178 - A Cult Blind To Abuse - Felicity is shunned by Jehovah’s Witnesses
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ธ.ค. 2024
- When Felicity’s father left when she was just eight years old, life took a sudden turn as her mother fell into the cult of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Struggling with her own mental and emotional health, her mother is described as a wild animal, hurling objects and abuse at her young daughter. Concerned outsiders could see what was going on at times, but not Jehovah’s Witnesses. In fact, young Felicity would walk to the Kingdom Hall and be passed by brothers and sisters in cars that refused to pick her up. She was even fostered for a time by an elder and his family, only to find them devoid of love as well. Ultimately Felicity would take a stand for herself and her children in an act of courage. This is her story.
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Her story completely breaks my heart! So much if it rings familiar and now looking back, there was so much fear and inadequacy drilled in to us. It's beyond disturbing!!!
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This was beautiful! I loved this interview. I hope your health kicks ass like your personality. Thank you for sharing.
Oh yes! I’d dread the prayers, the monotone Organizational praying, the monotone talks, the 70’s little children being dragged from the KH because they got frightened by the adult lectures on Malawi persecutions. The KH songs were downright embarrassing, I never felt God or Holy Spirit or Joy. I relate and I understand. My elderly brother (in his 80’s) is still in. I’m apostate so we are no longer a family of course. Once a person gets out of WT, they realize how truly abusive that religion is. It’s like a light turns on and you’re surprised that life in the “world” is normal and even peaceful. I understand completely.
"Wild animal mode." That describes my JW mother. She'd physically get tired before her mind wanted to stop the violence. That's so scary for a child to see their own mother act like an animal. So sorry you had to go through all that. Thanks for sharing your story. ❤
Sending a hug. So sorry that you had to go through that too. I don't remember who it was, but someone early on described their mom like a balloon that was inflated more and more and more that filled the entirety of the house, and you could hide in the corners, but eventually she would blow and everyone got hurt. If you're a mom or dad that has your own struggles and then you add on the stress of the cult, and the supporting narratives that it gives at times to bad behavior, you just have more fuel added to the raging fire within. There are far too many kids growing up like this.
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Such a beautiful guest. My heart goes out to you. You are wonderful and strong. I have been inspired by you and appreciate your testimony. Thank you. ❤
One of the most traumatic events of my childhood was at a district assembly…a woman was BEATING her child with a belt in the stall next to me. The child was screaming that’s enough that’s enough and the only thing that happened was a “sister “outside of the stalls said “Sister do you need to be so harsh”
I went back to my seat in tears, and my mom just told me that children should behave at the assembly . I’m 58 btw…
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So much that Felicity verbalized was my experience. And still emotionally suffering even tho I'm 69. I hope that I can beat the brainwashing before I die. It's not looking good.😢
I'm so sorry that you experienced that too. Far too many do. If you ever want to take the chance on yourself, I get to help people beat the brainwashing in my coaching practice. I have certainly worked with others in their 60s. Healing is a process, not an event, but you can find more here and join the waiting list if you like:
exjwhelp.com/professional-one-on-one-cult-recovery-coaching/
Hi
I saw your message and my heart goes out to you and loads more others.
I got as far as saying I wanted to be baptised (but never got to the stage) but I experienced something of the feelings so many did where you start questioning, and then wanting to look beyond the supplied material from the organisation - and the acute feeling of looking over the shoulder feeling when reading a part of the Bible or reading something from Borean Picket website. Then, when the TH-camrs started - wow. That increased the dilemma. And all the time, I wasn't baptised - indeed, by then, I had cancelled attending meetings and Bible studies. But the feelings were still there.
It still has an effect on some decisions eg a recent couple of courses I took, watching channels on TH-cam. But I also ask myself - where does it say I can't do such-and-such except propositions by 8/9 inexperienced, uninspired, not-infallible men who get things wrong.
I love how Felicity wraps things up - she not only looks beautiful but is beautiful on the inside - I don't know if this next perception is correct, but Felicity has come to love and appreciate herself. This was a lesson I had to learn. For many years I denounced myself, certainly didn't like nor love myself. And one day I decided enough is enough. I had a good look at myself inwards, tweaked, made myself stand in front of mirrors (a pet hate), and slowly started to become the person I wanted to be, through the journey of meeting who I am, what bits I liked, learned to love my attributes and what makes me tick, got rid of negative stuff, and started to work on learning to keep eg my face looking forward (it used to be focused on the ground), pushing myself with keeping eye contact, telling myself to involve and include myself in conversation even asking another to let me finish saying something.
To others, this may not sound much. To me, these were like The Puissance. But a motto I have is if I don't do anything about it - who will. And if someone does do it for me, is the outcome going to be what I could do with.
Sorry I rambled, I wanted to make myself an example (not pedestal) in the hope that I could share what tiny tiny experience (it certainly isn't anything like experiences of so many people here) of shared experience. And to say I hope so much that what other contributors have said will help, support, root, and hopefully strengthen those folk who are in such pain.
I really really feel for you. I really do. I'm just sorry I didn't experience things as much as you and everyone have suffered and gone through. I could be saying more eloquent, appropriate and supporting things with better words, and maybe practical help ❤❤
Thank you Felicity. All I can say you are not alone if that helps in a small way. I am being treated badly by my family for standing up for what is so wrong in the organisation.
great work, thank you
Felicity is a beautiful person . She has gone though so much horrific treatment and has managed to come through it all and it has not destroyed her or turn her into a bitter victim. Bless you girl, you keep that amazing positive head on for the next challenge in your life. Love n hugs ❤❤
Felicity you guys are so awesome. I agree with her 💯 percent about the emotion and stressful situations AND It was so stressful going out in service and having Bible studies😂
Yes I would always fall asleep praying. 😂. Wake up and try it again and fall asleep again. 😂😂
Sounds like a domestic nightmare, I get feelings of being trapped with no place for movement, just pinned in and down with no release, no relief, no relenting...my God, what torture for a sweet defenseless child, it breaks my heart for you, you deserved so much better, you deserved kindness, loving, nurturing, patience, understanding, guidance... you deserved to be loved and cherished dearheart, celebrated and rejoiced... My heart breaks for you, the injustice makes me so angry. I wish I could change things for you, it's so sad. I want to say sorry but it wasn't me, I wish I knew the words that would make it better and heal you. 😢😢😢
When I was ds’fd for arguing the No Blood Doctrine AND (Ive gotta admit: Xmas for the kids), my JW husband and I were at a loss. I was out, he was instructed to shun me as I was apostate, so he went to my best friend with whom I had had a JW BIBLE STUDY with! So he committed adultery but it was “overlooked” because he was “under bad influence by my doing”. We divorced, i ended up in the Hospital, then the ones who came to me were good Christian people (not JWs). I got out, (stomach ulcers from stress), I had to fight for my children and my health, because by that time, my brother who was still in labeled me “dead”. Honestly, it was a mess and I lost so much but I cannot imagine allowing a child die over no blood, I LOVE XMAS, and it was traumatic but that’s life and death in the WT. Abusive. Sad.
I hate that you were treated badly by that sham of a religion.
It’s so unfortunate that these religious groups that really could be a source of support and comfort to grieving or lonely or lost souls, but instead they suck people into this trap. It’s not the general religious precepts like Jesus isn’t God, who really cares, but making it impossible to leave without having your life torn to pieces. You can’t choose your friends, can’t decide what to teach your children, can’t go anywhere else but church, can’t pursue non-church education or careers or goals. I also never understood why all celebrations have to be prohibited to everyone in the family. Why would God want these things?
Those are why I would liken the Watchtower Society's Governing Body to a Mafia syndicate with its strict rules. I would never join that cult or give even one red cent to the Watchtower Society. They are a snake pit of liars, false teachers, and even con men.
Isn’t abuse one of the tools used to help create a trauma bond?
Absolutely it is. Abuse and then positive reinforcement create a bond where the victim may even see the abuse itself as part of love. Many saw it in their family of origin, but it's present in the cult as well.
Where can I get a shunned tshirt?
There are various design options for shirts and more at: shunnedpodcast.threadless.com/
@@shunnedpodcast thank you 😊
What happened to being in a spiritual paradise?
@1:33:33 thats what I did. I couldn’t wait to get away from the control of my mom and org that I clung onto men to get out of my house! I wanted to get married so bad to “worldly” person to get out. But I was never taught manipulation and narcissistic tendencies so I “jumped in the fire” of toxic men. Also it was all my fault because I choice the wrong man lol my parents never seen it was their lack of self awareness caused me to not thrive.
Not sure where you live in uk but look up Samantha radford.