Interview With Former pioneer - Ex JW Story
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- čas přidán 31. 03. 2017
- (Also check out my music video: "Cost of Doin' Business" • FIFTH - Cost of Doin' ... )
In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing MJ, a former JW and regular pioneer. MJ discusses her background as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, the events leading up to her departure from the religion, and how her life has been from that point forward.
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I’ve been out for almost 5yrs and this video was very helpful when I was deciding to leave. I come back to this video when I feel low. Thank you and I hope MJ is living her truth. Thanks fifth for your contribution to help many ex jws wake up
What a happy well adjusted young woman! And a great interview.
I left JW with my husband 7 years ago (we were in for 40 years), and our only regret is not doing it way way sooner. I have a lot of guilt for what we put our kids through.
And you're so right about the friendships being conditional. That is very true. When I decided to leave I didn't make a grand proclamation I just unfriended all my active JW friends on facebook. One of very best friends from high school texted me and asked me what was up. And I simply said I no longer wanted to be a JW. She asked why and I told her the child abuse issue. Long story short she told me to never contact her (which I hadn't contacted her previously), that I was making the biggest mistake of my life, and that my kids would grow up and hate me for lying to them. The vitriol she hit me with was intense! I wasn't shocked, and it didn't even make me cry, but it did help me to realize that all my friendships in that cult were conditional! It had the exact opposite effect she was hoping for. I should write her a thank you note. 😁
Totally agreed!!! Being a JW was the worse thing of my life. I ended up accepting the fact that I lost my older sister due to the fact that I voluntarily got out of the organization. I lost the sister I truly loved all my life. We talk very seldom, I cannot invite her to anything or vice verse because I am not longer a JW and they cannot be associated to me. My family became totally dysfunctional. I am very happy I am not a JW no more!!!!!!!!!
@@whiteriver1453 I left in the 90's and so did my family and fast forward to today...I realized from everyone that...this...um...sniff sniff...this was a damn cult. A CULT. Damn it makes me tear up to this day realizing that all my life I lived in a cult and never could see it. Now today in 2022 my dad sees it, my brother sees it, and of course I see it. My poor mom is left in the cold and went back and is now full strong in the cult and is never looking back as she's hardcore strong and in it. She's the only one that we don't really have much to talk about or talk to unless she reaches out to us for whatever reason. But yeah....we live our lives in a cult. We're okay now and living a normal life but damn....our lives were pretty controlling back in the day.
I am still a JW. However, I find association in the organisation very superficial and unfulfilling. The people are delusional and stupid. The important things to me, the people aren’t able to meet them, things like compassion, sympathy, unconditional love, trustworthy and reliable people, all they do is gossip, suspect people and constantly wanting to wage peoples’ spiritually and their relationships with Jehovah. For me that thing isn’t what I’d like to do, I want to be a more reliable and trustworthy person, a true lover of people, someone a person can depend on at their lowest. I have taken a decision to stop socialising with Witnesses as there’s no room to grow. I still go to meetings and participate, I just have no interest in the people. I have experienced them myself, they are horrible people.
It was the same with me. denial and pain, LATER I accepted that 'it was no longer for me' couldn't drag myself to field service to teach lies, sit through out the meeting and listening to those hateful speeches I COULD NOT TAKE IT ANY LONGER . And the farewell is like a funeral 😭 At times I feel like I'm completely healed then I miss the "brothers and sisters " But as you guys said they weren't really my friends , TIME heals everything.
As a mother I cannot fathom how somebody can shun their own child because some elder said so.
MissNessybach it's really disgusting
I would never shun my kids. Ño religion, or any clownery belief could make shun anyone I love. Im so glad I am able to make my own decisions and dont allow cults/religions to make me believe in fairy tales
Most infectious smile I’ve ever seen . Aside that , what a brave and ambitious girl 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️ good luck to you
You can't wipe that pretty smile off her face. Great interview. Welcome to paradise.
Great interview. Amazing how so many people around the world (no pun intended) feel the same or very similar emotions. Well done both, you're great encouragement to us all.
This is a really great interview! I'm so happy for her and you both. There's no better happiness than being able to live authentically and free to decide whatever you want for yourself. JW's and Ex-JW's need to see things like this. Doom and gloom won't befall you when you leave. Yes, it is hard to escape when you have no support system outside the org but it is definitely worth it. I left last year and moved across the globe with my husband, we bought a house, I am learning two languages, I travel and meet people who accept me for who I am. This is better than what I imagined my life would be like as a witness.
Danelly Liz thank you so much for watching and for sharing your positive experiences since leaving! These kinds of stories are an inspiration for those who are scared of the prospect of life after the Watchtower
Danelly Liz I'm very happy for you! It's always great to hear about ex-JWs living their lives authentically and to the fullest, and don't believe the miserable lies that the JWs continue to preach.
ExJW Fifth bro, if I were u I would try to marry the sister you in this interview. she is all of that...perfect dream sister... straight up!
Yes but keep in mind the times we are in. Breaking away will make everything you do seem full of life. It's liberating sure. But JW is the only organization you want supporting you. They are always moving forward, it can seem a bit much-- but that's a strength
Born and raised, and best decision of my life was leaving. Straight up cult.
Peachy Pie but please don't leave God. jw follow the God of watch tower
John 14v6
Peachy Pie
im glad u left u are a strong beautiful woman God bless u Jesus. will all ways be there with the promises. of the Holy Spirt
Excellent interview! Her story really brought back the memories and feelings of my own exit. It is such a stupid messy time. Now I see it for what it is! I have zero nostalgia regarding my time wasted as a JW. Millions have been SUCKERED by this awful CULT/MULTI LEVEL MARKETING BUSINESS !!!!!! Wish I had awakened when I was young like this young worman. I JUST LEFT AT 65!!!!! I NEVER WENT TO COLLEGE I NEVER HAD KIDS I NEVER WENT ANYWHERE I WASTED MY LIFE!!!!!
WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR YOU!!!!!
@@user-bx2cg2ec8c Thatz right
I think every young jw who's on the fence needs to hear this. It's definitely helped me especially being in my early 20's with so much life ahead of me. A beautiful, intelligent, and wise young lady who used critical thinking to open her eyes. Shout out to her . . .
This was a great interview. So sad that the organisation causes so much harm to people. Keep that beautiful 'Natalie Portman' smile on your face and enjoy your life!
Nice to see a pioneers viewpoint from the 'outside'...congrats on walking away.
Fifth, you do excellent interviews! You are an intelligent, well-spoken, caring young man that anyone would benefit having you in their life. I hope you realize you are a great human being and there is nothing wrong with you. The people who have "shunned" you are suffering from mental illness, brain-washing and mind control. All you can do is pray for them and then release it. You have your entire brilliant future ahead of you. I think you will do great things with your new opportunities!
You are so right. The freedom to be rid of that burden of religion is indescribable. Fifth is doing an awesome work by having a safe platform for people to tell the truth of their lives in the religion and hear their joy now that they are out!
Wow! I really admire her determination to go to college! Her smile is infectious too! Thanks Fifth for this great interview.
Anna Ir glad you enjoyed it!
That ever present guilt loaded question..."What's holding you back?" Anyway no one leaves the Watchtower Organization without a black-eye. And the shunning is truly crazy and so wrong. Thank you V for another great interview and MJ you're a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing your experience. 👍🏾
Belle thanks a lot! She was an inspiration to me as well
I was born in it. I didn't get baptized. This is the same story for multitudes. Thank you both.
I completely understand what you went through. My dear exfriend(JW) organized a lunch meeting for me at a resteraunt to get me to explain why I wasn't going anymore to the meetings. I didn't want to come out directly to them saying that It was a false Religion because they would have thought I was commiting some kind of sin or that I was an apostate. But I did try to get them to open up their minds about the Org,which didn't work. No One has contacted me ever since! I've been free for 2 Years now from the cult by Just fading and not permiting the JW elders to have a meeting with me, where they cleverly would have taken steps to disassociate me in the congregation. I wanted to leave with my good reputation ! They can't makeup any lies! And they can't harass me at home because of no stalking laws.
She is so lucky she had people to help her when she left Can you imagine how the JWs were hoping she would fail and when she didn't I'll bet they were not happy for her, but upset that she did so good outside of the JWs If she had failed they would have said "See, I told you so" She made them eat crow by being a success after leaving the JWs GOOD!
My heart broke listening to this beautiful, personable, talented young girl tell how her mother dumped her. What mother does that? The daughter started down the path she did knowing her mother was ill and was going to need help from her and then the mother divorces her? I think there is a high degree of mental illness or something wrong with these peoples brains. They're brainwashed. I get heavy flashbacks of Jonestown listening to these stories. Thank the heavens this young girl has her father. How wonderful he has unconditional love for his daughter.
congratulations to the young woman. hope life is what you wanted
What a positive outlook. Wishing you nothing but success, MJ. Thanks for sharing your story. Big ups to 5th for the awesome interview 👊🏽
Hats off to you you are so young and was able to move with your life iam 65 just fading and so scared I draw some strength from you its hard but you are helpful and thanks fith for this interview
I’m home nursing a cold and came across this video again. Second time watching it and I still get teary eyed. Her mother just up and throws her out the house because she had questions about the teaching she was a part of, when she went to the elders in the congregation voicing some of her concerns they toss her out of the congregation and she lost contact with her family and friends. She didn’t sin, she just asked questions. It has to be one of the saddest and most inhuman stories I have read...how can any justify this behavior. This is a mind controlling cult that destroys families. I’m glad you maintained your friendship.
These interviews make me kind of sad for a lovely JW lady that came to my door lately. I had a messy breakup due to infidelity and the pair came to my door in the morning when I was vulnerable and not not quite awake, so my story spilled out, as I was trying hard to shake off the morning heaviness. Their visit was a bit of answer to prayer, as an aside. The older lady was so compassionate and truly cared for what I was going through. Even offered to come and shovel snow for me. It makes me sad that she's stuck in a cult and is such a beautiful person. I'm sure her zeal for God has her saved, but one wrong move and she could lose her life she knows and family. All she has to do is question too much, or see through it and I all these sad stories of taking years to get your life back will be hers.
Its awesome that you're able to seperte the person from the religion. There are some genuinely amazing people in that organisation, i wish i could help them out
Again, great interview. Key points was how she was treated even though she didn't do anything worth disfellowshipping for. They basically disfellowshipped her for just wanting to leave. It used to be that you could just quietly become "inactive." One suggestion is just to move away quietly to a different city and don't tell people you were a witness.
So very much the point that when you are being recruited they invite you to ask questions and want to show you from the Bible what the "truth" is -- but when you actually get inside, any questions of the Watchtower is a red flag. It totally flips. You are not to ask questions of the Governing Body or the literature. That came through crystal clear for her and for me also, the HYPOCRISY of the WTS.
So if the intent was to help someone else, this was a very emotional and wonderful interview and I wish her all the best. So many who leave don't really get that feeling of being FREE, but she does, and I certainly do. I'm SOOO GLAD I'm out!!! And I absolutely do not see JWs as any less of a "false prophet" than the religions they condemn.
I was born and raised a witness... I was disfellowsgipped then re instate d but soon after left... my family are still in the organization and when I left I had a rough time and continued to live under the guilt that I'd left the true religion... all of the associations I had were mostly with others who'd also left the religion and held the belief that it was the truth and would one day return... I soon started to question the doctrin itself and was met with ire frim my ex witness friends... im in my 50s now and just started following CZcams es who are ex witnesses and finding a home here... thank you.
I myself am an ex Jehovah's Witnesses being disassociated for many years. This young woman has great insight on the process of leaving Jehovah's Witnesses. You have no friends in the organization, everything is conditional. I feel God directed me to leave and I really feel sad for those left behind. Many Witnesses are just miserable and feel trapped. Lots of times I had private conversations where people expressed their feelings of disbelief knowing we wouldn't go to the elders on them, sad to say people are that scared to voice their feelings. My hats off to these 2 fine people as I feel close to them as we all have experienced the getting out of Jehovah's Witnesses and lost family members on account of it. Bless them both.
Great interview Fifth. MJ, you capture the issue succinctly for many JWs in your statement, “You’re not just questioning what you do on Sundays. You’re questioning your whole life!” Your experience also highlights that many leave, not for immorality, but simply for disagreement with the teaching, and doctrines when one discovers it is not the “truth”. In the book of Acts, those at Thessalonica were commended as being more noble-minded for their search of the scriptures to see if the things Paul was teaching, were indeed so. And really, that is all we are doing. Thanks again for an informative interview. Our desire to know REAL TRUTH does not end with the departure from the organization, but it is helped by the freedom we have to use our minds, and freely seek as you described, MJ. ...G
I don't understand what kind of hart some JW parents have to kick out from their own house their own children for a religion?
Gr homer Sadducees thing it isn't even for a 'religion". Christianity is a religion; JW is an Adventist "Sect". It's based on trying to guess the date of the rapture and not living the fullest and best (joyful and loving) life now.
Gr homer The kind of parents that firmly and truly believe in loving Jehovah with their whole mind, whole heart, body and soul as the bible taught. only true christians would put God first and foremost before anyone including families.. even Abraham himself was about to sacrifice his son Isaac to prove his loyalty to Jehovah.. for Satan and false christians it may seem too harsh but to true believers of Jehovah, this itself is wisdom that exposes the false claiming christian liars who profess only with their lips to know God.
Kicked out twice!
Dino this is EXACTLY the opposite of the prodigal son. In the prodigal son, a broken and sorry man seeks his family back, and they IMMEDIATELY welcome him back. In fact....the brother that wants to make him wait a while is the one in the story that Jesus equates to the Pharisees. Shunning is not biblical except in extreme cases, but you can be disfellowshipped by a secret committee of 3 men for almost any thing (no judicial committee in the bible by the way.....certainly nothing secret), for almost anything. Its at the whim of the local body. Its completely ridiculous to justify the shunning of your own flesh and blood because you think God wants you to. its quite sad. I really hope you think about that statement seriously.
Dino Tube God doesn't want sacrifice, he wants mercy. And you don't get to judge because your judgements aren't righteous.
Have fun throwing rocks like the pharisees.
Excellent, encouraging interview. It would be nice to get an update after all this time! How is she?
Yo thank u man for making these videos.For someone who has woken up in the past few years it's so great to see that I'm not the only one going threw this.
Fantastic convo guys! Not too distant from my own experience. Being a poster child is no joke, dat s&$# is fo real!
Wow. She's a strong lady. The fact she could say all these with a smile earns her my respect.
And she is beautiful
This sooo very wonderful -- to see behind the scenes! Very much like Ray Franz's "Crisis of Conscience" which looks into the reality behind what goes on at the headquarters. Thanks again for this interview. This is a "pioneer" so that makes a big difference. I too am a former pioneer so I relate to the desire to be "whole-souled" and zealous!! Now I have to look at ALL the interviews!! (yipes!)
Hi Fifth. I really admire your style when interviewing. The Carl Rogers of ex jw land. You ask a question and allow individuals to express themselves without interrupting. You allowed this lovely lady to tell her story all the way through. It was a great interview, great story and once again highlights why the Watchtower is a high control religion/cult. keep the videos coming my friend. Your videos are powerful.
i love this, I love your channel, watching here from Montreal Canada...just saw your interview with "John Cedars" I have so many stories from growing up as a witness....these give me so much encouragement and make me feel like im not so alone!
EXCELLENT video, a pleasure to listen to, and very grateful to hear the story in chronological order. My memories of waking up are all jumbled up. I felt so happy to hear that the Australian Royal Commission is having a lot of influence and a growing audience. Perhaps the greatest thing is how your awareness began at an early age, and you're free with the best part of your life to look forward to. I didn't clear out of that mess until after I became a grandmother. Still, better late than never. I'm enjoying the ex jw community online very much, and appreciate getting to know you thru Lloyd Evans. I too went through a grieving for the loss of friendships, until it finally sank in that those were not friends. Friends can agree to disagree, and don't hold people hostage mentally or any other way. ---Many thanks for taking the time to make your videos.
Thank you🙏🏼 One thing that never stops surprising me is the similarities of all the stories. It truly is a brainwash cause we end up thinking, acting and fearing the same way, wether we are in Canada, US, Europe or Australia, we hear the same stories over and over. God truly wants us to be free, seek the truth for ourselves and Love one an another. Im am proud to be part of this excellent community of free thinkers. Much Love ❤️
and again its that quality that you put out everytime that makes us continue to watch your videos! This video will certainly help others and I know it will reach at least 20,000 plus at some point. I say this, because its so important for many people to view this kind of truth.
V Jay thanks a lot! I truly appreciate the support. These are the types of experiences that I feel I was never exposed to so I'm just trying to empower people with information. I'm glad you enjoy them!
The empowerment is crucially important my friend, and you are having an affect! Stay true to you, and keep putting out these great videos! Where people who were definitely and fully indoctrinated made their way out. Additionally, I find for me that the deeper they were in the org or higher up (however you want to put it)...lol....I am most impacted because I know they, like me truly believed every bit and I need that impact to hit me...so thank you as always.
This woman is so pretty and vibrant. I have found true beauty and glow increases immensely when one leaves the organization. She can now be free, and live up to her potential which looks like a lot.
I was raised as a witness until I was 18. For most of my adult life I was "wordly" but I only knew or could only articulate the JW doctrine. Recently before I got married at 39 I took a stand for Christ. I still struggle with a few things but most of my maternal family are JWS and mother still tries to ask or encourage me to reconsider. I was never baptized so no one has "shunned" me yet. I find these videos very interesting and I can relate.
Okay...thank you again Fifth for an awesome presentation. This video just made me a firm believer in creation. Someone as articulate, beautiful & gorgeous as MJ just didn't happen by chance. Like yourself, Fifth, MJ is another example of what has become a loss to the WT and a gain for the 'world''. May our Grand Creator bless the both of you charming individuals.
I love this video! Thank you. My husband and I left in 2004.
I grew up JW and leaving was the best thing I ever did. I was robbed from childhood and in the end it was all my fault. I don't have any communication with my mother nor my sister and my step father who ruined my life is still considered a role model JW makes me sick to my stomach.
they are not allowed to talk to you?? if so its a shame because where is Gods love then?
My wife went to the same thing you did and it sounds like you went through pure hell with your family. Loosing family is so hard, my older brother has disowned me and won't speak to me . He is an elder and in in charge of new kingdom hall builds in the southeast US. Be strong and I pray God blesses you greatly.
Are you tuga .?Kkkkkk
@escaped to Vancouver, I brought this video up to the elders and they said that normal relations and spiritual relations were one and the same, so total cutting off
Very deceptive!!
So happy that you were able to make your exit so early in your life....still young enough to get your education furthered. My husband at the time faded out 5+ years and I had faded 2+ years. We were 2weeks from our divorce being final and he brought me before the elders and I was df’d. Elders confirmed our marriage was over (even said those exact words). I then said, “What am I supposed to do then? Live a lie the rest of my life?”.....complete silence from each of them. Writing a letter or being df’d= same outcome. My ex-husband admitted later that he brought me b4 the elders to hurt me be cuz he knew the rest of my family would never speak to me again.....yup, he was right! 22+ years without speaking to me. It was still the BEST decision of my life getting out of that cult. A few years later my ex was df’d for apostasy. My children have lost their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins virtually overnight. That is the saddest part but they don’t want anything to do with hateful/spiteful people who have treated their mother (me) so terribly. JW’s don’t realize or care that their “shunning” practices impact others than the “the one they love and want back in their fold”. Yes, that love sure is strong 22+ years later...lol
Just an awesome video. Thank you both for sharing. I am thrilled beyond words for MJ. She is young, intelligent and can go on with her life and I wish her the very best in her all her endeavors. I wish I would have had the courage to leave when I was young; instead I wasted over 60 years of my life in the WT cult, married a JW the first time and lived a miserable life. (Her dad and I are divorced.) But hopefully for her mother, that may change one day. My daughter left and was df'd at 17. She did her research and resolved to never go back to the WT. I used to beg her to come back; I did not totally shun her but had communication with her. She told me later that at one point in time, she thought about going back to get me and family members back, but by then she knew too much about the organization to return to it. Well, guess what? I woke up myself. I always had doubts and so many horrific events happened in my life that woke me up. My daughter and I have a wonderful relationship now, although her dad is still a JW borg and he has nothing to do with her, which still grieves her. He doesn't know or has ever seen his grandchildren.
Great interview... Getting away from the meetings and field service in order to think was so me. I can definitely relate to her. MJ enjoy your life. I'm glad you're free. Thanks Fifth!!
so glad you are free!
Interesting stuff man.. very cool to see such clarity, and I dig that youre providing such a chill way to hear some reflection on what is such a dramataic and overwhelming topic for people raised in this situation.. I served at Bethel, pioneer'd for 7 years, ministerial servant, all that jazz.. my family are on the extreme end of things.. havent had any relationship at all with my parents and only sibling for about 20 years now. I never looked back, experienced a long career in the world of snowboarding, and just recently felt the actual mourning process of the family loss.. powerful stuff.. happily on the flip side , looking back on having made the right choices, listened to my true inner voice of reason and have lived a life of openness, unconditional love and service to the greater good without so much fear and judgement... I have never felt it was a healthy thing for me to spend any energy on sharing in the ongoing discussion about the JW organization.. but it is intriguing... the organization does a lot of damage, to a lot of lives.. I think its a really big deal, that there are people out there having intelligent and undertanding and accurate dialog about this topic.
Miles MacLeod thanks a lot for sharing your experience and I'm glad you enjoyed the video
What a beauuuuuuuutiful, stunning and genuine girl. Brave enough to question her beliefs. Strong enough to flee to the great unknown to not live a lie. Her happiness shines through so brightly. Quality lady!
Lesb be honest lolllol
I left when i was 17, born and raised in it. Im the oldest of five, three are already out. The youngest are still in, so I moved back to open their eyes a little. They still go to the meetings, my sister is babtized, shes only 16, did it because she has been convinced to be a pioneer etc. I give her music classes,and have pushed her to keep studying her career as a fashion designer. I hope i can finally convince her to wake up. These talks are very helpful, i put them on in the background when im studying music for it to get to her and my little brother.
Very true about having superficial relationships the "friends". I remember ppl literally crying when our congregation split at the time, and we'd have to go to different halls. Looking back, that is weird as hell.. It's almost like we are programmed to not see past the immediate future, everything feels like thEE end to us, as if we all cant just go out on the town tmrw loll
5th ! This interview is one of the most fascinating ex JW interviews I've heard. Your interviews are so very well thought out, articulate and extremely interesting.You ask the best questions ! You should do some follow up interviews after a few years go by for someone just now discovering your videos and other ex JW channels. This young lady’s personality and spirit is so bright, she’s a delight ! She was so into the JW beliefs/ministry I’d love to know what other exact doubts she had and how she's doing in life now. Some of the points she brought out really struck me: Reviled and cast out simply for thinking for herself; questioning the validity of the Governing Body's claims; exposing the very conditional friendships and so-called love, the inability of the elders to answer her questions and their callous manner of disfellowshipping her simply for her sincere inquisitive mind; and the way her fanatical mother kicked her out and shunned her is frightful ! ! Oh and the audacity of her desiring an education beyond high school and her realization that she needed to prepare for her and her Mom's financial future by obtaining an education and a professional career instead of just waitressing part-time for the rest of her life ! ! Very revealing too is how she pointed out how Jehovah's Witnesses do not prepare for the future. Many times older parents in need are instructed by the elders to seek aid from government agencies (Satan's world) or from offspring who have been shunned for years. I still recall as a teenager hearing speakers at assemblies rail against the idea of saving up a 'nest egg' and blasting and ridiculing any who would do so as 'lacking faith' and as being spirituality deficient ! ! It's so good to hear this good-hearted woman come to a realistic view of life. I wish I could have done that much sooner in my life. What finally woke me up, what really woke me and shook me is when I saw the the changed Overlapping Generation teaching during the congregation book study of the Kingdom book and then discovering all the previous failures of JW predictions, and the emphatic statements that young ones would never grow old, etc, etc. Thank you 5th for your time and efforts put into your fantastic interviews and activism ! !
Fifth! I swear I need to buy you a beer brotha' LOL
I grew up from birth as a Witness, and man, leaving it at 22 was an insane process...
Honestly, I'm still not used to the way the "world" works, and still have constant Doomsday pressure from my all Witness family daily.
I'm automatically friends with ex-witnesses, cause the emotional abuse creates a sort of kinship...
Anyway...I'm subscribed...and I'm glad you created this channel, you're the best at this, in my opinion. You tell it like it is, not just bash the Witnesses.
Cliffjumper hey man I appreciate that and for what it's worth I wish I had figured it out at 22. Thanks a lot for the support bro!
Cliffjumper Hang in there. I understand what you're going through. But everything will be alright. It takes time to mentally and emotionally cleanse yourself of JW cult mentality and all the brainwashing.
LAWoman323213 Thank you for your support, I wish I could have a close relationship with my family but they are all life'ers, haha.
Cliffjumper I thought my family were life-ers too but thank goodness for the internet, they're slowly seeing the light so don't give up hope 😊
the suggestions and direction that they give may make you feel like you are restricted behind walls. but those walls are for your protection. and you want to leave and see what's on the other side of those walls. but when that lion come, guess what you are going to be looking for...those walls of protection
MJ...do you have your own channel? If not, there are a ton of JWs in their 20s, 30s and early 40s who you'd be an inspiration & support to. Seriously...give it some thought! You were awesome in this interview! Three thumbs up!
...or maybe you do have a channel! If so, can you share the link? Tons and tons would support your cause...for sure!
Governing body says they are NOT inspired and say they ARE prone to error, but dammit don't you dare EVER question the doctrines practices or beliefs we force followers to adhere to.....you aren't allowed to change your beliefs unless we change them FOR you,,,,(new light).....cult
That's a sign of a severe lack of humility and poor teaching ability. Teachers are prepared to answer questions, it's their role.
...And that's the real truth about this Organization! You stated it so perfectly! ; )
New Light is a Typo....Auto Correct...New Lies...
Jason W well stated cult!
To borrow from Son of Thunder(Eric)...WT is Luciferian Influenced with Genius and Sophistication...You are both Correct in Your analysis of WT... Catch Phrase on any Infommercial..."But Wait...Act NOW" while Supplies Last...You too can Live Forever & pet the Panda's ...But Wait...Seats are limited...ACT NOW!!
I feel very lucky. Moving to US was my opportunity to leave at a young age, I didn't want to loose my friends (few), coming here was a new beginning. For years I was afraid to loose my family, and still a possibility
I identify with her so much. I didn't get baptized out of zeal, I did it out of obligation. Sure at the time I thought it was the right thing, but as I am now, I realize that was easily the worst decision I've ever made. But how could I, an eleven-year-old who grew up in an insulated environment, tell the difference between pure fantasy and basic reality? I remember the breakdowns too... I literally felt my mind being reorganized when I got woke and realized I was an atheist. Still working on leaving, and I will. Great interview, Fifth!
My favorite comment from multiple people was that I was going to die at Armageddon.
two of the most powerful testimonies ive heard so far...you got my guy ExJw Faith who served in spanish speaking congregations, and my girl here - who literally traveled the world for this cult. we gave our lives, our child hoods to this organization...and in the blink of an eye we were dead to them and it was all in vain. pls tell me yall kept in touch. jesus christ, shes beatiful
yes it's not unconditional love for sure glad you found your freedom.i feel same way I was crushed in 2012 when I woke up but I'm great now
Make Sure to QUESTION what You have been taught to BELIEVE ...until you become one of Jehovah's Witnesses...then STOP.
Oroborus21 x very well put
Oroborus21 x that's right!
Oroborus21 x Jehovah is a real person
Oroborus21 x 😂😂😂😂
She really comes across as a very sweet, nice and true person. It was great seeing and hearing someone like her. God Bless you.
I walked away from the organization because like you i read the bible haven't looked back. That was was 25 years ago don'
t even know if i was expelled.
V: Thank you for another great interview. It's wonderful to see by your videos that Ex JW's are happily persuing their dreams and goals. I also appreciate your apology for shunning those you reconect with. It speaks volumes about your character! Thank you again!
I enjoyed the interview and life can be enjoyable in this nefarious system... I just hope that both of you are still walking with Gods laws in your Heart.. God bless.
This is a very powerful story and I'm really glad that you shared this. This is a great channel and thanks for putting it out there! There is no question that this will help others.
Observer Link thanks a lot! I really hope these experiences are helpful
She is a smart and beautiful young lady. Congrats on getting out!
MJ que bonita historia y felicitaciones por tus grandes logros que has tenido siempre y más ahora en tu libre albedrío 😊
I was raised in a congregation full of kids. One year when we were 10 years old, puberty hadn't hit yet, they decided to get baptized. Its was like 5 or 6 of them. I was like, " I'm way more spiritual than they are or will ever be". So the following year I got baptized when I was 11. They all ended up getting disfellowshipped in their late teens for sex of course. I went to Bethel in my 20's and ended up getting dissed later. But tell me what 10 or 11 year old can fully grasp this ever changing "new light".
Burbing Berries agree that 10 is young. That is being baptised and dedicated to Jehovah-- to be baptised and then to choose Christ is what requires consideration
Do you by any chance know Ruben Ochoa? He was in Brooklyn bethel around 07, 08
Great Job V and MJ amazing interview
(17:59) "Because the more questions I asked, I think the more clearer it became that it was not the truth."
Thank you for sharing your story!
hi fifth, I have two brothers in law that are jws,so I'm very interested in the subject. I've just started watching your channel and I've noticed that you use a lot of terms that non jws would not understand. can you explain some of the terms such , pioneer, mission etc. thanks
Mag Guzman I appreciate the suggestion. I will put a video in the next day or two explaining all of the terms
Listening to MJ and her experience was both so sad and incredibly exhilarating. Thank you to you both for this video.
wow she's a cutie bro best looking guest you ever had great vid bro keep it going
wow everyone has commented on this girls looks...lol
V Jay well she's cute, cute personality!😉
your guest is resilient, gorgeous and has a beautiful personality. would you mind passing my email (docelyby@gmail.com) to her? thanks bro!
How this girl managed to stay single is mind blowing if you know how quick they try to marry you off in this cult to an elder especially how spiritual she was considered to be! I WOULD’VE GOTTEN BAPTIZED FOR HER!!! LORD JEHHOOOVVAAHH!!!🤪
Another great interview 5th! So brave of you MJ to make this choice. You're so luck to get out so early. You have your whole life before you. I'm so happy for you!
mila's toybox thank you for the support!
Your content is great. I'm having a rough time processing my exit. I faded... that was in 2008. I never questioned:/ I only questioned in 2011. It was only ending of last year that I started to believe what I was taught from birth was a lie. Now, I'm angry. I have a little girl and could not put her through the dark depressing life. She's only four. Yes, we celebrate the holidays, personally I like Christmas the most at 35 lol. I don't care that it's "pagan". The hardest part about fading and also having a little one is that technically I'm not disfellowshipped. I'm an only child, I honestly don't want to NOT talk to my mom. So, I still do my own thing but with extreme irritation. It's because my little girl goes to the JW events. I'm a single mom so partially it's selfish too (I need the help). The end game is to disassociate completely. Thank you for posting.
RONI&RIV RONI&RIV hi! Your story sounds so much like mine, I also faded and didn't question things until a few years later. I'm also a single mum but my son is 7 and it's so much easier now, I don't need the helps as much and so he's stopped going to jw events, hang on in there x x
I also faded--being a faithful and active JW made me so miserable and I wanted some peace and happiness. It took nearly 10 years of complete inactivity to have the strength to do any research on WTS. I finally woke up a few years ago. Joining online support groups was very helpful and healing for me. Life outside this Doomsday cult is so much better--in every way. It really does keep getting better.
RONI&RIV Wow, my story too!! I was associated with the Witnesses since age 18. Studied back and forth for years, while going to church here and there in between. I had started a 4-year University but pulled out for a while and didn't feel the need to finish because according to them it wasn't a priority. I came back in 2013 and was baptized in 2014. I auxiliary pioneered a couple times but never truly felt a connection to God. I always felt burden with things to do....preparing my lesson, making my hours, keeping tabs on who I placed magazines with, etc.... unlike what it felt like when I was in church. I felt more of a spiritual connection there. Anyway, my best friend started researching a lot of things on the Organization and sharing it with me so I took it to the elders, who pretty much talked me out of my doubts. FOR A TIME..... BUT.....by God's grace, for some reason my best friend and me always kept going back to our personal research and so the things I learned forced me to really pay attention. I haven't been in service it meetings since January. Not going back. Guess I can say I've faded too.
And look at how MANY of us are waking up!!! I didn't leave to just be out in the world though. But to seek, LIVE FOR AND WORSHIP God in spirit and TRUTH. My journey has just begun.
Christmas and holidays are a very fun family tradition! Not at all wrong and bad like they have been portrayed by JW’s. In fact, I have not been to a birthday celebration yet (or heard of) any be-headings!
MJ seems like a sweet person. I'm very happy for her. I can relate to her story. MJ's experience in the org just solidifies that this is a CULT! I hope others can gain strength from her story.
Very important conversation for all doubting jdubs to listen too.
Great Job V and MJ Experience Courage Wisdom
Great Job Family Blessings from DETROIT
Came back in after 30 years, while I was getting my bachelor's. Soon after married the son of the COBE which was a disaster. Left him and fading after 7 years back in. Have a story to tell about THAT. Never got a job in my degree, nor did a friend of mine who got a bachelor's in History. Puzzled. My financial aid never covered "trips," abroad or otherwise. Even though I got my Associate's on my own financially, when I was getting my bachelor's, I was told my financial aid ran out my next to the last semester. I had not taken any extra classes, I did not switch majors, so I don't know how you managed going on trips? I wish you the best.
I've been watching all of your videos and they're great! Great story and great interview man.
she is so fine, i keep having to rewind and listen again
lol haha
I'm sure she had many brothers wanting to marry her because she was such an outstanding sister.
I served in Bethel back in 94-96. I was a ms and even auxiliary pioneered while at Bethel - talk about zeal - overkill..lol. I just really enjoyed talking to people I guess. I drifted away in 1999. I was quite the apologist for JW teachings, but I had a past connected to charismatic church movement of the 80's and used to believe in the Trinity and gifts of the spirit - though I never exhibited or was 'blessed' to receive such gifts . I definitely believed God and Jesus were one and the same. But after careful consideration of the scriptures and research at libraries about the Trinity, soul, spirit, hell holidays and found that what JW's taught seemed to have a solid basis in truth. But, for me now at 45 feel and believe strongly that science has helped me shed superstitious beliefs just as JWs helped me shed my superstitious beliefs/traditions like holidays, saying god bless you and seeing god in every good or bad occurrence in life.
I'm happy to see people are using their minds and opening their mind to sciences and philosophy and cultures. I hope we all can live full and purposeful lives and become an active citizen of this planet!
Bryan McAlister What branch of bethel did you serve? I ask because I was at the Farm in 95 and 96
Hi,
Brooklyn, shipping Dept. At Furman bldg.
While at Bethel never found time to visit Patterson or Wallkil.
Inside of 3 years I parted ways. I wasn't disfellowshipped, but I did join a Spanish cong. the last year in and the phenomenon of joining a foreign language which throttle downs all that information and influence helped me break free and move on.
very good interview!!!!💓💓💓
love your interviews soo interesting to hear so many different reasons why people are not in that religion no more. always looking forward to more videos cliff. :)
Jameela Zavala thank you :-)
I spent 33 years in this cult. I was born and raised 3rd gen and my parents are still duped and "serving where the need is great". This cult is incredibly damaging on the mind and almost breaks ones spirit or view of existence. I'm going into 35 soon and still restarting my life after losing my son to this cult and a unhealthy marriage. I have an amazing eyewitness story involving a family where the mother drove her vehicle into the kingdom hall because she knew of the abuse that her child was going through. It's an amazing story. I know I should make a video about it but I'm not too big on showing my face and it's not because of shame, so sorry to blow up the comment section about it... its just so interesting and the idea that if I shared this story someone else present there would come forward as a eyewitness to it and possibly share their experience of it too. I remember that whole incident very well and the many flags and clues that were there as that mother was screaming for attention and we all looked at her like she was crazy. If you wanna know about more go ahead and ask down below. I really liked this interview and very happy with your channel and content. Fifth... great job with these uploads, thanks ✊🏽
You should do a interview with 5th even if you have to blank out your screen!
Oh wow! That was one of the best exJW interviews I’ve seen yet!! I’m so happy for you and that you’re living your life and reaching your dreams while you’re still so young!! Thanks 5th for this!
i might have missed it, but what was she disfellowshipped for? on what bases?
frank devlin she was Df’d simply for questioning the Jw doctrine and alleged “anointed” governing body. Very sick
Doubt + burnout + research = I'm out. freedom! It's the patten of waking up.
You r a darling young lady...I'm so glad you escaped early..and have so much to look forward to...I've watched most of my aunts and uncles live the JW life...to the exclusion of all else...the constant waiting for the end of the world to come..the "new light"....that so often contradicted earlier "new light"...they all died captive to this organization...they died worrying about me and other relatives...certain that we would not be in the "new system". You seem so happy..God bless you! Now enjoy your life..learn..think for yourself...oh wait! You already are!!!😘
I'm an ex-JW myself turned Torah-observant. Thanks for these podcasts my friend.
Very good interview! Great job!
Muntu Poets Legacy thank you!
Gracias, gracias, por tener subtítulos en español!
But the good thing you moved on while young and still have plenty of time to adapt and make new friends and family. May you be Happy and prosper in all your endeavors!
Do your thing young lady let no one ☝️ hinder you from connecting you from the positive side of your destiny.
@ marker 19:40, this is absolutely true in many conversations I have heard or been apart of. We do make the assumption that it is the right place to be. We also "quote that one scripture wrong. Where Jesus asked his Apostles," you don't want to leave also, do you"? And they answered, "to whom els would we go to"? Witnesses almost always say, "where else would we go"? The sad thing is, the organization does put it self in the place of Jesus as our mediator. And we all for a time, fall for the lie. Hook, line and sinker. And I really believe it is for the right heart reasons, and because, even though some of us have a hard time with being around people, we are still social creatures by design. So, we are baited easily. Then, though, there are those of us, who see that our depression is due to not God or his Son. But, the org. It puts un due restrictions that choke life and love from you. Does God have some restrictions? Yes, he does. But, man kind has far more no matter where one goes. While humans are awesome creatures, we are a sad bunch. We impose undue rules upon others. As if, we our selves are the author of life. Lol! Jesus stated, we will worship the Father in our own bodily temples. Yes, with others, but, without restrictive rules from one another. I only hope that I can find such like ones that I can associate with and have real friendships with in person in my area. Any way, great interview. Congratulations you two. Let's pray that the "Watchtower" of babble falls without any casualties. As, I do truly love even my friends that are fake to me.
What a beautiful smile... glad you got out! That said, I can see why you got so many Bible studies, with such a charming smile.
I wish you all the best and know you're on a much better path!
Wonderful interview..thank you both so much for taking your time and effort to make this possible. It amazes me how they beg the brothers to stay and will talk for HOURS and do anything to try to convince brothers to stay but it seems to be going the same with sisters...especially sisters with a good reputation. You question anything - no mercy sis...you're gone before you can influence anyone else. Sisters = forced disassociation. Have a wonderful like sweetie!! Contact me anytime! Xoxo
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