cedars,
I looked at your survey regarding shunning. I am neither an active Witness nor DF/DA. Therefore I did not answer any questions as I felt it did not pertain to me. I do agree with the above posters who say the Society will never do away with shunning. Shunning those who leave and instilling fear into those who stay is a powerful tool to keep the flock in line. I must say I was a good JW while in and communicating with someone who left had no bearing on my leaving. What began my awakening was an article in our local newspaper, then looking up an internet site, and reading, reading, reading.
When our oldest son was 18 and still living at home he was disfellowshipped for what would be considered by any non cult member as normal teenage stuff. His father, an elder at the time, and I would talk to him about anything not related to Watchtower land. He was reinstated a year later and has since left. He confessed he knew then there was no holy spirit guiding the elders on his committee because they would not believe him when he told them the truth.
TotallyADD and I moved 1000 miles away to fade from the clutches of the WT. Although there is an active congregation in this town we have not been contacted in the year we have lived here. Maybe they're not that active after all. We do live on the outer fringes of their territory.
Reopened Mind
