OK, here I go! (xenawarrior and minimus, take note that I am a man of my word!)
Chronology: I am 50. Was born and raised a JW, reg pub @ 6, baptized @ 10, reg pio (B4 HS graduation) and giving public talks @ 17, went to Bethel @ 18, left Bethel @ 20, married (1st time) @ 21, df'd @ 29, divorced @ 30, reinstated @ 30, remarried @ 32, df'd again @ 48, divorced again @ 49. One heck of a roller-coaster, eh?
Disfellowshipping: Both my df'ings were for apostasy. First time was precipitated by 1975. I remember telling a classmate that if Arm did not happen by 1975, I would have to seriously re-examine my religion. Guess what? hehe. Got involved with a round-robin group of elders and MSs (about 20 total in group, 3 congs) about the budding "apostasy" fall-out, and foolishly thought that taking it to the wall would accomplish something. Got booted. Decided to get reinstated so I could be back with my family (all still JWs). 2nd df'ing came from attempting to "fade," after '90s "new light" re: separation of sheep and goats, generation, etc. I expressed myself a little too freely with 1 elder, and even though the CO found no fault, an "investigative committee" and JC harassed me for 1 1/2 years, 6 meetings. I walked out of the last 2 meetings, told them they could take their legalism and do what they must (yes, I was very PC).
Divorces: Both were initiated by my JW wives, because of me being df'd. The 1st, I was cuckolded by my elder-friend-employer who had an affair with my 1st love. He played the game, and played it to the hilt. They are still married. The 2nd was (IMHO) because we had raised her kids (not mine), she had a new house (built by me), a new car (bought by me), and no JW visitors (because of me).
Education: Had a 3.7 GPA in HS, didn't even TRY. Turned down free-ride offers to top schools in the country; after all, Arm was just a few years away, why waste my life on a college education?! (Would have been a theoretical physicist) Started studying Greek, Hebrew and Latin in the early 70s, at first because I wanted to add some "meat" to the food <<bleck>> provided by the FDS. It quickly became a refuge for me, as I would sit in the boring meetings and read my non-WTS lit and only comment when something came up that caught my attention. Early 90s, I had to go to college for a midlife career change, and WOW did those sociology, philosophy and history classes open my mind! Talk about living in a cave!
Personal: Quite frankly, I am still too wound up in the PTS to adequately chronicle my current condition. I will monitor this thread (just my 3rd) and respond to any questions accordingly. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK. (I'm no good at this kind of writing, not like Amazing).
Acknowledgements: I thank AlanF for his feedback over the last 10 years. Much as I resisted the thought, he made me aware that there IS life outside and after the WTS.
Most important: I thank my lucky stars that I have found this board and have a place to heal.
Craig