Wow. This is surreal to listen to. I grew up in the JWs but got out as soon as I turned 18. That was over 20 years ago and hearing all of their craziness again after all this time is slightly traumatic 😂😂
I was raised in it, went to college, and came back in my early 30's. It didn't take long for me to struggle with depression. I always wondered why being a JW is such misery. We now know because they are frauds.
I tell Jehovah's Witnesses to go through the narrow gate that is on the cramped road leading to life. . Matthew 7:13-14 “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road ** LEADING OFF INTO LIFE ** and few are the ones finding it. . I ask them to read what Jehovah said would happen at the time of the end that is in every Christians bible and yet, few are the ones finding it: . Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU men who are trembling at his word: “YOUR brothers that are hating YOU, that are excluding YOU by reason of my name, said, ‘May Jehovah be glorified!’ He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.” . [Name of person] is no longer one of JEHOVAH's Witnesses ---->> "excluding YOU by reason of MY NAME" . I ask them if they can see Jehovah's promise to disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses: . "He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part"! . I then warn them that, if they go through this narrow gate they will lose their family as a consequence of the Watchtower Societies shunning policies. . Then I ask them to read what Jesus Christ said about everlasting life: . Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news 30 who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things ** EVERLASTING LIFE ** . I then ask them if they want to live forever. . I also tell them that they can leave the organization and their congregation with dignity by telling everybody that they believe Jehovah, Jesus Christ and everything else in the bible. . Walk out with your head held high and jump for joy when you do. . What Jehovah said would happen, is now really happening! . That's Good News ................... right! . Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS. .
As an ex Jw, it took me many years after leaving to find myself. To truly know what I like, who I am, find my style. The control, judgement, guilt and fears we experience in the JW cult follows us out, it isn’t easy to let go of the mental cage, even when you are physically free. Thankyou for your courage to speak out and remind us that it is okay to just be yourself x
Spot on. My sister and I are in our 40s, both out over 20 years. We have no clue we are. We both know we're just layers of masks for whomever or whatever we're dealing with at the time. I buried myself in work, which is as much of me as I'm probably ever going to get.
@Sosimples650 hi I'm at the stage now where I'm like a deer caught in headlights! I don't know where to go. All these thoughts going round my head !that's the worst part , when you leave , it's not the leaving , but is it the residue that has stuck to you , I feel angry betrayed hurt all these wild thoughts! You can't leave , and walk away free. It like the so ng hotel California! This mess is with you for a long time
@rodneymasondunn you're not wrong about Hotel California. And, I'm finding it is legitimately a grieving process. Now, when I left, I didn't have the internet, and the internet was still in its infancy, so I don't know what was available 25 years ago. Please respond to me. I'm going to do some research into the exJW communities to see if there's forums for the newly awaked, and I'll get back to you here. It is going to be rough transitioning to the real world, and you're going to need "elder" types to guide you out. Some go wild and abuse substances, get into bad situations, or physically harm themselves. I'm not going to lie, on your own, it could take over 10 years to adjust. If I can't find something, I'll start something, and let you know.
My ex was a JW that got tossed out for smoking cigs… meanwhile his then father in law was caught 🍇ing his step daughter (8 yrs total)- the JWs not only protected him but put him in a position of power that allowed him access to other young children. There’s a website called silent lambs with so many stories of the atrocities of that cult.
Does two witnesses as a title present possibility that prophecy is being fulfilled ? Many unjust tragic things in human history that took place , but these Tragedies know no end. Unless..the king Christ steps in . Crowned..coronation around 1914 . Corona virus apparently, Spanish flu. Rev 19:17,18 does not have to be after Armageddon, does it ? Sons of destruction, the man of lawlessness, MUST be revealed before the end comes. Almighty God sees much more of mans inhumanity to man than we do..should we not focus a bit on how he feels ? At Rev 19:15 we see no words of compassion ..but talk of crushing grapes.. We could as humans be involved in those things being crushed..families for example..couldn't we ? Temporarily, the tears we cry from pain of loss we suffer will be replaced by tears of joy. overwhelmingly Millions will expect justice for the first time ever..as the resurrection will make possible the welcoming and reuniting of billions.
Rev 11:6b means detrimentally affected lives are part of the things which God told Jesus, must take place. (Rev 1:1-3) Long term everlasting results may be hard for us to really believe..because of life as it is now. Rev 11:18 is on its way to being fulfilled. Job 38:22,23. Having been disfellowshipped twice l don't need to be told of the damage and challenges it's caused .. Some will have died..suicide.. almost was my experience too. Life though is from the life giver. YHWH. He s looking for selfless people. They will populate the new earth. Meek ones as Jesus said. What we see now.. is happening as foretold..rev 16:8-11 Ezek 38:20-22 Rev 16:13,14. The third temple of rev 11, does not apostatize. Strange things the GB are and have been doing , are in fulfillment of the instructions. It's prophecy, yes..but ..also instructions to Gods people. Look how they brought themselves into line ..by celebration of their last Xmas, see rev 11:10( exchanging of gifts , something you can research ..its not Roman in origin ,its Persian..to do with Mithras)
You asked what the attractive part is. It's the utopia but to boil it down to one thing it's the doctrine of never dying. The two things that were most hard to deal with is accepting death and learning how to be with people who don't think exactly the same as I do. JWs are like The Borg, in that they have a hive mind that controls them, no disagreement allowed. It's peaceful. It's has a hypnotic affect. But accepting death is the hardest after being told your whole life that you would never die. I thought I had lost something. It took years for me to understand I didn't lose anything, that I was always going to die. I just didn't know it. I hadn't lost anything. I had gained consciousness.
Yeah, stay a Jehovah witness in good standing and you will live forever on a paradise earth. They drill that into kids. And I do mean drill. If you ever entertain the thought of leaving the cult, you are doomed. So when you do leave, you think about dying, rotting, the birds and worms eating your body. Pretty traumatic for a little kid to consider. Jehovah witnesses hammer that into their children almost every day. Do you know what I like about Jehovah witnesses? Absolutely nothing!!
I had an elder tell me and daughter that she would not graduate high school either in 2015 because the new system would be here! He was supposed to be one of the anointed! Such crap!!
So most of them are unschooled ? What a joke.no wonder they say that the Lord Jesus Christ is not nailed on the Cross instead on the torture stick. Ignorance of the Scriptures make look foolish.
I absolutely love this conversation ! Having been born into the JDub religion under a very oppressive and abusive Elder dad, I was ‘that kid’ that got beat down when ever my dad flew into a ‘righteous’ rage, sometimes even in public. What woke me up was that reinvention of the “This Generation” teaching and then discovering all the mind blowing things that Watchtower has swept under the carpet of time. For example: I live just a few minutes from Beth-Sarim, the mansion that was supposed to be headquarters for the resurrected prophets. I’ve lived here my whole life and never knew about it until recently. A Watchtower falsehood hidden in plain sight ! Absolutely INSANE !!
I got the name wrong in the video- BETH SARIM!!! That's it! Wow. That 1995 WT on 1914 Gen is what did it for me too. No apology, nothing. Just (as you wrote) swept under the carpet.
The Governing Body refuses to apologize for things they got wrong, they say. They admitted they are uninspired and make mistakes yet feel no need to apologize. In my opinion, it is because so many people have died from false doctrines. An apology would be an admission of guilt. And they have many deaths and family separations on their hands. Theses are crimes that people could easily and rightfully go after.
@@christinesotelo7655 There would be NO benefit from even a sincere apology, much less a hypocritical one, from the wt hierarchy… Try apologizing to a precious article that you’ve destroyed and see if that repairs the damage… Just saying.
What attracts people to the Jehovah’s Witnesses will differ from person to person: 1. Hell: Some people do not accept that hell reflect a loving God. 2. Plate collection: JWs makes their followers believe that churches are milking the laity and JW do not, when they do it too but cleverly. 3. “Knowledge” of the Bible: because JWs are thought how to read the Bible and know where verses they want to use are, especially when you are semi-illiterate. This makes JWs think the know the Bible better. 4. Status: Some people think that JW are the most honest people in the world and are clean and law abiding, when that is not entirely true. 5. Resurrection: JWs speak more about resurrection than people going to heaven, the utopian of seeing your loved one back to life and be with you forever in the environment you know, earth, sounds amazing. 6. Sense of belonging for people who are abused and isolated, they find JWs so welcoming and loving. 7. Some discover it that it is a safe haven for sexual preditors and abusers and stay to remain protected by the policies of the JW of not reporting such matters about your brother to the police, following the two-witness rule(Deut:19:15 and Deut: 17:1). Myself I was indoctrinated as toodler so I felt like everything in the JW was the truth, so I liked everything about it.
JW made me go deep inside myself. I hated door-to-door work because it wasn’t in my personality to be a salesperson. I never found a therapist who understood the religion so they just “didn’t get it”. Yes, I have great friends and speak out NOW, and am grateful, but no, JW never gave me confidence. They were cruel people.
Even in pain there is a positive, no matter how small it is. I used to feel the way you do about not have benefitted any positive thing in the JW, because of so many negetives, but as soon as I did an introspect I noticed what I did get out of it. This does not mean people should be JWs to get it and or it is worth suffering in the JW to gain that positive. That is not what I mean. It might not be a door to door, for me it was public speaking/debating arguing skills that I got though I was defending the undefendable , but I learned that skill and was later improved by learning critical thinking skills and a bit of logic. Remember that we were not allowed to participate in sports or debates at school, and if we were aloowed to participate, I think for me, sports would have been a better choice than to debates. It was horrible to come to think of it, because we were coerce as children to participate in the Ministry School, that 5 minutes of giving a talk as a 6yr old was like an hour.
@35:30 when you say "it's not natural" that is so true. I was born into it, and when I got to my 30s I began dealing with a lot of internal questions. Looking back, I spent a good 10 years fighting with cognitive dissonance. I managed to get out in my 40s.
There was no exodus in the change of the 1914 doctrine like it happened in 1975, however, there were a lot of people who left because of that. Agreed, the internet access has helped people leave quicker and with information.
Sort of telling my story, My parents became JWs when I was 7. That was in the late 1940s. I have seen so many "truths" come and go. After suffering a mini breakdown, I tried my best - really tried. Just couldn't go on. So I lost all my life long friends. I feel the anger and frustration here. It is shared by many.Because of my trauma I cannot affiliate with any religion. I find it suffocating.. Moving past the pain, guilt and fear takes a life time.
@jeanettekays1954 hi Jeanette thank you for yr thoughts, it's the same old story eh? Runs to a pattern ! Jw,s don't want people who think for themselves ph no! They wreck you ! I've got nothing more to give anybody , being a jw for so long was now, in hindsight, one huge battle and struggle !it was hard ! None of jw s that I have met over the years, are truly happy, their all struggling to be something they are not , it's all false, you tried, I bet I can beat that! No one tried so hard as me ! It was like a big soggy blanket hanging over you, with elders ( spiritual police) breathing down yr neck , they were disgusting !one big guilt trip , emotional blackmail
Hi, I as woke JW too, Your (Yasmine’s) voices helped me to wake up fully. Your courage is so amazing. It truly helped me to be free from mind control. And thanks for sharing EXJW’s experience from Jezebel.
I am an xjw and there are so many things that resonate with mine. I also found my freedom through education and Academia and tried to reach out to former JW's (it gets lonely when no one understands and you have lost everything so I thought that would be a community I could resonate with) who were as she says miserable. So I turned away and instead now I write for a Danish newspaper about oppressed women in various societies and religions. Thank you for shining a light on all these women. I love your work and I loved your book and I highly respect everything you do.
@@desireeohrbeck2282 I’m looking for ex JWs but it’s like others hide! Found one online, neurologist scientist but he started anti-Zionist / pro Palestine (Hamas really) so I think he jumped from one cult to another 😔 . I’d be happy to connect in email if anyone is interested
This is exactly why they discourage Higher Education, it makes it easier for the organization to take full control of people's lives with no consequences for the immense damages they are causing especially to children.
Now you have a positive activity. There are many of us out in the 'world' looking for meaning. Are you still a Christian or have you become a gnostic ?
I'm a man and can relate to this lady's experience 100%. Looking back its hard to say how much is family's fault, and how much religion is at fault. It feeds into one another and boundaries are overlaping. It seems like religion provides a belief based framework but then abuse mostly comes down from parents and its not just the abuse they dish out, they are nurturing mental illness (based of off belief system narrative) and this really sinks in because its combined with emotional manipulation and neglect - and Watch Tower is supplying all the material to enable the abuse - they don't care about how their tools are used - or they may say one thing publicly (which they are trained to do), but their own culture silently dictates abuse. I'm out for a decade and I still can't function properly. I struggle to put things into the right perspective and lately keep getting spammed thoughts in my mind - like a PTSD - but its PTSD about everything a normal person simply shroughs off. Its horrible, but i guess at least I'm not borred during the day... , but I cannot function. Can't work and relate to people at all - even over internet. I may sound strange but I mostly avoid human interaction, there's just noone I can relate too.
Please know that what you feel is normal and that you are NOT ALONE. It took years for me to feel comfortable with "worldly people." Time has a way of healing and mellowing the jagged edges. Be patient and be kind to yourself, and most ofall, enjoy your freedom. You can now dedicate your time/mental focus on topics that truly interest you.
Thank you both for your courageous statements. And it is true that JWs visit those who have lost people in death; because they used to do that in the previous congregation I was involved in. Thankfully, I woke up and left that death cult. ❤
I was easily converted into Islam when I lived in Egypt 21 years because of growing up as a Jehovah's Witnesses. Man is head, our feminine voices are stifled, we as women are taken not so seriously, our clothing is dictated by others. There were many similarities.
Yes, there are many, many similarities. There are similarities between all religions, especially in the way they control and mistreat women. Religions are all created by men, FOR MEN.
57 year old male, ex JW. Never equated the religion with Marxism. It definitely fits the profile and narrative. I’m constantly working on self improvement, and historical education. Your conversation was very enlightening. Much respect for you both.
Oh I relate to your guest thoroughly. I’m 75 now. SOMEHOW I survived 1975 too and that thing your parents did: smashing Catholic statues, etc...my husband did. No more Catholic memorabilia because “demons could work through those items”. My engagement ring was a tiny Diamond in a silver CROSS setting. Because the Cross is evil to JWs, my JW husband took it out to the garage and smashed it with a hammer. Totally understand and relate to you! ❤
Everything u have said is true and unbiased. Happy to hear such factual report of the religion and exactly my experiences as well in a different part of the country.
The Internet has made possible a movement..a community. Think. Would the God of eternity not know this would happen in time ? The worldwide preaching , the man ruining the earth.. Did he not use prophets.. ? How would they describe the phenomenon of social media.. Ezekiel refers to Gogs final attack.. Something l always found Scary..he talks of clouds ..clouds covering the land.. Hmm intangible..untouchable..virtual..its there.. but its not .. I'm writing..but you can't touch the paper.. Was that Gogs final attack , you say ? Gog..who s he ? Gog of Magog .. Magog is Russia.on old maps according to old maps... Lol.
@@Hallel-o-jahShame on you for this response. You know the lies yourself. Don’t play stupid, the light is shining on your organization and we are all on to your games. Thank you Jesus.
So sorry for your. If Jehovah’s Witnesses is a false religion for you, you cannot find any true religion anymore. May Jehovah continue to bless and guide you with enlightenment about Him and His faithful worshipers.
As a pimo, the pandemic changed me from being a blinded socialite person in the cult who really don't know who I'm actually being "friends" with to a full-on introvert after realizing that none of them are "true friends" at all when they just use me for their pleasures and expectations
Yasmine, answering the door saying "We worship Satan in this house" had me laughing. If the J.W.s had said, "We will pray for you!". Could you imagine the horror on their faces? If you replied, "We WILL pray for you!!!" 😂
Very interesting connection between the timing of the Marxism movement & the big 3 cults. Thankfully, many of us who have never been in cults were aware of the tactics used in 2020 😉
Got to go through that painful grief process though too. Each step is vital. Attitude of Gratitude too in its season. It will come. But you’ve gotta face that grief because you lose a lot if you’re ds’fd and shunned or if you’ve lost a loved one to the No Blood Doctrine. CSA has to be faced and brought to Court, even being slandered and marked as an Apostate should be fought legally. Otherwise, this stuff is buried deep inside and never gets brought up and can cause terrible physical maladies.
I’d say though, be grateful you can feel those feelings one by one and purge them through Recovering Arts: Writing it out, painting, sketching, music, dance, counseling, legal means. We do turn out stronger so there is much to be grateful for, particularly freedom.
I am grateful I got out that religion and I am so glad I no longer have to study, prepare and go to meetings. But, my formative years were lost, my identity lost, what purpose lost, it was never about who I am. When I left I became a disposable diaper. How can I be grateful not having my mom in my life? My family broken. My Pomi brother who still has brainwashing ideology but doesn't want to be physically in. I wish gratitude could magically help me with religious trauma. Being a disposable person has had me wanting to taking my own life many times. I don't matter. How can gratitude help with isolation?
@@pearle333 Please try to think of happier things . I was also suicidal and even attempted it, but life is a precious gift from God. He loves you and wants you to enjoy your life. Do things you enjoy and start building some happy experiences for yourself. Make new friends and don't look back.
This comment is meant for "Jezebel" 😉 I so profoundly identified with everything you said that I'm actually feeling trauma over again. But weirdly, it's mixed with elation! How messed up am I?!?? Lmao You and I were both born in 1970, became witnesses at the same age, moved out at 18, came back months later and tried to become exemplary witnesses all at the same time. Our stories go differently after that tho. I got df'd at 22, married a worldly man and had a baby by 24. Then I felt such guilt that I was sentencing my baby to death that I returned to the cult at 26. And I just never fit in and eventually faded a few years later. The fact that you also see the cult like mentality of politics also, blew my mind. I'm so glad I'm not the only one on this train of thought and I'm ever so glad I heard your story. We are "sisters of trauma" and I'm grateful that you're here on this earth. ❤
Thank you so much for this comment, and for sharing your story. We had similar childhoods, and I married a JW at age 22. I didn't know the term "faded" but it makes sense. I'm so happy that you finally found freedom. All the best to you. xo
This is unbelievable. I have been writing emails to some Ex JW's about a class action lawsuits about Emotional Distress these past couple of weeks. You can sue for emotional distress if evidence proves that the party whom you are suing was negligent or intentionally harmed you. The law in Canada deems an emotional distress claim as serious as a physical injury due to how debilitating this can be for the victim. I am certain that the laws in the US and other countries are the same. I will get in touch with you Yasmine and Jezebel by email to encourage you to continue to reach out to all others who have been harmed emotionally and psychologically by this cult. I am certain that we can find lawyers who will undertake this class action. We may just open the way for potential international class action lawsuits.
I tell Jehovah's Witnesses to go through the narrow gate that is on the cramped road leading to life. . Matthew 7:13-14 “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road ** LEADING OFF INTO LIFE ** and few are the ones finding it. . I ask them to read what Jehovah said would happen at the time of the end that is in every Christians bible and yet, few are the ones finding it: . Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU men who are trembling at his word: “YOUR brothers that are hating YOU, that are excluding YOU by reason of my name, said, ‘May Jehovah be glorified!’ He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.” . [Name of person] is no longer one of JEHOVAH's Witnesses ---->> "excluding YOU by reason of MY NAME" . I ask them if they can see Jehovah's promise to disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses: . "He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part"! . I then warn them that, if they go through this narrow gate they will lose their family as a consequence of the Watchtower Societies shunning policies. . Then I ask them to read what Jesus Christ said about everlasting life: . Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news 30 who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things ** EVERLASTING LIFE ** . I then ask them if they want to live forever. . I also tell them that they can leave the organization and their congregation with dignity by telling everybody that they believe Jehovah, Jesus Christ and everything else in the bible. . Walk out with your head held high and jump for joy when you do. . What Jehovah said would happen, is now really happening! . That's Good News ................... right! . Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS. .
13:23 he came “in spirit” as far as I remember, it’s important to say as accurately as possible so ppl who’ve left aren’t seen as “they didn’t understand well the teachings”
Yes. We were taught that Jesus returned invisibly! 🤣 How convenient. But 1st it was emphatically taught that He returned in 1878 but then got changed to 1914.
I was baptized for about 7 years after a decade of association. I read all of their books but could never make gains, I was never good enough and could not marry whom I chose, they all married someone with better statistics . After many a lifetime of being single a sister got close to me, we crossed a line we both needed to cross but didn't take it all the way. We were both disfellowshipped, she got back in and I was called unclean and never let back in. Years passed and I studied everything we were told not to study. They never admit when they are wrong, they never own up to it, they never apologize and they never make amends until they are sued in court. The whole practice of domination is abhorrent but they practice their version of authoritarianism to dominate others and get money and power. THe hypocrisy is thick and I have not seen a religion that doesn't do the same things to control others and never apologize . There was one exception of a religious leader who apologized to a nation for past faults and that was Pope John Paul the second. I never heard a bad thing about the man. KNowledge is the antidote to fear, oppression and fear mongering, gaslighting and many many other things. My personal mottos are "A bad truth is better than a good lie" and "Never let yourself be defeated by an inanimate object". It was nice hearing your story Miss Bell.
In the first few minutes of the interview you explained and proved the BITE model, exactly! Thanks to you both for your video, from a born in JW cult survivor of more than forty years 💪
I can identify with 1977, when two JW came to the door, giving "free booklet", but then asked for a "donation". They kept coming and we moved to Sydney and I agreed to a so called "bible study" (I read the bible, and just needed someone to explain it more clearly. I am Roman Catholic and had a great Catholic traditional priest who answered my questions in the bible. JW lady could not answer any of my questions. I told her I will never convert to JW, she promptly told me I will be thrown into the fire, as will my son, aged 2 at the time. By the grace of God, I am so glad I read the bible and to this day I am so thankful to Fr Takacs for taking my family under his wing and explain scripture. He has passed away over 40 years ago, but I am still thankful to him to this day. Today, I attend a vibrant Catholic parish with regular bible studies throughout the year, where we can ask questions without judgement, can disagree, without judgement. You are correct about the JW hating the Catholic church, and JW woman could not understand how I could be a Catholic. I told her I could not accept their teaching that Jesus was "Michael the Archangel" come down as Jesus and then went back to being in heaven Michael again.
Read book of Rome it's traditions and practices compared to the Word of God. Edward g Mccarthy. He s reformed catholic. You ll learn much. Linus firsf Bishop, came 350 yrs after apostle period.
I worked at a high tech company years ago and every day was misery. I couldn't understand why because I enjoy my work. I ended up getting fired (walked to the door) and I was shocked how it happened. I yelled at the director so there is that, they were all fired within a year. Years later after watching video's like this, I realized the company was a mini cult. The same cult tactics if you went off script. It was so creepy and it was because I automatically pushed back on cult behavior without realizing it. So please recognize this behavior and work to free yourself from it.
I too was raised a JW, and I'm only 7 minutes into this, but so far her experience does not reflect mine at all. My mother was 6 months pregnant with me when my parents started to study the Bible with JWs. While it's not always easy to be a JW child based on things such as holidays, etc. I didn't find it to be the "nightmare" she is portraying it to be. At the time I was convinced it was "the truth" and I found the organization to be a loving and sincere community of people. I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, a beautiful home, and lots of family vacations. The religion did not give me "terrors" I found it to be fascinating, and at that time it made perfect sense to me. It was only when I started to research the organizations history, failed predictions, and some of their doctrines that I "woke up" but at the same time I discovered that all religions are flawed and that none of them are teaching the complete truth. This is when I came to the realization that I'm a believer in spite of religion, not because of it.
The most devastating part of being a JW for me was waking up to the fact that it wasn't the truth, that part really hurt. Obviously they do teach truth but some truth isn't the whole truth.
Your a believer? Online commenting on an apostate video? Are you currently shunning anyone? Is it possible that they have been removed for persistently viewing apostate information on the internet? Would it be possible to get a brother from your hall to contact me here? I have a couple of questions for an Elder. Thanks
@@robertaltergott3341 Hi, I'm not sure that I understand what you are asking? I don't attend meetings anymore. I'm what you call a "fader." I'm not DF'ed, but I'm also not in contact with anyone from the local KH where I live because I faded before I moved here. I left the organization but I'm still a believer. What is your situation? Are you just waking up? Still a JW? Unsure what to do? When I first woke up I was completely distraught. I felt like my entire world was crashing in on me. It was very traumatic. Beroean Pickets channel helped me the most. It was like a life raft. At this point in time, I stay on my own. I do my own research and read the Bible. I do still believe in a lot of what the organization teaches. I'm still hoping that God will intervene. I'm still hoping to live on a paradise earth. I believe that Jesus is our One mediator. The Bible teaches this but the GB says they are our mediators which the Bible does not teach. This is one of several reasons why I walked away. I would be happy to list all of the reasons as to I left if you are interested. I'm also happy to answer other questions if you have any. If you just woke up and feel at a loss Beroean Pickets might help you, but I didn't join the group for a couple of reasons, asking for donations was one of them, but Eric, an ex-elder, is very Biblically knowledgeable and brilliant of mind. He uses a lot of logic and he's a believer.
@@robertaltergott3341 No, I don't shun people. As far as viewing "apostate" material goes, the truth has nothing to fear. If the organization is teaching the truth there isn't an apostate person on the planet that could sway someone away from it. The truth is the truth. On the other hand, if one is told not to do research and not to look at things to find out what the real truth is, there is a problem with that. It stems from fear. So what are they afraid of? If they have the truth they shouldn't care that we know why people left. That knowledge could help us combat "apostates" and overcome objections and show them why they are wrong. The reason the organization is so afraid is because once a person analyzes the history of the Org,, and is aware of failed predictions, flip -flops when it comes to "old and new light." Doctrinal changes. Their 10 year affiliation with the "wild beast" by joining the UN as an NGO member, the 607-1914 doctrine that doesn't hold up. (This was a big one for me because it was the core doctrine of the religion) When all of this is taken into consideration the cards start tumbling down, at least it did for me. As far as talking to an elder goes, you need to be forewarned. If you approach them with questions their antennae will go up. Suddenly you will be considered highly suspicious. If you persist in asking them questions that question their beliefs you will be deemed an apostate just for asking questions. It's a Catch22. You can't reason with them because they are on automatic based on heavy indoctrination.
@@robertaltergott3341 I sent you one other communication that magically disappeared but it suddenly occurred to me as to why you want an Elder from my area to contact you. You're from corporate aren't you? Wanting to find out who I am. I'm usually quicker on the draw than that:-)
I remember as a young witmess lookjng up obituaries as part of the ministry. You would send a heartfrlt message anx a tract about what happens when a loved one dies, or about the coming paradise earth. .
I appreciate the ex jw thoughts . I went thru df'ing, lost everything. Ect. I have much compassion and love for both of you having gone thru what we have. Aside from that, i do take issue with the things you said regarding US politics. I was firmly neutral for years after leaving the jw's. Eventually, i had 3 daughters and 2 'heart daughters' who were black that lived with us off and on. Their experiences opened my eyes to the racism that many minority americans experience every day, and by extensionn how political ideologies and the laws that birth them, allso negatively impacts them. I began educating myself politically. Btw, The "left" is an umbrella term that covers a LOT of political ideas. I am a progressive. There are lots of things i find problematic on the left. Theres still a LOT of work to be done. But in what way have they fundamentally and horribly altered womens lives more than the right outright banning abortion. Or want someone in power (again) that literally wants to jail his politcal opponents, rescind d the law allowing " mixed race" marriages, gay maRriage, make porn illigal. Among a million other things. I got about half way thru the episode. I cant listen anymore. Hearing the misguided retoric about "marxism" on the left made me sad. It feels like you escaped one cult only to stumble, unknowi gly, into another one: the political far right. Yuck.
The attraction to becoming a jw is usually (In my personal experience) They look for people who are lonely or going through a rough patch who also have an inclination to knowing more about God, but for whatever reason have not studied the scriptures. This happens to a lot of Catholics as they are generally not as well versed in the scriptures, as say , a baptist. They have these witnesses come to their door offering all the answers and then from this position of ignorance about biblical teaching, they start the process of teaching bible falsehoods which are euphoric in nature promising to live forever in the garden of eden for eternity without any sickness or death. Heaven is taken off the table, but they make earth sound so amazing that you prefer to be on earth anyway! The indoctrination starts pretty quickly and they make themselves an angel of light giving revelation in things like using Jehovah’s name, that Jesus did not die on a cross etc so all of a sudden they become an authority on bible truths and I guess the last piece of the puzzle is the love bombing! It’s real and you believe this is a special group of people who show love blah, blah, blah… That how they get you in imo. Starts with being poorly trained in bible theology.
The reason people join any religion is the same thing …trauma.that could be absolutely anything it’s a part of being a human and the experiences that make us who we are . It also makes us venerable to being manipulated by people that promise use some way out of it !
As Catholics, we never got taught the Bible. JWs did but it was a warped interpretation to fit JW doctrine. So the fact that we would learn the Bible, attracted us. We didn’t know their history or mistranslations of scriptures.
Only old old school Catholics didnt. Its rare to find Catholics that dont now. But in a Catholic country, it was expected everyone learned in school in relihion class since 95% of the country was Catholic.
Same here.. grew up catholic. Never “read” the bible myself just school and church on Sundays. This is what lead me to be interested in JW’s when it was presented by an ex girlfriend (who was a disfellowshipped jw) and a friend who was also disfellowshipped both in their formative years outside the organization but needed to go back so they could have a relationship with their parents again. One do to illness the other due to pregnancy. I was intrigued by these “meetings” and reading the Bible (well not really more like reading verses to support beliefs) that I agreed to join but man it all felt strange. Glad I stuck with my senses and didn’t cave to the cult mind think. It is strong.
You can divorce, you just cannot remarry without one or other spouses being labelled adulterous perhaps by simply remarrying. Personnally I would never marry again after being married to a Jehovah's witness. For those that would like to remarry, then do so and give Jehovah's witnesses the middle finger, get on with your life, you have nothing to lose , the only power they have is the power you give them. Be grateful you got out, and be grateful for all the things you can now experience, including freedom.
I LOVE angry feminists, and thanks to them I have the right to write this comment🔥. Thanks for sharing your story Jezebel, such an important testimony that needs to be heard 🍀
Which church are preaching the gospel of the kingdom around the world to all nations as Jesus Christ said? Matthew 10:16, 24:14, 28:19-20, Mark 13:10, if not only only only the Jehovah's witnesses.
How do you feel about new rule of no longer using the word “disfellowshipped” and now using “removed” and allowed to have short conversations with the “removed” ones as long as you are encouraging them to come back to organization?
Jezebel ppl that have been raised in a lie don't understand the pain we go through for integrity and honesty and truth. Exactly doing the right thing exposes the lies.
Jeeze my mother called me an apostate when i was 10 years old! All i did was show her my school science book. It was the part about evolution in the book that pushed her over the edge. At the time i didn't even know what an apostate was. But i did know it wasn't good.
Enjoyed your interview, Jezebel! I could listen to you speak for hours. And definitely subscribing to this channel. That one part where you guys were talking about celebrating one's death instead of birth, that's from a scripture often read at JW funerals. The idea is that, a baby just born has no history or record with God. But on the day of a person's death, if they have a good name with God, its more than they had on the day they were born. And yes, crazy JWs absolutely write letters to the families of ppl who recently died. It's part of the cult taking advantage a person's vulnerable state. Some pioneers visit graveyards on Memorial Day....that was never my cup of tea! Let ppl grieve in peace.
The Tower, is apparently slowly but surely... falling. It's become a "Real Estate" tower anyway. 🤔 A great number of elders with eyes to see with even a remnant of critical thinking ability, are exponentially leaving what they now know for sure. Too many lies to go on hypnotising themselves into be-LIE-ving the lie. Only then, can they all be set free from the h-eart. ❤️🔥🌞💯
To whom it may concern reading and deleting my comment, let it be a seed that ends up growing into your very own peace, joy and freedom. Also hope you fall in love. ❤️🌞💯 Enjoy!
Reason being?! Most on eart-h today, truly are in a cult. They only are controlled to swallow, hook line and sinker, that they are free. As far as the CELL phone. The bars? Although incredibly and powerfully real, are simply invisible!
1:10:57 yes it is true. Not all but many did in fact do this, especially since writing letters counted as “time” preaching and was just another way for witnesses, especially pioneers, to reach their time quota for the month. Letter writing, which included writing to people who lost loved ones, was also very popular for some jw’s during the recent pandemic
1:10:00 - yep same here, only my mom wasn't a JW, only my dad was an Elder. She went to KH like few times in span of decades however she did everything according to a JW ''protocol'' + other mental stuff like this.
My sister was a Jehovah's witness and her husband was just fellowship because as a blind man she took care of him really well. Although he was a JW he needed to care that she gave him and did not understand why they were going to let her die during the middle of a surgery back in 1970. Since he didn't understand the doctrine fully and he signed a consent form for them to give her the blood that she desperately needed. The doctors honored his wishes that they were opposed to excepting Blood. Her condition worst worsend . Out of fear and love for his wife he accepted and signed a consent form to let them give her blood, when the elders found out he was disfellowshipped. No one in a congregation knew about this. It's shifted their life and to a tailspin that needed one was ready for and his wife was dis fellowship also. He wanted to come back to the organization but they were living in rural Florida so an elder would stop by and pick him up and bring him to the meetings until he found out that this blind man a good man God fearing man was disfellowshipped and the good elder which was the only one that could help told him that he was not going to pick him up since he was disfellowshiped. Yes imagine that!
• Matthew 24:36 (NIV): “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” How JW’s keep preaching end of the world with that quote in their scriptures is beyond me😂
A lot of people have commented during other ex JW discussions that they too were woken up because of the doctrine change . I would love to ask those elders this question: How do you think a person should respond to being told not to question their faith if their Catholic, one of the Moonies or any other Religion? Should those people not question? Would you call woman who belong to other religions Jezebel for questioning those faiths? There are other faiths who also teach their members shouldn't question.
Good discussion, as a exjw, I'm here to tell you that they do search the obituary, to preach to, my wife has when she was associated with the organization.
36:09 It’s usually the promise of living forever on paradise earth as perfect humans and that their loved ones will be resurrected to live forever on earth as well.
What I recall, during the 80s, both in public talks and in literature, the promised dates that were never fulfilled were times the Jehova used to test our faith and only the most faithful stayed, while the least left. They likened it to "una sacudida"-- a type of shaking that one does with a pillow to shake off the dust.
So in other words Jehovah lied and was deceitful in order to test whether people were gullible enough to accept lying when at the same time being instructed that lying is wrong. A god not to be trusted 😭
@22:46 is when she first mentioned shunning. Jw currency. Maybe she took long to mention it because she has suppressed it. It hurts to much to mention.
Me too, Jezabel! Lost it all but I WAS ds’fd. If I knew better, I too, would’ve sued the crap out of the Org. I almost died. Good for you for fighting!
Thank you so much for such a personal and articulate explanation of how a cult operates. I have had a similar experience, but in a different religious cult. Jezebel, I have to admit that it is hard for me to use your name because it has such a negative image in the bible.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT SALVATION (eternal life with God) is a FREE GIFT. We need to make JESUS OUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR. we are saved by Grace and not by works lest any man should boast. I am a true follower of Christ because i didn’t grow up with religion or spirituality but almost died at 25 years old due to IV drug use and prostitution. I do believe that God is real and that my life was spared because I almost died due to a brain aneurysm. I really believe Jesus is here to save the lost. This has nothing to do with religion but is all Spirit led.
Thank you for such an informative discussion. 🎉 Jezabel mentioned all the end-time Armageddon dates. A few in 1800s, 1914, 1915, 1925 and 1975. Next year will be 50 years JWs have failed to give us an end date. 😢 I am wondering if it's a loss of face or maybe too risky to lose congregants (like '75)? 😮
"You can convince anyone of anything if you just push it at them all the time. Especially if they have no other ideas to draw opinions from. They may not believe it 100% but You're GONNA draw opinions from it"-- Charles Manson during the Tate/ LaBianca murder trial.
I also grew up in this religion. I know that I also came from an extremely dysfunctional family, even before they became JW, and instead of getting professional help, therapy etc they turned to the free option; a new religion. I think the thing that you were struggling to find an answer to, of why her parents were drawn to the religion, I think you missed the love-bombing aspect that happens when people first get in contact with JW's. Like she said, they target the weak. They find connection with people who see corruption in the world. They're somewhat good at debunking other religions, and know all about the pagan roots of different religious and cultural practices, and mistrust the government etc, and then replace it with their ridiculous worldview. They go after lonely people, grieving people, dysfunctional families, single mothers, and offer them rides, bible studies, bring them food, pretend to be their friend, to get them to come to meetings or have studies, act very caring, and the funny thing is that it is genuine, in some way, but the moment the worldly person doesn't want to pursue studying or downplay the religious aspect of the "friendship", then they ghost you. And the reasoning is a type of tough-love aspect, on their part, it is very sick.
1:00:29 That is exactly what I started seeing during the Covid thing too. The fear the propaganda. I wish the rest of the people could see it too. We recognize its cult like control because we were in a cult. I also helped by researching cults. I do live my like with gratitude now too.
Growing up JW was very traumatic! Constantly being told that I would die in Armageddon, I even had a circuit oversear tell me that I was clearly mentally disabled because I couldn't answer a question. I left as soon as I turned 18, I'm now 48 and my parents are still JW's, I wish I could open their eyes that this is a cult!
Wow. This is surreal to listen to. I grew up in the JWs but got out as soon as I turned 18. That was over 20 years ago and hearing all of their craziness again after all this time is slightly traumatic 😂😂
I was raised in it, went to college, and came back in my early 30's. It didn't take long for me to struggle with depression. I always wondered why being a JW is such misery. We now know because they are frauds.
I tell Jehovah's Witnesses to go through the narrow gate that is on the cramped road leading to life.
.
Matthew 7:13-14
“Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road ** LEADING OFF INTO LIFE ** and few are the ones finding it.
.
I ask them to read what Jehovah said would happen at the time of the end that is in every Christians bible and yet, few are the ones finding it:
.
Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU men who are trembling at his word: “YOUR brothers that are hating YOU, that are excluding YOU by reason of my name, said, ‘May Jehovah be glorified!’ He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.”
.
[Name of person] is no longer one of JEHOVAH's Witnesses ---->> "excluding YOU by reason of MY NAME"
.
I ask them if they can see Jehovah's promise to disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses:
.
"He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part"!
.
I then warn them that, if they go through this narrow gate they will lose their family as a consequence of the Watchtower Societies shunning policies.
.
Then I ask them to read what Jesus Christ said about everlasting life:
.
Mark 10:29-30
Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news 30 who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things ** EVERLASTING LIFE **
.
I then ask them if they want to live forever.
.
I also tell them that they can leave the organization and their congregation with dignity by telling everybody that they believe Jehovah, Jesus Christ and everything else in the bible.
.
Walk out with your head held high and jump for joy when you do.
.
What Jehovah said would happen, is now really happening!
.
That's Good News ................... right!
.
Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS.
.
Same story left around 18 that was 24 years ago and this lady explains it better than most you hear on her.
Gotcha, I'm in the exact same boat, left when I was 18. I'm still suffering from that trauma to this day and I'm 35 now.
Same with me! We all went through the exact same b.s. !
As an ex Jw, it took me many years after leaving to find myself. To truly know what I like, who I am, find my style. The control, judgement, guilt and fears we experience in the JW cult follows us out, it isn’t easy to let go of the mental cage, even when you are physically free.
Thankyou for your courage to speak out and remind us that it is okay to just be yourself x
Spot on. My sister and I are in our 40s, both out over 20 years. We have no clue we are. We both know we're just layers of masks for whomever or whatever we're dealing with at the time. I buried myself in work, which is as much of me as I'm probably ever going to get.
I had similar experiences takes time,but before you know it you find your way. 21 years free. Amd being myself
@Sosimples650 hi I'm at the stage now where I'm like a deer caught in headlights! I don't know where to go. All these thoughts going round my head !that's the worst part , when you leave , it's not the leaving , but is it the residue that has stuck to you , I feel angry betrayed hurt all these wild thoughts! You can't leave , and walk away free. It like the so ng hotel California! This mess is with you for a long time
@rodneymasondunn you're not wrong about Hotel California. And, I'm finding it is legitimately a grieving process. Now, when I left, I didn't have the internet, and the internet was still in its infancy, so I don't know what was available 25 years ago. Please respond to me. I'm going to do some research into the exJW communities to see if there's forums for the newly awaked, and I'll get back to you here. It is going to be rough transitioning to the real world, and you're going to need "elder" types to guide you out. Some go wild and abuse substances, get into bad situations, or physically harm themselves. I'm not going to lie, on your own, it could take over 10 years to adjust. If I can't find something, I'll start something, and let you know.
My ex was a JW that got tossed out for smoking cigs… meanwhile his then father in law was caught 🍇ing his step daughter (8 yrs total)- the JWs not only protected him but put him in a position of power that allowed him access to other young children.
There’s a website called silent lambs with so many stories of the atrocities of that cult.
Yep!! They do that!! It's all political.
This is so true
Of course they did - they are scum
Does two witnesses as a title present possibility that prophecy is being fulfilled ?
Many unjust tragic things in human history that took place , but these
Tragedies know no end.
Unless..the king Christ steps in .
Crowned..coronation around 1914 .
Corona virus apparently, Spanish flu.
Rev 19:17,18 does not have to be after Armageddon, does it ?
Sons of destruction, the man of lawlessness, MUST be revealed before the end comes.
Almighty God sees much more of mans inhumanity to man than we do..should we not focus a bit on how he feels ?
At Rev 19:15 we see no words of compassion ..but talk of crushing grapes..
We could as humans be involved in those things being crushed..families for example..couldn't we ?
Temporarily, the tears we cry from pain of loss we suffer will be replaced by tears of joy. overwhelmingly
Millions will expect justice for the first time ever..as the resurrection will make possible the welcoming and reuniting of billions.
Rev 11:6b means detrimentally affected lives are part of the things which God told Jesus, must take place.
(Rev 1:1-3)
Long term everlasting results may be hard for us to really believe..because of life as it is now.
Rev 11:18 is on its way to being fulfilled.
Job 38:22,23.
Having been disfellowshipped twice l don't need to be told of the damage and challenges it's caused ..
Some will have died..suicide.. almost was my experience too.
Life though is from the life giver.
YHWH.
He s looking for selfless people.
They will populate the new earth.
Meek ones as Jesus said.
What we see now.. is happening as foretold..rev 16:8-11
Ezek 38:20-22
Rev 16:13,14.
The third temple of rev 11, does not apostatize.
Strange things the GB are and have been doing , are in fulfillment of the instructions.
It's prophecy, yes..but ..also instructions to Gods people.
Look how they brought themselves into line ..by celebration of their last Xmas, see rev 11:10( exchanging of gifts , something you can research ..its not Roman in origin ,its Persian..to do with Mithras)
You asked what the attractive part is. It's the utopia but to boil it down to one thing it's the doctrine of never dying. The two things that were most hard to deal with is accepting death and learning how to be with people who don't think exactly the same as I do. JWs are like The Borg, in that they have a hive mind that controls them, no disagreement allowed. It's peaceful. It's has a hypnotic affect. But accepting death is the hardest after being told your whole life that you would never die. I thought I had lost something. It took years for me to understand I didn't lose anything, that I was always going to die. I just didn't know it. I hadn't lost anything. I had gained consciousness.
Yeah, stay a Jehovah witness in good standing and you will live forever on a paradise earth. They drill that into kids. And I do mean drill. If you ever entertain the thought of leaving the cult, you are doomed. So when you do leave, you think about dying, rotting, the birds and worms eating your body. Pretty traumatic for a little kid to consider. Jehovah witnesses hammer that into their children almost every day. Do you know what I like about Jehovah witnesses? Absolutely nothing!!
John 3:16 you don t die. Perish is not dying.
I had an elder tell me and daughter that she would not graduate high school either in 2015 because the new system would be here! He was supposed to be one of the anointed! Such crap!!
So most of them are unschooled ? What a joke.no wonder they say that the Lord Jesus Christ is not nailed on the Cross instead on the torture stick. Ignorance of the Scriptures make look foolish.
I absolutely love this conversation ! Having been born into the JDub religion under a very oppressive and abusive Elder dad, I was ‘that kid’ that got beat down when ever my dad flew into a ‘righteous’ rage, sometimes even in public.
What woke me up was that reinvention of the “This Generation” teaching and then discovering all the mind blowing things that Watchtower has swept under the carpet of time. For example: I live just a few minutes from Beth-Sarim, the mansion that was supposed to be headquarters for the resurrected prophets. I’ve lived here my whole life and never knew about it until recently. A Watchtower falsehood hidden in plain sight !
Absolutely INSANE !!
I got the name wrong in the video- BETH SARIM!!! That's it! Wow. That 1995 WT on 1914 Gen is what did it for me too. No apology, nothing. Just (as you wrote) swept under the carpet.
The Governing Body refuses to apologize for things they got wrong, they say. They admitted they are uninspired and make mistakes yet feel no need to apologize. In my opinion, it is because so many people have died from false doctrines. An apology would be an admission of guilt. And they have many deaths and family separations on their hands. Theses are crimes that people could easily and rightfully go after.
@@christinesotelo7655
There would be NO benefit from even a sincere apology, much less a hypocritical one, from the wt hierarchy…
Try apologizing to a precious article that you’ve destroyed and see if that repairs the damage…
Just saying.
Yep, my elders were abusive too.
What attracts people to the Jehovah’s Witnesses will differ from person to person:
1. Hell: Some people do not accept that hell reflect a loving God.
2. Plate collection: JWs makes their followers believe that churches are milking the laity and JW do not, when they do it too but cleverly.
3. “Knowledge” of the Bible: because JWs are thought how to read the Bible and know where verses they want to use are, especially when you are semi-illiterate. This makes JWs think the know the Bible better.
4. Status: Some people think that JW are the most honest people in the world and are clean and law abiding, when that is not entirely true.
5. Resurrection: JWs speak more about resurrection than people going to heaven, the utopian of seeing your loved one back to life and be with you forever in the environment you know, earth, sounds amazing.
6. Sense of belonging for people who are abused and isolated, they find JWs so welcoming and loving.
7. Some discover it that it is a safe haven for sexual preditors and abusers and stay to remain protected by the policies of the JW of not reporting such matters about your brother to the police, following the two-witness rule(Deut:19:15 and Deut: 17:1).
Myself I was indoctrinated as toodler so I felt like everything in the JW was the truth, so I liked everything about it.
JW made me go deep inside myself. I hated door-to-door work because it wasn’t in my personality to be a salesperson. I never found a therapist who understood the religion so they just “didn’t get it”. Yes, I have great friends and speak out NOW, and am grateful, but no, JW never gave me confidence. They were cruel people.
JWs are cruel people? Do you really know what you are talking about?
Even in pain there is a positive, no matter how small it is.
I used to feel the way you do about not have benefitted any positive thing in the JW, because of so many negetives, but as soon as I did an introspect I noticed what I did get out of it.
This does not mean people should be JWs to get it and or it is worth suffering in the JW to gain that positive. That is not what I mean.
It might not be a door to door, for me it was public speaking/debating arguing skills that I got though I was defending the undefendable , but I learned that skill and was later improved by learning critical thinking skills and a bit of logic.
Remember that we were not allowed to participate in sports or debates at school, and if we were aloowed to participate, I think for me, sports would have been a better choice than to debates.
It was horrible to come to think of it, because we were coerce as children to participate in the Ministry School, that 5 minutes of giving a talk as a 6yr old was like an hour.
@35:30 when you say "it's not natural" that is so true. I was born into it, and when I got to my 30s I began dealing with a lot of internal questions. Looking back, I spent a good 10 years fighting with cognitive dissonance. I managed to get out in my 40s.
Same.
It has been a very hard 9 years, to figure out who I am.
There was no exodus in the change of the 1914 doctrine like it happened in 1975, however, there were a lot of people who left because of that. Agreed, the internet access has helped people leave quicker and with information.
Sort of telling my story, My parents became JWs when I was 7. That was in the late 1940s. I have seen so many "truths" come and go. After suffering a mini breakdown, I tried my best - really tried. Just couldn't go on. So I lost all my life long friends. I feel the anger and frustration here. It is shared by many.Because of my trauma I cannot affiliate with any religion. I find it suffocating.. Moving past the pain, guilt and fear takes a life time.
@jeanettekays1954 hi Jeanette thank you for yr thoughts, it's the same old story eh? Runs to a pattern ! Jw,s don't want people who think for themselves ph no! They wreck you ! I've got nothing more to give anybody , being a jw for so long was now, in hindsight, one huge battle and struggle !it was hard ! None of jw s that I have met over the years, are truly happy, their all struggling to be something they are not , it's all false, you tried, I bet I can beat that! No one tried so hard as me ! It was like a big soggy blanket hanging over you, with elders ( spiritual police) breathing down yr neck , they were disgusting !one big guilt trip , emotional blackmail
Thanks Yasmin and Jezebel! Fascinating convo!
Hi, I as woke JW too, Your (Yasmine’s) voices helped me to wake up fully. Your courage is so amazing. It truly helped me to be free from mind control. And thanks for sharing EXJW’s experience from Jezebel.
Broken promises by broken people 😢
No Sorry needed 😢 We will overcome...But NOT silent anymore !! No more walking on eggshells...Freedom !
❤
I am an xjw and there are so many things that resonate with mine. I also found my freedom through education and Academia and tried to reach out to former JW's (it gets lonely when no one understands and you have lost everything so I thought that would be a community I could resonate with) who were as she says miserable. So I turned away and instead now I write for a Danish newspaper about oppressed women in various societies and religions. Thank you for shining a light on all these women. I love your work and I loved your book and I highly respect everything you do.
@@desireeohrbeck2282 I’m looking for ex JWs but it’s like others hide! Found one online, neurologist scientist but he started anti-Zionist / pro Palestine (Hamas really) so I think he jumped from one cult to another 😔 . I’d be happy to connect in email if anyone is interested
This is exactly why they discourage Higher Education, it makes it easier for the organization to take full control of people's lives with no consequences for the immense damages they are causing especially to children.
Education saved me
Now you have a positive activity. There are many of us out in the 'world' looking for meaning.
Are you still a Christian or have you become a gnostic ?
@@sherelljasper8837 The sad irony is - now education is getting dumbed down and full of ideological nonsense.
My JW husband turned me in also, for disagreeing with the No Blood Doctrine. I was ds’fd and shunned and lost everything and everyone. I hear you. 😢
You didn't lose anything, you gained freedom
I'm a man and can relate to this lady's experience 100%. Looking back its hard to say how much is family's fault, and how much religion is at fault. It feeds into one another and boundaries are overlaping. It seems like religion provides a belief based framework but then abuse mostly comes down from parents and its not just the abuse they dish out, they are nurturing mental illness (based of off belief system narrative) and this really sinks in because its combined with emotional manipulation and neglect - and Watch Tower is supplying all the material to enable the abuse - they don't care about how their tools are used - or they may say one thing publicly (which they are trained to do), but their own culture silently dictates abuse.
I'm out for a decade and I still can't function properly. I struggle to put things into the right perspective and lately keep getting spammed thoughts in my mind - like a PTSD - but its PTSD about everything a normal person simply shroughs off. Its horrible, but i guess at least I'm not borred during the day... , but I cannot function. Can't work and relate to people at all - even over internet. I may sound strange but I mostly avoid human interaction, there's just noone I can relate too.
Please know that what you feel is normal and that you are NOT ALONE. It took years for me to feel comfortable with "worldly people." Time has a way of healing and mellowing the jagged edges. Be patient and be kind to yourself, and most ofall, enjoy your freedom. You can now dedicate your time/mental focus on topics that truly interest you.
Thank you both for your courageous statements.
And it is true that JWs visit those who have lost people in death; because they used to do that in the previous congregation I was involved in. Thankfully, I woke up and left that death cult. ❤
Thank you for having ex jws on! Im an ex jw and i studied islam sooo much because the similarities between the two is SCARY
@@RIPHezzyNoBollahs I think you do not really know what you are talking about?
@@Hallel-o-jah okay, enlighten me.
I was easily converted into Islam when I lived in Egypt 21 years because of growing up as a Jehovah's Witnesses. Man is head, our feminine voices are stifled, we as women are taken not so seriously, our clothing is dictated by others. There were many similarities.
Yes, there are many, many similarities. There are similarities between all religions, especially in the way they control and mistreat women. Religions are all created by men, FOR MEN.
@@Hallel-o-jahNo, she is absolutely correct. Islam just copies the worst parts of the Bible, copying the teachings of Judaism and Christianity.
57 year old male, ex JW. Never equated the religion with Marxism. It definitely fits the profile and narrative. I’m constantly working on self improvement, and historical education. Your conversation was very enlightening. Much respect for you both.
Yes. They do scour the obituaries to find vulnerable people. I remember that.
Predatory
This is the best decision I have listened that touched me and have explained what I have been going through. Thank you
Oh I relate to your guest thoroughly. I’m 75 now. SOMEHOW I survived 1975 too and that thing your parents did: smashing Catholic statues, etc...my husband did. No more Catholic memorabilia because “demons could work through those items”. My engagement ring was a tiny Diamond in a silver CROSS setting. Because the Cross is evil to JWs, my JW husband took it out to the garage and smashed it with a hammer. Totally understand and relate to you! ❤
It's a crazy cult
Really crazy!
@@jimbobaggans1564 yep
@@christinesotelo7655 crazy mind controlling cult
Everything u have said is true and unbiased. Happy to hear such factual report of the religion and exactly my experiences as well in a different part of the country.
The Internet has made possible a movement..a community.
Think.
Would the God of eternity not know this would happen in time ?
The worldwide preaching , the man ruining the earth..
Did he not use prophets.. ?
How would they describe the phenomenon of social media..
Ezekiel refers to Gogs final attack..
Something l always found Scary..he talks of clouds ..clouds covering the land..
Hmm intangible..untouchable..virtual..its there.. but its not ..
I'm writing..but you can't touch the paper..
Was that Gogs final attack , you say ?
Gog..who s he ?
Gog of Magog ..
Magog is Russia.on old maps according to old maps...
Lol.
I left because of the lies they told, I was brought up not to tell lies but that applies to adults also, and especially religion.
What lies? Can you be specific or you are just trying to pretend to be once one of JWs?
@@Hallel-o-jahShame on you for this response. You know the lies yourself. Don’t play stupid, the light is shining on your organization and we are all on to your games. Thank you Jesus.
JW’s write letters to grieving families that lost someone. Yes they would look it obituaries. I did it myself!
There is nothing wrong with that except in your head
If it is done with the intention of wishing to be there for others vs. pushing an agenda. Sorry to hear the many things we had we had to endure.
Thanks to the pandemic I found my freedom from this false religion! I have plenty of time to really investigate, thank you both ❤❤
So sorry for your. If Jehovah’s Witnesses is a false religion for you, you cannot find any true religion anymore.
May Jehovah continue to bless and guide you with enlightenment about Him and His faithful worshipers.
As a pimo, the pandemic changed me from being a blinded socialite person in the cult who really don't know who I'm actually being "friends" with to a full-on introvert after realizing that none of them are "true friends" at all when they just use me for their pleasures and expectations
@@Hallel-o-jahthey are taken over by free masons thsts why. The gb wear the rings
Yasmine, answering the door saying "We worship Satan in this house" had me laughing. If the J.W.s had said, "We will pray for you!". Could you imagine the horror on their faces? If you replied, "We WILL pray for you!!!" 😂
Very interesting connection between the timing of the Marxism movement & the big 3 cults. Thankfully, many of us who have never been in cults were aware of the tactics used in 2020 😉
Charles russell got much from *SDA s , Joseph Smith came before I think.
* seventh day adventists...a woman, can t think of her name.
Jezebel, you are so strong! It was a traumatizing time but you overcame. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Attitude of gratitude is the best way to heal the damage.
Got to go through that painful grief process though too. Each step is vital. Attitude of Gratitude too in its season. It will come. But you’ve gotta face that grief because you lose a lot if you’re ds’fd and shunned or if you’ve lost a loved one to the No Blood Doctrine. CSA has to be faced and brought to Court, even being slandered and marked as an Apostate should be fought legally. Otherwise, this stuff is buried deep inside and never gets brought up and can cause terrible physical maladies.
I’d say though, be grateful you can feel those feelings one by one and purge them through Recovering Arts: Writing it out, painting, sketching, music, dance, counseling, legal means. We do turn out stronger so there is much to be grateful for, particularly freedom.
Gratitude works so fast it's really good
I am grateful I got out that religion and I am so glad I no longer have to study, prepare and go to meetings. But, my formative years were lost, my identity lost, what purpose lost, it was never about who I am. When I left I became a disposable diaper. How can I be grateful not having my mom in my life? My family broken. My Pomi brother who still has brainwashing ideology but doesn't want to be physically in. I wish gratitude could magically help me with religious trauma. Being a disposable person has had me wanting to taking my own life many times. I don't matter. How can gratitude help with isolation?
@@pearle333 Please try to think of happier things . I was also suicidal and even attempted it, but life is a precious gift from God. He loves you and wants you to enjoy your life. Do things you enjoy and start building some happy experiences for yourself. Make new friends and don't look back.
Thank you for talking about this
I pray you have found the real Jesus, not the false Jesus of this dreadful cult,
Another incredible and inspiring conversation. Thank you so much ❤
This comment is meant for "Jezebel" 😉
I so profoundly identified with everything you said that I'm actually feeling trauma over again. But weirdly, it's mixed with elation! How messed up am I?!?? Lmao You and I were both born in 1970, became witnesses at the same age, moved out at 18, came back months later and tried to become exemplary witnesses all at the same time. Our stories go differently after that tho. I got df'd at 22, married a worldly man and had a baby by 24. Then I felt such guilt that I was sentencing my baby to death that I returned to the cult at 26. And I just never fit in and eventually faded a few years later. The fact that you also see the cult like mentality of politics also, blew my mind. I'm so glad I'm not the only one on this train of thought and I'm ever so glad I heard your story. We are "sisters of trauma" and I'm grateful that you're here on this earth. ❤
Thank you so much for this comment, and for sharing your story. We had similar childhoods, and I married a JW at age 22. I didn't know the term "faded" but it makes sense. I'm so happy that you finally found freedom. All the best to you. xo
Great respect for you both ❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
This is unbelievable. I have been writing emails to some Ex JW's about a class action lawsuits about Emotional Distress these past couple of weeks. You can sue for emotional distress if evidence proves that the party whom you are suing was negligent or intentionally harmed you. The law in Canada deems an emotional distress claim as serious as a physical injury due to how debilitating this can be for the victim. I am certain that the laws in the US and other countries are the same. I will get in touch with you Yasmine and Jezebel by email to encourage you to continue to reach out to all others who have been harmed emotionally and psychologically by this cult. I am certain that we can find lawyers who will undertake this class action. We may just open the way for potential international class action lawsuits.
I tell Jehovah's Witnesses to go through the narrow gate that is on the cramped road leading to life.
.
Matthew 7:13-14
“Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road ** LEADING OFF INTO LIFE ** and few are the ones finding it.
.
I ask them to read what Jehovah said would happen at the time of the end that is in every Christians bible and yet, few are the ones finding it:
.
Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of Jehovah, YOU men who are trembling at his word: “YOUR brothers that are hating YOU, that are excluding YOU by reason of my name, said, ‘May Jehovah be glorified!’ He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame.”
.
[Name of person] is no longer one of JEHOVAH's Witnesses ---->> "excluding YOU by reason of MY NAME"
.
I ask them if they can see Jehovah's promise to disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses:
.
"He must also appear with rejoicing on YOUR part"!
.
I then warn them that, if they go through this narrow gate they will lose their family as a consequence of the Watchtower Societies shunning policies.
.
Then I ask them to read what Jesus Christ said about everlasting life:
.
Mark 10:29-30
Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news 30 who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things ** EVERLASTING LIFE **
.
I then ask them if they want to live forever.
.
I also tell them that they can leave the organization and their congregation with dignity by telling everybody that they believe Jehovah, Jesus Christ and everything else in the bible.
.
Walk out with your head held high and jump for joy when you do.
.
What Jehovah said would happen, is now really happening!
.
That's Good News ................... right!
.
Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS.
.
Well we know they have your real estate!!! Kh s taboot.
@@isaiah30v8no " cramped: in it. Narrow but not cramped. Kjv only.
Excellent discussion! I thoroughly enjoyed! I got out of JW after born in after 40 years. My dad just woke up at 86 years old, was baptized in 1970.
13:23 he came “in spirit” as far as I remember, it’s important to say as accurately as possible so ppl who’ve left aren’t seen as “they didn’t understand well the teachings”
Yes. We were taught that Jesus returned invisibly! 🤣 How convenient. But 1st it was emphatically taught that He returned in 1878 but then got changed to 1914.
@@ShoNuffSoulBro1 1914 is a false apostate teaching.
I was baptized for about 7 years after a decade of association. I read all of their books but could never make gains, I was never good enough and could not marry whom I chose, they all married someone with better statistics . After many a lifetime of being single a sister got close to me, we crossed a line we both needed to cross but didn't take it all the way. We were both disfellowshipped, she got back in and I was called unclean and never let back in. Years passed and I studied everything we were told not to study. They never admit when they are wrong, they never own up to it, they never apologize and they never make amends until they are sued in court. The whole practice of domination is abhorrent but they practice their version of authoritarianism to dominate others and get money and power. THe hypocrisy is thick and I have not seen a religion that doesn't do the same things to control others and never apologize . There was one exception of a religious leader who apologized to a nation for past faults and that was Pope John Paul the second. I never heard a bad thing about the man. KNowledge is the antidote to fear, oppression and fear mongering, gaslighting and many many other things. My personal mottos are "A bad truth is better than a good lie" and "Never let yourself be defeated by an inanimate object". It was nice hearing your story Miss Bell.
Excellent interview! 2020 woke a lot of us up. Thank you.
I deeply relate to Jezebel. Can you share a link to find her. Thankx! This was amazing and helped me sort out my JW experience.
In the first few minutes of the interview you explained and proved the BITE model, exactly!
Thanks to you both for your video, from a born in JW cult survivor of more than forty years 💪
I can identify with 1977, when two JW came to the door, giving "free booklet", but then asked for a "donation". They kept coming and we moved to Sydney and I agreed to a so called "bible study" (I read the bible, and just needed someone to explain it more clearly. I am Roman Catholic and had a great Catholic traditional priest who answered my questions in the bible. JW lady could not answer any of my questions. I told her I will never convert to JW, she promptly told me I will be thrown into the fire, as will my son, aged 2 at the time. By the grace of God, I am so glad I read the bible and to this day I am so thankful to Fr Takacs for taking my family under his wing and explain scripture. He has passed away over 40 years ago, but I am still thankful to him to this day. Today, I attend a vibrant Catholic parish with regular bible studies throughout the year, where we can ask questions without judgement, can disagree, without judgement. You are correct about the JW hating the Catholic church, and JW woman could not understand how I could be a Catholic. I told her I could not accept their teaching that Jesus was "Michael the Archangel" come down as Jesus and then went back to being in heaven Michael again.
Read book of Rome it's traditions and practices compared to the Word of God. Edward g Mccarthy. He s reformed catholic. You ll learn much. Linus firsf Bishop, came 350 yrs after apostle period.
I worked at a high tech company years ago and every day was misery. I couldn't understand why because I enjoy my work. I ended up getting fired (walked to the door) and I was shocked how it happened. I yelled at the director so there is that, they were all fired within a year. Years later after watching video's like this, I realized the company was a mini cult. The same cult tactics if you went off script. It was so creepy and it was because I automatically pushed back on cult behavior without realizing it. So please recognize this behavior and work to free yourself from it.
Your comments makes no sense whatsoever. English is obviously not your first language.
@@daniellotriet6490 Sorry I didn't meet your high standards
@@daniellotriet6490 I can understand the comments.
I too was raised a JW, and I'm only 7 minutes into this, but so far her experience does not reflect mine at all. My mother was 6 months pregnant with me when my parents started to study the Bible with JWs. While it's not always easy to be a JW child based on things such as holidays, etc. I didn't find it to be the "nightmare" she is portraying it to be. At the time I was convinced it was "the truth" and I found the organization to be a loving and sincere community of people. I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, a beautiful home, and lots of family vacations. The religion did not give me "terrors" I found it to be fascinating, and at that time it made perfect sense to me. It was only when I started to research the organizations history, failed predictions, and some of their doctrines that I "woke up" but at the same time I discovered that all religions are flawed and that none of them are teaching the complete truth. This is when I came to the realization that I'm a believer in spite of religion, not because of it.
The most devastating part of being a JW for me was waking up to the fact that it wasn't the truth, that part really hurt. Obviously they do teach truth but some truth isn't the whole truth.
Your a believer? Online commenting on an apostate video? Are you currently shunning anyone? Is it possible that they have been removed for persistently viewing apostate information on the internet? Would it be possible to get a brother from your hall to contact me here? I have a couple of questions for an
Elder. Thanks
@@robertaltergott3341 Hi, I'm not sure that I understand what you are asking? I don't attend meetings anymore. I'm what you call a "fader." I'm not DF'ed, but I'm also not in contact with anyone from the local KH where I live because I faded before I moved here. I left the organization but I'm still a believer. What is your situation? Are you just waking up? Still a JW? Unsure what to do? When I first woke up I was completely distraught. I felt like my entire world was crashing in on me. It was very traumatic. Beroean Pickets channel helped me the most. It was like a life raft. At this point in time, I stay on my own. I do my own research and read the Bible. I do still believe in a lot of what the organization teaches. I'm still hoping that God will intervene. I'm still hoping to live on a paradise earth. I believe that Jesus is our One mediator. The Bible teaches this but the GB says they are our mediators which the Bible does not teach. This is one of several reasons why I walked away. I would be happy to list all of the reasons as to I left if you are interested. I'm also happy to answer other questions if you have any. If you just woke up and feel at a loss Beroean Pickets might help you, but I didn't join the group for a couple of reasons, asking for donations was one of them, but Eric, an ex-elder, is very Biblically knowledgeable and brilliant of mind. He uses a lot of logic and he's a believer.
@@robertaltergott3341 No, I don't shun people. As far as viewing "apostate" material goes, the truth has nothing to fear. If the organization is teaching the truth there isn't an apostate person on the planet that could sway someone away from it. The truth is the truth. On the other hand, if one is told not to do research and not to look at things to find out what the real truth is, there is a problem with that. It stems from fear. So what are they afraid of? If they have the truth they shouldn't care that we know why people left. That knowledge could help us combat "apostates" and overcome objections and show them why they are wrong.
The reason the organization is so afraid is because once a person analyzes the history of the Org,, and is aware of failed predictions, flip -flops when it comes to "old and new light." Doctrinal changes. Their 10 year affiliation with the "wild beast" by joining the UN as an NGO member, the 607-1914 doctrine that doesn't hold up. (This was a big one for me because it was the core doctrine of the religion) When all of this is taken into consideration the cards start tumbling down, at least it did for me. As far as talking to an elder goes, you need to be forewarned. If you approach them with questions their antennae will go up. Suddenly you will be considered highly suspicious. If you persist in asking them questions that question their beliefs you will be deemed an apostate just for asking questions. It's a Catch22. You can't reason with them because they are on automatic based on heavy indoctrination.
@@robertaltergott3341 I sent you one other communication that magically disappeared but it suddenly occurred to me as to why you want an Elder from my area to contact you. You're from corporate aren't you? Wanting to find out who I am. I'm usually quicker on the draw than that:-)
I remember as a young witmess lookjng up obituaries as part of the ministry. You would send a heartfrlt message anx a tract about what happens when a loved one dies, or about the coming paradise earth. .
24:25 that book opened my eyes.
I appreciate the ex jw thoughts . I went thru df'ing, lost everything. Ect. I have much compassion and love for both of you having gone thru what we have.
Aside from that, i do take issue with the things you said regarding US politics. I was firmly neutral for years after leaving the jw's. Eventually, i had 3 daughters and 2 'heart daughters' who were black that lived with us off and on. Their experiences opened my eyes to the racism that many minority americans experience every day, and by extensionn how political ideologies and the laws that birth them, allso negatively impacts them. I began educating myself politically. Btw, The "left" is an umbrella term that covers a LOT of political ideas. I am a progressive. There are lots of things i find problematic on the left. Theres still a LOT of work to be done. But in what way have they fundamentally and horribly altered womens lives more than the right outright banning abortion. Or want someone in power (again) that literally wants to jail his politcal opponents, rescind d the law allowing " mixed race" marriages, gay maRriage, make porn illigal. Among a million other things.
I got about half way thru the episode. I cant listen anymore. Hearing the misguided retoric about "marxism" on the left made me sad. It feels like you escaped one cult only to stumble, unknowi gly, into another one: the political far right. Yuck.
While I was watching this, part of my dream last night came back to me...I was explaining the 2 witness rule to someone.. very strange.
Right! The greatest gift as a survivor is the ability to notice the manipulation from miles away!
The attraction to becoming a jw is usually (In my personal experience)
They look for people who are lonely or going through a rough patch who also have an inclination to knowing more about God, but for whatever reason have not studied the scriptures. This happens to a lot of Catholics as they are generally not as well versed in the scriptures, as say ,
a baptist. They have these witnesses come to their door offering all the answers and then from this position of ignorance about biblical teaching, they start the process of teaching bible falsehoods which are euphoric in nature promising to live forever in the garden of eden for eternity without any sickness or death.
Heaven is taken off the table, but they make earth sound so amazing that you prefer to be on earth anyway!
The indoctrination starts pretty quickly and they make themselves an angel of light giving revelation in things like using Jehovah’s name, that Jesus did not die on a cross etc so all of a sudden they become an authority on bible truths and I guess the last piece of the puzzle is the love bombing! It’s real and you believe this is a special group of people who show love blah, blah, blah…
That how they get you in imo. Starts with being poorly trained in bible theology.
The reason people join any religion is the same thing …trauma.that could be absolutely anything it’s a part of being a human and the experiences that make us who we are . It also makes us venerable to being manipulated by people that promise use some way out of it !
💯
As Catholics, we never got taught the Bible. JWs did but it was a warped interpretation to fit JW doctrine. So the fact that we would learn the Bible, attracted us. We didn’t know their history or mistranslations of scriptures.
Only old old school Catholics didnt. Its rare to find Catholics that dont now. But in a Catholic country, it was expected everyone learned in school in relihion class since 95% of the country was Catholic.
Same here.. grew up catholic. Never “read” the bible myself just school and church on Sundays. This is what lead me to be interested in JW’s when it was presented by an ex girlfriend (who was a disfellowshipped jw) and a friend who was also disfellowshipped both in their formative years outside the organization but needed to go back so they could have a relationship with their parents again. One do to illness the other due to pregnancy. I was intrigued by these “meetings” and reading the Bible (well not really more like reading verses to support beliefs) that I agreed to join but man it all felt strange. Glad I stuck with my senses and didn’t cave to the cult mind think. It is strong.
exactly! That is the attraction that is why there's such a large percentage of ex Catholics in the org.
This is such a valuable interview! Thank you
You can divorce, you just cannot remarry without one or other spouses being labelled adulterous perhaps by simply remarrying. Personnally I would never marry again after being married to a Jehovah's witness.
For those that would like to remarry, then do so and give Jehovah's witnesses the middle finger, get on with your life, you have nothing to lose , the only power they have is the power you give them.
Be grateful you got out, and be grateful for all the things you can now experience, including freedom.
Hi Jezebel nice to meet you ♥️
I LOVE angry feminists, and thanks to them I have the right to write this comment🔥. Thanks for sharing your story Jezebel, such an important testimony that needs to be heard 🍀
Which church are preaching the gospel of the kingdom around the world to all nations as Jesus Christ said? Matthew 10:16, 24:14, 28:19-20, Mark 13:10, if not only only only the Jehovah's witnesses.
You love someone who hates you? Stop being a simp
@@wingerj6507 But your ignore my simple question 😭
@@vusimngomezulu2500 Are u jw? You can t be here. Your leaders will punish u lolol
@@wingerj6507 Meaning all of you can't answer my simple questions 🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣
How do you feel about new rule of no longer using the word “disfellowshipped” and now using “removed” and allowed to have short conversations with the “removed” ones as long as you are encouraging them to come back to organization?
Wow. I feel happy that I got out of that cult. I feel sorry for those who are still in it.
It is identity crisis time right now for JW religion.. they are changing a ton, thanks to people like jezebel speaking the truth!
Jezebel ppl that have been raised in a lie don't understand the pain we go through for integrity and honesty and truth.
Exactly doing the right thing exposes the lies.
OMG, your life is so much like what i went through in the jehovah witness cult. From a little kid to my late teens.
Great informational video. Thank you for sharing your story with us viewers. Thank you for this platform.
Jeeze my mother called me an apostate when i was 10 years old! All i did was show her my school science book. It was the part about evolution in the book that pushed her over the edge. At the time i didn't even know what an apostate was. But i did know it wasn't good.
Enjoyed your interview, Jezebel! I could listen to you speak for hours. And definitely subscribing to this channel. That one part where you guys were talking about celebrating one's death instead of birth, that's from a scripture often read at JW funerals. The idea is that, a baby just born has no history or record with God. But on the day of a person's death, if they have a good name with God, its more than they had on the day they were born. And yes, crazy JWs absolutely write letters to the families of ppl who recently died. It's part of the cult taking advantage a person's vulnerable state. Some pioneers visit graveyards on Memorial Day....that was never my cup of tea! Let ppl grieve in peace.
Thank you for that explanation. Never heard that before (never went to a JW funeral).
Refreshing to hear another free thinker that left.
The Tower, is apparently slowly but surely... falling.
It's become a "Real Estate" tower anyway. 🤔 A great number of elders with eyes to see with even a remnant of critical thinking ability, are exponentially leaving what they now know for sure.
Too many lies to go on hypnotising themselves into be-LIE-ving the lie.
Only then, can they all be set free from the h-eart.
❤️🔥🌞💯
To whom it may concern reading and deleting my comment, let it be a seed that ends up growing into your very own peace, joy and freedom.
Also hope you fall in love. ❤️🌞💯
Enjoy!
Reason being?! Most on eart-h today, truly are in a cult.
They only are controlled to swallow, hook line and sinker, that they are free.
As far as the CELL phone.
The bars? Although incredibly and powerfully real, are simply invisible!
Why! thank you for posting 2.
What about the first one too?!
Think about it! Sweet freedom brings such inner peace! Truly unsurpassible💯🔥❤️
1:10:57 yes it is true. Not all but many did in fact do this, especially since writing letters counted as “time” preaching and was just another way for witnesses, especially pioneers, to reach their time quota for the month. Letter writing, which included writing to people who lost loved ones, was also very popular for some jw’s during the recent pandemic
1:10:00 - yep same here, only my mom wasn't a JW, only my dad was an Elder. She went to KH like few times in span of decades however she did everything according to a JW ''protocol'' + other mental stuff like this.
My sister was a Jehovah's witness and her husband was just fellowship because as a blind man she took care of him really well. Although he was a JW he needed to care that she gave him and did not understand why they were going to let her die during the middle of a surgery back in 1970. Since he didn't understand the doctrine fully and he signed a consent form for them to give her the blood that she desperately needed. The doctors honored his wishes that they were opposed to excepting Blood. Her condition worst worsend . Out of fear and love for his wife he accepted and signed a consent form to let them give her blood, when the elders found out he was disfellowshipped. No one in a congregation knew about this. It's shifted their life and to a tailspin that needed one was ready for and his wife was dis fellowship also. He wanted to come back to the organization but they were living in rural Florida so an elder would stop by and pick him up and bring him to the meetings until he found out that this blind man a good man God fearing man was disfellowshipped and the good elder which was the only one that could help told him that he was not going to pick him up since he was disfellowshiped. Yes imagine that!
• Matthew 24:36 (NIV): “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
How JW’s keep preaching end of the world with that quote in their scriptures is beyond me😂
😂 True that 🙋♂️
@@r.m5883 Have you even looked for it in your own Bible? You might be surprised yourself.
A lot of people have commented during other ex JW discussions that they too were woken up because of the doctrine change .
I would love to ask those elders this question: How do you think a person should respond to being told not to question their faith if their Catholic, one of the Moonies or any other Religion? Should those people not question? Would you call woman who belong to other religions Jezebel for questioning those faiths? There are other faiths who also teach
their members shouldn't question.
Good discussion, as a exjw, I'm here to tell you that they do search the obituary, to preach to, my wife has when she was associated with the organization.
I concur and was a victim of EVERYTHING she stated.
Only difference....I was born in and ran @ 32 y/o
36:09 It’s usually the promise of living forever on paradise earth as perfect humans and that their loved ones will be resurrected to live forever on earth as well.
@@astridmiller7938did I see if what was true?
Jezebel, i went through the bitterness and angry stage too. Also, i can smell a cult a mile away too.
What I recall, during the 80s, both in public talks and in literature, the promised dates that were never fulfilled were times the Jehova used to test our faith and only the most faithful stayed, while the least left. They likened it to "una sacudida"-- a type of shaking that one does with a pillow to shake off the dust.
So in other words Jehovah lied and was deceitful in order to test whether people were gullible enough to accept lying when at the same time being instructed that lying is wrong. A god not to be trusted 😭
That sounds right.. let’s think about it, they don’t really want anymore than 144k over that they have to start making up doctrines.
OMG!, I truly understand the statement, " religion is a snare and I racket "
@22:46 is when she first mentioned shunning. Jw currency.
Maybe she took long to mention it because she has suppressed it. It hurts to much to mention.
Me too, Jezabel! Lost it all but I WAS ds’fd. If I knew better, I too, would’ve sued the crap out of the Org. I almost died. Good for you for fighting!
36:00 close, community and support from the community. It’s a big attraction to this kind of religious organization
Thank you so much for such a personal and articulate explanation of how a cult operates. I have had a similar experience, but in a different religious cult. Jezebel, I have to admit that it is hard for me to use your name because it has such a negative image in the bible.
There is no wasted time in eternity , , which is the goal of those who love life ♥️ 😊 Your suffering was for reason that others would not have to .
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT SALVATION (eternal life with God) is a FREE GIFT. We need to make JESUS OUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR. we are saved by Grace and not by works lest any man should boast. I am a true follower of Christ because i didn’t grow up with religion or spirituality but almost died at 25 years old due to IV drug use and prostitution. I do believe that God is real and that my life was spared because I almost died due to a brain aneurysm. I really believe Jesus is here to save the lost. This has nothing to do with religion but is all Spirit led.
Thank you for such an informative discussion. 🎉 Jezabel mentioned all the end-time Armageddon dates. A few in 1800s, 1914, 1915, 1925 and 1975. Next year will be 50 years JWs have failed to give us an end date. 😢
I am wondering if it's a loss of face or maybe too risky to lose congregants (like '75)? 😮
GREAT VIDEO...I'M SOOO PROUD OF HER BEING COURAGEOUS! I loooved the fact that she told those lowlife ELDERS "NONE IF THEIR BUSINESS"!!
The Archaix channel is a tremendous resource for truth seeking, deep history lovers.
"You can convince anyone of anything if you just push it at them all the time. Especially if they have no other ideas to draw opinions from. They may not believe it 100% but You're GONNA draw opinions from it"-- Charles Manson during the Tate/ LaBianca murder trial.
Excellent video.🎉
Yes .....subjective judgement is destroying the cult .....STOP JUDGING AND YOU WILL NOT BE JUDGED ....it's just that simple 🎉🎉🎉
I also grew up in this religion. I know that I also came from an extremely dysfunctional family, even before they became JW, and instead of getting professional help, therapy etc they turned to the free option; a new religion. I think the thing that you were struggling to find an answer to, of why her parents were drawn to the religion, I think you missed the love-bombing aspect that happens when people first get in contact with JW's.
Like she said, they target the weak. They find connection with people who see corruption in the world. They're somewhat good at debunking other religions, and know all about the pagan roots of different religious and cultural practices, and mistrust the government etc, and then replace it with their ridiculous worldview. They go after lonely people, grieving people, dysfunctional families, single mothers,
and offer them rides, bible studies, bring them food, pretend to be their friend, to get them to come to meetings or have studies, act very caring, and the funny thing is that it is genuine, in some way, but the moment the worldly person doesn't want to pursue studying or downplay the religious aspect of the "friendship", then they ghost you. And the reasoning is a type of tough-love aspect, on their part, it is very sick.
Do you think a cult is defined by their doctrine more or by how the organization treats its members, with the indoctrination, isolation, etc?
Thank you for this interview!!
Yes, they go through the obituaries. It's a thing, there's been families on the news in my country complaining about it.
Didn’t know that either, I never hear that while in that organization
Great interview!
Thanks Lord for your salvation
Thanks Lord for your peace
Thanks Lord I'm Christian Baptist
Thanks Lord for bible study class
1:00:29 That is exactly what I started seeing during the Covid thing too. The fear the propaganda. I wish the rest of the people could see it too. We recognize its cult like control because we were in a cult.
I also helped by researching cults. I do live my like with gratitude now too.
Thank you for this! Very interesting.
Wow, going from Catholic to JW that's a huge 😳 transition.
I am an ex JW too so I totally get why that was a traumatic experience for you.
I appreciated this show so much.
XJdumb here.
Growing up JW was very traumatic! Constantly being told that I would die in Armageddon, I even had a circuit oversear tell me that I was clearly mentally disabled because I couldn't answer a question. I left as soon as I turned 18, I'm now 48 and my parents are still JW's, I wish I could open their eyes that this is a cult!
I am a ex jw