I grew up in a "divided household" in Missouri. I suspect my mother had post partum depression when JWs knocked on her door. She fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I was raised having to go to EVERY meeting. I remember my parents fighting over religion when I was little. My dad finally just gave up and let her have her way. My mom was ALWAYS trying to get me to study the "publications" more. They just bored me. She started reading them outloud when I was in the room. It drove me NUTS.
I was baptized at 16. Pioneered at 18. Moved to Arkansas in search of a "mate". Stepped down at 20 because my roommate found a letter that I wrote to my "worldly" boyfriend. Moved back to Missouri... then moved to California (still in search of a "mate"). Got df'd at 22, because I couldn't find a "mate" (THANK NED!).
I still believed it was "the truth" for the next 12 years. Then came 9-11-01. I thought it was Armageddon. I went on the internet the next day. I finally figured out that it was all a lie and started my deprogramming. I look back now and wonder how ppl can live that way with all that control and no freedom what so ever. There is no way I could EVER live that way again.
I've been a regular on "Tishie's board" ever since.