LongHair - I understand where you're coming from and they were/are hypocrites. As I was told the cult makes people jump through the hoops and an ex-Bethelite (they were very good humans, btw) told a couple of newbys so many people wanting to become JWs (during the late 80s) the 'society' (gag) made it difficult - all the baptism questions, rules, etc. Many you knew certainly hung in long enough for their retirement and I'm sure had no problem as members. Cults are not accountable and are lawless. At least you didn't fall for the crazy although they excluded you which is evil and they got away with it -- for a time. They'll prey on new vics and the bully cycle repeats itself -- members become burdens to the tax payers/more socialism. This is where the gov't needs to step in -- it's welfare/disability fraud like under Obama's reign. I know so many people who played the disability card. Heard for yrs about the JWs who went off on mental issues deceiving the gov't to finance their way through the cult - unreal. No wonder our country is equal (within few points) of the Netherland's socialization. The JW cult alone drives up the numbers.
A life lesson for sure - lol "skin of my teeth" - scary! It's health devastating and how people stay for their friends is beyond me. I do understand the elderly holding on. I was told you can't walk away from "friends" (gag) because sooner or later you run out. So be it!!