Since I left the religion, everything have being going bad for me in all sense of the word like it's heartbreak after heartbreak, I was in jail for a traffic situation, license suspended, lost my job, etc maybe they were right.

I don't know if I believe that satan exists or not, but the jws have been telling me that satan will take advantage and mistreat me now that he have the opportunity. I am depressed taking pills currently and attempted to do something recently and I was in the psych ward for a week.

This term to demonize people that actually do thier research and realize the Org is based on nothing, knows it and will still controls you.

The Bible is just another book written by men.

The GB do not want you to think critically, because when you do, nothing make sense anymore.

I'm not much of a crier or an emotional person at all. I've been affected by suicide in my life (non-jw related) and I've never been one to really think about it myself. But after waking up, I'll admit it crossed my mind a few times. Mainly because of the usual family issues, especially if my own kids were to turn against me. The way I feel now, there's no way I wouldn't be labeled an apostate.

We visited a family members hall in person today and I was able to tune most of the WT out. But then I heard a comment about child abuse so I tuned in to hear what they were talking about. I usually read ahead for Sundays meeting and didn't get a chance to this time. I was fuming. The fact that child abuse is listed right alongside apostasy like they are the same upset me. And then knowing that the GB referenced this watchtower in their letter to Norway, this was another one of their tricks to go "see? We haaaate child abuse. There's proof in this poorly written watchtower"

Then came the paragraphs about "we'll talk to disfellowshipped ones, but don't forget to hate apostates."

Right there in my seat with almost no control, tears started coming down my face. Only my husband noticed but I felt absolutely awful. I hate this, I hate all of this. I was actually doing okay, comfortably planning my fade and then this happens and it all just feels so dark again.

So news at JW org that ramapo project can start. Why do you think they want the media center? They been doing videos for years now and increase of JWs is stagnant.

Maeby it's because they wanna go online and gonna focus on just videos. Maeby they gonna build and sell ramapo buildings in the future.

The project gonna swallow a lot of donation money.Maeby org goes broke.

…Is a new autobiographical book release by Welsh actor Luke Evans who grew up as a JW. I haven’t finished it yet but it has been so very good so far. Im listening to it on audible, he reads it himself. I highly recommend it.

So, weird thing...when I used to be PIMI, I was sort of known for bringing a certain kind of cookie to get-togethers. Nothing unusual or anything, just a specific kind that I've never seen anyone else make. Yesterday, my PIMI wife is helping organize a JW party and someone casually mentions that she should make "those cookies" for the party. My wife explains that, actually, it was her husband (me, now a mentally-diseased POMO) who made those. "Oh really? Well...can he still make them?"

So today I made a huge batch of these cookies that everyone remembers me for, to be served at a party I am not attending (and likely would not be welcome at anyway), and I laugh when I imagine people eating them and remembering me. I like to picture them being confused AF when they try to comprehend why I would make treats for something JW-related that I am not attending. I wonder if any of them will text me or say anything to my wife. No bridges were burned when I left but it is known at least by some that I do not believe in the religion anymore. My inactive status and zero attendance at meetings should confirm this to anyone else not in the know.

Is it wrong that it humors me to do this? I could have just said no, and my wife would not have blamed me in the slightest. I would normally abhor anything tied to the religion, including parties and events, but for some reason I am just laughing internally nonstop about making cookies for this thing. Is this pathological behavior? Should I get some help? 😁

So my little brother is having a wedding soon and I’m the only one in the family not invited because I’m DF’d. It just shows me where my families heart is at, and the level of control this cult has over them. It’s funny they claim that Jehovah is loving and that their organisation is the most loving, but how on Earth can someone say they love you when they won’t even let you come to a wedding over a religious belief? So much for “normal family relations continue” This cult sucks!

I got this text from my father today

“Hi, we hope everyone is doing well. We are going to be in your area before the Thanksgiving holiday. Want to know if it would be ok to stop by and see the kids. Please let me know. Look forward to hearing from you. “

Now he hasn’t texted or been in contact with me or my children for about 3 years. My mother is closer to 2. There was some drama a few years ago where I ended up having to tell both of my parents that if they won’t respect my boundaries regarding my children and their religion then they won’t have access to them. I’ve stood firm and there has been absolute no contact from them since I sent that message around 2 years ago. This is completely out of the blue and tbh it threw me for a loop. I really don’t know how to respond to this and I would love some suggestions from you lovely people.

Example for me I’m (32 male), I have free rent and always have food.

I have an amazing family, and an opportunity to save a ton of money, and I’m kind of single.

I’ve Been separated from my wife for 3 years, and now I’m officially guilty of fornication, with a 49 year old woman.

I feel bad about it, and now it’s public knowledge. ( I told my parents about it, now I have to talk to the elders about all my sins since I’m a very transparent person.

We have a big family vacation planned this January, and I’ve already paid 3 grand to go it.

The elders were trying to help me but I went down a bad path, with weed, (public nudity at the river at a nudist spot), and drinking too much / having sex.

I don’t have any privileges in the hall and I’ve been disfellowshipped before.

My parents might kick me out, and my elders might disfellowship me next month.

The meeting hasn’t happened yet, but in my case it makes sense to try to stay in for money reasons and to minimize my stress.

Curious to know what you would do if you were in my situation?

I wrote a few weeks back about an elder and his elderette wife that showed up to irritate me. I told them I wasn't interested. He asked some prying questions that I didn't feel he deserved an answer to. Well, just this week they returned to pester my spouse while I was gone and she was alone at the house. She is a never-JW but she knows all about them and their vile practices so she has no interest in being one.

The conclusion I've come to is that he's going to repeatedly bother me until I give him some profane comments, and then he can run back and tell everyone how this "obviously demon-influenced apostate" cursed him out while the elder was obviously just offering precious spiritual food. The level of manipulation and attempted guilt-tripping from the JWs is bordering on insane.

I'm most disappointed in myself because it's brought everything back from years ago, and I've let it get to me again. I know he has no real power over me, but every time I see him and his smirking, smug wife, I have a completely involuntary reaction.

Just leave me alone! Go off and do whatever you want, threaten anybody you want with certain annihilation when Armageddon happens 5 minutes from now. But please just leave me alone! I've wasted far too much of my life and my sanity worrying about you and your rapidly diminishing cult.

I was scrolling through jwfacts.org’s piece on misogyny in the congregation/JW structure and was reminded of this story!

At some point in 2021/2022, I tagged along with my father to a meeting for the brothers at the Kingdom Hall where they were working on building up their public speaking skills. They would present and comment on each other's delivery.

I was there, a young Sister (I am transmasc but was fem-presenting and cis-presenting at the time), and at a couple points, I raised my hand and gave a couple comments about the presentations. There was nothing said against me doing that, and everyone appreciated the comments I gave.

At some point after that, I believe it was a couple days later, my grandfather (secretary of the congregation) approached me to tell me that, even though my compliments were appreciated, that I should not have been called on to give any advice to the brothers. It was not my fault for giving the critiques, but rather that they should not have been given at all because the brothers should not have called on me.

I had been baptized for 8/9 years at that point, longer than some of the brothers in that room had been in "the Truth," and I am a damned good speaker (or critic of one, that is), but apparently my opinion should not have any value because I'm a "woman."

Damn. And I wonder why, at the age of 12, I wanted to make a "Feminist Jehovah's Witnesses" which would do everything the current organization did but at least gave women opportunities to give talks and whatnot.

God forbid a woman/fem-presenting person do anything. (Except, actually, "He" does forbid it, if this post is anything to go by.)

The people who were part of the original generation of 1914 would be well over 100 years old today, if any were still alive. Since 1914 was over 110 years ago, anyone born in that year would be at least 110 years old. Most people from this generation have passed away, as the global average life expectancy generally does not exceed this age.

The Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine of "overlapping generations" aims to address this challenge, as they interpret “this generation” to include not only those who directly experienced the events of 1914 but also those anointed individuals who later overlapped with them in their lifetimes. This doctrine effectively extends the concept of “this generation” beyond the original 1914 generation, allowing the prophecy in Matthew 24:34 to remain relevant for present-day Witnesses.

Aka seductive coercion and threat ofexistential alienation.

I received this message from a different number:

Elder: (My full name) 11/4/2024

Good morning (my name). This is (Elder name) and (Another elder). We read your letter asking to be disassociated from Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Since you mentioned your love for Jehovah and the friends and added your number we wanted to ask, would you consider meeting with me, (Elder name) and (Elder name) for a brief discussion.

I replied much more direct and coldly because I was so sick of it:

Me: I’ve made it clear that my decision to leave Jehovah’s Witnesses is final and non-negotiable. Do not contact me again regarding this matter.

Elder: My apologies. We will respect your wishes

THEY ANNOUNCED IT AT THE MEETING, IM OFFICIALLY OUT. 🎉🙌

I like having things be finalized and in order, so I’m over the damn moon. Officially no longer one of Jehovah’s witnesses! 👏

The term "cult" is complex and can mean different things depending on context, often carrying negative connotations. Sociologists, religious scholars, and mental health professionals generally distinguish between high-control groups (which may be labeled as cults in popular culture) and more conventional religious or social organizations based on specific characteristics.

Here are a few traits often associated with high-control or "cult-like" groups and how they relate to Jehovah's Witnesses:

1. Exclusive Truth Claims: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are the only true Christian religion and that they alone understand God's will accurately. Many mainstream religions hold similar views about having the correct path to God, but critics argue that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ claim to exclusive truth, combined with their “new light” doctrine that changes beliefs over time, resembles high-control tendencies.

2. Authoritarian Leadership: The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses holds a central authority and is seen as the only channel through which God communicates with the organization. Members are taught to obey this leadership unquestioningly, which is a trait often associated with high-control groups.

3. High Expectations of Conformity: Jehovah’s Witnesses have strict expectations regarding behavior, dress, association, and even medical choices, such as refusing blood transfusions. They discourage higher education and avoid association with people outside the organization, which can lead to social isolation. This level of control is common in groups often labeled as cult-like.

4. Disfellowshipping and Shunning: Members who leave or are expelled are often shunned by family and friends still in the faith, a practice that can create a powerful incentive to stay and conform. This practice is seen by many as coercive and isolating, which is another characteristic associated with high-control groups.

5. Control Over Information: Jehovah's Witnesses discourage members from reading critical materials or engaging in discussions that might question the organization’s teachings, a trait often noted in high-control groups that seek to prevent dissenting viewpoints.

While some former members and critics of Jehovah's Witnesses view them as a cult, many members see the structure as providing unity, discipline, and spiritual focus. Religious scholars often classify Jehovah’s Witnesses as a "high-control" or "high-demand" group rather than a cult in the strictest sense, though there is ongoing debate. The experience of being a Jehovah’s Witness can vary greatly, and whether one views it as a cult often depends on personal experience and perspective.

You know..the ones they have us read even though we’ve heard them a million times. Let’s build a list. I’ll start: REV 21:4…

From the abundance of the heart speaks the mouth.

Certainly a Christian Denomination with 3 of its leaders completely ignoring Jesus name speaks volume of what is going on their mind and heart.

This is what I believe. The Governing Body is essentially replacing Jesus character reason why it is constantly ignored or just mention as Jehova's Sacrifice to rescue us from Sin. Move on then organization.

Also look at this wording

They loved Jehovah and his organization

Truth - 11 Times

Jehovah - 39 Times

Jehovah + Organization - 1 Times

Israel + Israelites - 2 Times

Governing Body - 3 Times

Quotes from the old testament none from the new testament.

Jehova's Witness must be the Beyond Meat of Christianity because it has been fully replaced by the Synthetic Version called Governing Body.

I also asked ChatGPT for Manipulation Tactics quoted here:

The transcript contains several elements that may indicate manipulation tactics, though many aspects are also genuine expressions of faith and communal support. Here’s an analysis of potential tactics:

1. Emotional Appeal: The script emphasizes stories of hardship and suffering among members, such as natural disasters and persecution, followed by descriptions of relief efforts. This serves to elicit sympathy and reinforce a sense of solidarity and dependency on the organization.
2. Testimonials and Personal Stories: The script includes testimonies from members and Governing Body representatives about their life journeys, sacrifices, and the happiness they found in service. These anecdotes act as persuasive appeals, showcasing personal success tied to the organization, which can inspire and compel others to remain committed.
3. Us vs. Them Mentality: Mention of persecution, such as arrests in Eritrea, reinforces a narrative of external opposition. This can create a “siege mentality,” making members feel that they are part of a persecuted group, thereby increasing cohesion and loyalty within the group.
4. Appeal to Authority: By referencing appointments of Governing Body members and spiritual responsibilities, the script stresses hierarchical loyalty, encouraging members to follow appointed leaders without questioning.
5. Fear and Encouragement of Dependence: The narrative often suggests that following the organization’s teachings is the only way to experience genuine love, stability, and security. This dependence discourages members from questioning or considering alternatives outside of the organization.
6. Selective Storytelling: The script highlights stories of individuals who have found success and contentment by staying with the organization, which can create a biased perspective. Negative experiences or difficulties outside of these paths are rarely discussed, providing an imbalanced view of what life as a member is like.
7. Reinforcement of Community Over Individual Identity: Phrases like "Jehovah’s people" and "our brothers and sisters" emphasize collective identity, which can minimize individuality and make members feel they should conform to group expectations.

This is the full transcript:

Welcome, brothers and sisters. Since our last update, we've had two more special conventions. Both were held in Chile. More than 4,700 delegates traveled from 21 countries to attend these two conventions. There was a combined peak attendance of over 17,000, and were baptized. The special convention touched the hearts of many, including a delegate named Jonathan. He said, The love you have shown us at every step of this trip, from the welcome at the airport to all the different activities, the beautiful gifts, the friends at the convention, the wonderful reception personnel at the hotel, it has been unbelievable. We thank Jehovah for allowing us to have this incredible experience, he said. A delegate named Jessica said, Thank you for giving us a preview of the new world. Recently, we've had a number of significant natural disasters. In mid-September, Storm Boris affected Central Europe, bringing heavy rain and

powerful wind. Hundreds of our brothers and sisters were displaced and received relief aid. Meanwhile, southern Africa continues to be affected by an unprecedented drought. Various branch offices, including Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, have helped tens of thousands of our brothers to have the food they need. In late September, and early October, Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the southeastern United States. The two storms caused devastating floods and landslides. Sadly, three publishers were killed. Over 11,000 of our brothers were displaced. The storms damaged or destroyed 17 Kingdom Halls and more than 2,500 of our brothers' homes. We continue to pray for all of our brothers who are affected by these disasters. And we are grateful for the many volunteers who are supporting disaster relief. Of course, we also appreciate the generous donations that allow us to care for the needs of our brothers who are facing these terrible situations. On September 27, 2020,

In authorities in Eritrea raided a private home where a peaceful meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses was being held. Initially, the police arrested 24 of our brothers and sisters, including two minor children. Later, the children were released. This raid occurred nearly 30 years after the president of Eritrea revoked the citizenship of Jehovah's Witnesses. in 1994. This decree is still in force and prevents the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses from leading a normal life, owning property, running a business, or even finding employment. Days after the raid, the police arrested and imprisoned 85-year-old Sister Leta Berhan Tesfi. Sister Leta Berhan was one of the first in Eritrea to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. She was baptized in 1957. Eight of her children and eight of her grandchildren are serving Jehovah. Her daughter Hadassah Seresani is imprisoned with her. Sister Saron Gebru and her husband were also arrested. Saron is about six months pregnant. Saron's brother Hinnok is

the longest imprisoned brother in Eritrea at this time. He was first arrested in January 2005. As of November 1, 64 of our brothers and sisters in Eritrea are in prison. We continue to pray for the 223 brothers and sisters around the world who are currently imprisoned for their faith. At the annual meeting on October 5, 2024, there was a very exciting announcement. Brothers Jody Jadley and Jacob Rumpf were appointed to serve as members of the Governing Body. We are happy to have them with us in this studio. Let's spend a few minutes getting better acquainted with them. Welcome, brothers. We have so many questions that we'd like to ask you. But maybe you could help us to know a little bit about how you came

to love Jehovah. First, what helped you to come to know Jehovah so that you wanted to serve him? Well, I was raised in the truth. Dad was baptized in the 1940s and he served faithfully until he passed away. And mom was baptized in the 1950s. They loved Jehovah and his organization. So their love for Jehovah helped my sister and me form a relationship with Jehovah as well. As I grew up, And I learned the truth. The truth just made sense. But what really convinced me that it was the best way of living was the love amongst Jehovah's people. I remember during the summer vacations, brothers and sisters would come from around the country to preach in unassigned territory near us. And we didn't know these friends before they came. But when they arrived, we were instant family. And it was simply because we all served Jehovah. And that had a real impression on me.

My parents were raised around the truth. However, my mother was inactive, and as I was growing up, my father was also not a witness. Although we never really associated with the congregation, my mother did teach us basic Bible truth. I knew God's name was Jehovah. I knew that I should only pray to Him, and I also knew that the earth would be converted into a paradise. Also, when I would visit my paternal grandmother once or twice a year, who was a very faithful witness, I really felt drawn to Jehovah by her because of her words and her beautiful Christian qualities. I wanted to know who Jehovah really was. So when I was about 13 years old, I asked my mother if I could study the Bible. I reasoned, well, if this really is the truth, then I wanted to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. And if it wasn't the truth, well, then I still wanted to be a good person. Interestingly, my mother had already been wanting to come back

jehovah so we progressed together soon after my study started i realized that this was the truth that i was looking for my mother was reactivated and a month later i was approved to be an unbaptized publisher now i'm happy to say that my whole immediate family is in the truth and they continue to be an excellent example of faith for me brother rumpf what motivated you to pursue full-time service? I would say that the good example of mature pioneers that made the pioneer service their career, as well as circuit overseers that took an interest in me, really had a big impact on me growing up. I saw how happy they were and the stories they had of serving where the need was greater, even some of them expanding their service into distant lands. So all of that made me really want to be a missionary. So after high school,

I started in the pioneer service. My story is similar to Jake's. Being around those who enjoyed full-time service helped. For example, our parents had the pioneer spirit. They both pioneered until the children came along. And later, mom was able to start pioneering again, and she continues until now. During summer vacations, we would auxiliary pioneer as a family. We'd go in the ministry with the circuit overseer. And most summers, we'd also visit Bethel. All of those activities helped us to see firsthand that full-time service was simply a great way of life. So when I finished high school, I began pioneering and later was invited to Bethel at 19. My sister and her husband also served at Bethel. What have been some of your assignments over the years, and how have you benefited from them? Well, I was assigned to the cleaning department when I came to Bethel at Wallkill, and it was a great crew. We enjoyed working with each other.

And working on different teams and on rotating schedules helped me see the need to be adaptable to get work done. About two and a half years later, I was transferred to the office where I worked with staffing matters and medical matters, and I was even able to help missionaries with medical care that they needed. Later, Damaris and I got married and we were transferred to Brooklyn, where I also continued to work with medical matters. We served in Brooklyn until 2005, when we left Bethel to help take care of parents. We both pioneered, and I served on the hospital liaison committee and on the regional building committee. We came back to Bethel eight years later for a two-week assignment on the Warwick construction project. I guess it's lasted a little bit longer. We've been at Bethel ever since. In 2015, we were transferred to Patterson to work with the newly formed local design construction department, or LDC. In 2018, the LDC was moved to Wallkill.

So we went full circle. We came back to where we started. And then in 2021, I was assigned to the hospital information department. And in 2022, we were transferred to Warwick to work with hospital information services. In every assignment along the way, it's been a privilege to learn from spiritual men and women. Over the years, it was faith-strengthening to see brothers who carried heavy theocratic responsibilities. They have to They set the example in being kind and humble. They were glad to share their knowledge with the rest of us. And when we were outside of Bethel, we saw how hard parents work to raise their children in the truth and how the brothers and sisters love to support theocratic activities. Jehovah truly has wonderful people, and I treasure those examples. Yeah, as for me, in the 1998 regional convention, I remember that there was a talk that highlighted

several countries where there was a need for pioneers, and one of those mentioned was Ecuador. So I prayed about it, I looked at my circumstances, I did some investigation, and after that convention I decided to write to the Ecuador branch for information. Well, after visiting to check it out, I was happy, with Jehovah's help, to be able to make the move. And the territory was so amazing at that time. Many right-hearted ones were searching for the truth. My dream to serve in a missionary field was becoming a reality. But really the greatest blessing for me in serving in Ecuador was meeting my future wife, Inga. And then after marriage, we continued serving where the need was great, there in Ecuador. Several years later,

We were assigned as special pioneers and eventually we started in the circuit work, caring for a circuit that included even some congregations in the Amazon jungle, and that was a lot of fun. Then in 2011, we were surprised to be invited to the 132nd class of Gilead, which was also a great privilege for us. And after Gilead, our life has seen a lot of changes. We've served in different parts of the world and in enjoyed many different privileges. But in all of these assignments, what we've really learned is to just be content to do our best with what jehovah allows us to do each day and to not get too worried about what we can't control. Another thing that we've learned is that it's never the place that makes an assignment special, but it's the people, really, that you get to serve with. And we love those precious friends so much.

Is there a scriptural thought that has strengthened you as you begin this new assignment? I think for me, the example of Joshua helps. And what Jehovah told him when he received a new assignment. Joshua had always been a courageous servant of Jehovah for decades. He walked through the Red Sea. He led the Israelites in battle against the Amalekites. He was a spy. And he helped Moses for years in very difficult situations. Yet at Joshua 1.9, interesting what Jehovah tells him. He tells him, have I not commanded you? Be courageous and strong. Do not be struck with terror or fear. And next Jehovah reminds Joshua of why he could take on his new assignment. He tells him, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go. And that's really the point. Jehovah

is with us as we take on new assignments. I look back and I know he helped me on all the other assignments over the years. So I know he'll help me with this assignment too. I also like that Jehovah told Joshua that he was with him. He was personal with Jehovah. And Jehovah hasn't changed. So it's not about what I can do. It's about what he can do. And Jehovah can do anything. He personally supports each of his servants. So I can trust that Jehovah will be with me personally. He will help me care for the new assignment. And that helps. I personally felt a lot like Gideon felt when he received his assignment. He came from a normal background and he didn't think that he would really ever be able to make much of a difference. But Jehovah, through an angel, reminded him of an important fact at Judges chapter 6 and verse 14. He told him,

"'Go with the strength you have, and you will save Israel out of Midian's hand. Is it not I who send you?' The reality is, with Gideon's own strength, he couldn't do much. So Jehovah's basically telling Gideon, "'You just bring what you have to offer, and I'll bring the rest.'" To be honest, the thought of serving in this capacity was scary for me and my wife. But we just want to try to imitate Gideon. Just do our best and let Jehovah make up the difference. This work is His, and He will make sure that it continues successfully. Thank you, brothers. I remember 30 years ago when I first started serving on the Governing Body, I had some of those feelings as well, and I know He'll help you too. We are so happy to have you on the Governing Body, and we wish you Jehovah's blessing

in your new assignment. And we continue to pray for all of you. We love you all very much. From the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, this is JW Broadcasting.

Hi,

Today I answered the door, and there were 2 JW. A granny and her grand son. I usually don't answer the door when I am not expecting a delivery or something, because most of the time, it will be JW or Mormons, and I don't have the headspace for this. But, I am in a good place at the moment, so this time, I did answer the door.

I was my usual kind happy atheist self, so we had a pleasant but fruitless convo. Her talking about creation and design, and me talking about randomness and mutations. Anyways...

What worries me, is the grand son, about 18. Is there anything I can do to help JW that come to talk to me?
I didn't think about it on the spot. I just realised after the fact that there might have been something I could have done for him.
The only thing I could think of, where asking him if he was ok, or "your in cult son, GTFO". Which would not have helped, maybe even I would I come up hostile.

Thank you by advance

Hi everyone. Both me and my former pioneer wife woke up more or less at the same time. It's been amazing to have the support and go through this journey together. She stepped down from pioneering a few months ago and is more or less free to start to fade but I'm still a servant and can't bare the charade of pretending I'm still mentally in. I want to fade too but I'm really struggling to know how exactly to go about it. Should I just tell someone I'm stepping down and refuse to talk about why? Any help would be appreciated

Hey. I'm feeling very long time no see about this subreddit. I've lurked here for a while, but honestly I've had a weird few years. I was definitely what you would call PIMO since like 2020, but due to safety/financial circumstances couldn't make moves to really get out of my situation. My family is deeply lost in the sauce when it comes to being witnesses. They're active in all kinds of activities, my mom and sisters are both pioneers, dad's an elder, the whole 9 yards. After a long fight to get my bachelors and a job, I'm now living in Japan, halfway around the world from my JW family, but...the pressure to still be part of a congregation is almost unbearable. I really don't want to be a part of the congregation anymore, but the thought of going completely no contact with my family is...honestly pretty terrifying for me. I have a good family, they've always been supportive. It's really just the jw thing that makes me struggle.

I've been questioning all of this for a while, and have been trying to decide lately if I want to send in an official letter of dissociation. To be honest, I've done plenty to get myself DF'd (and actually was briefly DF'd when I was still a minor) but it seems cleaner to do it that way. Even still, it's scary, and I feel awful just moving halfway around the world and then cutting my family off for good. Doesn't that seem really shitty? I don't know. I guess I wanted to come here for advice, to see if anyone else had a similar situation and what you did, how it went, etc. I think with the recent election I'm feeling the pressure even more to be able to be myself without hiding a huge chunk from my family.

I appreciate any help. Thanks.

If you reply to my greeting please share your wicked works😆😆😆.

Hi, I am a POMO for some yeas but was long a POMI. I know that many of you here don't believe the Bible anymore, but I never lost my faith in God and honestly thought that the JWs at least were the closest to the truth. (Stupid of me in retrospective). One day, I don't remember exactly why, but I wanted to show others that there are some misconceptions about the Bible like the Trinity has no basis. Somehow I had the feeling that I need to prepare myself for this and I am quite happy that I did some research and not blindly spread JWs propaganda. I found a lot of basis and connections for the Trinity also with some help of YouTubers that made it very clear and showed how the org changed the translations to fit their lies.

I wanted to show my parents, who still are POMIs this and thought, it was so clear to me, it would be clear to them. But boy, was I wrong. My father thinks now Satan's control has reached me etc. I must say, I am not good at explaining (I am low level autistic). Also I can't show them the YouTube Videos since they are all in English and my parents only speak German. They don't believe the org anymore but think that it was much better in the early days and they pretty much still have the whole JW theology in mind with the 144.000 being a special class, and so on.

My strategy was that I show them that the biblical authors wrote it like they were convicted that Jesus is Jehovah but they always take the verses alone and say it also could mean something else or they say this doesn't prove anything and have all the JWs excuses.

So, if someone had success on you, how did they manage?

I reached out to a friend of mine half a year ago because she had been disfellowshipped durong covid and i missed her.

We caught up a few times amd it seemed like she was looking into other religions and being more open minded and living her best life.

She texted me yesterday asking about my birth date and then told me she was going back to the meetings but starting off over zoom.

Does anyone have similar instances and what did you do about it?

The best thing I ever did was leave that religion. When I was nine years old my parents tried their hardest to brainwash me into getting baptized. I remember I was all for it until I turned 15. That’s when they tried their ultimate hardest. I saw through everything and I knew it was a cult. I even confronted my mom about it being a cult and her eyes grew large and she screamed her head off. The mental gymnastics were insane.

Then around age twenty, I did some research on Charles Taze Russell. His wife accused him of abuse and divorced him. I confronted my parents with that information and again my mom lost it. I couldn’t have a civil conversation with her about him. Her eyes grew large and the mental gymnastics kicked in as she screamed loudly to prevent me from talking further.

After she calmed down, she said, “It doesn’t matter that his wife divorced him or accused him of abuse, he was a very smart man who knew how to interpret the Bible better than anyone else in history.”

Anyway, due to my delusional upbringing and all the mental gymnastics, emotional and mental abuse I suffered I look back and realize how immature my parents are. I personally believe they are also narcissists and this religion aligns with how narcissists behave. They believe they’re better than others; that’s essentially what that whole religion is about, “I have the truth and you don’t. So that makes me better than you (worldly person).”

My life now, as a 45 year old wife and mom. My husband is a superintendent of a school district. An educated man with high emotional intelligence. My daughter is in a top-ranked college studying neuroscience. My youngest, 12, has a 3.9 GPA first year in middle school. And we ABSOLUTELY LOVE celebrating Halloween 🎃 and Christmas 🎄. This would’ve never been my life if I allowed myself to get brainwashed. I absolutely LOVE MY LIFE!

Hi all, I posted about this last week. I am a certified facilitator and trauma-informed strengths coach. I just wanted to repost and let everyone know that I’m going to start running a support group every other Saturday at 12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET. If you would like to attend, just send me a dm and I will share my information with you so you know who I am first, and then I can send you a calendar invitation and/or zoom link. 😊

Edit: this will be entirely online, in case that wasn’t clear, and the first one will be held today. Also, someone asked if there was a charge…there is not. This is free.

Something I noticed on the following decade, that people are becoming more and more hostiles when JW knock in their door.

I imagine that previous decades people had a higher degree of respect but with the current scandals and just people knowing how other JW treat each others I can imagine no one in their right mind wants to give JWs a chance with good reason.

I think the days of Ministry at least for the JWs is dead.

And well deserved.

Hello to all on this subreddit. I am non-religious, however, I love studying religions. Especially new religious movements. Including American, restorationist sects. I have studied Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, Christian Scientists and Jehovah's Witnesses. Of these groups, in my humble opinion, The Christian Scientists are the most horrific. Their withholding of ALL MEDICAL CARE to their children is absolutely child abuse. I have read many accounts of adults raised in the faith and their physically painful and mentally abusive childhoods. They have rapidly shrunk, and I expect them to go the way of the Shakers in my lifetime. However, again in my humble estimation, the Jehovah's Witnesses are the second worse restorationist religion. The discouraging of education. The misogyny. The joylessness of no holidays or birthday celebrations. The lack of a child or youth centered program separate from the adults. Discouraging outside activity and friendships. And, of course, the blood policy. I am extremely interested to know what would attract adult converts to this religion. If you converted as an adult, please tell me what about this religion appealed to you. Thank you so much for your answers! (In giving my assessment of the institutional faith, I don't intend to judge the adherents. We all are only human)

The Watchtower's 1992 Association with the United Nations was my wake up call some years ago.

I had the pleasure of sharing this information with a JW that was PIMQ and their jaw dropped. I was able to share more about CSA and other stuff. They were disturbed by this, and looks like both feet are now out of the door.

The Watchtower had to agree to share the ideals of the United Nations, which the Watchtower did in Awake magazines discussing the good things the U.N. was doing.

The Watchtower had to agree to:

• Agree to the ideals of the U.N.
• Have interest in the U.N. issues and be able to reach a large group of people.
• Fully support the Wild Beast LOL

Link to the UN Posting.

https://preview.redd.it/5qj0iwolcwzd1.png?width=632&format=png&auto=webp&s=c97c1b70da505cd8067284143b73c6ce6923f7c9

2year PIMO here, former MS. My Wife and love eachother lots!!!

Today me and my wife were scheduled to manage the AV at the meeting (It's the only thing making me go to a meeting, I'm also inactive for a month). I didn't go, I'm sick.

I made some jokes about the elder* that replaces me on the AV, she still went to the meeting. (In the past that elder said a couple of things completely absurd, assuming stuff that other could feel. It was funny and we mock him sometimes.)

I kept saying silly/funny things about it, and suddenly my wife said the title of this post... I answered with "ok babe, You are cheating on me, is it because of his beard? (He doesn't sport one) Is it is job? Oh no, you want fresh blood, maybe you're a vampire!" Again, joke mood.

It was funny enough to make this manageable. I always use humour to dodge uncomfortable moments. I'm ok with her going to meetings, I don't want to be labeled as the opposer. I'm not jealous about this whatsoever, but I know she would hate it if she was in my place, but she's not, i have some hobbies, but I'm not part of some club, because, well, I like being on my own, with only a few people.

I started thinking, why did I stop going to meetings, what was the thing that made "ok, enough, I'm sick of it" I think it was discovering all the things I don't agree and then I just don't want to support this org anymore.

What about you?

Cheers everyone!