This man is a hero for courageously speaking truth, even though he knew he’d lose everything. The GB need to be held accountable! This was a great interview. I’d love to meet him.
Totally THE best exjw interview I have seen. Essential viewing. I love how you give your interviewees time to talk, and don't interuppt. Isn't it interesting that the watchtower lawyers are in the GovBods so-called 'spiritual' weekly meetings.
Excellent interview, thank you both!! At one point Roger was talking to me/about me. I graduated in 1968; was an honor student all through school. My teachers encouraged me to go to college. I had a great university just 6 miles down the road from me. But the congregation servant and the other servants (remember the elder arrangement wasn't instituted again until 1972) all told me I couldn't go to college. And all the literature and assemblies condemned higher education. So instead, I pioneered. What a waste of my life. I finally woke up and left the organization at 63 years of age. By then I qualified for Social Security. I have so many regrets but it saddens me to think of what my life could have been. When I see the young ones leave the WT, I am just thrilled. They can find happiness and fulfillment in life now, not mind controlled and indoctrinated in WT nonsense.
Yes I hope too you have lived your life the way you want to now. Every day is a new gift to enjoy. I’m 45 and left and I understand that feeling of did I just waste my life? But life is a lesson and I think moving forward how can I take the past and make myself better in the future.
I was raised in the hall and I walked away from the witnesses about 5 years ago. It has ruined my family. It's refreshing to here this and come across your channel. Knowing I'm not alone. #brainwashing# #cult#
brooksmaine85 so sorry to hear about how this organization has affected your family, but I am glad you made it out! And thank you for checking out the channel.
This interview really saddened me. When you're a devoted member of an organization where you wholeheartedly believe they will do the right thing and then they behave just the same way other faiths, that they consider themselves above, have you suddenly ask yourself "what do they REALLY stand for?" What's hard here is that they came to Roger seeking his help in this disturbing matter and he complied. He then gets caught up in a web of deceit, lies, cover ups and ends up getting disfellowshiped as a result of standing firm in his truth. Kudos to you Roger and thank you both for this REVEALING interview.
Witnessess, take note - these are normal, intelligent, calm individuals sharing their wealth of experiences as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. No hate, no drama. Hope you learn something useful. Thanks Fifth, and guest!
@@acajudi100 ex je fifth is doing this as a community service. No pay and this is his time. Why don't you sponsor a podcast? If not please thank him for the huge time and effort he puts into these interviews.
Most of these normal, intelligent, calm individuals have woken up and left. It appears the ones that are left in the Borg suffer from some form of undiagnosed mental illness (like my in-laws Elder & Pioneer).
This is such an important testimony. I am so moved by this gentleman and thank him for acting as he did to help others and keep his own integrity. It is sad, unjust and tragic how he has been treated for acting in accordance with what is right. Thank you for this interview and I truly wish him the best as he continues his new adventures.
This was awesome. My mother and sister are JW. Her husband is an "elder". The hypocrisy of going door to door preaching love and questioning the beliefs of others boggles the mind. The love they know nothing of. They teach my 3yr old niece to reject me. The questions they don't ask. All I can do is pray that they become humble enough to see their error . I'm shunned and so is my schizophrenic brother. Thanks for sharing Fifth
Thank you for the people you bring on you show. You are helping me so much. I feel like I was standing in a burning building and you are showing me the way out. Thank you 🙏
Thank you! If anyone is having doubts I feel this video will give them the courage to start examine the Watchtower. Not be afraid to question what being told in the kingdom halls and the WT publications, but what is being revealed in the bible. Let's all show courage and read and listen to those who left or were cast out of the organization. The testimonies truly reveal what spirit is directing this organization. Thank you both again for your courageous and truthful stories. I feel you are the " glorious ones". Rich Blessings!
Fifth, Thank you so much for the interview of Roger Bentley. This man is a true defender of the sheep,not a yes man. It is amazing to me that men with such moral backbone are simply thrown out of the organization. Thank you for letting Roger tell his story! His short clip on pbs hour with Trey Bundy regarding the Candice Conti child abuse case was a testimony to this Brothers love for his fellow humans. As was stated this man shows no traits of cowardice! Thank you!
What great reflection on the contrast between the integrity we were actually taught to have in the 60s and 70s. Those of us who lived through that felt our efforts and sacrifices at the time were noble and that the men who guided "Jehovah's organization" were truly acting under the direction of the Holy Spirit. But as one thing or another began to shake us individually, Roger's experience shows how futile it is to try to reason with them about their own misdeeds. Many of us "converts," as Roger also was, were drawn to the witnesses because they seemed to have integrity and focus on saving mankind. That illusion could last for a long time, when the only perspective we would allow ourselves was what the governing body told us was alright to consider. It could be very hard, when presented with a serious flaw in the Watchtower leadership, to accept that anything else could be at fault but "human imperfection." But when the body of evidence becomes so vastly overwhelming, the indoctrination begins to crumble. Without the mythology of the Watchtower Society leadership having been chosen by Jehovah as his "servant" to bring his people together in the time of the end, every other reason to believe them falls apart. Thanks Roger. Thanks Reveal
Fith you have a great style of interviewing, you ask a question, then repectfully listen for as long as it takes, only interrupting once your guest has finished. People in the media, of any form, would do well to look at your style we probably have a more informed world.
One of the best ex-elder interviews - its a shame that the gooduns are the only ones with the conscience and balls to wake up. The ones who remain are dirty and/or dense
One of the best interviews I have ever listened to. You let him speak and gather his thoughts. He said a lot in a little bit of time. My husband and I think that the elders and GB members or any religious leaders that don't protect chdren, really don't believe in God, or they would be terrified to displease him.
You know, I am glad you said that. If people really believed in God, why would they have to rely on "theocratic warfare" (lies) in court? Is that what pleases God? I am not happy children are abused, why would God be? Would we fund an organization that victimizes abuse victims by requiring them to be silent? When they do speak up, the organization very cruelly separates them from their support system of family and friends. How heartbreaking.
if a governing body member can't tell the truth under oath in a court of law, how can we believe ANYTHING they say? Geoffrey Jackson's testimony at the ARC was the last straw in my exit from the organization.
Eyes wide open, they claim to follow Christ. But what did Christ do in the face of his opposers? He was silent! But Goeffrey wasn't being persecuted but just asked questions about the organization he made decisions for & he should have answered honestly about his stand on believing the GB is the channel God uses to give information to mankind. In his denial he added they were not the ONLY organization God uses. By adding the word ONLY I don't know what he was trying to avoid. That was an out right lie because they teach they are the ONLY ones God talks to through the holy spirit.
It takes a man of humility to see mistakes and take actions to right those wrongs. To not hide behind lies like GB did in these court cases. I truly loved this video and he is an amazing man. I could listen to him all day. I bet he gave some amazing talks in his time with the witnesses.
Welcome to the enlightenment! Strong, intelligent, true beings of personal integrity simply cannot be part of the JW organization knowing what they now know. Thanks for the courage and decency you display, in the hopes others will follow your example. Enjoy life with your free mind.
WOW FIFTH !!!!!!! This is so lovely and so helpful. I'm not put off by mentioning scripture ! This interview has helped us tremendously !!!! I have thought about the scripture in Revelation on "cowards" in the same way as Roger. We are living in very exciting times !! Thank you dear brothers from the bottom of our hearts.
Matilda I also had similar thoughts as him but it was regarding the fact that as Witnesses we invited the people to whom we preached to investigate and research the origins of holidays and doctrine they held so closely to. For example, with Christmas and how we can be sure Jesus wasn't born in December. I would tell my householders that you shouldn't just take the Bible or my word for it, check the Encyclopedia and it will tell you that. So basically we encouraged the people we visited with to research the history and origins of what they held so closely to but we were discouraged from doing the exact same thing. Double standard indeed.
Yes show from worldly sources about holidays and usually there would be an article in newspapers around certain celebrations. But you re told to not go to worldly sources with your personal studies and with your bible study students. I had a bible study that needed more help for easy reading time lines of historic people and history of the world I just happened to see a very simple book with nice pictures of the generations of world history and rulerships, perfect so I bought it and took it home. Boom something is wrong here it has a different date for the fall of Jerusalem but exactly that same week on History channel was a show on ancient Babylon and fall of Jerusalem BOOM what is going on here none of this matches what I had been taught so that was the real start of my learning how cleaver and deviously manipulated the Watchtower Society has duped millions so after 20 years I started waking up and final sealing was assembly hearing speaker saying if Armageddon came that day only a certain number (JW count) would survive, so smug and some clapped, so cruel do they not have good loving family members that were not JWs and it was like being slapped in the face, I knew my husband was better than many brothers.and there were many good people in the world, so I questioned and double check articles and call WT all the more so I found how we were lied to every week. So thankful to be free of their mind control and fear based conditional love organization.
As an atheist coming from a fundamentalist background, I applaud the honesty and courage it takes for both of these men to come out and speak about their experiences escaping from the repressive and corrupt indoctrination of religious cults. I don't want to see more atheists, I want to see more critical thinking individuals free of these mental shackles.
Question, can you be a critical thinker and still be a believer in Christ, christianity , a God in three persons,. salvation by grace and eternity with Christ as your savior ? Not all critical thinkers are aethists, JW, mormon's and all other beliefs have critical thinkers. It makes no difference because God either has one way or many ways to come to him as Oprah and many others believe. We will find out soon who's belief system is true and many people may find out that they have been deceived by the father of deceit and are totally wrong. I have 5 aces in my hand.
@@davebonar1 Unless the hypothetical one true god tolerates no other faiths outside the one he has chosen. Then you are in the same boat as everyone else. You will have wasted your entire life living for a false belief rather than for your own destiny. Worshipping multiple gods does not work for the Catholic, Islamic or Hebrew version of god. That god is jealous. Me? I don't have to worry about it because odds are, they are all wrong. If I refused to believe these lies, and god exists, he will accept me because I was honest and not trying to trick him by "stacking the deck". If he does not accept me, he only wants sycophants and I want nothing to do with that being.
@@smaugfrost You sound like you believe you have a choice to want nothing to do with God, that being as you call him. Mighty arrogant that you would think after living a life with the opportunity to make any choices that you want that he will give you a choice of want nothing to do with him after death. You really know nothing about what the bible talks about and are ignorant but that still makes you culpable according to God's just judgement to you. That is one reason that I believe in the bible and God is because I am amazed and humbled by his goodness for this life and eternal life . We live in a very entitled world and people are still not afraid of death and to the God who can give them life forever. Satan has deceived you my brother and please consider your soul because you will spend eternity somewhere just like all mankind. And no I do not believe in the false teaching of the JW , mormon, Catholic or any other false church that believes that faith and works will give you eternal life or some other belief in another afterlife. So many false and misleading religions in this nation
I love interviews from former elders, bethelites, pioneers. These are considered the cream of the crop in the JW world, and they are exposed to information on a deeper level than the average JW, so you know when they come out that it's because they've seen and struggled with things that tear at their conscious. I'd love to eventually see an interview from a former district or circuit overseer. That would be classic!
👍Thank you both for this video and speaking out. If I were in his same situation I would have made the same decision he made regarding the deposition and court case. 💞
From 45:30 to 48:00 ... these two and a half minutes contains the most valuable information regarding what's wrong with the mindset, morality and viewpoint of this organization.
Thank you to yourself Fifth & Roger for this interview. EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear a ex elder talk about the secretive things that go on behind the smiling faces & suits I'm forced to believe yet again that there's something very, very wrong & sick about this religion (cult) of my youth & that's quite a while ago now. It's dark & dangerous & bordering on evil. Certainly the current evil stems from the present 7 lying governing body members.
Robyn Bass well it makes you think what the heck are all those subliminal images in their magazines?! The images were way too clear and obvious to just simply be a coincidence. Those images are down right creepy and evil. You can tell this organization has been steming from evil since its inception.
Thank you for this interview! Roger... you have a lot of great information.. I hope you get your own channel.. information about "the machine" needs to come out.
around 24:00, Roger describes in very diplomatic language that he witnessed the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society LIE ! Perhaps it was the first time for him, but it is an indelible mark on your soul and from that time forward nothing is the same.
👍I like what Roger said at the end that not all disfellowshipped people are evil mentally diseased apostates, some have families, they love one another and they are human beings. 💞
Some of my memories that made me angry and thinking about this 'truth' was also about the change of attitude to accepting transplants from considering them 'cannibalism' before to being acceptable as long as without blood transfusions. Also a woman asking if her husbands homosexual experiences were 'fornication or adultery' and grounds for divorce...(they said no, it had to be man with woman only), then they later changed their mind. Also about choice of sterilisation for a woman or man being considered self mutilation, but it was OK to have chemical castration (the pill etc) or using IUD's or other means to prevent pregnancy (I ignored that one and had the operation anyway), also their attitude to sexual practices (mostly being considered 'animalistic' except for missionary mostly). Later they said it was all a matter of individual conscience! The blood issue and how they nit picked that one. The shunning of family was also a big one and still is, as their handling of known child sex offenders. What about their interpretation of prophecy and it's changes over the years? That 'millions now living will never die" campaign in the 1920's that obviously didn't eventuate and repeated in the 'revelation red book' was a big one for me.The changes in regard to non military service and all those men that were jailed that didn't have to be, the tax issues...on and on it goes. Just all a lot of mind control and rubbish and waste of nearly 30 years of my life!! So much that caused problems and issues for the 'faithful' slaves being obedient to their leaders, what a legacy the WT have to answer for!
I was forced by my mom to be a witness...however I was reluctant to their believes and I got out. Because I was the bread winner in the family I believe that my mom didn’t stop talking to me...but how many others have that choice. This religion or I should say a cult, separates families! I am glad I got out!
(27:54) "Some on the Body knew what was happening in the background, but other people on the Body did not [...] So there was those that knew and those that didn't know. Plus, there was importing of elders [...] so nobody knew what was really going on." As a side note, this was the problem manifest in my last congregation. Bethel kept sending transitory elders to our cong. There was a constant influx and efflux of elders (it makes for a lack of stability). Now, the elders that knew the facts about a certain issue would eventually leave (re-assigned), and new elders, who knew nothing about the facts, would join the Body. Those elders that remained (and knew that facts) would feed the new elders their own narrative about the particular issue (in the privacy of their elders' meetings). The new elders, not knowing any better, would adopt this narrative and allow themselves to be guided by it -- this was evident by their conduct. By time the new elders were starting to wise up, they too got re-assigned and new elders were sent. Eventually, the truth got diluted... It made a thinking person wonder where Jehovah's spirit was in all of this.
Would be glad to help any of those eggs Jehovah's Witnesses or those who are trying to leave the organization in any way they can contact me on Facebook Charlotte see Porter will be glad to help!
Clement Mabunda yes I say the same thing, is Jehovah really running this organization? But then I remembered the Israelites and how they were stiff necked kept disobeying God, even Moses did and they KNEW his words. (Moses) were gods words, and they STILL acted up, you KNOW the story, but Jehovah was with them all the time, to get to their promised land. So I get confused about when people ask is Jehovah's spirit really running this confusing organization..😩
Dr Richmann, just saw the Ted talk on bullying. It's good to remember that bullies are deeply insecure. They are troublemakers, cause suffering to others and really need someone to stand up to them. Sometimes it's not worth one's efforts and stress and time. Sometimes it's just best to get away from them. Other times a quick "something" can fix them, depending on the situation it really is tricky to deal with. Thanks for your link. With the WT, I think exposure and activism is the best thing to help people. Bethel elders are the real bullies, so that is a start, just knowing where the bullying is coming from. For example, this week's mid week meeting is a perversion of Ezekiel ch 45. In their publications they twist the scriptures to make it sound like contributions need to go to those taking the lead, where in fact Ezekiel 45 talks about the "chieftains" being told to "stop seizing the property of my people" (verse 9) Stop abusing the people and their property. Those pretending to take the "lead" are really abusing their own people. Just one example, but it goes on and on and on.
I grew up in the sf bay area during 60's and 70's. This brother interviwed i could relate to him because he grew up and lived in the northern area of california during the same time I did. He does have a wealth of knowledge.
I am not a dub or ex-dub but I have had a bit of interaction with them and I have done a lot of research. It's so uplifting to see people who have been able to leave the organization. Nice interview.
Just like 'Dorothy,' in "The Wizard of Oz"... not many people are able to see what goes on "behind the curtain". Thanks 'V' for interviewing Roger to help others to get the view he did..... Dorothy kept believing The Wizard had the solution to all of their problems, but "things aren't always as you hope for, as you are led to believe, or as they appear"... There are only 'men' behind the curtain.
This is an excellent interview. Good job bro. Fifth and bro. Roger. I would like to emphatized with Roger. And on this, I would like to cheer him up by reading John 16:1-2; "I have told you these things so that you won't be staggered by all that lies ahead. For you will be excommunicated from the synagogues, and indeed the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service." --- The Living Bible
He visto por segunda vez esta grabacion. Es simplemente excelente. Roger felicidades por tu gran valor, amor a la verdad y etica. Gracias Fith por los subtitulos en español.
very interesting interview. information right from the source. Roger you should make your own video expose the watchtower, because you have the very original information. thank you for shearing this story on RUclips
Recently, I watched this series regarding the Cali Cartel in Colombia. Four brothers gained power when Pablo Escobar (the previous cocaine lord) went down. These men required loyalty, they demanded your cooperation and it is said that they were like the KGB of Russia... all phones tapped, all converstations recorded and reviewed, there were people willing to report you on every corner of every street. They killed people without blinking. They murdered family members, you could be LOYAL, TRUE, DO YOUR JOB, but if they even SUSPECTED that you were the problem... hasta la vista, baby, they called YOU the 'traitor', and you were dead. When things were going down for the Cartel, the man who kept the books knew he was next... The only way the Cali Cartel had any chance in hell to pull off their "we surrender, put us in jail for 3 years (with all the luxuries and all of our bank accounts in tact) then let us out... was to kill the only man that could hang a noose on their neck.... the accountant. What would you do if your family was about to be murdered? Stay loyal to the people about to murder you? What is the WT like? If you find out that kids, that have been sexually abused, are being sacrificed to "keep things looking good", would you be loyal to them? If one is not loyal to the WT, you are in the same position as the Cali Cartel. It is like blackmail. You take the bribe, or you die. When you leave WT, the org that demands loyalty, who is NOT loyal to you, you are called an "apostate", that name is the magic bullet that kills you... No more family, no more friends, no nothing.... You are essentially dead. Your life has been taken by the "loyal ones" Personally, I cannot let such horrific behavior go on, I would rather speak out, be honest, be caring, and take the bullet.
Great interview but it wasn't long enough, I would love to hear more of his story which I am sure he has a lot more to tell. I would like to hear what his family went through during and after all of this and what he did once he woke up as far as did he do research and find out the rest of the lies. Pleasure do another interview.
Aunt Fancy Agreed. This was only the tip of the iceberg. Also, I think it'd be beneficial to ask a person what his current stand is regarding religion and how he/she approaches worship of God after being out of the organization.
One time i ask an alder why the suit, while I was having bible study, and he got mad and told all the org that I asked a question about the suit, and started attacking me, you can't ask em no questions, they get offended,
This interview right here, really answered a lot of the critical thinking questions I had back then against the elders. You see they were contemplating making me an elder for quite some time. But they always had some lame excuse as to why I wasn't appointed at the time. They knew at some point they couldn't control my thinking process. In other words, they knew that if I smelled bullshit, then that's what I'm calling it! They want you to go against what you know to be logically Right, instead of speak against the wrongs of the Watchtower Babel and Crap Society.We can't make this stuff up folks. Thank you. Oh it's True... It's Damn True!!!
what a great interview... I felt like it wasn't 7 years old, in fact it could have been done yesterday... God bless you Roger! I feel you never wavered, you didn't leave the Truth, in fact, it left you... Really inspiring. Id love to have an opportunity to speak to you myself. Thank you for the interview.
This man is a hero for courageously speaking truth, even though he knew he’d lose everything. The GB need to be held accountable! This was a great interview. I’d love to meet him.
This interview held my attention from beginning to end. This true witness is articulate and his recall is amazing.
Totally THE best exjw interview I have seen. Essential viewing. I love how you give your interviewees time to talk, and don't interuppt. Isn't it interesting that the watchtower lawyers are in the GovBods so-called 'spiritual' weekly meetings.
Excellent interview, thank you both!! At one point Roger was talking to me/about me. I graduated in 1968; was an honor student all through school. My teachers encouraged me to go to college. I had a great university just 6 miles down the road from me. But the congregation servant and the other servants (remember the elder arrangement wasn't instituted again until 1972) all told me I couldn't go to college. And all the literature and assemblies condemned higher education. So instead, I pioneered. What a waste of my life. I finally woke up and left the organization at 63 years of age. By then I qualified for Social Security. I have so many regrets but it saddens me to think of what my life could have been. When I see the young ones leave the WT, I am just thrilled. They can find happiness and fulfillment in life now, not mind controlled and indoctrinated in WT nonsense.
I hope you are living a better and more real life now. Thank you for being a positive voice for the young people leaving!
Yes I hope too you have lived your life the way you want to now. Every day is a new gift to enjoy. I’m 45 and left and I understand that feeling of did I just waste my life? But life is a lesson and I think moving forward how can I take the past and make myself better in the future.
I was raised in the hall and I walked away from the witnesses about 5 years ago. It has ruined my family. It's refreshing to here this and come across your channel. Knowing I'm not alone. #brainwashing# #cult#
brooksmaine85 so sorry to hear about how this organization has affected your family, but I am glad you made it out! And thank you for checking out the channel.
This interview really saddened me. When you're a devoted member of an organization where you wholeheartedly believe they will do the right thing and then they behave just the same way other faiths, that they consider themselves above, have you suddenly ask yourself "what do they REALLY stand for?" What's hard here is that they came to Roger seeking his help in this disturbing matter and he complied. He then gets caught up in a web of deceit, lies, cover ups and ends up getting disfellowshiped as a result of standing firm in his truth. Kudos to you Roger and thank you both for this REVEALING interview.
Thank you thank you thank you!!! This helped me even after being disfellowshiped for years , I now am awake !!!
Witnessess, take note - these are normal, intelligent, calm individuals sharing their wealth of experiences as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. No hate, no drama. Hope you learn something useful.
Thanks Fifth, and guest!
15 dislikes😂. It's so sad.
It can be tricky. Please make your own kind decisions. I do not like channels with all the ads.Make a podcast.
I agree
@@acajudi100 ex je fifth is doing this as a community service. No pay and this is his time. Why don't you sponsor a podcast? If not please thank him for the huge time and effort he puts into these interviews.
Most of these normal, intelligent, calm individuals have woken up and left. It appears the ones that are left in the Borg suffer from some form of undiagnosed mental illness (like my in-laws Elder & Pioneer).
This is such an important testimony. I am so moved by this gentleman and thank him for acting as he did to help others and keep his own integrity. It is sad, unjust and tragic how he has been treated for acting in accordance with what is right. Thank you for this interview and I truly wish him the best as he continues his new adventures.
I think this is one of the most amazing interviews ever. For me it's right up there with crisis of conscience.
Yup!!!!!
This was awesome. My mother and sister are JW. Her husband is an "elder". The hypocrisy of going door to door preaching love and questioning the beliefs of others boggles the mind. The love they know nothing of. They teach my 3yr old niece to reject me. The questions they don't ask. All I can do is pray that they become humble enough to see their error . I'm shunned and so is my schizophrenic brother. Thanks for sharing Fifth
thank you for sharing your story now i know that i made the right decision in leaving this organization.
Thank you for the people you bring on you show. You are helping me so much. I feel like I was standing in a burning building and you are showing me the way out. Thank you 🙏
Well, I’ve just finished listening to this video for the second time, now it’s february 2019, and it was so good!! 👍👍👍
Listening today in 2024!
This man needs his own channel he has a wealth of knowledge
And a wealth of spirit. Very authentic. So refreshing.
This was an EXCELLENT interview. Thank you so much for sharing this. You both did a great service for many people with all this information.
Thank you! If anyone is having doubts I feel this video will give them the courage to start examine the Watchtower. Not be afraid to question what being told in the kingdom halls and the WT publications, but what is being revealed in the bible. Let's all show courage and read and listen to those who left or were cast out of the organization. The testimonies truly reveal what spirit is directing this organization. Thank you both again for your courageous and truthful stories. I feel you are the " glorious ones". Rich Blessings!
MH 81 My personal advice. Please research the origins of Christianity and The Bible.
Boo R no need I'm done but thanks!
Roger, you are a man of incredible integrity. I could listen to you all day. Thank you so very much!!
Thank you so much for your activism!!
Absolutely overwhelming info, healing and validating. Cannot thank you and Roger enough♥ Thank you for giving Roger time to speak at length.
Dear Fifth, you have some of the best interviews I have seen. Thank you!
Fifth,
Thank you so much for the interview of Roger Bentley. This man is a true defender of the sheep,not a yes man. It is amazing to me that men with such moral backbone are simply thrown out of the organization. Thank you for letting Roger tell his story! His short clip on pbs hour with Trey Bundy regarding the Candice Conti child abuse case was a testimony to this Brothers love for his fellow humans. As was stated this man shows no traits of cowardice! Thank you!
I just wish more people were open to watch this.
Honesty will win over lies...even if only morally. Good for your guest for standing up for what is right against the bully WT
What great reflection on the contrast between the integrity we were actually taught to have in the 60s and 70s. Those of us who lived through that felt our efforts and sacrifices at the time were noble and that the men who guided "Jehovah's organization" were truly acting under the direction of the Holy Spirit. But as one thing or another began to shake us individually, Roger's experience shows how futile it is to try to reason with them about their own misdeeds. Many of us "converts," as Roger also was, were drawn to the witnesses because they seemed to have integrity and focus on saving mankind. That illusion could last for a long time, when the only perspective we would allow ourselves was what the governing body told us was alright to consider. It could be very hard, when presented with a serious flaw in the Watchtower leadership, to accept that anything else could be at fault but "human imperfection." But when the body of evidence becomes so vastly overwhelming, the indoctrination begins to crumble. Without the mythology of the Watchtower Society leadership having been chosen by Jehovah as his "servant" to bring his people together in the time of the end, every other reason to believe them falls apart.
Thanks Roger.
Thanks Reveal
Fifth, thank u so much for the many videos you have worked hard to produce. Your body of work will stand to help many.
Great story, thank you for bringing it to us. These personal experiences are a great example of determination and courage.
Fith you have a great style of interviewing, you ask a question, then repectfully listen for as long as it takes, only interrupting once your guest has finished. People in the media, of any form, would do well to look at your style we probably have a more informed world.
This! ^^^
I agree 100%. Thank you ExJW fifth.
I know if you want to see a real Crap show look up the UK parliament discussions where im from
One of the best ex-elder interviews - its a shame that the gooduns are the only ones with the conscience and balls to wake up. The ones who remain are dirty and/or dense
One of the best interviews I have ever listened to. You let him speak and gather his thoughts. He said a lot in a little bit of time. My husband and I think that the elders and GB members or any religious leaders that don't protect chdren, really don't believe in God, or they would be terrified to displease him.
You know, I am glad you said that. If people really believed in God, why would they have to rely on "theocratic warfare" (lies) in court? Is that what pleases God?
I am not happy children are abused, why would God be? Would we fund an organization that victimizes abuse victims by requiring them to be silent? When they do speak up, the organization very cruelly separates them from their support system of family and friends. How heartbreaking.
Thank you for this interview. Very illuminating.
if a governing body member can't tell the truth under oath in a court of law, how can we believe ANYTHING they say? Geoffrey Jackson's testimony at the ARC was the last straw in my exit from the organization.
Eyes Wide Open it’s called “theocratic Warfare” what he did, meaning you CAN lie, if someone is not entitled to the truth....
Eyes wide open, they claim to follow Christ. But what did Christ do in the face of his opposers? He was silent! But Goeffrey wasn't being persecuted but just asked questions about the organization he made decisions for & he should have answered honestly about his stand on believing the GB is the channel God uses to give information to mankind. In his denial he added they were not the ONLY organization God uses. By adding the word ONLY I don't know what he was trying to avoid. That was an out right lie because they teach they are the ONLY ones God talks to through the holy spirit.
..."AND I WILL WALK IN MY INTEGRETY !".... Way to go brother. They can sing their songs but it is more valuable to do it. God bless..
Great interview, thank you. This is a good man.
This was a fabulous interview. Very well done.
Excellent video great content. No animosity or hatred no bellyaching about the past just straight facts I love it
I love this channel
Love Roger
Wish everyone could Wake Up!
Thank you for your courage!
It takes a man of humility to see mistakes and take actions to right those wrongs. To not hide behind lies like GB did in these court cases. I truly loved this video and he is an amazing man. I could listen to him all day. I bet he gave some amazing talks in his time with the witnesses.
Great interview Fifth! Roger Bentley, you are a true shepherd. I'm inspired by your strength and determination for what's just.
Welcome to the enlightenment! Strong, intelligent, true beings of personal integrity simply cannot be part of the JW organization knowing what they now know. Thanks for the courage and decency you display, in the hopes others will follow your example. Enjoy life with your free mind.
WOW FIFTH !!!!!!! This is so lovely and so helpful. I'm not put off by mentioning scripture ! This interview has helped us tremendously !!!! I have thought about the scripture in Revelation on "cowards" in the same way as Roger. We are living in very exciting times !! Thank you dear brothers from the bottom of our hearts.
Matilda I also had similar thoughts as him but it was regarding the fact that as Witnesses we invited the people to whom we preached to investigate and research the origins of holidays and doctrine they held so closely to. For example, with Christmas and how we can be sure Jesus wasn't born in December. I would tell my householders that you shouldn't just take the Bible or my word for it, check the Encyclopedia and it will tell you that. So basically we encouraged the people we visited with to research the history and origins of what they held so closely to but we were discouraged from doing the exact same thing. Double standard indeed.
MrDJCue, you are so right, thank you for your comment.
Yes show from worldly sources about holidays and usually there would be an article in newspapers around certain celebrations. But you re told to not go to worldly sources with your personal studies and with your bible study students. I had a bible study that needed more help for easy reading time lines of historic people and history of the world I just happened to see a very simple book with nice pictures of the generations of world history and rulerships, perfect so I bought it and took it home. Boom something is wrong here it has a different date for the fall of Jerusalem but exactly that same week on History channel was a show on ancient Babylon and fall of Jerusalem BOOM what is going on here none of this matches what I had been taught so that was the real start of my learning how cleaver and deviously manipulated the Watchtower Society has duped millions so after 20 years I started waking up and final sealing was assembly hearing speaker saying if Armageddon came that day only a certain number (JW count) would survive, so smug and some clapped, so cruel do they not have good loving family members that were not JWs and it was like being slapped in the face, I knew my husband was better than many brothers.and there were many good people in the world, so I questioned and double check articles and call WT all the more so I found how we were lied to every week. So thankful to be free of their mind control and fear based conditional love organization.
fantastic interview....thank you!
Thank you to both of you, and God bless you
The best interview. 👍🏽
As an atheist coming from a fundamentalist background, I applaud the honesty and courage it takes for both of these men to come out and speak about their experiences escaping from the repressive and corrupt indoctrination of religious cults. I don't want to see more atheists, I want to see more critical thinking individuals free of these mental shackles.
Question, can you be a critical thinker and still be a believer in Christ, christianity , a God in three persons,. salvation by grace and eternity with Christ as your savior ? Not all critical thinkers are aethists, JW, mormon's and all other beliefs have critical thinkers. It makes no difference because God either has one way or many ways to come to him as Oprah and many others believe. We will find out soon who's belief system is true and many people may find out that they have been deceived by the father of deceit and are totally wrong. I have 5 aces in my hand.
@@davebonar1 Unless the hypothetical one true god tolerates no other faiths outside the one he has chosen. Then you are in the same boat as everyone else. You will have wasted your entire life living for a false belief rather than for your own destiny. Worshipping multiple gods does not work for the Catholic, Islamic or Hebrew version of god. That god is jealous.
Me? I don't have to worry about it because odds are, they are all wrong. If I refused to believe these lies, and god exists, he will accept me because I was honest and not trying to trick him by "stacking the deck". If he does not accept me, he only wants sycophants and I want nothing to do with that being.
@@smaugfrost You sound like you believe you have a choice to want nothing to do with God, that being as you call him. Mighty arrogant that you would think after living a life with the opportunity to make any choices that you want that he will give you a choice of want nothing to do with him after death. You really know nothing about what the bible talks about and are ignorant but that still makes you culpable according to God's just judgement to you. That is one reason that I believe in the bible and God is because I am amazed and humbled by his goodness for this life and eternal life . We live in a very entitled world and people are still not afraid of death and to the God who can give them life forever. Satan has deceived you my brother and please consider your soul because you will spend eternity somewhere just like all mankind. And no I do not believe in the false teaching of the JW , mormon, Catholic or any other false church that believes that faith and works will give you eternal life or some other belief in another afterlife. So many false and misleading religions in this nation
Great interview fifth!
I love interviews from former elders, bethelites, pioneers. These are considered the cream of the crop in the JW world, and they are exposed to information on a deeper level than the average JW, so you know when they come out that it's because they've seen and struggled with things that tear at their conscious. I'd love to eventually see an interview from a former district or circuit overseer. That would be classic!
as soon as one comes across my desk I will be sure to do it
quietstormaps Historic!!!
👍Thank you both for this video and speaking out. If I were in his same situation I would have made the same decision he made regarding the deposition and court case. 💞
Awesome video. I am glad you left that evil cult and , as you say, you are free to experience wonderful things life has....Congratulations
From 45:30 to 48:00 ... these two and a half minutes contains the most valuable information regarding what's wrong with the mindset, morality and viewpoint of this organization.
Wow I love this! Such courage! I completely agree.
Wow, one of the most well informed people you have brought on that show, Fifth! Great video, keep it up!
Thank you to yourself Fifth & Roger for this interview. EVERY SINGLE TIME I hear a ex elder talk about the secretive things that go on behind the smiling faces & suits I'm forced to believe yet again that there's something very, very wrong & sick about this religion (cult) of my youth & that's quite a while ago now. It's dark & dangerous & bordering on evil. Certainly the current evil stems from the present 7 lying governing body members.
Robyn Bass well it makes you think what the heck are all those subliminal images in their magazines?! The images were way too clear and obvious to just simply be a coincidence. Those images are down right creepy and evil. You can tell this organization has been steming from evil since its inception.
Thank you for this interview it is nice to see people getting there FREEDOM back but still sad at cost that some have to pay for that Freedom
Excellent! Perceptive and focused interviewer, candid and enlightening interviewee.
Excellent interview! Thank you
Marvelous interview, filled with insightful and riveting information!!
Excellent interview. One of the best I've seen. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this interview! Roger... you have a lot of great information.. I hope you get your own channel.. information about "the machine" needs to come out.
Great interviews brotha ... keep em coming ...
I had to revisit this video. Still impressive as when I first saw it in 2018
around 24:00, Roger describes in very diplomatic language that he witnessed the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society LIE !
Perhaps it was the first time for him, but it is an indelible mark on your soul and from that time forward nothing is the same.
Great job!
👍I like what Roger said at the end that not all disfellowshipped people are evil mentally diseased apostates, some have families, they love one another and they are human beings. 💞
Some of my memories that made me angry and thinking about this 'truth' was also about the change of attitude to accepting transplants from considering them 'cannibalism' before to being acceptable as long as without blood transfusions. Also a woman asking if her husbands homosexual experiences were 'fornication or adultery' and grounds for divorce...(they said no, it had to be man with woman only), then they later changed their mind. Also about choice of sterilisation for a woman or man being considered self mutilation, but it was OK to have chemical castration (the pill etc) or using IUD's or other means to prevent pregnancy (I ignored that one and had the operation anyway), also their attitude to sexual practices (mostly being considered 'animalistic' except for missionary mostly). Later they said it was all a matter of individual conscience! The blood issue and how they nit picked that one. The shunning of family was also a big one and still is, as their handling of known child sex offenders. What about their interpretation of prophecy and it's changes over the years? That 'millions now living will never die" campaign in the 1920's that obviously didn't eventuate and repeated in the 'revelation red book' was a big one for me.The changes in regard to non military service and all those men that were jailed that didn't have to be, the tax issues...on and on it goes. Just all a lot of mind control and rubbish and waste of nearly 30 years of my life!! So much that caused problems and issues for the 'faithful' slaves being obedient to their leaders, what a legacy the WT have to answer for!
I was forced by my mom to be a witness...however I was reluctant to their believes and I got out. Because I was the bread winner in the family I believe that my mom didn’t stop talking to me...but how many others have that choice. This religion or I should say a cult, separates families!
I am glad I got out!
Interesting
hope this goes viral
amazing interview, a real bomb......tks for opening up
(27:54) "Some on the Body knew what was happening in the background, but other people on the Body did not [...] So there was those that knew and those that didn't know. Plus, there was importing of elders [...] so nobody knew what was really going on."
As a side note, this was the problem manifest in my last congregation. Bethel kept sending transitory elders to our cong. There was a constant influx and efflux of elders (it makes for a lack of stability). Now, the elders that knew the facts about a certain issue would eventually leave (re-assigned), and new elders, who knew nothing about the facts, would join the Body. Those elders that remained (and knew that facts) would feed the new elders their own narrative about the particular issue (in the privacy of their elders' meetings). The new elders, not knowing any better, would adopt this narrative and allow themselves to be guided by it -- this was evident by their conduct. By time the new elders were starting to wise up, they too got re-assigned and new elders were sent. Eventually, the truth got diluted... It made a thinking person wonder where Jehovah's spirit was in all of this.
U WILL BE HEADING FROM CHARLOTTE PORTER SOON AS EX Jehovah Witness ,of my experience going to the Detroit. congregation in Detroit Michigan .
Would be glad to help any of those eggs Jehovah's Witnesses or those who are trying to leave the organization in any way they can contact me on Facebook Charlotte see Porter will be glad to help!
Clement Mabunda yes I say the same thing, is Jehovah really running this organization? But then I remembered the Israelites and how they were stiff necked kept disobeying God, even Moses did and they KNEW his words. (Moses) were gods words, and they STILL acted up, you KNOW the story, but Jehovah was with them all the time, to get to their promised land. So I get confused about when people ask is Jehovah's spirit really running this confusing organization..😩
MH 81 I often ask myself: What prevents, say, a Catholic, from invoking that argument?
Clement Mabunda I don't know but it's confusing like is he in the congregation or isn't he?🤔
Dr Richmann, just saw the Ted talk on bullying. It's good to remember that bullies are deeply insecure. They are troublemakers, cause suffering to others and really need someone to stand up to them. Sometimes it's not worth one's efforts and stress and time. Sometimes it's just best to get away from them. Other times a quick "something" can fix them, depending on the situation it really is tricky to deal with. Thanks for your link. With the WT, I think exposure and activism is the best thing to help people. Bethel elders are the real bullies, so that is a start, just knowing where the bullying is coming from. For example, this week's mid week meeting is a perversion of Ezekiel ch 45. In their publications they twist the scriptures to make it sound like contributions need to go to those taking the lead, where in fact Ezekiel 45 talks about the "chieftains" being told to "stop seizing the property of my people" (verse 9) Stop abusing the people and their property. Those pretending to take the "lead" are really abusing their own people. Just one example, but it goes on and on and on.
What really get to me is that they never once apologize to the victims who was hurt by their policies.
I grew up in the sf bay area during 60's and 70's. This brother interviwed i could relate to him because he grew up and lived in the northern area of california during the same time I did. He does have a wealth of knowledge.
I am not a dub or ex-dub but I have had a bit of interaction with them and I have done a lot of research. It's so uplifting to see people who have been able to leave the organization. Nice interview.
Wow, great interview, Cliff!
Just like 'Dorothy,' in "The Wizard of Oz"... not many people are able to see what goes on "behind the curtain".
Thanks 'V' for interviewing Roger to help others to get the view he did.....
Dorothy kept believing The Wizard had the solution to all of their problems, but "things aren't always as you hope for, as you are led to believe, or as they appear"... There are only 'men' behind the curtain.
This is an excellent interview. Good job bro. Fifth and bro. Roger. I would like to emphatized with Roger. And on this, I would like to cheer him up by reading John 16:1-2; "I have told you these things so that you won't be staggered by all that lies ahead. For you will be excommunicated from the synagogues, and indeed the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service." --- The Living Bible
He visto por segunda vez esta grabacion. Es simplemente excelente. Roger felicidades por tu gran valor, amor a la verdad y etica. Gracias Fith por los subtitulos en español.
very interesting interview. information right from the source. Roger you should make your own video expose the watchtower, because you have the very original information. thank you for shearing this story on RUclips
Wow I love the quote at the end of the video. Do I have permission to use it?
Thanks :-) and sure
Recently, I watched this series regarding the Cali Cartel in Colombia. Four brothers gained power when Pablo Escobar (the previous cocaine lord) went down. These men required loyalty, they demanded your cooperation and it is said that they were like the KGB of Russia... all phones tapped, all converstations recorded and reviewed, there were people willing to report you on every corner of every street.
They killed people without blinking. They murdered family members, you could be LOYAL, TRUE, DO YOUR JOB, but if they even SUSPECTED that you were the problem... hasta la vista, baby, they called YOU the 'traitor', and you were dead.
When things were going down for the Cartel, the man who kept the books knew he was next... The only way the Cali Cartel had any chance in hell to pull off their "we surrender, put us in jail for 3 years (with all the luxuries and all of our bank accounts in tact) then let us out... was to kill the only man that could hang a noose on their neck.... the accountant.
What would you do if your family was about to be murdered? Stay loyal to the people about to murder you?
What is the WT like? If you find out that kids, that have been sexually abused, are being sacrificed to "keep things looking good", would you be loyal to them?
If one is not loyal to the WT, you are in the same position as the Cali Cartel. It is like blackmail. You take the bribe, or you die. When you leave WT, the org that demands loyalty, who is NOT loyal to you, you are called an "apostate", that name is the magic bullet that kills you... No more family, no more friends, no nothing.... You are essentially dead.
Your life has been taken by the "loyal ones"
Personally, I cannot let such horrific behavior go on, I would rather speak out, be honest, be caring, and take the bullet.
I would like another interview with him and maybe get some insight on how his family reacted to all of this
Yes, I should like to hear more from this gentleman.
Great interview but it wasn't long enough, I would love to hear more of his story which I am sure he has a lot more to tell. I would like to hear what his family went through during and after all of this and what he did once he woke up as far as did he do research and find out the rest of the lies. Pleasure do another interview.
Aunt Fancy Agreed. This was only the tip of the iceberg. Also, I think it'd be beneficial to ask a person what his current stand is regarding religion and how he/she approaches worship of God after being out of the organization.
Wowww impresionante!! Gracias por compartír su experiencia!! Gracias Fifth por traducirlo!!! Saludos a los dos !!!!!👏👏👏💪💪💪💪
Another great video!!
Just met Roger really great guy
This was such a great interview thank you so much.....:))
It is so nice that the ones who have been DF have someone they can talk and fellowship with, just don't start another CULT
So sad this man was df'd for taking care of the sheep. The JW community is losing some of the best men in the organization.
We were just Bamboozle, they sold us a dream which it wasn't there to give. We are Blesses to know the real truth. Great Job my Friend
The disregard of people's lives and their livelyhood doesn't cease to amaze me! Cult life! :( devestating :(
One time i ask an alder why the suit, while I was having bible study, and he got mad and told all the org that I asked a question about the suit, and started attacking me, you can't ask em no questions, they get offended,
Excelente experiencia ,Dios bendiga a este hombre valiente 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌
Thank you!!!!
Nothing but respect for you. Proud to call you my brother. I too stand for truth.
What an excellent interview. Thank you V.
This interview right here, really answered a lot of the critical thinking questions I had back then against the elders. You see they were contemplating making me an elder for quite some time. But they always had some lame excuse as to why I wasn't appointed at the time. They knew at some point they couldn't control my thinking process. In other words, they knew that if I smelled bullshit, then that's what I'm calling it! They want you to go against what you know to be logically Right, instead of speak against the wrongs of the Watchtower Babel and Crap Society.We can't make this stuff up folks. Thank you. Oh it's True... It's Damn True!!!
Muchas gracias por los subtítulos Fifth y por tu excelente trabajo. Saludos cordiales
what a great interview... I felt like it wasn't 7 years old, in fact it could have been done yesterday... God bless you Roger! I feel you never wavered, you didn't leave the Truth, in fact, it left you... Really inspiring. Id love to have an opportunity to speak to you myself. Thank you for the interview.
Dang they send out subpoenas???? What the heck!