Holy moly! Same here. It was only me and my mom in the organization. I was treated the exact same way. Then in school, the kids bully you. As a grown man you're still seen as a 2nd class JW. I recently left, I couldn't take it anymore. The last nail in the coffin was learning about the thousands of CSA cases, they're being locked up and sued for. It's tough, but we are here for you, man!
Yep. The organization tries to act as if nothing bad ever happens in the organization but that is far from the truth. The amount the governing body lies to the followers is astounding.
It's awful the way the treat single parent families despite claiming how loving they are. Having to deal with bullying on top of that, it's really too much to burden kids with but like all of the information that has come out about what they've hid for decades, they never cared about protecting kids. Anyway I hope you're doing better being out and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It will be funny if I ever get the chance to say Merry Christmas to someone I knew.🤣
Its easier to "control" a family that has a baptized Father/Husband in it. Women in the faith don't get "privileges" such as handling microphones etc. The threat of losing such privileges does a lot to control men that are in the faith. Then men are expected to enforce religious practices and principles at home and if not they will be looked on by the elder body negatively. In my opinion a family with a single mother holds much less value to the elder body.
You articulated your story & the social damage caused very well. Those of us who went thru it really understand & relate. Good on you for recognizing it & waking up. That mental ability & courage will take you far. You are young enough to purge most of it from your mind while you build a good life for yourself. You will go thru stages of recovery. Anger, grief, depression & acceptance. Once I got thru the beginning stages where I couldnt bear to even hear gods name, I started to build my own ideas on what to believe. I decided that Im more of an agnostic aethist progressive humanist, lol. You will get to a place where you are comfortable. Good luck! Lol, I love to say things that are rebellious! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! And thank you very much for putting your story out here. It will help you to heal.
Glad to hear that you have carved out a path for yourself, it definitely seems like an uphill battle figuring out our place after we leave. It is kind of fun getting to say things we were taught were bad so, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Ex JW born-in here. Left when I was 21, now I'm 38. Unfortunately some of these things follow you your entire life. Thanks for the video. Regards from Australia.
I hope your life outside has been much better than when you were in. Everyone born-in is going to always have it in them just like what we were taught Prov. 22:6. But I still hope you were able to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That's one thing I try to actively say now although I still find myself replying with "thank you" to Merry Christmas 😅
Thank you for sharing your story. Welcome to freedom! I also experienced isolation as a born in, 3rd gen jw child. Grateful to see you are thriving even tho we know that it was not an easy journey. ♡
It's really tough to get out of the mindset, I hope you are doing well also and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That's till a bit odd to say 😅
@@Dr.Soos.Keep practicing joy and peace. You missed out on some serious developmental things as a kid, but the brain is elastic and you can retrain it. Remember, the little freedoms you have each and every day, even the freedom to read and think as you please is a victory for you. ☮️💜
The BEST of your life is here and ahead of you! I thank God you’re out of the cult. I’m an “apostate”, as I was marked, shunned, and thought of as “one dead” by them. If they can kill a person “innocently (?)” by shunning, they’ll do it. But I learned to thrive. You are too! Thank you for speaking out. I just finished my manuscript exposing them. We all have our ways to heal. Congratulations and much love! ❤
Glad that you're doing well after leaving. It's always hard because they use disfellowshipment like a wrecking ball to keep everyone in. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and continue to thrive!
Please don’t listen to the keyboard warriors and their negative comments sitting on their couch !!! Stay strong never look back or ever return to that cult that destroys family’s life . I was in 30 years been out 3 years best decision I’ve ever made ❤❤❤lots of support here from the XJW community on TH-cam your not alone…….i love your Christmas tree so pretty Merry Christms and a very Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉🎉
I don't plan on going back. It feels a lot like Plato's allegory of the cave, and now that I'm out I can see I was in captivity. I'm glad you got out too and hope your pathway towards freedom has been great! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I had to go to a judicial meeting when I turned 18. I showed the 3 elders that were holding me captive, Ecclusiastics 3:1,4. "There's a time to dance." It's was time for me to dance . I was young and alive. I walked out of the fucken meeting and never looked back
Hey 👋🏽 thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you're out. Don't give up. There's life after the JW life. You're still young and have your whole life ahead of you! 👍🏽
Thanks for the encouraging comment (not meaning to reference the meetings haha) It's a bit odd trying to get involved in different things but I hope going back to school will help. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (that's still odd to say haha)
@Dr.Soos. yep I just literally went to my first Christmas party ever but I loved it. But I get it it's weird to say at first. But that's just the indoctrination speaking. I tell my teenage daughter she has her whole life ahead of her. I got out at 46 but I'm still very grateful for whatever years I have left. I will leave them to the fullest.
Thank you so much for being so courageous, brave and strong. Wow, you've really several things to be proud of your self about. Good going and keep looking forward. You have many out here who want to see you do well. So sorry about your young life. Many of us know exactly what you are talking about and lived it too. We are survivors of the same depopulation club. All of the wt prohibitions and doctrines were a perfect death cocktail. So happy we made it out! Hope to hear your thoughts on how you got to help your self lose weight. You'll be a great inspiration to others that want encouragement and advise. Sending you my best energy, thoughts and wishes. Awesome first video! Will be subbing and looking for your jext one as soon as you can ❤🎉
That's a really good remark about how they are promoting depopulation, despite many people marrying young because that's really the only way they can have some companionship. At the time it seemed to make sense (not having kids because of Armageddon) but now that I'm out it's really unsettling how they actively promoted a childless life essentially robbing us of meaning in our lives. I've heard some of the stories of former Bethelites having breakdowns when they downsized and the reality hit them that they gave everything and had nothing, it's so sad. I hope you are doing great being out too and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wonder if that will ever feel natural too say? 😂
@Dr.Soos. Thank you for the Merry Christmas wish. I love Jesus so that is where my mind goes when I get a Christmas greeting or wish. I think the natural life will settle in for us as we make peace with the reality of our life the way WE make it. Our life was supposed to be our choise. We'll just have to create it now. So nice to have met you. Videos are very important. If watched your earlier videos too. Congratulatoons on your new apartment.
@Dr.Soos. Please investigate the united nations Sustsinable Development Program which us a firm of the wt life oppression. It dounds sweetly written but it is total micromanagement of the planet and run by the same oppressive narcisistic leadership mentality. Not this cat! I won't go for a second more in another cult.
Wow, what a handsome, smart, logical young man you are. I have always thought that a lot of men look better in long hair. You are definitely one of them. I can relate with everything you spoke about. So happy you decided to share the truth of your lifeling experiences. I find that it not only helps to get the very wrong & hurtful experiences you have endured off of one's chest, but I hope you know it helps so many of us to be reassured that we ourselves are not the crazy ones. Thank you for your courage not to allow your past to take you down so far as to take drastic measures. And it is so wonderful to hear that your mom & bro are all on the same page as you. Close family support helps to heal us because we know what true love should feel like. 40:18 The JW elders think we are stupid because they think we can't see & feel their fake love. We are not so blind that we can't see that they fail so miserably at it. Ha ! Right ? There are so many ex JW's with a TH-cam Channel. And we are so happy there are because it is very encouraging for our mental health at this time. Yet, they are so puffed up with pride, thinking they are the only ones giving it. There are none so blind as those who can't get over themselves enough to see their own hypocrisy. I'm sure I am not the only one who watched this precious video that you so humbly shared, that hopes you continue to do so at your own pace. We truly appreciate your help. 🥰 ❤
It definitely is nice to know that we're not alone after leaving, as they try to make us feel. It's amazing with platforms like TH-cam we can share and connect with others who went through similar hardships. If it wasn't for the ability to access information through TH-cam I probably would still be in. I hope you're doing well being out as well and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That will probably always be odd to say 😂
Thank you for taking the time to create this video. Excellent!! I was baptized in '75 and was fanatical. Pioneer, elder etc. The WT contradictions were obvious early on but it took a while to see the back stabbing, nepotism to question what the hell was I doing attached to this cult. You are to be commended for surviving a very difficult time in your life. Hang in there young man.
Greetings from another born-in. I feel SO MUCH for you guys that were homeschooled and didn't have people your age in the congregation. SO MUCH isolation, even worse than for people like me who had at least some socialization. I got out in the mid-80s at 18 and it was largely the same then as what you describe. I think you did a great job of painting the picture of what growing up in the cult is like. As someone who has been out for decades, I can say it never completely goes away but it does get easier the longer you go. I'm glad you are free and thank you for taking the time and energy to put your story out there and help other people know they are not alone. ♥
Wow. Even though I left the Watchtower cult in the early 90s, I could really emphasize with what u were saying! Being excluded from normal kid experiences including sports, dating & holidays. I was socially awkward and it was Hard to make friends and talk to girls since I wasn't allowed to date or even go to a get together. I'm glad ur able to face these common issues that us exJWs face, regardless of what decade we were in. It's a life long struggle. I didn't celebrate my birthday for the first 40 years of my life & it's still difficult to get myself to celebrate Xmas at all. By the way, ur t-shirt with the Betsy Ross flag is awesome.
They really mess us up by promoting antisocial behavior on kids, I'm glad you have gotten free from talons. It still feels weird celebrating holidays and birthdays. Celebrating my birthday feels really weird as well, it is kind of hard to get into a happy feeling to celebrate when you think about the lost time but I hope that things continue to get better for you. I don't know if Christmas will ever mean the same thing to me as it does to others. I still hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing . As a jw mother of 2 sons ,I can relate your struggles to my own boys. I am out now, but the upbringing has made the boys very opposed and angry to the wt org. Keep strong, kia kaha and may our Heavenly Father bless you.
what you went through is a good start to your life, sounds like you learnt a lot now once you find peace and get rid of the guilt you will see how great life realy is, I'm 70 and still trying to figure out what i should call God lol i found peace so i thank God every day i even put out tobacco offerings to mother earth for all her blessings I live in the forest and love nature I'm to the point in my life where i never ask God for anything i just thank him/her/it for all the blessings, If there is life after death i'm looking forward to it cause me and god are friends I hope you make more videos i would enjoy seeing you find peace Have a great Christmas and a peaceful life full of love and happiness lol I wrote a letter to Santa on you behalf asking him to bring you those things for Christmas 🎅💕✌
Thank You, peace love and happiness would be a huge upgrade to the feelings of shame and guilt that the society attempts to burden everyone with. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
You are a very strong, resilient, resourceful person. You do not need to change yourself, you need to find yourself, the self that was pushed down by the lies told by the JWs. I hope you can find some solace in your family who left with you, and the many helpful people online who have been the same place you are and have been. You are not alone. If you can find a therapist who deals with childhood trauma I think you would be able to find more answers and hopefully some peace. Take care of yourself.
You seem like a young man who has a good head on your shoulders. Keep doing what your doing with love. If you keep the bitter taste too long in your mouth it will go rancid. I was a mother who became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and it took a lot of time to wake up. It ruined a large proportion of my life and my children’s life. But, NOT ANYMORE!!!🎉
You are so right about the JWs not tending to the widows and orphans. My husband wanted nothing to do with the religion when I started studying. Me and my 3 girls were encouraged to associate with other sisters with worldly spouses. We never got invited to dinner at elders homes. They are hypocrites!
It's awful to hear about this happening to so many other people. It seems like each hall sets up it's own aristocracy and if your not fortunate enough to be born into it then you're out of luck. I hope that your family is doing well and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing your experience of growing up as a JW helps ones like myself who were converted at the door in their twenties a long time ago to understand other JW that were raised in the religion/cult and what they had to endure in their young lives. I think you are doing well overcoming the isolation being in but not being accepted the loneliness of not having friends and being self conscious about your weight issues would have added to your unhappiness. You are an attractive young man with lots to offer just making this video shows how far you have come your communication skills and natural honesty is a huge plus in this world keep your smarts as others can use those beautiful qualities for wrong intentions but I guess with the experience of being a JW that would help you see through BS, take any good from it and utilise the experience in your life I think you would be an excellent help for others as you grow in understanding of the world around you.
It has been an uphill battle and it still feels hard overcoming some of the isolation. I guess there is some good lesson that can be found from most things. Sorry to hear they were able to deceive you about who they really were in the field service. I hope you've done well despite that. Also hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing! Did you get baptized? Asking bcz even those who don't get baptized still have all the same exact experiences growing up as a JW!! Glad you got out YOUNG!! 👏 👏 👏
I am sorry you had such a bad experience. So did I. Good thing you are awake now and can pursue a different life. The painful memories will fade over time as you replace them with happy new experiences of your own choosing in your new life. Best wishes to you!!😊
The Corporations, also known as the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, created and crafted their very own customized translation of the “Bible” in 1950, which included the New Testament. The King James Version (KJV) they were using before caused them many problems, after they changed their doctrines so they had to stop using the KJV and create their own customized made bible, which includes significant alterations to support their core theologies. Over the years, they created many New Revised Editions, one of which was the first complete New World Translation (NWT) publication that included both the Old and New Testaments in 1961. Since then, newer revised editions have been released. Here are the remaining revised editions in order: 1970, 1971, 1981, 1984, and 2013, all of which included more and more and more drastic alterations, such as verses removed, words altered, new words added, punctuation moved, verses restructured, and parts of chapters removed in order to support their own doctrines as much as Removing and Hiding the DIVINITY of Jesus Christ and distancing Him from his Father in their NWT scriptures.
so happy you are FREE, reclaiming and rediscovering life, yourself and love. yes, your weight looks perfect & healthy, it takes our brains a long time to reacclimate to the new image in the mirror bc it has to override a lifetime of self-perception
Im so glad your an exjw now , im sure you had your doubts about leaving for a while now, i im putting together a blog for ex j.w.s & i know how shady the whole thing is & im sooooo glad your learning that the real world is not all the evil the g.b. told us it was... well its a better life on this side of the witnesses. Yeah I'm more concerned about the younger people in their that after they leave unfortunately a lot of them commit suicide I can't say a lot of them but there is more than what most people hear about and that's what I'm aiming on doing is supporting those people before they get to that point I've been out for a little while. yeah so don't give up I always find it interesting to hear people's story I know it's so damn hard cuz they control every single aspect of your life. Thanks for sharing your story I wish you the best
Hi there, my name is Steve and I’m from the UK. I grew up as a JW too from 6YO, and really struggled in school, I hated it. In retrospect though it did give me the ability to deal with non JW’s in a social setting. I became excellent at blending in to my surroundings. If I was among “worldly” people I could hold my own whilst at the same time making all the right noises among the congregation. Being able to adapt to circumstances helped me to become an excellent salesman. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did, you weren’t given a chance, it was cruel and in my opinion tantamount to abuse. You grew up in an alien world and now you’re having to deal with living in the real world without the training, it’s awful. If you went to prison for 25-30 years the government have programmes to help you settle back into ordinary life, giving you support, but you don’t have that. However, I’m sure people from the ex JW community will reach out to you now you have a channel on TH-cam. I wish you all the best my friend. Take care of yourself. 👍🇬🇧
I'm glad to hear you we're able to turn your experience into something beneficial to you! It is a bit odd as I never really had a chance to socially interact outside the witnesses although now that I don't need to defend them I feel a bit more at ease talking about it. I hope you continue to do well and had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
Me, too. In Newark. My mom hurt from her youth. They wanted me to do normal things, short of express disfellowshipping acts. I would have gone berserk if I did not flee. My high school friends kept me sane. I ran all over Manhattan as a teeny bopper. We did not fit in. I was so so lonely in the Witnesses. But hated the ignorance and intolerance. Fled to study at Columbia in NY. But I still lacked basic social skills thanks to Watchtower I felt I barely was admitted. Did not want people to think I was a clueless Witness. Now in my old age, I can integrate my life. I saw so many bright Witness kids so crushed and destroyed. It was rough to leave. But stay in with grit. Humans are adaptable. I adapted. Even tho my catastrophic thoughts said I would not. Lovely tree.
I can relate. Our congregation was full of WWII generation and I feel like everyone I relate to is dead. At least we had some German veterans in there too. It made for some entertaining drama.
We had a SS guard in our hall, he was pretty friendly but I never got to hear anything about the war. I found out about his past from people gossiping not from him. That would have been interesting to hear some war stories, although it seems like when their witnesses they won't really talk about it.
I took in a young fellow who's JW mother had shunned him. He is a good person and a hard worker. It is always a risk when a vulnerable young person is left to fend for themselves. You could not blame them for falling into the wrong crowd as we say here in Australia. I am so thankfull that my parents encouraged me to persue tertiary study. It has afforded me a very comfortable lifestyle.
Great video. Your experience mirrors much of mine. I was third generation JW born to a single mom. Yep, they are very cliquish and single moms aren't in anybody's clique. I was disfellowshipped in 1976 at the age of 18 and never looked back. I have a disfellowshipped uncle too. We talk about how much we hate the organization for the division they create in families. My grandfather said the worst day for our family was the day they showed up at his door. There is no personal relationship with Jesus Christ, only the Watchtower Society. The end came for me when, one Thursday night, it all just seemed so phony. It just hit me as I was sitting there. I never went back after that night. The road ahead for you will be a bit bumpy at first as you develope the social skills that you couldn't while a JW, but keep at it, choose your friends well and you're going to be just fine.
Thank you, glad to hear you were able to see through their bs at a young age and get away! I feel like one thing we can do to forge a social life is to force ourselves to talk to new groups similar to when we used to force ourselves to go out in service.
You’re not alone bro! You seem like a really smart guy. I know it’s hard, trust me I’m struggling too. It’s hard to move forward when you feel like this cult took away your entire childhood and teenage years and they don’t acknowledge the pain and damage they’ve caused. I’m still dealing with all the religious trauma and the fact that I feel socially stunted. So many have ended their lives because it’s such a difficult journey when it comes to picking up the pieces of the shattered life the organization leaves you with. I hold so much anger and resentment towards them for the effects growing up a witness has had on my life. My dad was and still is an elder but I was still treated like crap by the people in my congregation for not being spiritually strong. I was deemed bad association and no one would let their kids hang out with me. Not only was I not allowed to have friends in school but I didn’t have witness friends to hang out with either. I lost my mom at a very young age and my stepmom who was super strict in the religion, threw away all my favorite toys and movies because they were “demonic”. Since I had no friends, collecting these things were my way of coping and she took that away too. It was a horrible childhood. Now that I’m older, my stepmom allows her grandchildren to play with the same toys she took from my sister and I and threw in the garbage. These people pick and choose what rules they would like to follow and it’s crazy! Tysm for sharing your experience man. Just know you’re not alone and we are all here struggling with you! You’ve got this and will find happiness now that you’re free from this awful cult!
That sounds a lot like what happened to my sister one time, she had these dolls from a show about fairies I believe (I don't remember what it was) but I think it was our aunt made a comment about them being satanic because of references to magic and that made my sister get rid of them. It's really awful that they try to extend control so far down into such innocent things. They really remind me of the mindset of the Scribes and Pharisees.
I'm Generation X who grew up similarly to your story and will be 54th birthday and my 50th anniversary this year being an observer looking from the outside in since the 1980's after I survived Watchtower's 1975 Armageddon. I agree on the clicky group pack behaviors amoung the congerations hierarchy, I was born in never baptized into their organization but was always considered and labeled worldly guy and bad association. My like of heavy metal music made me dangerous to the herd minded flock of order followers so as teenager 16 years old I was put out of the congregation and single mom's family home. I raised myself my whole life and am a conscious critical thinker a warrior and I still have my long hair too.
I remember being on the school bus in 7th grade with a new girl I’d recently made friends with. I was telling her about my dad getting mad at Jehovah’s Witnesses knocking on the door over and over after he put up a No Soliciting sign right by it and she said, “I’m a Jehovah’s Witness.” I thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have anything against you for that, but my dad’s really fed up.” We didn’t see anymore JW at our house for a long time. It was probably coincidence but I like to think she secretly put us on some kind of so not call list at her church. 😂
That is a nice story, and im grateful for your kind words to that little girl. However, what probably happened when she got home she would have told her dad that a kid on the school bus said: "xyz". Her dad called the elders because any negative talk about jws is cause for concern. They figured out which house you lived at based on your father's words to the past door knockers. Your address was listed as a Do Not Call on their territory card. And jws would secretly daydream about living in your home after Armageddon. 😮❤😅
As a JW kid going door to door, I would point out the “No Solicitors” signs that were posted on some houses. The “brother” that I was working with would just say “we’re not solicitors.”
I'm sorry for you young man. You are very intelligent and articulate. So please get you a good social network, go to college or good trade school, please don't get overly depressed and move on. I know your story. ❤
I was in a controlling cult for 40-odd years; it doesn't matter which one because all cults depend on the control of their members to enable their hierarchy to "live the life". One important point I've learned in the 27 or so years since leaving is this: other folk don't give a monkey's what we look like or sound like. When we think, They're all looking at me!, they're not indeed, other than showing a passing interest. So, discard all of those toxic publications and JW memorabilia and let your natural abilities and interests flourish. Employment will be entirely up to you, but under no circumstances allow any feeling of guilt depress you when you keep ALL of your wages for yourself. NO organisation has a "heavenly mandate" to require monetary offerings and the assembly of members on pre-determined days, nor forbid their association with "outsiders". Be very wary of all organised religion. Of considerable assistance to me have been the videos of Paul Anthony Wallis. Col (77).
For me growing up in the '80s and '90s, no computers, no video games, no sports, no patriotism, no student counsel...unless you an elder's kid. I wasn't cool enough to be invited to parties or join my "friends'" band. Oh, and bury your natural desires to pleasure yourself like everyone else on earth. I caught hell for wearing a blue tie with a red shirt, because it might offend the Amish in our territory that went from Berks into Lebanon and Lancaster Counties. What woke me up was the beard thing. I was openly counseled by the presiding overseer, which was against the rules, about growing a beard for the winter as i worked outside. He went on about rules and the governing body and told me i couldn't go out in service. I went home and replayed the conversation in my head and realized he didn't once reference the Bible, even when i asked. It festered in my brain and got me thinking about the rules. I looked in the Young People Ask book, and none of it was logical or Bible based. That's when i concluded they did follow the Bible, and it was all lies.
Sorry I missed this epic reveal .....I home schooled my stepson ......he became more miserable .......we let him move to a relative ......he is 47 and just now recovering ......stay safe 😮
My late wife left them physically but not mentally. She went back and left me by putting me out the house. She died in 2014 and we never got back together. They really play with your mind. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!
Another Major Alternation from 1970 to next year 1971 where the word “worship” was removed and replace with “do obeisance,” thereby Removing and Hiding the DIVINITY of Christ Jesus in the scriptures, from the Corporations of Jehovah Witnesses Organization custom made New World Translation publication, “bible.” Hebrews 1:6 ”But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: "And let all God's angels worship him."" New World Translation, 1953, 1960, 1961, and 1970 Revised New Editions. Hebrews 1:6 ”But when he again bring his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: "And let all God's angels do obeisance to him."" New World Translation, 1971, 1981, 1984, 2013 New Revised Edition
Obeisance means to obey, not worship. The word has NOTHING to do with Worshipping and has everything to do with obeying. Jesus did not tell his Apostles to obey him, he left that for them to figure out. Another word changed out by the W.S is Blessed in exchange for " Happy" Blessed indicates a more permanent state of being with no emotional connotations where as " Happy" ( sermon on the mount in the N.W.T) indicates a temporary state of mind. This helped the W.S to psychologically manipulate the brotherhood into the state of mind that nothing they have ever done good has any lasting positive impact on their relationship with God. This isn't often spoken about by ex JW as I am but I did a mid week talk on the Sermon of the mount and did not feel the word Happy was appropriately used and felt it changed things, making Brothers think that they have to pursue what Happy means to the W.S therefore never being able to make application of the Sermon because they didn't get the correct word Blessed to consider.
I wasn't raised JW, but became one when I was 42 years old. (Was disfellowshipped for smoking when I was 52 years old.) Something I noticed is JWs don't do any charity work like Catholic Charities (one example). IMHO, they should at least have a charity program for JWs, especially because they discourage people from getting a college degree, thus putting all their members into an economically vulnerable position.
The organization is shrinking exponentially. Since most people are being born into the faith and not being brought into it from cart witnessing they are on a decline. Its estimated that approximately 50% of the JW youth stay in the faith. This seems to be the reason for all their "New Light". I'm sure there will be more to come, ,much more...
Left the cult 26 y ago. But woke up only 14 y ago... i went to a xmas party and found myself eating by myself in the kitchen.... funny? So the indoctrination is massive... even after we wake up.. many of us still traumatized and have to force ourselves to do what we are blocked from doing
Right! “Hero” worship! “Idol worship”! “Creature worship”! HA! Right? The kids now sometimes get away with violent video games by telling a parent: “it’s an Armageddon game about Jehovah and the Governing Body destroying all the bad guys!”... 😂
It sucks when you realize that you were raised in a doomsday cult, and were indoctrinated with a distorted view of God, and the world. Take care of yourself for now, the rest has already been taken care of.
I let my kids watch the children movies so did i I bought them every he man characters and castle grey schull, school trips skying, they were not getting invited out, picked on, but when we had partily they came and loved iit. Kids left as teenagers .
School kids think your weird and religious and witness people/kids thinks you are worldly . U get rough treatment from both sides and no where to go and no one to talk to.
There is definitely some weirdness, that I've never liked with the organization, but in all of these religious organizations, there are always people who present it so poorly. The hair and beard thing was ALWAYS weird to me, because in ancient times, a lot of men in that part of the world had beards and some longer hair 🤣🤣
Good for you i see a big Christmas tree in the background. When Jesus was born sheperds were tending their flock. I SUPPOSE THE SHEEP WAS IN THE SNOW ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER . Really😂😂 if JWS DONOT HAVE THE TRUTH, TRUTH DOESNOT EXIST 😂😂
True, Christmas is pagan; it does not involve true Christianity. But JWs merely have a form of the truth. Take a step back and you'll see Kingdom Halls filled with Pharisees. And we know how God feels about them.
The Witnesses may have a form of the truth, but they do not have all the truth. And if nothing else, the Governing Body is corrupt, and God would not put up with that if they were His organization. They are liars and the Bible is very clear that God HATES liars. But yes, Christmas is really just a seasonal family get together and the story doesn't make sense. And the Witnesses are modern-day Pharisees whom God Himself rejected.
Witnesses may have some of the truth but not all of it. The Governing Body is corrupt, and the Organization lies. And we know how God feels about liars. Christmas has become a family-oriented tradition that is not Bible based, that is true. But "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" has been proven a LIE. The bad lie. The hurtful lie. Not the "oh, that shirt looks fine" lie. But the kind of lie that ruins lives, where people don't get married and have children if they want, and past generations have come and gone without the benefit of a life they truly enjoyed because a Man (Russell, Rutherford, Knorr, the Governing Body) said not to. Lied and said the end is too close. In reality, when you look at their lifestyles and the fact that they are completely taken care of financially and medically, they were saying "serve us". Because that's what we did. Oh, we pretended we were serving God, but the guilt and obligation and fears they placed upon us were not from God. The Bible clearly states that man dominates man to his injury. It also says to not follow man. But the Governing Body says "trust us. You can only come to God through us. You can only worship God if you follow us. We are God's children; you are merely his friends." Nope, not God's organization.
Witnesses may have some of the truth but not all of it. The Governing Body is corrupt, and the Organization lies. And we know how God feels about liars. Christmas has become a family-oriented tradition that is not Bible based, that is true. But "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" has been proven a LIE. The bad lie. The hurtful lie. Not the "oh, that shirt looks fine" lie. But the kind of lie that ruins lives, where people don't get married and have children if they want, and past generations have come and gone without the benefit of a life they truly enjoyed because a Man (Russell, Rutherford, Knorr, the Governing Body) said not to. Lied and said the end is too close. In reality, when you look at their lifestyles and the fact that they are completely taken care of financially and medically, they were saying "serve us". Because that's what we did. Oh, we pretended we were serving God, but the guilt and obligation and fears they placed upon us were not from God. The Bible clearly states that man dominates man to his injury. It also says to not follow man. But the Governing Body says "trust us. You can only come to God through us. You can only worship God if you follow us. We are God's children; you are merely his friends." Nope, not God's organization
Don’t be such a negative person give the young man a break it’s not a disgrace at all , as the comments before said didn’t Jesus have long hair? Who are you to judge any one look at your own life first before pointing a finger at someone else !!!! Wish him the best success as he embarks on his journey through this life!!!
So you've used this opportunity to heap ridicule on someone sharing their experience and their reality? How very Christian of you! You have no right to invalidate, negate and berate a person who has experienced trauma! What happened to your fellow feeling? Jesus NEVER berated those in pain. He said come to me because my load is light! You really need to read your Bible without the watchtower colored glasses on. Jesus was loving towards all. Instead of thanking this young man for sharing his experience, you want to preach at him. You should be pouring oil on him to soothe his hurt! Check your heart and your motives.
Is this a man or a woman? Maybe this is the real reason it's no longer with the organization. People need to use critical thinking skills and not just buy everything some of these people say.
You're right. His hair doesn't look so hot. Now, let's get to the meat of this thing. It's obvious that you are still in the religion. Better delete your history before someone finds out. He has grown his hair because it is symbolic of where he is now in his own personal freedom because he was never allowed to do anything. He has grown his hair BECAUSE HE CAN. It's a phase that he is going through, do you get it? He was a baptized, upstanding young man; auxiliary pioneered on a regular basis, on the Ministry School, served at the District Conventions, used in the Service Meeting, never missed cleaning the Hall when it was his study group's turn and even helped other Halls. He lived walking distance from the Hall, so when enough didn't show up when it was a different study group assigned to clean or cut the grass or work on the lawn mowers, the Brothers would call him and his brother -- and they showed up. This young man, with no father in his life, did more than any Elder's spoiled son did and was always there. He never missed meetings and commented at EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! He was assigned reading at the Book Study and Watchtower Meeting. He did sound. He joined the Ministry School at eight years old and was baptized at 14 with his Circuit Overseer in personal attendance. He has read the Bible FROM COVER TO COVER ON HIS OWN, not including the weekly reading -- have you? He was exceptionally dressed and groomed at both the meetings and field service. This kid knew all 66 books of the Bible before he was two years old and had Matthew 24:14 and Psalm 83:18 memorized at eighteen months, did you? And he wanted to do all of this because that's how he was trained and he truly believed he was serving Jehovah God. And you, well you're a fine example of the self-righteous bigotry found in the minds of those who claim to be Christlike. You barked up the wrong damn tree!
It looks like you are trying your best to not be associated with the JWs..no offense meant.. i just thought rhe thumbnail was funny.. long hair, American flag, Christmas tree lol
Holy moly! Same here. It was only me and my mom in the organization. I was treated the exact same way. Then in school, the kids bully you. As a grown man you're still seen as a 2nd class JW. I recently left, I couldn't take it anymore. The last nail in the coffin was learning about the thousands of CSA cases, they're being locked up and sued for. It's tough, but we are here for you, man!
Yep. The organization tries to act as if nothing bad ever happens in the organization but that is far from the truth. The amount the governing body lies to the followers is astounding.
It's awful the way the treat single parent families despite claiming how loving they are. Having to deal with bullying on top of that, it's really too much to burden kids with but like all of the information that has come out about what they've hid for decades, they never cared about protecting kids. Anyway I hope you're doing better being out and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It will be funny if I ever get the chance to say Merry Christmas to someone I knew.🤣
Its easier to "control" a family that has a baptized Father/Husband in it. Women in the faith don't get "privileges" such as handling microphones etc. The threat of losing such privileges does a lot to control men that are in the faith. Then men are expected to enforce religious practices and principles at home and if not they will be looked on by the elder body negatively. In my opinion a family with a single mother holds much less value to the elder body.
@@DeclineofJehovahthe meetings went by so much faster running mics tho..
@@Dr.Soos.we'd love to see another video of yours, is your whole family out? How's school going? We're rooting for you!
Thank you for sharing!
'Apostate' greetings from the Netherlands ❤🇳🇱😊
You articulated your story & the social damage caused very well. Those of us who went thru it really understand & relate. Good on you for recognizing it & waking up. That mental ability & courage will take you far. You are young enough to purge most of it from your mind while you build a good life for yourself. You will go thru stages of recovery. Anger, grief, depression & acceptance. Once I got thru the beginning stages where I couldnt bear to even hear gods name, I started to build my own ideas on what to believe. I decided that Im more of an agnostic aethist progressive humanist, lol. You will get to a place where you are comfortable. Good luck! Lol, I love to say things that are rebellious! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! And thank you very much for putting your story out here. It will help you to heal.
Glad to hear that you have carved out a path for yourself, it definitely seems like an uphill battle figuring out our place after we leave. It is kind of fun getting to say things we were taught were bad so, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I can relate to much of your story, thanks for sharing
Ex JW born-in here. Left when I was 21, now I'm 38. Unfortunately some of these things follow you your entire life.
Thanks for the video.
Regards from Australia.
I hope your life outside has been much better than when you were in. Everyone born-in is going to always have it in them just like what we were taught Prov. 22:6. But I still hope you were able to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That's one thing I try to actively say now although I still find myself replying with "thank you" to Merry Christmas 😅
@@obzenmeshuggah5912 hypnotherapy with a specialist psychiatrist will clean out the blocks in your subconscious mind
@@obzenmeshuggah5912 you said "unfortunately some of these THINGS follow you your entire life"? WHAT THINGS?
Thank you for sharing your story. Welcome to freedom! I also experienced isolation as a born in, 3rd gen jw child.
Grateful to see you are thriving even tho we know that it was not an easy journey. ♡
It's really tough to get out of the mindset, I hope you are doing well also and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That's till a bit odd to say 😅
@@Dr.Soos.Keep practicing joy and peace. You missed out on some serious developmental things as a kid, but the brain is elastic and you can retrain it.
Remember, the little freedoms you have each and every day, even the freedom to read and think as you please is a victory for you.
☮️💜
The BEST of your life is here and ahead of you! I thank God you’re out of the cult. I’m an “apostate”, as I was marked, shunned, and thought of as “one dead” by them. If they can kill a person “innocently (?)” by shunning, they’ll do it. But I learned to thrive. You are too! Thank you for speaking out. I just finished my manuscript exposing them. We all have our ways to heal. Congratulations and much love! ❤
Glad that you're doing well after leaving. It's always hard because they use disfellowshipment like a wrecking ball to keep everyone in. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and continue to thrive!
Please don’t listen to the keyboard warriors and their negative comments sitting on their couch !!! Stay strong never look back or ever return to that cult that destroys family’s life . I was in 30 years been out 3 years best decision I’ve ever made ❤❤❤lots of support here from the XJW community on TH-cam your not alone…….i love your Christmas tree so pretty Merry Christms and a very Happy New Year🎉🎉🎉🎉
Just love your new life,I have for for more than 30 years❤
I don't plan on going back. It feels a lot like Plato's allegory of the cave, and now that I'm out I can see I was in captivity. I'm glad you got out too and hope your pathway towards freedom has been great! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I had to go to a judicial meeting when I turned 18. I showed the 3 elders that were holding me captive, Ecclusiastics 3:1,4. "There's a time to dance."
It's was time for me to dance . I was young and alive. I walked out of the fucken meeting and never looked back
Hey 👋🏽 thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you're out. Don't give up. There's life after the JW life. You're still young and have your whole life ahead of you! 👍🏽
Thanks for the encouraging comment (not meaning to reference the meetings haha) It's a bit odd trying to get involved in different things but I hope going back to school will help. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (that's still odd to say haha)
@Dr.Soos. yep I just literally went to my first Christmas party ever but I loved it. But I get it it's weird to say at first. But that's just the indoctrination speaking. I tell my teenage daughter she has her whole life ahead of her. I got out at 46 but I'm still very grateful for whatever years I have left. I will leave them to the fullest.
Thank you so much for being so courageous, brave and strong. Wow, you've really several things to be proud of your self about. Good going and keep looking forward. You have many out here who want to see you do well. So sorry about your young life. Many of us know exactly what you are talking about and lived it too. We are survivors of the same depopulation club. All of the wt prohibitions and doctrines were a perfect death cocktail. So happy we made it out! Hope to hear your thoughts on how you got to help your self lose weight. You'll be a great inspiration to others that want encouragement and advise. Sending you my best energy, thoughts and wishes. Awesome first video! Will be subbing and looking for your jext one as soon as you can ❤🎉
That's a really good remark about how they are promoting depopulation, despite many people marrying young because that's really the only way they can have some companionship. At the time it seemed to make sense (not having kids because of Armageddon) but now that I'm out it's really unsettling how they actively promoted a childless life essentially robbing us of meaning in our lives. I've heard some of the stories of former Bethelites having breakdowns when they downsized and the reality hit them that they gave everything and had nothing, it's so sad. I hope you are doing great being out too and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wonder if that will ever feel natural too say? 😂
@Dr.Soos. Thank you for the Merry Christmas wish. I love Jesus so that is where my mind goes when I get a Christmas greeting or wish. I think the natural life will settle in for us as we make peace with the reality of our life the way WE make it. Our life was supposed to be our choise. We'll just have to create it now. So nice to have met you. Videos are very important. If watched your earlier videos too. Congratulatoons on your new apartment.
@Dr.Soos. Please investigate the united nations Sustsinable Development Program which us a firm of the wt life oppression. It dounds sweetly written but it is total micromanagement of the planet and run by the same oppressive narcisistic leadership mentality. Not this cat! I won't go for a second more in another cult.
So glad you had the courage to share! Don’t stop! Keep going for everything you want in this life ❤
Merry Christmas to you! I love that you can celebrate! ❤
Wow, what a handsome, smart, logical young man you are. I have always thought that a lot of men look better in long hair. You are definitely one of them. I can relate with everything you spoke about. So happy you decided to share the truth of your lifeling experiences. I find that it not only helps to get the very wrong & hurtful experiences you have endured off of one's chest, but I hope you know it helps so many of us to be reassured that we ourselves are not the crazy ones. Thank you for your courage not to allow your past to take you down so far as to take drastic measures. And it is so wonderful to hear that your mom & bro are all on the same page as you. Close family support helps to heal us because we know what true love should feel like. 40:18 The JW elders think we are stupid because they think we can't see & feel their fake love. We are not so blind that we can't see that they fail so miserably at it. Ha ! Right ? There are so many ex JW's with a TH-cam Channel. And we are so happy there are because it is very encouraging for our mental health at this time. Yet, they are so puffed up with pride, thinking they are the only ones giving it. There are none so blind as those who can't get over themselves enough to see their own hypocrisy. I'm sure I am not the only one who watched this precious video that you so humbly shared, that hopes you continue to do so at your own pace. We truly appreciate your help. 🥰 ❤
It definitely is nice to know that we're not alone after leaving, as they try to make us feel. It's amazing with platforms like TH-cam we can share and connect with others who went through similar hardships. If it wasn't for the ability to access information through TH-cam I probably would still be in. I hope you're doing well being out as well and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! That will probably always be odd to say 😂
No they don’t ! He might be one of them. But it doesn’t matter because that’s what he wants
Thank you for taking the time to create this video. Excellent!! I was baptized in '75 and was fanatical. Pioneer, elder etc. The WT contradictions were obvious early on but it took a while to see the back stabbing, nepotism to question what the hell was I doing attached to this cult. You are to be commended for surviving a very difficult time in your life. Hang in there young man.
Greetings from another born-in. I feel SO MUCH for you guys that were homeschooled and didn't have people your age in the congregation. SO MUCH isolation, even worse than for people like me who had at least some socialization. I got out in the mid-80s at 18 and it was largely the same then as what you describe. I think you did a great job of painting the picture of what growing up in the cult is like. As someone who has been out for decades, I can say it never completely goes away but it does get easier the longer you go. I'm glad you are free and thank you for taking the time and energy to put your story out there and help other people know they are not alone. ♥
Wow. Even though I left the Watchtower cult in the early 90s, I could really emphasize with what u were saying! Being excluded from normal kid experiences including sports, dating & holidays. I was socially awkward and it was Hard to make friends and talk to girls since I wasn't allowed to date or even go to a get together. I'm glad ur able to face these common issues that us exJWs face, regardless of what decade we were in. It's a life long struggle.
I didn't celebrate my birthday for the first 40 years of my life & it's still difficult to get myself to celebrate Xmas at all. By the way, ur t-shirt with the Betsy Ross flag is awesome.
They really mess us up by promoting antisocial behavior on kids, I'm glad you have gotten free from talons. It still feels weird celebrating holidays and birthdays. Celebrating my birthday feels really weird as well, it is kind of hard to get into a happy feeling to celebrate when you think about the lost time but I hope that things continue to get better for you. I don't know if Christmas will ever mean the same thing to me as it does to others. I still hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
Thank you for sharing . As a jw mother of 2 sons ,I can relate your struggles to my own boys. I am out now, but the upbringing has made the boys very opposed and angry to the wt org. Keep strong, kia kaha and may our Heavenly Father bless you.
what you went through is a good start to your life, sounds like you learnt a lot now once you find peace and get rid of the guilt you will see how great life realy is, I'm 70 and still trying to figure out what i should call God lol i found peace so i thank God every day i even put out tobacco offerings to mother earth for all her blessings I live in the forest and love nature I'm to the point in my life where i never ask God for anything i just thank him/her/it for all the blessings, If there is life after death i'm looking forward to it cause me and god are friends
I hope you make more videos i would enjoy seeing you find peace Have a great Christmas and a peaceful life full of love and happiness lol I wrote a letter to Santa on you behalf asking him to bring you those things for Christmas 🎅💕✌
I'm a nature person too! Nice to meet you! ❤
@@pennybeeflower1951 Hi Penny Thank you it is nice to meet you too, Nature is a great healer a good place to unwind and rejuvenate ❤
Thank You, peace love and happiness would be a huge upgrade to the feelings of shame and guilt that the society attempts to burden everyone with. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
You are a very strong, resilient, resourceful person. You do not need to change yourself, you need to find yourself, the self that was pushed down by the lies told by the JWs. I hope you can find some solace in your family who left with you, and the many helpful people online who have been the same place you are and have been. You are not alone. If you can find a therapist who deals with childhood trauma I think you would be able to find more answers and hopefully some peace. Take care of yourself.
You seem like a young man who has a good head on your shoulders.
Keep doing what your doing with love.
If you keep the bitter taste too long in your mouth it will go rancid.
I was a mother who became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and it took a lot of time to wake up.
It ruined a large proportion of my life and my children’s life. But, NOT ANYMORE!!!🎉
Thank you for sharing your experience🙂
You are so right about the JWs not tending to the widows and orphans. My husband wanted nothing to do with the religion when I started studying. Me and my 3 girls were encouraged to associate with other sisters with worldly spouses. We never got invited to dinner at elders homes. They are hypocrites!
It's awful to hear about this happening to so many other people. It seems like each hall sets up it's own aristocracy and if your not fortunate enough to be born into it then you're out of luck. I hope that your family is doing well and had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In Africa, we were not allowed to participate in competitive sports or wear Jeans trousers ,… it is worldly…. Crazy!!!
Usually, it's not allowed in th US either. Some parent allow it but the other parents might look down on them.
But you guys can really sing!!
@unclealbert-rt4pq. Probably in 432HZ as well! which makes it so much better for the h-eart, soul and mind. ❤
Your not allowed to join competitive sports in school. I was in from 1996 to 2017.
Thank you for sharing your experience of growing up as a JW helps ones like myself who were converted at the door in their twenties a long time ago to understand other JW that were raised in the religion/cult and what they had to endure in their young lives.
I think you are doing well overcoming the isolation being in but not being accepted the loneliness of not having friends and being self conscious about your weight issues would have added to your unhappiness. You are an attractive young man with lots to offer just making this video shows how far you have come your communication skills and natural honesty is a huge plus in this world keep your smarts as others can use those beautiful qualities for wrong intentions but I guess with the experience of being a JW that would help you see through BS, take any good from it and utilise the experience in your life I think you would be an excellent help for others as you grow in understanding of the world around you.
It has been an uphill battle and it still feels hard overcoming some of the isolation. I guess there is some good lesson that can be found from most things. Sorry to hear they were able to deceive you about who they really were in the field service. I hope you've done well despite that. Also hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing! Did you get baptized? Asking bcz even those who don't get baptized still have all the same exact experiences growing up as a JW!! Glad you got out YOUNG!! 👏 👏 👏
Thank you for sharing 😊
I am sorry you had such a bad experience. So did I. Good thing you are awake now and can pursue a different life. The painful memories will fade over time as you replace them with happy new experiences of your own choosing in your new life. Best wishes to you!!😊
Not a waste of time at all, Thank you for sharing your story. Wish you all the best.
The Corporations, also known as the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, created and crafted their very own customized translation of the “Bible” in 1950, which included the New Testament. The King James Version (KJV) they were using before caused them many problems, after they changed their doctrines so they had to stop using the KJV and create their own customized made bible, which includes significant alterations to support their core theologies.
Over the years, they created many New Revised Editions, one of which was the first complete New World Translation (NWT) publication that included both the Old and New Testaments in 1961. Since then, newer revised editions have been released. Here are the remaining revised editions in order: 1970, 1971, 1981, 1984, and 2013, all of which included more and more and more drastic alterations, such as verses removed, words altered, new words added, punctuation moved, verses restructured, and parts of chapters removed in order to support their own doctrines as much as Removing and Hiding the DIVINITY of Jesus Christ and distancing Him from his Father in their NWT scriptures.
Are you Eastern Orthodox?
qijiy. What matters is the truth! 'cause it's true...
Great video, I grew up in the religion too, so I relate to a lot of this!
so happy you are FREE, reclaiming and rediscovering life, yourself and love. yes, your weight looks perfect & healthy, it takes our brains a long time to reacclimate to the new image in the mirror bc it has to override a lifetime of self-perception
Im so glad your an exjw now , im sure you had your doubts about leaving for a while now, i im putting together a blog for ex j.w.s & i know how shady the whole thing is & im sooooo glad your learning that the real world is not all the evil the g.b. told us it was... well its a better life on this side of the witnesses. Yeah I'm more concerned about the younger people in their that after they leave unfortunately a lot of them commit suicide I can't say a lot of them but there is more than what most people hear about and that's what I'm aiming on doing is supporting those people before they get to that point I've been out for a little while. yeah so don't give up I always find it interesting to hear people's story I know it's so damn hard cuz they control every single aspect of your life. Thanks for sharing your story I wish you the best
Hi there, my name is Steve and I’m from the UK. I grew up as a JW too from 6YO, and really struggled in school, I hated it. In retrospect though it did give me the ability to deal with non JW’s in a social setting. I became excellent at blending in to my surroundings. If I was among “worldly” people I could hold my own whilst at the same time making all the right noises among the congregation. Being able to adapt to circumstances helped me to become an excellent salesman. I’m sorry you had to go through what you did, you weren’t given a chance, it was cruel and in my opinion tantamount to abuse. You grew up in an alien world and now you’re having to deal with living in the real world without the training, it’s awful. If you went to prison for 25-30 years the government have programmes to help you settle back into ordinary life, giving you support, but you don’t have that. However, I’m sure people from the ex JW community will reach out to you now you have a channel on TH-cam. I wish you all the best my friend. Take care of yourself. 👍🇬🇧
“Excellent salesman”! Right? I hear you! 😂❤
I'm glad to hear you we're able to turn your experience into something beneficial to you! It is a bit odd as I never really had a chance to socially interact outside the witnesses although now that I don't need to defend them I feel a bit more at ease talking about it. I hope you continue to do well and had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
@@Dr.Soos. Happy New Year to you! And the best is yet to come!
Me, too. In Newark. My mom hurt from her youth. They wanted me to do normal things, short of express disfellowshipping acts. I would have gone berserk if I did not flee. My high school friends kept me sane. I ran all over Manhattan as a teeny bopper. We did not fit in. I was so so lonely in the Witnesses. But hated the ignorance and intolerance. Fled to study at Columbia in NY. But I still lacked basic social skills thanks to Watchtower I felt I barely was admitted. Did not want people to think I was a clueless Witness. Now in my old age, I can integrate my life. I saw so many bright Witness kids so crushed and destroyed. It was rough to leave. But stay in with grit. Humans are adaptable. I adapted. Even tho my catastrophic thoughts said I would not. Lovely tree.
I can relate. Our congregation was full of WWII generation and I feel like everyone I relate to is dead. At least we had some German veterans in there too. It made for some entertaining drama.
We had a SS guard in our hall, he was pretty friendly but I never got to hear anything about the war. I found out about his past from people gossiping not from him. That would have been interesting to hear some war stories, although it seems like when their witnesses they won't really talk about it.
The more that speak out the sooner we get our family and friends back
Thanks for making this video, it’s relatable to me I’m 24 up in Canada, I was able to leave after the zoom era around summer 22
I grew up in this, and am so proud of you for speaking out. I can relate to everything you’ve said!
I took in a young fellow who's JW mother had shunned him. He is a good person and a hard worker. It is always a risk when a vulnerable young person is left to fend for themselves. You could not blame them for falling into the wrong crowd as we say here in Australia. I am so thankfull that my parents encouraged me to persue tertiary study. It has afforded me a very comfortable lifestyle.
I know exactly how you're feeling about this.
Great video. Your experience mirrors much of mine. I was third generation JW born to a single mom. Yep, they are very cliquish and single moms aren't in anybody's clique. I was disfellowshipped in 1976 at the age of 18 and never looked back. I have a disfellowshipped uncle too. We talk about how much we hate the organization for the division they create in families. My grandfather said the worst day for our family was the day they showed up at his door. There is no personal relationship with Jesus Christ, only the Watchtower Society. The end came for me when, one Thursday night, it all just seemed so phony. It just hit me as I was sitting there. I never went back after that night. The road ahead for you will be a bit bumpy at first as you develope the social skills that you couldn't while a JW, but keep at it, choose your friends well and you're going to be just fine.
Thank you, glad to hear you were able to see through their bs at a young age and get away! I feel like one thing we can do to forge a social life is to force ourselves to talk to new groups similar to when we used to force ourselves to go out in service.
You’re not alone bro! You seem like a really smart guy. I know it’s hard, trust me I’m struggling too. It’s hard to move forward when you feel like this cult took away your entire childhood and teenage years and they don’t acknowledge the pain and damage they’ve caused. I’m still dealing with all the religious trauma and the fact that I feel socially stunted. So many have ended their lives because it’s such a difficult journey when it comes to picking up the pieces of the shattered life the organization leaves you with. I hold so much anger and resentment towards them for the effects growing up a witness has had on my life. My dad was and still is an elder but I was still treated like crap by the people in my congregation for not being spiritually strong. I was deemed bad association and no one would let their kids hang out with me. Not only was I not allowed to have friends in school but I didn’t have witness friends to hang out with either. I lost my mom at a very young age and my stepmom who was super strict in the religion, threw away all my favorite toys and movies because they were “demonic”. Since I had no friends, collecting these things were my way of coping and she took that away too. It was a horrible childhood. Now that I’m older, my stepmom allows her grandchildren to play with the same toys she took from my sister and I and threw in the garbage. These people pick and choose what rules they would like to follow and it’s crazy! Tysm for sharing your experience man. Just know you’re not alone and we are all here struggling with you! You’ve got this and will find happiness now that you’re free from this awful cult!
That sounds a lot like what happened to my sister one time, she had these dolls from a show about fairies I believe (I don't remember what it was) but I think it was our aunt made a comment about them being satanic because of references to magic and that made my sister get rid of them. It's really awful that they try to extend control so far down into such innocent things. They really remind me of the mindset of the Scribes and Pharisees.
Thank you for sharing your experience!! 🩵
I'm Generation X who grew up similarly to your story and will be 54th birthday and my 50th anniversary this year being an observer looking from the outside in since the 1980's after I survived Watchtower's 1975 Armageddon. I agree on the clicky group pack behaviors amoung the congerations hierarchy, I was born in never baptized into their organization but was always considered and labeled worldly guy and bad association. My like of heavy metal music made me dangerous to the herd minded flock of order followers so as teenager 16 years old I was put out of the congregation and single mom's family home. I raised myself my whole life and am a conscious critical thinker a warrior and I still have my long hair too.
Wonder-FULL in-DEED ❤
Awww, love you
I remember being on the school bus in 7th grade with a new girl I’d recently made friends with. I was telling her about my dad getting mad at Jehovah’s Witnesses knocking on the door over and over after he put up a No Soliciting sign right by it and she said, “I’m a Jehovah’s Witness.” I thought for a moment and said, “I don’t have anything against you for that, but my dad’s really fed up.” We didn’t see anymore JW at our house for a long time. It was probably coincidence but I like to think she secretly put us on some kind of so not call list at her church. 😂
That is a nice story, and im grateful for your kind words to that little girl. However, what probably happened when she got home she would have told her dad that a kid on the school bus said: "xyz". Her dad called the elders because any negative talk about jws is cause for concern. They figured out which house you lived at based on your father's words to the past door knockers. Your address was listed as a Do Not Call on their territory card. And jws would secretly daydream about living in your home after Armageddon. 😮❤😅
As a JW kid going door to door, I would point out the “No Solicitors” signs that were posted on some houses. The “brother” that I was working with would just say “we’re not solicitors.”
We are free! 🎉
I'm sorry for you young man. You are very intelligent and articulate. So please get you a good social network, go to college or good trade school, please don't get overly depressed and move on. I know your story. ❤
im currently writing a book about it good job coming out buddy.
Excellent! so am i 🌞♥️🔥🌹
I was in a controlling cult for 40-odd years; it doesn't matter which one because all cults depend on the control of their members to enable their hierarchy to "live the life". One important point I've learned in the 27 or so years since leaving is this: other folk don't give a monkey's what we look like or sound like. When we think, They're all looking at me!, they're not indeed, other than showing a passing interest. So, discard all of those toxic publications and JW memorabilia and let your natural abilities and interests flourish. Employment will be entirely up to you, but under no circumstances allow any feeling of guilt depress you when you keep ALL of your wages for yourself. NO organisation has a "heavenly mandate" to require monetary offerings and the assembly of members on pre-determined days, nor forbid their association with "outsiders". Be very wary of all organised religion. Of considerable assistance to me have been the videos of Paul Anthony Wallis. Col (77).
Very wary in-DEED🤔. Protect and safeguard your h-eart ❤
"The Kingdom of God is among us, even within us" ♥️🌞🌹🔥🙏
Good thing you got out young! 🎉
For me growing up in the '80s and '90s, no computers, no video games, no sports, no patriotism, no student counsel...unless you an elder's kid. I wasn't cool enough to be invited to parties or join my "friends'" band. Oh, and bury your natural desires to pleasure yourself like everyone else on earth. I caught hell for wearing a blue tie with a red shirt, because it might offend the Amish in our territory that went from Berks into Lebanon and Lancaster Counties. What woke me up was the beard thing. I was openly counseled by the presiding overseer, which was against the rules, about growing a beard for the winter as i worked outside. He went on about rules and the governing body and told me i couldn't go out in service. I went home and replayed the conversation in my head and realized he didn't once reference the Bible, even when i asked. It festered in my brain and got me thinking about the rules. I looked in the Young People Ask book, and none of it was logical or Bible based. That's when i concluded they did follow the Bible, and it was all lies.
Sorry I missed this epic reveal .....I home schooled my stepson ......he became more miserable .......we let him move to a relative ......he is 47 and just now recovering ......stay safe 😮
My late wife left them physically but not mentally. She went back and left me by putting me out the house. She died in 2014 and we never got back together. They really play with your mind. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!
Another Major Alternation from 1970 to next year 1971 where the word “worship” was removed and replace with “do obeisance,” thereby Removing and Hiding the DIVINITY of Christ Jesus in the scriptures, from the Corporations of Jehovah Witnesses Organization custom made New World Translation publication, “bible.”
Hebrews 1:6 ”But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: "And let all God's angels worship him."" New World Translation, 1953, 1960, 1961, and 1970 Revised New Editions.
Hebrews 1:6 ”But when he again bring his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: "And let all God's angels do obeisance to him."" New World Translation, 1971, 1981, 1984, 2013 New Revised Edition
Obeisance means to obey, not worship. The word has NOTHING to do with Worshipping and has everything to do with obeying. Jesus did not tell his Apostles to obey him, he left that for them to figure out. Another word changed out by the W.S is Blessed in exchange for " Happy" Blessed indicates a more permanent state of being with no emotional connotations where as " Happy" ( sermon on the mount in the N.W.T) indicates a temporary state of mind. This helped the W.S to psychologically manipulate the brotherhood into the state of mind that nothing they have ever done good has any lasting positive impact on their relationship with God. This isn't often spoken about by ex JW as I am but I did a mid week talk on the Sermon of the mount and did not feel the word Happy was appropriately used and felt it changed things, making Brothers think that they have to pursue what Happy means to the W.S therefore never being able to make application of the Sermon because they didn't get the correct word Blessed to consider.
They are an evil brotherhood standing up against Jesus Christ, our Savior.
I wasn't raised JW, but became one when I was 42 years old. (Was disfellowshipped for smoking when I was 52 years old.) Something I noticed is JWs don't do any charity work like Catholic Charities (one example). IMHO, they should at least have a charity program for JWs, especially because they discourage people from getting a college degree, thus putting all their members into an economically vulnerable position.
thank you for your story. By the way you look great! I've been where you are. Mentally its very tough
Just subscribed
The organization is shrinking exponentially. Since most people are being born into the faith and not being brought into it from cart witnessing they are on a decline. Its estimated that approximately 50% of the JW youth stay in the faith. This seems to be the reason for all their "New Light". I'm sure there will be more to come, ,much more...
Left the cult 26 y ago. But woke up only 14 y ago... i went to a xmas party and found myself eating by myself in the kitchen.... funny? So the indoctrination is massive... even after we wake up.. many of us still traumatized and have to force ourselves to do what we are blocked from doing
i no longer belief that any religion is good, i hope you find your path in life
That's right. 🙏
RA's own Legions on eart-h? truly distances us from being conscious of what's already living deep within our own h-eart ❤
the london watch tower bending them like a rainbow
Right! “Hero” worship! “Idol worship”! “Creature worship”! HA! Right? The kids now sometimes get away with violent video games by telling a parent: “it’s an Armageddon game about Jehovah and the Governing Body destroying all the bad guys!”... 😂
It sucks when you realize that you were raised in a doomsday cult, and were indoctrinated with a distorted view of God, and the world. Take care of yourself for now, the rest has already been taken care of.
I let my kids watch the children movies so did i I bought them every he man characters and castle grey schull, school trips skying, they were not getting invited out, picked on, but when we had partily they came and loved iit. Kids left as teenagers .
School kids think your weird and religious and witness people/kids thinks you are worldly . U get rough treatment from both sides and no where to go and no one to talk to.
There is definitely some weirdness, that I've never liked with the organization, but in all of these religious organizations, there are always people who present it so poorly. The hair and beard thing was ALWAYS weird to me, because in ancient times, a lot of men in that part of the world had beards and some longer hair 🤣🤣
Ex-Evangelical speakin tongues, deliverance Christian here. Keep the hair for a while.
See Beroean Pickets..Eric Wilson❤
He's a good, honest man.
Don't worry, Be happy!
the london watch tower the big ben over like a rainbow
Matthew 7:13-14
I can understand mate, very similar to me .
Is 100 hours a month of pioneering still required?
70 unless they changed it again.
LOL if you’re not a pioneer all you have to do is check a box now!
Do another video!
Is your mother still in? Are you living at home?
disfellowshipped oh no FREEDOM YAS
rebel children
Good for you i see a big Christmas tree in the background. When Jesus was born sheperds were tending their flock. I SUPPOSE THE SHEEP WAS IN THE SNOW ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER . Really😂😂 if JWS DONOT HAVE THE TRUTH, TRUTH DOESNOT EXIST 😂😂
True, Christmas is pagan; it does not involve true Christianity. But JWs merely have a form of the truth. Take a step back and you'll see Kingdom Halls filled with Pharisees. And we know how God feels about them.
The Witnesses may have a form of the truth, but they do not have all the truth. And if nothing else, the Governing Body is corrupt, and God would not put up with that if they were His organization. They are liars and the Bible is very clear that God HATES liars. But yes, Christmas is really just a seasonal family get together and the story doesn't make sense. And the Witnesses are modern-day Pharisees whom God Himself rejected.
Witnesses may have some of the truth but not all of it. The Governing Body is corrupt, and the Organization lies. And we know how God feels about liars. Christmas has become a family-oriented tradition that is not Bible based, that is true. But "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" has been proven a LIE. The bad lie. The hurtful lie. Not the "oh, that shirt looks fine" lie. But the kind of lie that ruins lives, where people don't get married and have children if they want, and past generations have come and gone without the benefit of a life they truly enjoyed because a Man (Russell, Rutherford, Knorr, the Governing Body) said not to. Lied and said the end is too close. In reality, when you look at their lifestyles and the fact that they are completely taken care of financially and medically, they were saying "serve us". Because that's what we did. Oh, we pretended we were serving God, but the guilt and obligation and fears they placed upon us were not from God. The Bible clearly states that man dominates man to his injury. It also says to not follow man. But the Governing Body says "trust us. You can only come to God through us. You can only worship God if you follow us. We are God's children; you are merely his friends." Nope, not God's organization.
Witnesses may have some of the truth but not all of it. The Governing Body is corrupt, and the Organization lies. And we know how God feels about liars. Christmas has become a family-oriented tradition that is not Bible based, that is true. But "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" has been proven a LIE. The bad lie. The hurtful lie. Not the "oh, that shirt looks fine" lie. But the kind of lie that ruins lives, where people don't get married and have children if they want, and past generations have come and gone without the benefit of a life they truly enjoyed because a Man (Russell, Rutherford, Knorr, the Governing Body) said not to. Lied and said the end is too close. In reality, when you look at their lifestyles and the fact that they are completely taken care of financially and medically, they were saying "serve us". Because that's what we did. Oh, we pretended we were serving God, but the guilt and obligation and fears they placed upon us were not from God. The Bible clearly states that man dominates man to his injury. It also says to not follow man. But the Governing Body says "trust us. You can only come to God through us. You can only worship God if you follow us. We are God's children; you are merely his friends." Nope, not God's organization
Doesn't the bible say that "long hair on a man is a DISGRACE".. 1st Corinthians 11:14, what ear tickling religion are you in now?.. 2 Timothy 4:3
didnt jesus have long hair lol
Don’t be such a negative person give the young man a break it’s not a disgrace at all , as the comments before said didn’t Jesus have long hair? Who are you to judge any one look at your own life first before pointing a finger at someone else !!!! Wish him the best success as he embarks on his journey through this life!!!
Styles over the centuries change wildly. I have always loved long hair on men. If it looks good, go for it. Be yourself.
@@heatherwillson4862 Well, I think he rocks the whole 80's metal hairstyle.
So you've used this opportunity to heap ridicule on someone sharing their experience and their reality? How very Christian of you! You have no right to invalidate, negate and berate a person who has experienced trauma! What happened to your fellow feeling? Jesus NEVER berated those in pain. He said come to me because my load is light! You really need to read your Bible without the watchtower colored glasses on. Jesus was loving towards all. Instead of thanking this young man for sharing his experience, you want to preach at him. You should be pouring oil on him to soothe his hurt! Check your heart and your motives.
Is this a man or a woman? Maybe this is the real reason it's no longer with the organization. People need to use critical thinking skills and not just buy everything some of these people say.
*“It’s”?* 😅
So glad I escaped people like you.
You're right. His hair doesn't look so hot. Now, let's get to the meat of this thing. It's obvious that you are still in the religion. Better delete your history before someone finds out. He has grown his hair because it is symbolic of where he is now in his own personal freedom because he was never allowed to do anything. He has grown his hair BECAUSE HE CAN. It's a phase that he is going through, do you get it? He was a baptized, upstanding young man; auxiliary pioneered on a regular basis, on the Ministry School, served at the District Conventions, used in the Service Meeting, never missed cleaning the Hall when it was his study group's turn and even helped other Halls. He lived walking distance from the Hall, so when enough didn't show up when it was a different study group assigned to clean or cut the grass or work on the lawn mowers, the Brothers would call him and his brother -- and they showed up. This young man, with no father in his life, did more than any Elder's spoiled son did and was always there. He never missed meetings and commented at EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! He was assigned reading at the Book Study and Watchtower Meeting. He did sound. He joined the Ministry School at eight years old and was baptized at 14 with his Circuit Overseer in personal attendance. He has read the Bible FROM COVER TO COVER ON HIS OWN, not including the weekly reading -- have you? He was exceptionally dressed and groomed at both the meetings and field service. This kid knew all 66 books of the Bible before he was two years old and had Matthew 24:14 and Psalm 83:18 memorized at eighteen months, did you? And he wanted to do all of this because that's how he was trained and he truly believed he was serving Jehovah God. And you, well you're a fine example of the self-righteous bigotry found in the minds of those who claim to be Christlike. You barked up the wrong damn tree!
Thats rude ...no less coming from a JW , hes obviously hurting from how he was treated being in your "loving " org
The irony
It looks like you are trying your best to not be associated with the JWs..no offense meant.. i just thought rhe thumbnail was funny.. long hair, American flag, Christmas tree lol