Welcome.
I was 36 when I realized it wasn't the truth. Like you, I had been going thru a major depression. Unlike you, I didn't really have any long period of time where I was "doubting". Still the treatment I recieved in the congregation, being a depressed, divorced, bearded brother, did finally beat me down enough to look at some critical essays on JW positions. When I studied the blood issue in depth, and realized that I would likely have been willing to sacrifice my daughter on the alter of idiotic, mean-spirited bible interpretation, I quickly (within a few days) realized I would never call myself a JW again.
The nice thing about losing my religion so fast, was that I also came out of my depression quickly. The difference was night and day, and I suspect I may have been somewhat depressed almost my entire life. Brought up on a steady diet of death infused bible stories that just don't make sense to me (but I had to accept them or else), it's no wonder I was depressed.
I hope leaving the religion has the same effect for you. I'm confident that if you have the right attitude about it all, it will at least be a vast improvement in your life.
The best to you,
Six
Edited by - SixofNine on 24 July 2002 23:1:35