My father became a JW when I was about 10. I was raised in the religion from there on. We moved to "where the need was great", Marathon NY, when I was in 10th grade. I graduated early so I could "pioneer". I went to Bethel (Watchtower Farm) from 1976-77 on the 1 year program. Was married in 77 to a JW girl who had a hidden past. After 25 years of hell from dealing with her lies and using my concience to her benefit, and years and years of observing and becoming victim of theft, dishonesty, politics, adultry, and (oh did I say politics?)I decided I did not want anything to do with the org. and her anymore. As it was I hadn't been to meetings in over 10 years. She trumped up a false adultry charge, her elders bought it, disfellowshipped me and showed me the depths of evil that the JW organization and it's people are capable of that even I never thought possible. In one fell swoop, I lost my most of my family, (granted they betrayed me willingly as they toe the company line). No questions, nothing, just blind acceptance of lies and manipulation. It solidified my total disgust for anything JW. My mother was threatened with the same treatment by a circuit overseer if she had anything to do with me. Fortunately for me she is still human, she defies them, albeit secretly. For the past year and a half I've fought them, along with my ex in their efforts to slander and discredit me. I know things they do not want publicly known. Until I was disfellowshipped, I did not know the extent of the "sex and child molestation" that goes on within the org.. I personally know of several such cases that were and are still being covered up, one such involves my ex's family. I don't know if I will survive this. A person can only take so much pain. The pain they've caused me is almost unbearable.