It is amazing to look back at three years and see the journey that we have taken. I went from being an Elder to fading completely in the course of those three years. Along the way I am happy to say that my lovely wife woke up and realized that the “truth” is nothing but a lie. We abruptly stopped attending meetings this last January. I thought it would be hard to just leave but honestly none of our friends called, emailed or texted to see why we were missing. We did receive a visit from the elders a few months after we stopped where we politely told them that when we wanted to talk we would call them. Silence and halfway shunning has resulted from long time so called friends. These are the same people that will go to all ends to talk to someone who doesn’t share their faith in the hope of convincing them to join. I find it incredibly ironic.
What also amazes and hurts me is to realize that all of the people that I cared for deeply really couldn’t care less about us. This is shown by the zero calls or emails that we have gotten. That’s a good thing I guess. The rumor mill has started apparently. We are now “apostates”, and I am branded as forbidding my family from attending the meetings. None of this is true but if people want to believe something without proof or evidence it is entirely their prerogative. Witnesses look for the worst in people, and when it isn’t there, they make it up.
As a family we are happier than we have ever been. My wife has done a great job of making new friends, and has started a business that is creative and interesting. I have a great career and have recently returned to college to finish my degree. We have joined some community groups and are spending more time volunteering at our daughters school, as well as supporting charitable organizations. Our kids are happier now that we aren’t witnesses also.
We have become less judgmental and are enjoying getting to know people for who they are, not what they claim to be. It is so nice to drop the phobia of how worldly people will corrupt you. During this time we have heard about witnesses who have had their marriages implode, witnesses who have hooked up with others, and other crazy things. The entire religion creates terrible actors, as witnesses try to pretend to be something that they aren’t and frankly don’t want to be just for the sake of appearances. It is all fake and these fake people are the ones who look down their nose at those of us who have quit. Upon reflection it is incredibly sad to see 7+million who are frantically trying to keep up appearances to impress their phony brotherhood.
If you are thinking about leaving I would encourage you to do so. Leaving the organization will give you true freedom. It is painful but worth it.