My Parents Became Jehovah’s Witnesses While I Was Away at College
I didn’t realize the magnitude of their transition until I returned home.
The change happened quickly. I didn’t see it coming. While I was away at college, my parents converted to Jehovah’s Witnesses. I knew they believed in god — even though we hadn’t gone to church since I turned 14 — but I didn’t expect this radical transformation.
At this point, we were on two different ends of the spectrum; I’d already become an atheist.
Not in Kansas
Similar to that Wizard of Oz moment where Dorothy says, “Toto, I believe we’re not in Kansas anymore,” my world changed. The life I once knew, the home I once had, no longer existed when I returned from college. Sure, the house stayed the same (with some minor changes), but it most definitely wasn’t the same home.
I imagine this is similar to how a parent feels when they discover their child is addicted to hard drugs. (I’m not talking about marijuana or drinking beer. I’m talking about meth or heroin.) Thoughts I had:
· Why didn’t I see the signs?
· How long has this been going on?
· Did I do something to cause this?
