Hopefully you will have responses from the more religiously and atheist-ically experienced HC regulars to help you measure the strength of your conclusions when they get time, but just to get the ball rolling ...
"I was born a JW & into a very strong JW family. i stopped practicing after about 20 years but still have a great relationship with my family - sure they are dissapointed, but they accept my decision. I am now free."
Since somehow, my early years were free of any direct religious or anti-religious dogma I can't claim to understand the anguish of those who have and when they mature, must leave their childhood religious (or anti-religious) indoctrination.
However, such a decision must have been very, very difficult for all.
I'm sure you already know that "Honour thy father and thy mother" does not mean you must honour their religion or beliefs or way of life, only them ... as your father and mother and you only get one set of those.
"you people come here to argue religion & try to prove each other wrong. you are all brainwashed from birth. you are taught something your whole life so that is what you KNOW, you believe its true without question, but why? " and ... "it would be good to keep an open discussion & question things, but i expect a lot of DRONES to get on board & let us know that we (or I could be alone) are wrong =O"
Sounds to me like there's not much chance of "open discussion & question things" if you stick to such a black and white approach.
Though I more or less agree with your summation of "religion", it would be interesting to know if you are making progress in finding something to fill the space occupied by your JW beliefs ? If so, is it directed more to "things of the flesh", "things of the spirit" or perhaps a corresponding balance of both ?
You wouldn't bother to be on this forum if your interest was not there.
