How I ended up at JWD ...and out of the JWs.

I lurked on JWD for many years. I was an elder in the congregation at the time and read on the public section of the board. I always knew something was wrong with the Organization, but couldn't quite put my finger on it.

What led me there was a internet search of the UN. In our congregation, there was a young brother that had questions about the WTBTS and its association with the UN. Our (at the time) secretary wrote a letter to the Society inquiring about this tidbit of information. Now, anyone who has acquired any position in the Organization knows that if you write a letter to "Mother," it is likely to be forwarded to the local BOE and the CO. Such was the case. The secretary wrote the letter without the knowledge of any of the other elders (as it should have been, it was a private matter). The Society forwarded a copy to us with an explanation of the UN matter. I have always regretted not copying that letter, as I later became secretary and easily could have. We were instructed to share "points" or "highlights" with the publisher questioning it, but we could not let him read the letter itself.

This was the beginning of the end for this young brother and the Organization. Long and short: We disfellowshipped him. Partly because of a blog exactly like this one. Irony is fun.

With that background in mind, I searched UN and came across Randy's FreeMinds site. (www.freeminds.org) There was a link about the UN thing to JWD..and thus began my association with what turned out to be a life-saver for me.

I lurked for a long time, finally started posting in Feb 2007. By that time, I had been deleted as an elder for a month or so..... and I have been at JWD ever since.

I don't pretend to be the most insightful poster; Blondie and others have that wrapped up. If I helped anyone during my tenure there, great. I hope I can help others get out. I wish of all people my mom would wake up and smell the coffee. Alas, that is probably not going to happen.

I eventually expect to be busted and DF'd by the Borg, probably because of this blog. Ironic, isnt it?

Regards, Snakes