was completely naïve as to exactly what kind of group they were apart from the usual sensational stuff –blood, holidays, etc. At least it was a quick and clean break.
I am currnently married to a JW. This is far more painful and torturous. The pain is nearly constant, and if not present, it’s close by waiting to rear its ugly head.
You’re probably wondering why I went back for seconds. I certainly didn’t intend to. When I met my current wife, she was not a JW. She had left the group years before I met her. In fact, we discussed religion shortly after we met and I told her of my previous relationship with a JW and how I was in no way interested in repeating the experience. She reassured me she would never return for various reasons.
We subsequently married and had a child. Life presented my wife with some difficulties and she returned to the Witnesses (at the urging of her mother I believe), and our relationship hasn’t been the same since. One has to constantly edit one’s speech so as not to offend the ultra-sensitive Witness. They, on the other hand, are free to criticise any and all others not of their ilk, including all your family, friends, and acquaintaces.
My wife and I had an agreement not to teach or indoctrinate our child. I’ve recently learned she has broken that promise. Our son is only three and he is already mentioning Jehovah. He clearly has no idea what this means, but the indoctrination has begun.
These are the things you’ve avoided. No small comfort I’m sure, having had my share of broken relationships, but maybe it may help in some small way.
Take care,
CPiolo