😂😂😂😂😂😂guess what there's this other group that even top the JWS propaganda. Their called The Church of Almighty God. It's another doomsday evangelist group. You should see their video. They started in China. They claim when natural disasters occur those who die lived debauched sinful lives. They have their members give testimony how they survived.😳
I have not been to a mind-bending session in a KH since 2015, last Assembly was 2017 'Don't give up', and it was at that Assembly that my dear wife and I started to feel uncomfortable with Watchtowers Video's, nothing short of cringeworthy, we both felt that they were emotionally manipulative and could not get to grips with the changes taking place within the organization, so decided to do some research, particularly because of the growing Child abuse scandal that was not going away, and it was not just a few isolated cases, that I consoled myself that it might be, then came across the Australian Royal Commission, and watched with horror as it unfolded, to see J Jackson obfuscate and lie under oath was the final straw, came across JW Survey, and Lloyd Evans channel and everything started to fall into place. Having unplugged from the Matrix, I can say that true freedom is beautiful indeed, not missing anything Watchtower, my wife and I have faded with no issues, have been left alone which is very appreciated, since 2015 so much has come to the forefront with Watchtowers iniquities and scandal, they are now being exposed for what they are worldwide. Greetings from the UK.
Almost the same here. Looking back I remember different cognitive dissonant moments but didn't know what they were at the time. One, that wasn't too long back, was when they came out with the "new" KH design. I remember looking at it and thinking "That's a store!" LOL!!!
That was my very last convention too. I had been on the fence about the organization. After it was over, I turned to my indoctrinated husband and said, “Don’t EVER ask me to attend another convention or meeting again” I came home and began to do serious research. Thats after 40 years in the org and in my mid 60s. Thank you for reminding me about the worst convention ever.
@@theirregularpioneerchannel1804 You are right would love to chat with you You are hot sorry but I'm still in and it's been a long time are u single? Plz respond
Looking back now these things really bothered me at the time as well I just pushed it down. It's really funny how a sister mentioned about how the music for the the video at the end was played in the back ground all three days subconsciously programming us. I don't think she realized the effect that comment had on me
First thing i noticed was in my baptism questions they did not say: "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit " but in the name of the organization! (This started 27 years of ignoring my gut instinct that something is wrong!) 2) never felt an inch of love. 3) felt the constant judgemental attitudes 4) because of the lack of love and zero friendship within the organization i struggled with having to go door to door and drag someone into this loveless organization 5) knew a narcissist "so called sister" who was judging me for helping a homeless person. Basically, im like the "good samaritan" mentioned in the Bible but she found fault with me literally saving a person's life! I just thought "There is no way we are both serving the same God!" 6) The Flat Earth Scriptures/Doctrine was my reason to leave. If i could find 240 scriptures on the flat earth and God's chosen people the Governing body can't find any then this isn't Gods organization! Needless to say the research began.
That no tight pants for men and no leggings for women rant was the beginning of the end for me 🥴 But the bunker videos pretty much sealed it and deep down I knew I wouldn’t be going to another convention
SimplyBritt_S them bunker videos were hard to watch too. I was too indoctrinated to admit how bad they were at the time though. I just focused on other stuff. But those were hella cringey. And yeah, homeboy talking all that “no spanx” BS was type goofy too.
Wow. That was fascinating seeing you on stage as chairman, really shows how far you’ve come. The 2018 convention was also a starting point in my waking up journey, I think that’s when the seeds began to be planted. The 2019 convention was my last convention, and one of the last meetings I attended.
When the GB(self appointed governing body) were behind the curtain (like Oz, in the Wizard of Oz) it was easy to fool people into believing their nonsense but since they have made themselves public their CIRCUS is easy to see! From Steven Letts clown face to their over lapping generation crap.
Wow, Yes, I’ll never forget, in 2013 I believe it was when the current generation of Governing Body members came trotting out on stage introducing themselves. This blew me away because previously the GB were kind of shrouded in mystery and perceived as quiet humble wise men of God bestowed with special enlightenment from God himself. But now these current buffoons have really opened many peoples eyes.
I started seeing alot of hypocrisy in the watchtower from the leadership to the local elders and all those corny ass videos they make us watch at the meetings. but what really shook me was when I watched the arc trial and seeing all the lies from the elders and GB about the watchtower policies I pretty much left after that and never looked back.
Woke up after 20 years after seeing the footage of the Australian. Royal Commission hearings. Made me ashamed I had ever been in loved with these people
Excellent video my brotha! I was in literal tears when you said you had to get up and leave the assembly hall not the lobby but out of the entire building. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Good to get another video from you Matt! 😎 I began to wake up from the JW's by reading about Mormons and watching videos of episodes entitled.."I was a Mormon". Then John Dehlin's excommunication was broadcast on television. I started following him and I noticed a ton of similarities between the JW's and the Mormons. This was an eye-opener for me!! After that I got the courage to go to RUclips and look up.. "Why do people leave the Jehovah's Witnesses faith"...that's when I really started waking up! I became obsessed listening to all ExJW stories on RUclips and the FEAR of the "so called" apostates that we are taught to detest started to become a different reality, they are just people telling their experiences when they were an active JW and why they left. So all the stigma started to dwindle. Then I branched out and started looking into Seventh Day Adventist, Scientology, Christadelphians, The Brethren, Christian Science. I started noticing the parallels between all the religions, and it runs deep...no questioning, no doubting and everything comes from the top down. The rank-and-file are just the followers with no personal self, no individuality. After you wake up and start seeing these things it can take a toll on you, especially if this is the only thing you have known all your life! It is really tough! The phobias and fears, can mess with a person's mind. Now I see why a lot of people resort to suicide, it is scary but the good thing is there's help!! The internet has played a big part in all of this! Now I look at people as being just human beings trying to do their best, trying to deal with all the stresses and anxieties in this world as they find their true purpose. I can now honestly say that life is better on the outside! 💯
Southern Bawse Lady Hi! I agree with you. Same thing happened to me! I google and RUclipsd 1914!! I devoured every exjw channel! You really get obsessed when you open your eyes because you can’t believe you’ve been manipulated, dunk into a cult and full of treason all over!!! I looked for Spanish videos- they were only a handful now it’s all over more than I expected have awaken and became activists!! I am well awake still in (PIMO) because if family members but not active anymore- already getting comments from bros and sisters saying they miss me in the preaching work- never say we miss YOU! This religion has to fall/ down with the tower!!
Thank God you got out, brother. My family has shunned me for 30 years for getting out and I was wondering what they were thinking about these videos. I pray that they wake up, they are elders and Gilead graduates and my niece who I’ve never met is at Bethel with her husband. I hope one day, my phone rings. Thank you for your story. ❤️
Wake up process started for me in the mishandling of child abuse cases. Me being a victim, I was made to feel like I was the only child this happened to, and my situation for the most part was swept under the rug. Now knowing that there were others who experienced the same things or even worse cuts me to my heart, because this was a religon my parents instilled in me to love and respect, and the ones taking the lead are not protecting innocent victims, nor do they have the humility to acknowledge and take accountability for what has happened under their direction. Smh...
Kimber Leigh I’m right there with u girl. I’ve been having such a hard time with my depression I decided to do some research online and I couldn’t believe how many victims there were who all had very similar stories to mine. I burst into tears because right then and there I realized this problem was systemic! Shame on those men! Have you thought about filing a lawsuit? New York has lifted the statute of limitations for one year so that anyone can file a civil suit against the governing body. That was last summer I think. So I think it ends this August. I’ve been in contact with a law firm who will take my case but I don’t know if I can handle reliving that trauma. You should look into it.
@@krissykatportal Hey Krissy. Thank you for your reply. I have thought about it, but its like a battle in my mind of whether I am doing the right thing because the indoctrination runs so deep. For years you are controlled thru fear and guilt, so when you break free and start to do things independently you question yourself. I was made to feel like what happened to me was my fault like as a child I should have known better. But we are taught to trust the ones in congregation and the ones outside will hurt you... Smh its so disturbing what has been allowed to happen to innocent people 😔
Kimber Leigh I totally understand. That’s another reason why I’m afraid to file a lawsuit. Once my family finds out they’ll probably really cut me off completely. Which is just horrible. I was just a child when it happened. I can’t imagine treating my own daughter this way if something like that happened to her. I never understood why my parents didn’t protect me or even just support me. That brainwashing is NO JOKE.
@@krissykatportal Krissy... You are so right. Its like some sort of blind loyalty. My parents didn't protect me either. I wasn't baptized at the time but I was still punished with the loss of my privileges and he was disfellowshipped... That's it. I was talked and whispered about. I was literally ostracized. I suffer with depression as well. I hate that you experienced things so similar to me, its pain I believe will never completely go away without comfort from our heavenly father. I pray for you sis. And I pray that justice is served for you and all the ones who have had to experienced situations like this and have had their lives literally ruined before they had a chance to start. I pray for us all... 🙏❤️
@kimber Leigh and @Krissy first and foremost I’m glad you got out. I realize that taking legal action and reliving the experience will be painful but I beg you please go after them! They need to be exposed all over the world. I have been waiting over twenty years for some of my relatives to wake up. I can’t get through to them in anyway they’re in too deep but if enough lawsuits pop up maybe a whole lot of people will see the real truth and reject the JW’s lies and cover ups. Please do it for the children.....no telling how many are suffering through actions of some filthy pig right now. When it becomes plain to the world that they are lying criminals and they still have a membership then those members are criminals as well including my relatives; birds of a feather and all that! Thanks for your time take care
The people in charge of directing these dramatizations are so disconnected from the world that they have no idea what is really going on outside of their on asses.
It's crazy the crazy red flags and signs that I ignored while I was in the organization because I was so indoctrinated. I think one of the ways that they keep people brainwashed is keeping them busy. I know that in my last couple years in before I switched to the foreign language congregation, I was volunteering to sit by the contribution box, so I didn't always hear the talks and propaganda and wasn't given an opportunity to truly think about and question things. When I switched over to the Portuguese congregation, I didn't understand much of the language, so the indoctrination began to slowly loosen and I started making decisions for myself that the organization wouldn't have liked. I was still a believer in it, but I think that helped set the stage for me finally waking up.
Diary of an Awkward Ex-JDub Mum so true. I was so damn busy that i didnt really reflect on how stupid some of the things i was hearing were. Also the foreign language switch helps a lot of people break free mentally.
I didn't finish Ray Franz's "Crisis of Conscience" but was listening to it on audio when I was waking up. I remember there being a part where it was discussed at HQ to keep the followers busy. It's done intentionally.
Gary Breaux ' 2 witness, morning worship and a talk from the AGM in 2017 were the last straw for me. I finally saw the propaganda. Thanks for this video, very positive 💛
womanofthenang Gary Breaux makes me sick now. He was the guy who appointed me as an elder, and i’ll never feel comfortable about that. He’s complicit to so much of the evil that the organization carries out.
When Breaux did the Pillowgate talk, I was like "He looks and talks the way I'd envisioned a pedophile church leader would act". Totally cringe-worthy!
@@michellemcmichael4680 in 2017, Mark Noumair, helper to the governing body, gave a Gilead graduation talk on the subject of silently bearing injustice. It was formed around the Bible character Rizpa. This talk absolutely helped me to see the propaganda. I also have a RUclips channel if you'd like to know more of my story.
Great video. I was embarrassed by these videos as well, and I'm not even JW. I was just cringing for this group of people who are not mature beyond the 4th grade level.
I woke up in 2001.. and was dealing with my own family being super hypocritical. But what sealed the deal was 1. Crisis of Conscience book.. and 2. The UN Scandal that broke at that time. I was in the computer lab at school and literally sat there DUMBFOUNDED by what I was reading. Got DF'd that year. Apparently they wanted a judicial committee with me but I didnt give them the pleasure of my company. So happy to be free!
My waking up started with "new lights", flip flopping, and the "Bible stories". Never believed Adam and Eve story, The tower of Babel story, Noah and the flood, Jonah etc...all of that was embarrassing to me ‼️🤔
BianchiRoadshow Great idea!! I’m a PIMO IM thinking instead of going door to door I’m going to write letters And saying the truth about the truth!! Regards!!
My waking up was when it was discovered through young 12 year old sisters in the congregation (6 to be exact) coming forward that my husband was sexual with them when they babysat for us. I WAS NOT GRANTED A SCRIPTURAL DIVORCE. To me, what he did was more horrendous, criminal and heinous as well as had WAY MORE LASTING RAMIFICATIONS to these young people than adultery, yet he was only removed as a ministerial servant. They regarded it as a sin but not a crime! I was SO DONE because this decision was also from the “governing body” whom I contacted as well! I was not free from this man based on the jw teachings! So I freed myself from him and this organization of false prophets and apostasy - deviants. Years later one elder who told my mother - who has nothing to do with me, that they as a body of elders are so blood guilty because of decisions they made, with regards to known abuse both physical and sexual. I went to court about the physical abuse and put that creepy husband of mine in jail - he was charged and guess what - the whole side of the courtroom had elders and presiding overseer and circuit overseer there rubbing his back and consoling him. No one was on my side of the court room but Victim services and his and my 2 biological teen daughters. There was standing room only on HIS SIDE of the court room and The elders chose to stand rather than sit on my side of the room. I was sure the judge would not rule in my favor because there were no witnesses to be criminal act of abuse but he was so cocky and I believe the judge was able to see how horrible of a situation it was to see all the elders on that side of the court room plus it was clear his story was contrived. Also the whole 1914 thing and false prophesy never sat well with me.
Wow, the place where you had the convention looked a lot like the place we had our conventions in Maui. That 2018 convention was the first one i didn't attend after fully waking up in December of 2017. Much love to you my brother! Freedom is awesome!! 😁 🤙
You are an anchor to reality. When I start feeling like I’m lost or still fighting to believe.... you set me right... everytime. No one can be understood the insanity unless you loved it. I look forward to all your videos.
I woke up when I realized the friends I had made at school cared more for me than anyone in the congregation. I was told that everyone outside the "truth" were evil and out to get me, but I made a genuine friend group that supported me through waking up and still support me today
My husband and I decided to watch the Leah Remini show on Scientology, just out of curiosity about that religion really. And the more we watched the more parallels between our religion and theirs. Somehow seeing the shunning and cutting off of family in that religion and people's outrage finally dawned on me that I wasn't crazy for feeling that shunning is so wrong and unloving and ridiculous that a teen could get df'd and if they don't come back their parents are still not talking to them or sparingly when they are 40 and married with families of their own (clearly not "sinning") but just didn't come back to org. - Also seeing how kids and full grown adults have to have double lives even when you really aren't doing anything "wrong"...you are trapped and unable to speak openly when you do have a concern out of fear of consequences. - been faded since Nov.2018. It's been stressful, but I don't want to be associated with portraying it as a positive place for ANYONE...while so many suffer and are suffering...all the royal commission stuff and many other insights have came since. I am still a Christian I did not leave God I left a man made "Society".
Definitely not a positive place after exiting, I've been severely depressed since waking up, raised 4 kids in the "truth ",our oldest daughter refused a blood transfusion and died at 20 years old, the other 3 will struggle the rest of there lives trying to overcome the indoctrination ,I feel broken beyond belief.
Kelly Bell I'm so so very sorry about the loss of your daughter.😔 I hope that you are able to build a life past it. Are you opposed to all religion or just JW? I still have belief in God and I found Eric Wilson/Bereon Pickets RUclips channel extremely helpful on lifting a lot of the indoctrination guilt of not knowing what to believe after knowing that they do not have the "truth". Also I love Michael Felkers podcast and RUclips channel he has never been a witness just studies theology, but reviews the watchtower studies from a Christian perspective and shows errors and shines light on indoctrinated language. Don't give up...time heals...as you have found through reddit and internet you are not alone, and so many of us have so much in common with you. You are very much cared about.♥️
@@eyesontheprize5 thank you so much for your kind words, all we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward I guess, no I'm not opposed to all religion but I just don't know where I stand anymore, I agree the exjw community is doing a great work for us that have been hurt and damaged so much by this organization, once again I want to thank you for your encouraging words, much love from Fayetteville North Carolina
Kelly Bell Omg!!! I’m so sorry about your loss! I can’t imagine your pain and more when you wake up! This religion is mean, malicious and evil! It really literally espérate families!!! Down with the tower!!!
@@KB-rq6ld Sorry for your loss! I had the same feeling of not knowing where I stood when I woke up a couple years ago. I agree with "eyesontheprize" that Eric Wilson's channel has been helpful. But, I also realized that none of us need an organization or anyone to teach us the Scriptures. We can read for ourselves. Maybe 500 years ago people needed help but not anymore. If we learned a few actual Bible "truths" from that WhORGanization so what? Receive free, give free. We owe them nothing. God's word is not a business but as with most organized religions, that's what they've done with it. I've also now embraced having a relationship with Christ Jesus; a relationship that Scotchtower stole from its rank & file members. His footsteps alone are the ones we should follow. God himself said "Listen to Him" and in prophecy concerning him said "...he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace".
My last convention was the bunker video! Many things for years did not make sense but I stayed! I noticed the hypocrisy between regular publisher and pioneers-so much favoritism! How the elders gloated in the meetings and from the podium and how some of the elders treated their wives! I decided to not use the Watchtower to prove Jesus came in 1914 by using the Bible only. Still haven’t found that scripture 😂. Stumbled upon the Australian Royal Commission child abuse and haven’t looked back! Was in for 40 years. I’m not bitter just happy I awakened from the coma! Good video keep them coming!
I agree with everything you’ve said here! So true! I disassociated June/18 & recall telling my husband I would not be attending the assembly in July, nor the c.o. Visit 2 weeks after that, that I would never set foot in another Kingdom Hall again! No regrets to this day! Still lots of life changes happening, but forging ahead! 😌. Thanks for your observations Matt, nice to hear from you again!
Yep, so glad that I wasn't the only one that felt like you did about the videos. I too was beginning to see the 'propaganda' feel to the videos. Unfortunately, it wasn't until later that year that my curiosity for Scientology was peaked. Earlier, I allowed myself to do outside research on the destruction of Jerusalem. Prior to that I was really really trying to understand the 'overlapping generation' which thankfully I know is complete NONSENSE!!! Good to see ya back on the channel. Hope you and your family are well!
What woke me up was the highrachy that exist with the member only if you do what you suppose to do and the favoritism with the elders son's. I would miss a meeting and get in trouble. One the elders son's would still from the contribution box and gets a slap on the hand. Ridiculous!
It gives me hope that you were that far into the org., And you woke up. I'm so happy for you. I have people still in the Watchtower who I love so much. If you woke up, they might too. Thank you for doing these videos. That convention was my last. The videos were horrible. I saw the manipulation in them.
Hey Matt, I was similarly astounded by the 2014 convention and how they used appeals to your emotions so much. I commented to my wife that it was like watching a TV Evangelist channel on TV. We were both embarrassed by the content and within a few months we had left. We have a RUclips channel under our names, and cover a lot of similar ground on what woke us up. I was an elder as well, so I know about the workload!
I found out about the ecret elders book shortly after baptism, kingdom halls being funded with congregation donation then when sold the Watchtower gets the funds when the congregations paid for the buildings. I stopped donating.
I woke up when my husband got disfellowshipped for adultery, I asked the elders for help and received none. When I faded. It took them almost an entire year to come look for me. Which they only did because the CO questioned them about me. I knew at this point that it was a bunch of whooey. Any confidence or faith I had was gone.
So glad you used critical thinking. I was there 40 years. I left 2 years ago. The use of critical thinking played a significant role in me walking away. Very painful when one finds out one has been part of a cult and a pedophile club unknowingly. Bless you on waking up after offering the awake to others.😊
@@migdaliafuentes1618 hi there. Just reaching out and to say live life for you now. We've been thought Thats the best life ever. However finding out the real truth about the so called truth means freedom for folk like you and me.😊regards.
Wow! Great video! I haven’t finished it yet but so far amazing perspective. There you are a brother on stage at a convention (they don’t just put anybody up there, only the most faithful to the watchtower) and as you claimed even you as an indoctrinated very active JW elder (mind you) were able to see the “propaganda” that’s was shown to the masses. Wow! This does give hope and some perspective as too what wakes people up every time is actually there own propaganda be it in their current literature their old literature, current talks, old archived talks, or the spread of their divisive messages such as that one that you showed in the video for a good witness to be certain and firm in not supporting certain members of the community etc... For me I got out physically a lot longer than you around the year 2000 simply because I wanted to go less since I saw much hypocrisy in the organization. Big time. Then in around around 2004 after going through some personal struggles and feeling no support only judgment I left physically in 2004. But I was POMI (physically out mentally in) for many many years. I didn’t wake up fully until 2014. But I remember when I went back in 2010 and they told me that the millions now living generation doctrine had changed and- I just shook my head and said “of course it did”-it had nowhere to go, it had an artificial end date and was doomed from the beginning. But I got angry remembering my Father and me going out in field service during the 80 and 90s and he would tell me “just a little while longer that this generation won’t pass” was foretold. That pushed me and that pushed my father since he came in “the truth” in the early 70s. For my father 1975 failed him and then that prediction failed him. Then I learned that the watchtower was a UN member during the whole time in the 90s that we were studying the Revelation book. I was so pissed. Hypocrisy. Yet know one knew. I feel so bad my father wasted his life for a man made organization. He’s now dead and died disfellowshipped and disgraced and alone. Is the watchtower gonna bring him back and give him his life back or say sorry. No. I know how my father fell into it, when he was a wayward 60s teen and the witnesses came to his door while he was coming back from jail and struggling with addiction and was hanging out with some really had people, they knocked on his door. They cleaned him up and he changed his life. Yet that came with a price. Soon after he cut off his whole extended non witness family because they celebrated Christmas and Halloween and didn’t live by his new Watchtower standards. His mom (my grandma) later regretted very much that she opened the door that day the witnesses showed up in 1969, and she said that she was actually the one that told the JWs to wait and to talk to her son (my dad). She later regretted it, since she didn’t know he would be brainwashed and later leave them all. Then before you know it my dad was an ministerial servant and an elder and then giving talks in the 80s in Dodger Stadium. Before you know it I was born, actually it was a bit earlier in 78 and then in 1989 I was baptized at 11 yrs old dedicating my life to an organization I didn’t even know anything about really. Know one told me that its very normal to grow up and change your point view or perspective of the world and or change ones belief systems by growing in wisdom and gathering info. This is a good thing, it means your growing as long as it’s healthy and positive. Even if the experiences are tough or traumatic you can still learn from it. So my beliefs changed quite a bit, and then before I knew it all of my social structure was gone (swiftly too). Yet, they made me feel like I did that. They continue to ruin families, and will continue until these great videos and this message gets so overwhelming that they completely change or it splinters off into various other other sub groups because they can’t handle the bad press (pressure cooker time)!. Just like what happened to Scientology. Some day anyways...
So let me be honest, I didn't go to this assembly simply because I didn't feel like it lol. But when I saw these videos a year later I was like, what is this corny crap? This isn't remotely realistic!!! No one will snap on you out of nowhere because you were looking at a bracelet supporting the LGBT community. Obvious propaganda smh
Who in the hell going to stand in the woods waiting on anybody's army to attack them . Isn't that's the same convention when they said the wicked might decenergrate before our eyes. Did some else catch that one ?
I was born into a JW family and spent my childhood in service as a witness and even was baptized as a witnesss. My parents remained in the organization until their passing. I left when I was a teenager because I started noticing Iwas gay. I told my parents about my feelings and after I left home they shunned me for years. I know they had problems in times as they were in sometimes and backsliding at other times. They divorced for a time and then remarried each other and I think they were disfellowshipped for a time but went back as they got older until their deaths.
i appreciated this ... the 2016 convention had me questioning things and was my last convention i attended ... i think it was Remain loyal to Jehovah... i saw things i didn’t like but over time other things started waking me up especially the way problems in the congregation were handled... 2016 was also the last memorial i attended ...by end of 2017 i was fully awake and left... most people i was exposed to in the organization were all secretly struggling with their sexuality i saw plenty women married to men who were very flamboyant and feminine as well as many men married to very aggressive women who appeared very uncomfortable in dresses and shoes a few i knew personally were aware of their mates struggle but because they weren’t “acting “ on those feelings they considered them heterosexual.. I even had a disagreement with a sister who tore down a gay man and when i referenced the same qualities to someone in the Kingdom hall she said he is not gay he is our brother they are so hypocritical i saw signs early idk how i overlooked them! my own sexuality was questioned by sisters because i stayed single smh refusing to marry a man who was clearly gay in my opinion or rushing to marry the first brother or refusing to marry a man three times my age once i left i’ve come across so many opportunities in men and it feels great! i get to choose what i want or don’t want in a man not the society telling us who is good for us and whose not or people investigating your potential mate to see if he is “spiritual enough “It was so limited in that organization and i look at those sisters who have been single their whole life in that religion suffering from loneliness and depression it’s sad
This actually applies to some of us poor fellows. I foolishly went back after being out for several years. My great "worldly" girlfriend said "No way! That's a cult! I'll never become one of those jw's" She proceeded to dump me. If only I had listened 😩
I was never a Jdub but have had studies with them. Here's a real life example that won't be featured at a convention or in a video. At my workplace we hold a craft show after Thanksgiving. We decided to call it a Winter craft show instead of a Christmas or Holiday show so JWs could participate. And they do. The reason you showed the video of you giving a talk shuts down naysayers who would say you were "spiritually weak" but instead you had privileges and responsibilities much like Keith John of TrueFaced.
I was in in my youth but informed myself on the JW in the last three years. One thing that I'm trying to understand is the meaning of "spirituality" in the eyes of a JW. I have the impression that WT makes them believe that being spiritual mean following the bible, WT agenda, to attend meetings, to ascend in the hierarchy, to be devoted to the organisation. Like if you are an Elder you would be considered more spiritual than others. Is my impression right?
@@endlessorbaggins8223 Yes. Spirituality as defined by the WT means you do all the things a "good" JW should be doing. And there is a pecking order so you are also correct regarding Elders being viewed as more spiritual than a non-elder.
The ARC,elders manuel...Expecially how they don't have to confess their sins. They can just be quiet and wait or lie and say it was a long time ago and remain an elder. The worse part is that they have the nerve to continue dissing folks while keeping their own secrets!
You are so sweet to watch. Being out for more than 12 years now, I realize I never really was 100% in as far as the GB. I always questioned them and expected them to continue to make big mistakes. So once out, it wasn't a big deal. I still had my relationship with God and the Bible. But not everyone had that advantage. I was in the "truth" since I was an infant, so I went through 1975, for instance. I guess I always had a sense I was "outside" the mainstream. Thanks for sharing. There is a lot to go over. BTW, the Bible says that "eunuchs are born that way from their mother's wombs," meaning being "gay" comes naturally for some. But being gay doesn't mean you're a flaming homosexual. If you step back, we see that God restricts sex among heterosexuals to those who are married. So at the very least, wouldn't that also apply to gays? Gays who bother to get married or maintain a monogamous relationship? Of course. But if you begin there, excusing gays who are married in some way, all other sexual contact is condemned just as in the straight world. It's not our business what other people do, but an easy line to draw is against sex outside of marriage. The other thing is this. The WTS is represented in the parable of the ten virgins. When the Bible says that after the tribulation the sun will not shine and the moon will be dark and the stars will fall out of the sky, it is a reference to the divinely imposed spiritual darkness cast upon the public anointed ones, who are represented by the ten virgins. Note all ten virgins nod and their lamps grow dim. This is because the light is dimmed with respect to the second coming. But then after the second coming occurs there is a call in the night the bridegroom has arrived. The five wise virgins with the EXTRA OIL put it together and join the wedding feast. But five foolish virgins without the extra oil don't get in. Now they show up later with lamps burning brightly, but it is now too late for them. Point being, just on that parable alone, only 50% of the witnesses who are of the anointed will actually get into the kingdom. So the government coming after them is a joke. Russia has banned the Witnesses! That's all that will happen. Public expression of religion will be banned. Churches will close. Church lands will be confiscated, just like in Russia. The WTS is now selling off Kingdom Halls ahead of this inevitable action. Bottom line, JWs are NOT the true religion. They are now made up of the 5 foolish virgins who will be cast out as "grapes of wrath." Thanks, again, for sharing your video. WHAT WOKE ME UP: Ezra 6:14,15 clearly shows that "Artaxerxes" completed the temple in the sixth year of Darius I, which means Darius I died in his sixth year. Secular history claims he ruled for 36 years. So secular history is wrong. The Persians added 82 fake years to their timeline, pushing the 1st of Cyrus back from 455 BCE to 537 BCE. Based on 537 BCE, JWs came up with 607 BCE as the year for Jerusalem's fall in year 18. Jerusalem actually fell in year 19 and the 70-year exile did not begin until the last deportation in year 23 of Nebuchadnezzar II. So when 455 BCE becomes the 1st of Cyrus, 525 BCE becomes year 23 and 529 BCE becomes the true date for the fall of Jerusalem. But it took me a lot of research and some error along the way to figure this all out. But ow that it is figured out, 1914 becomes 1992. That's an interesting proposition for Christ to return in 1992 rather than 1914. But that's a lot of discussion. How much more do you want to know? Have a fantastic day!!
Hey Matt, great video and great presentation! And congratulations on waking up from this cultish religion. I got out years ago, as I knew this wasn’t the “truth”. And that video of the witnesses being surrounded with guns, is so ridiculous. They have that victim mentality. I’m out of New York now, but I was in Queens as well. In fact I was in the Bayside congregation. No one talks with me there anymore, but I sure would like to see my old friends wake up like you did.
Hello my Bro Matt, I sure remember how I felt during that last video.... when I saw Jesus and what was obviously the 144,000 following him, Rev 19:14 & 15 make it VERY CLEAR JESUS comes with a sharp, long SWORD coming out of his MOUTH!!! The whole video was making me feel like “what in the world is going on!?” But when it got to “them” portraying Jesus Christ our King coming with bow n arrow I wanted to stand and shout out, “What is this!!!? Have we all gone BLIND!!!? This is obviously when Jesus comes at Revelation ch 19, and for an organization who prides themselves on “accuracy” this is the rider at Rev 6:2... ( whom now I see clearly is Satan!).. although I was taught that rider was Jesus as well, which cannot be as he is the Lamb already spoken of in Verse one of that same chapter... anyhow that’s a ‘ Wholenother’ chapter right!.... but yes, I absolutely agree... our “shelve” can hold only so many lies, and then it breaks! Through the years they pile up, and we usually are unaware of others are piling up n about to break as we can not freely voice our Doubts. NOT doubts in Jesus, but doubts in men! All I do now is seek truth, REAL TRUTH ~ Our Lord Jesus IS THE TRUTH!!! It’s “testing all things“ in Hebrew and Greek from here on out for me my brother!💜~ Shalom
I woke up in bits after the convention which shared a video about consolidating congregation. We hadn’t received our notice yet and I wondered why a video about people upset. From experience, they were trying to adjust a trending attitude. Then we got our notice and strangely the elders were making a point of visiting each family to personally tell them. They looked so stressed out, almost afraid of getting back lashed. I continued to wondered why this was such a hot topic. THEN, we moved congregation. A faithful older widowed pioneer sister tried her best to support the “loving arrangement” and adjust... She gave up her spiritual routine of bible studies and had to walk up hill territory looking for new studies in the hot summer months. She was exhausted, but joked it off not wanting to share how much she was struggling. When I worked with her, I hear her exhaustion and asked her to rest a bit and not push herself. Two days later she was found dead in her home. I know the stress literally killed her. I was not the same after that. Something wasn’t right. I honestly felt we were being fed BS. There was a hidden agenda and no one was talking. So I went to the internet to find answers. Finally it all came together when I found out about the law suits.... I started to connect the dots, remember how we were asked to secretly write how much we would pledge monies for this or that. It was a greedy deceitful money issue. I realized they were sucking our life like parasites. We were the peon dispensable worker ants and the GB was the fat queen bee.
For me it was the 2017 convention, especially since at that point I had need removed as a servant so it gave me time to sit and soak it up. While doing so at meetings and conventions I started thinking “wtf”
I’m so happy you made this video because that is when I myself started to wake up from those very points. I started thinking to myself “What is going on here??” One major thing that really started making me question if the witness really had the truth and really got the critical thinking ball rolling, I don’t know if you remember was the part about Revelations. They were talking about what happens after we die. About who would be resurrected and how god would open the book of life to judge all of that. My husband and I sat up and brained stormed during the lunch break about how it would make much more sense for God to just bring everyone back and give everyone a chance to live in both worlds. That would be fair. It was like someone turned a light on we found scriptures to back it up it made so much sense. We brought it up to other friends too about how maybe that’s what the scriptures mean. Like we broke down revelations and Corinthian‘s I’m not gonna get too much into it lol but it made complete sense. Everyone kept acting like we were crazy and how the society couldn’t never get anything wrong.... but that didn’t sit right with me so I started doing outside research and add that with those cringe worthy videos and boom I’m now POMO and proud!
when i went to the convention in ny with my family back "11. The talk about Daniel 2 really caught me with the predictions the watchtower was trying to make. I had a moment where i looked at everyone around me and thought somebody should be picking up on this. If I'm not mistaken it was an assembly hall in queens. I think it was at this one. this is the year i met you. It is so funny i had the same feeling in the same place as you. since then i have looked at my family and the religion completely different. Before this I was planning to study to become a witness since I spent a great part of my life going to meetings. when i came across your videos it blew my mind know how close you were to my family. literally neighbors.
I'm new to your channel... Saw a video you did with #AltWorldy... In 2012 I fell desperately for a non jw Co worker and haven't been the same since.. Crazy.. we don't wake up overnight.. 2013-14... I was still a good wittnesses.. But a early conversation I had with this Co worker where she mentioned how a blood transfusion saved her life years b4 really stuck with me... I was thinking about All the jw's who died from NOT ACCEPTING BLOOD,.. I was totally sickened by that point... Thank you for the work you do... Love the clip of you speaking at the same convention that started you questioning ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I really enjoyed your video. I think it’s great you showed old clips of you on the stage. It really drives home how PIMI you were, but yet you still woke up. I also agreed completely with your comments about both videos shown at the assembly. They were so overly dramatic and cringe worthy. They could of stood by their beliefs across without being so manipulative. The Organization has changed so much these last 10 years. I think seeing with our own eyes how goofy and un-intelligent the GB really are in Broadcasts has not helped their case. At least in the past (before GB videos) I really knew nothing about the GB members and I always imagined them to be Bible scholars - how hilarious in retrospect. I think a lot of people are waking up because of that. And then of course the ARC and CSA. It’s crazy (crazy good) what’s happening. Personally the main thing that made me realize they were a full on cult was reading the classic George Orwell book called “1984”. If you haven’t read it, you should, it’s an absolutely amazing book. So many times when 1984 talked about “Big Brother” and the “Thought police” I was saying to myself: “that’s exactly what the Borg does!!”. Keep up the good videos.👍
Keiron Gillespie, i agree i was scratching my head... it was 2016 ish the brother on the podium mentione the overlapping generation...i was scratching mu head. I use an alias. I tell my story on my channel. I am related to a Gillespie (east cost) usa.
Great discussion Matt!! Thanks for sharing what helped wake you up from the cult. As a former Elder myself, it was the arguments at the Elders meetings, the hypocrisy, favoritism, misogyny and lack of love in the organization that really helped me wake up and find the exit door. So glad to see many others leaving as well!
I just recently stumbled upon your channel. I’m a Pimo from Kenya and honestly the video on the LGBTQ topic wasn’t that shocking for many. We live in countries that have people thinking that being a homosexual is ‘un-African’. I’m a millennial so that mentality isn’t shared among us but some still believe so. What led to me waking up was how the watchtower presents Africa and other 3rd world countries. Of course we have poverty stricken communities but so does every other society. I was shocked that fellow witnesses didn’t believe me when I showed them pictures of Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape town, Cairo and many more back in 2019 when I visited the US. I don’t blame them but I blamed their narrow minded attitude that Africa is just one whole big poverty-stricken country. What shocked me even more was how the 2019 convention videos represented Africa, Asia and Latin America. Watchtower literally took pockets of African countries and went to the most remote areas . Whereas they represented other regions such as Europe and N.America with metropolitan areas. I was with a brother from Malawi and he was shocked to see watchtower pick an area that he didn’t even know existed within his country. Another thing that added wood onto the flame was the ‘Remember the wife of lot’ drama. I thought of how hypocritical watchtower was becoming. I remembered thinking to myself how that drama was too graphic for watchtower’s standard. I respect them for trying to get the effects right but yeah as you said, watchtower became what they’ve always advised against, televangelists.
Mozez Muchoki my fear friend!! I agree with you. I remember one of the first broadcasting )it’s in a first year of videos) where they present this JW family with a huge house, a van and a car ! My husbAnd commented - that the video is too “show off” and materialistic (didn’t have nothing to do with materialism) and husband added: cN you imagine other low income brothers seeing these videos? And he was right! And recently all the videos always showing brothers and sisters going to assemblies and meeting and preaching locations walking in jungle like areas! They never present the metro areas of your country or Latin America! Wt always taking opportunity to indoctrinate! Regards From Puerto Rico 🇵🇷!! Hugs!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 About showing off... One thing that i've noticed in videos is the furnitures used on the sets. Like marble counters with sopisticated decorations and 4000$ sofa. This is too far from reality, this is like watching a TV commercial. You know how the burgers or doughnuts don't look the same on the screen than in real life. Anyway, just find that their propaganda videos with all the nice clothings and furnitures does not match the anti-materialist speech.
Seeing this is reassuring, since it makes me realize it is inevitable that I would’ve woken up. If not years ago when I actually did, then in 2018 after seeing this for sure.
That last video showing their fake armageddon also made me mega angry. Come to think about it, that video might have been the last straw. I was mentally done after that.
Fortunately I quit going to conventions when the international one came around. I saw enough hypocrisy in that one to start questioning....however still waiting on my children to wake up
Mimi Mimi In the international convention all over the world has been a show of country traditions when we are not suppose to be part of this world! Traditional music and dances! I said wait a minute. I have forbidden. My kids for many years to be in traditional dances and events because it was worldly and here we are in a convention where even in the lobby worldly music and traditional dresses were displayed???!!! 😡
Very nice video, brother. I was a JW for 45 yrs (1971-2016). I sent my DA letter straight to the top, where all the lies/deceptions began. I honestly believe our Father and his son found use for this organization for a long while. . . but was NEVER "His organization," or "unique channel." He can, and does use a number of our Christian counterparts to preach to others the world over!! Our brother and sister counterparts can be found in most Christian faiths all over the world. . . a concept that took me a long time to recognize as the REAL truth! May peace be your portion. -Johnny_
Antique Balloons I believe this org started with good honest intentions to search for the truth but it has been corrupted with GB becoming Self centered, materialistic and malevolent! The org has become evil separating families, hating those that want to leave and covering pedophiles. It has become another multi-papal Catholic-like religion!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 Absolutely agree on each point. When Jesus said, "I am coming (or I am come) to cause a division between a mother and her daughter . . ." (and so on), he was quoting Micah 7:6. As the "Prince of peace," and as one who holds in the highest esteem the sanctity of the family unit, Jesus would never directly cause discord to rip families apart! He was simply saying it was a sign of his coming - that families would be divided (Grk. Argumentively) w/each other. Doesn't mean they would never talk to each other again. You are right. The GB has literally thrown their arm into this sanctified arrangement and rip families apart... ripping apart what God has yoked together - for children are a bringing together of the two parents (as sanctified by God). Disgusting for men as the GB to be so trivial in their efforts to destroy this arrangement! It is reminiscent of what Satan did in the heavens - ripping God's family apart and causing discord amongst Him and His sons! Interesting, the "man of lawlessness" is to be revealed not long before the end - JW leadership is a part of that . . .as well as others. Our Lord is clearly allowing them to be exposed ("revealed") as they continue to see their numbers dwindle around the globe - and Jesus reclaiming his precious sheep who have been "beaten" by the GB and their leadership! May you have peace on your journey beyond the org! And I hope you do not turn away from our Lord as so many do who leave the JW machine. Johnny
Antique Balloons Hi there! Just read your reply. Very good and strong arguments. Should let you know that I believe in a The Creator of all things. This religion has twisted my faith and belief in a organized religion however I do believe in a loving Father, a son Jesuschrist and Holy Spirit! However I respect those that have moved away in not believing in nothing- they have their free will to do so. Regards!
I woke up in 1996 when I realized I didn't want to be in an organization that loved me conditionally. I left all of my friends and people that I loved very much as I was born and raised in the borg, to live out the next couple of years until Armageddon came. I ended up joining the Navy and retiring from the service having a wonderful career and life that I could never have as a JW. P.S. I'm still waiting for the end to come...
Way before I was disfellowshipped for smoking I realised that they made Revelation be fulfilled at the Cesar Point OhoIo convention. It was hilarious and we all thought it ridiculous even the book study guy. After that I only stayed for my family
For me it was when the child sex abuse study articles came out, hardlining their stand to restore predators back to the congregation. I was so disgusted. I went on to look up the separation suit of CT Russell and Maria, because it always gnawed at my mind that it was a false narrative that she was power hungry and jealous of Charles. Sure enough, research turned up that he was a narcissistic abuser, and was trying to put her away in a mental institution to shut her up. I was done after that.
Mara Fayde you know i’ve seen you mention that on twitter before and i just find that so fascinating. Out of all the ways i’ve seen ppl mention their waking up, i’ve almost never seen anyone mention CT Russell and Maria. I love the uniqueness of your path to awakening.
Thank you for saying that. I feel silly sometimes for not having common ground with others’ waking up moments. I’m embarrassed to say that I liked the “Give Me Courage” propaganda video when it came out. It’s Sooooo cringey now. It’s both fun and alarming to revisit our past selves.😅
Mara Fayde i don’t think it’s silly at all. It shows that you are someone who does real research and digs deep. Most JW’s don’t even know who Maria is. I knew about those things as a JW, but I often dismissed CT Russell’s behavior because as I said, “we’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, not Russell’s” lol. In general i find that women tend to wake up for different reasons than men, and i often find it more intresting personally to hear stories of how JW women wake up.
The one that got me researching was their involvement with the U.N. And the various stocks they were involved in, such as Boeing, yet we couldn't work there. Then I asked myself, our organization is rich so why is it no one I know in various congregations who are having a difficult situations and hard times are never helped by the Org. They will ask you as members is there more you can do or can you invite friends over, pick them up in your vehicle, etc. But never them (gb). However, the icing on the cake was when they started begging to be in people's living wills, pensions, cars, banck accounts and let's not forget jewlery. Then I saw the Jarrah homes for the elderly, which cost was staggering. Then there was all the luxury homes they have and sell. The members build these kingdom Hall, and all the other establishments, pay a monthly mortgage, only to be sold from up under them. And who walks away cash in hand? I'll wait..... exactly. Vengeance is mine said the Lord.
@@sandycochran9361 Great info! What are Jarrah homes? Didn't see anything online about that. But, did find this link. Mentions it has ties to GB, no surprise there: www.seniorliving.org/care/faith/jehovahs-witness/
I am so glad people are waking up but let's not forget about our Father and his Son and Holy Spirit because GB fake their power doesn't mean our Father his Son and Holy Spirit is not in control. Let's not turn upside down and say their is no God. Love you all who woke up.💖 peace.
I was wake up because of the false teaching about the STAKE. I really understand that Jesus died on a CROSS. It is true that STAVROS means just a stake. But BIBLE THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY says another beam was added to the stake
Same! I was a regular pioneer and had plenty stage experiences and opportunities. I volunteered often. I was being groomed for BETHEL. I was deep in and the deeper I got in, the more i noticed. It’s nothing but pressure, a lot of fakes, and much much more. Nothing of God at all. 2018 was my last convention as well.
There were many points that I would not have accepted while studying but you get wrapped up in it. Why I got drawn in was they crossed all national and ethnic lines, no he'll fire, and to preserve the earth- I love nature and am an environmentalist. Also the promise for solutions to the horrible problems planet earth and humans face. Fractures for me was while I listened to Christiandoms music with my mom (horribly sick and this was the music that gave her comfort). I felt their music was beautifully written with heartfelt appreciation. Also I felt the sentence of death was a bit harsh for celebrating Christmas and other holidays. I know someone who was shunned/marked because she had seasonal harvest decorations outside her home- pumpkins, squash etc. Had a non JW husband. JWs presumed she was celebrating Halloween. First episode of Scientology opened the door up- Sea org reminded me of Bethel. I am pimo. Many believe the assemblies are giving them meaningful food and getting more intense for the end.
I woke up completely when a vision while sitting in the hall during a meeting came to me clear as day that they do rituals of some kind all the research I done it's coming out now . Thank God he woke me up completely.df for telling the Elders what l saw.
I'm Also really curious about how you had the sense to realize how ridiculous and culty these videos were, and how family that I know that are still in it, how they might secretly have taken these videos and have a ton of cognitive dissonance about it that they wouldn't admit to themselves.... I left over 15 years ago so it seems extremely bizarre even from what I experienced.
@@Prodigalson55 🙄 ok. You shouldn't go around calling strangers "foolish" for their beliefs or lack of beliefs. What is it with evangelicals and their colonial mindset about faith? Hmmmmm I wonder....
@@Prodigalson55 Maybe if you did you homework on the bible itself you eyes would be actually opened. So many people don't understand what the bible is. Bart Ehrman world renowned bible scholar opened my eyes quite a bit.
I also recall walking outside murmuring to myself in rage about the garbage and utter nonsense that was being uttered from the platform multiple times over decades.
Wow bro!..im in Chicago and can really relate to wha u saying about this vid!..rememberb it very well..i was a Born in..MS..a c/O in the fam..pioneer sisters etc...just walked away last December..HYPOCRISY ..AND THE ARC really got me thinking...much Respect to you!...
Been out the religion since 18 I'm 27 now, the religion I knew back then has already changed so much. I agree with so many of your points, and honestly, its very lonely being outside the religion as I find it hard to fine other ex-members to be friends with and make relationships with. Its really comforting hearing about your story and your thoughts, especially when you were an ex-elder and so high up. Its so interesting to hear the viewpoints from someone who had real power in some of the congregations.
You know, it’s been 18 years for me. What woke me up was learning work history. Learning to “study” and have a loyalty to truth and not doctrine nor organization. Then I came upon Zinjanthropus Boisei. This is pipe cause me to search for all civilizations and or life older than Adam and Eve. When I found that so much of world history had come and go long before anyone thought of writing about a garden of eden I could never go back. My loyalty it to truth. Not to them.
I started waking up after 60yrs in the org when they started excepting credit cards ,I. Always told my brother who is a witness, if they ever start asking for money with a credit card I'm going to start researching this religion ,so . I went to j.w.facts and got my eyes opened , but us older ones seen how everything started to change after the overlapping generation thing and took notice of ,how Jesus would never shun a person and I told two elders the same thing ,and many ,many other things that weren't right ,and all the changes going on ,and remembered how in the last days the bible taught us that everything would be exposed and open ,that was false ,thats how I woke up ,after 60 wasted years ,instead of a gold watch for my service I'm now branded an apostate by my family, but thats ok because I'm free from the hipocrisy and all the lies and feel blessed that the holy spirit lifted the vail from my eyes. So we who have gotton out are in exile ,waiting for our leader Jesus to bring in his kingdom government. Soon
Wow. You was deep in it. They still have assembly at that theater on greenpoint ave in queens?? I remember that spot from the 70s . I think I remember there used to be a white castle not far from there. That used to be the hang out spot during the break.
Not an ExJW but an ex-SDA (and agnostic atheist). Seventh day adventists which have some similar doctrines, probably stemming from a shared origin. We called the end times before Jesus would return "the time of trouble" which just sounds so corny now. Of course in our scenario it's the SDAs being persecuted. I first learned about JWs as a kid when I discovered that both groups have similar beliefs on what happens when you die, which sparked my interest (cuz most Christians believed you went to heaven or hell as a spirit). But then I learned they couldn't celebrate bdays or many holidays and it just seemed joyless after that. I felt really bad for those children...even as a child myself. Of course I never knew the extent to which this organization intrudes, controls, and screws with people's lives. That was completely eye-opening for me. It's literally like Scientology wrapped in Jesus, or rather Jehovah. My question is, has anyone ever encountered one of the actors on these WT videos leaving and speaking out? That would be so rad. I hope it happens one day. I will be watching that video with my popcorn in hand. Hopefully the lead bunker guy with the glasses. On another note, I'm very happy for this channel and the incredible content, and similar channels. And for all of you who have your freedom from this organization. It just really warms my heart and is what got me into watching channels & videos about people who woke up. Keep up the amazing work!
Was woken up by "introduction to philosophy" My sheltered little brain had straight up come up with the cosmological argument without knowing it existed. (or that it had rebuttals that were literally hundreds upon hundreds of years old). Shook my world when I took that class, I bounced these ideas off of witnesses and they were so unprepared they just ended up getting emotional and shutting down the conversation. Well needless to say it made them sound like they were wrong and this prompted me to study philosophy more and I began enjoying life without superstition and liked it alot. I dove headlong into science after that to the point where 17yo me would be unrecognizable today. (Sorry about the grammar its 3am here)
What woke me up was questioning if the events in Genesis really took place. Once I realized that there could never have been an Adam and Eve and a global flood, my bubble exploded!
Worthy is the lamb who was slain, worthy is the king who conquered the grave, I never was a witness but I studied over 15 years with them an on my own, let me tell ya folks, the lord is a personal one and became flesh and we do nothing to earn grace for it is a gift from god alone! I will help who I can from them but I will never go to any other agent except Christ. God bless them god wake them 🙏🏻
What made me wake up is, when the elders started to insist SO MUCH in an invasive way, to come into my student room. I didn't have an appartement, only a small room in a student residence. It was embarrassing for me to have 2 old guys coming into my room so I declined and proposed to see them in a coffee shop. THEY REFUSED. They told me they have to see me at home. I felt some type of way. Like, how 19 years old me, cannot have the right to refuse to see 2 old men into my room??? A few months later, the concierge told me that two old men asked to see me and I answered :"Oh ok it's weird, I don't know who these people are."
I was a staunch believer in the paradise, the governing body, etc. I spent all of 2018 in 5 different homeless shelters because I could not afford an apt. Vancouver in BC Canada, rents are atrociously high. So for one year I attended only the memorial, and maybe 2 meetings. The elders of course brought literature to me. One took me and his wife out for lunch a couple of times. No one put me up in their homes. Anyhow, my son who had been out of the JWs for about 5 years, showed me the Australian Royal Commission and how the Governing body lied. I hated watching those stupid 2 elders be so smug about disfellowshipping an abused girl. Then he showed me the John Cedars channel. He showed many teachings in the books and magazines of JWs that were false. I was stunned. I wanted to give the religion one last chance. I prayed to Jehovah before I went to the meeting in the evening. I asked that he show me if this was his earthly organization and show me, just like the fleece test in the bible. Well, I went and I opened my eyes. I never went back. I'm now free of them, and even my best friend of over 30 years is shunning me because I tried to help her. She thinks that I'm apostate. Stupid bitch. I'm so angry with her. Another ex-friend emailed me and said, "How dare you send me an apostate video!" I told her she was foolish. I am shunning her. Thankfully my mom doesn't shun me. I am telling her tidbits, bit by bit, and she doesn't like what the GB are doing either. Egs. the bible signing they did. Idiots. So I've grieved, I'm angry, and now I'm in therapy and writing my book, Tears of Blood. We all have those bloody tears because of the Watchtower Governing body a-holes ruining so many lives. I don't want that to happen to anyone else. I was 6 yrs old when my mom started studying with the JWs. My last Christmas was 1967, along with every other holiday. I don't miss celebrations, I miss my family. My second husband forbade me to visit my grandparents because they used to study with the Bible students that broke away from the JWs eons ago. I applaud you for waking up and leaving that cult.
Seeing you as an elder was so trippy. It really does give me hope for people that I know that are still PIMI.
If there’s an award for bad acting and garbage videos then the JW’s need an eternal Oscar.
There's the razzie awards but I completely agree!
😂😂😂😂😂😂guess what there's this other group that even top the JWS propaganda. Their called The Church of Almighty God. It's another doomsday evangelist group. You should see their video. They started in China. They claim when natural disasters occur those who die lived debauched sinful lives. They have their members give testimony how they survived.😳
Or at least an Oscar till the end of the Overlapping Generation 😏
I'm sure they will agree with you as well. They are not actors, they are volunteers.
@@johnryan1798 yea this fool got the award. he didnt beleive when he talked on stage
I have not been to a mind-bending session in a KH since 2015, last Assembly was 2017 'Don't give up', and it was at that Assembly that my dear wife and I started to feel uncomfortable with Watchtowers Video's, nothing short of cringeworthy, we both felt that they were emotionally manipulative and could not get to grips with the changes taking place within the organization, so decided to do some research, particularly because of the growing Child abuse scandal that was not going away, and it was not just a few isolated cases, that I consoled myself that it might be, then came across the Australian Royal Commission, and watched with horror as it unfolded, to see J Jackson obfuscate and lie under oath was the final straw, came across JW Survey, and Lloyd Evans channel and everything started to fall into place.
Having unplugged from the Matrix, I can say that true freedom is beautiful indeed, not missing anything Watchtower, my wife and I have faded with no issues, have been left alone which is very appreciated, since 2015 so much has come to the forefront with Watchtowers iniquities and scandal, they are now being exposed for what they are worldwide. Greetings from the UK.
Wow I learned a new word today "obfuscate". Lol
Almost the same here. Looking back I remember different cognitive dissonant moments but didn't know what they were at the time. One, that wasn't too long back, was when they came out with the "new" KH design. I remember looking at it and thinking "That's a store!" LOL!!!
That was my very last convention too. I had been on the fence about the organization. After it was over, I turned to my indoctrinated husband and said, “Don’t EVER ask me to attend another convention or meeting again” I came home and began to do serious research. Thats after 40 years in the org and in my mid 60s. Thank you for reminding me about the worst convention ever.
sofia morgan good for you! Im glad you took your stand
@@theirregularpioneerchannel1804
You are right would love to chat with you You are hot sorry but I'm still in and it's been a long time are u single? Plz respond
Looking back now these things really bothered me at the time as well I just pushed it down. It's really funny how a sister mentioned about how the music for the the video at the end was played in the back ground all three days subconsciously programming us. I don't think she realized the effect that comment had on me
First thing i noticed was in my baptism questions they did not say: "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit " but in the name of the organization! (This started 27 years of ignoring my gut instinct that something is wrong!)
2) never felt an inch of love.
3) felt the constant judgemental attitudes
4) because of the lack of love and zero friendship within the organization i struggled with having to go door to door and drag someone into this loveless organization
5) knew a narcissist "so called sister" who was judging me for helping a homeless person. Basically, im like the "good samaritan" mentioned in the Bible but she found fault with me literally saving a person's life!
I just thought "There is no way we are both serving the same God!"
6) The Flat Earth Scriptures/Doctrine was my reason to leave. If i could find 240 scriptures on the flat earth and God's chosen people the Governing body can't find any then this isn't Gods organization! Needless to say the research began.
That no tight pants for men and no leggings for women rant was the beginning of the end for me 🥴 But the bunker videos pretty much sealed it and deep down I knew I wouldn’t be going to another convention
SimplyBritt_S them bunker videos were hard to watch too. I was too indoctrinated to admit how bad they were at the time though. I just focused on other stuff. But those were hella cringey. And yeah, homeboy talking all that “no spanx” BS was type goofy too.
Lol... I dont care for men in tight pants ...
@@simonrgalesg Haha you haven't seen them on the right man😉😂
@@Mintjulep3 hahahaha. I take your word for that young lady . 😁😉👍🏻
Wow. That was fascinating seeing you on stage as chairman, really shows how far you’ve come. The 2018 convention was also a starting point in my waking up journey, I think that’s when the seeds began to be planted. The 2019 convention was my last convention, and one of the last meetings I attended.
My last one was 2019 as well
When the GB(self appointed governing body) were behind the curtain (like Oz, in the Wizard of Oz) it was easy to fool people into believing their nonsense but since they have made themselves public their CIRCUS is easy to see! From Steven Letts clown face to their over lapping generation crap.
Wow, Yes, I’ll never forget, in 2013 I believe it was when the current generation of Governing Body members came trotting out on stage introducing themselves. This blew me away because previously the GB were kind of shrouded in mystery and perceived as quiet humble wise men of God bestowed with special enlightenment from God himself. But now these current buffoons have really opened many peoples eyes.
I started seeing alot of hypocrisy in the watchtower from the leadership to the local elders and all those corny ass videos they make us watch at the meetings. but what really shook me was when I watched the arc trial and seeing all the lies from the elders and GB about the watchtower policies I pretty much left after that and never looked back.
So true me as well
Woke up after 20 years after seeing the footage of the Australian. Royal Commission hearings. Made me ashamed I had ever been in loved with these people
Every single talk introduced by us "brothers" was said to be a "stirring talk" - to further indoctrinate the audience balls deep into the cult.
But in reality, the only thing stirred up is laughter at the stupidity of it all.
Don’t forget the drama that year... that was my last convention, but I was already in the waking up process. I completely left November 2018!
Excellent video my brotha! I was in literal tears when you said you had to get up and leave the assembly hall not the lobby but out of the entire building. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
jbone2345 mayne that shit was EMBARRASSING 😂🤣
I’m so glad that I was disfellowshipped before the cart/movie era of the Jehovah’s Witness. This is propaganda!
Good to get another video from you Matt! 😎
I began to wake up from the JW's by reading about Mormons and watching videos of episodes entitled.."I was a Mormon".
Then John Dehlin's excommunication was broadcast on television. I started following him and I noticed a ton of similarities between the JW's and the Mormons. This was an eye-opener for me!!
After that I got the courage to go to RUclips and look up.. "Why do people leave the Jehovah's Witnesses faith"...that's when I really started waking up!
I became obsessed listening to all ExJW stories on RUclips and the FEAR of the "so called" apostates that we are taught to detest started to become a different reality, they are just people telling their experiences when they were an active JW and why they left.
So all the stigma started to dwindle.
Then I branched out and started looking into Seventh Day Adventist, Scientology, Christadelphians, The Brethren, Christian Science.
I started noticing the parallels between all the religions, and it runs deep...no questioning, no doubting and everything comes from the top down.
The rank-and-file are just the followers with no personal self, no individuality.
After you wake up and start seeing these things it can take a toll on you, especially if this is the only thing you have known all your life!
It is really tough!
The phobias and fears, can mess with a person's mind.
Now I see why a lot of people resort to suicide, it is scary but the good thing is there's help!!
The internet has played a big part in all of this!
Now I look at people as being just human beings trying to do their best, trying to deal with all the stresses and anxieties in this world as they find their true purpose.
I can now honestly say that life is better on the outside! 💯
Southern Bawse Lady Hi! I agree with you. Same thing happened to me! I google and RUclipsd 1914!! I devoured every exjw channel! You really get obsessed when you open your eyes because you can’t believe you’ve been manipulated, dunk into a cult and full of treason all over!!!
I looked for Spanish videos- they were only a handful now it’s all over more than I expected have awaken and became activists!! I am well awake still in (PIMO) because if family members but not active anymore- already getting comments from bros and sisters saying they miss me in the preaching work- never say we miss YOU! This religion has to fall/ down with the tower!!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 - I'm so happy for you! 🌹🌹
Yes, the tower must fall!.. They have met their match with the internet!
Thank God you got out, brother. My family has shunned me for 30 years for getting out and I was wondering what they were thinking about these videos. I pray that they wake up, they are elders and Gilead graduates and my niece who I’ve never met is at Bethel with her husband. I hope one day, my phone rings. Thank you for your story. ❤️
You give me hope for my oldest brother who is An Elder. He has 4 sons he’s raising in this cult.
Wake up process started for me in the mishandling of child abuse cases. Me being a victim, I was made to feel like I was the only child this happened to, and my situation for the most part was swept under the rug. Now knowing that there were others who experienced the same things or even worse cuts me to my heart, because this was a religon my parents instilled in me to love and respect, and the ones taking the lead are not protecting innocent victims, nor do they have the humility to acknowledge and take accountability for what has happened under their direction. Smh...
Kimber Leigh I’m right there with u girl. I’ve been having such a hard time with my depression I decided to do some research online and I couldn’t believe how many victims there were who all had very similar stories to mine. I burst into tears because right then and there I realized this problem was systemic! Shame on those men!
Have you thought about filing a lawsuit? New York has lifted the statute of limitations for one year so that anyone can file a civil suit against the governing body. That was last summer I think. So I think it ends this August. I’ve been in contact with a law firm who will take my case but I don’t know if I can handle reliving that trauma. You should look into it.
@@krissykatportal Hey Krissy. Thank you for your reply. I have thought about it, but its like a battle in my mind of whether I am doing the right thing because the indoctrination runs so deep. For years you are controlled thru fear and guilt, so when you break free and start to do things independently you question yourself. I was made to feel like what happened to me was my fault like as a child I should have known better. But we are taught to trust the ones in congregation and the ones outside will hurt you... Smh its so disturbing what has been allowed to happen to innocent people 😔
Kimber Leigh I totally understand. That’s another reason why I’m afraid to file a lawsuit. Once my family finds out they’ll probably really cut me off completely. Which is just horrible. I was just a child when it happened. I can’t imagine treating my own daughter this way if something like that happened to her. I never understood why my parents didn’t protect me or even just support me. That brainwashing is NO JOKE.
@@krissykatportal Krissy... You are so right. Its like some sort of blind loyalty. My parents didn't protect me either. I wasn't baptized at the time but I was still punished with the loss of my privileges and he was disfellowshipped... That's it. I was talked and whispered about. I was literally ostracized. I suffer with depression as well. I hate that you experienced things so similar to me, its pain I believe will never completely go away without comfort from our heavenly father. I pray for you sis. And I pray that justice is served for you and all the ones who have had to experienced situations like this and have had their lives literally ruined before they had a chance to start. I pray for us all... 🙏❤️
@kimber Leigh and @Krissy first and foremost I’m glad you got out. I realize that taking legal action and reliving the experience will be painful but I beg you please go after them! They need to be exposed all over the world. I have been waiting over twenty years for some of my relatives to wake up. I can’t get through to them in anyway they’re in too deep but if enough lawsuits pop up maybe a whole lot of people will see the real truth and reject the JW’s lies and cover ups. Please do it for the children.....no telling how many are suffering through actions of some filthy pig right now. When it becomes plain to the world that they are lying criminals and they still have a membership then those members are criminals as well including my relatives; birds of a feather and all that! Thanks for your time take care
The people in charge of directing these dramatizations are so disconnected from the world that they have no idea what is really going on outside of their on asses.
Very well stated
It's crazy the crazy red flags and signs that I ignored while I was in the organization because I was so indoctrinated. I think one of the ways that they keep people brainwashed is keeping them busy. I know that in my last couple years in before I switched to the foreign language congregation, I was volunteering to sit by the contribution box, so I didn't always hear the talks and propaganda and wasn't given an opportunity to truly think about and question things. When I switched over to the Portuguese congregation, I didn't understand much of the language, so the indoctrination began to slowly loosen and I started making decisions for myself that the organization wouldn't have liked. I was still a believer in it, but I think that helped set the stage for me finally waking up.
Diary of an Awkward Ex-JDub Mum so true. I was so damn busy that i didnt really reflect on how stupid some of the things i was hearing were. Also the foreign language switch helps a lot of people break free mentally.
I didn't finish Ray Franz's "Crisis of Conscience" but was listening to it on audio when I was waking up. I remember there being a part where it was discussed at HQ to keep the followers busy. It's done intentionally.
I have all manuscripts for that convention. My brother in law and his family woke up in the last year and left the Borg.
Gary Breaux ' 2 witness, morning worship and a talk from the AGM in 2017 were the last straw for me.
I finally saw the propaganda.
Thanks for this video, very positive 💛
womanofthenang Gary Breaux makes me sick now. He was the guy who appointed me as an elder, and i’ll never feel comfortable about that. He’s complicit to so much of the evil that the organization carries out.
When Breaux did the Pillowgate talk, I was like "He looks and talks the way I'd envisioned a pedophile church leader would act". Totally cringe-worthy!
I'm a born in of almost 40 years how far is your comment to be very interesting can you give a few details of the Last Straw for you?
@@michellemcmichael4680 in 2017, Mark Noumair, helper to the governing body, gave a Gilead graduation talk on the subject of silently bearing injustice. It was formed around the Bible character Rizpa. This talk absolutely helped me to see the propaganda.
I also have a RUclips channel if you'd like to know more of my story.
Great video...I hated that video they showed, no one talks like that if you don’t agree 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Great video. I was embarrassed by these videos as well, and I'm not even JW. I was just cringing for this group of people who are not mature beyond the 4th grade level.
I woke up in 2001.. and was dealing with my own family being super hypocritical. But what sealed the deal was 1. Crisis of Conscience book.. and 2. The UN Scandal that broke at that time. I was in the computer lab at school and literally sat there DUMBFOUNDED by what I was reading. Got DF'd that year. Apparently they wanted a judicial committee with me but I didnt give them the pleasure of my company. So happy to be free!
I've converted over to Reverse Jehovah Witness. I go door to door and take the ganda back. It's a beautiful thing.
My waking up started with "new lights", flip flopping, and the "Bible stories". Never believed Adam and Eve story, The tower of Babel story, Noah and the flood, Jonah etc...all of that was embarrassing to me ‼️🤔
BianchiRoadshow Great idea!! I’m a PIMO
IM thinking instead of going door to door
I’m going to write letters
And saying the truth about the truth!!
Regards!!
Have you went to the house of a JW
Migdalia Fuentes what is the truth about the truth?
Genard Toney Jehovah Witnesses allege and say; that they are the “truth” but it is not completely the truth - it’s also a LIE!
Regards!
My waking up was when it was discovered through young 12 year old sisters in the congregation (6 to be exact) coming forward that my husband was sexual with them when they babysat for us. I WAS NOT GRANTED A SCRIPTURAL DIVORCE. To me, what he did was more horrendous, criminal and heinous as well as had WAY MORE LASTING RAMIFICATIONS to these young people than adultery, yet he was only removed as a ministerial servant. They regarded it as a sin but not a crime! I was SO DONE because this decision was also from the “governing body” whom I contacted as well! I was not free from this man based on the jw teachings! So I freed myself from him and this organization of false prophets and apostasy - deviants. Years later one elder who told my mother - who has nothing to do with me, that they as a body of elders are so blood guilty because of decisions they made, with regards to known abuse both physical and sexual. I went to court about the physical abuse and put that creepy husband of mine in jail - he was charged and guess what - the whole side of the courtroom had elders and presiding overseer and circuit overseer there rubbing his back and consoling him. No one was on my side of the court room but Victim services and his and my 2 biological teen daughters. There was standing room only on HIS SIDE of the court room and The elders chose to stand rather than sit on my side of the room. I was sure the judge would not rule in my favor because there were no witnesses to be criminal act of abuse but he was so cocky and I believe the judge was able to see how horrible of a situation it was to see all the elders on that side of the court room plus it was clear his story was contrived. Also the whole 1914 thing and false prophesy never sat well with me.
Wow, the place where you had the convention looked a lot like the place we had our conventions in Maui.
That 2018 convention was the first one i didn't attend after fully waking up in December of 2017.
Much love to you my brother!
Freedom is awesome!!
😁 🤙
Andy Mackey what did you wake up to please enlighten me.
@@GT60616 I could tell you a few things I woke up to from the society if your interested
You are an anchor to reality. When I start feeling like I’m lost or still fighting to believe.... you set me right... everytime. No one can be understood the insanity unless you loved it. I look forward to all your videos.
*lived not loved! Freudian slip? Aarrgghh!!!
I woke up when I realized the friends I had made at school cared more for me than anyone in the congregation. I was told that everyone outside the "truth" were evil and out to get me, but I made a genuine friend group that supported me through waking up and still support me today
My husband and I decided to watch the Leah Remini show on Scientology, just out of curiosity about that religion really. And the more we watched the more parallels between our religion and theirs. Somehow seeing the shunning and cutting off of family in that religion and people's outrage finally dawned on me that I wasn't crazy for feeling that shunning is so wrong and unloving and ridiculous that a teen could get df'd and if they don't come back their parents are still not talking to them or sparingly when they are 40 and married with families of their own (clearly not "sinning") but just didn't come back to org. - Also seeing how kids and full grown adults have to have double lives even when you really aren't doing anything "wrong"...you are trapped and unable to speak openly when you do have a concern out of fear of consequences. - been faded since Nov.2018. It's been stressful, but I don't want to be associated with portraying it as a positive place for ANYONE...while so many suffer and are suffering...all the royal commission stuff and many other insights have came since. I am still a Christian I did not leave God I left a man made "Society".
Definitely not a positive place after exiting, I've been severely depressed since waking up, raised 4 kids in the "truth ",our oldest daughter refused a blood transfusion and died at 20 years old, the other 3 will struggle the rest of there lives trying to overcome the indoctrination ,I feel broken beyond belief.
Kelly Bell I'm so so very sorry about the loss of your daughter.😔 I hope that you are able to build a life past it. Are you opposed to all religion or just JW? I still have belief in God and I found Eric Wilson/Bereon Pickets RUclips channel extremely helpful on lifting a lot of the indoctrination guilt of not knowing what to believe after knowing that they do not have the "truth". Also I love Michael Felkers podcast and RUclips channel he has never been a witness just studies theology, but reviews the watchtower studies from a Christian perspective and shows errors and shines light on indoctrinated language. Don't give up...time heals...as you have found through reddit and internet you are not alone, and so many of us have so much in common with you. You are very much cared about.♥️
@@eyesontheprize5 thank you so much for your kind words, all we can do is pick up the pieces and move forward I guess, no I'm not opposed to all religion but I just don't know where I stand anymore, I agree the exjw community is doing a great work for us that have been hurt and damaged so much by this organization, once again I want to thank you for your encouraging words, much love from Fayetteville North Carolina
Kelly Bell Omg!!! I’m so sorry about your loss! I can’t imagine your pain and more when you wake up! This religion is mean, malicious and evil! It really literally espérate families!!! Down with the tower!!!
@@KB-rq6ld Sorry for your loss! I had the same feeling of not knowing where I stood when I woke up a couple years ago. I agree with "eyesontheprize" that Eric Wilson's channel has been helpful. But, I also realized that none of us need an organization or anyone to teach us the Scriptures. We can read for ourselves. Maybe 500 years ago people needed help but not anymore. If we learned a few actual Bible "truths" from that WhORGanization so what? Receive free, give free. We owe them nothing. God's word is not a business but as with most organized religions, that's what they've done with it. I've also now embraced having a relationship with Christ Jesus; a relationship that Scotchtower stole from its rank & file members. His footsteps alone are the ones we should follow. God himself said "Listen to Him" and in prophecy concerning him said "...he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace".
My last convention was the bunker video! Many things for years did not make sense but I stayed! I noticed the hypocrisy between regular publisher and pioneers-so much favoritism! How the elders gloated in the meetings and from the podium and how some of the elders treated their wives! I decided to not use the Watchtower to prove Jesus came in 1914 by using the Bible only. Still haven’t found that scripture 😂. Stumbled upon the Australian Royal Commission child abuse and haven’t looked back! Was in for 40 years. I’m not bitter just happy I awakened from the coma! Good video keep them coming!
I agree with everything you’ve said here! So true! I disassociated June/18 & recall telling my husband I would not be attending the assembly in July, nor the c.o. Visit 2 weeks after that, that I would never set foot in another Kingdom Hall again! No regrets to this day! Still lots of life changes happening, but forging ahead! 😌. Thanks for your observations Matt, nice to hear from you again!
Yep, so glad that I wasn't the only one that felt like you did about the videos. I too was beginning to see the 'propaganda' feel to the videos. Unfortunately, it wasn't until later that year that my curiosity for Scientology was peaked. Earlier, I allowed myself to do outside research on the destruction of Jerusalem. Prior to that I was really really trying to understand the 'overlapping generation' which thankfully I know is complete NONSENSE!!! Good to see ya back on the channel. Hope you and your family are well!
What woke me up was the highrachy that exist with the member only if you do what you suppose to do and the favoritism with the elders son's. I would miss a meeting and get in trouble. One the elders son's would still from the contribution box and gets a slap on the hand. Ridiculous!
Rodrigo Carino Was that in ridgefield, nj?
It gives me hope that you were that far into the org., And you woke up. I'm so happy for you. I have people still in the Watchtower who I love so much. If you woke up, they might too. Thank you for doing these videos. That convention was my last. The videos were horrible. I saw the manipulation in them.
Meryl Barnes yes I feel so sad for all my family and friends who are still drinking the jw koolaid. I hope they wake up soon.
Hey Matt, I was similarly astounded by the 2014 convention and how they used appeals to your emotions so much. I commented to my wife that it was like watching a TV Evangelist channel on TV. We were both embarrassed by the content and within a few months we had left. We have a RUclips channel under our names, and cover a lot of similar ground on what woke us up. I was an elder as well, so I know about the workload!
Hi there!! Thank you for your yt channel.. I checked! I’m subscribed to it!! Thanks for your time! Hugs from Puerto Rico!
I found out about the ecret elders book shortly after baptism, kingdom halls being funded with congregation donation then when sold the Watchtower gets the funds when the congregations paid for the buildings. I stopped donating.
I stopped donating too, especially when I found out about the Child abuse lawsuits.
I woke up when my husband got disfellowshipped for adultery, I asked the elders for help and received none. When I faded. It took them almost an entire year to come look for me. Which they only did because the CO questioned them about me. I knew at this point that it was a bunch of whooey. Any confidence or faith I had was gone.
So glad you used critical thinking. I was there 40 years. I left 2 years ago. The use of critical thinking played a significant role in me walking away. Very painful when one finds out one has been part of a cult and a pedophile club unknowingly. Bless you on waking up after offering the awake to others.😊
Wendy Sealy. Same feeling here! You not alone! Regards!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 hi there. Just reaching out and to say live life for you now. We've been thought Thats the best life ever. However finding out the real truth about the so called truth means freedom for folk like you and me.😊regards.
Wow! Great video! I haven’t finished it yet but so far amazing perspective. There you are a brother on stage at a convention (they don’t just put anybody up there, only the most faithful to the watchtower) and as you claimed even you as an indoctrinated very active JW elder (mind you) were able to see the “propaganda” that’s was shown to the masses. Wow! This does give hope and some perspective as too what wakes people up every time is actually there own propaganda be it in their current literature their old literature, current talks, old archived talks, or the spread of their divisive messages such as that one that you showed in the video for a good witness to be certain and firm in not supporting certain members of the community etc...
For me I got out physically a lot longer than you around the year 2000 simply because I wanted to go less since I saw much hypocrisy in the organization. Big time. Then in around around 2004 after going through some personal struggles and feeling no support only judgment I left physically in 2004. But I was POMI (physically out mentally in) for many many years. I didn’t wake up fully until 2014. But I remember when I went back in 2010 and they told me that the millions now living generation doctrine had changed and- I just shook my head and said “of course it did”-it had nowhere to go, it had an artificial end date and was doomed from the beginning. But I got angry remembering my Father and me going out in field service during the 80 and 90s and he would tell me “just a little while longer that this generation won’t pass” was foretold. That pushed me and that pushed my father since he came in “the truth” in the early 70s. For my father 1975 failed him and then that prediction failed him. Then I learned that the watchtower was a UN member during the whole time in the 90s that we were studying the Revelation book. I was so pissed. Hypocrisy. Yet know one knew. I feel so bad my father wasted his life for a man made organization. He’s now dead and died disfellowshipped and disgraced and alone. Is the watchtower gonna bring him back and give him his life back or say sorry. No. I know how my father fell into it, when he was a wayward 60s teen and the witnesses came to his door while he was coming back from jail and struggling with addiction and was hanging out with some really had people, they knocked on his door. They cleaned him up and he changed his life. Yet that came with a price. Soon after he cut off his whole extended non witness family because they celebrated Christmas and Halloween and didn’t live by his new Watchtower standards. His mom (my grandma) later regretted very much that she opened the door that day the witnesses showed up in 1969, and she said that she was actually the one that told the JWs to wait and to talk to her son (my dad). She later regretted it, since she didn’t know he would be brainwashed and later leave them all. Then before you know it my dad was an ministerial servant and an elder and then giving talks in the 80s in Dodger Stadium. Before you know it I was born, actually it was a bit earlier in 78 and then in 1989 I was baptized at 11 yrs old dedicating my life to an organization I didn’t even know anything about really. Know one told me that its very normal to grow up and change your point view or perspective of the world and or change ones belief systems by growing in wisdom and gathering info. This is a good thing, it means your growing as long as it’s healthy and positive. Even if the experiences are tough or traumatic you can still learn from it. So my beliefs changed quite a bit, and then before I knew it all of my social structure was gone (swiftly too). Yet, they made me feel like I did that. They continue to ruin families, and will continue until these great videos and this message gets so overwhelming that they completely change or it splinters off into various other other sub groups because they can’t handle the bad press (pressure cooker time)!. Just like what happened to Scientology. Some day anyways...
Thank you for putting this out, and for the facts you mention in the video.
So let me be honest, I didn't go to this assembly simply because I didn't feel like it lol. But when I saw these videos a year later I was like, what is this corny crap? This isn't remotely realistic!!! No one will snap on you out of nowhere because you were looking at a bracelet supporting the LGBT community. Obvious propaganda smh
You can be fired for not calling a man a woman. They say “What’s your pronoun”
And who the hell whips out a Bible to flash to others out in the middle of the woods?
That's why its silver now so you can send Morse code. lol.
Who in the hell going to stand in the woods waiting on anybody's army to attack them . Isn't that's the same convention
when they said the wicked might decenergrate before our eyes. Did some else catch that one ?
Morris whips out a bottle of Macallans. Don't ask what Geoffrey or Lett whip out.
Is this where they plan to go with their go bags?
Everyone carry’s their Bible on the phone nowadays
I was born into a JW family and spent my childhood in service as a witness and even was baptized as a witnesss. My parents remained in the organization until their passing. I left when I was a teenager because I started noticing Iwas gay. I told my parents about my feelings and after I left home they shunned me for years. I know they had problems in times as they were in sometimes and backsliding at other times. They divorced for a time and then remarried each other and I think they were disfellowshipped for a time but went back as they got older until their deaths.
i appreciated this ... the 2016 convention had me questioning things and was my last convention i attended ... i think it was Remain loyal to Jehovah... i saw things i didn’t like but over time other things started waking me up especially the way problems in the congregation were handled... 2016 was also the last memorial i attended ...by end of 2017 i was fully awake and left... most people i was exposed to in the organization were all secretly struggling with their sexuality i saw plenty women married to men who were very flamboyant and feminine as well as many men married to very aggressive women who appeared very uncomfortable in dresses and shoes a few i knew personally were aware of their mates struggle but because they weren’t “acting “ on those feelings they considered them heterosexual.. I even had a disagreement with a sister who tore down a gay man and when i referenced the same qualities to someone in the Kingdom hall she said he is not gay he is our brother they are so hypocritical i saw signs early idk how i overlooked them! my own sexuality was questioned by sisters because i stayed single smh refusing to marry a man who was clearly gay in my opinion or rushing to marry the first brother or refusing to marry a man three times my age once i left i’ve come across so many opportunities in men and it feels great! i get to choose what i want or don’t want in a man not the society telling us who is good for us and whose not or people investigating your potential mate to see if he is “spiritual enough “It was so limited in that organization and i look at those sisters who have been single their whole life in that religion suffering from loneliness and depression it’s sad
This actually applies to some of us poor fellows. I foolishly went back after being out for several years. My great "worldly" girlfriend said "No way! That's a cult! I'll never become one of those jw's" She proceeded to dump me. If only I had listened 😩
I was never a Jdub but have had studies with them. Here's a real life example that won't be featured at a convention or in a video. At my workplace we hold a craft show after Thanksgiving. We decided to call it a Winter craft show instead of a Christmas or Holiday show so JWs could participate. And they do.
The reason you showed the video of you giving a talk shuts down naysayers who would say you were "spiritually weak" but instead you had privileges and responsibilities much like Keith John of TrueFaced.
I was in in my youth but informed myself on the JW in the last three years. One thing that I'm trying to understand is the meaning of "spirituality" in the eyes of a JW. I have the impression that WT makes them believe that being spiritual mean following the bible, WT agenda, to attend meetings, to ascend in the hierarchy, to be devoted to the organisation. Like if you are an Elder you would be considered more spiritual than others. Is my impression right?
@@endlessorbaggins8223 Yes. Spirituality as defined by the WT means you do all the things a "good" JW should be doing. And there is a pecking order so you are also correct regarding Elders being viewed as more spiritual than a non-elder.
The ARC,elders manuel...Expecially how they don't have to confess their sins. They can just be quiet and wait or lie and say it was a long time ago and remain an elder. The worse part is that they have the nerve to continue dissing folks while keeping their own secrets!
bruuuuh those convention clips of you triggered me so hard
help i need water
Mentally Diseased 😂😂😂
I love love love love your content! Demons be watching u!!!!
Obedience through fear
Wow, really happy you're posting again. 2018 was also a pivot point for me. Shock of this bullshit was too big for me not to wake up.
You are so sweet to watch.
Being out for more than 12 years now, I realize I never really was 100% in as far as the GB. I always questioned them and expected them to continue to make big mistakes. So once out, it wasn't a big deal. I still had my relationship with God and the Bible. But not everyone had that advantage. I was in the "truth" since I was an infant, so I went through 1975, for instance. I guess I always had a sense I was "outside" the mainstream.
Thanks for sharing. There is a lot to go over.
BTW, the Bible says that "eunuchs are born that way from their mother's wombs," meaning being "gay" comes naturally for some. But being gay doesn't mean you're a flaming homosexual. If you step back, we see that God restricts sex among heterosexuals to those who are married. So at the very least, wouldn't that also apply to gays? Gays who bother to get married or maintain a monogamous relationship? Of course. But if you begin there, excusing gays who are married in some way, all other sexual contact is condemned just as in the straight world. It's not our business what other people do, but an easy line to draw is against sex outside of marriage.
The other thing is this. The WTS is represented in the parable of the ten virgins. When the Bible says that after the tribulation the sun will not shine and the moon will be dark and the stars will fall out of the sky, it is a reference to the divinely imposed spiritual darkness cast upon the public anointed ones, who are represented by the ten virgins. Note all ten virgins nod and their lamps grow dim. This is because the light is dimmed with respect to the second coming. But then after the second coming occurs there is a call in the night the bridegroom has arrived. The five wise virgins with the EXTRA OIL put it together and join the wedding feast. But five foolish virgins without the extra oil don't get in. Now they show up later with lamps burning brightly, but it is now too late for them. Point being, just on that parable alone, only 50% of the witnesses who are of the anointed will actually get into the kingdom. So the government coming after them is a joke. Russia has banned the Witnesses! That's all that will happen. Public expression of religion will be banned. Churches will close. Church lands will be confiscated, just like in Russia. The WTS is now selling off Kingdom Halls ahead of this inevitable action. Bottom line, JWs are NOT the true religion. They are now made up of the 5 foolish virgins who will be cast out as "grapes of wrath."
Thanks, again, for sharing your video.
WHAT WOKE ME UP: Ezra 6:14,15 clearly shows that "Artaxerxes" completed the temple in the sixth year of Darius I, which means Darius I died in his sixth year. Secular history claims he ruled for 36 years. So secular history is wrong. The Persians added 82 fake years to their timeline, pushing the 1st of Cyrus back from 455 BCE to 537 BCE. Based on 537 BCE, JWs came up with 607 BCE as the year for Jerusalem's fall in year 18. Jerusalem actually fell in year 19 and the 70-year exile did not begin until the last deportation in year 23 of Nebuchadnezzar II. So when 455 BCE becomes the 1st of Cyrus, 525 BCE becomes year 23 and 529 BCE becomes the true date for the fall of Jerusalem. But it took me a lot of research and some error along the way to figure this all out. But ow that it is figured out, 1914 becomes 1992. That's an interesting proposition for Christ to return in 1992 rather than 1914. But that's a lot of discussion. How much more do you want to know?
Have a fantastic day!!
Hey Matt, great video and great presentation! And congratulations on waking up from this cultish religion. I got out years ago, as I knew this wasn’t the “truth”. And that video of the witnesses being surrounded with guns, is so ridiculous. They have that victim mentality. I’m out of New York now, but I was in Queens as well. In fact I was in the Bayside congregation. No one talks with me there anymore, but I sure would like to see my old friends wake up like you did.
Wow it's so incredible to see an elder and someone who partook so much have the sense to wake up. It gives me hope for my fam
Hello my Bro Matt, I sure remember how I felt during that last video.... when I saw Jesus and what was obviously the 144,000 following him, Rev 19:14 & 15 make it VERY CLEAR JESUS comes with a sharp, long SWORD coming out of his MOUTH!!! The whole video was making me feel like “what in the world is going on!?” But when it got to “them” portraying Jesus Christ our King coming with bow n arrow I wanted to stand and shout out, “What is this!!!? Have we all gone BLIND!!!? This is obviously when Jesus comes at Revelation ch 19, and for an organization who prides themselves on “accuracy” this is the rider at Rev 6:2... ( whom now I see clearly is Satan!).. although I was taught that rider was Jesus as well, which cannot be as he is the Lamb already spoken of in Verse one of that same chapter... anyhow that’s a ‘ Wholenother’ chapter right!.... but yes, I absolutely agree... our “shelve” can hold only so many lies, and then it breaks! Through the years they pile up, and we usually are unaware of others are piling up n about to break as we can not freely voice our Doubts. NOT doubts in Jesus, but doubts in men! All I do now is seek truth, REAL TRUTH ~ Our Lord Jesus IS THE TRUTH!!! It’s “testing all things“ in Hebrew and Greek from here on out for me my brother!💜~ Shalom
I woke up in bits after the convention which shared a video about consolidating congregation. We hadn’t received our notice yet and I wondered why a video about people upset. From experience, they were trying to adjust a trending attitude. Then we got our notice and strangely the elders were making a point of visiting each family to personally tell them. They looked so stressed out, almost afraid of getting back lashed. I continued to wondered why this was such a hot topic. THEN, we moved congregation. A faithful older widowed pioneer sister tried her best to support the “loving arrangement” and adjust... She gave up her spiritual routine of bible studies and had to walk up hill territory looking for new studies in the hot summer months. She was exhausted, but joked it off not wanting to share how much she was struggling. When I worked with her, I hear her exhaustion and asked her to rest a bit and not push herself. Two days later she was found dead in her home. I know the stress literally killed her. I was not the same after that. Something wasn’t right. I honestly felt we were being fed BS. There was a hidden agenda and no one was talking. So I went to the internet to find answers. Finally it all came together when I found out about the law suits.... I started to connect the dots, remember how we were asked to secretly write how much we would pledge monies for this or that. It was a greedy deceitful money issue. I realized they were sucking our life like parasites. We were the peon dispensable worker ants and the GB was the fat queen bee.
For me it was the 2017 convention, especially since at that point I had need removed as a servant so it gave me time to sit and soak it up. While doing so at meetings and conventions I started thinking “wtf”
I’m so happy you made this video because that is when I myself started to wake up from those very points. I started thinking to myself “What is going on here??” One major thing that really started making me question if the witness really had the truth and really got the critical thinking ball rolling, I don’t know if you remember was the part about Revelations. They were talking about what happens after we die. About who would be resurrected and how god would open the book of life to judge all of that. My husband and I sat up and brained stormed during the lunch break about how it would make much more sense for God to just bring everyone back and give everyone a chance to live in both worlds. That would be fair. It was like someone turned a light on we found scriptures to back it up it made so much sense. We brought it up to other friends too about how maybe that’s what the scriptures mean. Like we broke down revelations and Corinthian‘s I’m not gonna get too much into it lol but it made complete sense. Everyone kept acting like we were crazy and how the society couldn’t never get anything wrong.... but that didn’t sit right with me so I started doing outside research and add that with those cringe worthy videos and boom I’m now POMO and proud!
when i went to the convention in ny with my family back "11. The talk about Daniel 2 really caught me with the predictions the watchtower was trying to make. I had a moment where i looked at everyone around me and thought somebody should be picking up on this. If I'm not mistaken it was an assembly hall in queens. I think it was at this one. this is the year i met you. It is so funny i had the same feeling in the same place as you. since then i have looked at my family and the religion completely different. Before this I was planning to study to become a witness since I spent a great part of my life going to meetings. when i came across your videos it blew my mind know how close you were to my family. literally neighbors.
I'm new to your channel... Saw a video you did with #AltWorldy...
In 2012 I fell desperately for a non jw Co worker and haven't been the same since..
Crazy.. we don't wake up overnight..
2013-14... I was still a good wittnesses..
But a early conversation I had with this Co worker where she mentioned how a blood transfusion saved her life years b4 really stuck with me... I was thinking about All the jw's who died from NOT ACCEPTING BLOOD,.. I was totally sickened by that point...
Thank you for the work you do...
Love the clip of you speaking at the same convention that started you questioning ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I really enjoyed your video. I think it’s great you showed old clips of you on the stage. It really drives home how PIMI you were, but yet you still woke up. I also agreed completely with your comments about both videos shown at the assembly. They were so overly dramatic and cringe worthy. They could of stood by their beliefs across without being so manipulative. The Organization has changed so much these last 10 years. I think seeing with our own eyes how goofy and un-intelligent the GB really are in Broadcasts has not helped their case. At least in the past (before GB videos) I really knew nothing about the GB members and I always imagined them to be Bible scholars - how hilarious in retrospect. I think a lot of people are waking up because of that. And then of course the ARC and CSA. It’s crazy (crazy good) what’s happening. Personally the main thing that made me realize they were a full on cult was reading the classic George Orwell book called “1984”. If you haven’t read it, you should, it’s an absolutely amazing book. So many times when 1984 talked about “Big Brother” and the “Thought police” I was saying to myself: “that’s exactly what the Borg does!!”. Keep up the good videos.👍
The Overlapping Generations was one of the MANY things that started my descent into freedom.
Keiron Gillespie, i agree i was scratching my head... it was 2016 ish the brother on the podium mentione the overlapping generation...i was scratching mu head. I use an alias. I tell my story on my channel. I am related to a Gillespie (east cost) usa.
So true! They always have to make it seem worldy people are just the worst smh. But they really are no better.... Enjoyed your video
Great discussion Matt!! Thanks for sharing what helped wake you up from the cult. As a former Elder myself, it was the arguments at the Elders meetings, the hypocrisy, favoritism, misogyny and lack of love in the organization that really helped me wake up and find the exit door. So glad to see many others leaving as well!
I just recently stumbled upon your channel. I’m a Pimo from Kenya and honestly the video on the LGBTQ topic wasn’t that shocking for many. We live in countries that have people thinking that being a homosexual is ‘un-African’. I’m a millennial so that mentality isn’t shared among us but some still believe so. What led to me waking up was how the watchtower presents Africa and other 3rd world countries. Of course we have poverty stricken communities but so does every other society. I was shocked that fellow witnesses didn’t believe me when I showed them pictures of Nairobi, Johannesburg, Cape town, Cairo and many more back in 2019 when I visited the US. I don’t blame them but I blamed their narrow minded attitude that Africa is just one whole big poverty-stricken country. What shocked me even more was how the 2019 convention videos represented Africa, Asia and Latin America. Watchtower literally took pockets of African countries and went to the most remote areas . Whereas they represented other regions such as Europe and N.America with metropolitan areas. I was with a brother from Malawi and he was shocked to see watchtower pick an area that he didn’t even know existed within his country. Another thing that added wood onto the flame was the ‘Remember the wife of lot’ drama. I thought of how hypocritical watchtower was becoming. I remembered thinking to myself how that drama was too graphic for watchtower’s standard. I respect them for trying to get the effects right but yeah as you said, watchtower became what they’ve always advised against, televangelists.
Mozez Muchoki my fear friend!! I agree with you. I remember one of the first broadcasting )it’s in a first year of videos) where they present this JW family with a huge house, a van and a car ! My husbAnd commented - that the video is too “show off” and materialistic (didn’t have nothing to do with materialism) and husband added: cN you imagine other low income brothers seeing these videos?
And he was right! And recently all the videos always showing brothers and sisters going to assemblies and meeting and preaching locations walking in jungle like areas! They never present the metro areas of your country or Latin America! Wt always taking opportunity to indoctrinate!
Regards
From Puerto Rico 🇵🇷!! Hugs!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 About showing off... One thing that i've noticed in videos is the furnitures used on the sets. Like marble counters with sopisticated decorations and 4000$ sofa. This is too far from reality, this is like watching a TV commercial. You know how the burgers or doughnuts don't look the same on the screen than in real life. Anyway, just find that their propaganda videos with all the nice clothings and furnitures does not match the anti-materialist speech.
Seeing this is reassuring, since it makes me realize it is inevitable that I would’ve woken up. If not years ago when I actually did, then in 2018 after seeing this for sure.
That last video showing their fake armageddon also made me mega angry. Come to think about it, that video might have been the last straw. I was mentally done after that.
Fortunately I quit going to conventions when the international one came around. I saw enough hypocrisy in that one to start questioning....however still waiting on my children to wake up
Mimi Mimi In the international convention all over the world has been a show of country traditions when we are not suppose to be part of this world! Traditional music and dances! I said wait a minute. I have forbidden. My kids for many years to be in traditional dances and events because it was worldly and here we are in a convention where even in the lobby worldly music and traditional dresses were displayed???!!! 😡
CSA and the Sofia's icecream video was the starting point.
Very nice video, brother. I was a JW for 45 yrs (1971-2016). I sent my DA letter straight to the top, where all the lies/deceptions began. I honestly believe our Father and his son found use for this organization for a long while. . . but was NEVER "His organization," or "unique channel." He can, and does use a number of our Christian counterparts to preach to others the world over!! Our brother and sister counterparts can be found in most Christian faiths all over the world. . . a concept that took me a long time to recognize as the REAL truth!
May peace be your portion. -Johnny_
Antique Balloons I believe this org started with good honest intentions to search for the truth but it has been corrupted with GB becoming Self centered, materialistic and malevolent! The org has become evil separating families, hating those that want to leave and covering pedophiles. It has become another multi-papal Catholic-like religion!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 Absolutely agree on each point. When Jesus said, "I am coming (or I am come) to cause a division between a mother and her daughter . . ." (and so on), he was quoting Micah 7:6. As the "Prince of peace," and as one who holds in the highest esteem the sanctity of the family unit, Jesus would never directly cause discord to rip families apart! He was simply saying it was a sign of his coming - that families would be divided (Grk. Argumentively) w/each other. Doesn't mean they would never talk to each other again.
You are right. The GB has literally thrown their arm into this sanctified arrangement and rip families apart... ripping apart what God has yoked together - for children are a bringing together of the two parents (as sanctified by God). Disgusting for men as the GB to be so trivial in their efforts to destroy this arrangement! It is reminiscent of what Satan did in the heavens - ripping God's family apart and causing discord amongst Him and His sons!
Interesting, the "man of lawlessness" is to be revealed not long before the end - JW leadership is a part of that . . .as well as others. Our Lord is clearly allowing them to be exposed ("revealed") as they continue to see their numbers dwindle around the globe - and Jesus reclaiming his precious sheep who have been "beaten" by the GB and their leadership!
May you have peace on your journey beyond the org! And I hope you do not turn away from our Lord as so many do who leave the JW machine.
Johnny
Antique Balloons Hi there! Just read your reply. Very good and strong arguments. Should let you know that I believe in a The Creator of all things. This religion has twisted my faith and belief in a organized religion however I do believe in a loving Father, a son Jesuschrist and Holy Spirit! However I respect those that have moved away in not believing in nothing- they have their free will to do so. Regards!
Yes, the truth is the "false"
I love how your Jehovah's Witness voice is different than your regular voice. haha. Great video!
I woke up in 1996 when I realized I didn't want to be in an organization that loved me conditionally. I left all of my friends and people that I loved very much as I was born and raised in the borg, to live out the next couple of years until Armageddon came. I ended up joining the Navy and retiring from the service having a wonderful career and life that I could never have as a JW. P.S. I'm still waiting for the end to come...
Way before I was disfellowshipped for smoking I realised that they made Revelation be fulfilled at the Cesar Point OhoIo convention. It was hilarious and we all thought it ridiculous even the book study guy. After that I only stayed for my family
For me it was when the child sex abuse study articles came out, hardlining their stand to restore predators back to the congregation. I was so disgusted. I went on to look up the separation suit of CT Russell and Maria, because it always gnawed at my mind that it was a false narrative that she was power hungry and jealous of Charles. Sure enough, research turned up that he was a narcissistic abuser, and was trying to put her away in a mental institution to shut her up. I was done after that.
Mara Fayde you know i’ve seen you mention that on twitter before and i just find that so fascinating. Out of all the ways i’ve seen ppl mention their waking up, i’ve almost never seen anyone mention CT Russell and Maria. I love the uniqueness of your path to awakening.
Thank you for saying that. I feel silly sometimes for not having common ground with others’ waking up moments. I’m embarrassed to say that I liked the “Give Me Courage” propaganda video when it came out. It’s Sooooo cringey now. It’s both fun and alarming to revisit our past selves.😅
Mara Fayde i don’t think it’s silly at all. It shows that you are someone who does real research and digs deep. Most JW’s don’t even know who Maria is. I knew about those things as a JW, but I often dismissed CT Russell’s behavior because as I said, “we’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, not Russell’s” lol. In general i find that women tend to wake up for different reasons than men, and i often find it more intresting personally to hear stories of how JW women wake up.
The one that got me researching was their involvement with the U.N. And the various stocks they were involved in, such as Boeing, yet we couldn't work there. Then I asked myself, our organization is rich so why is it no one I know in various congregations who are having a difficult situations and hard times are never helped by the Org. They will ask you as members is there more you can do or can you invite friends over, pick them up in your vehicle, etc. But never them (gb). However, the icing on the cake was when they started begging to be in people's living wills, pensions, cars, banck accounts and let's not forget jewlery. Then I saw the Jarrah homes for the elderly, which cost was staggering. Then there was all the luxury homes they have and sell. The members build these kingdom Hall, and all the other establishments, pay a monthly mortgage, only to be sold from up under them. And who walks away cash in hand? I'll wait..... exactly. Vengeance is mine said the Lord.
@@sandycochran9361 Great info! What are Jarrah homes? Didn't see anything online about that. But, did find this link. Mentions it has ties to GB, no surprise there:
www.seniorliving.org/care/faith/jehovahs-witness/
Thank you 🙏 After watching this video I will keep my hope alive that my true friends and brothers will be freed from this cult
I am so glad people are waking up but let's not forget about our Father and his Son and Holy Spirit because GB fake their power doesn't mean our Father his Son and Holy Spirit is not in control. Let's not turn upside down and say their is no God. Love you all who woke up.💖 peace.
I was wake up because of the false teaching about the STAKE. I really understand that Jesus died on a CROSS. It is true that STAVROS means just a stake. But BIBLE THEOLOGICAL DICTIONARY says another beam was added to the stake
The 2018 convention was the last I attended while fully Physically and Mentally In.
The Courage Propaganda video triggered my great awakening journey.
Same! I was a regular pioneer and had plenty stage experiences and opportunities. I volunteered often. I was being groomed for BETHEL. I was deep in and the deeper I got in, the more i noticed. It’s nothing but pressure, a lot of fakes, and much much more. Nothing of God at all. 2018 was my last convention as well.
There were many points that I would not have accepted while studying but you get wrapped up in it. Why I got drawn in was they crossed all national and ethnic lines, no he'll fire, and to preserve the earth- I love nature and am an environmentalist. Also the promise for solutions to the horrible problems planet earth and humans face. Fractures for me was while I listened to Christiandoms music with my mom (horribly sick and this was the music that gave her comfort). I felt their music was beautifully written with heartfelt appreciation. Also I felt the sentence of death was a bit harsh for celebrating Christmas and other holidays. I know someone who was shunned/marked because she had seasonal harvest decorations outside her home- pumpkins, squash etc. Had a non JW husband. JWs presumed she was celebrating Halloween. First episode of Scientology opened the door up- Sea org reminded me of Bethel. I am pimo. Many believe the assemblies are giving them meaningful food and getting more intense for the end.
I woke up completely when a vision while sitting in the hall during a meeting came to me clear as day that they do rituals of some kind all the research I done it's coming out now . Thank God he woke me up completely.df for telling the Elders what l saw.
Great video. Keep them coming. That assembly got me thinking to. Glad you and your family our around 😊
Ben! My man, thanks for watching. Next time I get up to Canada we have to hang out. I love Canada.
I'm Also really curious about how you had the sense to realize how ridiculous and culty these videos were, and how family that I know that are still in it, how they might secretly have taken these videos and have a ton of cognitive dissonance about it that they wouldn't admit to themselves.... I left over 15 years ago so it seems extremely bizarre even from what I experienced.
@@Prodigalson55 I stopped going 15 years ago
@@Prodigalson55 Jehovah is a made up btw, a mismash of several languages.
@@Prodigalson55 🙄 ok. You shouldn't go around calling strangers "foolish" for their beliefs or lack of beliefs. What is it with evangelicals and their colonial mindset about faith? Hmmmmm I wonder....
@@Prodigalson55 I'm aware... I'm inferring your meaning from you quoting the text... That's your purpose, no?
@@Prodigalson55 Maybe if you did you homework on the bible itself you eyes would be actually opened. So many people don't understand what the bible is. Bart Ehrman world renowned bible scholar opened my eyes quite a bit.
I also recall walking outside murmuring to myself in rage about the garbage and utter nonsense that was being uttered from the platform multiple times over decades.
Wow bro!..im in Chicago and can really relate to wha u saying about this vid!..rememberb it very well..i was a Born in..MS..a c/O in the fam..pioneer sisters etc...just walked away last December..HYPOCRISY ..AND THE ARC really got me thinking...much Respect to you!...
Eric Ortiz i didnt see the videos from the ARC until i woke up, but those were crazy, im sure it would have pushed me over the edge.
Such a great commentary Matt - keep up the great video's
Been out the religion since 18 I'm 27 now, the religion I knew back then has already changed so much. I agree with so many of your points, and honestly, its very lonely being outside the religion as I find it hard to fine other ex-members to be friends with and make relationships with. Its really comforting hearing about your story and your thoughts, especially when you were an ex-elder and so high up. Its so interesting to hear the viewpoints from someone who had real power in some of the congregations.
Great video! You changed fast, from.talks at the assembly to apostate. It took me years to transform and I was already dfed 😀
You know, it’s been 18 years for me. What woke me up was learning work history. Learning to “study” and have a loyalty to truth and not doctrine nor organization. Then I came upon Zinjanthropus Boisei. This is pipe cause me to search for all civilizations and or life older than Adam and Eve. When I found that so much of world history had come and go long before anyone thought of writing about a garden of eden I could never go back. My loyalty it to truth. Not to them.
Oh, it's Kenny Rodgers!!!
I started waking up after 60yrs in the org when they started excepting credit cards ,I. Always told my brother who is a witness, if they ever start asking for money with a credit card I'm going to start researching this religion ,so . I went to j.w.facts and got my eyes opened , but us older ones seen how everything started to change after the overlapping generation thing and took notice of ,how Jesus would never shun a person and I told two elders the same thing ,and many ,many other things that weren't right ,and all the changes going on ,and remembered how in the last days the bible taught us that everything would be exposed and open ,that was false ,thats how I woke up ,after 60 wasted years ,instead of a gold watch for my service I'm now branded an apostate by my family, but thats ok because I'm free from the hipocrisy and all the lies and feel blessed that the holy spirit lifted the vail from my eyes. So we who have gotton out are in exile ,waiting for our leader Jesus to bring in his kingdom government. Soon
Wow. You was deep in it. They still have assembly at that theater on greenpoint ave in queens?? I remember that spot from the 70s . I think I remember there used to be a white castle not far from there. That used to be the hang out spot during the break.
Christine W I left in 2016 and yeah that spot is still there 😁😁. Since I went to the Spanish convention e had the Colombian spot in the corner lol
Yup white castle is still there giving people the bubble guts! 😂
Reinaldo Franco 💯 that was my spot.
Not an ExJW but an ex-SDA (and agnostic atheist). Seventh day adventists which have some similar doctrines, probably stemming from a shared origin. We called the end times before Jesus would return "the time of trouble" which just sounds so corny now. Of course in our scenario it's the SDAs being persecuted. I first learned about JWs as a kid when I discovered that both groups have similar beliefs on what happens when you die, which sparked my interest (cuz most Christians believed you went to heaven or hell as a spirit). But then I learned they couldn't celebrate bdays or many holidays and it just seemed joyless after that. I felt really bad for those children...even as a child myself.
Of course I never knew the extent to which this organization intrudes, controls, and screws with people's lives. That was completely eye-opening for me. It's literally like Scientology wrapped in Jesus, or rather Jehovah.
My question is, has anyone ever encountered one of the actors on these WT videos leaving and speaking out? That would be so rad. I hope it happens one day. I will be watching that video with my popcorn in hand. Hopefully the lead bunker guy with the glasses.
On another note, I'm very happy for this channel and the incredible content, and similar channels. And for all of you who have your freedom from this organization. It just really warms my heart and is what got me into watching channels & videos about people who woke up. Keep up the amazing work!
Was woken up by "introduction to philosophy" My sheltered little brain had straight up come up with the cosmological argument without knowing it existed. (or that it had rebuttals that were literally hundreds upon hundreds of years old). Shook my world when I took that class, I bounced these ideas off of witnesses and they were so unprepared they just ended up getting emotional and shutting down the conversation. Well needless to say it made them sound like they were wrong and this prompted me to study philosophy more and I began enjoying life without superstition and liked it alot. I dove headlong into science after that to the point where 17yo me would be unrecognizable today. (Sorry about the grammar its 3am here)
What woke me up was questioning if the events in Genesis really took place. Once I realized that there could never have been an Adam and Eve and a global flood, my bubble exploded!
Worthy is the lamb who was slain, worthy is the king who conquered the grave, I never was a witness but I studied over 15 years with them an on my own, let me tell ya folks, the lord is a personal one and became flesh and we do nothing to earn grace for it is a gift from god alone! I will help who I can from them but I will never go to any other agent except Christ. God bless them god wake them 🙏🏻
What made me wake up is, when the elders started to insist SO MUCH in an invasive way, to come into my student room. I didn't have an appartement, only a small room in a student residence. It was embarrassing for me to have 2 old guys coming into my room so I declined and proposed to see them in a coffee shop. THEY REFUSED. They told me they have to see me at home. I felt some type of way. Like, how 19 years old me, cannot have the right to refuse to see 2 old men into my room??? A few months later, the concierge told me that two old men asked to see me and I answered :"Oh ok it's weird, I don't know who these people are."
Loxena that is super creepy and invasive. Im glad you stood your ground.
I was a staunch believer in the paradise, the governing body, etc. I spent all of 2018 in 5 different homeless shelters because I could not afford an apt. Vancouver in BC Canada, rents are atrociously high. So for one year I attended only the memorial, and maybe 2 meetings. The elders of course brought literature to me. One took me and his wife out for lunch a couple of times. No one put me up in their homes. Anyhow, my son who had been out of the JWs for about 5 years, showed me the Australian Royal Commission and how the Governing body lied. I hated watching those stupid 2 elders be so smug about disfellowshipping an abused girl. Then he showed me the John Cedars channel. He showed many teachings in the books and magazines of JWs that were false. I was stunned.
I wanted to give the religion one last chance. I prayed to Jehovah before I went to the meeting in the evening. I asked that he show me if this was his earthly organization and show me, just like the fleece test in the bible. Well, I went and I opened my eyes. I never went back.
I'm now free of them, and even my best friend of over 30 years is shunning me because I tried to help her. She thinks that I'm apostate. Stupid bitch. I'm so angry with her.
Another ex-friend emailed me and said, "How dare you send me an apostate video!" I told her she was foolish. I am shunning her.
Thankfully my mom doesn't shun me. I am telling her tidbits, bit by bit, and she doesn't like what the GB are doing either. Egs. the bible signing they did. Idiots.
So I've grieved, I'm angry, and now I'm in therapy and writing my book, Tears of Blood. We all have those bloody tears because of the Watchtower Governing body a-holes ruining so many lives. I don't want that to happen to anyone else. I was 6 yrs old when my mom started studying with the JWs. My last Christmas was 1967, along with every other holiday. I don't miss celebrations, I miss my family. My second husband forbade me to visit my grandparents because they used to study with the Bible students that broke away from the JWs eons ago.
I applaud you for waking up and leaving that cult.
I was POMI for years. Learning about the child sexual abuse cover up is why I am now POMO!
Yes I believe all born in are .But the internet has helped clear our " programming ".