It is obvious the the WTS is losing members at an alarming rate. Therefore, if they, IMHO, want to hang on to the members that are left, and possibly add to it, then reform is definitely necessary. Other threads have alluded to the possibility of mainstreaming. At this point, I really do not care one way or another what the WTS does.
However, I would sort of like to see reform take place in the matter of shunning, only because if and when the day ever comes that I am either disfellowshipped or disassociated, my die-hard JW family will still speak to me. I seriously doubt that it will happen in my lifetime, though.
I, too like you Deacon, have done a lot of soul-searching over the past couple of years. It is a journey that is very frustrating. Your whole belief system has been turned upside-down. You start questioning everything, even the existence of God. As JW's the answers were always given to us. "Believe this because WE say it is this way." Then you wake up one day and realize that they are full of..., well you know what they are full of.
I think everyone exiting the organization has to allow themselves time to heal. You almost have to put your spirituality on the back burner and take some time just to absorb life. It is very hard to do because, for me, my whole life from infancy was always centered on Armageddon being around the corner. I never thought in terms of next year, or 5 years from now because Armageddon would be here long before then.
Now I find myself at 43 thinking, uh oh, what am I going to do when I turn 65? I better start putting some money up for retirement. I've got 22 years to save for my retirement. I really feel for those that are in their 50's and 60's that come to this realization as it will be a lot harder on them. Hopefully, they had the good sense to think about this 20 years ago.
Sorry, didn't mean to go off the subject. One thing just led to another.
Thanks for your post.
"By doubting we come at truth" -Cicero