I am so thrilled to find this forum. It is such a relief to know that all of us 'apostates' are normal people who had the nerve to question what has been crammed down our throats.
I am 4th generation ex-JW with family members at Bethel, doing missionary work, and pioneering. Even though I have been out for almost 20+ years, I still had guilt admitting to myself that this was a cult-like organization until just recently. My mother, brother and I have been so traumatized by the elders in our old congregation that we had no trouble turning our back on the organization.
I have to admit that I have forgotten most things, but reading posts on this board has dredged so many memories back up for me. I am still angry that my family shuns me. My grandfather was congregation overseer, all uncles were elders and aunts and cousins pioneered. I was never good enough and felt like I couldn't live up to their standards. My great grandmother was of the annointed. I know that me, mom and my brother were an embarrassment to the family. Mom was widowed when we were very young. My father and my mom's best friend were df'd for adultery with each other. Then my died killed himself. When that happened, it was like the congregation blamed my mother and they turned their backs on us.
I can't write anymore right now, I am finding this too hard to relive. I have squashed my disgust and anger and I feel it coming back up.
Thanks for listening...