I must say that I did not expect this much reaction to the post.
I think it has been a healthy exercise though. Many here are still hurting, or have just found the forum, or are just leaving the organization. Those people need the support of those who have been out for a while, and understand the ups and downs of emotion and reaction that typically follows an exit. Others have been out for a long time, but still hurt. They need friends and support too. All who were dedicated Jw's for a time, have had their entire world turned inside-out. All have lost the entire social structure that they expected would be part of life till they died or reached the New World. Some have moved down the continuum of growth much more quickly than others. Some might not ever get fully healed from the loss.
Speaking for myself now - I lost only a couple of family members when I left. But I lost all that I believed in for 40 years. The exit has left me without shared history. Except on forums like this one, or in the company of those who were part of the organization while I was, everything that made me what I am, is just an odd history that means nothing to them. I am building a 'new history' in the past 4 years or so, and will sometime in the future have 'old times' to talk about with others I have come to know since then. But for the rest of my life there will be a large hole in my historical perspective. Marriages, births, deaths, conventions, field service, illnesses. I shared these with a group of people that I considered in the largest sense of the word , my 'brothers', mi amigos.
Mostly, I come here now to see if others can be helped by a kind word or encouragement. I understand the pain they have. I had it too. That pain does not often revisit me now - time heals most wounds. But from time to time, I need to know that others understand my perspective also. I rarely debate doctrine, for I consider it of little personal interest at this point in my life. But new developments in the fight against cults in general or Jehovah's witnesses in particular are of great importance to me. I want to watch the Tower fall in my lifetime, though I doubt it will happen.
Jeff
