@@SmalltimR well Jesus never employed the methods the governing body does and the freedom of conscience and salvation you find in Christian teachings are not present in the teachings of JWs. Being myself a JW I used this same kind of arguments towards people from the „world“
I was born in 3rd generation on both sides. When my parents started to skip more meetings, the elders pulled my dad aside. The elders told my dad he was a bad head of household because we were not regular in attendance and barely went out door to door. Once they did that to them, we maybe went once a year to the memorial. Eventually the once a year turned into not going at all. Well one side of the family soft shunned us which meant they called maybe yearly to see how we were doing. The other side completely cut us off. I was close to my maternal side that completely cut us off. My parents never committed anything to get them kicked out or disfellowshipped. My parents were just fed up being on the hamster wheel for this PUBLISHING / REAL ESTATE COMPANY and didn’t want to be told what to do anymore. Well their children were shunned as a result. I grew up without extended family. Decades later my grandmother passed about a week ago. All I got was a speaker phone call while she unconscious already in hospice care. I loved my grandmother very much and this CULT SCAM took her away and that is what I was left getting. RUN FAST FROM THIS CULT!
ExJw here. I can 100% tell you this is spot on! I have been shunned since 2018 for confession of sins and openly disagreeing with doctrine and not believing in their governing body. My own mother and daughter shun me. I will tell you it is very destructive to the family unit! They should be held accountable
Thanks for the comment! I know personally I didnt learn a lot about the JW as a youth. This video has helped with a lot of people commenting their own experience. I think this guest was honest from his own perspective.
Other countries are removing their religious tax free monies and is the main reason they have recently changed the use of the word "disfellowshiped" to "removed'" but its the same action taken if one decides to leave JWs.
I was born in 2000; 3rd Generation Jehovahs Witness. I was confirmed in the religion (baptized) when I was 13. Disfellowshipped in January 2020. I was disfellowshipped after I admitted to having intercourse with my girlfriend and in the process disagreeing with ridiculous doctrines. I have been shunned by my family since. I was homeschooled as a kid and teenager. Everyone I had ever known in my life was one of Jehovahs Witnesses. My dad has some family members that never accepted the religion but we rarely ever saw them. So I lost everyone. My parents; my siblings; my grandparents, aunts&uncles, cousins, friends, everyone. The job I had was with an Elder in the religion. The night I was disfellowshipped I was told to pack my bags; and received a text from my boss that I was no longer employed. I’ve been putting my life together slowly over the last couple years so I can’t go into detail about how the last 5 years have gone otherwise I’ll end up in a depressive episode for a while. But the agony that comes from everyone you’ve ever known suddenly pretending you’re dead is something I wouldn’t wish upon my most hated adversary. This cult; has a strong hold on people, they are willing to sever whatever relationships they have and even give their lives or their children’s lives in a sacrifice to preposterous doctrines. Indoctrination is a powerful thing; there’s so many amazing people in this organization but they don’t even know what they’re apart of.
You will have a better life not being around that cult. I avoid all Jehovahs Witnesses, except my wife. My wife is still a JW. My wife and I are like room mates. I left many years ago. They ruined my life. You are young. I am old. I am just waiting to die. I wish I had never joined that evil cult. I was in High school and taking college classes. They bullied me to leave college. I hate Jehovah's Witnesses.
Excellent Comment. So very very true!!! I wish you success. I was born into the cult for over 50 years. Watchtower is a very very destructive cult and should be deemed an extremist group just like they are in Russia.
True Karen. I tell you - When i handed the congregation secretary my letter of resignation (at his door 😀) it felt like chains were dropping off me as I walked away 🥳🥳🥳 God is good. Take care 💝
I was a JW for 40+ years. the only correction I would make is that since the governing body started putting themselves on camera for their online broadcasting it has very much been leaning back in the direction of a cult of personality.
Well I am a lawyer, I was an elder several years and grew up as a JW. I left because of the negative psychological impact I saw on the members and the worship brought to the governing body. The JWs are definitively a cult and being an evangelical Christian now I can say that there are huge differences in being a member of a normal church or the JWs. It is good to see how experts from the outside detail the negative effects the JW cult has.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5 Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus. Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5 Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus. Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
I was born to JW parents. Since I reached consciousness I always knew that if they discovered my non-belief in the religion, they would not love me anymore. JWs are taught to love their religion more than their children. If a child turns their back on the faith, the parents believe that the child will be righteously destroyed at Armageddon, so they shut off their hearts and treat their child like they're already dead.
As one who has been shunned by JWs for over 27 years, let me assure you that when you disassociate you are in fact shunned as if you were disfellowshipped. We are hated and shunned worse than anyone thrown out for sin because we left loathing the organization's failed prophecies and spiritual abuse, not due to self-loathing. if someone tries to fade away without disassociating the elders harass them looking for a sin to throw them out for. There is no honorable way to escape this cult. Celebrity JWs like Michael Jackson and Serena Williams get special soft treatment due to green privilege.
I was raised as a JW and left The Watchtower in my mid-twenties. I maintain that the "governing body" is a sort of "group entity" and that the JW personality cult still "worships" the governing body AS A WHOLE, even though the governing body is a group of several men. They seldom say "Brother So-and-so says..." but usually say "The Governing Body says..." and in the past couple of years especially the governing body has changed JW doctrines and culture several times. It ain't your Grandpa's Watchtower any more.
I grew up in the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Shunned at 16. I list everything and was sent away. Now I help JW’s free themselves and tell their healing stories on my channel ❤️💕✨
I think this expert knows a lot about JWs, but I think he would change his thinking to “YES IT IS A CULT” if he saw all the propaganda and fear mongering and things they do to control what you think, who you ARE, changing you from an individual to all having the same beliefs and they are told to obey the leaders within the congregation, and anyone in authority according to the leaders at the very top. They keep saying to “obey even if it doesn’t appear practical in a human standpoint” “ doesn’t seem to make sense.” They recently keep telling people that it’s not good for them (old ones especially) to not be dwelling on memories of past good times. (I’m trying to think of the word, but it’s like fondly looking back, maybe wishing now was like “the good old times.” .) I’m sure it’s because the old ones are thinking how crazy all these new changes are, which I think is making them mention the False Dates (prophesies failed over and over, and maybe telling younger ones who have been lied to, by leaders.) One new rule is men can now suddenly wear beards, women pants at the Meetings, etc. I think they ARE a cult or Sect, just that the 11 men form as “one Governing Body.” The dramas they are showing are getting really nerve wracking, and they do not warn children in the audience about sketchy or actually scary topics, and the artwork shows violence. I had terrible trouble sleeping as a child always, and terrible nightmares even into my adulthood. They scared us in the 1970’s a lot about wartime persecution scenarios, and they make everyone think it’s going to happen to them at any minute(even to this day.) They’ve been getting them all ready to be imprisoned at some point (as usual) but now in videos, music videos, and deep discussions.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5 Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus. Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27 AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
The witnesses do have a text book that regular JW don’t see, it’s only for elders. The elder guide book. I too have lost my JW children I disassociated myself because my spouse was abusive, he was an elder. I have not seen or heard from my children in four years. This is called parental alienation and is a horrendous crime against my children and myself.
Happy to say I know well over 100 people that have left this religion over the last 3 years. Being middle aged and loosing all of your ‘friends’/acquaintances for just stopping attendance is how this religion puts so much fear into its members. Jesus once said my load is light and easy…but there’s nothing east about being or leaving the JW’s
You can even be shunned even if not disfellowshipped by some who think you are not spiritual enough by their own standards. There is only one way to leave and that is to slowly disappear usually using health issues or something like. Any celebrity cannot do that, they must have special treatment (perhaps for fear of bad publicity) and then there are those still in who can do things that the average one can't for the same reasons.
If you leave the jehovah's witnesses and the talk about the laundry list of problems the cult has, you get shunned. If you leave and keep your mouth shut, you MIGHT still get to speak to your jw family members.
It will all hinge on whether or not you were baptized. A non-baptized person can fade effectively and will still be largely dismissed by the congregation even if family chooses to still associate with them on the down-low. But, yes, once you start speaking against them, you're officially an apostate, which is the worst thing they believe you could ever be.
@Eric_01 I am one who never got dipped and just slipped away. What you say is true they can't disfellowship you on paper. BUUUUT even the slightest devote jws, including family members, aren't talking to you anymore. The term is "soft shunning," so you can still receive guilt trips and whatnot, but you aren't being invited to hang out. And the second you defend your choice, they totally cut ya off. You get something of an unsanctioned shunning, lol.
I grew up in this cult (it is still very much a cult) and when I escaped I did not get disfellowshipped or disassociate, yet I am shunned by my entire family. People who leave almost always get shunned, at least to some extent. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
If you disassociate yourself ( not disfellowshipped) it is considered WORSE than being disfellowshipped. They consider disassociating yourself is leaving Jehovah...
right, because if you just misbehaved they might be able to "fix" you, but if you start seeing through their control tactics you aren't coming back, or worse you might start telling others.
If you think this is not a high control, damaging cult, then you’ve either been speaking to the wrong people, or watchtower is now paying for podcast advertisements. Here’s a solid guide to identifying a cult, and JW hits EVERY SINGLE ONE. Identifying whether an organization is a cult involves looking at its practices, leadership, and the impact it has on its members. Here are some key signs to watch out for: 1. Authoritarian Leadership • Charismatic or authoritarian leader: The leader is often seen as infallible or above criticism. This is the governing body to a tee. • Centralized power: Decisions are made solely by the leader or a small inner circle. 2. Extreme Devotion and Obedience • Members show unquestioning commitment to the leader or the organization’s ideals. • Dissent or questioning is discouraged or punished. 3. Isolation and Control • Members are encouraged to cut ties with family, friends, or anyone outside the group. • Social, financial, and sometimes physical isolation are used to maintain control. 4. Us vs. Them Mentality • The group portrays itself as the only “truth” and sees outsiders as enemies or inferior. • Fear of outsiders is often instilled to keep members loyal. 5. Exploitation of Members • Members are pressured to give money, possessions, or time far beyond reasonable levels. • Unpaid labor or other exploitative practices are common. 6. Manipulative Practices • Love bombing: Excessive attention and flattery to recruit and retain members. • Shame or guilt: Used to manipulate behavior and enforce conformity. • Fear: Threats of punishment, social exclusion, or spiritual damnation for leaving. 7. Suppression of Individuality • Members are expected to conform in dress, behavior, and thought. • Personal goals and desires are often seen as selfish or unimportant. 8. Harmful Impact on Members • Members often experience mental, emotional, or physical harm, such as burnout or psychological distress. • Ex-members frequently report trauma or difficulty reintegrating into society. How to Investigate Further • Look for transparency: Legitimate organizations are open about their finances, practices, and leadership. • Research testimonials: Compare accounts from current and former members. • Assess the exit process: Cults often make leaving difficult, while healthy groups allow members to come and go freely.
Very good point. If someone leaves and says "It just wasn't for me" That is normal I think, but some of the things I've seen described in the comments goes a bit further than that.
@@University_of_Shawn_RyanThe problem is: they have some unique doctrinal insights which can't be honestly ignored. Their hubris is their downfall, since they equate their order with the only Almighty God. I like what Alan Watt said about not getting confined, but using what may be authentic as a "booster rocket to higher truth."
He is very generous towards witnesses. While they may not fit the traditional definition of a cult, they exhibit many traits of a cult. They exercise way too much control over the flock. There is no friendly way to exit the religion. Even if you fade they "soft shun" you. They dupe their members into believing that if one leaves, they did something wrong. This is not always true. They also equate leaving the religion as synonymous with leaving God.
As someone that was in the religion for 40 years, I can absolutely positively call you a liar. The titles of status is of the utmost importance to those in the Borg
@@nancyeutsey9576sorry to say yes it is you may not have experienced hurt or a lot of pain with your experience as a Jw! But a lot of others have lost family members that no one can replace! Please please think outside of the box of the Jw world it’s so freeing! The fact you’re here means you’re curious! Please do your research and critical thinking! Wish you the best!
@@nancyeutsey9576you are a brainwashed mind controlled puppet if you think that. We are all exJW’s here, born in or tricked in and will testify that you are out of your mind blind to what that BORG truly is. An occult religion masked as Christian. It’s an abomination and JEHOVAH will hold all accountable that are a part of it.
He’s just quibbling over semantics of what the definition of a cult is. The truth is they do have a leader, it’s called “the Faithful and Discreet Slave” AKA the Governing Body. He is wrong about MJ too, DAd are treated the same as DFd. Most of his family are not JW so they had no reason to shun him.
💯 agree with you. Some experts argue that for a group to qualify as a cult, it must have a single charismatic leader, and this gentleman seems to hold that view. However, I respectfully disagree. In groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, authority doesn't rest in one individual but in a collective leadership, such as the Governing Body. This group functions as a single, authoritative entity, making decisions that dictate members' lives and imposing harmful discipline for those who deviate from their rules. The insistence that there must be one leader can be misleading, as it gives the impression that the Watchtower is not a cult. This perspective risks confusing those trying to help individuals trapped in this oppressive organization. The absence of a sole leader doesn’t diminish the cult-like control or the harm inflicted-it’s the centralized authority and the resulting damage that define it.
It's hard to get a solid answer on whether or not MJ ever was baptized, but it's leaning towards not. That would make a huge difference "technically" to the believing family members.
@@Eric_01 of course he was baptized. You can’t be DF’d or need to DA if you were never baptized. They never would have gotten him to say he was wrong to make the Thriller video and put a disclaimer at the front of it if he wasn’t a JW.
I was born into the Jehovah’s Witness cult. Baptized, disfellowshipped, shunned and reinstated… I went through so much and still didn’t wake up until I was about 25. That was almost 10 years ago now. My parents are still very active. Changes have been made but they are still very much a cult.
That organization is determined to break up families...so much so that the shunned/disfellowshipped/"removed" individual is left without any support system at all. Some have been so devastated that it had led them to suicide.
Des familles détruites, des personnes qui se laissent mourir pour refuser une transfusion, des personnes qui mettent de côté leur potentiel : pas d’études, s’empêchent de fonder une famille, coupent leur liens avec les membres de leur famille non JW, des personnes qui vivent en hypervigilance, qui se sentent coupable dès qu’elle manque une réunion, qui vivent avec un idéal de perfection irréaliste, qui se font manipuler, etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Et ce n’est pas destructeur?
I was bought up as a witness my father was an elder and held other positions that gave him authority over others, I never saw my father use his influence over others for which I was grateful for. My mother died as a result of not taking a blood transfusion when I 15 yrs old, I remember the “ powers that be” came to the hospital and told my parents that NO BLOOD /OR BLOOD PRODUCTS, no blood FRACTIONS….. now when it come to fractions at that time NO fractions were permitted……LESS than 12 months later the VERY FRACTIONS that could have saved her life but REFUSED were now allowed. No one can convince me that this religion is not a CULT. And at the hospital there were four elders who monitored our every move so as not to weaken, when a group of men tell you what you can do and not do to the point it costs a life it’s A CULT. I ended up marrying an elder ( we have walked away form it now) and I also worked as a nurse and I’ve known some people have blood ( secretly) and I’ve never said a thing it is simply non of my business… in fact id always take extra care of them, anonymously of course. By the way I went back to university without telling anyone because i knew if I said anything i would be spoken to . When our son went to university my husband was told to step down before he was removed because we allowed our son to go to university, yes it is a CULT
Some experts argue that for a group to qualify as a cult, it must have a single charismatic leader, and this gentleman seems to hold that view. However, I respectfully disagree. In groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, authority doesn't rest in one individual but in a collective leadership, such as the Governing Body. This group functions as a single, authoritative entity, making decisions that dictate members' lives and imposes harmful discipline for those who deviate from their rules. The insistence that there must be one leader can be misleading, as it gives the impression that the Watchtower is not a cult. This perspective risks confusing those trying to help individuals trapped in this oppressive organization that is indeed a dangerous cult, in my opinion. The absence of a sole leader doesn’t diminish the cult-like control or the harm inflicted-it’s the centralized authority and the resulting damage that define it.
Thank you for pointing this out. Well said. The body of work done by numerous cult experts points to the JWs being a cult. Those who’ve been able to escape for sure know it is. For those of us harmed by this cult org and trying to raise awareness that the WTBTS *is* a cult, this feels like a regression to hear a cult expert call it a ‘destructive organization’. What cult isn’t destructive? What high control authoritarian group isn’t destructive? By their very nature, cults are destructive. No additional qualifier is necessary. Did the JWs transition from a personality cult to an organizational cult? Maybe. That could be the discussion. One could argue the governing body is a personality because they operate as a singular entity of one mind, in one united thought. No one who thinks differently is allowed to remain on the body. There’s no need to sugar coat this group with a definition other than cult. So many people are duped by them that watering down the label does more harm. While this discussion seems to revolve around semantics, it’s not just about semantics; it’s essential for harm reduction to label the JW org for what it is to hopefully wake people up and also to help support survivors like myself understand more fully why I am the way I am and to be able to fully heal. I think it’s offensive for this guy to attempt to re-label the destruction done by this organization and its members as anything but a cult. It serves no meaningful, tangible purpose. It’s perhaps more suitable as one’s master’s thesis.
Just yesterday a plain clothes elder drives by slowly and sees me out front of my house. He stops gets out and walks up and asks me if I am keeping up to date with “the organization” i said yeah not interested still. He said he will mark the chat down and be back in 6 months! Told him no. I have no doubt he will go and report on the fact that he saw me smoking a cigarette on my porch and have an American flag proudly on my house.
I can add my voice as one who disassociated as well. The shunning, and arrogance of belief are alive and stronger than ever. Great job highlighting the insane pain this cult causes. My JW family has never met my 2 yr old daughter
As a former JW just want to clarify a few things in the video. The point about Michael Jackson Disassociation. I believe back when he did it, it was a way for someone to leave without repercussions of shunning. Then one of the governing body members left the JWs and they changed the rules around Disassociation where it is treated the same as Disfellowshipping. MJs family may have reasoned that at the time he left was prior to these changes so it’s still ok to associate with him plus the added fact of him being a celebrity. Recently they changed some rules around disfellowshipping. It is now called removed or being removed. They no long use the term disfellowshipping. This change is very resent as of this year due to them trying to appeal to the Norwegian government to get their religious status back and thus the money that comes with that. A few details have changed after the name change to removed they still shun but they can invite or encourage a removed person to the kingdoms hall and Greet them at the kingdom. Some JWs may use this as a opportunity to connect with removed/ disfellowshipped family or friends but it is still limited I really appreciate the video and making known how evil the practices of WT are and how they destroy, intervene and control family relationships through brainwashing their members using the Bible
Born and raised in jw. Got married and had two kids. Wife still believes but woke up about 3 years ago. It’s hard, very hard raising kids with a believer.
You are in correct. Whether you disassociate yourself or disfellowshiped you are cut off. The only advantage of disassociating yourself is that you get to leave instead of being thrown out.
They still shun anyone who leaves. No matter what way they leave. Disassociated and instantly was shunned by all family. Mind you we are grown adults with our own children and they lost all family as well. This cult is beyond dangerous and disgusting.
The long-term association with this group ruins your interpersonal connections with people, you can't even just have mutual friendships without having a common denominator such as religion.
I’ve been shunned by friends for 37 years after leaving after 15 years in. Fortunately none of my family or my husband ever joined. After 15 years of devotion to the Org I had a Damascus Road experience with Jesus Christ and was out of there faster than you can say ‘religious cult’. I just KNEW that what they taught was rubbish even before I read ‘apostate’ literature. This billion dollar real estate corporation is the worst religious scam ever perpetrated on mankind. The way to define whether a religion can be classed as a cult is easy……. Does it have a leader or a group of leaders who claim to be the sole source of information that God is providing to enlighten mankind in these last days - all other faiths/religions being ‘of the devil’. I don’t think there’s any doubt that the WTS is a very dangerous CULT.
This guy doesn't really understand the difference between disassociation and disfellowshipping. Currently disassociation is worse than df because leaving the org(Jehovah) is considered worse than being kicked out for committing a sin.
Little thing of insider knowledge: if one of two witnesses as a couple leaves, that remaining witness is not allowed to divorce them unless the one who leaves has sex with someone else cuz they will then consider it adultry. Adultry is the only thing they allow divorces over. But doesnt mean the one who left can't file for it as I'm guessing all your cases come from.
@Questions and Answers. W R O N G !! Disfellowshipping is being put out of the Org or congregation by the committee but walking away is doing actions by yourself to have NO further spiritual association with these false shepherds.
@@robertgrey6101 no your wrong disfellowshiping and dissociating is not different. They are the SAME and have the same negative and harmful effects. The announcement is exactly the same for both and the audience will automatically assume they were disfellowshiped thinking they did somthing bad and you will loose your family either way. THIS VIDEO IS HARMFUL for anyone contemplating dissociating and not understand the consequences.
The nuanced difference is that disassociation is VOLUNTARY and initiated by the individual at their request, while disfellowshipping is the result of a Judicial Committee deliberation and is punitive, without regard for what the "sinner" wants. Both result in shunning.
I think it’s not something to be overlooked in that he says more than once, “in my opinion” in regards to JW’s being a cult. Opinions can be right and they can be wrong. There’s a portion of the video in which he states the leadership as being “like a dozen men”, which to those outside, that’s true. If you’re a JW, as I once was, those “dozen men” are held to the level as being a step below God himself in that they’re referred to as the “faithful slave” (incorrectly). So then they are now seen as one leader though being made up by many men. When you define a cult, one of the definitions is, “A cult has a leader who preaches an explicit belief system and is followed unquestioningly.” JW’s don’t question the authority of the “faithful slave” for fear of being taken into a committee meeting with elders and questioned as to whether or not they believe God is using the “faithful slave” to lead the organization. If that person says they don’t, they are removed from the congregation and the congregants are told to shun that person. Yes, one announcement will result in many losing their ENTIRE social network simply because they admitted they don’t believe some random guys in New York are the “mouthpiece of God”. Just as an example of how deeply some believe that, my own brother said to me that my questioning the “direction” of the “faithful slave” was akin to self removal from existence. Read that again and let that sink in. When you can’t express authentically one’s own thoughts in regards to something as simple as that, when one can’t openly question something, that’s a cult.
They did not call THEMSELVES "Russellites", it was their opposers or others that called them that. Many called them Millennial Dawners or other names. They refused to take those names officially. There is a difference between disassociation and disfellowshipping (Now called "removed). Disfellowshipping means the cult puts you out whereas disassociation is where you put yourself out either by deliberately telling them you're leaving or by an action. They class a person who disassociates themselves as worse than a person who is disfellowshipped or removed. The act of disassociation is an act of virtual treason. It is harder for a person to get back in who has disassociated themselves.
@@ramrod576 Unless you do what they call, "Fade". That is quietly leave, stop going to meetings but for someone with family in the cult or close friends that is very hard, if not impossible to do. It means living a lie and constantly worrying if someone finds out. I am in that situation. I have no family but am very well known in many countries where I served. I still receive many texts and calls from those friends and if the subject comes up, which it does very often, I either change the conversation or make up something. It is not easy to "fade" out of the cult. If it becomes known that a person is no longer living the JW lifestyle then the trouble starts. If it becomes known that you have publicly stated that you're no longer a JW or it becomes known that you have done things not allowed by the cult, you will be asked to speak with the elders to explain yourself. If you refuse, which you can and they feel that they have enough "evidence" it will be announced that you are no longer a JW and then you will be shunned by all.
My wife and I were both born in to the religion/cult. We tried to fade after being in for 40 years. I currently have not been disfellowshipped/removed and I have not disassociated. My wife and I, Are three children and one grandchild are being completely shunned by everyone we knew. My father lives about 45 minutes away and has not ever even met his one and only Great granddaughter. My brothers and sisters will not allow their children to play with mine. Despite all of this, we couldn’t be happier because we have found the true Jesus and worship him!
@@brothersinarms5524 Same here. 4th gen JW, not disfellowshipped ("removed") or disassociated, but completely shunned by every JW I've ever known because I stopped attending meetings (after learning the real truth about the organization and its doctrines). Not one of my JW "friends" asked me WHY I stopped attending meetings. They just shunned me. To a person.
The governing body is the all knowing power and if you show scripture that disagrees with that then you are considered to be a troublemaker...eg if you Say Jesus is the mediator between God and man and he is the way the truth and life, and that the Holy spirt is accessible to everyone ... they teach the governming body are the ones who get access to the Holy spirit and the 144000 are not the 12 tribes of israel but are JWs... scripture says that the Holy spirit teaches they do not believe this, they believe they are the only ones going to receive eternal life.....
I am very sad ,my grandson has stage 4 cancer, and his parents, jw, not allowing him to do blood transfusion. It is hard not knowing what's happening next no help.
Religion is an IQ test. The dictionary destroys every religion in the universe with 1 word. Superstition: beliefs or practices resulting from ignorance. 5th grade level science man!
My son hasn’t acknowledged me since the week he baptized. He has never met his half sister. She turns ten next month. My eldest daughter did the same a few years back. Excuse after another about some religious event and why she couldn’t come over anymore. Then nothing. After the recent two Florida hurricanes I messaged to see if they were ok. At that point they messaged they have moved out of state together with their mum. I can empathize with your fellow worker, it stinks.
First, it's all old testament references to sacrifice, not medical treatment. Next, even in Acts, it's still only a reference to sacrifices. The bible does not address the use of human blood for medicine in any way, shape or form. They didn't even know of the concept.
@@Eric_01exactly! The misinterpretation of this is insane to me. And so dangerous as it’s taken so many lives. If JWs can’t have whole blood in any way breastfeeding should be banned since breast milk contains white blood cells. And don’t get my started on the BS that blood fractions are ok 🤦🏽♀️🫠 the org is insane
Medical clinician here. There are some rare cases where volume expanders work. I have had several JW patients die because they’ve refused blood. We tried absolutely everything. The cause of death, as determined by a tribunal in court, was that they refused life saving medical treatment. You can argue til the cows come home but the simple fact is that the doctrinal decisions imposed upon members of the JW, kills people.
Yet they pushed the vaccine and announced their vaccine status proudly. Blood transfusion is to preserve life, eating blood can make you sick or cause disease - it was a dietary restriction in the Bible, not a medical procedure.
@@bernadettekelly8165 blood transfusions are a misinterpretation of a dietary restriction to not consume blood, by the Jews in the Old Testament. A life saving medical procedure is not the same thing. JW’s know this which opens them up to liability and wrongful death. So they release it in a watchtower all of the blood platelets you consume in eggs which are the same proteins as a blood transfusion. Now it’s a “conscience matter…” - sort of.
The name Russellites was never used by JWs. It was a derogative name that other people used. Nothing that JWs teach is destructive. You really need to do your homework
People could be destructive.general, not Only i'm JWs. JWs organización is.wonderfull and unifying but 20 % of the revolving people there could be destructive because they common people and are from the same World we are from.planet earth
@cesarguadarrama8732 they're wonderful until you disagree with one minucia of their teaching no matter how ridiculous it is. Then come back and tell me how wonderful they are.
Get outta here! You cannot compare these two things. I know a lot of maga who don’t care what other people think & have friends of all races & political camps
Leviticus 17:14 don't eat blood of ANY flesh, also Deuteronomy 12:23. Jesus had over 30 birthdays and celebrated none of them! Nor did any of his followers celebrate their birthdays, John the Baptist was murdered during a pagan birthday celebration! and the word Christmas is NOT in the Bible
@@jeffnoble9757 That makes as much sense as those scriptures you misapply. How in the world can you read from Leviticus and Deuteronomy and not be fully aware that it is old testament AND standards for the giving of sacrifices? That's just what the book is, it has nothing to do with opinions or the internet. This is the problem with YOU PEOPLE. You're not even being asked to use critical thinking or to bend and twist a fact. You're being expected to simply know and understand your own garbage rhetoric and what it really means, literally. You don't. You won't. Web of lies? Nobody lied here. But, your ignorance of the topic, context and how to even respond is mind-blowing. I'm quite disgusted by it and don't even want to engage further. You have NO CLUE if Jesus celebrated a birthday. The bible makes no statement where he says, "and I never celebrated my birthday." Not a thing, never happened. You people think that every living moment and action that this man ever took was written down? Remember that time he took a fat bloody dump from eating too many figs and fish bones? What? You don't? Do you really think he never took a single bloody dump? Or, is it possible that Jesus had thousands of experiences that are NOT RECORDED. I can't even express how irrelevant it is that John lost his head on someone's birthday wish. Doesn't matter and in no way condemns birthday celebrations for all of humanity henceforth. What did you think that point would actually make happen? This is pure craziness. Everything you've argued with are just the most ignorant points from My Book of Bible Stories. Amazing. That has become the level of intellect among the entire group. You watch too many Caleb and Sophia cartoons, dude.
my dear, because you have your blinkers on as I take it you are in it, there is a famous saying to determine whether you are in a cult or not. "You dont know your in a cult until you try to leave" And if you try to leave or leave the Jehovahs Witnesses 'cult' you lose your family and friends. Not only this example but there are myriad of other reasons why Jehovahs Witnesses are not Christian but are a high control group cult. But of course you wont wont to see it and deny it my dear.
You'll never know it's a cult until you're out of the cult, Nancy. That's the way it works. Why do you think JWs aren't a cult? I noticed you offered no explanation, just a baseless assertion.
Make no mistake about it- THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ARE VERY MUCH STILL A CULT.
It makes sense actually, and as we conclude Jesus was a cult leader by definition, then so-too would his followers - it's just simple really
@dwttexjw
STILL a CULT, always were and always will be.
@@SmalltimR well Jesus never employed the methods the governing body does and the freedom of conscience and salvation you find in Christian teachings are not present in the teachings of JWs. Being myself a JW I used this same kind of arguments towards people from the „world“
@@guido0412
haha, talk about bunch of babbling nonsense lol
@@guido0412 FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE????!! Wow.
I was one for 30 years. 4th generation, left 23 years ago and never looked back. Was a cult then, still a cult now.
This religion has destroyed so many lives. The stress as a kid is very harmful.
I completely agree
I so agree
💯 agree
Absolutely
I was born in 3rd generation on both sides. When my parents started to skip more meetings, the elders pulled my dad aside. The elders told my dad he was a bad head of household because we were not regular in attendance and barely went out door to door. Once they did that to them, we maybe went once a year to the memorial. Eventually the once a year turned into not going at all. Well one side of the family soft shunned us which meant they called maybe yearly to see how we were doing. The other side completely cut us off. I was close to my maternal side that completely cut us off. My parents never committed anything to get them kicked out or disfellowshipped. My parents were just fed up being on the hamster wheel for this PUBLISHING / REAL ESTATE COMPANY and didn’t want to be told what to do anymore. Well their children were shunned as a result. I grew up without extended family. Decades later my grandmother passed about a week ago. All I got was a speaker phone call while she unconscious already in hospice care. I loved my grandmother very much and this CULT SCAM took her away and that is what I was left getting. RUN FAST FROM THIS CULT!
I am glad many Jehovah's Witnesses are commenting. If at least one leaves this evil cult, it is a blessing.
ExJw here. I can 100% tell you this is spot on! I have been shunned since 2018 for confession of sins and openly disagreeing with doctrine and not believing in their governing body. My own mother and daughter shun me. I will tell you it is very destructive to the family unit!
They should be held accountable
Thanks for the comment! I know personally I didnt learn a lot about the JW as a youth. This video has helped with a lot of people commenting their own experience. I think this guest was honest from his own perspective.
Other countries are removing their religious tax free monies and is the main reason they have recently changed the use of the word "disfellowshiped" to "removed'" but its the same action taken if one decides to leave JWs.
They need to be dragged through the courts !
Sounds like your upset and are giving up eternal life.
Forcing blood on children… sounds like satans master plan to me. Every Christian knows we don’t actually die we just RIP. Silly heathens.
I was born in 2000; 3rd Generation Jehovahs Witness. I was confirmed in the religion (baptized) when I was 13. Disfellowshipped in January 2020. I was disfellowshipped after I admitted to having intercourse with my girlfriend and in the process disagreeing with ridiculous doctrines.
I have been shunned by my family since. I was homeschooled as a kid and teenager. Everyone I had ever known in my life was one of Jehovahs Witnesses. My dad has some family members that never accepted the religion but we rarely ever saw them. So I lost everyone. My parents; my siblings; my grandparents, aunts&uncles, cousins, friends, everyone.
The job I had was with an Elder in the religion. The night I was disfellowshipped I was told to pack my bags; and received a text from my boss that I was no longer employed.
I’ve been putting my life together slowly over the last couple years so I can’t go into detail about how the last 5 years have gone otherwise I’ll end up in a depressive episode for a while. But the agony that comes from everyone you’ve ever known suddenly pretending you’re dead is something I wouldn’t wish upon my most hated adversary.
This cult; has a strong hold on people, they are willing to sever whatever relationships they have and even give their lives or their children’s lives in a sacrifice to preposterous doctrines.
Indoctrination is a powerful thing; there’s so many amazing people in this organization but they don’t even know what they’re apart of.
You will have a better life not being around that cult. I avoid all Jehovahs Witnesses, except my wife. My wife is still a JW. My wife and I are like room mates. I left many years ago. They ruined my life. You are young. I am old. I am just waiting to die. I wish I had never joined that evil cult. I was in High school and taking college classes. They bullied me to leave college. I hate Jehovah's Witnesses.
Did your gf get pregnant that time?
Excellent Comment. So very very true!!! I wish you success. I was born into the cult for over 50 years. Watchtower is a very very destructive cult and should be deemed an extremist group just like they are in Russia.
The rules change but are still very controlling. Now, if you disassociate like MJ did, you WILL be shunned.
True Karen. I tell you - When i handed the congregation secretary my letter of resignation (at his door 😀) it felt like chains were dropping off me as I walked away 🥳🥳🥳 God is good. Take care 💝
@@donnyettaso glad you made it out! ❤
Michael Jackson was never baptized so technically as a Jehovah witness you can still talk to him, and there is no shunning.
@@jean-b496 I'm pretty sure you will be swiftly removed from the congregation if you told the elders you had a convo with MJ, considering he's dead.
@@jean-b496 He is dead.
I was a JW for 40+ years. the only correction I would make is that since the governing body started putting themselves on camera for their online broadcasting it has very much been leaning back in the direction of a cult of personality.
Well I am a lawyer, I was an elder several years and grew up as a JW. I left because of the negative psychological impact I saw on the members and the worship brought to the governing body. The JWs are definitively a cult and being an evangelical Christian now I can say that there are huge differences in being a member of a normal church or the JWs. It is good to see how experts from the outside detail the negative effects the JW cult has.
Good for you! Happy for you!😊
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE
From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5
Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE
From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5
Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
Yup. They are a horrible cult
Thanks for your comment and insight. I didn't know a lot about JW until I got older.
I was born to JW parents. Since I reached consciousness I always knew that if they discovered my non-belief in the religion, they would not love me anymore. JWs are taught to love their religion more than their children. If a child turns their back on the faith, the parents believe that the child will be righteously destroyed at Armageddon, so they shut off their hearts and treat their child like they're already dead.
As one who has been shunned by JWs for over 27 years, let me assure you that when you disassociate you are in fact shunned as if you were disfellowshipped. We are hated and shunned worse than anyone thrown out for sin because we left loathing the organization's failed prophecies and spiritual abuse, not due to self-loathing. if someone tries to fade away without disassociating the elders harass them looking for a sin to throw them out for. There is no honorable way to escape this cult. Celebrity JWs like Michael Jackson and Serena Williams get special soft treatment due to green privilege.
@rowdyredneck09 Yes, green privilege and marketing.
I was raised as a JW and left The Watchtower in my mid-twenties. I maintain that the "governing body" is a sort of "group entity" and that the JW personality cult still "worships" the governing body AS A WHOLE, even though the governing body is a group of several men. They seldom say "Brother So-and-so says..." but usually say "The Governing Body says..." and in the past couple of years especially the governing body has changed JW doctrines and culture several times. It ain't your Grandpa's Watchtower any more.
I grew up in the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Shunned at 16. I list everything and was sent away. Now I help JW’s free themselves and tell their healing stories on my channel ❤️💕✨
I think this expert knows a lot about JWs, but I think he would change his thinking to “YES IT IS A CULT” if he saw all the propaganda and fear mongering and things they do to control what you think, who you ARE, changing you from an individual to all having the same beliefs and they are told to obey the leaders within the congregation, and anyone in authority according to the leaders at the very top. They keep saying to “obey even if it doesn’t appear practical in a human standpoint” “ doesn’t seem to make sense.” They recently keep telling people that it’s not good for them (old ones especially) to not be dwelling on memories of past good times. (I’m trying to think of the word, but it’s like fondly looking back, maybe wishing now was like “the good old times.” .) I’m sure it’s because the old ones are thinking how crazy all these new changes are, which I think is making them mention the False Dates (prophesies failed over and over, and maybe telling younger ones who have been lied to, by leaders.) One new rule is men can now suddenly wear beards, women pants at the Meetings, etc. I think they ARE a cult or Sect, just that the 11 men form as “one Governing Body.” The dramas they are showing are getting really nerve wracking, and they do not warn children in the audience about sketchy or actually scary topics, and the artwork shows violence. I had terrible trouble sleeping as a child always, and terrible nightmares even into my adulthood. They scared us in the 1970’s a lot about wartime persecution scenarios, and they make everyone think it’s going to happen to them at any minute(even to this day.) They’ve been getting them all ready to be imprisoned at some point (as usual) but now in videos, music videos, and deep discussions.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
THE BIBLE teaches that Jesus was MADE As Lord and Christ and as Son (ACTS 2:36, Prov 8, HEB 1:5), CREATED/PRODUCED/INSTALLED (Prov 8) , COME INTO BEING/MADE (Mat 21:42 - egeneto) and GIVEN LIFE by the Father - John 5:26 and it uses TODAY (Heb 1:5), and uses future tenses and is a prophecy in Isa 9:6 (Isa 9:6, - WILL BE) . If you are called MADE AND CREATED AND GIVEN LIFE, and NEVER CALLED in the BIBLE as Creator or Maker , then you are A CREATION. ALL FROM THE BIBLE
From the Lord was this (this is referring to the chief cornerstone who is Jesus) , the word WAS is egeneto (made or came into being) - Matthew 21:42 and the exact Greek word used in John 1:3 - MADE, egeneto (came into being) - JESUS WAS MADE/CAME INTO BEING FROM THE FATHER , yes, Jesus was MADE/CREATED!, See also Acts 2:36, Heb 1:5, 1 john 5
Jesus in FACT mentioned the FATHER IS GREATER than I am. JOhn 14:28. BEFORE he WAS SENT, the Father is ALSO GREATER than Jesus.
Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.q John 13:16 . Jesus was SENT BY GOD - and called as SERVANT OF GOD. Acts 4:27
AFTER his resurrection the FATHER IS STILL GREATER than Jesus - WHO IS OVER ALL? Ephesians 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. GOD and FATHER is OVER/ABOVE ALL and that "All" includes the SON so they are NOT EQUAL
The witnesses do have a text book that regular JW don’t see, it’s only for elders. The elder guide book. I too have lost my JW children I disassociated myself because my spouse was abusive, he was an elder. I have not seen or heard from my children in four years. This is called parental alienation and is a horrendous crime against my children and myself.
It's called Shepard the flock! A must read before going join. All the secret rules!
“ Shepherd, the flock of God”
Happy to say I know well over 100 people that have left this religion over the last 3 years. Being middle aged and loosing all of your ‘friends’/acquaintances for just stopping attendance is how this religion puts so much fear into its members. Jesus once said my load is light and easy…but there’s nothing east about being or leaving the JW’s
Well said. They keep you so busy so you won't have time to think about anything else. Covid shook a lot of people awake.
My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Nope in cults.
You can even be shunned even if not disfellowshipped by some who think you are not spiritual enough by their own standards. There is only one way to leave and that is to slowly disappear usually using health issues or something like. Any celebrity cannot do that, they must have special treatment (perhaps for fear of bad publicity) and then there are those still in who can do things that the average one can't for the same reasons.
Extremely judgmental people
It’s a cruel organization. Stay far 😅away
If you leave the jehovah's witnesses and the talk about the laundry list of problems the cult has, you get shunned. If you leave and keep your mouth shut, you MIGHT still get to speak to your jw family members.
I left and kept my mouth shut but they disfellowshipped me when they found out I attended another church
@OhioPIMO Yeah, that would do it too. Not a super tolerant group.
It will all hinge on whether or not you were baptized. A non-baptized person can fade effectively and will still be largely dismissed by the congregation even if family chooses to still associate with them on the down-low. But, yes, once you start speaking against them, you're officially an apostate, which is the worst thing they believe you could ever be.
@Eric_01 I am one who never got dipped and just slipped away. What you say is true they can't disfellowship you on paper. BUUUUT even the slightest devote jws, including family members, aren't talking to you anymore. The term is "soft shunning," so you can still receive guilt trips and whatnot, but you aren't being invited to hang out. And the second you defend your choice, they totally cut ya off. You get something of an unsanctioned shunning, lol.
I grew up in this cult (it is still very much a cult) and when I escaped I did not get disfellowshipped or disassociate, yet I am shunned by my entire family. People who leave almost always get shunned, at least to some extent. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
I also didn't get disfellowshipped or disassociate. All that was needed for shunning was for me to not believe the same thing as them.
If you disassociate yourself ( not disfellowshipped) it is considered WORSE than being disfellowshipped. They consider disassociating yourself is leaving Jehovah...
💯
right, because if you just misbehaved they might be able to "fix" you, but if you start seeing through their control tactics you aren't coming back, or worse you might start telling others.
Hence why I think disassociating is such a powerful thing to do
If you think this is not a high control, damaging cult, then you’ve either been speaking to the wrong people, or watchtower is now paying for podcast advertisements. Here’s a solid guide to identifying a cult, and JW hits EVERY SINGLE ONE.
Identifying whether an organization is a cult involves looking at its practices, leadership, and the impact it has on its members. Here are some key signs to watch out for:
1. Authoritarian Leadership
• Charismatic or authoritarian leader: The leader is often seen as infallible or above criticism. This is the governing body to a tee.
• Centralized power: Decisions are made solely by the leader or a small inner circle.
2. Extreme Devotion and Obedience
• Members show unquestioning commitment to the leader or the organization’s ideals.
• Dissent or questioning is discouraged or punished.
3. Isolation and Control
• Members are encouraged to cut ties with family, friends, or anyone outside the group.
• Social, financial, and sometimes physical isolation are used to maintain control.
4. Us vs. Them Mentality
• The group portrays itself as the only “truth” and sees outsiders as enemies or inferior.
• Fear of outsiders is often instilled to keep members loyal.
5. Exploitation of Members
• Members are pressured to give money, possessions, or time far beyond reasonable levels.
• Unpaid labor or other exploitative practices are common.
6. Manipulative Practices
• Love bombing: Excessive attention and flattery to recruit and retain members.
• Shame or guilt: Used to manipulate behavior and enforce conformity.
• Fear: Threats of punishment, social exclusion, or spiritual damnation for leaving.
7. Suppression of Individuality
• Members are expected to conform in dress, behavior, and thought.
• Personal goals and desires are often seen as selfish or unimportant.
8. Harmful Impact on Members
• Members often experience mental, emotional, or physical harm, such as burnout or psychological distress.
• Ex-members frequently report trauma or difficulty reintegrating into society.
How to Investigate Further
• Look for transparency: Legitimate organizations are open about their finances, practices, and leadership.
• Research testimonials: Compare accounts from current and former members.
• Assess the exit process: Cults often make leaving difficult, while healthy groups allow members to come and go freely.
Listen to the thousands of EXJW leaving/waking up stories on here and see for yourself if you think it’s a cult or not
Very good point. If someone leaves and says "It just wasn't for me" That is normal I think, but some of the things I've seen described in the comments goes a bit further than that.
They were called Russelites by their opposition. They called themselves bible students.
@@University_of_Shawn_RyanThe problem is: they have some unique doctrinal insights which can't be honestly ignored. Their hubris is their downfall, since they equate their order with the only Almighty God. I like what Alan Watt said about not getting confined, but using what may be authentic as a "booster rocket to higher truth."
He is very generous towards witnesses. While they may not fit the traditional definition of a cult, they exhibit many traits of a cult. They exercise way too much control over the flock. There is no friendly way to exit the religion. Even if you fade they "soft shun" you.
They dupe their members into believing that if one leaves, they did something wrong. This is not always true. They also equate leaving the religion as synonymous with leaving God.
The Organisation is very Cruel 😢it’s all about STATUS and titles like CO PO pioneer Special pioneer regular pioneer elders wife BETHELALITE 😢
No it isn't. No one hold a title. Nor are they called by a title.
As someone that was in the religion for 40 years, I can absolutely positively call you a liar.
The titles of status is of the utmost importance to those in the Borg
@@nancyeutsey9576sorry to say yes it is you may not have experienced hurt or a lot of pain with your experience as a Jw!
But a lot of others have lost family members that no one can replace!
Please please think outside of the box of the Jw world it’s so freeing! The fact you’re here means you’re curious! Please do your research and critical thinking! Wish you the best!
@@nancyeutsey9576are you serious?? Are you saying that none of the titles just mentioned, exist???
@@nancyeutsey9576you are a brainwashed mind controlled puppet if you think that. We are all exJW’s here, born in or tricked in and will testify that you are out of your mind blind to what that BORG truly is. An occult religion masked as Christian. It’s an abomination and JEHOVAH will hold all accountable that are a part of it.
He’s just quibbling over semantics of what the definition of a cult is. The truth is they do have a leader, it’s called “the Faithful and Discreet Slave” AKA the Governing Body. He is wrong about MJ too, DAd are treated the same as DFd. Most of his family are not JW so they had no reason to shun him.
You are correct. If it walks like a CULT and quacks like a CULT, it is a CULT, regardless of how many individuals comprise the leadership.
💯 agree with you. Some experts argue that for a group to qualify as a cult, it must have a single charismatic leader, and this gentleman seems to hold that view. However, I respectfully disagree. In groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, authority doesn't rest in one individual but in a collective leadership, such as the Governing Body. This group functions as a single, authoritative entity, making decisions that dictate members' lives and imposing harmful discipline for those who deviate from their rules. The insistence that there must be one leader can be misleading, as it gives the impression that the Watchtower is not a cult. This perspective risks confusing those trying to help individuals trapped in this oppressive organization. The absence of a sole leader doesn’t diminish the cult-like control or the harm inflicted-it’s the centralized authority and the resulting damage that define it.
It's hard to get a solid answer on whether or not MJ ever was baptized, but it's leaning towards not. That would make a huge difference "technically" to the believing family members.
@@Eric_01 he was definitely baptized. Our CO who we were close to served in Michael's congregation in Hollywood/Los Angeles.
@@Eric_01 of course he was baptized. You can’t be DF’d or need to DA if you were never baptized. They never would have gotten him to say he was wrong to make the Thriller video and put a disclaimer at the front of it if he wasn’t a JW.
I was born into the Jehovah’s Witness cult. Baptized, disfellowshipped, shunned and reinstated… I went through so much and still didn’t wake up until I was about 25. That was almost 10 years ago now. My parents are still very active. Changes have been made but they are still very much a cult.
I grew up as a Jehovah witness just left
And I can say this is a 100% true
That organization is determined to break up families...so much so that the shunned/disfellowshipped/"removed" individual is left without any support system at all. Some have been so devastated that it had led them to suicide.
Des familles détruites, des personnes qui se laissent mourir pour refuser une transfusion, des personnes qui mettent de côté leur potentiel : pas d’études, s’empêchent de fonder une famille, coupent leur liens avec les membres de leur famille non JW, des personnes qui vivent en hypervigilance, qui se sentent coupable dès qu’elle manque une réunion, qui vivent avec un idéal de perfection irréaliste, qui se font manipuler, etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Et ce n’est pas destructeur?
absolutely disaster of a cult. grew up in it sad as hell childhood
I was bought up as a witness my father was an elder and held other positions that gave him authority over others, I never saw my father use his influence over others for which I was grateful for. My mother died as a result of not taking a blood transfusion when I 15 yrs old, I remember the “ powers that be” came to the hospital and told my parents that NO BLOOD /OR BLOOD PRODUCTS, no blood FRACTIONS….. now when it come to fractions at that time NO fractions were permitted……LESS than 12 months later the VERY FRACTIONS that could have saved her life but REFUSED were now allowed. No one can convince me that this religion is not a CULT. And at the hospital there were four elders who monitored our every move so as not to weaken, when a group of men tell you what you can do and not do to the point it costs a life it’s A CULT. I ended up marrying an elder ( we have walked away form it now) and I also worked as a nurse and I’ve known some people have blood ( secretly) and I’ve never said a thing it is simply non of my business… in fact id always take extra care of them, anonymously of course. By the way I went back to university without telling anyone because i knew if I said anything i would be spoken to . When our son went to university my husband was told to step down before he was removed because we allowed our son to go to university, yes it is a CULT
Some experts argue that for a group to qualify as a cult, it must have a single charismatic leader, and this gentleman seems to hold that view. However, I respectfully disagree. In groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses, authority doesn't rest in one individual but in a collective leadership, such as the Governing Body. This group functions as a single, authoritative entity, making decisions that dictate members' lives and imposes harmful discipline for those who deviate from their rules. The insistence that there must be one leader can be misleading, as it gives the impression that the Watchtower is not a cult. This perspective risks confusing those trying to help individuals trapped in this oppressive organization that is indeed a dangerous cult, in my opinion. The absence of a sole leader doesn’t diminish the cult-like control or the harm inflicted-it’s the centralized authority and the resulting damage that define it.
Thank you for pointing this out. Well said. The body of work done by numerous cult experts points to the JWs being a cult. Those who’ve been able to escape for sure know it is. For those of us harmed by this cult org and trying to raise awareness that the WTBTS *is* a cult, this feels like a regression to hear a cult expert call it a ‘destructive organization’. What cult isn’t destructive? What high control authoritarian group isn’t destructive? By their very nature, cults are destructive. No additional qualifier is necessary. Did the JWs transition from a personality cult to an organizational cult? Maybe. That could be the discussion. One could argue the governing body is a personality because they operate as a singular entity of one mind, in one united thought. No one who thinks differently is allowed to remain on the body. There’s no need to sugar coat this group with a definition other than cult. So many people are duped by them that watering down the label does more harm. While this discussion seems to revolve around semantics, it’s not just about semantics; it’s essential for harm reduction to label the JW org for what it is to hopefully wake people up and also to help support survivors like myself understand more fully why I am the way I am and to be able to fully heal. I think it’s offensive for this guy to attempt to re-label the destruction done by this organization and its members as anything but a cult. It serves no meaningful, tangible purpose. It’s perhaps more suitable as one’s master’s thesis.
The cult expert stated facts about the religion, not opinions and I would say this is a very well made video.
I was gonna say the same. He was like that about all of the ones he talked about.
Except for the fact he said more than once, “in my opinion”.
At one time, dissasociation did allow a softer departure, but in the late 80s they viewed it the same as disfellowshipping.
Yeah they can't have exjws telling JWs why they left. There would be ZERO JWs.
Viewed worse in my old cong !
Wasn’t that because of the former governing body member Ray Franz turned whistle blower? They needed to make him appear to be an ‘opposer’
I had an aunt turn in a letter to disassociate in the 70s and they disfellowshipped her for it. It’s insane!
What about their gang stalking activities?
Just yesterday a plain clothes elder drives by slowly and sees me out front of my house. He stops gets out and walks up and asks me if I am keeping up to date with “the organization” i said yeah not interested still. He said he will mark the chat down and be back in 6 months! Told him no. I have no doubt he will go and report on the fact that he saw me smoking a cigarette on my porch and have an American flag proudly on my house.
I can add my voice as one who disassociated as well. The shunning, and arrogance of belief are alive and stronger than ever. Great job highlighting the insane pain this cult causes. My JW family has never met my 2 yr old daughter
As a former JW just want to clarify a few things in the video.
The point about Michael Jackson Disassociation. I believe back when he did it, it was a way for someone to leave without repercussions of shunning. Then one of the governing body members left the JWs and they changed the rules around Disassociation where it is treated the same as Disfellowshipping. MJs family may have reasoned that at the time he left was prior to these changes so it’s still ok to associate with him plus the added fact of him being a celebrity.
Recently they changed some rules around disfellowshipping. It is now called removed or being removed. They no long use the term disfellowshipping. This change is very resent as of this year due to them trying to appeal to the Norwegian government to get their religious status back and thus the money that comes with that. A few details have changed after the name change to removed they still shun but they can invite or encourage a removed person to the kingdoms hall and Greet them at the kingdom. Some JWs may use this as a opportunity to connect with removed/ disfellowshipped family or friends but it is still limited
I really appreciate the video and making known how evil the practices of WT are and how they destroy, intervene and control family relationships through brainwashing their members using the Bible
Thanks for your comment. I didn't even know about the MJ thing until this video.
Born and raised in jw. Got married and had two kids. Wife still believes but woke up about 3 years ago. It’s hard, very hard raising kids with a believer.
You are in correct. Whether you disassociate yourself or disfellowshiped you are cut off. The only advantage of disassociating yourself is that you get to leave instead of being thrown out.
Pure Evil IDOLATRY
You can't spell culture without cult
Russelites was a diss to the JWs not a personal name of the group
Yes jws were called bible students before and since people called them russelites they changed theyre name to Jehovahs witness
They still shun anyone who leaves. No matter what way they leave. Disassociated and instantly was shunned by all family. Mind you we are grown adults with our own children and they lost all family as well. This cult is beyond dangerous and disgusting.
I disassociated myself in the days of MJ, yet I was TOTALLY shunned. MJ was treated with a different rule because he was MJ
Glad to hear this on Shawn ryan
The long-term association with this group ruins your interpersonal connections with people, you can't even just have mutual friendships without having a common denominator such as religion.
I’ve been shunned by friends for 37 years after leaving after 15 years in. Fortunately none of my family or my husband ever joined. After 15 years of devotion to the Org I had a Damascus Road experience with Jesus Christ and was out of there faster than you can say ‘religious cult’. I just KNEW that what they taught was rubbish even before I read ‘apostate’ literature. This billion dollar real estate corporation is the worst religious scam ever perpetrated on mankind. The way to define whether a religion can be classed as a cult is easy……. Does it have a leader or a group of leaders who claim to be the sole source of information that God is providing to enlighten mankind in these last days - all other faiths/religions being ‘of the devil’. I don’t think there’s any doubt that the WTS is a very dangerous CULT.
I'm glad you are out but sorry you have been shunned by your friends :(
This guy doesn't really understand the difference between disassociation and disfellowshipping. Currently disassociation is worse than df because leaving the org(Jehovah) is considered worse than being kicked out for committing a sin.
They only make changes when they get called out, they definitely weren't ready for the internet age where members can find out what really goes on
Little thing of insider knowledge: if one of two witnesses as a couple leaves, that remaining witness is not allowed to divorce them unless the one who leaves has sex with someone else cuz they will then consider it adultry. Adultry is the only thing they allow divorces over.
But doesnt mean the one who left can't file for it as I'm guessing all your cases come from.
Disassociate and disfellowshiping is the same. Your information is harmful if someone listens to you
The truth about "the truth" is liberating
Jw's information is harmful. How many have died due to the ever changing blood policy?
@Questions and Answers.
W R O N G !! Disfellowshipping is being put out of the Org or congregation by the committee but walking away is doing actions by yourself to have NO further spiritual association with these false shepherds.
@@robertgrey6101 no your wrong disfellowshiping and dissociating is not different.
They are the SAME and have the same negative and harmful effects. The announcement is exactly the same for both and the audience will automatically assume they were disfellowshiped thinking they did somthing bad and you will loose your family either way.
THIS VIDEO IS HARMFUL for anyone contemplating dissociating and not understand the consequences.
The nuanced difference is that disassociation is VOLUNTARY and initiated by the individual at their request, while disfellowshipping is the result of a Judicial Committee deliberation and is punitive, without regard for what the "sinner" wants. Both result in shunning.
Is there a video of the full interview?
I think it’s not something to be overlooked in that he says more than once, “in my opinion” in regards to JW’s being a cult. Opinions can be right and they can be wrong.
There’s a portion of the video in which he states the leadership as being “like a dozen men”, which to those outside, that’s true. If you’re a JW, as I once was, those “dozen men” are held to the level as being a step below God himself in that they’re referred to as the “faithful slave” (incorrectly). So then they are now seen as one leader though being made up by many men.
When you define a cult, one of the definitions is, “A cult has a leader who preaches an explicit belief system and is followed unquestioningly.” JW’s don’t question the authority of the “faithful slave” for fear of being taken into a committee meeting with elders and questioned as to whether or not they believe God is using the “faithful slave” to lead the organization. If that person says they don’t, they are removed from the congregation and the congregants are told to shun that person. Yes, one announcement will result in many losing their ENTIRE social network simply because they admitted they don’t believe some random guys in New York are the “mouthpiece of God”.
Just as an example of how deeply some believe that, my own brother said to me that my questioning the “direction” of the “faithful slave” was akin to self removal from existence. Read that again and let that sink in.
When you can’t express authentically one’s own thoughts in regards to something as simple as that, when one can’t openly question something, that’s a cult.
Correct. It can affect individuals differently. I think he is giving an outsider's perspective vs. how bad other cults are.
You are CORRECT. Well said!
You leave on your own. You get shunned. Fact
They did not call THEMSELVES "Russellites", it was their opposers or others that called them that. Many called them Millennial Dawners or other names. They refused to take those names officially. There is a difference between disassociation and disfellowshipping (Now called "removed). Disfellowshipping means the cult puts you out whereas disassociation is where you put yourself out either by deliberately telling them you're leaving or by an action. They class a person who disassociates themselves as worse than a person who is disfellowshipped or removed. The act of disassociation is an act of virtual treason. It is harder for a person to get back in who has disassociated themselves.
So you can't leave without losing your family? You give up your freedom of religion of you join?
@@ramrod576 Unless you do what they call, "Fade". That is quietly leave, stop going to meetings but for someone with family in the cult or close friends that is very hard, if not impossible to do. It means living a lie and constantly worrying if someone finds out. I am in that situation. I have no family but am very well known in many countries where I served. I still receive many texts and calls from those friends and if the subject comes up, which it does very often, I either change the conversation or make up something. It is not easy to "fade" out of the cult. If it becomes known that a person is no longer living the JW lifestyle then the trouble starts. If it becomes known that you have publicly stated that you're no longer a JW or it becomes known that you have done things not allowed by the cult, you will be asked to speak with the elders to explain yourself. If you refuse, which you can and they feel that they have enough "evidence" it will be announced that you are no longer a JW and then you will be shunned by all.
My wife and I were both born in to the religion/cult. We tried to fade after being in for 40 years.
I currently have not been disfellowshipped/removed and I have not disassociated. My wife and I, Are three children and one grandchild are being completely shunned by everyone we knew.
My father lives about 45 minutes away and has not ever even met his one and only Great granddaughter. My brothers and sisters will not allow their children to play with mine.
Despite all of this, we couldn’t be happier because we have found the true Jesus and worship him!
He didn't say they called themselves "the Russellites". He said they were called the Russellites because of their close association with Russell.
@@brothersinarms5524
Same here. 4th gen JW, not disfellowshipped ("removed") or disassociated, but completely shunned by every JW I've ever known because I stopped attending meetings (after learning the real truth about the organization and its doctrines).
Not one of my JW "friends" asked me WHY I stopped attending meetings. They just shunned me. To a person.
"It is very difficult for the parent who is not a witness to work it out with a witness parent" - amen, brother
It's a Cult
The governing body is the all knowing power and if you show scripture that disagrees with that then you are considered to be a troublemaker...eg if you Say Jesus is the mediator between God and man and he is the way the truth and life, and that the Holy spirt is accessible to everyone ... they teach the governming body are the ones who get access to the Holy spirit and the 144000 are not the 12 tribes of israel but are JWs... scripture says that the Holy spirit teaches they do not believe this, they believe they are the only ones going to receive eternal life.....
I got out of it.
Not russelites they were called Bible students.
They were initially the International bible student association. They were considered Russelites at one point
I am very sad ,my grandson has stage 4 cancer, and his parents, jw, not allowing him to do blood transfusion. It is hard not knowing what's happening next no help.
I don't know the details, but even though they do not allow full blood transfusions, they've caved on blood derivative treatments.
So sorry to hear that😢
Sorry to hear. Nasty & brutal
Religion is an IQ test.
The dictionary destroys every religion in the universe with 1 word.
Superstition: beliefs or practices resulting from ignorance.
5th grade level science man!
Michael Jackson was never baptized if I recall correctly. You must be baptized to be disfellowshipped and shunned
They shun disassociated gormer membets when u ask questions that the Governing Body has not yet answered or addressed.
@@majecal1818 them too but to disassociate you also need to be baptized
You are wrong. Do your homework before you try to defend a cult.
My son hasn’t acknowledged me since the week he baptized. He has never met his half sister. She turns ten next month. My eldest daughter did the same a few years back. Excuse after another about some religious event and why she couldn’t come over anymore. Then nothing. After the recent two Florida hurricanes I messaged to see if they were ok. At that point they messaged they have moved out of state together with their mum. I can empathize with your fellow worker, it stinks.
Jesus said to love your enemy how can you love them if you are killing them
I lived this! But my kids choose to not become JW ! Lloyd Evan’s channel was a huge help during that tough battle !
CULT, Insert definition here_____________________________________________________
Jehovahs witnesses
the bible says abstain from blood
First, it's all old testament references to sacrifice, not medical treatment. Next, even in Acts, it's still only a reference to sacrifices. The bible does not address the use of human blood for medicine in any way, shape or form. They didn't even know of the concept.
@Eric_01 what is in the bag for blood transfusions? The Bible says abstain from blood.
@@Eric_01exactly! The misinterpretation of this is insane to me. And so dangerous as it’s taken so many lives. If JWs can’t have whole blood in any way breastfeeding should be banned since breast milk contains white blood cells. And don’t get my started on the BS that blood fractions are ok 🤦🏽♀️🫠 the org is insane
They were called Russellites ? You mean like the Lutherans were named after Martin Luther ?
Lol exactky what i was thinking… also they werent not called russelites they were called bible students russelites was actualky a diss to them
Ironically, Luther never wanted a denomination named after him.
Wounder if they leave, because the organization or theological reasons
(At 8:20):
Don't need blood.
th-cam.com/video/qfxiOw8eXAY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=w1d_xBMS-qDxnYdy
Medical clinician here. There are some rare cases where volume expanders work. I have had several JW patients die because they’ve refused blood. We tried absolutely everything. The cause of death, as determined by a tribunal in court, was that they refused life saving medical treatment. You can argue til the cows come home but the simple fact is that the doctrinal decisions imposed upon members of the JW, kills people.
God says for all governments not to set up objects of worship daniel 3 God does not permit it
LOL. Doesn't permit it, huh?
Blood belongs to the true God Jehovah ....
Yet they pushed the vaccine and announced their vaccine status proudly.
Blood transfusion is to preserve life, eating blood can make you sick or cause disease - it was a dietary restriction in the Bible, not a medical procedure.
The term “Jehovah” was the invention of a Catholic monk (Raymundus Martini) in A.D. 1202.
That doesn't even make any sense.
@@bernadettekelly8165 blood transfusions are a misinterpretation of a dietary restriction to not consume blood, by the Jews in the Old Testament. A life saving medical procedure is not the same thing. JW’s know this which opens them up to liability and wrongful death. So they release it in a watchtower all of the blood platelets you consume in eggs which are the same proteins as a blood transfusion. Now it’s a “conscience matter…” - sort of.
the child is to honor their parents that is the bible
And how many children are reading the bible?
@Eric_01 what difference does that make?
@@leejohnson6328 You are putting rules and responsibility on children to adide by from a source THEY DON'T READ!
shunning watchtower style is wrong for sure but based on the bible not because this guy does not like it
what do you call the pope and muhummad and many other imperfect humans given unquestioned power
The cult expert said that the child ' has a right to Life '. Except when they're being aborted, in the millions
He never said that abortion is good.
@ramluma Then his whole ' child has a right to Life ' is open to discussion,as concerns the moral implications of being in the Jehovah Witnesses.
The name Russellites was never used by JWs. It was a derogative name that other people used. Nothing that JWs teach is destructive. You really need to do your homework
People could be destructive.general, not Only i'm JWs. JWs organización is.wonderfull and unifying but 20 % of the revolving people there could be destructive because they common people and are from the same World we are from.planet earth
@cesarguadarrama8732 they're wonderful until you disagree with one minucia of their teaching no matter how ridiculous it is. Then come back and tell me how wonderful they are.
Uniformity, not unity
MAGA (cult of personality) MAGA (trumpers)
MAGA you’re shunned/threats if you leave or speak against
Get outta here! You cannot compare these two things. I know a lot of maga who don’t care what other people think & have friends of all races & political camps
What this man is leaving out is JW's follow the Bible. Leviticus 17:14"
Leviticus 17:14 don't eat blood of ANY flesh, also Deuteronomy 12:23. Jesus had over 30 birthdays and celebrated none of them! Nor did any of his followers celebrate their birthdays, John the Baptist was murdered during a pagan birthday celebration! and the word Christmas is NOT in the Bible
@@jeffnoble9757 Old testament references to SACRIFICE. Nothing more. Try and keep up.
@@Eric_01 the internet is called the "Web of lies" and you fit right in
@@jeffnoble9757 That makes as much sense as those scriptures you misapply. How in the world can you read from Leviticus and Deuteronomy and not be fully aware that it is old testament AND standards for the giving of sacrifices? That's just what the book is, it has nothing to do with opinions or the internet.
This is the problem with YOU PEOPLE. You're not even being asked to use critical thinking or to bend and twist a fact. You're being expected to simply know and understand your own garbage rhetoric and what it really means, literally. You don't. You won't. Web of lies? Nobody lied here. But, your ignorance of the topic, context and how to even respond is mind-blowing. I'm quite disgusted by it and don't even want to engage further.
You have NO CLUE if Jesus celebrated a birthday. The bible makes no statement where he says, "and I never celebrated my birthday." Not a thing, never happened. You people think that every living moment and action that this man ever took was written down? Remember that time he took a fat bloody dump from eating too many figs and fish bones? What? You don't? Do you really think he never took a single bloody dump? Or, is it possible that Jesus had thousands of experiences that are NOT RECORDED.
I can't even express how irrelevant it is that John lost his head on someone's birthday wish. Doesn't matter and in no way condemns birthday celebrations for all of humanity henceforth. What did you think that point would actually make happen? This is pure craziness. Everything you've argued with are just the most ignorant points from My Book of Bible Stories. Amazing. That has become the level of intellect among the entire group. You watch too many Caleb and Sophia cartoons, dude.
Its not a cult
I was in 40 years. It's a cult. Most JWs have no idea how much child abuse is covered up in it. See Australia and New Zealand royal commissions.
O yes it is a Cult!!!
When you can’t leave an organization without losing every friend and family member you have ever made…… It’s a cult
my dear, because you have your blinkers on as I take it you are in it, there is a famous saying to determine whether you are in a cult or not.
"You dont know your in a cult until you try to leave"
And if you try to leave or leave the Jehovahs Witnesses 'cult' you lose your family and friends.
Not only this example but there are myriad of other reasons why Jehovahs Witnesses are not Christian but are a high control group cult.
But of course you wont wont to see it and deny it my dear.
You'll never know it's a cult until you're out of the cult, Nancy. That's the way it works.
Why do you think JWs aren't a cult? I noticed you offered no explanation, just a baseless assertion.