Apostasy Page #5

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[Ivanna]

I'll eat in there.

[sniffles]

So, tell us what you've

done to show repentance?

[Luisa]

Um...

I've been going to all the

meetings that I could possibly.

[Elder Brian] Right.

I've respected not associating

with family and others.

[Elder Brian] Right.

Um...

I've been able to pray about it.

[Elder Brian] That's good.

We'd hoped you'd have

asked for Jehovah's guidance.

Now, we've still got an issue with

the relationship with your family.

- Yeah, well...

- It's just that we know

that your mother continues

to go around to your house.

Yeah, but after all

that's happened...

You're not policemen of my life.

[Elder Brian]

That's not what we're doing.

[Luisa, muffled]

Please be human.

Please!

I have been on my own

for seven months,

and my mum helps me

with house work sometimes.

I haven't been to eat with her,

we haven't been out together.

So, please show me where it says

that my mum can't help me.

I have done the best that I can,

but my mum cleans my fridge!

[Elder Alan] Personally, I don't think

that's "necessary family business."

[Luisa] You know what? I...

I cannot do this. I can't!

- I can't do it!

- [footsteps approach]

[sobbing, sniffling]

I'm sorry, Mum.

I'm sorry.

But the elders, honest,

it's no good.

They just want to see

how you feel.

They think they have

a right over my whole life.

[Ivanna]

Just calm down a bit.

Steven, Luisa's just...

She's feeling a bit tired

and emotional at the moment.

Look, Luisa,

it's no one's fault.

We just feel that you need time.

It's nothing to worry about.

We can still continue

our guidance meetings.

Do you wanna... Do you wanna

go back in and sort it out?

[keys jangling]

No. Luisa, it's okay. We can...

We can sort out another meeting.

Do you know how it feels...

to think Jehovah the Almighty

is punishing you directly,

all the time?

Why, when I'm sorry?

I've tried, Mum.

But the elders,

they've got it in for me.

- No, don't be daft.

- Yes, they do.

Do you think it's right

how they make you treat me?

It's not God's way.

You need to earn His love.

It's conditional.

It takes strength

to live up to His standards.

Strength, I pray,

you will find soon.

I'm not doing it, Mum.

You can visit us if you want.

In secret.

None of this anymore, okay?

Excuse me.

[engine starts]

[clock ticking]

[whimpering]

[sobbing]

[clock ticking]

- [voices murmuring]

- [throat clears]

[clears throat]

Let's turn to Luke 12:49.

"I came to start

a fire on the Earth.

"Do you think I came

to bring peace?

"No,

but rather division."

Now, unfortunately, there might come a

time when this division of Jehovah's

can happen to us,

and it can cause pain

and distress for a long time.

And that is when

someone close to our hearts...

is disfellowshipped.

In a moment of doubt,

you might beg Jehovah,

why do this to me and my family?

Jesus clearly stated in Luke 12

that his work could cause

conflict in the household.

But we must put Jehovah first,

even before our family members

if they are disfellowshipped.

And be prepared, we might end up

facing criticism from outsiders

who question our loyalty to God.

Even your unrepentant child

might say...

"My own mum shuns me."

But remember, it was a choice.

They chose

to cut themselves off from God.

In a situation like this,

it's important to stay hopeful.

Even if...

Even if your loved one

seems unrepentant.

It might take them many years

before they truly want to return.

We just don't know.

So please don't try

and bend the rules.

How bad would it be

if we disobeyed and associated,

and then one day your

daughter comes back and says,

"Why did you break

Jehovah's command?"

Imagine that.

[scoffs]

But what if instead,

she said, "Thank you."

Your actions brought me

back to the truth.

Even if we could get involved

in the life of the disfellowshipped

one, which we can't,

our help would never match up

to that of Jehovah's.

He understands what they

need more than anyone,

even the most caring mother.

[continuing, muffled]

Trust in Him.

The right path

isn't an easy one.

[Steven through speaker]

But we have resources

of God's wisdom that excels

our feeble, human logic.

If God was to say that this book

is green when it's actually red,

then maybe it is green.

What do I really know?

Such is His guidance.

[applause]

[knocking on door]

[whispers] Hello.

Hello.

This is Leanne.

Hey.

Hey.

[Ivanna]

She's a good weight.

Yeah, she's feeding well.

[Leanne cooing]

Why now, Mum?

I wanted to see

my granddaughter.

I love you both very much.

Why don't you come back?

[Leanne fussing]

[Leanne crying]

[softly] It's okay.

Shh.

There you go.

Why don't you sit down, Mum?

I don't get it.

What about the New System?

Do you not want to see

your sister again?

[Luisa] You know,

all that stuff about blood...

in the Bible,

the governing body,

they just make it up,

and then change it

whenever they want.

But people die because of it.

It...

It wasn't her fault.

I know every single day

of Alex's life, she felt shame

because she had somebody

else's blood inside her.

She... She tried very hard

to prove herself,

but in the end,

she made a stand.

She stayed loyal to Jehovah,

right to the end.

I don't feel guilty

about you anymore.

You let the Devil tempt you,

and you'll let yourself die

because of it.

I could've been there for Alex.

But they stopped me

with their stupid rules.

You know, I just...

I just don't get

how you could...

sit there and watch her die.

I still want to see

my granddaughter.

How do you see that working?

[Ivanna]

I could pick her up.

Me and you won't socialize.

I could take her to meetings.

- There's no way, Mum.

- She needs to know about God.

Leanne's not gonna have

anything to do with that!

[sighs] Mum...

I don't blame you, really.

And I get it.

I get you won't want

to talk to us again.

But I will be here

if you ever need me.

Could I have some water?

[Leanne fusses]

[crying]

[softly] It's okay.

- [Leanne fussing]

- It's okay.

[Luisa] Mum!

Mum, what are you doing?

[Leanne crying]

Oh, um...

I'll pick her up from nursery

and I'll take her to meetings.

I'll save her.

[voices chattering, laughing]

[chatter, laughter continuing]

- [bird squawking]

- [children shouting playfully]

[chatter, laughter continuing]

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