I am still surfing around this forum and I am happy to see there is are topics related to relationships. It is nice to see this here.
To be honest, ever since I was out of the JW religion, I have tossed over ever dating an ex JW or an inactive JW. I have occasionally come across this situation and weighed both the pros and cons. I am hoping others can relate.
On the one hand, it would be nice to date someone/have a relationship with someone who understands the background of some of things I still have to deal with in my family and some of the things they may have encounter when they would meet them. However, on the other hand it is refreshing to meet someone who doesn't have the JW baggage. Sometimes it is a little heavy, if you know what I mean. I have often wondered about it.
I was with the same man for over eight years. He was a non practicing Roman Catholic, I gave him a briefing one day (yes, that's all it took) about my family and their JW lunancy and that was it. It was refreshing, religion never was a big conversation between us and I enjoyed that part of it. We were spiritual, but not into the whole religious thing.
Yet, now that I am single again, I toss over it, especially now that I am getting older, and realize more situations will arise regarding the JWs in my family and it would be nice to have someone who could understand it.
I guess my other issues is that I don't want to concern myself with someone who might decide to become part of that cult again. And honestly, I know so many people who fight inner demons that being in that religion has created (paranoia, feelings of inferiority, warped/confused sexuality, repression issues), I toss over finding someone who initially seems great but then realizes that they have some of the syndromes I am aware.
I am just curious how people balance it. I have never dated someone who was a former JW or an inactive JW, I am curious to know of the experience, good/bad/and indifferent.