We were a couple of "power dubs" (elder, pio, social leaders, deemed "spiritual") whose rapid disappearance should have shocked our former "friends." But I have no evidence that it did.
They closed ranks quickly and with the exception of one or two people the dubs pretty much ignored our departure. I was not that surprised. Once we decided to make a break for the exit, we analyzed the circumstances of others who had left and knew that, if we played it right, the exit process would be predictable. The key for us was, we had the courage of our convictions and left as conscientious objectors.
I have come to realize how powerful cognitive dissonance is among the ranks of JWs. It allows them to observe "shocking" events involving their comrades and still compartmentalize those feelings so they don't affect their WTS-directed routine and thought process.
Most of the dubs I have encountered since we left in 2003 either ignore/avoid us or make polite small talk. A few have been friendly and it's clear from their demeanor that they think we were "stumbled" and would love to come back if someone just asked. Only one time was I asked point blank why I no longer came to meetings. I said, "I just don't feel the need to go." And that ended the convo. My wife told a sister who confronted her verbally at a supermarket: "It used to work for us, but when it stopped working we had no choice but to leave."
