It upsets me to, we are taught that asking questions is wrong, especially when you question the elders, watchtower, or Jehovah. it's drilled into us not to question just to believe.
Wow this man is an inspiration. His family pushed him away because of a cult and now he pours his love into his daughter and supports her by getting her into Harvard. That is such an amazing thing
When I was 18 years old, I was dis fellowship for alcohol/drug use. It was hard man. I was depressed, became a homeless alcoholic. That was over 20 years ago. I’m still going to AA meetings to this day. I never talked to my parents again after that, and I didn’t talk to my little sister for close to 20 years. I sympathize with every ex JW, and I hope they all have good
Jayden Harris oh yea thats so smart, if so.eone has an issue with alcohol, you should kick them out and cause them to be homeless! God would surley want you to exacerbate his addiction by cuting off all family ties and making the person broke, destitute, depressex, fearful,lonely, and just for good measure spice it up with group shaming! What could go wrong? Thats the best way to cure an addiction right? Did they also find you and sucker punch you weekly? *jesus H christ!* these ppl are monsters!
The moment she said that she didn't think her family would do that to her, my heart broke. There is nothing so devastating as realizing that your family have chosen their imaginary friend over you. Poor kid.
I'd never be part of JW, for one simple reason. Once, my wheelchair got stuck. A passing gentleman got it loose, and pushed it where I needed to be. When I said, "I don't know how to repay you," he said, "The next time you hear a Jehovah's Witness, you listen to him!" So in other words, he was a good Samaritan, but his kindness had conditions attached. How Christian is that, exactly? I in all likelihood would never have joined anyway, simply because I owe my life to something they prohibit--a blood transfusion. But that guy pretty much guaranteed I'd never join.
That poor girl was being gaslighted like crazy. How sickening! I hope everything works out. BTW, what are your criteria for fan art? Or do you care? I'm not an artist, but have some sketches I can share. It's mostly fantasy / sci-fi stuff.
This was so tragic to hear. I cant imagine the pain that poor girl is going through. I also cant imagine how it must have felt like for you to hear that telltale, especially since you've been through it before. Its horrible. Im so sorry for the both of you.
Man, what a raw and emotional video this is... This poor girl's situation is so SO horrible... it's making me tear up right now :( And knowing that, while this conversation is going on, this is all happening to her in REAL TIME, RIGHT NOW, and it just makes it feel so much worse. I wasn't raised in a religious family (thankfully), so I can only imagine what this must be like, but my imagination is pretty vivid and I honestly don't know that I'd be able to handle it all as well as you two have. I wish to be as much help to people like her as I possibly can. If she sees any of these comments, I hope she sees this one - addressing her, I just want you to know that you're FAR from alone, and that people like Telltale and me are behind you ALL THE WAY, and would LOVE to see you defeat the mental programming you've been enduring throughout your life and make yourself truly happy in the way that you want. You're obviously very intelligent and you seem very kind-hearted and genuine. I wish all the best to ya. Don't give up or give in. What you're doing is incredibly gutsy and I commend you for it :)
College is almost a must ,I saw a stat this morning college grads make 47% more money a year than someone who didn’t go to college . That is a good enough reason to go ,money doesn’t make you happy, but it makes life easier. You are helping people through what is (for many) the roughest time of their life,very inspiring. I couldn’t imagine cutting ties with either of my sons , there would be such a hole in my life.The ending is encouraging,I hope things work out for her. I don’t how she would feel about it but I’d be interested in hearing updates about her.
Sorry but college is one of the biggest rip offs ever especially in the United States. Not only is the debt to going often in the hundreds of thousands, contrary to popular belief, college students on average make no more money than a person with just a high school diploma. I'm not saying you should ditch higher education but unless you are completely dedicated and have very high stress tolerance, you're better off just getting an apprenticeship or going to a trade school.
I went to college, and it made a huge difference in my income and lifestyle, but I'm still going to have to side with 556deltawolf on this for the most part. That stat about college grads making more money is misleading (47% sounds completely mythical), and has misled a lot of people to go to college as if it would magically make them money. This, along with the huge influx of loan money, has helped make college far more expensive than it used to be, way beyond inflation. Just going to college doesn't improve your income or quality of life. Even getting a degree doesn't do that. For college to help you, it has to be the *right* degree, and you have to have the innate ability for that degree. You can spend many years, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to have a "PhD" after your name and a "you want fries with that" job that will never make a dent in that debt. For many, trades schools are a far better option, and for others, just getting a job after high school is enough. For some, the military is the right way to go. College is *not* a must for everyone. Don't go if you don't really know why you're there, and have the ability to make it work for you.
556deltawolf I 100% agree trade school is the way to go! Plus the career I have no college offers any training for it. An when it comes money I make more than than most people with a 4y degree! And love waking up every day and going to work!
Good for you, Mark! Too many people buy into the "everyone needs college" lie, and end up miserable and not only broke, but deep in debt. I hope you're putting away as much of that money as you can (without ruining your current quality of life) so you'll be financially independent while young. I don't know where people got the idea that there's something wrong, something shameful, about the trades.
Liberty Beat Say what you want ,I’d encourage any of the responders’ children to go to college ,as well. I didn’t say it was the only way ,it’s obviously not .I want my kids to have an easier life than I have ,college can help in that . Trade schools are another way to help care for yourself& family . My intent wasn’t to discourage people from attending trade schools. Both of my sons had to get grants,scholarships to be able to further their education.
the fact that you eased this girls nerves and helped her through what’s she’s going through proves that you are a very caring person. i’m glad that people with troubles with the watch tower society have a person to talk to in a situation like this.
I mean, collage is not the only way people succeed in life. I remember telling that to someone and they asked me why and they said "have fun living in a box" and i said "you are the one living inside the box, i am the one thinking outside".
yeah you're right, there are plenty of other ways to succeed and go out on your own. military, blue collar apprenticeships (welding/plumbing etc) , but for an ex-JW, i think going to college would be better. get exposed to new idea's, and do something that was discouraged by the watchtower society as a "fuck you"
My dad went to college, he took an engineering test, and suceeded, but then, he didn't get masters or whatever, he said, screw this, it's too damn difficult, and we live in a back alley, jk, we live in a nice house with good internet considering we live in the philippines, and we have enough money to go on expensive trips to places like japan, Singapore and hong kong every year, also we reach out to the poor in a giant several thousand peso program
I went to college and dropped out, It wasn't for me, it's not that the work was too hard, it was quite easy but It just didn't feel right to me. Good on other people who want to go and follow their dream but it's just not for me, I'm making money another way but it kinda sucks though when you have people judging you and looking down on you like you're dumb for not going even though I have a great life.
Man, hearing her experience, your experience, and the experience of many other ex JWs is shocking. I don't have similar experiences (thankfully), but your channel makes me want to learn more and help others going through similar things. I'm glad you're spreading these messages.
I was studying with Jahovah's Witnesses I stopped because they were being too pushy about me going to the Kingdom Hall. I mean they were really nice people but I just felt a double intention when they would hint at me having to go to the reunions. I believe in God and respect that some people might not believe but everybody has to find their own way.
I'm choked from listening to this Telltale. You convey the pain and pathos of being forced to leave as few others do, From this wrenching experience eventually comes strength and determination and a resolute stand against institutional bullying.
This isn't related to the video. But I am hindu. I am Indian. However, I place more faith in science than religion, I believe in evolution and only partially in creationism. I still believe though. I try not to Force my religion onto people, but I'm a idiot and I sometimes let things slip out of my mouth Edit: by believe in evolution, I mean that I know it's fact and does happen. I love physics and biology
Wow... it is quite simply horrible to hear such stories. I'm lucky. I was raised agnostic. By the time I was old enough to understand, I cast away God as easy as I cast away Santa. There was no steps for me to become an atheist, there was barely a slight slope. To look at those cliffs of religious power people have to over come is just unbelievable. I hope this girl don't end up homeless for this. Noone deserves being kicked out for believing differently.
Since soon to be disfellowshiped people are contacting you maybe you can set up a crowd funding or patron to aid them monetarily. Obviously nothing crazy but maybe enough for a flip phone and food money for their first two or three weeks on there own? I feel like that kind of support might help them realize that even though they've lost so much from this, it's not gone forever. That they can build a new support structure and that somewhere out there people still care for them.
Outstanding! I would add that such a project would also serve as a demonstration to them that "worldly" people are far from the monsters the cult has portrayed them as. Helping them transition to a life with positive, supportive interaction with non-cult people could be the best thing for them. I don't know if this would interfere with their abilities to get "dole" help, but it sounds like an awesome plan. I'd suggest that zekiah2 could do this, but of course, I could just as easily do it as well. ISTM having the very public backing of someone like Telltale would make it work out far better than if just backed by an unknown. What about it, Telltale?
Exactly what I was thinking! If they see that "worldly" people aren't "lawless" and "Children of Satan" as they like to call us so much, it can actually help them see the bs behind the JW belief system. It'll leave them wondering, "Well, if they lied to us about 'worldly' people, what else did they lie to us about?'" And once they find out things like college and good-paying jobs aren't evil, then they can get back on their feet and start their journey to a better, cult-free life.
Bruce S i've never done anything with crowdfunding but I have seen a couple of unfortunate situations recently were a third-party set up the crowd funding for youtuber's then just left with the money. Additionally since the people are contacting telltale it may be better if he has full control of the money and can make sure it goes to the people who need it.
zekiah2, I haven't done crowdfunding either, and hadn't considered the theft possibility. *I* wouldn't run away with the money, and I trust that you wouldn't either, but that concern is another reason to have someone like Telltale do it. He's well known, and trusted, so a lot of people would feel comfortable donating to a project he ran. I think we're all on the same page here; we just need to get Telltale on that page, too.
This was incredibly moving. It gave me chills and I got misty eyed. I can genuinely only imagine what this must be like for people, to be in a cult and trying to get out of the brainwashing. You’re doing great work, Telltale. I wish the best for you, your daughter, and all the people you’re helping and have already helped.
If you ever want to hear from an Ex seventh day adventist who is still forded to stay on the inside, you can give me a message on discord. I have similar experiences to Telltale although I have not been kicked out but I was told to leave home and move in with my aunt in mexico. Tale, if you ever want to make another video like this I can tell you how seventh day adventist brainwash and control you, and how hard it is to live unable to escape.
Levi in a jar id acually be very interested in hearing that story live, i was in an orthadoxed jewish family but when i left my family wasnt upset(they assume il come back one day lol) so hearing these storys facinates me, i cant imagine my family putting their religion above me or my sister(she also left).
@@lewisleppe198 I was raised a Seventh Day Adventist, went to 7th Avenue schools and University and in the end ended up leaving the church. I have not had one negative experience over this. My family still embraces me and includes me and all their activities even though I do not have the same belief system. The Seventh Day Adventist Church does not encourage members to shun those who don't believe like them.
This has not been my experience at all and most of my friends that I went to school with who are no longer Seventh-Day Adventists. Our families would of course rather we remain SDA but do not shun us.
I've been watching your channel for a couple months now and this has been my favorite video so far. I'm an ex-mormon and I remember going through a lot of the same things this girl is experiencing now and how hard it was to deprogram and the back and forth that goes on in your head. She is very lucky to have someone to talk to. I didn't really have anyone to help me through my transition out of Mormonism. Thank you for your videos and the actual good your are doing.
Im an ex Jehova Witness. I was indictrinacted ever since I was born and always hated how limited it was, until school opened my eyes. My family didnt want me to study further and they were strongly against my decision to study nursery right now. Most of the people I knew as a kid and loved as familyignored me and wished nothing but pain, suffering and misery to me. I was heartbroken and thought I couldnt go on like this, considering to drop the idea of evolution and simply submit to not being allowed to think or critisize, but I stood strong and continued on. I turned atheist at the age of 16, currently im 19. Everyone I knew from my youth abandoned me, except for 2 childhood friends. They are both witnesses, but Samuel and Andres have refused to abandon me. Its one of the few persons Ive seen that refuse the demands of the society. They both agreed to stay with me since our friendship was more important than religion, and that was truly something that made me feel special. Im sad they're trapped in the cult, and I've tried to get them out many times, but everything that backs evolution up is a lie and forged by satan. Im happy to be an atheist now, instead of laying down and wasting my time praying to a sky daddy, I easily go to sleep, no more nights of insomnia fearing I'd be sent to hell forever. No more guilt over what I do. I'm a happy man. I enjoy my life and the way it is going. I dont regret and I'll never regret going out of the cult. Eventually my grandparents accepted my company again so im thankful for that too. Today my grandmother talked to me during my lunch and claimed that rape victims are the ones at fault for "tempting the wordly desires of men" and that the rapists shouldnt be judged, I wanted to scream on how stupid that claim was, but I simply ended up saying how im so glad to having gone out of their religion. She told me that I could hate the religion, but not hate the bible. This is one of the most fucked up things I've heard. This corrupt, rotting corporation deserves to die. They hate everyone that isnt themselves, and even then they despise each other. As a final word, my grandfather had a speech to give in the kingdom hall, and my grandmother begged me to go. I ended up going to not make them sad, and my grandfather's speech was 100% lies and strawmans. Everyone stared at me when I kept saying outloud the real facts about evolution instead of the bullshit he was spewing. I got kicked out of the kingdom hall, since at least during that day they were polite and didnt scream at me to die in hell, probably because it was their holy little building. Jehova witnesses need to dissapear.
Something about this was very comforting and soothing. To hear someone who's been through it all, giving advice to a young person suffering something similar. It was like listening to an older brother giving advice.
I just can't understand it. I can't understand how any parent can just disown and abandoned their child for any reason save to keep them out of harms way. These people literally left her for simply pursuing knowledge, for being who she is, for being HUMAN. Anytime I've ever encountered anyone whos religion made them hate another for how they are I remind them that god gave us all free will, that's what separates us from the angels, and as all powerful all seeing all knowing being he is incapable of creating anything he didn't intend. So either your god fails to live up to the definition of a god or your human fallible mind is wrong in judging them for their free life. Either way I hope this girl finds her way and become a force to be reckoned with. I hope she leaves her mark on this world and proves how wrong they were to abandon her. All the luck and love to the both of you.
I was young when I strode out (16 or so) and never looked back.. was shunned, even though I refused baptism.. STILL shunned.. but I couldn't have given a ratter's... Maybe I was lucky.. I don't know.
Starwars Fanboy I’ve said Idk if I want to go anymore multiple times, they bully brush it off. I’ve told them i’m gay. They don’t appreciate it and want me to pray it away. Now the elders are involved. :)))
Hearing what she's going through and knowing many other teenagers face this makes me wish I could have a home for teens leaving the JW world so they have shelter and food so they can get a job and get on their feet. I didn't go through this myself, although I did get threatened at 17 to make a choice, and threatened multiple times in my 20s with ultimatums. I caved far too much, but I think I needed that time to gain perspective and to be willing to see the real truth. Thank you for sharing this. Maybe once I have a spare bedroom or two in the future I can open them up to those who are getting kicked out.
I really hope she gets through it and is proud of it afterwards. Like actually I'm proud of her asking questions and finding the problems in the religion. I'm also really happy that your content helps people get out of such a cult. :)
FIRST, I'll make u some more fanart don't worry fam. Also fuck that was sad, I use to do the same stuff that she did, and I never had to tell anyone about it. I feel so bad for her I hope everything goes well for her.
Although I was shunned to a point, My parents never totally abandoned me. I spoke to my mother the day before she died, and expressed our feelings. My father died suddenly so I was never able to spoke to him before he died, but I had visited him multiple times prior.
Listening to this both angerd and disturbed me. We shouldn't ban religion however maybe we should make an exception for Jehova's witnesses on the basis of (child)abush, harrasment and plenty of other crimes.
It's good you were there for her, and to give her honest advice. Lets hope she does go to school, my daughter just graduated from uni and my other three are doing well. But it's sad that she has been kicked out at such a young age too.
I’m going through a very similar situation right now in my life. I can’t tell you how badly I needed to hear this. So I’ll keep it simple thanks for the great video and thanks for this awesome community. Without channels like you, rationality rules, cosmic skeptic, etc I would still be brainwashed.
Your a really great guy. I'm sure you get this alot but to take the time to deal with a young person who was struggling with these issues and to commit to trying to offer constructive advice is an amazing thing your doing. Keep it up
To hear the stories of people getting out of these cults, and how they learn to cope outside of these systems: is disheartening, enlightening, and encouraging. Please keep this series going, and direct these wonderful people to "Recovering From Religion," so they can get additional help and support. Can you please do a video or series on Recovering From Religion.
I’m 17 and raised by Pentecostals I’d get shunned if I ever came out as gay my family claims it’s out of love. I know that these are different religions and allot of different religions shun in different ways but it still can hurt. I’m not an atheist but I really love your channel Telltale I just found it a few days ago. Your channel has helped open my eyes a little to the cultish behaviors of some religions. I just thank you for the work you’re doing on your channel.
Not day goes by where I am happy to know that family weren't extremely religious and never forced anything on myself nor my siblings. JWs went right under my radar, despite living in two with so many JWs in my town and never once realized just how horrible they are.
This is so sad. Deprogramming is so hard. Your whole world is upside down. I hope she is out and doing well. May peace suround her heart about this whole mess.
I know how she feels about being re-brain washed sometimes you let yourself go back into the mind set cuz you don't trust yourself enough and want someone else to think for you.
Awesome video. :) I really hope that young woman is able to stay strong. Even though it feels like sheer hell now, things WILL get better. She's not alone.
I wish her well. I can't say that I know what she went through, since I was never truly religious. At most, I was a Deistic Christian. And that was before I heard about what the bible had to say. But it's that lack of indoctrination that I can't truly understand what she's going through from her point of view. And there's a part of me that feels guilty that I can't understand that kind of mindset. I was lucky to have never been indoctrinated, and lucky to walk my own path of spirituality before I was even 10. And I was lucky that my mother wanted me to make my own decisions about god. For a while, I was considered pantheistic (it wasn't even a year ago when I ditched the "god" title from my beliefs). I do have some spiritual beliefs (the soul in some form, the afterlife, reincarnation, etc.). But I put those beliefs "on an Agnostic backburner".
This made me cry, I just want to hug her, protect her, and give her the love she deserves from her family. How could any one do this to their child/grandchild, hearing stories of families being so brainwashed by the watch tower as to go against ever natural instinct to protect those you love sickens me.
Telltale, thankfully you were there to talk her through this, and she had a friend with a good family! This, and especially the sick (sounded suspiciously vicarious)sexual questioning. And a demonstration? Or very graphic description? Sounds as if the sexual repression gets the lot of them! A pretty, 16 year old. Yeah, without you and her friend, who I assume weren't JWs, she could have, most likely would have suicides. Or ended up with some sicko, abused. Well, worse than she has been. I see why you are so protective of your daughter! Your future Harvard grad!! Love and Peace
So miserable. I know I have the kind of family who if I told them I had suicidal thoughts would kick me out. No matter how much love religious parents show you, there's a line you can't cross.
I had a very secular upbringing growing up since my mom is a former ‘buddhist’ and my dad is catholic but not super religious, and I cannot imagine what the both of you must be going/have gone through. I wish you all the best and all of the happiness in this world, even if you didn’t have to deal with all of this crap.This Watchtower organization sounds absolutely terrifying! (I thought SGI was bad enough)
She is so cute and I hope everything got right for her. It crashed me emotianlly, because I felt the same a few years ago, when I see some informations and want to ask questions, but there where nobody who I could ask. My worldly friends where fabulous, but they don'T know about my struggles and then I find another friend where I thought: I have to protect her, because she is such a .... teddybear. And that was, when I begin to think and I actually find german channels and documentaries I wasn't allowed to watch before, because I was a (unbaptized) witness and I researched this informations and then I noticed the truth and that gets me to ask questions for myself more and more and I would call me an awake person now. And I want that there are more people that could wake up, begin to ask and get out of this cult. Actually I love, that I could raise my daughter as an atheist and I told her, that it'S okay to tell lies to her grandparents, because we live with them and she knows, she shouldn't lie at other things (because I'm this kind of crazy mothers who notice this and know everything - and she is like: From where did you know this mommy) but my parents would call me out when they would notice the truth about my believes and the not-believing of my daughter. So I wait till I could get a job and move out and then my daughter could grow up free-minded.
Telltale, I only found your channel today and it's amazing, you did a great job with this. Thank you for helping people like this. It is truly awful what happened to her and you
This is an incredible, moving, disturbing and painful story. It was hard to listen to, but I listened to every word. Thanks for sharing and thanks for doing the incredible work. I was raised Catholic so leaving the church was as simple as just moving out of my parents' house. While they continued to believe and actually spiral in until they died, they never turned their backs on me or any of my 5 siblings. I can't imagine going through this, but I'm glad both you and she made it out.
Your friend who read the script, she have such a beautiful voice. That story was filled with emotions. I can't tell what I would do in such a situation. I shed a few tears.
Heise Says Dude, trades are extremely popular. Some jobs like grocery workers and stuff like that often don’t pay well enough. But the religion often portrays it as the perfect job
kicking out your child is just so sickeningly wrong. i was also kicked out at 18 (though not for religious reasons) and it's brutally hard, I can't imagine how hard it would be to be 16! At least I could sign a lease and etc. I truly hope the girl from this video is doing better now, though I know it hasn't been long.
wow that is so messed up. I do not know how a parent could hurt their kid like that. this is just wrong on so many levels. thank you for speaking out about this. I never went through this as I was never JW but it sickens me that they would make parents hurt their kids.
This poor girl! I’m going through a very similar situation (replace Jehovah’s Witness with Mormon) I relate to her so much, but the fact that she’s ex Jehovah’s Witness allows me to see the bullshit that that I wouldn’t be able to see if she was Mormon, even though it’s probably the same bullshit. Honestly, I hope knows how brave she is, and I hope her situation will start to get better.
yep I was 15.And had no clue how to take care if myself.Made me a target.See I'm 60 now but believe me my world did not have cell phones or things like now. For all of you that have this hapoen.Stand tall tell the Facts .Look at it as objectively as you can..Your not grown and and should not be on your own so young.My heart goes out to you.Reach for the support groups....Hugs to all of YOU
I was never a Jehovah's witness, i was a Baptist, and you have been a sense of encouragement through a dark time in my life. Everyday i would go to church and sit there. Drawing. And being bored as hell. The only thing good it came from is my interest in art. But there was a point when i got "saved". But after that day, it started to fall part. My church wasn't selfish, my parents actually believe in god. A deep moral dedication. But they are not good people. My mom is an angry, physically broken lady you cant disagree with. My dad is a more peaceful person when he's not with my mom. Regardless of that, i found my evidence. And you flattened down the clay for that foundation. For that i thank you
I’m naming my first child Alpha Force Zero. Your daughter AFZ is absolutely adorable and I hope she does get into Harvard and wish she does well with classes. Your the biggest inspiration, keep doing what your doing.
Wow. I grew up in a secular household, whith parents who encouraged me to form my own, informed opinion, and for a long, long time I thought that was normal. Now, I realise how incredibly lucky I am. This is oppression on a whole other level, and I find it insane that this has been happening around me for so long whilst I lived in my little, privileged bubble. I'm so sorry to anyone who has been in this situation, and I realise that I'll never understand how it feels to be treated like that. Keep doing what you're doing, Telltale.
I need help. I’m stuck in this religion and it’s really taking a toll on me. Especially since i’m gay. i need tips to manage. I’ve told my parents twice and even hinted at them that I didn’t wanna go anymore and they said i’m spiritually sick... and they keep bluntly ignoring it.
It's been 3 years since I left the "truth." And it's still hard to get the brain washed way of thinking out of my head. It's hard to merge my way into normal behavior of society. Luckily my mother and sister haven't completely shunned me but I lost all of my friends. And in school I wasn't allowed to have any. It's an every day struggle that's very depressing at the moment. Unfortunately there's no help groups in my area for stuff like this. But knowing there's people like yourself that have found a way to motivate your lifes goals and accept the unfortunate truths is inspiring. So thank you.
That poor kid. Do you know if it worked out for her? Did her friends family take her in? I wanted 3 kids, but we only had one. I can't imagine not being thrilled if my kid was opening up her mind and exploring new things. Including new religions. Shes 16... it's all about exploration and finding out who you are. A high school education only won't get you far in life anymore. A couple of things to keep in mind: 1) Getting the basics out of the way at a Jr. College is a great way to keep your costs down, and a great place to start especially if your high school grades are not stellar. 2) Check out dual enrollment. Our county is paying for my 16 year old to take night classes in addition to her high school education. It's a lot of work, but it counts 2x. 3) In high school, check out the JROTC program if they have one. My daughter is in it, and the 2 men leading the program are fantastic. Ive watched how great they are with the kids with family problems. Supportive. My kid has done amazing things she couldn't have done otherwise this past year. Keep in mind,however, that while this program is open to everyone and is technically not a recruitment program, it sure as looks like one to me. That could be because of the men running our program. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. 4) Concider a certificate program in a flexible career related to what your interested in. For example, if your looking to be a nurse, phlebotomy is a fairly short term course of education. It pays pretty well and has lots of flexibility. It would let you make enough to keep yourself afloat while studying for an even better career. 5) Americorps. I believe you can get a stipend in addition to job experience and education benefits. 3 square meals a day as well.
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She's so... scared at asking questions and afraid of offending people...
That just crush me emotionally.
Nah Bro than what it's like?
It upsets me to, we are taught that asking questions is wrong, especially when you question the elders, watchtower, or Jehovah. it's drilled into us not to question just to believe.
Ok everybody just slowly... calmly... Flood the shit out of his discord with fanart
The 3D carrot
"Calmly"
XD
I really hope Alpha Force Zero gets into Harvard. She’s so adorable and smart
Maybe not being a asshole would help you Clyde? No offence but if you really are that bad then perhaps being something more pleasant would be wise?
Robyn Cleffa iiiiii
Go Alpha Force Zero!
Clyde H Goodman dude your probly fine, dont be so hard on yourself!
what happened to AFZ?
This video hit me hard, man. Fantastic work. We're all lucky to have you in our community.
thanks
Me too... Brings back my own flashbacks from my old IFB church.
This video hurt me. As an EX Christian this video hurt me.
@@anthonybeard3238 SAME
I’m not an ex Jehovah’s Witness but I love listening to these stories. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Your picture combined with your username ❤️
AJ Burns haha lol yeah I’m such fandom trash. My name and pfp used to be hamilton
The fandom is strong in this one
AJ Burns indeed XD
AJ Burns Hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Wow this man is an inspiration. His family pushed him away because of a cult and now he pours his love into his daughter and supports her by getting her into Harvard. That is such an amazing thing
When I was 18 years old, I was dis fellowship for alcohol/drug use. It was hard man. I was depressed, became a homeless alcoholic. That was over 20 years ago. I’m still going to AA meetings to this day. I never talked to my parents again after that, and I didn’t talk to my little sister for close to 20 years. I sympathize with every ex JW, and I hope they all have good
Jayden Harris oh yea thats so smart, if so.eone has an issue with alcohol, you should kick them out and cause them to be homeless! God would surley want you to exacerbate his addiction by cuting off all family ties and making the person broke, destitute, depressex, fearful,lonely, and just for good measure spice it up with group shaming!
What could go wrong? Thats the best way to cure an addiction right?
Did they also find you and sucker punch you weekly?
*jesus H christ!* these ppl are monsters!
madscientistshusta No, but if they did, it would feel better then everything else they did.
Hope you're doing well! Stay strong!!
Emilija Romic thanks same to you
madscientistshusta I mean to be honest that sounds exactly like what god would do. You don’t love god? Eternal torture.
21 minutes of Telltale. Perfect.
3:15 when telltale *subtly* plugs his channel *ON* his channel
Ban the Architect thats fucking meta
Ban the Architect r/madlads
It's kind of cute
The moment she said that she didn't think her family would do that to her, my heart broke. There is nothing so devastating as realizing that your family have chosen their imaginary friend over you. Poor kid.
I'd never be part of JW, for one simple reason. Once, my wheelchair got stuck. A passing gentleman got it loose, and pushed it where I needed to be. When I said, "I don't know how to repay you," he said, "The next time you hear a Jehovah's Witness, you listen to him!" So in other words, he was a good Samaritan, but his kindness had conditions attached. How Christian is that, exactly?
I in all likelihood would never have joined anyway, simply because I owe my life to something they prohibit--a blood transfusion. But that guy pretty much guaranteed I'd never join.
That poor girl was being gaslighted like crazy. How sickening! I hope everything works out.
BTW, what are your criteria for fan art? Or do you care? I'm not an artist, but have some sketches I can share. It's mostly fantasy / sci-fi stuff.
m.blacktree come on he gets furry art. I'm probably sure that he's happy with anything.
I'm so happy she's safe! Thank you for sharing this, it was very powerful.
This was so tragic to hear. I cant imagine the pain that poor girl is going through. I also cant imagine how it must have felt like for you to hear that telltale, especially since you've been through it before. Its horrible. Im so sorry for the both of you.
Man, what a raw and emotional video this is... This poor girl's situation is so SO horrible... it's making me tear up right now :( And knowing that, while this conversation is going on, this is all happening to her in REAL TIME, RIGHT NOW, and it just makes it feel so much worse.
I wasn't raised in a religious family (thankfully), so I can only imagine what this must be like, but my imagination is pretty vivid and I honestly don't know that I'd be able to handle it all as well as you two have. I wish to be as much help to people like her as I possibly can.
If she sees any of these comments, I hope she sees this one - addressing her, I just want you to know that you're FAR from alone, and that people like Telltale and me are behind you ALL THE WAY, and would LOVE to see you defeat the mental programming you've been enduring throughout your life and make yourself truly happy in the way that you want. You're obviously very intelligent and you seem very kind-hearted and genuine. I wish all the best to ya. Don't give up or give in. What you're doing is incredibly gutsy and I commend you for it :)
Blurquoise Hello! I've been scrolling through the comments and this is very very encourating. Thank you so much.
College is almost a must ,I saw a stat this morning college grads make 47% more money a year than someone who didn’t go to college .
That is a good enough reason to go ,money doesn’t make you happy, but it makes life easier.
You are helping people through what is (for many) the roughest time of their life,very inspiring.
I couldn’t imagine cutting ties with either of my sons , there would be such a hole in my life.The ending is encouraging,I hope things work out for her. I don’t how she would feel about it but I’d be interested in hearing updates about her.
Sorry but college is one of the biggest rip offs ever especially in the United States. Not only is the debt to going often in the hundreds of thousands, contrary to popular belief, college students on average make no more money than a person with just a high school diploma. I'm not saying you should ditch higher education but unless you are completely dedicated and have very high stress tolerance, you're better off just getting an apprenticeship or going to a trade school.
I went to college, and it made a huge difference in my income and lifestyle, but I'm still going to have to side with 556deltawolf on this for the most part. That stat about college grads making more money is misleading (47% sounds completely mythical), and has misled a lot of people to go to college as if it would magically make them money. This, along with the huge influx of loan money, has helped make college far more expensive than it used to be, way beyond inflation. Just going to college doesn't improve your income or quality of life. Even getting a degree doesn't do that. For college to help you, it has to be the *right* degree, and you have to have the innate ability for that degree. You can spend many years, and hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to have a "PhD" after your name and a "you want fries with that" job that will never make a dent in that debt. For many, trades schools are a far better option, and for others, just getting a job after high school is enough. For some, the military is the right way to go. College is *not* a must for everyone. Don't go if you don't really know why you're there, and have the ability to make it work for you.
556deltawolf I 100% agree trade school is the way to go! Plus the career I have no college offers any training for it. An when it comes money I make more than than most people with a 4y degree! And love waking up every day and going to work!
Good for you, Mark! Too many people buy into the "everyone needs college" lie, and end up miserable and not only broke, but deep in debt. I hope you're putting away as much of that money as you can (without ruining your current quality of life) so you'll be financially independent while young. I don't know where people got the idea that there's something wrong, something shameful, about the trades.
Liberty Beat Say what you want ,I’d encourage any of the responders’ children to go to college ,as well.
I didn’t say it was the only way ,it’s obviously not .I want my kids to have an easier life than I have ,college can help in that .
Trade schools are another way to help care for yourself& family .
My intent wasn’t to discourage people from attending trade schools.
Both of my sons had to get grants,scholarships to be able to further their education.
the fact that you eased this girls nerves and helped her through what’s she’s going through proves that you are a very caring person. i’m glad that people with troubles with the watch tower society have a person to talk to in a situation like this.
I mean, collage is not the only way people succeed in life. I remember telling that to someone and they asked me why and they said "have fun living in a box" and i said "you are the one living inside the box, i am the one thinking outside".
yeah you're right, there are plenty of other ways to succeed and go out on your own. military, blue collar apprenticeships (welding/plumbing etc) , but for an ex-JW, i think going to college would be better. get exposed to new idea's, and do something that was discouraged by the watchtower society as a "fuck you"
My dad went to college, he took an engineering test, and suceeded, but then, he didn't get masters or whatever, he said, screw this, it's too damn difficult, and we live in a back alley, jk, we live in a nice house with good internet considering we live in the philippines, and we have enough money to go on expensive trips to places like japan, Singapore and hong kong every year, also we reach out to the poor in a giant several thousand peso program
I went to college and dropped out, It wasn't for me, it's not that the work was too hard, it was quite easy but It just didn't feel right to me. Good on other people who want to go and follow their dream but it's just not for me, I'm making money another way but it kinda sucks though when you have people judging you and looking down on you like you're dumb for not going even though I have a great life.
Man, hearing her experience, your experience, and the experience of many other ex JWs is shocking. I don't have similar experiences (thankfully), but your channel makes me want to learn more and help others going through similar things. I'm glad you're spreading these messages.
I was studying with Jahovah's Witnesses I stopped because they were being too pushy about me going to the Kingdom Hall. I mean they were really nice people but I just felt a double intention when they would hint at me having to go to the reunions. I believe in God and respect that some people might not believe but everybody has to find their own way.
Hey, speaking of, where is alpha force zero? She hasnt made an apperance in a while.
Scuba Steve
Right?
She is my favorite!
I only subbed for AFZ! Where is that brilliant child!?
I'm choked from listening to this Telltale. You convey the pain and pathos of being forced to leave as few others do, From this wrenching experience eventually comes strength and determination and a resolute stand against institutional bullying.
They are having one of their conventions in my city. A comment on our local news site said, “we should go bang on the door of the convention hall” 😂
Noah Edwards hall crashing! Woot!
San Diego?
This isn't related to the video. But I am hindu. I am Indian. However, I place more faith in science than religion, I believe in evolution and only partially in creationism. I still believe though. I try not to Force my religion onto people, but I'm a idiot and I sometimes let things slip out of my mouth
Edit: by believe in evolution, I mean that I know it's fact and does happen. I love physics and biology
Same
Hearing your voices for 20 minutes is the ultimate solution to insomnia ^^
Yeah, but not because his voice is boring - rather, because its so soothing.
Given the content this did not put me to sleep.
Question, if JW parents kick their under 18 children out of the house for lack of belief, isn't that a crime, like child neglect?
Cleareyesandopenmind No because 18, in the US anyway, is age of majority.
It is! Sad, it doesn't get reported more.
It's neglet if the child is a minor. I'm not sure if it is when they're a dependent major.
@@TheVerbalAssassinFAFO they said under 18
@@Juwlz Really? You respond to a comment from two years ago? Wow, quarantine has seriously made people stir-crazy 😂😂😂
Wow... it is quite simply horrible to hear such stories.
I'm lucky. I was raised agnostic. By the time I was old enough to understand, I cast away God as easy as I cast away Santa.
There was no steps for me to become an atheist, there was barely a slight slope.
To look at those cliffs of religious power people have to over come is just unbelievable.
I hope this girl don't end up homeless for this. Noone deserves being kicked out for believing differently.
Since soon to be disfellowshiped people are contacting you maybe you can set up a crowd funding or patron to aid them monetarily.
Obviously nothing crazy but maybe enough for a flip phone and food money for their first two or three weeks on there own?
I feel like that kind of support might help them realize that even though they've lost so much from this, it's not gone forever. That they can build a new support structure and that somewhere out there people still care for them.
Outstanding! I would add that such a project would also serve as a demonstration to them that "worldly" people are far from the monsters the cult has portrayed them as. Helping them transition to a life with positive, supportive interaction with non-cult people could be the best thing for them. I don't know if this would interfere with their abilities to get "dole" help, but it sounds like an awesome plan. I'd suggest that zekiah2 could do this, but of course, I could just as easily do it as well. ISTM having the very public backing of someone like Telltale would make it work out far better than if just backed by an unknown. What about it, Telltale?
YES!!
Exactly what I was thinking! If they see that "worldly" people aren't "lawless" and "Children of Satan" as they like to call us so much, it can actually help them see the bs behind the JW belief system. It'll leave them wondering, "Well, if they lied to us about 'worldly' people, what else did they lie to us about?'" And once they find out things like college and good-paying jobs aren't evil, then they can get back on their feet and start their journey to a better, cult-free life.
Bruce S i've never done anything with crowdfunding but I have seen a couple of unfortunate situations recently were a third-party set up the crowd funding for youtuber's then just left with the money.
Additionally since the people are contacting telltale it may be better if he has full control of the money and can make sure it goes to the people who need it.
zekiah2, I haven't done crowdfunding either, and hadn't considered the theft possibility. *I* wouldn't run away with the money, and I trust that you wouldn't either, but that concern is another reason to have someone like Telltale do it. He's well known, and trusted, so a lot of people would feel comfortable donating to a project he ran. I think we're all on the same page here; we just need to get Telltale on that page, too.
This was incredibly moving. It gave me chills and I got misty eyed. I can genuinely only imagine what this must be like for people, to be in a cult and trying to get out of the brainwashing. You’re doing great work, Telltale. I wish the best for you, your daughter, and all the people you’re helping and have already helped.
If you ever want to hear from an Ex seventh day adventist who is still forded to stay on the inside, you can give me a message on discord. I have similar experiences to Telltale although I have not been kicked out but I was told to leave home and move in with my aunt in mexico. Tale, if you ever want to make another video like this I can tell you how seventh day adventist brainwash and control you, and how hard it is to live unable to escape.
Levi in a jar id acually be very interested in hearing that story live, i was in an orthadoxed jewish family but when i left my family wasnt upset(they assume il come back one day lol) so hearing these storys facinates me, i cant imagine my family putting their religion above me or my sister(she also left).
madscientistshusta pretty much me and my siblings stopped believing it. But being LGBT is playing a HUGE role in my relationship with the church.
Give me a break, I'm an SDA and we don't shun people for leaving the church. Ever
@@lewisleppe198 I was raised a Seventh Day Adventist, went to 7th Avenue schools and University and in the end ended up leaving the church. I have not had one negative experience over this. My family still embraces me and includes me and all their activities even though I do not have the same belief system. The Seventh Day Adventist Church does not encourage members to shun those who don't believe like them.
This has not been my experience at all and most of my friends that I went to school with who are no longer Seventh-Day Adventists. Our families would of course rather we remain SDA but do not shun us.
I've been watching your channel for a couple months now and this has been my favorite video so far. I'm an ex-mormon and I remember going through a lot of the same things this girl is experiencing now and how hard it was to deprogram and the back and forth that goes on in your head. She is very lucky to have someone to talk to. I didn't really have anyone to help me through my transition out of Mormonism. Thank you for your videos and the actual good your are doing.
So many similarities with leaving Mormonism. Incredible.
memahselfni It's always refreshing meeting another ex Mormon.
joan the mad I agree
That was pretty powerful. Thanks for sharing this story, I hope it works out for her and everyone trying to leave any kind of cult.
This literally made me cry and have so many emotional feelings throughout this
Im an ex Jehova Witness. I was indictrinacted ever since I was born and always hated how limited it was, until school opened my eyes. My family didnt want me to study further and they were strongly against my decision to study nursery right now. Most of the people I knew as a kid and loved as familyignored me and wished nothing but pain, suffering and misery to me. I was heartbroken and thought I couldnt go on like this, considering to drop the idea of evolution and simply submit to not being allowed to think or critisize, but I stood strong and continued on. I turned atheist at the age of 16, currently im 19. Everyone I knew from my youth abandoned me, except for 2 childhood friends. They are both witnesses, but Samuel and Andres have refused to abandon me. Its one of the few persons Ive seen that refuse the demands of the society. They both agreed to stay with me since our friendship was more important than religion, and that was truly something that made me feel special. Im sad they're trapped in the cult, and I've tried to get them out many times, but everything that backs evolution up is a lie and forged by satan. Im happy to be an atheist now, instead of laying down and wasting my time praying to a sky daddy, I easily go to sleep, no more nights of insomnia fearing I'd be sent to hell forever. No more guilt over what I do. I'm a happy man. I enjoy my life and the way it is going. I dont regret and I'll never regret going out of the cult. Eventually my grandparents accepted my company again so im thankful for that too.
Today my grandmother talked to me during my lunch and claimed that rape victims are the ones at fault for "tempting the wordly desires of men" and that the rapists shouldnt be judged, I wanted to scream on how stupid that claim was, but I simply ended up saying how im so glad to having gone out of their religion. She told me that I could hate the religion, but not hate the bible. This is one of the most fucked up things I've heard.
This corrupt, rotting corporation deserves to die. They hate everyone that isnt themselves, and even then they despise each other.
As a final word, my grandfather had a speech to give in the kingdom hall, and my grandmother begged me to go. I ended up going to not make them sad, and my grandfather's speech was 100% lies and strawmans. Everyone stared at me when I kept saying outloud the real facts about evolution instead of the bullshit he was spewing. I got kicked out of the kingdom hall, since at least during that day they were polite and didnt scream at me to die in hell, probably because it was their holy little building.
Jehova witnesses need to dissapear.
HellFire4gZ Were you really a witness? They don’t proclaim teachings about hell lol
I was. And at least in the 2 congregations I was they did
TheWin200000 they actually sold off the congregation I used to go to. It was called La Florida.
Something about this was very comforting and soothing. To hear someone who's been through it all, giving advice to a young person suffering something similar. It was like listening to an older brother giving advice.
I just can't understand it. I can't understand how any parent can just disown and abandoned their child for any reason save to keep them out of harms way. These people literally left her for simply pursuing knowledge, for being who she is, for being HUMAN. Anytime I've ever encountered anyone whos religion made them hate another for how they are I remind them that god gave us all free will, that's what separates us from the angels, and as all powerful all seeing all knowing being he is incapable of creating anything he didn't intend. So either your god fails to live up to the definition of a god or your human fallible mind is wrong in judging them for their free life. Either way I hope this girl finds her way and become a force to be reckoned with. I hope she leaves her mark on this world and proves how wrong they were to abandon her. All the luck and love to the both of you.
I was young when I strode out (16 or so) and never looked back.. was shunned, even though I refused baptism.. STILL shunned.. but I couldn't have given a ratter's... Maybe I was lucky.. I don't know.
Karen Webb
I'm not baptized but I'm afraid I'll still get shunned anyway like you said
Starwars Fanboy Hey, im stuck in it too. I’m afraid of leaving.
Karen Webb How do I leave? My parents won’t let me :/
Dishonored
Have you said anything to your parents ?
Starwars Fanboy I’ve said Idk if I want to go anymore multiple times, they bully brush it off. I’ve told them i’m gay. They don’t appreciate it and want me to pray it away. Now the elders are involved. :)))
this makes me feel like crying. I can't relate to this specifically, but I can empathize with how bad this person must feel.
I am literally sobbing as I listen to this video. Telltale, you are so nice and you are so patient. We need more humans like you
Her voice is so sweet, and it is so sad that she had to deal with this
I'm glad I was never a JW but I knew people who went to the JW school..and holy crap it's horrible what they told me what goes on in it.
I tried to imagine what this would be like. This whole story is pretty terrifying... and rage inducing.
Hearing what she's going through and knowing many other teenagers face this makes me wish I could have a home for teens leaving the JW world so they have shelter and food so they can get a job and get on their feet. I didn't go through this myself, although I did get threatened at 17 to make a choice, and threatened multiple times in my 20s with ultimatums. I caved far too much, but I think I needed that time to gain perspective and to be willing to see the real truth. Thank you for sharing this. Maybe once I have a spare bedroom or two in the future I can open them up to those who are getting kicked out.
Most things can't give me the feels, but this did.
I really hope she gets through it and is proud of it afterwards. Like actually I'm proud of her asking questions and finding the problems in the religion.
I'm also really happy that your content helps people get out of such a cult. :)
FIRST, I'll make u some more fanart don't worry fam. Also fuck that was sad, I use to do the same stuff that she did, and I never had to tell anyone about it. I feel so bad for her I hope everything goes well for her.
fuck, beat me by 51 seconds
I would but I can't draw
Moistened Ewok LOL to slow partner, better luck next time
Shay red, too* slow :P
Although I was shunned to a point, My parents never totally abandoned me. I spoke to my mother the day before she died, and expressed our feelings. My father died suddenly so I was never able to spoke to him before he died, but I had visited him multiple times prior.
Listening to this both angerd and disturbed me. We shouldn't ban religion however maybe we should make an exception for Jehova's witnesses on the basis of (child)abush, harrasment and plenty of other crimes.
It's good you were there for her, and to give her honest advice. Lets hope she does go to school, my daughter just graduated from uni and my other three are doing well. But it's sad that she has been kicked out at such a young age too.
I’m going through a very similar situation right now in my life. I can’t tell you how badly I needed to hear this. So I’ll keep it simple thanks for the great video and thanks for this awesome community. Without channels like you, rationality rules, cosmic skeptic, etc I would still be brainwashed.
Good stuff, anonymous young lady!
Your a really great guy. I'm sure you get this alot but to take the time to deal with a young person who was struggling with these issues and to commit to trying to offer constructive advice is an amazing thing your doing. Keep it up
To hear the stories of people getting out of these cults, and how they learn to cope outside of these systems: is disheartening, enlightening, and encouraging. Please keep this series going, and direct these wonderful people to "Recovering From Religion," so they can get additional help and support.
Can you please do a video or series on Recovering From Religion.
I’m 17 and raised by Pentecostals I’d get shunned if I ever came out as gay my family claims it’s out of love. I know that these are different religions and allot of different religions shun in different ways but it still can hurt. I’m not an atheist but I really love your channel Telltale I just found it a few days ago. Your channel has helped open my eyes a little to the cultish behaviors of some religions. I just thank you for the work you’re doing on your channel.
Wow. That question she asked about being happy when you lay your head down to sleep really hits deep.
Let this belief burn to ash. No child should be put through this. EVER.
Telltale, thank you for your service as a human being. Thank you for looking after people and giving them support in tough times.
Not day goes by where I am happy to know that family weren't extremely religious and never forced anything on myself nor my siblings. JWs went right under my radar, despite living in two with so many JWs in my town and never once realized just how horrible they are.
This is so sad. Deprogramming is so hard. Your whole world is upside down. I hope she is out and doing well. May peace suround her heart about this whole mess.
I know how she feels about being re-brain washed sometimes you let yourself go back into the mind set cuz you don't trust yourself enough and want someone else to think for you.
Awesome video. :) I really hope that young woman is able to stay strong. Even though it feels like sheer hell now, things WILL get better. She's not alone.
This is heartbreaking, I can't imagine how many go through this and how many don't have a place to go. It hurts to hear.
This poor girl. This was so illuminating and heartrending to listen to. Thanks to you and her for deciding to share it.
Wow... This is truly heartbreaking...
I hope she manages to make a new life among those who care about her, rather than their own beliefs and rules.
I wish her well. I can't say that I know what she went through, since I was never truly religious. At most, I was a Deistic Christian. And that was before I heard about what the bible had to say. But it's that lack of indoctrination that I can't truly understand what she's going through from her point of view. And there's a part of me that feels guilty that I can't understand that kind of mindset.
I was lucky to have never been indoctrinated, and lucky to walk my own path of spirituality before I was even 10. And I was lucky that my mother wanted me to make my own decisions about god.
For a while, I was considered pantheistic (it wasn't even a year ago when I ditched the "god" title from my beliefs). I do have some spiritual beliefs (the soul in some form, the afterlife, reincarnation, etc.). But I put those beliefs "on an Agnostic backburner".
This made me cry, I just want to hug her, protect her, and give her the love she deserves from her family. How could any one do this to their child/grandchild, hearing stories of families being so brainwashed by the watch tower as to go against ever natural instinct to protect those you love sickens me.
Really sweet to hear this girl out, appreciate this video in a time of need.💜💜
This guest of yours has the voice of an angel. I hope everything works out for her.
Telltale, thankfully you were there to talk her through this, and she had a friend with a good family! This, and especially the sick (sounded suspiciously vicarious)sexual questioning. And a demonstration? Or very graphic description? Sounds as if the sexual repression gets the lot of them! A pretty, 16 year old. Yeah, without you and her friend, who I assume weren't JWs, she could have, most likely would have suicides. Or ended up with some sicko, abused. Well, worse than she has been. I see why you are so protective of your daughter! Your future Harvard grad!! Love and Peace
So miserable. I know I have the kind of family who if I told them I had suicidal thoughts would kick me out. No matter how much love religious parents show you, there's a line you can't cross.
I had a very secular upbringing growing up since my mom is a former ‘buddhist’ and my dad is catholic but not super religious, and I cannot imagine what the both of you must be going/have gone through. I wish you all the best and all of the happiness in this world, even if you didn’t have to deal with all of this crap.This Watchtower organization sounds absolutely terrifying! (I thought SGI was bad enough)
She is so cute and I hope everything got right for her.
It crashed me emotianlly, because I felt the same a few years ago, when I see some informations and want to ask questions, but there where nobody who I could ask. My worldly friends where fabulous, but they don'T know about my struggles and then I find another friend where I thought: I have to protect her, because she is such a .... teddybear.
And that was, when I begin to think and I actually find german channels and documentaries I wasn't allowed to watch before, because I was a (unbaptized) witness and I researched this informations and then I noticed the truth and that gets me to ask questions for myself more and more and I would call me an awake person now. And I want that there are more people that could wake up, begin to ask and get out of this cult.
Actually I love, that I could raise my daughter as an atheist and I told her, that it'S okay to tell lies to her grandparents, because we live with them and she knows, she shouldn't lie at other things (because I'm this kind of crazy mothers who notice this and know everything - and she is like: From where did you know this mommy) but my parents would call me out when they would notice the truth about my believes and the not-believing of my daughter.
So I wait till I could get a job and move out and then my daughter could grow up free-minded.
Incredibly impactful video. This video, and the others I've seen on your channel, have earned you a sub. Keep doing what you're doing.
Telltale, I only found your channel today and it's amazing, you did a great job with this. Thank you for helping people like this. It is truly awful what happened to her and you
This is an incredible, moving, disturbing and painful story. It was hard to listen to, but I listened to every word. Thanks for sharing and thanks for doing the incredible work. I was raised Catholic so leaving the church was as simple as just moving out of my parents' house. While they continued to believe and actually spiral in until they died, they never turned their backs on me or any of my 5 siblings. I can't imagine going through this, but I'm glad both you and she made it out.
Bless you for reaching out and aiding this girl ♡
Made me cry. Thx. I'm glad you're so successful and helping others.
I wish I could give this girl a hug.
Your friend who read the script, she have such a beautiful voice. That story was filled with emotions. I can't tell what I would do in such a situation. I shed a few tears.
Don't agree with your take on College anymore mate. Most of my tradie friends are doing really well.
Heise Says Dude, trades are extremely popular. Some jobs like grocery workers and stuff like that often don’t pay well enough. But the religion often portrays it as the perfect job
kicking out your child is just so sickeningly wrong. i was also kicked out at 18 (though not for religious reasons) and it's brutally hard, I can't imagine how hard it would be to be 16! At least I could sign a lease and etc. I truly hope the girl from this video is doing better now, though I know it hasn't been long.
Great video man. Small tech suggestion: overall volume could be like 10 or 15 percent louder. Keep up the great work!
wow that is so messed up. I do not know how a parent could hurt their kid like that. this is just wrong on so many levels. thank you for speaking out about this. I never went through this as I was never JW but it sickens me that they would make parents hurt their kids.
“If I see some evidence, I’ll believe it.” Is agnosticism in its finest form.
This poor girl! I’m going through a very similar situation (replace Jehovah’s Witness with Mormon)
I relate to her so much, but the fact that she’s ex Jehovah’s Witness allows me to see the bullshit that that I wouldn’t be able to see if she was Mormon, even though it’s probably the same bullshit.
Honestly, I hope knows how brave she is, and I hope her situation will start to get better.
oh no
not the
*fan art*
lol jk
yeah i dunno if I can live without my daily dose of seeing drawings of telltale as an anthropomorphic wolf
yep I was 15.And had no clue how to take care if myself.Made me a target.See I'm 60 now but believe me my world did not have cell phones or things like now. For all of you that have this hapoen.Stand tall tell the Facts .Look at it as objectively as you can..Your not grown and and should not be on your own so young.My heart goes out to you.Reach for the support groups....Hugs to all of YOU
I was never a Jehovah's witness, i was a Baptist, and you have been a sense of encouragement through a dark time in my life. Everyday i would go to church and sit there. Drawing. And being bored as hell. The only thing good it came from is my interest in art. But there was a point when i got "saved". But after that day, it started to fall part. My church wasn't selfish, my parents actually believe in god. A deep moral dedication. But they are not good people. My mom is an angry, physically broken lady you cant disagree with. My dad is a more peaceful person when he's not with my mom. Regardless of that, i found my evidence. And you flattened down the clay for that foundation. For that i thank you
I’m naming my first child Alpha Force Zero. Your daughter AFZ is absolutely adorable and I hope she does get into Harvard and wish she does well with classes. Your the biggest inspiration, keep doing what your doing.
i started crying fuccckkkk
i really hope things get better for her
You were very helpful and calm when she needed it, you do good work!
Wow. I grew up in a secular household, whith parents who encouraged me to form my own, informed opinion, and for a long, long time I thought that was normal. Now, I realise how incredibly lucky I am. This is oppression on a whole other level, and I find it insane that this has been happening around me for so long whilst I lived in my little, privileged bubble. I'm so sorry to anyone who has been in this situation, and I realise that I'll never understand how it feels to be treated like that. Keep doing what you're doing, Telltale.
I need help. I’m stuck in this religion and it’s really taking a toll on me. Especially since i’m gay. i need tips to manage. I’ve told my parents twice and even hinted at them that I didn’t wanna go anymore and they said i’m spiritually sick... and they keep bluntly ignoring it.
Dishonored run.
It's been 3 years since I left the "truth." And it's still hard to get the brain washed way of thinking out of my head. It's hard to merge my way into normal behavior of society. Luckily my mother and sister haven't completely shunned me but I lost all of my friends. And in school I wasn't allowed to have any. It's an every day struggle that's very depressing at the moment. Unfortunately there's no help groups in my area for stuff like this. But knowing there's people like yourself that have found a way to motivate your lifes goals and accept the unfortunate truths is inspiring. So thank you.
surprisingly ill never get tired of the music on this channel
Keep these interviews coming, they are great !
It is really beautiful how you help people who are suffering, thank you Telltale, keep up your great work. Edited to add: she was 16?!?!? So wrong!!!!
That poor kid. Do you know if it worked out for her? Did her friends family take her in?
I wanted 3 kids, but we only had one. I can't imagine not being thrilled if my kid was opening up her mind and exploring new things. Including new religions. Shes 16... it's all about exploration and finding out who you are.
A high school education only won't get you far in life anymore.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
1) Getting the basics out of the way at a Jr. College is a great way to keep your costs down, and a great place to start especially if your high school grades are not stellar.
2) Check out dual enrollment. Our county is paying for my 16 year old to take night classes in addition to her high school education. It's a lot of work, but it counts 2x.
3) In high school, check out the JROTC program if they have one. My daughter is in it, and the 2 men leading the program are fantastic. Ive watched how great they are with the kids with family problems. Supportive.
My kid has done amazing things she couldn't have done otherwise this past year. Keep in mind,however, that while this program is open to everyone and is technically not a recruitment program, it sure as looks like one to me. That could be because of the men running our program. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
4) Concider a certificate program in a flexible career related to what your interested in. For example, if your looking to be a nurse, phlebotomy is a fairly short term course of education. It pays pretty well and has lots of flexibility. It would let you make enough to keep yourself afloat while studying for an even better career.
5) Americorps. I believe you can get a stipend in addition to job experience and education benefits. 3 square meals a day as well.