From homeless to helping othersᴴᴰ | Terri O'Sullivan [Ex Jehovah's Witness]
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- čas přidán 16. 01. 2017
- Terri O'Sullivan talks about being kicked out of home at 16 years old to founding one of the largest former JW communities in the world.
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Oh the FEAR !!! I was a born in & ended up staying 40 crappy years because of the fear! Armageddon was so ingrained from birth that even when I left 22 yrs ago I thought about it everyday . Finally the fear left about 2 yrs ago .. utube videos really helped. Such an evil cult! Lost my family from being shunned 12 years ago but so glad I'm free of the mind control !! This video brought back so many memories.. thank goodness we can find the humor in some of it now. Keep up the good work..
When I got out 35 years ago, there was no way to find others and it was very lonely. Research took years with no internet. The way things have changed is awesome! Anyone that is leaving, wanting to leave, or been out and now waking up, has SO MANY people that are willing to help and talk with! Look for us! We WANT to be there for you! We understand what it's like! I am in Oklahoma and have a CZcams channel. MANY of us are on FB! Love and hugs to all that speak up and help! Peace to you all!
hello, I'm wondering what your youtube channel is? I'm newly awoken looking for information. I live eastern Tennessee. hope to chat soon.
Hi, what is the group on fb called? How can we join?
Hey Denise, I'm an exjw also. I live in Wewoka Oklahoma, may I ask where in Oklahoma you are?
My dad is a JW and i questioned him on some of the teachings and he threw me out of his house like I was a piece of trash. I have not spoken with him since, and as of right now have no intentions of ever speaking to him again.
He has disrespected me and my family all my life, I have tolerated him; not no more. I have no room in my life for people that look down on others because they don’t have the same religious beliefs, I am sick of the hate and bigotry he displays toward me and my family.
Think Terri's testimony was the most powerful and moving account i've ever heard from an ex witness
9:18 - So true. The only way to miss a meeting was pretending to be sick.
Wow! Unless your a JW it is hard to understand the level of abuse and manipulation that takes place under the cover of the Watchtower. Cult's like these are ruining people's lives and creating a lot of psychological problems. Thank you for this video that gives people like me a inside look into the way a lot of kingdom halls treat people. Keep up the good work Terri.
you took the words right out of my mouth lol.
Exactly what i was thinking
People will never know the damage unless younhave lived it.
You are an incredibly strong woman, i feel your pain as an ex jw.
Newly Awaken myself. I got disfellowshipped in January of this year. Still live with my parents. 18. Live in the U.S. TX. I really related to everything they talked about in this video. I wish I could help my family get out but if I push too hard it wouldn’t end well. And in fact, my dad is an elder and would probably have me labeled as a apostate or something. Tragic really.
Oh those made up rules!! I had a sister in my hall constantly telling me I was showing too much calves and neck and I already had more than modest clothes because I also had sisters tell me I dressed like a little girl. There was no middle no matter what I wore. This place is the worst because amongst telling me how to dress they did so much worse to my self esteem. And when I left I had not one friend to call. I have only been awake for a few months and I’ve been inactive 3 years now but for the first time I’m doing my research and it feels so good to know that I’m not the only one who is going through this process. Born and raised I knew no other way to live my life and I’m finally finding myself, 26 years later...
This really moved me.❤️
great story thank you for such a great video get out of the jw cult as soon as you can
Love your story, I wish I lived in England so I could come to your meetings. I had a very similar situation with my older sister who was disfellowshipped, and it’s ultimately the reason why I left. What you are saying all rings true to me and I hope you are thriving and living a happy life outside that awful organization
May the Lord bless you and keep you safe!
I don't think I can begin to express how much I liked this.
My ex has tried to make me homeless, twice. But I'm in America. I have a lawyer. With good planning and the help of my lawyer I've managed to stay off the street so far.
They want you to fail. They imagine that homelessness will make you come crawling back like the story of the prodigal son. They don't get how impossible that scenario is. You can't just decide to believe what you know isn't true.
My future is uncertain I may yet end up homeless but there's comfort in knowing I'm not the only one.
Brilliant video! Thanks for sharing everyone xx
On the 6th it will be one month since I left. Dipped on the 2nd day of the 2019 Regional Convention.
I can relate to this! I might start christmas meetups in Canada.
Thank you Terri.
Awesome. Thank you for what you do.
Ty for sharing.
This is such a wonderful group..there are so many lost souls ..young people whose family has shunned them..
thank you, Terri. 🖤
65 years ago my Mom became a JW, Dad soon after. I was 5 then. Dad became a Congregation servant. Our parents were very strict. Put on probation then Distf. Did 18 month to get back in and become a sheep again. Never treated good even after going back. Felt like their trash....
1975 came and went with no Armageddon and it is 2020 and still no Armageddon. I know the pain well you all have gone through. I wish I would have had someone to talk to like all of you back then. Just recently my sis told me of all these videos here. I am totally blown away to hear all your stories, All so familiar to my life story and my siblings. We all left close to the same time! And we love each other,,,but it has been tuff road to walk knowing we are each worthy to live, be well and be happy!
Talking about made up "rules". I remember when I was 15 they had a meeting with me just to say that it was not appropriate to have red nail polish on! Like WTF!!!
lol, maybe they thought it wasn't your colour.
I wanted red jeans and wasn't allowed!
That is not true..if so, then the Brother was no awere what he was talking about. But i go to metting since 1990 and i never hear something like that.
Mairim Agev Oh, you will hear and see it all if you truly look and listen instead of just ignoring it. You have to see and hear! The blind will see and the deaf will hear is what is going on right now!
I already explained in another video that I have known the congregation since I was 5 years old, and that at 16 I went out, but now I have returned to stay, I know that many people are dissatisfied because nobody wants to listen to reprimand from anyone, the People say that only if God speaks they will listen, that no religion will listen. I know that we all like the easy life, and we do not want to listen to speeches where they tell us what is good and bad, what to do or not to do. And even more, when we are young and we want to live the crazy life. I say to you, do as you please, if your life goes well, and you are happy, continue doing so, as for me, I will continue to give thanks to Jehovah and his son Jesus, I will continue to ask that his Kingdom come to earth As it is in heaven, and praise Jehovah for eternity
Wow, great that there’s people out there. My life was wrecked, my family ruined and divided. My business was destroyed and now I’m getting old and have little left. All because of misguided religion. It’s about waking up
My sister does not talk to me either. For leaving this cult. I know exacly what you feel. She is even trying to motivate herself to hate me for child sisters behaviour-"you never loved me because we were constantly fighting when we were 5" thats what she told me when she didnt invite me to her own wedding. I feel that they took her away from me. And Im angry. I cant handle the massive anger inside of me.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I was raised a Jehovah witness for 5 till 27 I married a elders daughter and we had 2 daughters. later on she cheated on me and so I started drinking and I got disfellowshiped that t was over 20 yrs ago. my ex wife to this day can still have associans with her family while I cannot speak to my mother or sisters. she cheated in me and was never disfellowshiped. but I was because I tried to drink away my pain. I miss my mother and sisters. and it looks like the only way I will ever see them is when one of us pass away. this cult is evil. I give God praise for getting me out even if it was done this way.
I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through. Do your daughters still speak to you?
This is an evil cult. God bless you.🙏
I’m new to this. I’ve ended up watching this through curiosity and an appreciation for Deborah Frances-White’s humour and work. But I’m now left horrified by all of these stories. I live in Northern Ireland, where political powers have exploited ignorance and fear of difference in religion, and I can see parallels. I was raised in the Catholic Church but never believed it really, yet they plant very scary ideas so early. I know only of one Jehovah’s Witness who was a work mate. He was pleasant and all I knew was that he didn’t celebrate Christmas. But the degree of power, control and absolutely cruelty perpetrated by individuals mentioned here is sickening. All religions supposedly purport to preach love - so few of them know how to practice it. Thank you to everyone on this panel for sharing their stories and helping people. A very worthwhile watch.
Feel so much for you Terri xx
Terry I can so relate.... Just wanted to say the elders hand book "shepherd the flock" states that they are not aloud to pray with disfelowshipped. So although the excuse is that disfelowshipped need to come late and leave early.... Really and truly it's because they believe disfelowshipped are not deserving of prayer. Disgusting Jesus said the exact opposit. So much for the idea that we are to be Christ like!!! Thank you for your story!
Reading that book made me loose any respect I have for the elders I used to like - how elders read that book and still sleep at night is disgraceful.
this is beautiful
the smurf thing was too real
I am a witness and I don’t know what the whole smurf thing was!?? What was it exactly?
Trolls as well. Growing up my sister had trouble sleeping at night. It wasn't until she got rid of her trolls that she was able to sleep. 🤦♂️
@@longbeachwoman Hi Sue, I’m not now nor have I ever been a witness (just a non-denominational Christian) but I’ve watched a ton of JW/ex-JW content. The smurf thing is basically: back when smurfs were popular as a cartoon witness parents were told not to get their kids smurf toys or let them watch the smurfs because they were “demonic & used magic”. A legend even started circulating amongst witnesses that one time a child brought a smurf doll into the Kingdom Hall one day & it started saying curse words & walked out of the hall on its own like it was possessed. This convinced people even more that smurfs were evil. That’s the gist of the smurf story. 😉
What a BEAUTIFUL Group Of People....
I left years ago, my youngest brother and sister a re still in because of my parents. Ive been with them the last three years on and off trying to plant the seeds of independence and free thought. Im struggling with them, and i would like to know if there are any organizations like this in mexico.
This is so representative of my childhood, this testimony. She puts it wonderfully and so clearly. Everything she said resonated with me and related to. The fear was very prominent. I remember knowing I WAS GOING to be tortured and persecuted at some point in the future for my faith, not maybe but definitely, possibly even to the point of death - and feeling very afraid of that time. we were willing and ready to die for our faith in the blink of an eye, rather than denounce God, cos you don't want to jeopardize our future eternal life. It's so Big Brother its scary. That is so funny about the horrible CO, its funny we wouldn't ever discuss sexual matters, and this CO stayed at our home for the week and took our Days Text for the family which was a massive priviledge! He went on and on about sex before marriage, going into great detail and using my sister in a theoretical example it was sooooooooooooooooo embarrassing. Weird that. The higher up the chain the more twisted.
Wow, what is this panel? This is amazing !
Whoa!!!! This brain washing goes deep!!!!
Interestingly, the (lost Bible) book of Jasher 19:52 says Lot's wife looked back because she had left family behind, "and Ado the wife of Lot looked back to see the destruction of the cities, for her compassion was moved on account of her daughters who remained in Sodom, for they did not go with her."
Donna Zuk Adley I never read that before...Thank you!
Leave it to the corrupt GB to twist yet more scripture! This reading you posted makes much more sense.
After 30 years of being out I still think I'm going to die in Armageddon!
Hi Shelly, yeah the fear indoctrination runs deep. You are not alone in that. They are wrong though of course. :-)
You guys are phenomenal keep sharing. I have family who are jws im not one but i am familiar you are right its a living hell in suit and ties and lies
❓“Being made redundant” Is that like what we in the US call being “fired”? Or is it more like being “laid off” where they fire you because they can’t afford you (financially) anymore?
There was a time many years ago..1950s or early 60s that saying the word “lucky”was frowned upon...it was connected to the occult I think that’s what was said..so ridiculous
nancy oden: Still the same
Good testimonys
Is there a group in Hamilton Ontario Canada?
Beautiful
I love the point that congregations had their own rules.
When I was a JW, the org. had a calender, and Saturdays, it alternated the street work( magazine distribution) and house to house magazine.
I generally prefared doing street work, as I will be on house to house every Sundays.
However, there was this elder, who was a doninant alpha, and was very rude in most cases. Loved house to house magazine. I guess he hated street work just as I hated house to house magazine.
He got mad that I showed him an org. calender from the governing body which stated that the week he wanted me to do house to house was dedicated of street work.
I almost got stripped of my ministerial servant privilage🤣
Are we talking about Les Simmons Australia, Do you know Of Peter Linke ?
Terri's story is heartbreaking. It's wonderful that she and the rest of you are free of the medium security prison called a religion. A parent kicking a child out of the house disgusting picking a cult over their children, NEVER
I just need help finding a support group it’s been 16 years for me and literally I don’t know where it just dawned on me why I have such a dark cloud over me I think I’m just now starting to mentally realize what is happened to me and it would be nice to connect with someone
Chronically homeless myself after leaving.
zengalileo Where are you?
Never heard of the white socks scenario but heard the Smurf story
I don't understand there is plenty of churches out who be will sympathetic to your cause, and will help you.
I appreciate your work.in exposing this awful cult guys
The Smurf story was told to me by a boy in my congregation in Alabama when we were 9 years old. How the hell do those stories travel around the world? Were they printed in publications?
Missionaries carried them. We had a guy in our congregation Mt Florida, Glasgow. I will refrain from naming him. He was originally from Canada and a very love able person, so humble, so kind and the kind of Christian you would want to be. I don't think he ever put a foot wrong at all, anywhere or in anything but that could of been the mask? I don't know. Anyway the point is, him and his wife were missionaries and they travelled to India, USA and lots of other places. He brought us girls a cassette tape of a sister singing in Canada to her little girl, parodies she had made up. So nursery rhymes but think of it as extreme JW nursery rhymes. I learned the books of the bible singing "Matthew Mark Luke John and Acts, the bible gives all the facts" to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down" No joke, I still cannot remove the parody from my head and when the original is sung, I'm sitting singing the parody in my head. 20 years free of the JW's and still can't get that freaking parody, out of my head. So it's possible, that is how the story got around back then. Through missionaries. Also, we did have phones before the internet and social media ;)
I was sooooo BORED
you are so right about running into Jehovah witness I run into Jehovah witness I grew up with and it'd like I have the plague. it's so funny to see they will hurt themselves to get away. there so scared of me. hilarious.
I know this sounds mad but would love to sit at the back of the hall and listen to a meeting!! Been out over ten years, anyone feel the same ???
Hello to the no.
Don't talk to so & so, they're spiritually weak!
I remember that!
Well, she's not good enough for your reputation
It’s hilarious because my step brother who’s a witness from Oregon here in the U.S. moved to England with his wife he met a bethel in NY is a window cleaner 😂🤣
I'm sorry I haven't got back my screen on my phone went out just got it back. yes my daughters still speak to me. there not witnesses. my ex wife dose not go anymore either. she was never disfellowshiped for cheating
IF A CHILD INFORMS THE AUTHORITIES THAT HE/SHE IS BEING THROWN OUT OR EXPERIENCING ANY MALTREATMENT IN THE NAME OF RELIGION, THOSE PARENTS WOULD BE HELD LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE.
This religion completely divided my mother’s family.. it was so sad..they all had such love for each other...but they could never laugh and enjoy each other like they had..the religion reared it’s ugly head always
I know this sounds so JW. But I'm still struggling finding what's wrong with the teachings of the Jw's. So is paganism a lie? Is the the bible a lie? Is Armageddon a lie? I'm just so confused. Where do you go if you still believe the teaching of paradise?
Sandra Garcia There is no evidence of an afterlife and this is the only life we have we must try and make the most of it.
The teachings of Jesus are true, it’s the layer of religiosity and rules that the WT leadership imposes that are unjust and false. So are much of their interpretations.
yeah i got excommunicated just because someone lied about me sleeping with a lady who was not baptized. they had no proof at all.
Where is the 🎻?
The primary issue with this organization, is that its memebers are completely blind to how harmful it is. I still have family and friends within it, and whenever I speak of its teachings ill-effects on the psyche, resulting in lasting social anxiety and depression, I am often looked at side-ways. I faded, so they are still "Allowed" to talk to me. But in their minds, I am rejecting a Gift of everlasting life. No matter how much logic you heap on their heads, they will reject it. They have been conditioned to believe that anyone criticizing their "Truth", is of Satan.
Divide and conqueror.....so much fear, spying....
I was a little concerned about even watching one of these type of videos about X witnesses because I know with the treacherous heart can do first hand. We can begin to lie to ourselves, we can talk ourselves into anything pretty much. And that's why I was reluctant to watch. I was one of those that prayed to Almighty God because I was not happy with conditions in the world, to tell my whole story would be quite a bit to read, so suffice to say my life was not good my childhood was not good, all I knew how to do was look up to the sky and say oh great creator please show me the truth, why am I here, what are your plans for the future. It wasn't long after that Jehovah's Witnesses contacted me and I learned the truth. So I've seen Almighty God take action in my life. With that said I have seen people in the organization do some pretty stupid things, some pretty careless things, quite frankly some pretty scary things. I have even been disfellowshipped myself. And with all that said, it still has not changed my opinion that Almighty God is Jehovah and soon everyone will know his name and his purpose for this earth. So with that said blaming his organization that is run by imperfect human beings is the same as blaming him. I hope all of you are not apostate, I hope for some of you and even those that might be reading there is hope in your heart. Because just The fact that imperfect human beings in Jehovah's organization do totally ridiculous and even illegal things, does not mean Jehovah is to blame. You know what is happening, the time is passing to prove humans cannot direct them selves. Satan told that original lie, and now these videos are perpetuating that lie. Look around you at this earth do you know these things are true, if you are intelligent and educated you know that humans are destroying this planet, have you seen the condition of the ocean just a plastic alone will soon completely stop the ocean from producing life, at what point will the man made destruction of the earth go over the top and escalate to the no return point? And that's just the ecological example, look at the governments of the world. Every country will take up arms and kill people from another country, I hope I am speaking to readers that can see this logic is flawed here with these exit Jehovah's Witnesses organizations, none of these things are Jehovah's fault. Readers, Please wake up. The Bible predicted these things, and the Bible predicted the condition the world would be in, the Bible also predicted in the last days they would take no note, until the end came and as they were being distracted by the world governed by Satan, this distraction caused them not to be prepared, basically that is suicide, and especially suicide for those that know. How sad
Jake Randall even if you said you have disfellowshipped yourself from the cult of JW, you are still sympathetic with that organization. Are you being truthful here that you distanced yourself from that cult? By the way, God's name is never Jehovah, never ever. It's never heard of and never existed during both the Old and New Testament periods. It's just a mishmash of the Tetragrammaton and the vowels in "Elohim."
Jake Randall When you let go of your fear, and let go of your need to be right, and real truth is what you search for, you will realize it's not there, and it will be awful, but it will be reality.
You were and are traumatized by early hurt and fear. All JWs come to this religion because they want to be controlled by an ‘outside’ force... and there will always be men who will use that fear against your own will.
Smurfs are bad....oh my!
What a horrific cult!!!! I had no idea it was THAT bad!!
Hahahah ive heard the white socks rule before.that is crazy!
I LEAVE NOT TOO FAR FROM THE BROOKLYN WATCHTOWER BUILDINGS. IT FEELS VERY BAD WHEN THOSE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WALK PASS AN EX-JW LIKE JUNE PASSING JULY.
YESSS the demonized smurf myth 😂
Apparently the JW religion take over people's lives - in fact people used their God given free will to give away their own free will to the religion. I know children cannot be held responsible for following/tagging along with these cults. because they're only children. So it's the parents who choose to give away their dependent's free will - yes, giving away a gift that's so important, so precious, to a religion.
You never give your free will to anyone! God gave you this...every human soul got this gift.....because we are all individuals (although we are all still one) and it's your individuality that you are meant to develop with God in a personal basis .....no group anything; however, a group of likeminded people getting together to share third different experiences of God, is meant to be......even though we will never really know all about God. How can you know all about what's infinite? Yet, a finite book like the Bible claims to have it all and we believe it......
Do you know, not even God interfere with free will? So who are these Elders to think they can do thi? And why do people make these choices?
This is how people end up blaming God, when God has nothing to do with any of this. There is God but I believe that although I only know a little about Her, I am clear that 90% of religious people do not know God, especially that they're trying to know God through the Bible; a book which God has very little, if anything with which to do.
Sure, we all need to wake up including those on the panel who have left JW. If you really want to know God, you've done a great service to yourself by leaving, but your work has just began .......
I hope max simmons is no longer around. e.g gone to Sheol
Are these people atheists or just ex-JW's that still believe in god(s)?
Wow, final words from Terri really touched me. I never wanted to be a part of that organization, left the moment I could. 12 years ago, I guess. Didn't care whether it was the truth or not, just didn't want to live in a paradise run by a misogynistic homophobic God. So, to me it was an escape into the world where women still have somewhat equal opportunities at self-actualization, until Armageddon comes, of course.
BUT about 2 months ago, absolutely by accident I came across a politics youtube channel and right out of nowhere he just says he left a cult, Jehovah's Witnesses. It felt like someone hit me over the head, a "cult"???? I realized I'd never heard ANY ex-JW before. In my mind every ex-JW just dreamed of returning back (or was possessed by demons) and I thought I was the only one in the world who had ideological differences with them. After that I did some research and realized the organization is so much worse than I had ever imagined.
The big bad wolf will blow your house down.
I heard the smurf story crom Veronica she was the channelling girl used to communicate with the spirits by elders Nd the g b, and they ordered her to Demonuze the doll ax. Joke on the congregation she said she could y do it butied to make these horrible men happy in fear of punishment, the story did spread but it. Ever happened, I can’t verify if it’s true but I tead about Veronica in many places including Reddit true or not I don’t l jw but her name is Veronica and she claims the g b spirit channel freemasonry stuff for the watchtower magazine Nd other sruff leVi g me to believe since Russell d Rutherford were freemasonry thT it was possible. I cNt prove it. It it is N I tetezti g story
*** TIME TO PUT A STOP TO WATCHTOWER ***
I remember the smurf story lol
I used to believe that was a true story.
15:48 Les Simmons was such a Watchtower nazi
it is sad that those who loose faith in christ because the jw and they search for reasons to stop believing in God, just break my heart...... because that happen to me .....
If you loose your faith cuz the jw and start to believe in evolution, please watch "Kent hovind" he will get you back to the lord!
May the one true God Yahweh bless you all thru his son and our King Jesus Christ !
I got told off for wearing long dresses - too worldly
Based on the headline alone, there are no homeless JWs.
Warm bath 🛀 cold shower 🚿
Are you all spending much of your time involved in these activities? You are still being controlled by the cult. I just left when I realized that I simply didn't believe in any of it. Of course it was easy because I also moved from the town I grew up in and didn't have to see any of those people again.
these ladies have foul mouths.
And your point is...?
@@EfrainRiveraJunior You don't buy class at Wallmart.
@@koosvanzyl2605 - Are you shopping for God?
@@EfrainRiveraJunior What a dumb question.
@@koosvanzyl2605 - What a dumb analogy.
That is so 😭😭😭 omg
OMG so very tragic
OMG iam not studying
The idea that you have to take your vacation in August when I guess in Australia and South Africa August would be winter is ridiculous and just say that Jehovah's loving provision that sounds absolutely crazy my experience so far were the Jehovah's witness's nothing experience probably because I'm not a Jehovah's witness and I don't believe I need them to be I still believe the Bible but I never actually became a Jehovah's witness but I can see how it's affecting my life and I'm not even suffering from these people they're always very nice to what they told me one time I was staying at a friend's house she has a house on the beach in California and they said that would be an appearance of evil and I'm not even a Jehovah's witness
I wanted so bad to become a Jehovah's witness because I thought well they're really following the Bible and I still believe in the Bible and I study from time to time but I have to get real with myself these stories that you're all telling I believe every word of it I want to send this recording to a circuit overseer explaining this is why I don't want to become a Jehovah's witness any more this stuff is crazy and I don't think all these people are lying but he's a circuit overseer and Benadryl hovis for over like 65 years he's in his 80s