Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
.i'm 65---divorced--3 grown up kids--7 ish grandchildren
Were you a born in or a convert?
.not born in--dragged into it----aged 9--- by my late mother
Are your parents / family JWs?
.my father (93) is---my late mother was
my 1st wife is--2 of my 3 kids are.
How many generations have been JWs?
.on my 1st wife,s side---5 generations.: her grandmother; her mother; herself; our children; our grandchildren
Did you hold any position in the WTS? (MS, Elder etc...)
.as a teenager---regular pionerer--MS--( magazines/ territory ) this was in the late 60's
Did you *really* believe in the bible, in spirits (angels, demons)?
.i was frightened of the demunz as a boy--used to have nightmares.. but i never believed in god / afterlife
Did you get baptised? When and why?
.age 14--because my dad was getting dipped--plus several other congegation brat pack mates were. i didnt want to be left out
What was the initial trigger that made you start questioning things?
.1971--i was now 23--my wife was preg with our 1st----i knew i would readily agree to blood if it were needed.
Where did you find information? Internet sites? Books?
.didnt need to--it was all in my head
How difficult or painful was the process of leaving?
.easy. i had already thrown my ministry briefcase in a river whilst out door knocking one sunday--a few weeks before i resigned
Was it a big dramatic exit or a careful quiet fade?
.i was supposed to do the public talk that day---but i went to see the cong servant ( roy quilter--ex district servant--or similar title )--told him i was quitting--that was that--job done
Did you convince anyone else to leave with you?
.i didnt
How were your family relations affected by your decision?
.wife was very upset. my mother was too--but i knew she expected it
Were you or are you still being shunned by those who didn't leave?
.2 of my 3 kids havent spoken to me in--30--years--? ive got grandchildren ive never met--dont even know their names. some live within 4 miles of me.
How long have you now been out?
.i resigned in 71--severed final links in 81
Was there anything you looked forward to doing when you left?
.after 1981. i became a serial philanderer
What are you most proud of achieving since you left?
.see above--LOL
Is there anything you miss about life in the congregation?
.the christian fellowship. Bwaa haaaa haaaa haaaa
Red pill or blue pill? Do you regret waking up to reality at all?
.ive no idea what red/blue pill means. dont want to either
Did you become an atheist or transfer your faith elsewhere?
.i was born atheist
How do you now feel about religion in general?
.no interest whatsover
Do you feel any guilt celebrating xmas or birthdays or doing any other JW "no-no"s?
.i dont celebrate--i'm too mean to buy cards or gifts
Have you attended any face-to-face meetups of ex-JWs?
.yes--several
Describe your circle of friends - mostly other ex-JWs or regular people?
.i have no friends--nobody likes me. neither do i
Do you tell people about your JW past?
.yes--if i think it will shock or provoke a reaction
Do you feel animosity or pity toward current JWs?
.neither--i just think they are stupid
How do you respond to witnesses when they call at your door?
.they dont
Storm the barricades or tend to the wounded? (do you favor activism or support)
.i fantasize about dynamiting the local halls--but when they are closed
What do you think is the most effective approach to reaching people still in?
.let them discover the nonsense for themselves
Do you think the WTS can or should be destroyed, will continue on as-is or grow / change?
.i wish it would be--but i think it will grow--in the third world .
the blood doctrine is going through a change. it will go the way of the 7000 years.
How has your life been impacted by your JW past?
.losing my kids--need i say more?
Are there things in your life you blame the WTS for?
.loss of family----and its ongoing--my jw 1st wife now shuns our older son--hes d/f'd
JW upbringing - a protection or a curse?
.protection from what??--real life--?? a real curse
How do you fill your time now it's not filled with meetings and field service?
.i'm retired--spend way too much time on the net
Do you still have an interest in JW beliefs and doctrines?
.only an idle curiosity about what new rubbish is flavour of the month
How much of your time is still spent on JW related matters?
.too much time on here--but it beats TV
What do you think of the ex-JW community?
.ive met some great people in the UK--many on here--and on various facebook xj sites--i'm Stan Livedeath on FB--look me up.
Do you see yourself still being associated with the ex-JW community in 5 or 10 years time?
.i'm 66 next month. i hope to have left all this behind me--if i live that long
Do you fear the future?
.nope--i had a heart attack age 48--every day is a bonus
What advice would you give to anyone starting the journey of leaving the WTS?
.it depends on how much they value their jw friends and family---but realistically i dont think it matters one bit if they stay put and waste their time going through the motions waiting for armageddon to come. we will all be long gone before that happens. if it keeps your family intact--just grin and bear it--MOST DO__NOTHING NEW THERE.
What would you change in your life if you could go back and talk to yourself?
.i would try not to make so many mistakes this time.
Do you have any regrets about life since you left?
.made a few bad decisions---but--no regrets--just the learning curve
Can we read your life-story anywhere? (links to online or books)
.why on earth would anyone want to--??
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