Simon, It's not about revenge. For me going public with my book, my website and my blogs are about finding wellness and regaining health after leaving a cult. I want everyone to know that healing is possible. Because sad to say, I know some ex-members who really don't believe that they can heal and feel happiness, but I believe healing is fully possible. It's never too late to learn new ways of being, AS LONG AS WE ARE ALIVE.
My JW-elder brother comes to visit me once in a blue moon, I guess to see if I'm repantant and ready to go back to the JW fold. He is mystified each time because he sees not a broken woman, but a happy woman who has rebuilt her life into something real. Something like that can cause a JW to start looking through the cracks. After all, why does she seem happy, when she's supposed to be dead? And yes you are right about not being able to help jws to leave, but I don't say a word to my brother the elder. I let my new life speak for itself.
Simon, perhaps you don't know how much good your forum has done for me. The JWs try to isolate us from any human contact when we leave the organization. My mom had no one a generation ago. But your forum has provided ex-members with a place to connect with others and a place of acceptance with others who have been through similar situations --- and it gives us hope and a reason to go on. Your forum is a real life-saver. Yes, ABSOLUTELY A LIFE-SAVER! And it has made a liar out of the JWs because according to their belief system, once we leave we are supposed to self-destruct. But that doesn't happen as often any more, thanks to your forum!
Mine is not the only story of survival and courage to rebuild my life. There are many stories like mine on this forum! And I want to read them all!
Love,
satinka