This site is such a great and valuable resource and Simon is to be commended for running it for so long. When I first came I was in such a bad state and really needed support and friendship. So many posters commented on my threads and showed genuine care some are real life friends, some are facebook friends, some I talk to on the phone and some are forum friends.
I have just realised though that everyone online is not your friend. There is a poster that was very supportive when I first started posting and very friendly. He even sent a PM to cantleave when he was concerned about my absence online. He was right to be concerned. I was hospitalised in poor health. https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/281280/am-back-on-jwn-out-hospital
But over the time he hasn't been supportive or friendly. I realise he is not my friend. I just realised this last night. I felt a kind of loss really, but I shouldn't because he was not a friend in the first place. I made excuses that he couldn't meet up with me or exchange details because of his health, but the way he treats me on this site is no way to treat a friend. He has called me lazy, dishonest and probably ignorant for having my opinions. He puts intellectual in front of those words sometimes. He has stopped posting on my threads about my personal life and my struggles. In fact it kind of makes me sick I considered him a friend. When posters have PM'd about his behaviour I always used to stick up for him and say he was caring and kind.
New posters who come here to help them exit, who are in a very vulnerable state need to be aware of the online dangers. Not only should they consider how a poster is treating them, but look at their history and see how they treat others.
It's fine to debate with people that aren't your friends. But knowing who is and isn't your friend is something that exJWs need to learn when they exit. Some have got terrible social skills and get hurt. I am hurt now. It took me three years to realise who really is a friend and who is not. Hopefully this will help newly awakened ones trying to start a new life and build a circle of friends.
Some of my friends include, cantleave and Nugget, cantleave you are like an online elder caring for the needy. Thank you for giving me your number without even consulting xxx. She didn't mind though. Thank you xxx for talking to me tirelessly through my journey. You have been such a great and wonderful friend. We have met in person only a couple of times. But you are both still my friends.
Laika, is also a friend I made here. We meet regularly throughout the years. He probably wont see this but I will text and and ask him to comment. He doesn't post here much. He has moved on and doing really well. StanLiveDeath / BigMac, just had a nice chat to him. He has always been very loving and caring.
Eric form JWstruggle, Oubliette, Searcher, Cappytan have been good friends who I have never met in person, but have swapped other details to keep in touch. These don't seem to be posting here much. Lloyd Evans (Cedars) is also my friend, we have met and chatted on the phone and talk on Facebook. K99 is my online buddy too and DJS who has just commented on another thread, there are many others who are online forum friends too. Sorry if I haven't mentioned you but if you want to swap details, or meet up let me know in a PM
Oppps almost forgot. My very best friend of all that I have made on this site, is Simon. He is a good friend and always keeps me on my toes. Thanks for being my friend Simon xx