Hi and welcome Tricia ...

I personally steer away from religion of any kind and am happily raising my two kids without religious indoctrination of any kind too. My husband is an atheist and has never fully understood why seemingly normal people get involved with religion. That aside though ... if you have strong religious feelings of your own ... perhaps it's time to have a look around the various churches in your local area ... and see first hand what's on offer. The downside of being kicked out of the JW faith is that many of your family and former JW friends will have shut you out ... be it long term or not. To my way of thinking ... it's hardly a christian trait to cut off those you love and it's an unkind and damaging way to get them to 'come to heel' ... which is what shunning is all about.

If the other churches feel wrong ... perhaps you can continue serving your chosen god in the comfort of your own home and in your own way. I was raised from birth in a JW household and was always led to believe from my parents that Jehovah instinctively knows who his true servants are. Although it's not something I believe in and haven't since I was quite young ... if that's the case and Jehovah does exist, I'm sure he would appreciate your devotion and treat it as something personal without the need for your worship to be 'officiated' to outsiders by attending meetings etc.

You could have a good look through this forum to start your quest ... as there are lots of people who have been divided in their feelings about religion, who have been shunned for months or years at a time. Not everyone in here has walked away from religion

I hope you enjoy your visits Tricia. Ask heaps of questions ... that's another good way of finding answers!