Comments on: End of an Era - JWD will be Shutting Down

By: Designbabe

Designbabe — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:05:23 +0000

Thank you, Simon and Angharad for your efforts.
SInce the site is down, I am unable to get in touch with a certain member. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with AVISHAI who used to post on JWD? Thanks!

By: AlexM

AlexM — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:30:55 +0000

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!

By: Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:57:47 +0000

I guess the website will morph into a “best of” archive of WT information. The forum owner will be able to reap some advertsing money to offset 8 years worth of grief. I too, was amazed at how many anti-religion types and religionists were able to have a rational dialogue on JWD forum. The forum helped me flesh out the fractured ideas I had about religion and god. I was finally able to realize that I identify with secular humanism the most. First I kicked the JW’s 20 years ago, then the Jesus myth 10 years ago and finally the notion that there is a God who is caring about what I do and hears the prayers of mortal humans.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 19:57:38 +0000

The jwd shutdown did not come as a great surprise to me. I’m actually amazed it lasted this long, simply because it largely depended on one guy who ran it. Hopefully those who still depend on the board for solace, comfort, and understanding will be able to find it elsewhere.

By: Wayne Rogers

Wayne Rogers — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:58:55 +0000

Hmmm, sad news indeed. Why do they need to remove the website in order to move on? Can they not hand it over to someone who will take care of it for the next generations of ex and questioning JWs?

I have not participated in the large exjw forum in many years. The forum I was on was the predecessor to JWD…known as H2O. It was invaluable to me, though I disliked the flame wars that occasionally erupted. The forum I use most now is a local ExJW-California Yahoo list…and ironically, it is populated mostly by evangelical converts. But we are polite and friends and get along just fine. I try to reign in my atheist side a bit there though.

By: IsaacJ

IsaacJ — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:29:35 +0000

I just got my computer back up yesterday, and today I’m hit with the bad news. I’ve been on again off again with JWD and linked to it from my own site. It was the only place I ever found where atheist and religious ex-Witnesses managed to play along reasonably well together. I know of nothing else that’s just as good or better.

I hope something else will rise up to take it’s place.

I will definitely miss it.

By: Rifter

Rifter — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:26:28 +0000

I’ve visited the forum on occasion but never participated, since it seems most of the ex-JW’s on there are simply moving on to another form of Christianity… effectively going from one delusion to the next. At least that’s what I gathered from reading some of the posts there. But I suspect this is a niche that will be quickly filled by another site.

It is true that many active JW’s may not leave the organization despite their doubts, simply because they have this impression that former members are all depressed, bitter and angry people who are incapable of happiness. Like Brian says, there is a delicate balance needed between debating and helping others to escape, and just plain moving on with your own life.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:05:39 +0000

I think I missed that part about the reasons for shutting the forum down. I really agree with the fact that it should be the goal of every ex-JW to be an ex-ex-JW. The best healing for a life in the Watchtower society is to LIVE and move on. However, some of us aren’t able to move on right this minute, but this forum was a huge stepping-stone for many.

I’ll miss it, and I’ll keep in touch with some of the others, but I think if Simon feels ready to move on, then he should. He’s been holding the door open for us these past 8 years, and now it’s high time for him to walk through it. I wish the best of luck to everyone.