I was praised because I made good grades in school, as i made the local congregation look good to, " The World ",however,when I used the intellect that was given me to question their beliefs and doctrines I became an apostate. There is no easy way out of the Witnesses, no proven course of action that will lessen the pain of never speaking to friends and relatives again. It hurts. But Jesus said something that I have always remembered. " You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free ", but free of what ? In my case the dependence on an organized religion to go between me and my creator. As I have stated before I feel closer to God in the wilderness surrounded by creation and communing with nature. Yes, mind control is a very real part of being a witness, and fear is the catalyst that allows the mind control to take hold and forever change the way some people in the witnesses see the world. But, there are those of us who can break free from that control and look beyond the fear to see the world as it truly is when not demonized. I watch some of the broadcasts from JW.org and people much of it is almost infantile. The information is presented in a format that is not much different from the style my wife uses when she teaches her kindergarten class of 5 year olds. Do I still have any effects of the indoctrination I received as a child, yes I do, I don't trust any organized religion or the people who preach dogma as the way to commune with God. I have tried to be a member of organized religion on many occasions, but it just will not take in any shape form or fashion. So, I sometimes go to church, I sometimes go do ritual with the Wiccans, and sometimes I just go sit in the woods and marvel at how wonderful creation truly is and revel in being a part of it all. I worship by trying to help my fellow man when I can, maybe not with money, but with something much more precious, time. I look for the good in everyone, because when you look into the eyes of your fellow human, you are looking into the eyes of God. We were made in the image of God.
In Love and Peace
The Seeker