Elsewhere,
I had a very similar experience also. When I left, a bit more than a year ago, I thought I was doing the right thing by keeping quiet. I didn't say anything negative about the WTS or JWs because I felt they were just a confused religious social group, like all the others.
Well, I lost more than social status by becoming inactive. (I had been an MS)
I lost respect that I deserved. I had to tell people why I had to terminate my engagement. I became viewed as weak and foolish. I knew otherwise.
That really burned me. I have much confidence in who I am, and I think it's silly to accept the judgements of weak minds, but it still burned me.
With all the indefensible doctrines of the JW religion, we are still on this board talking about it. How kooky.
But hey, it takes a while to accept change. Even those that happen within us.
cellomould
"You're crying 'why am I the victim?' when the culprit is YOU" Stevie Wonder