Why I Left Jehovah's Witnesses | Former Bethel Elder
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- This video explains what it was like growing up as a Jehovah's Witness and how I made the decision to do a 180° turn in my life, leaving the religion/cult and pursuing a career in Computer Science at University.
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⏳ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Childhood
11:13 Adolescence
24:28 The "Problem"
29:48 Decision Time
34:18 Bethel
48:49 Waking Up
59:35 Freedom
1:00:26 Conclusion
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🎹 MUSIC CREDITS
Song title: I dunno
Artists: Grapes
Courtesy of Jeff Kendall ( / grapes-i-dunno )
Song title: BELIEVE
Artist: NEFFEX
Album: SOMETHING YOU COULD NEVER OWN
Courtesy of NEFFEX ( / neffex-believe )
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I remember being in that assembly/congregation when they played the video of the daughter trying to reach out to her parents, and her parents avoiding contact. Giving this whole idea of "she'll come back, she will we just have to pray to Jehovah and focus on what's best for her". I just remember giving a shocked and surprised face in the crowd, idk if anyone saw me do it but yeah that was when I broke and just became a PIMO (Physically In, Mentally out). Now I moved out and just tell my mom I still go to meetings because I'm not ready to break her heart just yet.
Which is absolutely toxic on what this religion does to the elderly.
and now they can speak 😂😂
Isn't it only greetings still? Or can they have full fledged convos@@nenala7684
I’m discovering that separation of “them” v “us” is so much more damaging in our youth than I had ever thought. I really struggle to develop relationships with people even as I near my forties…
So true!
@jrojala I absolutely agree.
55
Still lost
That about sums it up!
I have felt like I don’t belong on this planet since my breakdown over this at 38
We are never gonna be right
But
I keep pushing
Loved this Ben. Welcome to the free world. I am 16 years out and zero regrets. It was the fall of Babylon date that got me too! My JW family are all in and all shun me, but I have built friendships and 'family' with people who love me unconditionally. Life is very good when you can follow your dreams. Please do more, you have a talent for editing!
damn wow. you’re brave lol im a 17 year old jw and im trying to figure out how to tell my parents and everything and i have friends and everything on the outside but no non jw relatives in the whole state. i’ve brought up different things with my parents that i don’t agree with but they “reason” with me from the bible and i still don’t agree with what they’re saying but i have to pretend i do or i’ll get shunned lmao. do u have like a super concrete argument with irrefutable evidence that i could possibly bring up with them?
@@dillfunk89 this is so very sad that this organizations has made you even feel this way smh it's horrible and ungodly, i was raised in that cult and got out as soon as i was old enough to make my own choices. I hope that you do get away from their horrible doctrines and it's just so very sad and unloving that they make you choose to be happy and free to make your own decisions or lose your loved ones and friends. I mean that doesn't sound like a loving God to me. Have you asked your parents about the Australian Royal Commission? About all of those sexual abuse cases within that organizations and how the government body covered it up and was being sued every day that they didn't produce the records of those cases?, if you haven't yet, look up the Australian Royal Commission and ask them how they feel about that. These ppl are worse than the catholic church, also ask how they feel about the "2 witness rule" that's a rule that they have that if a child or someone comes to the brothers and says that brother pervert sexually molested them but the elders will not take action if there wasn't another witness there, i mean that is sick, if brother pervert is molesting someone, when is there going to be another person there to witness???.....that whole organization is sickening, also ask your parents about all the failed prophecies regarding when the end was coming, how they gave ppl all those different dates saying that Armageddon was going to happen and when it didn't happen the governing body blamed the witnesses saying that they let their imagination take over 😱, like wth, and then point out to them what the bible says about false prophets. The member of that organizations do not serve Jehovah, no they serve the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, they follow man made ideology, an imperfect humans own interpretation of the bible in which they change all the time to fit their narratives, it's disgusting.....anyway I'm praying that you get out of that cult and go on to live a happy fulfilling life believing that their is a higher power but these ppl are definitely representing that higher powered falsely, they are not godly ppl, they are not the truth, if you want to talk with me please lmk and I'll give you my personal info so that we may talk, just know that you are soooooo not alone in this, life can be so much better for you
@@dillfunk89
You’re still a minor & probably are not financially capable of being on your own yet. Think first, make a plan, otherwise you could end up homeless. Be patient & also be loving to your family.
Jason Zelda has a series of videos on what Watchtower doesn’t want it’s members to know. If you want to watch, take notes & mark the things you think might appeal to them. They obviously can’t be bombarded with a lot of information at once. They’ll think you’re crazy & fighting against them. Use your wisdom & common sense. Questions are very powerful (that’s what JW’s do right?) asking questions makes them want to search for answers.
There’s lots of “evidence” information on Jw facts.
Be wise.
Best to you!!!!! 🙏💕
@@dillfunk89
You may have misread Jilly C’s comment, it said that she’s “16 years OUT”, not 16 years old, that’s what I thought at first glance.
yeah i’d love to talk, do u have snapchat?
@10:18
never realised how simple JW belief is:
Just everything a child enjoys is forbidden.
and from there expand it adulthood.
I fear there is a great risk of PTSD among ex-JW's
Keep yourself together Ben
Hallo Ben, dein Video ist klasse. I really enjoyed it . Especially your sense of humor. I visited Bethel in Selters in October 2018 to visit my niece Melissa Turner, who was then working in the laundry. One year later I woke up and left the Organisation. That was the best decision ever. I am happy that you are free now and that you can be yourself. All the best and I would really love to see another Video from you.Brighton is so beautiful. Have been there on holidays .
Hallöchen! Danke!! Es freut mich, dass es dir gefallen hat. Sorry dass ich es nicht auf Deutsch gedreht hab. Naja.. vielleicht besser so 😜
@@BenFoard All different churches including exjws apostate are working for who and what is their future according to the Bible??????????
@@vusimngomezulu2500 hey Ben, Vusi Mngomezulu does not watch these videos (ex JW’s) but does comment on them despite the Bible telling him to LISTEN to someone BEFORE REPLYING! But Vusi chooses to listen to his 8 human leaders in New York over his Bible.
@@exjwwokeup1617 So all different churches including exjws apostate are working for who and what is their future according to the Bible???????????
I really enjoyed hearing about your journey in the organization. I could relate so much to your story as being gay myself in the organization for 30 years until I woke up after hearing about the CSA problem that the organization has been covering over. However being gay was a lot easier for me as I was not raised as a witness. I chose to be baptized at age 20 thinking it was the truth. So I just lived a double life for 30 years. And was able to do so because I was not raised by witness parents. I found my partner of life at age 30 and being together for over 21 years now enjoy every moment growing older with him. I'm so glad that I knew myself well enough to not allow the organization to stifle who I was as a gay man. So I welcome you on your exciting new journey as you explore your truly authentic self. Looking forward to hearing more content from you as your videos will help so many who are on their way to waking up.
I am so happy when someone leaves the JWs. I love it so much. Saw your video on Lloyd's channel and I'm looking forward to hearing so much from you Ben. So happy for you, all the best in college and enjoy your newfound freedom.
It's nice to see the apostate community growing, i hope to see more content from you. Seeing people recovering from this cult makes me very happy
Same!! So heartwarming to see so many waking up🥰🥰🖤
@@lumberjaxe8910 my brother these people just want to be fornicating freely they think God’s commandments are too difficult they want to be doing all sorts of bad things in the name of apostasy especially sex. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. James 4:4
@@sharonkankomba8016 Yes! We know who's controlling their filthy, angry, bitter revengeful minds.Sadly not many humans on the narrow path these days, and with the pressures in the World from cunning Satan, they disown Jehovah. Drugs, Alcohol abuse, lust, may bring them Instant pleasure, though after pleasure comes deep deep pain and sorrow, i was there once.Knowing Jehovah brings Joy followed by Peace and contentment. I really Appreciate JW's they have literally saved my Life, (Jehovah God Knows this) Jesus knows this, when no other christian denomination had time . JWs work is testament. Is the True Faith, i was born a Catholic, though they idolize the priests like Gods, and Money.And we know you can not serve two masters. Stay Safe Sister and Keep the Armour on to deflect the poisionous arrows .+ (comments)
@@lumberjaxe8910 thanks brother jaxe may Jehovah continue to bless you even me I used to go to any church have been associating with almost every church now am happy I have found the true religion and I love it and no one can change my mind 2timothy3:14. Ezekiel 11:21. 1 Peter 4:4-5
@@sharonkankomba8016 Amen 1 Peter 4:4-5 Thanks so so true.
Okay but it was so SO wonderful to see all the little bits at the end of Ben enjoying things and getting new experiences. That's what it's about. Having a fulfilling, unhindered life. ❤️
I'm sure you're going to thrive on "the outside" and I hope your story inspires others.
And he’s so smart!! Go for education!! And a loving partner so many exciting things ahead for u
Hi Ben, firstly big congratulations on getting out of the watchtower babble and crap society. I disassociated August 2019 after over 36 years in. I couldn’t clap that video at the assembly about the disfellowshiped girl trying to phone her mother and the mother not answering. Absolutely vile. Looking forward to hearing more videos. Sending support and love from U.K. 🇬🇧💜
You left the same time I officially left. I attended the last 3 day convention and that was it. It was the shunning that woke me up, my friends husband was disfellowshipped and I couldn't even say hello. The shunning is so unloving, and now both my JW adult children are doing this to me.
Excellent comment, and your videos are great x
Anita excellent comment, your videos are great and you should be interviewed, x
Babble and crap. Never heard that. Brilliant.
We also left August 2019, attended Friday and Saturday morning of the convention, because we had been scheduled to worked first aid, then spent. The afternoon at the state fair🤣
Congratulations on getting out 🎉You did such a good job of summing it all up on the typical JW upbringing. I really love your disassociation letter. I think it I may use it as inspiration for what I will put in mine when the time comes. I can definitely appreciate you not wanting to find evidence that the religion is false due to any bias. I felt the same in my journey. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just my wicked heart allowing Satan to mislead me. But, I can't unknow what I now know. I feel duped and embarrassed that I was in a cult 😳. I look forward to seeing more of your story 👍
I've been so looking forward to this! 😃 👏🏾
Thanks, Ben for sharing your story so courageously 👏🏾
Nice video Ben. At 1 hr long I thought I'd struggle but the time flew by!! Very interesting. I also was 'born in', father a well respected Elder, I gave Public Talks home and away blah blah, but I went down the disfellowshipped route and so lost all family as you will be aware.
However the last 20 years (I'm now 60!) have been truly amazing! Looking forward to your next video.
Spare a thought for lloyd everyone he needs a break👍.Well done Ben
It resonates with me so much when you said you didn’t want you sexuality to have part in your waking up. I felt the same, for a decade I kept my sexuality separated from my beliefs and figured one day I’d just end up in a hetero relationship that was accepted more. I’m so glad I woke up so I can be my true self, because if I’m in a hetero relationship or not, I’m still not straight and never will be.
same tbh
You think your sexuality had something to do with you leaving religion as most religious are against it? You may want to keep it separate, but it probably has alot to do with it. If you can disprove your prior religion, you will feel better about your wanted lifestyle. I studied my way out of Christianity myself and know the real reason I left.
Thank you so much for taking the time to record and edit this. Your honesty is so refreshing! The hour flew by…and also your letter was VERY well written. Cannot wait for your next video!
I remember watching those shunning videos at the convention.for the first time in 24 years I questioned my faith.i left a year later.now I'm being shunned but I don't regret it.it's ironic there own cult propaganda woke me up.
Happy to go through your Stories after leaving the JW Organisation. I was 37years with my Wife in the Organisation and has Visited Selters many Time but we left 2019 after seeing all these Bad Reports about Australian Child Abuse etc. Vielen Dank für dieses Licht und Aufwiedersehen
Possible there's some missing from the ARC.. l saw no aborignees..
What happened to them ?
In Australia..the natives should be black with all that sun..surely !?🤔
Were they genocided ??
Cognitive dissonance possibly..
Is that how God sees them ..unfit to be judges ?
@@compositioncompilation What has that got to do with Abuse of children within WT.ORG..My family is Aboriginal,The Genocide was the Tasmanian Aboriginals,which My family IS...Stop trying to downplay what happened to Thousands of children within the WT Org..Take the case of Barbara Anderson. She and her husband were both zealous Watchtower supporters for many years. They both were volunteer workers at Bethel. Due to her extensive research and close association with the Governing Body Sister Anderson became aware that the Service Department knowingly appointed pedophiles to positions of responsibility and maintained a database with the names of thousands of known pedophiles lurking within the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, many of whom had never been disfellowshipped, nor were their vile crimes against children ever reported to the local police.....
@@Linda-ux8un
Wow !!!
That's so very interesting..!
Wow !
Well..l appreciate the insightful comment and information.
I will accept as true what you have said without anyone s verifying.. which l ought not to do..in the interests of answering you..
I'm aware of tge governing body narrative(scriptural narrative..to hide that which might be potentially scary from the sheep..as God Almighty did using pillar of cloud and pillar of fire at night with Pharoah and his army chasing..fearful sights can be discouraging..)
This interesting indeed !
Well..that falls so exactly in line with ezekiels prophecy..
It's a stance..or decision /direction that was taken deliberately..
Which could have been avoided In the pastoral interests of the sheep !!
This was potentially a suicidal directive..
One of reckless sacrifice..IF ONLY TO WILLINGLY FULFIL WHAT WAS REQUIRED SACRIFICIALLY..PROPHETICALLY
They are singing tge Song of Moses and the Lamb..
The lamb speaks to sacrifice..doesn't it..
As DIRECTLY AS ABHORRENT SUCH AN IDEA MIGHT BE..
IF such a sacrifice was viewed in thst light to Almighty God..He would express his delight or disgust..
Wouldn't he..be it by blessing or cursing such a thing..
By either working with and joining in..or ensuring they were punished somehow...
Still finding it tremendously amazing..lm trembling..at learning this..
If true..(without verification of the two witnesses)
Such would indicate the intensity of desire to obey/ fulfill what was foretold for them in prophecy..
The same attention Christ gave..in fulfilling the things that were foreirdained for the Messiah..which were fulfilled..by him.
John.18:36.
Living in such a way..closely adhering to Gods word through the prophets..Jesus was aware of the import ..that the future of mankinds having faith was dependent..on his attending to Gods prophets words..as long as he had any control over his behaviour.
Speaking ALWAYS with use of illustrations was an example of this..
that was fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah .
To satisfy that prophets words..he kept to that style of delivery rigidly.
(Teaching doctrine included..of it was truth ..he always used illustrations)
When it came to.the soldiers casting lots over his garments. .
(Which he had NO CONTROL OVER @
Ps 22:18 , he merely observed His father. .now JOINING IN ..
lmagine how that would have reassured him..as he hung on the stake / tree..xylon/ stauros)
whatever the motive..
Some fulfill prophecy even unwillingly..some unaware of the implications of their words or actions possibly.
The ex jw community along with activists and critics may not realise that their actions fulfill prophecy.. and not necessarily fully grasp how perfectly..
Because the feelings and intent is not unrighteous ..justifiable.. understandable..as child abuse is abhorrent...on any level.. wrong !!
'He lets an operation of error go
To THEM '..a scripture that applies. .specifically TO THEM.
Isa 54:17 b
THEN ..COMES INTO PLAY !!
God knew it would take the ' breaking of a few eggs ..to make the omelette '
Scripture does refer to Gods ' breaking to pieces ..'
This though very destructive..accomplishes Gods long term will..
Rev 2:27 is not out of place. .its not late...late..like towards the end of Johns vision..say chapter 20 or so..
We have to do the adjusting..
Our lmaginings need tweaking. .
The breaking to pieces..is strategy. .a means..to an end.
The thought may be shocking and strange..going against the grain.
That God might do what we find strange ..needs to be factored in as fulfillment of prophecy also !
Isa 28..which you've referred to previously
.
Ezek 38 provides the scene in advance..of the final attack of Gog.
Likely your knowledge is far in access of mine..but lve come to an understanding l believe is in line with what we re seeing..
And the spirit would not allow For God to JOIN IN..if it were a madmans
Deluded ramblings.
Consistent with that said take..it woukd appear from the natural phenomena
That GOD IS..IS..
JOINING IN !👀
revelation 11,s LAST temple, signifies that an arrangement for true worship
Would exist in the Lords day.
The profile of the group identified by the SPECIFIC profile there described..
Fulfilled in THEM..
Their former name..IBSA.
Sorry its long.
@@compositioncompilation
'''He lets an operation of error go'' Yes Jehovah God does, and I do believe that operation of error/Deluding influence is the 1914 teaching...
@@compositioncompilation One would have to be good at gymnastics to come up with that teaching,Bible doesn't support it.
Ben! So good to see an update on your escape from Selters. And I’m so looking forward to the video work to come on this channel (no pressure).
I’m so excited for you - University!! Thanks for sharing your story.
I could totally relate to some of the things you experienced, including how sexuality didn’t influence and wasn’t a factor in my waking up (despite what people sometimes presume) as I didn’t truly understand or discover my true sexuality until after waking up. Thanks for sharing… just subscribed! 👍🏻
Good job, Ben. This was a lot of info to cover in just one hour. Now that you've hit the basics, I'd love to hear more about your observations and thoughts about 'disturbing' things you saw at the Bethels. For example, here in the US we hear about the drinking culture at the US Bethel. How does this translate, if at all, to the UK and Central European Bethels? Alcohol use and abuse is somewhat more culturally accepted there than in the US, so I'd feel safe in thinking that it's more taken for granted, but I'd still love to hear your account. I'm sure you've seen enough to fill a book! Preferably a book called "My Book of Bethel Stories," filled with great pictures!
Welcome to your freedom Ben, your good life now begins.
I left 3 years ago and I am so so happy.
This multi billion dollar book and real estate is sickening, and bad for your health.
Recently I was asked by my brother and a friend both of them ex JW's as am I what I plan to do when I retire. I told them with a straight face full time pioneering. A tiny moment of silence then roaring laughter followed.
That’s funny! I got a good laugh! Thank you!
good for you Ben. I was 44 years, 2 years free and now enjoying a real love for God and my freedom in Jesus Christ.
We need guys like you, please carry on mate
Thanks dude 💪🏻
@@BenFoard You left to which way between the 2 Mathew 7:13-14????????Ben.
Leaving to which way between the 2 Mathew 7:13-14??????????????
My heart goes out to Born ins . Happy you are out young man.
I was never a JW but having seen your escape video it's wonderful to see you moving forward and the "Ben's First Christmas" bauble really made it for me.
You are great on camera, keep looking after yourself and enjoy your studies x
Thanks for sharing. Watched the video on Lloyds channel. I admire how brave you are. And I wishing you all the best on your journey in life.
Thanks Ben for sharing some of your story. It was very interesting! One of the best things we can do when we leave WT is get educated. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time at Uni. Investing in yourself in this way is something you’ll never regret. I look forward to hearing more from you!
Your video add-ons are so clever and super funny. Keep up the great job and great effort. 👋🏻👍🏻
So happy for you!!!! I saw your interview with Lloyd and I wish you the best for the future 😄you seem so genuine and is wonderful you found freedom!
Thankyou for sharing this Ben and yes, this was well worth listening to.
I would LOVE (and I think most exjws would too..) to know more about bethel. Even the stuff you would think is super boring every day nonsense.
What are other bethelites like, the atmosphere, how strict are the rules (have you got a handbook??) Do ppl snitch on each other?? Are there secret romances?? To people complain in private?
How do you view non-bethelites when you ARE one, do people treat you differently when they know you're a bethelite?
Do you get like clout for your status?? Did you ever meet governing body members? Who was your favourite/least favourite?
Did you harbour any other doubts before the babylon situation?
Did you have plans to marry and have a family despite your sexuality? Do other single bethelite guys go after the single females?
So many questions 🤣
Do a Q&A!
Much love, I adored your Uni compilation isn't education glorious!!
I left when I started higher education, drank it all in like I was a sponge.
I second this!
I also would love to know this ! Think it would make a brilliant video!
Well done Ben. Go grab the world. We are here for such a brief moment but this moment is ours.Enjoy and embrace your freedom and where better than In Brighton. All the best to you and indeed to Lloyd who is evaluating his next steps. Visited Selters once and met with one of the revered members of the writing department as I was researching ancient texts. A very strange experience as it seemed as if the mighty printing press was god to the people there. Take care. Molly
The documentary was great. I’m so happy for you Ben
I’ve been out since 2018 on my 21st bday. Soo glad everyone is making it out!
Respect for telling your story. Can't be easy given how freshly you've gotten out of there. Similar situation where I had a dream and couldn't make it true within the organization. Cheers to our waking up! Subscribed.
Congrats on your freedom! I woke up 6 years ago in an elders meeting. I was a 5th gen JW. My wife pioneered for 18 years. My father was at Brooklyn bethel from 68-73. My sister at brooklyn and Wallkill 98-18 until her husband came out as trans gender. I hope you can enjoy life and live the person you are really are!!!
SO HAPPY YOU ESCAPED 💛 💖
Congratulations on your freedom! Live a little! I can't wait to see what you'll do next! And keep the sense of humor :-)
Congratulations on getting out. I watched this last night from my recommended videos and just watched Lloyd's video on your 'escape'. I've never been a JW but I have a colleague who diassociated a few months ago. You are one brave guy. Good luck to you.x
Great 👍, thanks 😊. I can't wait for your next video... it was something just seeing you just outside of bethel.
Happy for you!
Excellent insight! I am so very happy for you and will be sending you positive and happy, healing energy as you begin your new journey and the adventures that await you. THANK YOU for sharing your story and new beginning!
The section at the end at Uni made me quite emotional! Lovely to see.
Great video!
The way you present this subject - in such a humoristic way :)
I am exJW from Poland now in UK. I experienced all those things you spoke about in my childhood. I left JWs in 2008 and I am agnostic/atheist now.
As a youngster I chose not to study at university and I was pioneer, waiting for the Armageddon, lol.
I regretted that later a lot and in 2011 I went back to uni, graduated as an engineer, started new life and career. Now I am into science, non religious, openmided and happy.
Glad to hear it! 💪🏻
Congrats I left about 1year and 3 months ago
#BestDumpsterFireEver - Iloved it, please continue to set more stuff on fire and keep us updated
Hi mate, i was already long gone from a congregation you were at ,my wife still went and always spoke fondly of you,but to this day the ambiguous statement they make when someone leaves means she and others have no idea why you left, great to see you doing this, regards
Hi Ben, congratulations for being so brave guy! Warm regards from and best wishes for your future from the one of your kind.
Look forward to more videos. I've been out since 1995, along with family and friends but I do love to see others journey.
Welcome to your freedom! You are now in great company with all of us exjws! Subbed immediately and looking forward to many more videos from u.
Thanks for your testimony, Ben. Myself ex-special pioneer and ex-bethelite in Sweden branch - yes, I knew Carl-Olof Jonson back then - but left 30 years ago, eventually to become - brace yourself - an orthodox priest. May the Lord bless your way!
Halleujah
Happy New Year! Thanks for your interesting and distressing story. Glad to see you're going to uni. Great to know you can make friends and inprove your education. I'm looking forward to your next upload.
Ben, well done for speaking up and thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks Ben, amazing story and courage.
I saw your escape on Lloyd’s channel. Be good to see more videos from you. So much in your story a lot can relate to.
wow first video super and already so professional. Hope he'll make a career like the truth hurts
I'm third generation witnesses, my grandfather was a bible student so imagine the years of indoctrination....I'm 45 years old! I tried growing my children in the "truth" so imagine my children. My kids have been commenting since they can speak! I woke up through Lloyd Evans chanel and from then Im fully awake!
I have studied with both groups, and I would definitely say the JW’s are MUCH more controlled.
@@lauragubala8313 one is an atheist the other 2 agnostics
@@drensh5665 Not surprised.
Great video. Loved how you summed up what it’s like to be a witness for children. I woke up 6 months ago and my husband 2 years earlier. So glad our little girls won’t have that upbringing or to have to live a life based on a pack of lies.
The moment you mentioned Llyod, subscribed 🤘
Welcome aboard!
Lloyd brought me here. Subscribed and looking forward to your vids!
Love the ‘loud confident guy’. Looks like it’s the real you waking up. 😊
Thanks, Ben! Congrats on your escape and thank you for your courage!
And from fellow once-upon-a-time line-towing JW to proud apostate, welcome to the dark side, we're thrilled to have you. :D
Such a great video! so proud of you! loved seeing the pics at University and you thriving. I got my BS in Electrical Engineering, so enjoyed even seeing the algebra equation on the board. (nerd alert! from one to another! ha!) -- but i got choked up at your 1st Christmas ornament. I remember mine. I was age 25...and it was truly special. (and yet weird) It gets better. Hang in there! and can't wait to see how you progress. You've got another subscriber! Best to you, Ben. ~Cindy, from California
Very explain video with good sense of humor thanks Ben
So proud of you!
nice video...I've been df'd for 40 yrs now and i love hearing the stories of different ways JW's see the light and come out.
Nice to see you . Glad you seem to be adjusting well out here in the World 🌎
Great video, I like the way you explain things 😊 Sending lots of love 🌈
Congrats on your new Freedom!!!! This was fantastic. I enjoyed it so much. I could have easily listened for much longer. Looking forward and very excited about what you are planning to share on your channel here.
Congrats for your hard work so far! Looking forward to seeing more from you, in the future! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
I liked Ben before it was cool
He's so mainstream now 🙄
Okay, but with such quality, you stay a fan.
@@lauragubala8313 Me too. I think about Jake a lot. He's one in a million.
Thank you for the video, Ben. I too was an elder when I DAed myself. But I left a wife and 3 kids because I am gay. I knew when I was 14 I was gay. The "pray the gay away" advice, does not work (as you know). Congrats on your freedom. I am now a subscriber. Cheers.
It's honestly very sad that you allowed sin to make you leave your family (wife AND children??) who needed you. What's worse is that you don't even realize it.
@@carrieconner2021 - There is a whole lot more to my story than what you are seeing. And I find your comment to be offensive. Being gay is not a sin. I did not turn my back on the family. We remained intact until they became adults. I financially supported them as they were growing up.
@@carrieconner2021 It’s very sad that you’re on an ex-JW video channel. The governing body would be extremely upset with you.
My father too is gay. Raised my sister and I in the religion for 20+ years. I got DF'd first, and then after about 5-6 years, he came out (by accident). I love my father and I'm glad I have a relationship with him still. I sure hope your adult kids still have a good relationship with you.
@@cindyharvell7021 -Thank you. My oldest is out of the org and married to a woman. We see them regularly. The other 2 are still in the org. I never hear from them. I have a grandson. But I have never met him. I believe he is 5 or 6 now. I am glad you have a relationship with your dad. I am sure he appreciates it.
Thank u twitter for letting me hear Ben’s story!!!
You told your story so well and in a fun way, loved the video! New sub
Brilliant video Ben! What an incredible journey you've been on. Thank you for sharing so honestly and openly. It's really eye opening, very relatable and beautifully articulated.
Every time u say u were stuck up I laughed. Thanks for telling ur story. I've been out for over 3 decades and now I'm really glad I didn't go back
This video was absolutely worth listening to it!! Thank you
I love your story! You are so adorable! I lean into these stories so much. They continue to confirm that I am not crazy 😜 for completely doing a 180 from my JW upbringing. To freedom!!! 🥂
Hi Ben so happy for you that you got out of there safely and are doing well ! Hope your channel grows fast , you will have many supporters to help you on your journey…excellent video ,,,,so well done!! will be following your journey.🌹👍👍
Hi Ben! Saw you around Twitter and have been excited for this video since you've been hyping it.
I'm learning German to try and reconnect with non-JW family that I didn't know existed, I'd love you to eventually do a video on foreign language congregations and language learning through your exjw lens, and that would make me feel very spoiled as a viewer.
Thanks for the video, all the best!
Cult related - this is an interesting insight into the Mormon language programme. czcams.com/video/Ox6MdRTc0yE/video.html
Wunderbar
Go Ben! Very excited for you 🎓
this is a fantastic video - hope to see more!
Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed this video immensely.
Verrry interesting, to me, to hear the thought process that you had, looking back.
Having to "live a lie" every day. To "fake it till you make it," to keep working for an organization that you have discovered is "abhorrent" ( and yes, this is the 'correct word') would be quite intense.
I am glad you had the strength to plan ahead, to get out with your brain. I loved that phrase, "chillax".. haha, "no time to "chillax".... never "alone." WT plans well, doesn't it? It knows very well how much the hamster wheel does for them, no time to think, breathe, be you.
Funny about "Alexa," haha.. My husband, two sons, DIL, and my sister left when we discovered 607 was a sham... a con game.. in 2012. No 607, no 1914, no 1919, no "chosen ones." Hasta la vista WT.
I look forward to your next videos, Ben. Thanks!
Hi! Wonderful to follow your escape!
I left years ago in 1996! Wiee! 👋🙏
Thanks for sharing. All the best x
Awesome video Ben !! You have a great sense of humor!
Hi Ben. Great to meet you. Thanks for sharing your story!
Rock Star!Thoroughly enjoyed your candor, & sense of humor~ Looking forward to more.
Insightful indeed. Good on you mate!
Great video Ben. I can only imagine how hard it was to leave given being at Bethel. When I left it was hard, but at least I had work colleagues that helped me out and made it easier. I wish you great things with Uni. Computer Science is awesome! I finished my degree in Computer Science a few years back and loved it.
Thank you for sharing Ben🌺
congrats on figuring it out ben! we left about the same time
Thanks Ben, I'm not an ex-jw but I was raised in a similar group (who I suspect stole some ideas from JWs but had some unique craziness) and I related to many aspects of your story. So glad we're both out now and living our lives as we want. I look forward to any further content you make.
What group is that??
Scientologists come to mind after learning more of the hidden goings on in the JWs cult
No, I was not raised a scientologist. Just a small group that followed the teachings of Witness Lee.
Someone else made a video "Church kid testimonial living stream ministry" if you would like to find out more about the group I was in. It's not me in the video but I related to most of what she said.
Great video! Glad you got out!
Sooo beautiful to see the collage of clips at the end of you starting a new life. 🥂🤸🏻♀️🙌🏻🙏🏻Really beautiful. You’ve got incredible things coming your way. Go you! ✨💫
Now your life truly begins! I’m so excited for you.
❤️❤️ I’m a PIMO, and I really admire your courage and honesty! Loved this experience video!
My waking was 1914 - I never believed it and I really wanted to grasp and make it part of my knowledge. I started doing JW research and it really didn’t satisfy me so I allowed myself to go to history study and Bamm!!! 607bce no where to be found! A few months later I allowed myself to look into CZcams, scared and worried I was being spy by Jehovah I prayed all day for forgiveness! And allowed myself to see the other side of the story and found Lloyd’s channel (John Cedar at the time) and so here I am in the middle of my family and this cult! Sometimes feeling lost!
But i am so glad for you! And best wishes in your life!
Be happy! Our creator created YOU! Be yourself!
Looking forward for other videos!
Greetings from Puerto Rico!!