As I have stated before, I know Diane personally, and I was there throughout her ordeals as a witness. I knew the people she talks about in the book, and remember very well the timeline that she writes about.
For those who doubt what she wrote is real, you were not there, so let me shed some light on it for you.
The fact was that the congregation was exactly as she described, with the attitudes and everything.
When she started to write the book, at first it was for her, just to work though all that she had gone through. When others had heard about what she was doing, she was encouraged to continue, and perhaps look for someone to publish it, as it could help many people. It was not written to make a bunch of money; in fact publishers take most of the profits anyways. But it helped her get through some difficult times, and has since gotten numerous thank you letters from people all over the world, who have enjoyed the book. In fact, she currently has a file 4 inches deep of e-mails she has printed out from people exclaiming how they too have experienced many of the things Diane had written about, such as the strictness and cruelity of the elders towards them in their own halls, and the mind control methods used were many times the same as she talks about in the book. Some even commented about how they thought she was writing about their own experience. So, as much as some congregations may not have been too extreme, there are in fact many, many congregations just as bad as Diane experienced. She has since done many radio interviews, speeches across the country,and has been written about in magazines and newspapers.
This has been her way to help people understand what is going on out there in JW land, and my hat is off to anyone who takes the time to let people know. Some might start websites, others tell friends and neigbors, and some write books.
We all know that people are people, and some are more extreme than others, and the same is true with congregations. Some are more relaxed, and the people are enjoyable. Others are more extreme, and just because someone may have had a different experience than others, it doesn't make it untrue. It simply is another story, as we all have them.
The fact is that in this congregation, there was an elder that she talks about, who was greatly feared, not only in that congregation, but feared in the whole area. He was very powerful, and basically did things the way he wanted to, often without regard of anyones feelings. But no one would touch him, as he kept people in check. He knew all the right people, and befriended them. He ran some of the district conventions, etc. I know of some people who actually moved out of the congregation and area just because of this one guy. But his attitude rubbed off on all the ass kissers that wanted more responsibilities. So there was this attitude everywhere.
And yes, they watched everything you did. Or didn't do.
Some of you mentioned not remembering certain beliefs or attitudes, and therefore question her accuracy. Much of what Diane wrote about, she kept journals as it happened. So this is not her trying to remember events accurately years ago. Second, as I mentioned above, there are different personalities to people, as well as congregations. And with that, some beliefs are taken even more extreme.
For example, I remember a brother on the stage, who cried, and told everyone he was shaving his mustache off, that he has all his adult life, as he did not want to stumble others, and wanted to achieve more in the congregation. There was a young lady who went to college, and the attitude of the hall was as if she had commited murder.
Whether you like Diane or not, whether you like her book or not, it is factual. Every event that she talks about, did happen as she described. I personally enjoy the way she wrote it, about her own experiences. Doctrinal books get old to me. I already know that their teachings are wrong, but to read about how it affected people, that goes a lot farther for me. That even makes it more clear when I realize all the wrong they have done to people.
So, some are going to enjoy the book, others won't. No big deal. Not everyone is going to like everything anyways, and that is what makes us all unique.
If any of you have a chance to get to know Diane, you will find her fun, and very sincere. I have known her for well over 30 years, and she is a delight to be around. I have tried to get her to say hi on this website, and perhaps one of these days she will. She does come and read from time to time.
