Myself, my children (who had left "in spirit")... and several other families all left at the same time, dear LM (peace to you!). Excluding one family, the others left because of how I was being treated (they knew me and when I would show them what the Bible stated, versus what the WT taught), they could "see" it and didn't understand the reaction of the elders/COs. At least one adult in each couple was a partaker inside the organization. The one family I mentioned left soon after - they believed their elders would see what the Bible stated (vs. the WT). We tried to tell them that that wouldn't be the case, that saying anything was not going to go well with them... but they had enjoyed pretty good respect from their congregation for many years and so thought they could reason with their elders. They were horrified, then, when they realized... after a couple JC/appeal meetings... that the Bible has virtually nothing to do with WT teachings... and because they believed the Bible to have greater authority, were DF'd. They took it hard... but it opened their eyes.
My husband came out for reasons similar to mine. His family includes faders (2 brothers and 1 sister, and their spouses and children). One of those brothers (and his spouse) might possibly be DF'd in the near future for pretty much the same reason (realizing that the WT teachings are not in line with the Bible, and so partaking at last year's Memorial - John 6:48-58).
Not that we put our faith in the Bible any longer - we do not, but put in it Christ - however, the WBTS' claim of authority BASED on the Bible, used for much of their teachings... and the plethora of discrepancies between those teachings and what's recorded in the Bible... were instrumental for all of us. The WTBTS people (i.e., Russell, Rutherford, Franz, even Ray Franz) were all irrelevant for us (and none of us knew about Ray Franz and his situtation, in any capacity).
My husband currently has one brother who is still loyal to the WTBTS (his wife is an unbeliever)... but he's not very popular in the family, including among those who were never JWs: he doesn't run very deep... and so no one expects much more of him than to be loyal to such an organization. He knows deep down that they're not who they purport to be; however, he literally NEEDS someone to think for him, so they're his choice to do it.
Was there a shared distinction of some kind? If so, what was it?
For many, it was/is discrepancies between what the WT teaches... and what is recorded in the Bible, dear Nick (the greatest of love and peace to you!). Particularly with reference to the "anointed" and partaking of the flesh and blood of Christ. Knowing the truth about this particular issue is, for those who still have FAITH... absolutely major. HUGE.
For those who no longer have faith in God (and/or Christ), the errors, imperfections, and imposterism of men usually hold the most weight. For those who still believe in God and Christ, however... and so still have faith... the realization that the WTBTS is literally "shutting up [of] the kingdom of the heavens before men"... is eye opening... and life altering. It WILL cause such ones to come to the realization that they HAVE to leave that harlot. Some leave and, unfortunately, join yet another "daughter." A few, however, know that there is no WHERE else to go away to... but only a WHOM. So, they leave... and [finally] begin to live... simply by living the [New] Law... which is written on their hearts... and not in some book or magazine... or orated from a pulpit or podium.
I hope this helps and, again, bid you both peace!
A slave of Christ,
SA
