Shining one,
We were told apostates leave Jehovah, return to the falsehood of Babylon (worship Mary and Jesus, the trinity, the cross, heaven and hell), don’t go door-to-door, don’t use Jehovah’s name. Apostates don’t follow Jehovah’s theocratic arrangement on earth. The world is ruled by Satan, everything out there is vanity. To a convinced JW it is always "exactly" as the WTS says. Independent thinking and criticism of the WT is already considered apostate tendency.
To see through the deception of these warnings is what breaking free from high control groups all is about. Those who have freed themselves will do research and will eventually learn to be tolerant, to disagree and to debate. Even debates among Christians are disrespectful and hostile.
Many of us have gone through a long journey and are still travelling. Some have become ‘real’ Christians other have become Buddhists, atheist, whatever. Independent thinking can bring you too many places. Everywhere you will find good and bad. Most ex-jws left for many reasons, some go back.
We were made to believe Independent Thinking means being alone, isolated seeking ones own selfish desire. The internet can surly help those leaving the WT today find much association with other independent thinking people and gain access to valuable information. I think that’s a great impact! fts