Growing up a JW, I was well aware that a lot of people didn't care for my religion, especially growing up in a strong Catholic community in the 60's. My being a JW wasn't something I advertised, especially in my school days. But that feeling was always there, that I was someone, who because of my religion, was disliked, even hated.
I sit here thinking what it would have been like to have grown up without those feelings. It was such a big part of who I was for so long, I can't even begin to imagine what that would have been like.
So now I'm free of all that, and what happens, I become an athiest. Another hated group. Only this time around, I'm not in any way ashamed of who I am like I was in my earlier situation, and I am more than willing to advertise it. I guess it's because this is who I really am, this is me. As a JW, I never felt that way.
But, what must it be like to not be part of a hated group? I guess I'll never know.