Don't feel too bad Navytownroger.
I was a loyal, active, zealous JW FOR OVER 15 YEARS.
I had many JW friends from many different places all around the world.
I was also an elder, the theocratic ministry school conductor, book study conductor, conducted WT study many times, gave talks in dozens of different congos, had assembly parts, a pioneer daughter, out in service twice a week and much more.
But once I disagreed with just ONE CURRENT JW TEACHING, I was not only dropped like a hot potato, but also got labeled as wicked man, evil apostate, selfish, prideful, running ahead of mother, practicing secret sins, taken over by satan, weak, bitter, must be harboring grudges and more.
But it still does not end for me.
I am also SHUNNED by every JW that I have ever known around the world including my stepson that I raised since he was six years old. Can't see his two year old son (our grandson) either. Not even a phone call.
I wish I was done... but there is more...
I also lost my JW business partner, all JW employees, lucrative JW business contracts and more.
!5 years of friendships and relationships all turned off like a light switch in the blink of an eye.
What terrible thing did Vinny do, you ask for such consequences to be heaped upon him?
Vinny simply said he no longer agreed with the "JW blood and fractions policy", and gave very specific, scriptural, scientific reasons for doing so.
I never took any blood at all.
I never said other JW's should take blood at all.
I simply DISAGREED with the current JW policy as it is today. You can see exact reasons by clicking on my bio page.
All that eldership, public talks, shepherding calls, assembly parts, field service, bible studies, meetings, kingdom hall cleanings, raising kids etc etc ending up meaning exactly JACK SQUAT once I disagreed with just one thing.
But that's the way it works in WT world.
You gotta agree with the "Boys from Brooklyn" on every thing they say.
They are God's channel, so they tell us.
Even though they got vaccinations and organ transplants wrong. Even though they got alternative service wrong, Beth Sarim wrong, rape rules, marital infidelity rules wrong. False predictions throughout their entire existence and more doctrinal and historical holes THAN SWISS CHEESE.
Yep, because they say God is using them, if you disaghree with one thing you get the shaft from all of them for the rest of your life.
So then being dropped like a hot potatoe then sounds like a pretty easy deal to me.
A tip of the hat to you for thinking for yourself and telling them like it is.
Examine examine examine, is all you can do. The rest will take care of itself, as it already has.
All the best,
Vinny