I was born and raised into a very loving family of Jehovah's Witnesses. Even though my dad was always working overseas, my mom kept my sister and me "spiritually strong." I progressed very rapidly in the organization. I was baptized when I was 15, I immediately started to auxiliary pioneer, eventually started regular pioneering, I held many "privileges" in the congregation, I was very close to being appointed a ministerial servant.
And then I just stopped attending meetings.
I don't know if doubts had started to form, but, for whatever reason, I just stopped going to meetings with any regularity. At one point, the only meeting I attended one year was the Memorial.
I always taken to heart the scripture at Galatians 6:1, which speaks of those with "spiritual qualifications" coming to the aid of those in the congregation who may be taking false steps, even "before he is aware of it." In two years of not attending meetings, not one time did an elder call me or knock on my door (even though the presiding overseer lived next door to me and another elder lived across the street from me). I would get the occassional mass email from my book study overseer informing the group of the upcoming snack night (we really did love our snack nights, lol). But nothing more substantial than that.
Then came October of last year.
Two elders knocked on my door--my book study overseer and a young elder close to my age with whom I had regular pioneered. Thinking that they were nothing more than a "shepherding call," I invited them inside. After just a few minutes, it became abundantly clear that this was no shepherding call. After almost two years of irregular meeting attendance, the body had sent them to investigate me on suspiscion of wrongdoing. And I hadn't even done anything wrong! I flatly denied everything, and though they said they did, I'm pretty sure they didn't believe me. After they left, I remained bitter, resentful, and angry.
I have not since stepped inside a Kingdom Hall.
Nothing more came of that visit. I have since written a letter of disassociation, but I have not sent it. I don't know why. I have intenionally not spoken to my family, preparing myself mentally and emotionally for what would happen should I send that letter, I guess. In the meantime, I am now in a two year relationship with a "worldly" girl (I always thought the term "worldly" made everything seem naught, lol), and my dream of going to college has been realized. Independent thinking seems to be a de facto requirement of college education, and it has taken me awhile to "de-program" myself from looking for the answers in the "obvious" places. I am currently a double major in Broadcasting and (wait for it) Political Science, hoping to one day work for a political campaign or as a political correspondent.
Thanks for allowing me to vent.