Although I am new to this group, I am not new to the religious philosophy of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I was baptized in 1971 and disfellowshiped in 1981. I actually wanted to be disfellowshiped. I wanted out, and I was tired. I had been running and dragging my family out to 5 meetings a week for so long, I just felt I couldn't do that anymore. I was the elder that presided over the ministry school when I went out. I believe it was called the ministry school servant, although it has been so long ago and I have looked back so seldom, I honestly can't remember. I was disfellowshiped for starting smoking again after having quit for 15 years, and soon after I was free, I quit again. While I was in the witness organization, I was in it wholeheartedly. I got my quota of hours in the service "religiously" every month, and even arranged my work schedule to work a four day week so I could read and study in depth each and every topic to be discussed at the Thursday night ministry school. Thus, I worked Monday-Wednesday and Friday every week! Now THAT'S insanity. I met some good folks in that organization, and I honestly have no animosity toward them or the organization. I just don't want to do it anymore, and indeed the truth has set me free. You can't see too much from the pic, but that is my faithful schnauzer, Jocko in my lap. Chief security dog, walking companion, and all around good ole boy.