Actually, now that I've had some time to think about it, maybe this is for the best.
- I never really liked my screen name of "Low-Key Lysmith". It was an impulsive decision based on a character from Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" which I had just finished reading when I originally found this place.
- I've been "out" now for almost 17 years. I'm pretty much over the whole WTS debacle. The shunning really doesn't bother me anymore & I am, for the most part, healed. Not to say that I haven't benefitted at all from my experience with this board. I have learned a lot from the good folks here.
- I have begun to become very defensive when religious folks try to push their ideals & morals on me. I tend to get very argumentative with fundies & that, honestly, is really not my style. I hate to argue.
- I'll get a lot more work done if I stay away from here. I spend waaaay too much time on this forum.
- It'll make my wife a lot happier too. She really resents the time I spend here while pretty much ignoring her. Not cool.
- In all honesty, I think participating in this forum does nothing more than bring back all the WTS resentment that I worked so hard to put behind me. It angers me when I read examples of good people being dicked over by these buffoons.
This forum definitely has it's purpose. I have seen how much it has helped people to escape & heal. Bringing to light the WTS's mistakes, false prophecies, and inconsistencies is one of the greatest things ever. Your support of one another is truly wonderful. Having support & help really eases the whole exit process. I wish I had a forum like this when I was DFd 17 years ago. It took a long time to get over it & heal on my own. Now, I no longer care to look at myself as an Ex-JW. I'm just a person, and a better person than I was then. I think perhaps I'm holding myslef back by dwelling on the Ex-JW aspects of my life. It's time to forget about all that and be all I can truly be.
Good luck everyone! May your healing and exits from the WTBTS be swift and productive. Thanks to anyone who ever treated me with kindness.
Sincerely,
L. Breck Taylor