Five I met online at JW chatrooms.OH my. I find this very disturbing. If I am understanding this right, people who have the internet, are more likely to turn into exJW's.
I am working in the backyard today and thinking......
about the JW community we had online. We weren't unhappy with the organization. We were drawn together online~~~~ with a need to be social. So many of us were not married, some were young, and most were just looking for companionship. I remember feeling so badly for chatters that were just so totally ignored and isolated in their congregations. No one understood them/us. We could have socialization and companionship out of our own homes with other Jehovah Witnesses. We met each other in person, many from other countries. Many people came to my house from Australia, Europe and all over the states.
As time went by, the society counselled onliners how bad the internet was. Many closed down some really good JW sites set up for exchange of information. Isolated people in the congo, had had the opportunity to study with someone, get more information online for WT studies. That was all done away with.
We played games, exchanged musics. pictures, culture. grew with the internet. I started in 1999.
9/11 really bonded many of us. We thought about the world more, not just our little worlds.
For me, finding this site was not to look for apostate literature........... it is a Jehovah Witness Discussion Board, and I thought wow, More JW's online, yippie!! JW people that did not listen to the society and were still online!!!
Plus they were openly talking about thoughts, feelings and doubts I myself, had about the organization.
As time went by, I felt deeply saddened that the Society kept telling JW's to stay offline. We really kept up with each other and probably was the only reason some were still going to meetings.
I wonder how many out there from years ago are OUT totally. I guess time will tell.
purps