Opinions on my drive to be an atheist

[The Grand Nudger]

(b-mine)
You have to keep saying it, because you keep implying it...as you just did....in bold - as though there is a connection between following his indoctrination and avoiding (or falling prey to) said "consequences" -beyond the implication made, by you...understand?  

Perhaps his poor life decisions -are- the consequences of his indoctrination......JW's aren't exactly "well equipped for life", in my experience.  Imaginary friend believing sheeple, or somesuch.  Having never been a JW, or a believer, myself...it's difficult to imagine how I would cope with the loss of both my childhood worldview, and the full support of family and friends.  I know this, though, the thought makes hookers and blow sound pretty damned nice.  Course, there's always that, perhaps your bro just likes hookers and blow?  Maybe he'd have a thing for hookers and blow if he remained a JW (as plenty of other JW do.....they're still human, after all - I think....)?  

The effect you point to may have nothing -at all- to do with his indoctrination, given the nature of the claim it's pretty much wide open...............but I do understand why a person with your history might make such assumptions....

(we see "those people", btw, because they are the most obvious examples of their faith..some might even say that they are the most faithful, they also tend to have trouble keeping their mouths shut about it. )

Isn't the meaning of the word consequence simply the result of an action? So yeah, my brother suffered the bad consequences for not following CERTAIN JW principles. Am I implying that this is the proof that they're the true religion? No, not at all. I do believe there are probably some JW's that live double lives but I also think that the religion is attractive to certain kinds of personalities. So most witnesses in my opinion are probably earnest. My brother has issues that go beyond god and religion. I have never even implied that our religion was a talisman for his protection. I am only simply saying that you can nail down some of his biggest mistakes and say, if he had followed his scriptural principles then they could have been avoided. You say that in your experience witnesses aren't equipped for life? What can you base that on? That is about as broad as me saying that my experience with atheist is that they go crazy after smoking too much weed. My brother is one tiny sampling size

If you continue to say that following his JW principles would have averted disaster, you are -indeed- claiming that they are a talisman (regardless of their truth value, not talking about any proof of religion here bud).  It's important to understand that you don't actually -know- whether or not he suffered consequences because he didn't follow those principles...regardless of what they are.  If all you're referring to is something like the principle of "don't do drugs, mmkay" then you are saying "if my brother had not done drugs he would not have done drugs" - but that's a complete "no shit" statement having absolutely nothing to do with "JW principles".  

I'm only trying to show you that your doubt (as this applies to you..remember where we began, eh), or your worry..like so many doubts and worries...is irrational.  Following JW principles does not, so far as I'm aware, lead to any concrete, repeatable, or demonstrable results.  If you're worried about that cosmic "I told you so" moment (particularly with regards to your marriage)...which is what you've expressed - then it's an irrational thing to worry about....so stop worrying about it. Worry first about your own state of mind, and your wifes......because honestly...if god or the Kingdom Hall are the "I told you so" types...then they are fucking useless, and they aren't going to help you resolve your issue any more than this irrational fear/worry/doubt that you've been expressing.