MAGNUM:
I understand what you mean because I remember that hopeful vibe from the ‘70s and ‘80s you mention.
I confess that a while back I was looking at JW FB Friends lists and longing for the friendships I never had in the Witness religion. It was hopeless and out of my reach. I believe it was because I wasn’t born-in and there was a bias against people who weren’t born-in (which is particularly stupid for a religion looking for converts).. ALSO, it was because of my full-time job... So, I was relegated to the ‘fringes’. A few people were nice - mostly elderly.
When I looked back I realized it must have been obvious to these elderly that I was left out.. Even though it was sad these younger people weren’t my friends (and avoided me because they were encouraged to) 🙄 how would their ‘friendship’ have helped me NOW if I hadn’t had my job back then for Retirement planning?? These people wouldn’t be supporting me.
I can understand if you would not want to see certain people again - especially if you were treated badly or talked about. The JW religion causes people to treat others badly and this can never be forgiven, in my opinion.