I first came across JWD when I lived in Hawaii, I think so anyway. It was during 2001. I had first hit the net in 1999. Looked for the official Watchtower site and come across articles about Ray Franz and others mistreated and either kicked out or frozen out. I always knew I'd never be able to resist reading "apostate" literature. So when I happened on it, I just read it.
During 2001 I went to help my daughter, who lived on Oahu and ended up there 9 months. My witness husband filed for a divorce and my friend encouraged me to look into the former JW sites. I ordered Crisis of Conscience and began some corresponding with some former elders and Bethelites on line. I came across JWD then. I didn't join because some posters seemed a little wild and I wasn't ready for that yet, people who had completely assimilated into the world. I remember thinking, "Jedi?"
In 2002 I joined Women Awake. I felt more comfortable with just women posters than a forum of both men and women. That board had a sort of sabotage/meltdown and it was upsetting. I had been there nearly a year and was ready for the big time: JWD. So I began reading more during 2003 and finally signed on as Flying High Now. That was seven years ago. Now JWD has morphed into JWN. The board is smaller. I don't post as much as I used to. I've come a long way and feel more like my former unconventional Episcopalian Universalist self. I've voted in two presidential elections. Life is not always easy, but I am glad I am out. My two kids never were baptized and have nothing to do with the WTBTS. My nephew David who just died, he was helped through me, by JWN.
"What a long stange trip it's been."
