Band on the run: I have met exJWs that scared me at first also, for example in the myspace gettingoup there was a member that was into wicca and frankly she scared me. I am not afraid of things like that anymore, but at the time I limited my contact with her to just the online forum. While I would be open to speaking to anyone now, I understand why you would want to avoid people who scare you. The meetups are super fun! You get to just be yourself with other people who understand where your coming from, just be yourself and only do or talk about what your comfortable with. I have been addicted just like you after finding sites like this years ago.
kjg132: you just expressed my thoughts perfectly in your post, im glad im not the only one that feels that way.
Cantleave: Im glad you haven't had to deal with depression, because it is not fun. And I hope you never do, wish I could say the same.
I hear a lot about how long I have been on the forum. Would sharing a little about myself help ones feel more comfortable?
I served at walkill bethel and it was my life for years until the bethel family was called together for a meeting. We were basically told that it was Jehovah's will that some of us be sent to other branches and bethels in other countries or Gilead school and MTS or special pioneer service. I went to my room and thought in amazement about how Jehovah might use me. However the truth is I was just shown the door. They did it the exact same way worldly companies do layoffs, my overseer called me into a room and basically told me I had to leave. I went to my room and was in shock, I started looking for jobs online and typed up a resume. I asked my overseer if I could have a little training in a department were I could find a job in that field. Bethel trained people in plumbing and all kind of skills so why not help us get some basic skills for our job search. Well my answer came when an overseer showed up with brothers from the moving department and he instructed them to pack up my stuff and put it in my car and sent me on my way right then and there.
I was beyond hurt as im driving away from wallkill, trying to figure out where exactly i was gonna drive too. I litteraly went from being a bethelite to being in a car with a bunch of boxes of clothes etc..
I was so angry and so hurt and so depressed that I became physically very sick. It took me years to recover.
In summary I tried to find the truth in different churches and ive been atheist for a while and agnostic and now I dont know if there is a category for what I am..... other then just exJW.
Any specific questions feel free to ask. Im a pretty open person, and I enjoy hearing other peoples story also.
...OUTLAW