Just a thought. When we comment on other people's thoughts, JW or not, we are projecting.
We often say things about the world, not as the world is, but as we are. One of the most mistaken assumptions that we can make is that we are objective in how we view the world.
We are in fact, (and imo, this goes for all of us) very subjective. We comment on all things JW here (which is appropriate) and if we are in pain, we lash out.
There is no doubt that it is difficult, and indeed, unreasonable to expect that most exiting JW's will have kind words to say about their former faith or companions.
And yet, as an example, if you left in the 1990's, you would have had to deal with me as a snotty, idiotic, overbearing JW, reaching out to be an elder, missionary, not really knowing what I was doing, being pissed off at my very existence. (please don't tell me if you still feel that way ) Now, all JW's hate my guts, and today, most former JW's would happily have me over for a beer, or something.....
The fact of the matter is, there are a many GOOD people who are JW's. They are just duped, fooled. I was. It took a freight train for me to wake up. For others it takes less.
It also stands to reason that just because you are no longer a JW, that doesn't mean you are now a beacon of light in healthy thinking or living. (said with respect for all still developing minds) Please listen to why I say that.
I will never forget in a debate on Ronnie's board when I first left, a poster named michaelangelo45 made a statement that I can still almost quote 4 years later. Roughly, he said 'A mistake that most exiting JW's first make upon their exit is that, even though they can now think freely and for themselves, and that they can now freely express their opinions, they mistakenly think that their opinions are relevant....' (well, that isn't a quote, but thats the gist of it...)
His point stuck with me. Yay for me, and for us. We can now spout off our ignorance, our prejudices, all of those opinions, all the feelings, that we never got to say.
Have we considered the possibility that, esp if we are just out recently, we might need to develop, learn more about ourselves and others, before we spew off the raw emotion and opinions we have carried along for so long?
Do we understand that we were the enemy? The people we now hate? And while not wanting to play amateur psychologist on this, you may want to consult a therapist if some self loathing you have for yourself and your JW past comes out infrequently against a practicing JW here or in real life.
I remember being so interested in politics as a JW, and "now" I got to express all I (didn't) know. Now, even though I am still an active, thinking citizen, I have tired greatly of arguing. While the release of my opinion was healthy in one respect, on the other hand, it revealed a helluva lot of growth I had to do, and still must work on.
It's sort of like trying to run a race after getting your cast off a broken leg. You can do it, but you will look pretty ugly limping around and most will probably wonder if your time wouldn't be better spent in rehab instead of trying to run like a trained athlete right away.
The fact is, you and I control nothing, and this board, as VERY valuable as it is, is nothing more then a staging area for the posting of opinions by mostly anonymous people. So its probably good to realize that our little niche market of commentary on JW's is limited to the effect it has on us individually, good or bad.
If it were me, I would do, not what feels right, but what is ultimately healthy. And that includes a right viewpoint of many current JW's. They aren't all evil.
And just because we left doesn't make us all good either.
