HEY oompa my friend, glad to help with your survey ! I was raised in the witnesses from birth too , so I understand some of your agony !
1. What was it like when you awakened ?
It was like what the Japanese call " Satori " or " awakening " or awareness that these elders dealing with my situation were not carrying out their duties towards me in a proper way . I became aware that they were giving personal opinions as counsel , not following the Bible or the societies publications , and I knew nothing they said had any validation any more .
2. How did you know ?
I just knew it was a gut feeling of being used and taken advantage of . And that I had to act on what I knew or had found out.
2.5 How did you react at that time ? I was angry with the elders and told them I was offended they were imputing wrong motives to me for what had happened . I wanted to climb across the table and choke the living $hit out of one of the elders questioning me.
3. How long was it before you somehow took action on this event ?
I went immediately to my seat after meeting with the elders in the back room before the meeting and picked up my books and walked out of the kingdom hall, never going back to another meeting.
4. Was there a particular thing that all of a sudden caused you to wake up , or did doubts build over the years ?
I had always had some lingering doubts , especially about what motivates elders to serve , but I woke up immediately when I saw the elders were trying to set me up for failure with false, lying information , and trying to stick it to me with it. Like a light turned on. Boom.
5. What Finally did it for you ?
Well, the nail in the coffin to leave was the mistreatment by the elders. But what was really the nail that sealed the coffin shut ( and Oompa with your picture avatar you understand coffin talk ) was what i continued learning after I left the meetings that sealed the deal for me that I could never go back. The child abuse scandals in particular were huge issues to me seeing the society allowing innocent children to be abused over and over because of their ineptitude and idiot rules. And letting abusers get away with it, then appointing them as elders or servants again after time passed. Too much for me to take. I knew they were not God's organization then, for sure. The last straw .
6. How long before you were no part of the congregation ?
As soon as I walked out the door at that one meeting, I never went in service again, meetings , or anything. Went to the memorial for a few years, then quit totally .
Hope this helps you bro. You know I care, if you want more information I'd be happy to share. You know my number
