I, grew up a JW from birth, I'm 49 now and left the Witnesses around 1980. I've watched, and evaluated the organization since then and what a handful of information I've gathered over the years. With the help of the inter-net and the information highway like this forum as an example we can really examine the honest and factual truth about the organization, it's beginnings, inner workings and what kind of social effect it has on it's followers and ex. I do have family that are still with the JW religion who I barely communicate with like my father, brother and sister, the situation has divided us badly I'm sorry to say. After reading some of the comments here, I can see that I'm certainly not alone with this problem. But this forum actually helps people to express these problems and others, so that's a good thing......perhaps will chat and laugh as well I enjoy both!......Len.