When I was 17 I had an empty, approximately, 10 L ice cream container...so I raided the local market after Hallowe'en for a load of discount candy. I filled the bucket and told everyone I went trick or treating for it. I was promptly disfellowshipped for apostasy. That was 18 years ago. It was hard and still is at time. I have a 18 month old son that has never met his grandmother. And my 3 year old did get a couple of visits that stopped when he was around 1 year old. Because "I made the decision to take him from Nanny's life"...since I told her not to hide Watchtower and Awake in the diaper pack she would drop off. All in all I am happy. I have a beautiful Inuit wife and I am mainly French so we have made beautiful children. I studied self defence after I was shunned and now changes people's lives everyday at my Dojo. Cheers Lloyd you are fanatstic! Im sad to say I just found you! Have been watching for 3 days straight on down time
LOL...Looking at their dismal publishing numbers...I wouldn't be surprised if the Disfellowshipped were REQUIRED to "Man Da Literature Carts" in order to earn extra points to get re-instated.
Yes...Maybe if the Brother Ralph Walls actually sat in Brother Gary Breaux lap .. to EXACTLY demonstrate what is appropriate GB approved man-lap-sitting postures and procedures. Then we'd all better understand moving forward.
Bob Evers I had an elder turn up the other day at my door equipped with a UV light and foresnsic kit. He said he wanted to help me with my laundry. I thought it seemed weird.
Thank you so much for all your hard work....was devastated when I left but your videos have helped me so much and helped me to finally break free...it's so nice just to be "normal" . Thankyou thankyou thankyou
Allen Lymilt and why is this bothering you? What is it to you? His videos make a difference in people’s lives and if he’s able to support himself while he’s helping others that’s wonderful. I’m sure you agree it’s everyone’s dream to do what we like and get paid for it.
I respectfully disagree with you. He is entitled to his opinion just like you and I are entitled to ours. His videos don’t make me atheist I’m a Christian still believing in God. I don’t look to him for spiritual guidance, I look to him for dissection and reveal of erroneous teachings of JW beliefs. I will never, ever again blindly follow anyone. I’ve learnt my lesson by trusting men in the JW religion. Peace to you ✌🏻
Allen - I never have to pay Lloyd... I'm watching his video for free. Of course you have to pay if you buy a book. And how do you know if he gets paid by newspapers/interviews? And even if he gets paid, what is your problem? Are you by any chance a JW cult member?
Thank you for using my comment in this episode. I am so honored. I have been contemplating so much if I should start my own Channel or Podcast. This has encouraged me quite a bit unbelievably so. Lloyd I wouldn't mind doing an interview with you if you would be inclined to have me on your channel some day. I'm ready!
PotofClay ! Go for it! You sound fantastic - I thought you were related to reporter Evelyn Holmes of ABC7 News Chicago at first glance! I'm born & raised Chitown too - northside, came in at 20 y.o. to the Farwell Hall. What side of Chitown did you live? You may know someone who moved to Houston around the same time you did from my Chicago KH. Her name is Kim. She does art and owns a SweetRide treat & ice cream van down there. Successful entrepreneur. I was a news junkie in Chicago - 2, 5, 7, WGN-9 and Fox 32 with Robin Robinson & Walter Jacobson. Ron Magers just retired a couple years ago from ABC7 News. Best of Success to you and I've woken up too in 2017! Dave in Wisconsin via Chicago
PotofClay ! Do you have a head covering? If so we can make that happen 😂😂😂 thanks so much for your contribution, and we look forward to hearing more from you. And yes, please make your channel, and hopefully we'll be able to communicate further. If you can write a blog or post your story, we'd really love to hear it.
John Redwood lol head covering...I think I have a scarf in my field service bag! I am working on some things. I'll be sure to reach out. Keep up the good work in all you do!
PotofClay I can't wait to hear your interview with John Cedars. That interview or your podcast. I live for hearing people's awakening stories. Mine started with a genuine discomfort about sharing informal witnessing field service time ...
I shared the pillowgate review video you made on my fb and THE NEXT DAY my JW family barraged me with texts and emails defending WT and calling me an apostate. Mind you, I have all but one family member blocked (guess I need to fix that) and they didn't even watch the videos! I've been out for about 7 years and have had pretty limited contact with my family because I am "living in sin" (in my committed relationship of over 6 years). My mom was molested by her elder grandfather her entire life up until age 18 with her family knowing full-well and protecting him; even bringing her around him knowing what he was. Her own mother told her "Old men are just like that" when my mom told her what was going on, and told her to keep her mouth shut. Her whole family was full of child molesters and even rape/incest. All of her other sisters were also molested/abused... She wrote to the GB about the abuse years later, because her Dad was an elder there and some others involved were prominent members of the congregation also. Her sisters even wrote letters too and the organization did nothing. They said the matter was out of their hands. I guess my mom forgot about that though because she vehemently defends the organization that allowed her molester to be in a position over powerless women and children. For them to be violently protecting this religion is just beyond me. They love this religion more than they love me, themselves, their families, or anything else that actually matters. It's so sad. I almost feel like they are invested so deeply that even if there are red flags, they can't accept that they might be wasting their lives and supporting something that is in fact, evil.
Back in the 70's when I was a JW, I had to give a service demonstration about oral sex being 'wrong' even between husband and wife. I had to use my MOTHER as the householder and I had done these things my self with my own husband. I ended up being disfellowshipped after this came to light and I had to have meetings,MULTIPLE, with all men who wanted all the blow by blow so to speak and repeated and repeated. My husband was not a JW so I hadno support and as the oldest of 10 children had my whole family at the time shun me.
Whoever leaked these videos did such an amazing thing! I think these videos being available for the regular JW to see I think will cause so many to leave. Those that were contemplating AND those that maybe even weren't but this awakens them.
A young friend went to Bethel in 2003. I will call him Mike. Our congregation was a bit more liberal. We had a send off party for him. A year later he arrived back home. At Bethel he experienced hyperactivity and depression. He became disoriented at times. He was never sent to a doctor or psychologist. He was asked to leave Bethel. This is their MO whenever a "lowly" bethelite becomes ill. Mike said he felt like a failure. He went on to tell me it was not the family-friendly loving place he believed it to be. Rules were rigid. He said drinking was common and that brothers were very stressed out. He said he knew a number of closeted gay brothers. One of his friends in our congregation was a "closeted" gay but we all knew this since he was a child. Even the elders conceded he was born that way. He was a "faithful" witness who silently lived with depression. He survived 2 suicide attempts. He ultimately left the organization and happily married to a very good man. Fortunately his JW family has not shunned him. Again, our congregation was a bit more liberal. The elders let him leave without harassing him. What happened to his friend Mike years earlier haunted these elders. Mike did not recover from his "failure as a bethelite". He was later diagnosed to be bipolar. But having been raised in " the truth" he felt let down by the lack of love by those who run the organization. He said they were treated like royalty. He did not believe Bethel was Jehovah's house or the truth. He left the organization having disassociated himself. His elder father did not shun him. He lived two houses away from me. Mike lived with his father but we all kept it quiet. His JW grandmother also remained close to him. Two elders asked me if Mike visited his father. I replied they needed to stay out of it. I reminded them what a loving giving elder his father was to everyone in the kh and that he always gave talks at the last minute when no one else volunteered. In our kh people often cancelled their talks at the last minute. In fact Mike's father was often exhausted due to full-time employment and working as an elder. I reminded the elders that Mike was bipolar and to leave his relationship with his father between them. They agreed. Mike found employment, got his own apartment and eventually became involved with a nice woman. They had a child together. But over time his depression worsened. He told me he saw things at Bethel that were "screwed up". He said having grown up in "the truth" and to learn it wasn't was hard for him because all his friends abandoned him over a fake religion. I was still a JW but had my own doubts. My own son also nearly lost his life due to the blood prohibition. But I was still PIMI. Mike repeated that he had been put on a pedestal before he left for Bethel but was since treated like dead because the congregation believed in a bunch of screwed up men. I knew something bad had occurred at Bethel but he wouldn't share it with me. Mike's grandmother raised his father as a witness since birth but she privately had doubts for years. We also felt increasingly concerned about Mike. She was much loved and sisters including myself helped her as her health declined through the years. She lived on my street so we talked almost daily. Mike's depression continued to worsen. Prior to going to Bethel he always seemed happy. He had many JW friends and he loved to paint. Since leaving Bethel he was sad. Ultimately his relationship ended with his girlfriend. She still loved him but said he was depressed and started drinking. He refused to see a doctor. A week later Mike's grandmother called to tell me Mike committed suicide in front of his friends. He was drinking and began shouting things about God before leaping from a balcony. I said Bethel had killed him. Something awful happened to him and he couldn't recover. She agreed. Of course his father was so devastated two of the elders who were his close friends, secretly followed him out of concern for his safety. He often went to the movies. Yet he also continued his work as an elder while also self-employed as a janitor. He is 80 now. He is always smiling but I know he is sad and lonely. His mother passed away nine years ago. He remains an elder in spite of his own doubts. He and his son were gifted artists who could have enjoyed happy successful lives. Yet they did live relatively happy lives in the organization likely due to the fact that our congregation was close and not hyper conservative. Bethel changed everything! It killed Mike but we will never know the details. Lloyd, I have been sharing the facts with JWs about breast milk containing massive amounts of white blood cells. I have been anonymously texting this fact to witnesses from a burner phone using a link from medical sites. There is no debate. Breast milk contains blood cells. This indisputable fact has more JWs willing to examine other things about WT. I would like to see you using it more often. Perhaps your father could see it. With elders enforcing the blood ban they need to learn about this medical biological fact: Infants ingest their mother's white blood cells. It does not require reading an apostate website to learn it. My heart goes out to JWs. Young Bethelites are very vulnerable, as are children. Thank you, Mark, and the other guests for the amazing video. It struck a major cord in me. I still grieve for Mike and his father. I no longer live in the area but will text links to Mike's father. He has two other non-witness children. Perhaps it's not too late to wake him up. Apologies for my lengthy comments. Have a good week.
They’ve absolutely lost their minds. And I am loving every minute of it. Thanks for your hard work exposing the craziness for those of us who care because our lives were scarred by the insanity; it needs to be over already!
Cameron is spot on. Gary Brow is entirely comfortable with this kind of material and reminds me of the Bethel elders we had in our hall. Gross. And it is all about controlling members and making them dependent on the org.
Matthew Datcher you might find it humorous that one of our contributors and documentary team members has written for JW Survey under the name James Sequoia 😀
I was thinking about why these men in charge need people to confess to them and why they need to hear details of adults sex lives. If they say that people need to keep their thoughts clean and pure, their thoughts must be the opposite if they're listening to these confessions. Are they enjoying hearing these confessions? And if so, isn't this a form of sexual abuse (control/forcing people to talk about sex etc) ? If this went on in the work place they'd be sued or maybe even in jail.
Personally I’ve always thought that certain elderlies would totally get off on these sort of judicial meetings. I know personally of a couple of them and one turned out to be a pedo who was sent to another congregation. Sick eh
Obviously they are enjoying these confessions. That's what religious leaders are like, they point the finger at us worldly people who might be kinky but interested in how to engage in it safely and responsibly, while they are disgusting perverts with no morals. And then they have the nerve to claim the moral high ground. They should just drop dead, they are a waste of skin.
When I was in my teens I had a good friend from the KH I used to hang around almost exclusively. At one point my very mentally ill JW mother said our “excessive” association would likely lead to us becoming homosexuals. If I tell this story people have said and will say, “oh you can’t blame the organization for her wrong thinking” but thanks to Gary Breaux coming out and showing his mindset that he feels two men hanging together or showering together could succumb to becoming homosexuals and even more so with the addition of alcohol. He has shown that yes, right from the very top of WT this flawed mindset trickles down and infects the minds of their followers. So thank you Mr Breaux for showing that you and your peers truly ARE to blame for my mother’s absurd thinking. Funny thing is when I told my friend what she said he went to his mother and shared it which earned my mother a good old fashioned ass chewing! It made me feel so good when she got put in her place!
I agree. We are working on making sure we get more female contributors to the show. My wife will be appearing soon, she just hasn't been on yet due to scheduling issues
John Redwood I’m looking forward to it. Having a my mother and sister still in makes me more conscious of trying to understand what it would be like for them even though they are PIMI.
Fantastic John. Not sure why anyone with any decency and common sense would tick the thumbs down? Surely these trolls should be spanked for even watching this right? The borg and it’s cult control is just so damaging, so hurtful but unfortunately sometimes the sheeple just accept this rubbish. I feel sorry for them all
Lloyd your a balanced and bright analyst and thank you having the courage and love needed to help others. Likewise a thank you to your guests and those behind the scene that risk much to help many.
40:20 That Laugh of Covert in combination with the question made me piss my pants. Hilarious!!!! All off you did great during this discussion. Keep up the good work. And hopefully they will make another mistake like this, so we can laugh again.
ah ha ha ha checking pillows with a black light. I read where some are saying in answer that if the GB doesn't have two witnesses it didn't happen. ha ha ha
Im still having a hard time. I dont want to see my brother he was really horrible to me.. and is horrible to my mother that i now can see now that i felt the truth... i live maybe 45 mins from where my dad brother horribly mentally abusive grandmother (that brought my family into the truth) brother aunt uncle and grandfather.. Mixed emotions.. dont want to see them, gives me anxiety and i really feel free now.. on the other hand.. i feel horrible for it,
There shouldn't even be a shepherd book. It's entirely unscriptural. All the persons who were judged in the bible were judged by the law and had full access to the law. Moses didn't have a special judging book, King Solomon didn't have special book, neither did the Pharisees, Sadducees, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, the Judges in the book of judges, the 1st century governing body/elders, or anyone else. So why is there an elder book?
Thanks Again, for your wonderful videos. Please read my very lengthy post sent moments ago. This video was very moving. It also relates to a personal tragedy involving A dear friend and former bethelite. He would be 41 now. He ended his life at 26. I have NO doubt his experience at Bethel led to his suicide.💔
There are two things I have observed about your discussion on this RUclips video. One, these 2 movies produced by Watchtower would be considered "sexual harassment". Especially if anyone in the audience felt uncomfortable with the topic of masturbation. This has no place in the work environment. Second, the way the Watchtower leadership tries to get people to confess their "self-abuse" habit is called self-incrimination. This actually is illegal and goes against the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment protects United States citizens from self-incrimination. This is why individuals should seek legal consultation on such illegal behavior. This leadership feels that their rights are more important than yours.
They shut down everything that could potentially open up your mind. The sexual energy is one of the highest spiritual experience we can have as humans and it connects you the creator
What business do elders have telling anyone what they can do in private??? This reminds me of the Catholic church policy of confession to a priest. In my opinion your sin (if it is sin) is between you and God and noone else. The Bible says "call no man Father" God is your Father not the elders. OUTRAGEOUS policies!
I attended a congregation with bethelites. We had Walkill and Patterson Bethelites as part of my congregation. We had tons of Bethel elders. Honestly, the information given in pillowgate, I've heard much of this information already. When I was in the indoctrination bubble I took it all in. When I was newly awakened I commented on the shortness of skirts being responsible for arousing men, I got hit hard on an exjw page for those comments. Now I see how thinking such things are wrong. I must say the only thing that was pretty shocking well there were few but the one thing especially that stood out to me was how they blamed the bethelite if he ejaculated in his sleep. Did you have a blanket or pillow between your knees? Oh my God! That was a little bizarre. A few other things they went into in detail were not things I've heard of before but being in a congregation with Bethel elders and a circuit with even more Bethel elders I've heard a lot of this in bits and pieces before.
My sister and I have always had a problem with the topics they talk about with kids there and actually make kids study that’s not age appropriate. I remember learning about Prn at the age of 8 or 9 and asking my grandma what that even was and still couldn’t understand what it was and why it was wrong
Watchtower tried to sue for deformation? Can apostates sue for deformation? Can people who were a subject of local needs sue for deformation? Can someone who gets disfellowshipped for criticising the GB sue for deformation?
Incredible, delusional, backwards, bizarre.....and so many other adjectives came to mind about the GB while listening to this enthralling podcast. Thanks all.
If God wrote a *book* to give his point of view of why you should serve him, why did he not allow Satan to write a *book* also? God gives his point of view but the Devil (I presume) wasn't allowed to tell us his story of why he rebelled. *SATAN: "My rebellion"* It would be a good read
May never know if the bible has done more good than harm. But the most widely influential book ever written... could the bible actually be the perfect brainchild from satan- the great deceiver? Wow! Wouldn't that be the ultimate deception? As for me now (from a cool song), "I think I'll just let the mystery be".
I dont even remember them railing on masturbation that much. It was not even considered a reason for dismissal that I remember. I once asked a bethel elder if masturbation would prevent a ministerial servant from giving a public talk and he said no. But he added that brothers should just keep it to themselves. It was probably just his opinion though. In fact twice I walked in on brothers masturbating in the bathroom, and my brother told me he masturbated at bethel. And of course I did too. Those sisters in the laundry had no idea what was in those socks they were handling.
I just wanted to point out because I just heard the part about bethel showers, that when my brother was baptized at the assembly he had to change clothes in front of all the other young guys getting baptized. When he was baptized and changed back into his dress clothes he was too scared and shy to completely undress so he kept his wet underwear on under suit pants. This is disgusting when I think of how young they are baptized now a kid getting naked in front of adults.
Lloyd, I wonder what the society would say about women using feminine hygiene products. Are maxi pads, tampons and douches to be banned now, because heaven forbid a woman might be aroused by these products?!
I’ve been trying all day to watch this but for some reason it never plays for me. I’ve totally shut everything (RUclips app, iPhone itself, etc) down and restarted to no avail. I’ve tried watching it via my home broadband internet connection (300MB/s download speed), via Verizon Wireless cell phone service, and via my doctor’s office WiFi. Nothing works. Weird.
My son is 15 years old and asked me, do these donkeys think I do not know what masturbation is? He laughed but at the same time was shocked, he made a logical conclusion, they talk about it because themselves masturbate
Lloyd, I have been enlightened by your videos, so much good content. Have you ever thought about putting out a video about the JW's teaching of "Theocratic War Strategy"? Understanding this philosophy might shed some light on some of the bizarre actions and teachings.
I've actually got Misha's book on my shelf - it was my "first contact", so to say, with the Witnesses, as pioneering wasn't really a Thing in my neighbourhood when I was growing up - still isn't, as far as I know. But yeah, 10/10, would recommend. I had no idea he was being sued, do you guys have any updates on that?
Hey Lloyd, have you heard of Bill Gothard? I am sure Chris Shelton may have mentioned him to you. This situation reminds me a lot of how Bill Gothard claims that women tempted him to abuse women at the IBLP school. so many similarities.
Wonder when the WT will have a video on the ladies wearing fancy panties and thongs. ha ha They can hold some up so they know what they are talking about. some of their subjects in talks at their Kingdom Halls are not appropiate for young children but they sit in the audience and hear them.
lindsay teague That was not applied in the context of masturbation, porneia, brazen conduct or the like of what was discussed. I know what you're referring to Scripturally and in the "Young People Ask" book it mentions the account with Onan "spilling his seed" however, again, TOTALLY MISAPPLIED by the Watchtower Society as they try and use THAT as justification of God executing people for masturbation. This is all a 2018 form of the George Orwellian concept "1984".
Watch how he licks his lips when talking about certain things, its very bizarre. But why can't you just pray about things, and not have to go to the elders its almost like going to confession in the Catholic Church.
I don’t think any of what those poor brothers go through at the bethel is funny ! It’s so sad what the elders put them through . I’m not laughing at all I feel so sorry for them and how humiliated they must feel after one of those entry talks . Just my opinion .
It is you tube but it's not MY you tube. Close out your you tube, google watchtower in focus , hit the videos button underneath the google search bar, select episode 9 and it should play.
When I was 17 I had an empty, approximately, 10 L ice cream container...so I raided the local market after Hallowe'en for a load of discount candy.
I filled the bucket and told everyone I went trick or treating for it.
I was promptly disfellowshipped for apostasy. That was 18 years ago. It was hard and still is at time. I have a 18 month old son that has never met his grandmother. And my 3 year old did get a couple of visits that stopped when he was around 1 year old. Because "I made the decision to take him from Nanny's life"...since I told her not to hide Watchtower and Awake in the diaper pack she would drop off.
All in all I am happy. I have a beautiful Inuit wife and I am mainly French so we have made beautiful children. I studied self defence after I was shunned and now changes people's lives everyday at my Dojo.
Cheers Lloyd you are fanatstic! Im sad to say I just found you! Have been watching for 3 days straight on down time
My bed pillow got Publically Reproved last Tuesday night and I had roving mic privaledges taken away....BUT WHEW....I can still go out in service.
LOL...Looking at their dismal publishing numbers...I wouldn't be surprised if the Disfellowshipped were REQUIRED to "Man Da Literature Carts" in order to earn extra points to get re-instated.
I wish they had demonstrations during the two men's talks.
Yes...Maybe if the Brother Ralph Walls actually sat in Brother Gary Breaux lap ..
to EXACTLY demonstrate what is appropriate GB approved man-lap-sitting postures and procedures. Then we'd all better understand moving forward.
Bob Evers I had an elder turn up the other day at my door equipped with a UV light and foresnsic kit. He said he wanted to help me with my laundry. I thought it seemed weird.
He must have been a Chinese elder? LOL
Thank you so much for all your hard work....was devastated when I left but your videos have helped me so much and helped me to finally break free...it's so nice just to be "normal" . Thankyou thankyou thankyou
Allen Lymilt and why is this bothering you? What is it to you? His videos make a difference in people’s lives and if he’s able to support himself while he’s helping others that’s wonderful. I’m sure you agree it’s everyone’s dream to do what we like and get paid for it.
Allen Lymilt - "green eyed monster called jealousy"
I respectfully disagree with you. He is entitled to his opinion just like you and I are entitled to ours. His videos don’t make me atheist I’m
a Christian still believing in God. I don’t look to him for spiritual guidance, I look to him for dissection and reveal of erroneous teachings of JW beliefs. I will never, ever again blindly follow anyone. I’ve learnt my lesson by trusting men in the JW religion. Peace to you ✌🏻
Whatever......I still appreciate all your help Lloyd!!
Allen - I never have to pay Lloyd... I'm watching his video for free. Of course you have to pay if you buy a book. And how do you know if he gets paid by newspapers/interviews? And even if he gets paid, what is your problem? Are you by any chance a JW cult member?
Thank you for using my comment in this episode. I am so honored. I have been contemplating so much if I should start my own Channel or Podcast. This has encouraged me quite a bit unbelievably so. Lloyd I wouldn't mind doing an interview with you if you would be inclined to have me on your channel some day. I'm ready!
PotofClay ! Go for it! You sound fantastic - I thought you were related to reporter Evelyn Holmes of ABC7 News Chicago at first glance! I'm born & raised Chitown too - northside, came in at 20 y.o. to the Farwell Hall.
What side of Chitown did you live?
You may know someone who moved to Houston around the same time you did from my Chicago KH. Her name is Kim. She does art and owns a SweetRide treat & ice cream van down there. Successful entrepreneur.
I was a news junkie in Chicago - 2, 5, 7, WGN-9 and Fox 32 with Robin Robinson & Walter Jacobson. Ron Magers just retired a couple years ago from ABC7 News.
Best of Success to you and I've woken up too in 2017!
Dave in Wisconsin via Chicago
Anna Hume Aww that made my night. I'm working on it. I have so much going on with four classes this semester and work...It's I'm the making for sure
PotofClay ! Do you have a head covering? If so we can make that happen 😂😂😂 thanks so much for your contribution, and we look forward to hearing more from you. And yes, please make your channel, and hopefully we'll be able to communicate further. If you can write a blog or post your story, we'd really love to hear it.
John Redwood lol head covering...I think I have a scarf in my field service bag! I am working on some things. I'll be sure to reach out. Keep up the good work in all you do!
PotofClay I can't wait to hear your interview with John Cedars. That interview or your podcast. I live for hearing people's awakening stories. Mine started with a genuine discomfort about sharing informal witnessing field service time ...
Yay! I’ve been binge watching all of your old videos while I clean. So happy every time you upload. Thanks for the hard work!
Same! I can never wait for new videos on this channel they are my favourite
I do the same. I find it therapeutic
I shared the pillowgate review video you made on my fb and THE NEXT DAY my JW family barraged me with texts and emails defending WT and calling me an apostate. Mind you, I have all but one family member blocked (guess I need to fix that) and they didn't even watch the videos!
I've been out for about 7 years and have had pretty limited contact with my family because I am "living in sin" (in my committed relationship of over 6 years).
My mom was molested by her elder grandfather her entire life up until age 18 with her family knowing full-well and protecting him; even bringing her around him knowing what he was. Her own mother told her "Old men are just like that" when my mom told her what was going on, and told her to keep her mouth shut. Her whole family was full of child molesters and even rape/incest. All of her other sisters were also molested/abused...
She wrote to the GB about the abuse years later, because her Dad was an elder there and some others involved were prominent members of the congregation also. Her sisters even wrote letters too and the organization did nothing. They said the matter was out of their hands.
I guess my mom forgot about that though because she vehemently defends the organization that allowed her molester to be in a position over powerless women and children.
For them to be violently protecting this religion is just beyond me.
They love this religion more than they love me, themselves, their families, or anything else that actually matters. It's so sad.
I almost feel like they are invested so deeply that even if there are red flags, they can't accept that they might be wasting their lives and supporting something that is in fact, evil.
Back in the 70's when I was a JW, I had to give a service demonstration about oral sex being 'wrong' even between husband and wife. I had to use my MOTHER as the householder and I had done these things my self with my own husband. I ended up being disfellowshipped after this came to light and I had to have meetings,MULTIPLE, with all men who wanted all the blow by blow so to speak and repeated and repeated. My husband was not a JW so I hadno support and as the oldest of 10 children had my whole family at the time shun me.
Apparently the housekeepers are getting frustrated with all the pillow stains
Whoever leaked these videos did such an amazing thing! I think these videos being available for the regular JW to see I think will cause so many to leave. Those that were contemplating AND those that maybe even weren't but this awakens them.
So nice to have input and perspective of an ex bethelite. Hopefully he can be a regular.
A young friend went to Bethel in 2003. I will call him Mike.
Our congregation was a bit more liberal. We had a send off party for him.
A year later he arrived back home. At Bethel he experienced hyperactivity and depression. He became disoriented at times. He was never sent to a doctor or psychologist. He was asked to leave Bethel. This is their MO whenever a "lowly" bethelite becomes ill.
Mike said he felt like a failure.
He went on to tell me it was not the family-friendly loving place he believed it to be. Rules were rigid. He said drinking was common and that brothers were very stressed out. He said he knew a number of closeted gay brothers. One of his friends in our congregation was a "closeted" gay but we all knew this since he was a child. Even the elders conceded he was born that way. He was a "faithful" witness who silently lived with depression. He survived 2 suicide attempts.
He ultimately left the organization and happily married to a very good man.
Fortunately his JW family has not shunned him. Again, our congregation was a bit more liberal. The elders let him leave without harassing him. What happened to his friend Mike years earlier haunted these elders.
Mike did not recover from his "failure as a bethelite". He was later diagnosed to be bipolar. But having been raised in " the truth" he felt let down by the lack of love by those who run the organization. He said they were treated like royalty. He did not believe Bethel was Jehovah's house or the truth.
He left the organization having disassociated himself.
His elder father did not shun him. He lived two houses away from me. Mike lived with his father but we all kept it quiet. His JW grandmother also remained close to him.
Two elders asked me if Mike visited his father. I replied they needed to stay out of it. I reminded them what a loving giving elder his father was to everyone in the kh and that he always gave talks at the last minute when no one else volunteered. In our kh people often cancelled their talks at the last minute.
In fact Mike's father was often exhausted due to full-time employment and working as an elder.
I reminded the elders that Mike was bipolar and to leave his relationship with his father between them. They agreed. Mike found employment, got his own apartment and eventually became involved with a nice woman. They had a child together.
But over time his depression worsened. He told me he saw things at Bethel that were "screwed up". He said having grown up in "the truth" and to learn it wasn't was hard for him because all his friends abandoned him over a fake religion.
I was still a JW but had my own doubts. My own son also nearly lost his life due to the blood prohibition. But I was still PIMI.
Mike repeated that he had been put on a pedestal before he left for Bethel but was since treated like dead because the congregation believed in a bunch of screwed up men. I knew something bad had occurred at Bethel but he wouldn't share it with me.
Mike's grandmother raised his father as a witness since birth but she privately had doubts for years. We also felt increasingly concerned about Mike. She was much loved and sisters including myself helped her as her health declined through the years. She lived on my street so we talked almost daily.
Mike's depression continued to worsen. Prior to going to Bethel he always seemed happy. He had many JW friends and he loved to paint. Since leaving Bethel he was sad. Ultimately his relationship ended with his girlfriend. She still loved him but said he was depressed and started drinking. He refused to see a doctor.
A week later Mike's grandmother called to tell me Mike committed suicide in front of his friends. He was drinking and began shouting things about God before leaping from a balcony.
I said Bethel had killed him. Something awful happened to him and he couldn't recover. She agreed. Of course his father was so devastated two of the elders who were his close friends, secretly followed him out of concern for his safety.
He often went to the movies. Yet he also continued his work as an elder while also self-employed as a janitor. He is 80 now. He is always smiling but I know he is sad and lonely. His mother passed away nine years ago. He remains an elder in spite of his own doubts.
He and his son were gifted artists who could have enjoyed happy successful lives.
Yet they did live relatively happy lives in the organization likely due to the fact that our congregation was close and not hyper conservative.
Bethel changed everything!
It killed Mike but we will never know the details.
Lloyd, I have been sharing the facts with JWs about breast milk containing massive amounts of white blood cells. I have been anonymously texting this fact to witnesses from a burner phone using a link from medical sites.
There is no debate. Breast milk contains blood cells. This indisputable fact has more JWs willing to examine other things about WT. I would like to see you using it more often. Perhaps your father could see it.
With elders enforcing the blood ban they need to learn about this medical biological fact: Infants ingest their mother's white blood cells. It does not require reading an apostate website to learn it.
My heart goes out to JWs. Young Bethelites are very vulnerable, as are children.
Thank you, Mark, and the other guests for the amazing video. It struck a major cord in me. I still grieve for Mike and his father. I no longer live in the area but will text links to Mike's father. He has two other non-witness children. Perhaps it's not too late to wake him up.
Apologies for my lengthy comments.
Have a good week.
They’ve absolutely lost their minds. And I am loving every minute of it. Thanks for your hard work exposing the craziness for those of us who care because our lives were scarred by the insanity; it needs to be over already!
Although WT is really making it easier for you lol 😉
Cameron is spot on. Gary Brow is entirely comfortable with this kind of material and reminds me of the Bethel elders we had in our hall. Gross. And it is all about controlling members and making them dependent on the org.
Cedar, Redwood, Pine. I'm noticing a pattern here.
Matthew Datcher Hardwood will be next up!
Maybe I should change my name to be Covert Hardwood...or does that sound too much like a porn actor?
Do it!! lol
Matthew Datcher you might find it humorous that one of our contributors and documentary team members has written for JW Survey under the name James Sequoia 😀
That's it! I'm changing my name to the native American/Scandinavian sounding Leif Hardwood
I was thinking about why these men in charge need people to confess to them and why they need to hear details of adults sex lives. If they say that people need to keep their thoughts clean and pure, their thoughts must be the opposite if they're listening to these confessions. Are they enjoying hearing these confessions? And if so, isn't this a form of sexual abuse (control/forcing people to talk about sex etc) ? If this went on in the work place they'd be sued or maybe even in jail.
Personally I’ve always thought that certain elderlies would totally get off on these sort of judicial meetings. I know personally of a couple of them and one turned out to be a pedo who was sent to another congregation. Sick eh
Obviously they are enjoying these confessions. That's what religious leaders are like, they point the finger at us worldly people who might be kinky but interested in how to engage in it safely and responsibly, while they are disgusting perverts with no morals. And then they have the nerve to claim the moral high ground. They should just drop dead, they are a waste of skin.
When I was in my teens I had a good friend from the KH I used to hang around almost exclusively. At one point my very mentally ill JW mother said our “excessive” association would likely lead to us becoming homosexuals. If I tell this story people have said and will say, “oh you can’t blame the organization for her wrong thinking” but thanks to Gary Breaux coming out and showing his mindset that he feels two men hanging together or showering together could succumb to becoming homosexuals and even more so with the addition of alcohol. He has shown that yes, right from the very top of WT this flawed mindset trickles down and infects the minds of their followers. So thank you Mr Breaux for showing that you and your peers truly ARE to blame for my mother’s absurd thinking. Funny thing is when I told my friend what she said he went to his mother and shared it which earned my mother a good old fashioned ass chewing! It made me feel so good when she got put in her place!
it's a miserable life being a Jehovah's Witness
You need to have Chloe on more often she has brilliant insights and I personally love having a womens perspective.
I agree. We are working on making sure we get more female contributors to the show. My wife will be appearing soon, she just hasn't been on yet due to scheduling issues
John Redwood I’m looking forward to it. Having a my mother and sister still in makes me more conscious of trying to understand what it would be like for them even though they are PIMI.
Fantastic John. Not sure why anyone with any decency and common sense would tick the thumbs down? Surely these trolls should be spanked for even watching this right? The borg and it’s cult control is just so damaging, so hurtful but unfortunately sometimes the sheeple just accept this rubbish. I feel sorry for them all
Great work great panel .This is how we help people to heal♥️
Lloyd your a balanced and bright analyst and thank you having the courage and love needed to help others. Likewise a thank you to your guests and those behind the scene that risk much to help many.
Nice! This is going to make the rest of my work day fly by. Plugging in my head phones now.
javier valdez same
These Pillowgate videos are going to take your activism to new heights. I’m so glad this information is out there for the public to see. All the best.
40:20 That Laugh of Covert in combination with the question made me piss my pants. Hilarious!!!!
All off you did great during this discussion. Keep up the good work. And hopefully they will make another mistake like this, so we can laugh again.
How can such material be discussed when there are minors in the audience.They are a sick bunch.
ah ha ha ha checking pillows with a black light. I read where some are saying in answer that if the GB doesn't have two witnesses it didn't happen. ha ha ha
Im still having a hard time. I dont want to see my brother he was really horrible to me.. and is horrible to my mother that i now can see now that i felt the truth... i live maybe 45 mins from where my dad brother horribly mentally abusive grandmother (that brought my family into the truth) brother aunt uncle and grandfather..
Mixed emotions.. dont want to see them, gives me anxiety and i really feel free now.. on the other hand.. i feel horrible for it,
This whole pillow talk has me thinking of Zayn Malik's song PILLOW TALK
Cool psychedelic backdrop behind Chloe there
Like a good book i didn't want this to end
There shouldn't even be a shepherd book. It's entirely unscriptural. All the persons who were judged in the bible were judged by the law and had full access to the law. Moses didn't have a special judging book, King Solomon didn't have special book, neither did the Pharisees, Sadducees, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, the Judges in the book of judges, the 1st century governing body/elders, or anyone else. So why is there an elder book?
Thanks Again, for your wonderful videos. Please read my very lengthy post sent moments ago. This video was very moving. It also relates to a personal tragedy involving A dear friend and former bethelite. He would be 41 now. He ended his life at 26. I have NO doubt his experience at Bethel led to his suicide.💔
There are two things I have observed about your discussion on this RUclips video.
One, these 2 movies produced by Watchtower would be considered "sexual harassment". Especially if anyone in the audience felt uncomfortable with the topic of masturbation. This has no place in the work environment. Second, the way the Watchtower leadership tries to get people to confess their "self-abuse" habit is called self-incrimination. This actually is illegal and goes against the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment protects United States citizens from self-incrimination.
This is why individuals should seek legal consultation on such illegal behavior. This leadership feels that their rights are more important than yours.
They shut down everything that could potentially open up your mind. The sexual energy is one of the highest spiritual experience we can have as humans and it connects you the creator
What business do elders have telling anyone what they can do in private??? This reminds me of the Catholic church policy of confession to a priest. In my opinion your sin (if it is sin) is between you and God and noone else. The Bible says "call no man Father" God is your Father not the elders. OUTRAGEOUS policies!
I love how Covert keeps making Lloyd go into fits of giggles with his comments and Lloyd has to go back to serious mode again.
I attended a congregation with bethelites. We had Walkill and Patterson Bethelites as part of my congregation. We had tons of Bethel elders. Honestly, the information given in pillowgate, I've heard much of this information already. When I was in the indoctrination bubble I took it all in. When I was newly awakened I commented on the shortness of skirts being responsible for arousing men, I got hit hard on an exjw page for those comments. Now I see how thinking such things are wrong. I must say the only thing that was pretty shocking well there were few but the one thing especially that stood out to me was how they blamed the bethelite if he ejaculated in his sleep. Did you have a blanket or pillow between your knees? Oh my God! That was a little bizarre. A few other things they went into in detail were not things I've heard of before but being in a congregation with Bethel elders and a circuit with even more Bethel elders I've heard a lot of this in bits and pieces before.
Fantastic as always. The voice messages were great also.
Excellent discussion.
Surely if you rub one out there has to be two witnesses or it didn't happen?
I'm excited to watch this!
put that pillow away!
Jamie Angel ahaahahhhah
My sister and I have always had a problem with the topics they talk about with kids there and actually make kids study that’s not age appropriate. I remember learning about Prn at the age of 8 or 9 and asking my grandma what that even was and still couldn’t understand what it was and why it was wrong
Thankns for another great video, Lloyd! Just wanted to say that this theme song at the beginning and ending is wonderful! Cheers!
Watchtower tried to sue for deformation? Can apostates sue for deformation? Can people who were a subject of local needs sue for deformation? Can someone who gets disfellowshipped for criticising the GB sue for deformation?
I no longer envisage Doris Day and Rock Hudson when I hear the term "Pillow talk" but Gary Brow.
You could have knocked me over with a "feather".
Incredible, delusional, backwards, bizarre.....and so many other adjectives came to mind about the GB while listening to this enthralling podcast. Thanks all.
22:30 Excellent points Chloe
If God wrote a *book* to give his point of view of why you should serve him, why did he not allow Satan to write a *book* also?
God gives his point of view but the Devil (I presume) wasn't allowed to tell us his story of why he rebelled.
*SATAN: "My rebellion"* It would be a good read
May never know if the bible has done more good than harm. But the most widely influential book ever written... could the bible actually be the perfect brainchild from satan- the great deceiver? Wow! Wouldn't that be the ultimate deception?
As for me now (from a cool song), "I think I'll just let the mystery be".
Lloyd is there some way you can convert your videos into podcast format? Id love to listen on the go.
I dont even remember them railing on masturbation that much. It was not even considered a reason for dismissal that I remember. I once asked a bethel elder if masturbation would prevent a ministerial servant from giving a public talk and he said no. But he added that brothers should just keep it to themselves. It was probably just his opinion though. In fact twice I walked in on brothers masturbating in the bathroom, and my brother told me he masturbated at bethel. And of course I did too. Those sisters in the laundry had no idea what was in those socks they were handling.
I just wanted to point out because I just heard the part about bethel showers, that when my brother was baptized at the assembly he had to change clothes in front of all the other young guys getting baptized. When he was baptized and changed back into his dress clothes he was too scared and shy to completely undress so he kept his wet underwear on under suit pants. This is disgusting when I think of how young they are baptized now a kid getting naked in front of adults.
04:32 and then Chloe can't hide her giggles :)
I just can't help but think the guy wakes up with a soiled pillow between his legs an thinks this is a really common
I understand catholic church still calls masturbation, 'self abuse' and thus needing to be 'confessed'. tis so sad
Lloyd, I wonder what the society would say about women using feminine hygiene products. Are maxi pads, tampons and douches to be banned now, because heaven forbid a woman might be aroused by these products?!
Can’t seem to play or download this video (and other videos on YT are working just fine). Anyone else having issues or just me?
SoH Won’t work for me either.
Same
Okay, glad it’s not just me...
Same here....
It’s not working for me either :/
The Octopope!
I’ve been trying all day to watch this but for some reason it never plays for me. I’ve totally shut everything (RUclips app, iPhone itself, etc) down and restarted to no avail.
I’ve tried watching it via my home broadband internet connection (300MB/s download speed), via Verizon Wireless cell phone service, and via my doctor’s office WiFi.
Nothing works. Weird.
My son is 15 years old and asked me, do these donkeys think I do not know what masturbation is? He laughed but at the same time was shocked, he made a logical conclusion, they talk about it because themselves masturbate
Lloyd, I have been enlightened by your videos, so much good content. Have you ever thought about putting out a video about the JW's teaching of "Theocratic War Strategy"? Understanding this philosophy might shed some light on some of the bizarre actions and teachings.
That's a great suggestion. I'll add it to my list. :)
'Desperate people do desperate things' ...with pillows
It’s loading and loading but video doesn’t start playing
Maggie Laska I can’t get it to load either.
Sophia Smith so frustrating... will try to shut my phone down and restart
I tried that already.🤣
It must be something wrong with the video and not our phones.
Mine too! Hope watchtower isn’t interfering
I've actually got Misha's book on my shelf - it was my "first contact", so to say, with the Witnesses, as pioneering wasn't really a Thing in my neighbourhood when I was growing up - still isn't, as far as I know.
But yeah, 10/10, would recommend. I had no idea he was being sued, do you guys have any updates on that?
Pimo here.......
Do you think there are hidden cameras in the rooms?
Great episode....thanks!
All humor aside (and it is hilarious!) , but I found that video sick and creepy. They are really worrying me. Good work all of you!
Could you provide a link to the Russian website where I may watch the raw videos?
Check the JWsurvey article. The Russian-hosted videos are embedded there. :)
Hey Lloyd, have you heard of Bill Gothard? I am sure Chris Shelton may have mentioned him to you. This situation reminds me a lot of how Bill Gothard claims that women tempted him to abuse women at the IBLP school. so many similarities.
OMG a pillow commercial. Coop. I had to do a double take
at 5:26 Rubbed me the wrong way" lol, I know at least Lloyd got it and the lady...ha ha
20 min girl-talk vs longer boy-talk = difference in cranial capacity
Hello John
For some reason it doesn’t load.
Mike in Sydney Australia
oh John, so funny.
How can I find the original videos?
Lloyd, what did you say about a Russian language channel ?
Where is the link to this video?
Wonder when the WT will have a video on the ladies wearing fancy panties and thongs. ha ha They can hold some up so they know what they are talking about. some of their subjects in talks at their Kingdom Halls are not appropiate for young children but they sit in the audience and hear them.
Not hearing anything. Other videos have sound.
Tim Rogers I can’t get it to work at all.
The video won’t play for me!
I thought it was mentioned in the bible though? The not 'spilling your seed on the ground ' ..
lindsay teague That was not applied in the context of masturbation, porneia, brazen conduct or the like of what was discussed. I know what you're referring to Scripturally and in the "Young People Ask" book it mentions the account with Onan "spilling his seed" however, again, TOTALLY MISAPPLIED by the Watchtower Society as they try and use THAT as justification of God executing people for masturbation. This is all a 2018 form of the George Orwellian concept "1984".
Yes, that verse doesn't prohibit the act of masturbation.
interesting, that was the one that was welded in my mind as the anti-masturbation verse
Apparently, pulling out was the problem. I
Can you get disfellowshiped for masturbating or is this also where a two witness rule apply?
yes you can
I’m sue the 2 witness rule applies. If you soiled your pillow AND blanket, I believe that’s your two Witnesses.🙂
Did those pillows consent, though?
Mine won’t load 🙁
There are no false religions, only false gods.
YHWH's reign of terror is coming to an end.
Watch how he licks his lips when talking about certain things, its very bizarre. But why can't you just pray about things, and not have to go to the elders its almost like going to confession in the Catholic Church.
I don’t think any of what those poor brothers go through at the bethel is funny ! It’s so sad what the elders put them through . I’m not laughing at all I feel so sorry for them and how humiliated they must feel after one of those entry talks . Just my opinion .
Entrance School or Entrants' School
Anyone else having problems watching this video? Mine won’t load up.
Derrick Mccorkle
It won't work for me either
MareBear it’s so irritating! I’ve been waiting for this video
Derrick Mccorkle
Google watchtower in focus and watch it from there
MareBear that just takes me back to the same you tube video again. Are you watching it from another website?
It is you tube but it's not MY you tube. Close out your you tube, google watchtower in focus , hit the videos button underneath the google search bar, select episode 9 and it should play.
I can't catch the video. Is anyone else having this problem?
I mean it won't load...
Some people have reported problems but it must be a RUclips glitch, because the video is uploaded and playing. I'm sorry you can't see it! :/
Michael Thompson I’m having the same issue on my iPhone. I tried it on my Roku and it works there. It might be an iPhone/RUclips issue.
Same, won’t play....tried several different devices and different times, no mas
Thanks, I'll watch it on Roku!
You seem to have been banished to the bedroom. Is it time to hang it up Lloyd?
I'm detecting a certain pattern in your various pseudonyms...
It's abuse the way I do it 😉😂😂😂