I had a friend, she was my bestfriend since 7 years old, I’m 17 now and she was the first and only friend I ever had. I told her what I was going through and how Im having doubts asking her if she would leave me because I was really stressed out about it. She said no and then told her dad, who told my abusive jw father and after that she would avoid eye contact with me in the hall and make sure to stay on the other side of the hall. When I texted her she sent me a watchtower article talking about associating with wicked people. I sent her a message back saying I’m still the same person, that was the last conversation we had. My dad always told me how right she was for what she did and she was praised by the whole congregation. I just wanna say thank u wally for helping me get through this difficult time, you let me know I am doing the right thing, keep up the good work! ❤️
In some ways I wish I'd woken up at your age, but I also know it'd have been very difficult. Hang in there. And know that you're not alone and there are people out there who will be genuine friends to you. It won't be easy, but you can make friends and find family that you choose for yourself. I know for me, I had so many trust issues because of how the organization makes you constantly distrust anyone in the World and even to inspect your Witness friends closely to look for signs of "bad association." But like they say, nothing good comes easy. You've got this!
Oh good i'm sorry, this is horrible. Especially from a friend you've had for such a long time! I hope you find people who love you for you, unconditional
I think the most difficult thing is how easily you can be shunned. I always knew no one at the Kingdom Hall was truly my friend. So I always kept that in my mind and so was never disappointed. A true friend does not abandon you because you have doubts about the cult. I have only a handful of true friends now. But we are all brothers from another mother. Some of us are Christians, and some are atheist. But, we all love one another like true brothers. Unconditionally.
Sometimes, adversity is your exit strategy. Be grateful for her response and that of your family. Had it been a softer response, you'd still be drinking the, "Kool-aid ."
Thanks but no need to be sorry. I am usually grateful for what happens in my life these days. And the experience of being strong enough to question you whole reality as a teenager is something that has its own advantages in life ;)
Making real friends after leaving the JWs was really challenging for me. I blindly trusted EVERYONE at first and made a lot of toxic friends. When you're raised to think everyone is your friend, its hard to break that. Now I have a small circle of true friends and we all think differently and respect each other 🧡 It takes time, and breaking your own heart to figure out who your real friends are.
I feel heartbroken for people stuck in this abusive cult . They're not allowed to enjoy anything . They live in misery , things are taken away from them . 😢
You're right about friends: If I don't like you, I don't have to have you in my life. As a JW you're supposed to forgive and put up with toxicity in those "friends." I served where the need was great in the 80s in northern Quebec. One JW pioneer couple was so negative, especially the wife. She complained non-stop in the service: It's cold, "that's My call," (her return visits), so we had to give her the calls that we had placed literature at. I took her to the elders for complaining too much and I, yes I was disciplined by losing my privileges to comment at meetings, but she was going to get 3 chances before being removed as a pioneer. She got a tiny slap on the hand. F--- them. So, at the meetings I was cautious around her because she was also a terrible gossip. A few days later, my husband (an abusive prick) said to me that he was talked to by the pioneer husband, who said that I seem to have a problem with his wife. I was enraged. We were supposed to settle things Jesus' way and talk one on one with a person. Nope. She told her husband, to tell my husband, who told me, that we had a problem. F---tards.
@@WWZenaDo I left him the second time on December 5th, 2003, the day of our wedding anniversary. It was him who decided IF we celebrated it or not. He was picking an arguement so I left for good. I went to a restaurant myself and celebrated my leaving him, and my anniversary at the same time. haha.
This entire segment of making friends within the congregation tells me that there is a problem within watchtower of people not having close friendship relationships within. This means that there are more PIMOS within the organization than we know. Watchtower is crumbling from the inside out.
@Karen Moody Karen, There's no question that there are tons of PIMOS. At this point, I truly believe there are more PIMOS than active JWS (Pimi). That's why watchtower is advocating for their members to cultivate these friendships. This is Watchtower's SLICK way of getting members to snitch on one another( micro managing technique)..and find out just how many people are really just buying their time due to their circumstances. This whole friendship making segment is a conjob! It's a way for JWS to be in people's business just so they can go and run to the elders and tell them how that sister or brother no longer believes, and have you thinking, as the one who snitched, you did a good thing. Watchtower knows that they have lost control and are trying everything to gain it back. There's more people against this DOOMSDAY CULT within than there's people supporting them. Watchtower's END is near. The tables have turned. This CULT will experience the WRATH that is owed to them for the lies, deception, and cruelty. The MORE everyone can expose watchtower the more it crumbles. Watchtower will FALL.
Elders kids are some of the worst. They lie. They lead different lives as soon as they walk out the door and go to school. They are worse then the one having all the back stabbing , gossipping done to them. Karma will do wonders and has done so already for some. Pure Karma
Watching your videos make me feel like I’m not alone anymore… for decades I felt so alone and misunderstood. And here u are with thousands of others that have the same life I did, it’s been the most healing part of my journey. I love your channel Wally. It’s literally my favorite ❤you are my favorite apostate
Many of these comments hits my heart because it's so sad but true. The friends i had in jw went to reading verses from the bible to me when depression hit (family too), everyone sayin don't be sad, think about job, think about Jesus, this world will soon be over. But those who slept at my side, helped me wrap my arms, been with me to the hospital and who i trust with the most shameful things ever is still there and has never ever been judgemental or anything. Just pure love. That jw bullsh*t is so extremely hurtful. Thank you Wally for doing this work!
What I love is the ability for us to hold different opinions about lots of things, we can still be respectful - that’s my favorite part of my freedom 😊
Hi Kim 😊 I agree with you, now I can have conversations with people and not watch my every word in case someone gets offended and end up in the back room ! Yeahh freedom ❤
You can no longer be a friend if a person gets DISFELLOWSHIPED or who has DISASSOCIATED. How is that a TRUE friend? Hypocritical. True friendship is not BASED on conditions from 9 idiots that are CONTROLLING who you can or can not be friends with.
It’s crazy. I had someone walk away from a 20 year “friendship “ because I left the Borg. A couple I grew up with cut ties with me too. We’d known each other for 30 years
Tammy ,you are so wise . A true friend stands with you through good times and the bad . It doesn't mean that they have to agree with all your choices or actions , but will be there when and if needed to help in any way they can .
I had a crew growing up. We were so close like brothers at least I thought. We even had a name for our crew😂. Got disfellowshipped and I was no longer part of the lifelong crew. It was so strange seeing these guys just walk pass me. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right
I agree 100%. It took me quite a while after being out before I learned that I don't have to be friends with anyone. Now I actually have a choice in who I spend time and effort on. Being an introvert is peaceful and nice 😂
I haven't even watched the video yet. The title triggered me into this internal mental rant. It was hard growing up in this cult, especially when you know it's all bullshit and you can't do anything about it. They love to use fear to keep you in. "If you don't believe what we believe you will die at Armageddon!" "Spare the rod spoil the child!" "If you don't go to the meetings you can't watch TV" followed by a spanking. "Oh! you don't want to go to the meeting? I'll just take your car keys then." "Read the morning text or you won't eat breakfast". "If you don't go out in service Saturday, you can't go out with your friends, I have a ton of work for you." You get the idea.. Life as a Witness kid that knows it's all bull but is forced upon him, is a prison to say the least. I grew up in a time of capital punishment. Spanking was encouraged by the organization!! My dad loved to use his belt on me. The kingdom hall had a wooden paddle with holes in it, for better airflow, in the backroom/library. And THEY ENCOURAGED IT'S USE !! So obviously I wasn't the only kid going thru this abuse. I have some pent up.... Anger... Yeah, that's the word, ANGER about this towards my father. Anyways..... Rant over😊😅😁 Now on to the video!✊
Totally relate to everything you went through. It's entirely built on child abuse from birth. None of us deserved it, and I think anger is a completely valid reaction to being raised this way. Stay strong and confident in yourself. ❤
You described my childhood exactly. Im new to checking out ex-JW stuff, so its surreal to read this because I always feel soooooooo alone in the experience
@@exjehovahswitness Not to mention non-JW friends are a danger to the cult. They can easily open up the eyes of cult members and are a support network in case they want to leave. The cult needs its members to rely on it as much as possible.
With the friend situation - it applies to family as well, sometimes you need to cut people out of your life if all they do is make you miserable or drag you down and you've spent years thinking they'd change. people grow in different directions and thats okay. don't sacrifice your well-being just to people please. another banger video!
Being a born-in JW was so damaging to my personal development. There's no such thing as boundaries which is obvious when a JW has to sit in front of 3 men and divulge intimate details of your "sin" so they can judge you on it. After I left I still carried the beliefs of "forgive and forget" and to "turn the other cheek" which caused me to get used a lot. Wally you are so right! You/we don't have to be friends with everyone and you/we don't have to like everyone. Having healthy boundaries is crucial for self preservation. Real friends will understand and respect your boundaries and those that do not respect them aren't people you want as friends. "Boundaries are chances for you to stand up for your authentic self. It is also an opportunity for others to reveal who they are." -Lias A. Romano Great video Wally!! I love your rants and thank you for all that you do!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏✌💜
"I Want It All" is a song by British rock band Queen, featured on their 1989 studio album The Miracle. Lyrics: ‘I want it all… I want it all… and I want it now.” Huge hit in Europe. 😊
Wally! Don't you hate it when you ask 'What's good?' and people are like, 'not much, you?', you are incorrect sir. You breathing, and that's good. You're not homeless, that's good. You're not hungry, that's good. Honestly feels like people are just pessimistic all the time. In the words of MODSUN, "You woke up this morning, and that's a reason to celebrate."
When anyone asks me how I'm doing? I always say, I can't get any better! You bring to yourself what you put out there. I have always felt that to be true. I have my health. Sure things could be better. But, I am so content, and that is more than half the battle.
Thanks Wally for pointing out again that being " One of The Friends" is just a group of words that are as meaningless as saying " Good Morning To You " . Some might show some outward expression of acknowledgement , maybe a smile or shake your hand .... but ALL THAT would stop in a heartbeat if something negative was going around the congregation about you . One could say , " We go out in as a group and have a bite to eat , or enjoy meeting together at the hall ..... but if you really think about it , usually that bite to eat is when you all need a break from the door to door work that your commanded to do ,only after 1 hour , and the meeting is another command that your expected to do each week while listening to the same old materials over and over again but in a little different way . The young brother Said a couple of the 3 things that would makeup a friend is trust and being in other words a good confidante . But again think about that.....what would your witness friend do if you trusted in him or her to keep a secret about doubts in some of the WT's teachings or policies . Odds are that friend , would probably go to the elders as ordered by the society to keep an eye on each other , and spill their guts . And when hard times hit.....most if not all of those friends are nowhere to be found . Wake up brothers , the term " FRIEND " is nothing more than a reference to a body of people that think alike , [ republicans , democrats ,independents socialists , communists ] . They are not necessarily a trusted ally , your comrade , or your brother or sister . Thanks again Wally .
It's the absolute worst of both worlds, you are expected to forgive fellow believers even if they treat you horribly, and you are expected to drop friends if they leave the cult, no matter how kind and caring they might have been to you. It's a perfect recipe for disaster, you end up surrounded by people who are deeply damaging to you while pushing away those who would have uplifted and loved you. It's a double bind.
That is soo true. My family abuse me my whole life, but when I call them out, they say to me that I bring Satan in the home, because I dont forgive and bring up the past. Even if the "past" was yesterday. I am planning my escape and they will never hear from me again.
Life as a Jehovah's Witness is so depressing. I have been one for 40 years. I have now joined the FC SFOB Jesus and my life is amazing. Rejoice in Him.
Im 26 born and raised a JW in a huge generational JW family, all my relatives on both my parents sides are JW, I was the only black sheep. I left at 20 and my parents knew for years I was different and never truly felt like they loved me unconditionally so I was acting pretty much my whole life just so I could keep my family so theyd still talk to me and love me. I will never fully heal from it but my relationship now with my parents and sister are 1000x better than they were as a kid. Its so fucked up and sad but Im healing and receive the love now from my chosen and immediate family.
Im so glad im free now and no longer have to go door to door every weekend, 2 meetings every week, bible study at home on your own every night, studying for meetings, making and practicing presentations in front of the entire congregation of 100+ people, plus conventions being a 8-4 job every day on the weekend. My father was an elder who was highly respected and very well known it robbed me of my childhood. I was never really a kid working week after week dedicated to something religious you only did to keep your family loving you.
I'm fortunate enough to have only had friends outside the hall and those groups of people will always be like family to me. The few friends I've had in the hall are either odd or "fake". I hate that word and find it cringe but it's the truth,I talk to these hall friends for about 5mins then we just walk away. Some of my friends in the hall who left are very close with me and I'd even say they are family. We'd always talk about whether we'd be in the borg when we're older and a few of them have jacked it in. Thankfully none of us are baptised. What makes me sad is the fact that some people that we've known for years would completely drop us if a family member was disfellowshipped. I feel blessed to have real friends🙌🏽
Hi everyone! I don't know if anyone is gonna read this but on Sunday March 24, I'm going back to the Kingdom Hall for Memorial Day and I DON'T WANNA GO BACK TO THE KINGDOM HALL. It has been 4 years since I've been there (I'm 16 years old) I was born as a Jehovah's Witness on my mom's side of the family. Not my dad's side of the family. My dad left the JW program in 2020 and my parents also got into a divorce. It's just I don't wanna go. As soon as I turn 18, I'm leaving the JW program and focus on my life and I'm going to college. I just want to have freedom and celebrate holidays. When I was younger, I HATED going to the meetings. It was sooo boring and I had to make friends in my congregation. I don't even see them anymore btw. It's just we grew apart and I'm just trying to focus on school right now. I'm nervous to go back and see the people I haven't seen since I was 12. I turn 17 next month. I don't want to go and plus, I live an hour away from our old congregation. I'm scared to say something to my mom because she'll get really mad. I was FORCED to go to the meetings. MY MOM RUINED MY CHILDHOOD! At least she still lets me go out with my friends from school.
From the UK, we always used the term "Brothers and Sisters". As the broadcasts started... and as I started leaving, the "friends" became the obvious cult warning alarm word. Also, IIRC it's not because "we are friends", it's because "We are friends of the GB". It's literally them deleting the "sheep" or "brothers" of the Christ people are suppose to be in religion (which while we are out, can agree is better than the GB hierarchy!!!").
I'm surprised the chosen propaganda sport wasn't soccer and also surprised that the dad didn't suggest the son to quit the basketball ball to focus more on a spiritual routine
@@exjehovahswitness just wait till Serena Williams gets disfellowshipped then they will change the propaganda sport to tennis.but unfortunately that will never happen because the rich celebrities can get away with whatever they want.
I have people I do not like (toxic family members) My family even moved out of state to be far away from them. I do nothing to hurt them, I just do not have them in my life. I remember one of the daughters of one of the family members who we loved ask me for my side of the story as to what was going on. I told her I was not going to say anything to her bad about her mother. I just got out of the family. We stay away from them. She accepted that and in the meantime they stayed toxic and continued to spew crap about me and my family. I was free from being around it. I did not do or say things to hurt them. That is how you get free from the drama.
Hi everyone! I heard many times “I want it all, I want it now”… in a Queen’s song “I want it all” from 1989 ; I think every (worldly ?) European of my generation knows it Is that their inspiration? 😂
This makes me think of that video with the jw woman selling cosmetics on line, and her jealous 'friend'. Truthfully, she had absolutely no reason to continue a friendship with that busybody, but of course she was pretty much forced to by the congregation. I wonder how much resentment gets built up in a person when they are forced to continue a friendship with a toxic person. I guess that unity trumps mental well being.
Oh, I remember that one. It was utterly insane how the dramatization tried to "both sides" it, as if the poor woman selling jewelry online was also in the wrong when all she did was hold a job and get slandered by this intensely awful woman who proceeded to gossip about her to the entire congregation! She was even confronted by the awful woman, out of nowhere, and it really shook her as is to be expected. The jewelry seller had every single reason to drop this friendship altogether and in the real world, that's what she would have done, for sure. But she is stuck because of the cult.
I used the scripture in ecclesiastes to express to my parents that i want to enjoy life now because it says we don't know whether our spirit ascends to heaven so enjoy life now and my witness stepdad just replied "that scripture is in error". As far as i'm concerned they shouldn't quote solomon either since they're always crapping on him even though the scriptures say he was gods friend. At the end of the day though i'm still agnostic and i scrutinize the bible but my point is you can't even use the bible to reason with them they have their training to ignore any other points & philosophical ideas than their own.
Growing up the JW kids where all nice to me and I got along with then good but they never wanted to do anything with me at all and then one day I asked my mom why won’t the other kids hang out with me and my mom said “it’s because of your daddy they know he’s not a witness” so they liked me but I wasn’t good enough to hang out with them at there house unless my mom sat up like a play date thing or we got invited to a party like a pool party but yet in like middle school and high school the kids had way more to do with me(even the kids who didn’t like me all that much)they’d start talking to me and shit hell I even got invited to a sleepover or two but my mom wouldn’t let me go because she HATED my school friends so wtf?
Tenía yo 14 años ,,y era precursor auxiliar ..fui con otro hermano a dar un estudio ,a una persona y a medio estudio se fue la luz eléctrica ,,,,,en aquellos días se decía que solo era cuestión de " meses " antes de que llegara el Armageddon ...entonces se tenía que hacer toooodo lo que fuera necesario para " salvar" a los que se pudiera . Por lo que en aquel evento en particular ,encendimos cerillos ,y con aquella luz de aquellos cerillos continuamos y finalizamos el estudio .....para nosotros lo que hicimos fue una " prueba " de que estábamos llendo a lo máximo para " salvar " a aquella persona .. salimos de ahí casi reventando de " espiritualidad" .aunque nunca regresamos con aquella persona ,,eso muestra el nivel de adoctrinamiento que teníamos en aquellos días y ..parece que todavía es igual
I remember being told that you better be ok with all of the bros and sisters because that is probably who you’ll be bunked with in that basement or attic during the great tribulation! Lol
What was funny was the elders thought our band of friends were all clean cut when we all hung out and they hadn't a clue about half what was going on lol and some were elders kids .. not one is still a JW of my friend group 😂
Having patience and bit of acceptance toward having personal friends, sometimes you have to have a willingness and understanding to "THEIR" problems and situations that their going through. Good lessen in life in general, but hey you don't have to read the bible to make that a social observation. 🙂
Bible commentator, FFBruce, said that the fastest way to get into trouble in any religious group is to quote Jesus in context. Jesus (and the Law of Moses) talked about PERSONAL responsibility - the old KJV had "thou" (singular). Personal responsibility runs counter to "group think" and raises questions in others who have not thought about much and wander through life in herd mentality mode.
This is sssoooo sad.😢 They make great friends but at the same time they have to nark on each other to the elders. And/or lose everyone if/when they get df'd. It's a loss anyway you look at it.😪😪😪
How is it they just come up with perfect verses, however, Ben has to look it up! Then Ben goes off to see his friend and when the door is answered, we hear telling! What a loving JW household!
I had a friend, she was my bestfriend since 7 years old, I’m 17 now and she was the first and only friend I ever had. I told her what I was going through and how Im having doubts asking her if she would leave me because I was really stressed out about it. She said no and then told her dad, who told my abusive jw father and after that she would avoid eye contact with me in the hall and make sure to stay on the other side of the hall. When I texted her she sent me a watchtower article talking about associating with wicked people. I sent her a message back saying I’m still the same person, that was the last conversation we had. My dad always told me how right she was for what she did and she was praised by the whole congregation. I just wanna say thank u wally for helping me get through this difficult time, you let me know I am doing the right thing, keep up the good work! ❤️
In some ways I wish I'd woken up at your age, but I also know it'd have been very difficult. Hang in there. And know that you're not alone and there are people out there who will be genuine friends to you. It won't be easy, but you can make friends and find family that you choose for yourself. I know for me, I had so many trust issues because of how the organization makes you constantly distrust anyone in the World and even to inspect your Witness friends closely to look for signs of "bad association." But like they say, nothing good comes easy. You've got this!
Oh good i'm sorry, this is horrible. Especially from a friend you've had for such a long time! I hope you find people who love you for you, unconditional
I think the most difficult thing is how easily you can be shunned. I always knew no one at the Kingdom Hall was truly my friend. So I always kept that in my mind and so was never disappointed. A true friend does not abandon you because you have doubts about the cult. I have only a handful of true friends now. But we are all brothers from another mother. Some of us are Christians, and some are atheist. But, we all love one another like true brothers. Unconditionally.
hang in there! I promise it gets better
Sometimes, adversity is your exit strategy. Be grateful for her response and that of your family. Had it been a softer response, you'd still be drinking the, "Kool-aid ."
I feel sorry for those who grow up as a JW. They're missing out in life.
it's so sad
Yup which is why my children will never be in this! I missed out on so much!!😢
Thanks but no need to be sorry. I am usually grateful for what happens in my life these days. And the experience of being strong enough to question you whole reality as a teenager is something that has its own advantages in life ;)
I am 24 and I am as socially developed as a scared 13 y/o. it's terrifying to walk through life tbh.
I grew up as one and still have family in it. It has really messed up my family no one is really close to anyone.
Making real friends after leaving the JWs was really challenging for me. I blindly trusted EVERYONE at first and made a lot of toxic friends. When you're raised to think everyone is your friend, its hard to break that.
Now I have a small circle of true friends and we all think differently and respect each other 🧡 It takes time, and breaking your own heart to figure out who your real friends are.
Same exact thing happened to me
“Bumbling biblical buffoons”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
I do like random alliterations
I feel heartbroken for people stuck in this abusive cult . They're not allowed to enjoy anything . They live in misery , things are taken away from them . 😢
Yep
It was a very scary childhood and the ripple effects in my adult life (age 35) are very real
A time to wake up and get out of the Jehovah's Witness cult ...
exactly
You're right about friends: If I don't like you, I don't have to have you in my life. As a JW you're supposed to forgive and put up with toxicity in those "friends." I served where the need was great in the 80s in northern Quebec. One JW pioneer couple was so negative, especially the wife. She complained non-stop in the service: It's cold, "that's My call," (her return visits), so we had to give her the calls that we had placed literature at. I took her to the elders for complaining too much and I, yes I was disciplined by losing my privileges to comment at meetings, but she was going to get 3 chances before being removed as a pioneer. She got a tiny slap on the hand. F--- them.
So, at the meetings I was cautious around her because she was also a terrible gossip. A few days later, my husband (an abusive prick) said to me that he was talked to by the pioneer husband, who said that I seem to have a problem with his wife. I was enraged. We were supposed to settle things Jesus' way and talk one on one with a person. Nope. She told her husband, to tell my husband, who told me, that we had a problem. F---tards.
yeah it's so ridiculous to be considered the bad person if you don't put up with someone's toxicity
Well at least during Pride season he did quote a Queen lyric
Please tell me that's your ex-husband now....
@@WWZenaDo I left him the second time on December 5th, 2003, the day of our wedding anniversary. It was him who decided IF we celebrated it or not. He was picking an arguement so I left for good. I went to a restaurant myself and celebrated my leaving him, and my anniversary at the same time. haha.
@@ravendahl5864 🌈🏳️🌈
This entire segment of making friends within the congregation tells me that there is a problem within watchtower of people not having close friendship relationships within. This means that there are more PIMOS within the organization than we know. Watchtower is crumbling from the inside out.
I hope so 🤞
I agree
@Karen Moody Karen, There's no question that there are tons of PIMOS. At this point, I truly believe there are more PIMOS than active JWS (Pimi). That's why watchtower is advocating for their members to cultivate these friendships. This is Watchtower's SLICK way of getting members to snitch on one another( micro managing technique)..and find out just how many people are really just buying their time due to their circumstances. This whole friendship making segment is a conjob! It's a way for JWS to be in people's business just so they can go and run to the elders and tell them how that sister or brother no longer believes, and have you thinking, as the one who snitched, you did a good thing. Watchtower knows that they have lost control and are trying everything to gain it back. There's more people against this DOOMSDAY CULT within than there's people supporting them. Watchtower's END is near. The tables have turned. This CULT will experience the WRATH that is owed to them for the lies, deception, and cruelty. The MORE everyone can expose watchtower the more it crumbles. Watchtower will FALL.
🕺🏼🕺🏼🙌🏼…let crash and burn…
Elders kids are some of the worst. They lie. They lead different lives as soon as they walk out the door and go to school. They are worse then the one having all the back stabbing , gossipping done to them. Karma will do wonders and has done so already for some. Pure Karma
I love when the JW material shows everybody the reality of JW life. That does more for our cause than the organization could ever know.
Hahahaha
Watching your videos make me feel like I’m not alone anymore… for decades I felt so alone and misunderstood. And here u are with thousands of others that have the same life I did, it’s been the most healing part of my journey. I love your channel Wally. It’s literally my favorite ❤you are my favorite apostate
Many of these comments hits my heart because it's so sad but true. The friends i had in jw went to reading verses from the bible to me when depression hit (family too), everyone sayin don't be sad, think about job, think about Jesus, this world will soon be over. But those who slept at my side, helped me wrap my arms, been with me to the hospital and who i trust with the most shameful things ever is still there and has never ever been judgemental or anything. Just pure love. That jw bullsh*t is so extremely hurtful. Thank you Wally for doing this work!
Jws calling each other ‘friends’ is a very US thing
Really? How does it go in other countries? Just Brothers and Sisters? I'm American so we said "The Friends" at lot 😅
@@DarthMagog yes just brothers and sisters in the UK any way
@@DarthMagog I'm Canadian, and thought I just missed the memo, because we never used it.
I’m in canada and here we often heard the phrase: in the truth describing jws.
@@DarthMagogin italy it is brothers and sisters, or brotherhood. even when talking about JWs from abroad
What I love is the ability for us to hold different opinions about lots of things, we can still be respectful - that’s my favorite part of my freedom 😊
Hi Kim 😊 I agree with you, now I can have conversations with people and not watch my every word in case someone gets offended and end up in the back room ! Yeahh freedom ❤
You can no longer be a friend if a person gets DISFELLOWSHIPED or who has DISASSOCIATED. How is that a TRUE friend? Hypocritical. True friendship is not BASED on conditions from 9 idiots that are CONTROLLING who you can or can not be friends with.
It’s crazy. I had someone walk away from a 20 year “friendship “ because I left the Borg. A couple I grew up with cut ties with me too. We’d known each other for 30 years
Tammy ,you are so wise . A true friend stands with you through good times and the bad . It doesn't mean that they have to agree with all your choices or actions , but will be there when and if needed to help in any way they can .
@@stellawil they were never your friends to begin with. All made up.
WOW! They just flat-out lie. "A true friend shows love at ALL times"? Yeah. leave their cult. See how that goes. *LIARS!*
I had a crew growing up. We were so close like brothers at least I thought. We even had a name for our crew😂. Got disfellowshipped and I was no longer part of the lifelong crew. It was so strange seeing these guys just walk pass me. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right
@@TB-mj7gt Cult members...
I mean this is literally in the Bible and they brainwash their members to shun friends and family members that leave the cult.
@@TB-mj7gt that's what a Cult , Click does.
I can relate. I’m good at shutting people out too.
it's a skill I am not proud of
First thing they do wrong is calling these fools brothers
I would call them something different
Skid marks
yeah calling them brothers is nonsensical
It's crazy how all us exJ-Dubz have so many similar traumas and pains. I always feel so alone and crazy.
Thanks for making these videos
The leadership and a number of its membership should EXERCISE THEIR BODIES! 🤨🤨
I agree 100%. It took me quite a while after being out before I learned that I don't have to be friends with anyone. Now I actually have a choice in who I spend time and effort on. Being an introvert is peaceful and nice 😂
I haven't even watched the video yet. The title triggered me into this internal mental rant. It was hard growing up in this cult, especially when you know it's all bullshit and you can't do anything about it. They love to use fear to keep you in. "If you don't believe what we believe you will die at Armageddon!" "Spare the rod spoil the child!"
"If you don't go to the meetings you can't watch TV" followed by a spanking.
"Oh! you don't want to go to the meeting? I'll just take your car keys then." "Read the morning text or you won't eat breakfast".
"If you don't go out in service Saturday, you can't go out with your friends, I have a ton of work for you." You get the idea..
Life as a Witness kid that knows it's all bull but is forced upon him, is a prison to say the least.
I grew up in a time of capital punishment. Spanking was encouraged by the organization!! My dad loved to use his belt on me. The kingdom hall had a wooden paddle with holes in it, for better airflow, in the backroom/library. And THEY ENCOURAGED IT'S USE !! So obviously I wasn't the only kid going thru this abuse. I have some pent up.... Anger... Yeah, that's the word, ANGER about this towards my father.
Anyways..... Rant over😊😅😁
Now on to the video!✊
huge fan of big rants!!!!
Totally relate to everything you went through. It's entirely built on child abuse from birth. None of us deserved it, and I think anger is a completely valid reaction to being raised this way. Stay strong and confident in yourself. ❤
I think the WT Society is still encouraging physical violence - I mean "discipline" - only doing it covertly, nowadays.
You described my childhood exactly.
Im new to checking out ex-JW stuff, so its surreal to read this because I always feel soooooooo alone in the experience
I agree and they encouraged it and the parents then bragged about who used it last and how many times they used it.
A C U L T
I want it all = a Queen song
And a High School Musical Song too
They're really pushing internal friendships lately.
with so many people leaving I assume it's hard to find and maintain friends
@@exjehovahswitness Not to mention non-JW friends are a danger to the cult. They can easily open up the eyes of cult members and are a support network in case they want to leave.
The cult needs its members to rely on it as much as possible.
The phrase "I want it all & I want it NOW" is another song line from Queen.
With the friend situation - it applies to family as well, sometimes you need to cut people out of your life if all they do is make you miserable or drag you down and you've spent years thinking they'd change. people grow in different directions and thats okay. don't sacrifice your well-being just to people please.
another banger video!
Being a born-in JW was so damaging to my personal development. There's no such thing as boundaries which is obvious when a JW has to sit in front of 3 men and divulge intimate details of your "sin" so they can judge you on it. After I left I still carried the beliefs of "forgive and forget" and to "turn the other cheek" which caused me to get used a lot. Wally you are so right! You/we don't have to be friends with everyone and you/we don't have to like everyone. Having healthy boundaries is crucial for self preservation. Real friends will understand and respect your boundaries and those that do not respect them aren't people you want as friends. "Boundaries are chances for you to stand up for your authentic self. It is also an opportunity for others to reveal who they are." -Lias A. Romano
Great video Wally!! I love your rants and thank you for all that you do!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏✌💜
yeah it takes a while to shake off that unhealthy way of thinking
My elder brother said “when you move into a new congregation, you have INSTANT friends”
Me: that’s NEVER been my experience!
🤣
I agree with that.
Nice video on the convention, Wally. I'm looking forward to the others. I want it all and I want it now!
This dramatization is so gay that twilight looks cool to me now.
"Will I ever be useful again?"
"You're being 'used' as a bad example right now" 😉👍🏼
Freddy mercury did say "I want it all, I want it now" in song, but, in his defense, I think he was referring specifically to penis.
It's funny they think a freddy mercury quote is modern
I completely agree. I will be civil but I don't have to be anyone's friend.
Really amazing video, thanks a lot, one of the best recently!
hey thanks
I want it all and I want it now is actually are actually the lyrics of a retro song.
"I Want It All" is a song by British rock band Queen, featured on their 1989 studio album The Miracle. Lyrics: ‘I want it all… I want it all… and I want it now.” Huge hit in Europe. 😊
Wally! Don't you hate it when you ask 'What's good?' and people are like, 'not much, you?', you are incorrect sir. You breathing, and that's good. You're not homeless, that's good. You're not hungry, that's good. Honestly feels like people are just pessimistic all the time. In the words of MODSUN, "You woke up this morning, and that's a reason to celebrate."
When anyone asks me how I'm doing? I always say, I can't get any better! You bring to yourself what you put out there. I have always felt that to be true. I have my health. Sure things could be better. But, I am so content, and that is more than half the battle.
I will rant to random strangers about that! I am glad people out there get it!
@@jimbobaggans1564 love this…I stealing it😂
As a person with depression I hope I don’t get to wake up.
To everything, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn.
Good morning from Ohio! ❤
I'm in Ohio too. 🙂
good morning !
14:01 you are so right about this.
'i want it all and i want it now' .. lmao thats lyrics from the band Queen - I Want It All
LOL
Omg….even the shooting around was just cringy.
so bad
@4:18 homie's really put here quoting Varuca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 😂
I haven't thought about varuca salt in like 15 years! lol
Thanks Wally for pointing out again that being " One of The Friends" is just a group of words that are as meaningless as saying " Good Morning To You " . Some might show some outward expression of acknowledgement , maybe a smile or shake your hand .... but ALL THAT would stop in a heartbeat if something negative was going around the congregation about you . One could say , " We go out in as a group and have a bite to eat , or enjoy meeting together at the hall ..... but if you really think about it , usually that bite to eat is when you all need a break from the door to door work that your commanded to do ,only after 1 hour , and the meeting is another command that your expected to do each week while listening to the same old materials over and over again but in a little different way . The young brother Said a couple of the 3 things that would makeup a friend is trust and being in other words a good confidante . But again think about that.....what would your witness friend do if you trusted in him or her to keep a secret about doubts in some of the WT's teachings or policies . Odds are that friend , would probably go to the elders as ordered by the society to keep an eye on each other , and spill their guts . And when hard times hit.....most if not all of those friends are nowhere to be found . Wake up brothers , the term " FRIEND " is nothing more than a reference to a body of people that think alike , [ republicans , democrats ,independents socialists , communists ] . They are not necessarily a trusted ally , your comrade , or your brother or sister . Thanks again Wally .
In French, I was raised in Montreal, it’s referred to as: tache de rouille (rust stains) 😂.
Okay so how come football/soccer is usually portrayed in a bad light, but basketball isn't?
the drama this year had a family playing soccer
@@exjehovahswitness Interesting! A bit of progress on that front at least lmao
It's the absolute worst of both worlds, you are expected to forgive fellow believers even if they treat you horribly, and you are expected to drop friends if they leave the cult, no matter how kind and caring they might have been to you.
It's a perfect recipe for disaster, you end up surrounded by people who are deeply damaging to you while pushing away those who would have uplifted and loved you. It's a double bind.
That is soo true. My family abuse me my whole life, but when I call them out, they say to me that I bring Satan in the home, because I dont forgive and bring up the past. Even if the "past" was yesterday. I am planning my escape and they will never hear from me again.
@@toxirala2455 I hope it all works out for the best!
@@Nocturnalux Thank you!
Life as a Jehovah's Witness is so depressing. I have been one for 40 years. I have now joined the FC SFOB Jesus and my life is amazing. Rejoice in Him.
Queen. " I want it all and I want it now"
Im 26 born and raised a JW in a huge generational JW family, all my relatives on both my parents sides are JW, I was the only black sheep. I left at 20 and my parents knew for years I was different and never truly felt like they loved me unconditionally so I was acting pretty much my whole life just so I could keep my family so theyd still talk to me and love me. I will never fully heal from it but my relationship now with my parents and sister are 1000x better than they were as a kid. Its so fucked up and sad but Im healing and receive the love now from my chosen and immediate family.
Im so glad im free now and no longer have to go door to door every weekend, 2 meetings every week, bible study at home on your own every night, studying for meetings, making and practicing presentations in front of the entire congregation of 100+ people, plus conventions being a 8-4 job every day on the weekend. My father was an elder who was highly respected and very well known it robbed me of my childhood. I was never really a kid working week after week dedicated to something religious you only did to keep your family loving you.
I'm fortunate enough to have only had friends outside the hall and those groups of people will always be like family to me. The few friends I've had in the hall are either odd or "fake". I hate that word and find it cringe but it's the truth,I talk to these hall friends for about 5mins then we just walk away. Some of my friends in the hall who left are very close with me and I'd even say they are family. We'd always talk about whether we'd be in the borg when we're older and a few of them have jacked it in. Thankfully none of us are baptised. What makes me sad is the fact that some people that we've known for years would completely drop us if a family member was disfellowshipped. I feel blessed to have real friends🙌🏽
I am happy you have some good friends ! it's wonderful to plant your roots with real people on the outside that actually care about you
@@exjehovahswitness cheers,keep up the great videos👍🏽
What? Watchtower misusing Queen for their indocrination? As a great Queen fan I'm offended!😡
and then I double offended you by not knowing that song
@@exjehovahswitness 🤣
Hi Wally and Zeezy 🐈⬛ nice weather were having ❤❤
it has been lovely hasn't it!
Hi everyone! I don't know if anyone is gonna read this but on Sunday March 24, I'm going back to the Kingdom Hall for Memorial Day and I DON'T WANNA GO BACK TO THE KINGDOM HALL. It has been 4 years since I've been there (I'm 16 years old) I was born as a Jehovah's Witness on my mom's side of the family. Not my dad's side of the family. My dad left the JW program in 2020 and my parents also got into a divorce. It's just I don't wanna go. As soon as I turn 18, I'm leaving the JW program and focus on my life and I'm going to college. I just want to have freedom and celebrate holidays. When I was younger, I HATED going to the meetings. It was sooo boring and I had to make friends in my congregation. I don't even see them anymore btw. It's just we grew apart and I'm just trying to focus on school right now. I'm nervous to go back and see the people I haven't seen since I was 12. I turn 17 next month. I don't want to go and plus, I live an hour away from our old congregation. I'm scared to say something to my mom because she'll get really mad. I was FORCED to go to the meetings. MY MOM RUINED MY CHILDHOOD! At least she still lets me go out with my friends from school.
With friends like that who really needs enemies!!..
From the UK, we always used the term "Brothers and Sisters". As the broadcasts started... and as I started leaving, the "friends" became the obvious cult warning alarm word. Also, IIRC it's not because "we are friends", it's because "We are friends of the GB". It's literally them deleting the "sheep" or "brothers" of the Christ people are suppose to be in religion (which while we are out, can agree is better than the GB hierarchy!!!").
"I need it".... 😂*chef's kiss
They talk more about depressing things more than positive
That's a funny way to say rejected. "Applied, but hasn't been invited"?
I am going to start trying to use that from now on! it's so funny
I'm surprised the chosen propaganda sport wasn't soccer and also surprised that the dad didn't suggest the son to quit the basketball ball to focus more on a spiritual routine
not going to lie, I thought the same thing
I was told I couldn’t play soccer because practice was on the days of the theocratic school of ministry night. 🤬
@@exjehovahswitness just wait till Serena Williams gets disfellowshipped then they will change the propaganda sport to tennis.but unfortunately that will never happen because the rich celebrities can get away with whatever they want.
@@ianh9072 I was told I couldn’t play any sport or do any extracurricular activity because it would mean spending too much time around worldly people.
I have people I do not like (toxic family members) My family even moved out of state to be far away from them. I do nothing to hurt them, I just do not have them in my life. I remember one of the daughters of one of the family members who we loved ask me for my side of the story as to what was going on. I told her I was not going to say anything to her bad about her mother. I just got out of the family. We stay away from them. She accepted that and in the meantime they stayed toxic and continued to spew crap about me and my family. I was free from being around it. I did not do or say things to hurt them. That is how you get free from the drama.
The JG Wentworth lawfirm has commercials in the Northeast, and “I” think that might be what he was quoting the “I want it now” from.
"I have a structured settlement and I need cash now!" 🤣🤣🤣
law firm commercials are so good
Thank you
you are welcome
I want it all and I want it now (@c.5.00) are lyrics from a Queen song
it's funny because he called it a modern phrase
@5:00 disappointed you missed the opportunity to cut away to the Queen song, “I Want It All” 😂😢
Hello WALLY!😅😅😅THANK YOU! Can always find a smile & laugh!
You're GOOD DUDE‼️😅😅🌟
hey thanks for the positive energy
Most kindly welcome!
Hi Wally 👋🏼 🙋🏼♀️
5:17 I think it’s a Queen song lyric
yes
@@exjehovahswitness Wally was too busy pioneering in tight pants to familiarize himself with QUEEN. :D :D :D
I grew up as a witness for the first 6 years of my life i am netural now but im now noticing what i missed out on
Hi everyone! I heard many times “I want it all, I want it now”… in a Queen’s song “I want it all” from 1989 ; I think every (worldly ?) European of my generation knows it
Is that their inspiration? 😂
yes! but how funny is it that his modern phrase is older than I am?
@@exjehovahswitness everything is modern, when compared to the bible :)
@@exjehovahswitness But you DO know "BABY SHARK" don't you?
You have yo Unlearn the (lying) "Truth"
Hi!Hi!Hi!
Jws have been literally patient to death, those who were promised not to get old, not to die, well, they're all dead 😢
So many twisted things after 25yrs Don’t sell things. But we do.
I Want It All And I Want It Now Is Queens Song, Freddy Mercury.! Funny He Quoted That Song Title.
This makes me think of that video with the jw woman selling cosmetics on line, and her jealous 'friend'. Truthfully, she had absolutely no reason to continue a friendship with that busybody, but of course she was pretty much forced to by the congregation. I wonder how much resentment gets built up in a person when they are forced to continue a friendship with a toxic person. I guess that unity trumps mental well being.
Oh, I remember that one. It was utterly insane how the dramatization tried to "both sides" it, as if the poor woman selling jewelry online was also in the wrong when all she did was hold a job and get slandered by this intensely awful woman who proceeded to gossip about her to the entire congregation! She was even confronted by the awful woman, out of nowhere, and it really shook her as is to be expected.
The jewelry seller had every single reason to drop this friendship altogether and in the real world, that's what she would have done, for sure. But she is stuck because of the cult.
I used the scripture in ecclesiastes to express to my parents that i want to enjoy life now because it says we don't know whether our spirit ascends to heaven so enjoy life now and my witness stepdad just replied "that scripture is in error". As far as i'm concerned they shouldn't quote solomon either since they're always crapping on him even though the scriptures say he was gods friend. At the end of the day though i'm still agnostic and i scrutinize the bible but my point is you can't even use the bible to reason with them they have their training to ignore any other points & philosophical ideas than their own.
Growing up the JW kids where all nice to me and I got along with then good but they never wanted to do anything with me at all and then one day I asked my mom why won’t the other kids hang out with me and my mom said “it’s because of your daddy they know he’s not a witness” so they liked me but I wasn’t good enough to hang out with them at there house unless my mom sat up like a play date thing or we got invited to a party like a pool party but yet in like middle school and high school the kids had way more to do with me(even the kids who didn’t like me all that much)they’d start talking to me and shit hell I even got invited to a sleepover or two but my mom wouldn’t let me go because she HATED my school friends so wtf?
"I want it all and I want it now" are lyrics in a song from Queen. That's the only place I ever hear it.
It's a 1989 song by Queen 🎸🎤 " I want it all and I want it now ! 😁
imagine saying a song older than I am is a modern quote
Keep knocking son 😅😅😅😅😅
Tenía yo 14 años ,,y era precursor auxiliar ..fui con otro hermano a dar un estudio ,a una persona y a medio estudio se fue la luz eléctrica ,,,,,en aquellos días se decía que solo era cuestión de " meses " antes de que llegara el Armageddon ...entonces se tenía que hacer toooodo lo que fuera necesario para " salvar" a los que se pudiera . Por lo que en aquel evento en particular ,encendimos cerillos ,y con aquella luz de aquellos cerillos continuamos y finalizamos el estudio .....para nosotros lo que hicimos fue una " prueba " de que estábamos llendo a lo máximo para " salvar " a aquella persona .. salimos de ahí casi reventando de " espiritualidad" .aunque nunca regresamos con aquella persona ,,eso muestra el nivel de adoctrinamiento que teníamos en aquellos días y ..parece que todavía es igual
I remember being told that you better be ok with all of the bros and sisters because that is probably who you’ll be bunked with in that basement or attic during the great tribulation! Lol
5:05 he gets them from J G Wentworth commercials.
Haha, Wally, haven't you heard the "I want it all" song by Queen? I want it all, I want it now....
Hey walley what's good my dude ....
What was funny was the elders thought our band of friends were all clean cut when we all hung out and they hadn't a clue about half what was going on lol and some were elders kids .. not one is still a JW of my friend group 😂
I love how JW's need a video on how to make friends as if that wasn't the most natural human behavior on the planet
Those nails are dope!
Big difference between a serious Sin and a Outright Crime…Can they tell the difference.
Having patience and bit of acceptance toward having personal friends, sometimes you have to have a willingness and understanding to "THEIR" problems and situations that their going through.
Good lessen in life in general, but hey you don't have to read the bible to make that a social observation. 🙂
May I just say that I laugh every single time I see the little edit emoji hiding zeezee's butthole.
Bible commentator, FFBruce, said that the fastest way to get into trouble in any religious group is to quote Jesus in context. Jesus (and the Law of Moses) talked about PERSONAL responsibility - the old KJV had "thou" (singular). Personal responsibility runs counter to "group think" and raises questions in others who have not thought about much and wander through life in herd mentality mode.
Hi.
This is sssoooo sad.😢 They make great friends but at the same time they have to nark on each other to the elders. And/or lose everyone if/when they get df'd. It's a loss anyway you look at it.😪😪😪
Depressing
And a time to leave the JW organization🏃🏽♂️🏃🏽♂️🤸🏽♂️🏃🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️😅😅😋😏😏💝 thank you Wally💝😏
lol yeah and the time is now
@@exjehovahswitness I left last December🥳🤠😏
How is it they just come up with perfect verses, however, Ben has to look it up! Then Ben goes off to see his friend and when the door is answered, we hear telling! What a loving JW household!
The Managing Body of the JW Org could Never admit their Lies, because then EVERYTHING would be undone….
6:38 Growth acceleration has a side effect: aging acceleration and shortening of lifespan. Let your childhood play out.
Flashbacks to the evil old days....
But, you can always tell the tree by the fruit that it bears..