Me personally -- no, no, no, no and no. When I was active in the truth I always maintained worldy friends, family and colleagues. I thought the field ministry helped me personally to be even more outgoing -- I never particularly enjoyed it and still do not -- but it forces me to get out and speak to people -- this has helped me in my career in being able to speak to customers. If I can sell the Watchtower I can sell anything. The theocratic ministry school helped me progress as a public speaker -- and all the talks about doing personal study helped me study -- other books etc. Being a witness helped me -- this board is just helping me even more- -being critical, analytical, open-minded -- I would sincerely recommend to any witness without fear of being struck down dead by Jehovah that they read Crisis of Conscience and The Gentile Times Reconsidered -- and there are other good books also -- The Epic og Gilgamesh being one. Will not say more - do not want to repeat myself from other posts