Hi Tricia, and welcome to the board. I personally do not believe that the witnesses are the true religion, or anywhere near it. I say this, not as any sort of questioning of your belief, but so that you know the position I am coming from. At this time I can't say I accept the Bible.

I think you probably need to ask yourself that, if you do believe they are the true religion, then why havn't you tried to get reinstated?

It's very difficult when old freinds and family shun you. You need to be sure that you believe what the witness's teach, and it's not a matter of wanting to believe it so that your family accept you again.

It would also be worth looking at what the witnesses now believe, not only to see whether they are correct or not, but also because there have been a number of changes, or 'new light' as they say, in 26 years.

I personally prefer not to assosiate with a particular path, but get more from taking whatever philosophies work for me from many sources, rather then take a whole package of beliefs from one source.

If you're looking for a church for people to assosiate with, a lot of other churches are not as dogmatic as the witnesses and you may find one that will give you the assosiation of fellow christians without having to conform to a strict set of beliefs, but with enough in common to be able to share your worship with.

Anyway, welcome again to the board - there is a wealth of information and experience here, and many who are willing to share it.

Jez