I hope that Loubelle won't mind me posting this on her thread.
I've been asked several times since I've been here on JWN just what my interest is - I never was a dub and I have no family in. I've answered several times - what began (and remains) an academic interest has been rather overtaken by personal concern for many who have suffered so much at the hands of this cult.
I've had the privilege of meeting at least one (former) JWN contributor and, I hope, helping them to assimilate into the normal 'wordly' world.
I see my role (if I have one at all) as being a flawed worldly person who can at least demonstrate that us 'ordinary' people can care for and help others where we can with no need for any sub-dialogue about religion or anything else. Sorry, I don't mean to sound saintly because that's the last thing I am, but I hope you get my meaning. That role may have little or no value, of course. I am not an 'anti-activist'.
As I understand it, JWs are taught that their 'brothers and sisters' will love them and care for them, and that 'worldlies' are evil and won't. Well, my little experience and my time here on JWN has shown that that is just not true.
It is too simplistic, of course, to suggest that all of the problems and issues exJWs face are as a result of them being exJWs. But I have no doubt that the trauma of being a compliant member of a controlling cult, exacerbated by the added trauma of leaving (and all that that brings) can only too often and too easily make these problems and issues worse.
Some/most/all of us have times when we feel low and ask ourselves the usual (mostly negative) questions - yes, if we're honest, even us 'big macho' ex-cops. I can only guess how much worse that must be with the JW baggage added on.
Things can and often do get better. Sometimes the answer is a hug and someone to hold your hand. (Mushy stuff from an ex-cop, but I'm a mushy bloke).