Clarity, thank you so much for your original post years ago. I was not single, however those who said singleness *might* sometimes be better than a bad marriage were right, although I could see how that could be small comfort to those who yearned for a mate. I converted at 13, married by 18, to a brother who got disfellowshipped in two years. Spent 28 unhappy years, the brothers told me I had to stay, and so I did, until I was mentally, emotionally and physically unable to go on. Now I read about the "engineered divorce", I wasn't the kind of person who could lie my way to a divorce, my ex husband's dad was an elder, I wouldn't have gotten away with it.
So I went on, a nothing in the congregation because I was a woman and my husband was disfellowshipped. It was amazing I lasted as long as I did. How long can someone go on with no real friends or social contact, except at work, friends I wasn't supposed to have?
So I left, and married the great guy I wouldn't date in high school because he wasn't a dub. That was 12 years ago, it was the best decision I ever made. This religion made fools of us all, we believed what we were told, but better late than never. I am only happy I found love and happiness when I did. Whether single or married, I would rather be free than in an organization like that. Part of the problem for single women, is that this organization only values men. Your value is only as good as the man you are married to. The sad story about the woman who sat outside the party, because she wasn't invited, tells it all. These days, in other churches, women are ministers! Even lesbians! Imagine that, you don't need a man to be important!