Wouldn't that be a joyous day? We could all meet up, go to dinner, and have ourselves a good laugh over the absurdity of those ridiculous teachings. We'd finally share a touching family moment completely outside of the grip of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Perhaps we could share laughter over our secret, personal plans for the new system. Which pets did we plan to have? Hummingbirds? Hippos? What kind of house had we planned in our minds? How many children would we have? Which biblical character did we want to meet first? Whose demise at Armageddon would we have savored the most?
We could bond over having come through something we all experienced, much in the same way that disaster victims bond in the process of healing.
We could gather up all the old Watchtower and Awake! mags and roast marshmallows over their burning remains.
We could exchange Christmas gifts. Birthdays would be special. Mom could start planning her retirement. Maybe she'd smile again.
My niece wouldn't grow up with an irrational fear of demons, Satan, holidays, classmates, anthems, churches, money, college, cars, boys, girls, "worldly" people, youtube, and so on... She'd be free to choose her own conception of God or choose not to believe in any god. She'd be free.
Really the list could continue. This is one of those fantasies I entertain on occasion just because I can. Its similar to the "if I won the lottery" fantasy I indulge in from time to time. Statistically there's probably a better chance of winning the lottery.
And this religion that supposedly brings so much joy to their lives? Its sucked some of the life from them. I can hear it in their voices occasionally, an impression that they're just getting by in a world run by an invisible, evil, mean-spirited beast whose sole job is to make their lives as miserable as possible. Do they wake up in the morning and think "Today could be the day! Armageddon is coming!" Do they go to bed at night saying "Well, maybe tomorrow will be the day"?
All the wishing in the world will not release them from the Jehovah's Witness prison. I can only accept them, love them, and hope for the day when the lightbulb may go on in their minds and they pick up the phone to say "I have some wonderful news for you..."
That would be the good news of the kingdom.
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