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"I recently defected from the US branch" - A conversation with Daniel Graves
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ธ.ค. 2021
- In arguably the clearest evidence yet that even high ranking members of the United States bethel family are slowly waking up, a former overseer's secretary from Wallkill's Hospital Information Desk comes on the channel to share what he knows.
#defection #interview
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It was a pleasure to meet Lloyd and the team. I appreciate the support from our community as we all have a unique and difficult road to travel, but never alone.
Thank you for speaking out. I just awake few months ago, there's still a lot to process but this is essential for my awakening.
Thanks for a great interview!
You seem like a wonderful person and I'm glad you're out and getting the help you need.
Thank you for doing what you're doing. I believe a lot of people will benefit from it. As an insider is the organization losing as many people as it appears they're losing?
Great interview Daniel! So glad you finally got your story out there.
I really appreciate your courage in speaking out so quickly after leaving. It’s important to document these snapshots of what it’s like to wake up and get out. Great insights and interview! Thanks, Daniel.
I had major surgery and was surrounded by my JW family. I told the Dr in secret I WOULD allow a blood transfusion, but it had to remain a secret. He simply nodded. They wait until you are taken to the operating room (so no family is around) THEN they take out a red binder full of the blood paperwork, remember you have IV's and are still not medicated. They tell you "I cannot legally give you medication or sedatives until you sign and initial the paperwork!" The nurse hands you the binder and a pen and says "sign here, now initial here and here and here!" As soon as you are done they allow you to receive the drugs. Very professional. I was told by my Dr that this happens A LOT by Jehovah's Witnesses. This was in a hospital that is very well known to treat JW's because of the blood issue here in Dallas.
Why closet who you are?
I’m glad you did that or you may not be here today to tell us your story. ☺️
Oh wow! That’s awesome. I had a procedure once and I was so brainwashed I was terrified and telling them “nO bLoOd” until I was under. I always think what a weirdo I must have looked like. 🤦♀️
@@smilesnbloom2351 What??
@@samantham2204 I did the same. It's amazing looking back I was willing to die for this lie. I'm so glad I didn't.
I could have listened to this guy for another 2-3 hours
Agreed.... And so much more we need to know...
Me too, this conversation was riveting!
Very well spoken man
As a former JW and a current PA student, I assisted giving a patient a blood transfusion for my first time. It was a beautiful moment for me. The patient survived ❤️
@@davidclover2248 That's like "thanking" the executioner of the guillotine for leading you to your death safely!! 🤣
❤️
@@davidclover2248 I know. They take care of their own for the most part very well. I appreciated their kindness, too.
My sister and I were born in and were 100% out in our mid teens. We both ran away from home because it wasn't a home. She got ALL leukemia this year and I was thankfully a bone marrow match. Blood transfusions saved her life. Sincerely, thank you so much for the work you're doing and the positive impact it makes in people's lives. My sister wouldn't be here right now if not for caring folks like you ❤
I wish we could have heard more about Daniel's waking up story.
I agree... perhaps Lloyd will speak again with him..
I think there is way more of Daniels story to hear
Yes, like when he spoke about going through the lowest of lows; I would have liked to hear the biggest trigger there. Also what is his relationship like with his immediate family right now.
I believe I knew Daniels father when I was at Brooklyn Bethel in the 80s-90s. Is there any way to get in contact with Daniel as I still have people I care about and would like to know about his Dad who was a real down to earth guy?
Lloyd we NEED a part 2. This is huge. He's the closest thing we got to what current JWs in bethel are going through. I want to hear stories about what bethel was like during peak covid in 2020. I wanna hear more about what they think of apostates. I just feel there's way more to share here.
and also more about his actual waking up story and how it affected his marriage
@mental hellth
I definitely agree. We need a part two to this. It’s very interesting.
I agree 👍. Part 2 for sure. He is valuable with what's been going on pretty much in the present. (Nothing quickly changes overnight) and of course in the recent past. An excellent interview.
Agreed. Particularly how they are reacting to child abuse issues.
It's so true that they're terrified of apostates. That was ingrained in me the 1st time I ever went to a meeting which incidentally was a district convention in New Haven Connecticut! I remember leaving the convention for the day and you could hear shouting in the distance. Everyone in the car became panic stricken. They were like 'roll up the windows, don't look it's apostates!' It made me kind of want to look. Lol
Daniel, I just turned 50, and I'm back to school and enjoying life like never before. You have over a decade on me. Enjoy your freedom.
Wt org is big business and money and power and false teachers and false doctrines and false hope and delusional happyness 🥶 get out from WT religion because 8 men will hurt you .....
I'm just 38 but I'm also doing uni for the first time in my life.It's never too late to learn!!
@Efrain Rivera -- I'm 50 and want to go back to school, but I'm terrified and feel so out of place. How did you find the courage after so many years? I'm researching online programs, but I would really like to be on a campus and have the full experience.
@@Ava2969ny - I just did it. You'll be surprised how many people our age are in school. Of course, I'm doing everything from home now because of the virus.
@@EfrainRiveraJunior - I'm definitely going to pursue it within the next few years.
I wonder if Governing Body is scared of people like Daniel Graves talking openly to Lloyd; I hope they are scared.
Good interview, both of you are doing good work spreading truth.
I wonder if they’re going to start having people that work there sign confidentiality agreements just because of this.🤔📝
Keep telling the truths
Tower will fall down soon
@@maryannlockwood7806 That’s an interesting idea. I bet they would make them sign something! Because the really loyal PIMI who go to work there would be willing to sign anything, but if they inevitably wake up that contract would still apply. A lot like the kids who are baptized only realizing later the real weight of THAT contract if and when they want to leave the org for any reason.
They should be scared and they need to right the wrongs as it's already too late. Unlike them, we don't need to threaten, shame, or guilt-trip. We are bringing them down simply by telling the truth and showing kindness. If that brings down an organization, then what kind of organization is it really? Sooner or later, my story will come out too, but it's not the right time at the moment.
I have no doubt that the Governing Body will be watching this interview. They wll be concerned about what info Daniel divulged. I felt Daniel was not giving out all he knows about the org.
Please do a Part Two with Daniel, LLoyd.
And Part Three, LOL!
Please!!
Was a lot better than the recent Daniel Drama at the RC.
@@EfrainRiveraJunior Hey Efrain ✋
I would be appreciative…
I'm currently reading Crisis of Conscience. The more O hear and read, the more I realise this is a man made organisation "playing God" with people's lives. I'm glad I'm out, but sad I was so "obedient to mere men for decades.
I met Br. Ray Franz while a Bethelite in NY. He was the real deal. Everything you would expect in a follower of Christ. Ray became disillusioned at NY headquarters.
Sadly I’m not surprised that many people in Bethel have problems with alcohol, depression, anxiety etc.
Those kind of problems go all the way through this organization.
Now i understand why GB look so depressed.
@@charrua59 and why Tony Morris drinks.
@@gmailsender7274 Hope you get better. Its an org with high demands but no love. Think lots of JWs are depressed this days.
And in the Congregations. They may act like, seem like, look like, true blue but are not. Elder and wife and her "girlfriend"
Daniel and I have been friends for well over 20 years. Very solid dude and I could not be prouder of him! An inspiration for sure 🙏
I met Daniel once, he’s such a nice guy … yay! Im so happy, he found his way out to freedom from the org.
Fascinating interview, LLoyd. I forget how crazy it is until someone with this integrity speaks.
I love Bethelite videos.
So true, cat. 🙋🏻♀️
@@maryannlockwood7806 Meow !
Daniel, I found what you said about depression, mental health, and substance abuse to be interesting. I feel that when an organization is DESIGNED and PROMOTED to control to the degree it does anyone that has any freewill idea's or doubts is lead to one if not all of those outcomes. I am 67 and only left a few years back. I have seen it front and center in the many congregations I have attended. The overwhelming guilt, shame, never good enough, doing enough, something wrong with you as a person because you are following all the counsel to the very best of your ability and still feel bad it does become a survival issue and takes great courage to start over in such a dramatic way. As individuals most JW'S are good, kind, folks but you might have said the same about the "brown shirts" of Nazi Germany. For myself it became a matter of "Am I willing to have my name a part of an organization that hides child abuse, the blood issue, is willing to lie about shunning policies, willing to let whole groups of folks die for neutrality issues and another group not. The lack of REAL care for individuals is in stark contrast to what they say they stand for. Be very glad you are 35 and not 67.
Tamara, guter Kommentar, kann alles nachvollziehen!! Bin Pimo mit 71😔
Totally agree with your comment Tamara. I'm 73 & left organisation & controlling husband 8 years ago. Such relief in every way. 🤩🌺
@@heathersteele1719 welcome to your freedom from both. Same here.
The are sociopath's. They are Narcissist's.
Thank you Daniel for having the courage to share your story. We have friends in common at Bethel and I wish they could all wake up but it is incredibly difficult in that environment. Your experience is so important and I hope that one day the terrible "no blood" policy will end. Like shunning and the two witness rule, this is a gross violation of fundamental human rights. Thank you for being a man of moral and mental integrity and standing up for truth and liberty. Wish you the very best my friend and a happy new year!
“No blood rule”!!!!
You do realise how dangerous stored blood can be to your body??
Have you actually bothered to research?
Many witnesses would never have a BT even if they were not a witness.
By the way it’s Jehovah who tells us that blood is sacred and that we should abstain from it.
Are you allowed to be here??
Susan adams
@@MyYT62 Bloodless surgery would be the ideal option. However, in an emergency situation where there is massive blood loss, a transfusion is often the difference between life and death. There is absolutely no Biblical command forbidding blood when it comes to medical treatment. Therefore, for Watchtower to base a "no blood" policy that has cost thousands of lives on an ancient Jewish dietary restriction regarding animal blood is an unspeakable tragedy!
Blood is sacred ? So every kid who skins their knees or person who has a nosebleed is sinning? It’s a Silly and dangerously ignorant religious policy that has cost many people their lives.
A breath of fresh air it is. I can personally testify to this. I cannot thank Lloyd especially, and a few other so called apostates. What a relief to finally be free - and you Lloyd, are personally responsible for this. So a big thank you.
I'm 19 min in, and so giddy about how mad the GB must be! And I mean mad, not angry. THANK YOU Daniel!!!
That was fantastic! His insights were down to earth and believable. The fact that he still has fond feelings for those he worked with is proof that the religion might be dishonorable, but many of the members are good people. Thank you for a enjoyable afternoon!
Yes, the rank and file are mostly great, good hearted, honest persons. That’s the ones the Society targets to bring in because they are easily brainwashed beca they have been mistreated in this world and are sincerely looking to God for comfort and support in a BELIEF THAT SEEMS HONEST, but, they are WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING👿😱👎🏻! Just getting over in thousands of good hearted people, and fleeting the flocks for ulterior motives👿
Facts. A religious cult draws in those who are "hungering" for something resonating as truthful. Unfortunately, those "sheeplike" people get used by the leaders to further their less than truthful agendas.
I agree with that point. However, I will forever be disappointed that those "good" people, who are supposed to be loving and kind would, just like turning off a switch, suddenly decide to shun their friends and loved ones. These good people no doubt started out as good people, well most anyway, but somewhere along the road, they were turned into not quite good people, in my opinion.
@@edytapfahl4641 This is true, especially when nurtured by a high control group, or cult!
I have long been of the opinion that the religion attracts and prays upon good people. It takes those good people and sucks them in and then convinces them that they are doing a wonderful thing by doing a very bad and heartless thing.
Thank you Daniel and Loyd. It’s interviews like these that give me hope that my son will wake up. My son is a Elder on the liaison committee in Florida. When I left 20 years ago he married into a staunch JW family. Within a short period of time he was no longer speaking to me though I have never been disfellowshipped.
Thank you Loyd, your content is amazing!
So sorry for you! I hope soon he turns his life around and reaches out to you!!🙏🏼
Thats sad. My daughter is not speaking with me as well just because i sent her the Bottlegate video.
@@Redeleiser Thank you so much🙏😊 yes, I am German. No I left 20 years ago there were not advocates like Loyd. Thought I was physically out I was still mentally in for sometime and afraid to look at apostate material. Since then I have research the Organization and quickly came to the conclusion that this is a cult.
I am near Orlando. I am available if your sister is ever in need of moral support👌
Hi, my sister coastal sunrise, told you about me. I would love to get in touch with you!
@@susanheidemann790 how can I get in touch with you. Ich lebe auch nah bei or….o.. schreib mal wie wir in Kontakt treten können!
The organization is crumbling from the inside out. Thank you for this very honest interview.
He’s so handsome and well spoken! You will definitely succeed in the world Daniel! Can’t wait to see what you accomplish with your new found freedom! 👏🏼
Thank you Daniel! We appreciate you!
Honesty is, (in fact) the BEST policy. 👍💖
I was at elder school in Paterson in 2007. A seasoned Bethalite of over 30 years was venting with me on how he was reassigned to the field. Of course they are trained to be obedient and any disgruntled attitude is a sign of spiritual weakness. Poor guy.
Daniel thank you so much for sharing your story. I turned 50 this summer. I went back to school in 2020 and will have my Masters degree in the next 2 years. I woke up and faded in 2012 (raised in it from about 6 years old and my father is still an elder and my mom a typical boomer elderette). I am SO excited to celebrate 10 years of being free very soon. Your experiences and perspectives are priceless. It takes significant courage to do what you’ve done. Much respect.
Well done you on achieving your degree @ 50... This is something I regret.... I threw the chance away @ 12 years of age... That was back in 1962... There was no point they said as the end of the system was imminent... How wrong that was...And I lost out... A life of scraping the barrel followed...how stupid..and all for nothing...
Great interview Lloyd. Daniel definitely has the look of a Bethelite. Great insight into current org. I love you let Daniel express himself, and that he is not bitter, just moving on.
Great broadcast Lloyd. 👍💖👊
My jaw literally dropped when he said thousands in just the three in a half years for the blood issue. Wow…
Yes me too! I had to stop the video for a bit. How incredibly sad
Me too. I felt sick. They died when all they would have got was pretty much a slap on the wrist for being sorry if they had blood.
exactly its like a human sacrifice i dont think God likes that.
Hands down the best one of these interviews I have seen so far. I can definitely identify with the internal struggle of leaving everything and everyone you know and living life for yourself. Thanks so much Daniel for doing this and good luck and best wishes for the rest of your life.
"I didn't escape unscathed. I'm not perfect" I respect the hell out of him for admitting that. It's hard to go through trauma and admit it's toll on one's own life. It's encouraging.
Adela. Thank you. I appreciate that so much.
@@danielgraves4947 -- thank you for sharing your experiences so honestly. You are helping scores of people, including myself, who are currently struggling with traumatic experiences and finding a way to move forward.
Good job Daniel! I knew Daniel in Kentucky and always thought he was sincere and kind so when I woke up in 2019 my friend told me a young elder woke up that we knew I actually had guessed him (it wasn’t him but I was happy to see that he woke up too!) this interview is do good but also heartbreaking to hear how many died that he heard about during his time with HLC. I don’t know why I never thought about this during my time in the org but “Pikuach nefesh (Hebrew: פקוח נפש 'watching over a soul') is the principle in Jewish law that the preservation of human life overrides virtually any other religious rule” (wiki) and that is what Jesus did teach when he saved the donkey on the sabbath. It was worth more to break the law of the sabbath and to save even the donkey’s life so wouldn’t it be reasonable to save a humans life and break a law over that? Yes! As cult members we stop thinking with our own brains and just listen to the mighty leaders.
You woke up in 1914? Wow, you must be so old ;)
@@robhulluk the heck! Why did I write the lol
How refreshing to hear from this intellectually honest young man.
The subtleties of real life situations are often glossed over in an attempt to paint something as purely black or purely white.
Is it ever really that simple?
Both current and former Witnesses often struggle with competing and contradictory thoughts and the resultant feelings because the Witness philosophy and lifestyle is simply not all good or all bad.
I am certainly one of those (as a former Witness).
Thank you Lloyd for having this compelling young man tell his story and I thank him for being so honest and self aware about his experiences. He manages to lay it out without coming across as a victim.
Those that subscribe to the idea that Jehovah’s Witnesses are simply a collection of deceivers and the deceived would do well to reconsider that position.
And for those Born In, getting out often isn’t even viewed as an option.
@@mouseydeb3245 Yes, and over the years I have tried to explain to non-Witnesses how traumatic leaving the Witness life can be to many.
While not really in a position to say exactly I likened it to an Amish person leaving the Amish community.
It likely entails far more than simply abandoning a religion. Your whole lifestyle would be on the block.
As it is for many Witnesses.
I appreciate how objective Daniel is. I didn’t hear any hyperbole or bitterness from him. Great interview. I hope to see & hear much more from him. Thank you Lloyd, for asking great questions.
Thank you Darci! Lloyd is the best at what he does.
A truly great interview; Daniel was knowledgeable, down to Earth, and looking for the best in people and situations. You could tell that he still loves the folks he worked with, and that while he doesn't agree with them on faith, he still cares about them as people.
Thank you lloyd Evans for your work! Loved your story Daniel. I was at Bethel 1974 to 78.
Took 8 years to leave. no internet, we scanned the country to find our peeps! After 40 yrs, i get so excited to hear all those that tell their story on internet. I never tire of it. It is wonderful to hear people i dont know, but love, become free! Sorry for the losses, but happy for you too! Thanks!
This is the best interview by a Ex Bethelite ! Daniel did a awesome job. Hopefully some more interviews with him?
Daniel talking about how he stayed even when he no longer believed it was the truth out of family obligation and support hit home for me. That’s what kept me in waaay longer than I should have. That cognitive dissonance ate away at me until I could no longer handle it and I’m fully awake now. Can’t believe the difference it has made for my mental health!
Both my cousins who were in bethel for 20+ years with their mates were kicked out in the first wave in Australia… they were soo angry
I wish they could be convinced to tell their story. There are so many of these people who are suffering in silence. Continuing to suppress the anger and feelings of betrayal. It would be a relief for them to get it out of their systems.
I was on the edge of my seat, very good interview Lloyd, congratulations to her all this,
This guy is a dream interview: knowledgeable, intelligent, VERY articulate, personable, good-looking. Would that all of them were like that!
@@gmailsender7274 Your twisted thinking probably deserves some therapy. Take a hint.
@@gmailsender7274 Yes, twisted.
"Say goodnight, Gracie."
@@gmailsender7274 sorry , I have to agree with you. I don’t understand what OP was trying to get at with this post.
It’s so weird how the governing body discourage the rank and file members from college courses but the “bethel bound” families filter through required courses in ORDER to use the skills IN bethel. My best friend wanted to full time pioneer, and was putting herself through dental hygienist courses in order to support herself in pioneering for the full time future. I remember her being very frustrated with her elders who discouraged her from attending college because “the end was SO close”. And now the people who were full time Bethelites in the 80s have adult children geared toward their own Bethel career, and THE END STILL HASN’T COME! But the whole “prepare with secular education to support yourself for the foreseeable future” is still such a taboo subject, UNLESS you’re bethel-bound, because then you’re already so deep, college education won’t likely shake you out of cult beliefs.
You are right about that. I knew a sister that went to medical school cause she was so smart and want to be doctor. Everyone in the congregation was looking at her like why, trying to discourage her by saying just take a course like a CNA or maybe a nurse. When she become a doctor guest what they need her in Bethel and she went. 🤦🏿♂️
@@knowthyself8233 isn't the whole thing crazy... Your comment says it all... You couldn't write the script regards the organisation...
@@Ed30675 it's another level of craziness 🤦🏿♂️
Last year the Watchtower hired all kinds of top education- computer programmer - buildings articulator lawyers etc what a shame many of the young witness family need money for rent food clothes
Shit talk from Watchtower
This is an amazing episode! I don’t want it to end…
Tough having an operational conscience , there's more blood on the hands of this organization than most think!
If anyone at all thinks that this is exaggerated or dramatized in any way... it is not. Dan is telling the truth. I was at Bethel a bit before him and I can verify that even Gerrit Loesch stated in a morning worship that "Many Bethelites are on ProZac or other antidepressants." I had my good times there, but I was also secretly suicidal at many times there. Being a Bethelite is a very strange situation and I didn't realize the strangeness of it until I freed my mind.
Can confirm. I was there 03-06
I have no doubt that this is all truth. Considering the JWs outside of Bethel who are depressed and alcoholics, how much more so for people who are confined in the controlled environment, fed more regularly with the true fear induced spiritual poison, and watched too closely to adhere to it. It is just so sad to hear the ugly abusive truth while the upper class is walking with heavy pockets and their full metal capacity of what they do and represent.
My quiet sister-in-law and her husband, there over 45 years were stone alchoholics.
Daniel I bet we know the same people, especially at Warwick. Thank you for speaking out
Even though I have no love for the organization, I appreciate how respectful Daniel was for his former colleagues and for those on top when describing them.
Thank you. I appreciate your ability to pick up on nuance,
@@danielgraves4947 Daniel you come across so well ☺️ as such a sincere person with so much integrity. I wish you all the best, thank you for sharing your story.
Wow Lloyd! Such a great interview - loved every second of it! Daniel seems very authentic, respectful and honest. Great job, Daniel; very impressed with this interview!
I've been out since the 90's. I wonder..what is the REAL total of lives lost due to the blood issue that could have been prevented? There should be lawsuits on that alone!😡This was another very good interview.
Once again, the Society’s portrayal of an “apostate” is blown out of the water!!! What a kind loving man. I have to admit I was hoping for some dirty gossip but I really admire Daniel for his kind words.
There is NO reason a person should have to be shunned because they changed their mind or no longer believe something.
Very good interview Lloyd!!
This is straight 1985 craziness. Powerful, incredible interview. Phenomenal job both of you. Great questions Lloyd and your answers, Daniel were bomb dropping. One thing i appreciate about being raised a witness is you learn to be so careful with your words. All that training shines through on both of you.
It’s funny because my uncle was pretty high up in the service department in New York (he’s in Spain now) and I remember my grandma telling me he could get me into bethel. I didn’t believe there was favoritism at the time but now it’s very clear how this organization is just like any other
Refreshing to hear more current up to date info on what's really going on at Bethel.
My favorite interviews are with Ex-Bethelites.
Me also
Hi Efrain! Hope you are fine! Saludos desde tu isla Puerto Rico!
Felices fiestas!
Wow! Excellent interview! As someone that was brought up around the mystery regarding the governing body (way back when) and brought up believing that Bethel was the upmost sacred place for JWs, it was super interesting to get insight on the goings on and the organizational areas of that “sacred” place, especially from someone that was there until so recently. I also was very interested in the No Blood part of the interview as I was very involved with the HLC and have personal knowledge of witnesses dying because of this doctrine including children, as well as my sister and brother-in-law. Excellent!
We need Part II and Part III with Daniel.
Honestly, the eight governing body member's are blood guilty for all those who died because of their dogma about the no blood rule and they should be held accountable and go to jail on behalf of those who were bullied into the no blood rule.
How very true, lets not lose sight of the banality of evil.
Not to mention the children that were suffering abuse and further traumatized by the two witness rule, and their practice up until recently of forcing the children to confront their abusers in person.
I left at 35. The world is waiting for you. Since leaving the JW's , I went to university, travelled all over the World and met some amazing people. I have had the time of life and look forward to many exciting years to come. There is a great life after JW's and I have never looked back. Thank you for openness, honesty and enlightenment. I went to the Australian Bethel for a year and like you met some beautiful people, but I am glad I untangled myself from the JW's and left them behind 30 years ago. Cheers mate and I know I had some dark days and doubts like you, but it gets better with time.
This interview feels like a journey to a some kind of mystery (or/and misery) land.
It is beyond the words how much respect and appreciation your work deserves. Thank you, Lloyd
Daniel a modern day escape from the Lions Den. All the best from an ex jw 46 years in. I've been totally inactive for 3 years now, so far not been shunned by family and friends, at 81 years young I'm now considered spiritually weak. Hi from Australia. I'm hoping for a full modern day Exodus. My blog name I feel is appropriate "just in time "
I’m 62, been inactive for 3 years now too. I’m from Puerto Rico!
So far not been shunned by family, but with the pandemic and not showing up in the zoom meeting many “friends” have stopped texting me, which I texted them to see how they were and no answer!
Anyway I feel happy and reading the Bible without men interpretations !
Be safe!
@@migdaliafuentes1618 hi Migdalia thanks for the post, please stay safe during this virus crisis, Agape Love from Perth Australia.
Dan, I knew you from your Bethel days. I knew a young man in Hospital Information Services who started, like you, as a real go getter. And then, like you, he saw some horrors, one involving his own mother, and he was out. This was during the period when Jaracz was trying to scale back the department and Wilcox was running it. Talk about the worst of the worst in charge of something that is supposed to involve care and compassion. Love your attitude and your desire to move on with your life. Lloyd, your skills as an interviewer really shone through on this one. There are going to be more of these coming and I am hopeful to see you handle them as adroitly as you did here.
Wow! Thank you for reaching out. That was certainly a trying time for many.
Jaracz was a steely bot responsible for publishers recording field service hours. During the 10 years I was there I could barely stomach his reports minus one tearful breakdown about Brothers in Poland. “Loving” wasn’t a word that you would naturally associate with Ted.
What an incredibly insightful interview. I would think Daniel has so much more to say. Please, Lloyd do another interview with him....part II
Congratulations Daniel, nothing better than sliding that door open & feeling the
warm sunshine on you & in you ... and your eyes can see forever!
He seems like such a good person. I wish him the best.
Thank you Daniel for your honesty and for sharing your story with us viewers. Thank you Lloyd for your continued activism exposing this cult. Would like a part two interview with Daniel.
I'm not JW and never have been but still very happy to hear that Daniel has been able to appreciate and take all of the good from his experience and carry it forward into his new, liberated, secular life. Although resentment, anger, and general disdain would have been understandable, his optimism and respectful disposition certainly demonstrates the kind of maturity I hope to eventually attain. ;)
Great interview... what a lovely man Daniel Graves is.... hope you have continued to go on to bigger and better things.
He now helps exJWs via a nonprofit organization named The Liberati 🙂
Daniel is super awesome. He helped me when I was feeling like I had no one to turn to Daniel took time to talk to me and he helped me figure out a plan so I didn’t kill myself like I wanted it too because I felt like this cult was destroying me.
Amazing interview, hope to see Daniel on your channel again. Would love to hear about how he told his wife and her reaction because that has been the hardest part for me.
Daniel I’m really happy for you now you can use your potential to do greater things. That interview was very instructive thank you Lloyd.
This was one of the best and most encouraging interviews of an xjw I've seen so far and it's given me so much hope that I can achieve the same peace with the past and bright outlook on the future as Daniel has!
This was endlessly fascinating. Yes please to a part 2!
Thank you Lloyd for doing this interview, it is insightful and so encouraging to see ones waking up.
I love how dignified he was
Amazing, Daniel. You're a brave and kind man. And the moustache, mon dieu. Hugs and kisses from Brazil.
The tower is on fire and people are jumping, they see the light from the flames of BS
DOWN WITH THE TOWER!
Great interview! Long time lurker, first time commenting:
I related a lot to the interviewee.
Former need greater in Ecuador, moved to the Spanish speaking congregation, temp bethelite , MS, regular pioneer, born into “the truth”.
I distinctly remember having self dialogue (while giving public discourses and while conducting bible studies) questioning the words coming out of my mouth.
The social aspect that is all encompassing, makes leaving so difficult.
My nerves eventually got the best of me, I could no longer pray in front of the congregation, due to the extreme doubts I was hiding.
I did a “runner”, I lied to the congregation. I told everyone I was returning to Ecuador. In reality I went to Vietnam (very “Jonahesque”)
I do not recommend this drastic of a “break” for everyone. However, for me this was a time of discovery and exploring life not as a JW.
I ended up living in Vietnam 6 years. My Vietnamese wife still doesn’t quite understand my previous life.
I’m 9 years out!
I’ve been watching this channel from the beginning going back to your first video and I must say this is probably one of or the most insightful on what is happening on the inside of the watch tower organization. And I’m definitely looking forward to your next interview with this man and Former Betholite
Totally and thoroughly enjoyed this video. Each time I hear such heartbreaking yet inspiring interviews it only solidifies for me the deepest and strongest reasons that I made the right decision to leave this cult. Thank you Daniel for sharing your story.
I'm late to the gate, but this was one of THE best interviews I've watched. I truly would love to see a "how is he now" update. Great job to both Lloyd and Daniel!!
Your most enjoyable video yet Lloyd. What a lovely, balanced, calm and reasonable man Daniel is. How impressive that he can go through all this so recently and yet maintain such dignity and calmness plus the desire to go on to community service where possible.
wonderful, Lloyd! i think Daniel have so much potential to add to the battle! 🌹🌹🌹looking foward to another feat.!
A really good interview and I’d love to hear more!
Wonderful interview (: Thank you Lioyd and especially Daniel for his courage (:
Wow, this was was an impressive interview! Thank you Daniel for your generosity in sharing your experience! I would love to hear more about it, especially about your own process of waking up, also because you're such a well-worded, smart guy that clearly knows how to differentiate things more than only in a black-or-white fashion. Kudos to your courage, and I'm sure you have a great path in front of you! And yes, therapy is a wonderful way to get rid of the garbage that holds us back! Cheers from Brazil, and I hope you two can meet again for such a great video! Thanks, Lloyd!
Thanks, Lloyd.. All your material is good.. However, this is easily one of the best interviews of yours that I have seen in quite awhile. I wish Mr Graves all the best. I would like to see a follow-up. I believe Daniel has a lot more to share. This went by so fast.
Lloyd, Daniel...I have really enjoyed this episode so much. I fact, I watched it more than once, especially the part about the "play-by-play" of the prominent members of the leadership. When I was active and in leadership myself, I could rattle off this kind of thing (certainly biographies) without ever have met any of them. It was all totally committed to memory from my own research. I saw Theodore Jaracz once at a district convention in Texas from a distance. And, I was a security helper at an international convention (also in Texas) for John Barr's "detail," so to speak, when he was ushered into the main stage at that particular venue from his private suite location. So, that really took me back to my old nerdy days. Daniel, I cannot imagine what this all has been to you. My departure was not as difficult or traumatic, as I came in as an adult and when I left, my "worldly" community was waiting with open arms. It blended right in, and have thrived since. Would love to continue to connect and hopefully hear your content soon. Like you, I very much love being of service to our fellow man. As always, cheers to this channel!
In early 2000s I worked in hospitals in NJ. For those who know, it was Meridian and St. Barnabas. Mainly I was in Brick Hospital & Community Medical Center. As a lab tech/ phlebotomist it was my job to work in pre-admission testing and also go to the floors to get type&cross matches for patients.
I was told I was participating in transfusions just by drawing the blood as a phleb.
Retired nurse here…what Watchtower never told us is that the prohibition against blood only applied to the Israelites because they were in a special covenant relationship with God. They claim to know the Bible yet caused so much misery for people working in delicatessens or shops that sold blood sausage, for nurses working in hospitals where blood was administered to patients.
I personally worked with a few nurses who were JWs and they caused problems because of believing they were breaking the Watchtower’s rules. They would ask someone else to administer the transfusions and on a busy ward full of acutely ill people this is just a huge pain.
So I looked into the whole blood issue and found the most amazing scripture in Deuteronomy 14:21. Watchtower micromanages everything and this is one issue where they went overboard.
The scripture blatantly states that an Israelite could sell an unbled animal to the foreigners living within Israel’s borders or the people living around them. There was nothing wrong with this but an Israelite under penalty of death was absolutely forbidden to eat unbled meat. Ergo, the prohibition only applied to Israelites. Blood was only regarded as sacred to them and not their Gentile neighbors!
So your being a phlebotomist drawing blood and my being a nurse administering blood was and is perfectly fine! Once again Watchtower ignored the context of meaning in order to keep people fearful and compliant.
Wow!!! What a beautiful man. He's was so collected and truthful and not disgruntled sounding. These are the people who are believable and needed out here. Good luck to him and blessings on everything he does.
@@gmailsender7274 exactly, sometimes people need to tell it like it is and sometimes that’s in a not so gentle way. Especially the way this organization has been ran for so long.
There’s so many Daniel SIMPS on this comment thread! So many comments saying how “respectable “ he is because he so “articulate and hot!”
What a fabulous interview, and it was such a great pleasure to meet and hear Daniel! I learned quite a bit from this interview. I left JW about 10 yrs. ago due to illness and gave up going to meetings. I eventually faded. I will never return due to their mishandling of child abuse. Cases are never reported to authorities and hide facts and information at Bethel. Children are not protected, parents are never told to keep their children away from the predator, and the predator is reinstated after disfellowshipping.
We need an elaboration on Sanderson "driving the ship"
What a highly inspiring interview this is by Lloyd with Daniel. An interview that trumpets it louder that Warwick bethel is being rocked, and "desirables things" may soon be coming out from the Cult. Great thanks Lloyd.
Great content yet again. Born and raised baptized and pressured toward being a MS, elder and even Circuit Overseer, but got out in my mid 20s (knowing I would never be "able" to marry an elders daughter) now working tech myself married with children, and providing for my family. Its just refreshing to hear these stories from people who remember things like the story book or the reasoning book or the one that had that horrid picture of the Mayan's ripping hearts out on top of a step pyramid. It got dark quick. My bad.
It was the Aztecs, and the book was Mankind's Search for God.
I am an ex-Bethelite class of '69'. A standing joke in the family was, "did you hear about Bethelite who spent $13.00 of his allowance on beer and spent the last dollar foolishly?" I grew-up in Ithaca, N.Y. 10 miles from The Kingdom Farm and I can remember, as a child, seeing numerous bouts of drunken-ness. Since Rutherford was an alcoholic it seems to be a natural result of the cult.
Wow!
All of my respects to Daniel, I couldn’t sense any animosity, anger or hate towards anyone.. would like to know more about his thinking on all dogmatic believing of the organization itself .. greetings from Baja California Mexico 🇲🇽 ❤️❤️❤️❤️‼️
As a former JW its good to know we aren’t alone. Thank you for sharing your story 🙏🏼
Daniel, you were extremely interesting to listen to and may I wish you well in your future in freedom. I have no doubt you will be very successful.
Omg I just clicked I’m so excited for this one Lloyd. Hit the like button y’all!
Oh dear, Lloyd - you are a source of the GB paranoia!!! I'm having such a good chuckle
AND....Thank you for your strength of speaking out!!
Informative and intriguing interview!! Would be interested to know from Daniel how conscious and informed the average bethelite is
about child abuse court cases against watchtower??!!
This is going to be an AWESOME interview even before I listen to it!! 🙌 👊💪🎈🎊🎉🎵🎶💃
🙋🏻♀️
@@maryannlockwood7806
Hey my Sistah! 👋🌻
32:39 - It's nice to notice how he consciously avoided using the word "sister." I try to do the same. LOL!