Dave,
I actually was influenced by you long before I ever heard of Barbara Anderson. Your writings about your visit to the Bethel art department had a huge affect on me, and even before that I remember cutting out an article about you that I found in some national magazine, that mentioned you were a JW. I have had friends in the art department at Bethel since I was a teenager.
Barbara and I got to know each other through e-mails and phone conversations. We had many mutual friends at Bethel and in the traveling work. From what she wrote me about them, I knew I could trust her. What she wrote about people I had known since I was a teenager rang quite true and accurate. I knew I was dealing with someone like myself, someone who had totally committed to the WTS and JW view, but who had come to see it for what it really was.
I very reluctantly withdrew from the Witnesses. Much of my family - a wife, a daughter, my mother, my in-laws whom I had come to love more than my own flesh and blood - all of them would remain in the WTS organization. I knew I was going to lose a huge amount of my life. But, I had no choice. I had to go, no matter what the cost.
People like you and Barbara have faced the same issues, and dozens of other old friends here on JWD and the old H2O.
I don't feel vindictive as much as I feel the need to just get the truth out there, and hope that more folks wake up. This is a fine post, and thanks for creating it. You're a good man, and a talented man. Barbara is a terrific woman, and I know she feels your post really represents her for what she is.
S4