I have always been extremely active in every aspect of the org, since childhood. Pioneered, Bethel, Ms, etc...Always at the forefront of arranging to help others in the cong, be there for everyone etc...
I thought I had a large circle of friends....until now. I see that all those friendships were conditional on saying and doing everything according to the scripted organisational directions.
I understand your thoughts and feelings completely!
What more can I add to that?
We've both been here about 3 years, so perhaps we're in similar situations.
Our social network was dried up. Zilch. Except for the distant friends that have not yet realized the extent of our fade.
There are still a few close friends who know of the personal nature of things that was the catalyst for our awakening, so they just think we are still stumbled and hope for our eventual recovery. The most important members of our extended family are in that same frame of mind. They think we will eventually "get over it". I know that even some of the family and all of the "friends" will abandon us too as soon as they realize we are not coming back to the bOrg.
We've reached out to our "worldly" business associates. Sometimes it hard to mix business and pleasure.
We've clicked with some friends who have also faded. Even that is uncomfortable in some ways. Our entertainment and lifestyle choices are not the same as theirs. People differ.
I might venture into going to an apostafest, but my wife's not ready for that. Even I fear that somehow someone there will innocently slip and we'd get outted. Accidental picture. Whatever. The JW world is a small network.
So, STUCKIN, point is,
PM if ya wanna chat.
Doc
