Hello and welcome, Sahara!
I don't see it as taking courage, but in fact, perhaps it did. I see it as taking many, many SMALL STEPS in stages that I was comfortable with... or should I say... I had to QUIT doing the things that I was NOT comfortable with.
First, I knew that shunning was wrong. I had seen too many people get kicked out and SHUNNED by their only support group when they needed help the most. I tried to work within their system for that, and took it upon myself to secretly "encourage" those who were being shunned by the "loving congregation".
Then, I felt uncomfortable going from door to door. I really could not reconcile that WE had the ONLY truth... when I knew in my mind and heart that some things the elders were doing was NOT making the most high happy.
So, first, I went from door to door, but I didn't offer any literature. It was weird, but it felt right. I just talked to the folks, and wished them a wonderful day. Then, I decided that I couldn't in good conscience go out to these homes any more. I thought that they really might be perfectly fine without the message I was bringing, because that message was flawed. Consciencious stance to no longer go house-to-house.
I wondered how it would feel to be a "new one" in a congregation, so I did an experiment and went by myself to a Hall where no one knew me. It felt funny, even though I knew the message, it felt alien somehow. I took that into consideration.
Little by little, I just took a stand more and more for what I felt was right, or rather, refused to do what I felt was not right. Years ago when I left, there was no internet (gasp!) and there was precious little "apostate" literature (certainly none that I would not have read at that time, anyway.)
Baby steps. Don't do anything you're uncomfortable with. That is what it all comes down to.
Love,
Baba.