Welcome JWN.

After a sad announcement last summer that JWD was to be shut down by the end of 2008, I am very happy to report that the owner, Simon, has decided to keep JWD alive.  JWD has in fact given birth to a new and improved site: JWN (www.jehovahs-witness.net).

The new site went live recently and although still in development and with a few bugs to be worked out the site look and layout is consistent with the old but much improved. It has a fresh ‘2.0′ feel and I’m sure that I am not alone in breathing a huge sigh of relief that the JWD legacy will continue on.

The Good & The Bad.

Over the last 6 months or so, since the announcement that JWD was slated to close, there have been positive and negative repercussions.  Sadly, many people who had been members on JWD decided that this event marked the moment in time for them to move on from the online exJW community. Perhaps that is a good thing for them; a final bit of closure from the Watchtower and its influence over their lives - but they will still be missed. Perhaps though, they might here of the JWD/JWN resurrection and return.

On the flip side, the announcement seemed to kick start a flurry of activity on alternative exJW sites and forums and even the creation of a few new ones. Among that group is JWR (www.JehovahsWitnessRecovery.com) and also JWS (www.jwsupportforum.com).  The interesting thing is that although the new forums are in their infant stages, they seem to have each focused on a particular niche. For example JWR has a clear theme of support and recovery, while other forums have tended to lean towards other more social and casual issues. In the short time of only 5 months JWR has gained an extremely loyal and increasingly active membership of more than 400 people.

Aside from forums, the exJW community indeed seems to have grown in the past few months. More and more people are creating videos on YouTube, new sites are being launched, older sites are being re-launched and overall it feels as though the exJW community is swelling, all while becoming more vocal, more organized and more effective. Is this because of JWD? I couldn’t say, only that its a definite positive.

The Future.

If the past 6 months are any indication of the future of the exJW online community, I think it’s safe to say that we have positive things in store. The important thing I believe, is that the exJWs continue to support each other. There are many different needs and niches to be filled such as: supporting fellow exJWs, educating those thinking of joining the society, providing recovery help for those trying to escape the watchtower, fighting against dangerous and life-threatening Watchtower doctrine, speaking out for children who suffer abuse, the list goes on and on.

I am confident that with a sincere and honest approach, the exJW community will progress and break down many of their former barriers. I believe that JWD/JWN is a vital part of the community and I am very glad that it is here to stay. It was JWD that helped me to speak out for the first time about my experiences as a jehovah’s witness, and that spurred my recovery process like nothing else had in the many years before.

So, welcome JWN!