First time posting, long time lurking.
Came upon this site on accident a few years ago and dismissed it as a site for disgruntled people; however, in the past months I actively searched for it as it stuck in my mind. Believe it or not, I practically read all of the topics. I felt, Wow, I wasn't alone in my thinking and feelings about some things.
It all started years ago in my last year in high school and then into college. When papers/thesis/comps were required. Students had to cite their sources of information. I thought, hmm, the Watchtower and Awake never (or rarely) cite their sources and they're supposed to be "superior" periodicals. Admittedly, there were/are a lot of things that I didn't/don't agree with as far as teachings/doctrines but I just kept/keep them to myself and say the truth or answer will be found out one day and just go/went with the flow.
A few months ago, a co-worker was telling me some things that were happening in her church that she felt was wrong. I thought, Wow (again) those very things are happening in my congregation!!! Way deep down inside, I felt that Jehovah's Witnesses were/are just like any other religion - trying to find the truth, trying to spread the truth in the way that they understand what truth is. Doesn't make it right. I recently went to Bethel and had the "privilege" of eating lunch there. Of course, the conversation centers around "spiritual" stuff, not down to earth things like "what is your favorite color" if you really want to get to know someone. One of the bethelites at the table was asking about the territory and I mentioned that there were still some neighborhoods that I hadn't worked in despite living in the area for years. And he immediately said, "Oh, so you don't get out much in the field service." That really turned me off because he was so judgemental. For all he knew, I could have been in a coma for a few years or lost my ability to walk!!!
There are many WRONG things that are happening and through this site I can see that I'm not the only one experiencing or 'witnessing' such evils. I mean, we all can't be crazy. We, who've most likely never met before, can't be making these things up, right?? I do believe, however, that the religion/ denomination or whatever you want to call it may have been on the right track a few decades ago, but things seem to be falling apart drastically and speedily. I also must say that being "raised" in it has made me who I am. Meaning I'm not a criminal, I'm a hard worker, I speak well especially publicly and can do research and present a speech and such like that. However, I do have a mind of my own and am glad that my family has their minds also in that I was encouraged to do well in school so that I could go to college (which I did) and wasn't beat over the head with simply pursuing a theocratic career. I was able to participate in school activities and travel. I think that was a good balance.
Just thought I'd share.