A Childcare Expert Reacts To Caleb and Sophia

[@maria.x]

Oh lord. I’m gonna send this to my therapist. This is exactly how I was raised and how I still think to this day, even after leaving and working on myself.

[@DarthMagog]

Shoot, I'd love to hear back. Hopefully this adds some more insight for your therapist. Thanks for fighting the good fight

[@thecoolerx]

good thing you are out of there now those cultists should all go to jail to what they do to kids!

[@isaquedopao6667]

@@thecoolerx they really do deserve it

[@Doodlands]

I hope you get better soon.

[@maria.x]

@@DarthMagog so I sent her the video, and long story short, she couldn’t finish watching it because it gave her too much anxiety to think I grew up like this. It’s straight up emotional abuse and it makes the child always responsible for their parent’s feelings, which is my main issue with my parents. But it also made her very proud and happy that I decided to get out of there and seek help. So glass half full. Thank you for this video, it really allowed me to put into words what I wasn’t able to describe back then, even though I still felt it.

[@PukyBear]

Sofia: “why I don’t have friends of my age?” Also Sofia: “Jehova says that your moms are going to hell”

[@DarthMagog]

It's funny cuz it's canon 😂

[@percival_salad]

@@DarthMagog J E H O H V A W I T N E S S L O R E

[@monstervain]

JW's don't believe in hell 🤣

[@DarthMagog]

@@monstervain well they believe in "Hades" and "Gehena" so in a round about way, sure? Lol

[@Eldyra]

@@DarthMagog I'll gladly join Hades in the Underworld, they have a puppy with three heads to pet. Is there a better way to spend eternal afterlife? 🥰

[@jenaminton7009]

I will say this with the forgiveness video. Sophia's feelings were invalidated that Caleb broke her toy, ate her dessert, and went into her room without asking. Those are things that she values and should have been respected: her possessions, her food, and her privacy. It's okay to state about forgiveness, but it should have been tagged with validated feelings as well. It's okay that she feels hurt.

[@DarthMagog]

I 100% agree, Sophia got a raw deal.

[@dinosaysrawr]

I'll take Patriarchy for 500, Alex.

[@kymo6343]

@@dinosaysrawr No seriously, so much unfair treatment for the boys over the girls in JW houses...

[@Goose-pic]

As someone who's stepmother lets their siblings take freely from their room, that hurt honestly. I hate the idea that more kids are being conditioned to accept boundary stomping for the sake of having a "happy" family.

[@SarahAbramova]

This is why forgiveness is something I see as being earned.

[@SlysGames]

The whole idea of telling a child to (try to) break up a family of any makeup is just... inhuman

[@DarthMagog]

Indeed. Show's more about the relgion. Honestly, I figure if Jehovah was that tough, he'd do his own dirty work. But that's none of my business. More sugar for your tea 🍵?

[@miigi-p4939]

The only time thats okay its when its a abusive household Wich it wasnt Imagine telling your kid Hey go destroy that marriage because god

[@SlysGames]

​@@miigi-p4939 Even then, it should never be expected for a child to interfere. It's the job of authorities and the adults of society to punish the abuser(s) and protect any children or other victims involved, to put that responsibility on a child is in itself abuse.

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

@@DarthMagog I like my sugar with a little tea, yep ☕😅

[@uu-ek2mg]

Telling a child that she should tell another child that his or her parents will 'burn in hell' unless they 'repent' and should basically stop being happy is cruel, heartless and inhuman. The worst part is, if that classmate gets upset and runs to her parents and/or the teacher crying... Sophia's parents will turn things around to where THEY are the 'real victims' because they have 'freedom of religion' and how DARE the school violate their rights like that?! They will get up on their high horse and DEMAND that the feelings of the classmate and her parents be ignored /shoved aside because freedom of religion is and should be much more important then 'feelings'.

[@LaurenElizabethYT]

The one about gay marriage particularly upsets me, using children to preach hateful stuff to other kids? I’d be so hurt and upset if my kid came home, all upset saying “my friend said you and mommy are gonna burn forever!” …. It’s just so evil, to tell kids that. And of course I wouldn’t be mad at the kid who told my kid, because they’ve literally been instructed to do so by their parents and the adults around them… and the kid thinks they’re doing a good thing. Sophia genuinely just wants her friends and their families to get into “paradise”, so l it results in her spreading hatred, out of the goodness of her heart…. Which is just soo twisted.

[@DarthMagog]

Oh it hurts so much watching good kids being misguided and manipulated like that. Sophia was perfectly content know that Carrie's Mommies loved each other and were happy. The good ol' Mum went out of her way to ruin it. Shame on her eh?

[@Subterranean_sebastian]

If it’s any consolation I’ve seen this video floating around the queer community a lot as a cautionary note on how this is a horrible influence on young children as well as a horribly written “story”.

[@uu-ek2mg]

The worst part is, if Sophia actually goes to her classmate and tells her what God (and her mom) told her, and the child runs to her moms and/or the teacher crying/upset.. The moment the classmates' parents or the teacher demand an explanation/apology, Sophia's parents will get up on their high horse and will act like THEY and their daughter are the 'real' victims because 'freedom of religion' is and should be much more important then 'feelings'. Read: the feelings of the classmate and her two mothers shouldn't matter.

[@TheCatNamedToast]

honestly even if they don't support the religion, shouldn't just they better off teaching their kids about respecting it instead? pretty sure there's such a thing as co-existing despite different belief 🙁

[@uu-ek2mg]

Some/a lot of religious people can't and straight up refuse to co-exist with gay people because of what their religion tells them. Some of them straight up believe that they have the 'right' to treat gay people like crap because they can hide behind their religion to justify everything. And the worst part is, they get their way too. Screw the feelings of gay people, religious people have 'freedom of religion' and that's more important. Also, that crap about 'it's not about feelings, it's about the facts and the truth'. Read: only the feelings of straight and religious people should and do matter. The rest of humanity can go pound sand.

[@crazyfrytka]

I want to point something out in the forgiveness clip. All the bad things that Caleb did, directly impacted his sister, but what Sophia did was "general" mistakes directed at no one. I don't think it is fair, to demand granting forgiveness to someone that keeps hurting you, based on fact, that you are making bad decisions. I don't think it is equal. Maybe it is not a bright red flag, but I noticed that. Maybe because I am an oldest sibling and I know how big pain in the *** can be a younger sister/brother. And how frustrating can be when parent protects them despite them hurting/annoying you on a daily basis. You feel helpless.

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah they defintetly went wide on that one. I'm glad that Caleb and Sophia could hash it out, but being obligated to is sus at best. Love the insight Frytka, thanks for the support 😊

[@doloreslehmann8628]

I noticed that, too. I know what you mean with your siblings there. "But they're just so small, they don't know any better!" I HATED that as a kid. Even when it was true (and it wasn't always), you have to take the frustration of the older kid seriously.

[@PeachWookiee]

“They don’t know any better,” means that they need to know. Small children can be taught that what they’re doing isn’t okay.

[@EmilyGetsCancelled]

This is exactly what I was thinking. It sucks having an adult tell you "They're littler than you, they're not as mature." Yeah, they're never going to mature like the rest of us did because you defended them and never held them accountable. It's frustrating at the time, and it isn't fair, but you do become more independent and learn how to solve problems on your own.

[@DarthMagog]

@@EmilyGetsCancelled Agreed. I will say that my siblings and I hashed it out as we got older, so our relationship is sound. Our relationship with the Org? Not so much...

[@boshowa0840]

Children being blindly obedient opens them up to accepting abuse. And now I'm going off topic but, I really love the Star Wars aesthetic you created.

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah the blind obidence has a LOT of unfortunate implications I'm afraid. Also, glad you like the armor 😁

[@vaughnhaney7020]

THIS. My family aren't even religious, but I still tend to sympathize with a lot of aspects of overly religious upbringings, because my parents used a lot of the same abusive tactics (but without the ruse of pleasing God- they're upfront that it's about pleasing them). I was so conditioned to never say no to anything and to do whatever I was told without question, that I simply submitted to many abusive situations, including toxic friendships, a sexually abusive relationship, and even predatory behaviour from an adult woman when I was about 14-15. These experiences slowly harboured distrust, so by 16 I questioned EVERYTHING I was ever told, and my family were constantly having screaming matches because I wanted to know WHY I had to do things that only seemed to hurt me (even if sometimes it was justified requests, I just needed a reason now). I'm only still in my parents' lives because I'm disabled and can't support myself. I also have a heavily religious friend who's unfortunately dealt with similar avoidable abusive situations, but due to her religion she continues to blame and hate herself and tries to just submit more and more to avoid going to Hell... It breaks my heart because I don't think she'll ever break free of the cycle of meeting new people, dismissing red flags in an effort to be obedient, and simply accepting being abused...

[@reiy8401]

i remember my parents using star wars to teach blind obedience. when we'd watch the Phantom Menace and Qui Gon tells Anakin to duck while Darth Maul is chasing them, they would go "see how he obeyed right away and didn't ask why? If he had he would have d!ed" lmao

[@WolfgangDoW]

They're also taught that abuse is love, not just from parents but the core dogma of Christianity "love me and worship me or you'll be tortured for eternity", that's not love that's abusive manipulation It sets kids up as they grow up to not only expect abuse but see it as a good thing

[@kbbrown8154]

Entirely. I'm now 42 and still working on childhood traumas from a family that tried to create its own cult.

[@gracenotme671]

Ex-Muslim here. Muslim communities unfortunately have all the child abuse shown in this video, I swear my parents have done the exact opposite of childcare experts’ advice, they’ve done almost nothing right, so I can really relate even if I was never a JW myself. I commend you for speaking out against that cult

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Grace. Just goes to show how tightly religion and culture are meshed, and the unfortunate consequences of theology running any other parts of life.

[@nationalinstituteofcheese3012]

I wish more Muslims were less abusive. I’m Muslim and my mom is learning to leave her traditional (abusive) behaviors in favor of better forms of discipline and love

[@Wince_Media]

@@nationalinstituteofcheese3012 that's good to hear!

[@Sockywocker]

@@nationalinstituteofcheese3012 Me too, it definitely affected alot of people and those who comes out about it are either shunned or give into the victim mentality where they just Easily forgive those who abuse them and i have seen it first hand, its just terrible I just cant get the grasp of how the abusers can get away with it scot free while the abused deals with it

[@bloodymetalangel287]

Muslim fundamentalism should have more awareness, it needs to change. I’m so sorry you’re one of the people negatively impacted.

[@AnonimusQualquer]

“And we have a traditionally gendered houseworker here.” “The mother character.” “That is my point.” This is so descriptive of a scene that almost feels like aliens describing it. Yet so accurate. It hit my funny bone and I can’t tell exactly why.

[@DarthMagog]

Lol I guess we technically are aliens 🤣

[@Zack_is_proud]

I didn’t think my best friend’s religious trauma would be talked about by Star-wars characters, but here we are. I actually understand it better.

[@DarthMagog]

That's why we're here my friend, to raise awareness and promote healing

[@LettaLeeJoy]

Speaking as someone with a lot of religious trauma, something about the framing device of Sith Lords deconstructing this really helps to take the edge off going through it. Like, dissecting this stuff is really anxiety inducing for me, and something about doing it in Star Wars costumes helps to lower that anxiety. Keep up the good work, you guys.

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Charli. Really helps me process the trauma too. That and having others with similar problems to talk to. Having a sense of community, you know?

[@LettaLeeJoy]

@@DarthMagog Totally relate. It can too often feel like you're the only person in the world this sort of thing happened to. Like everyone else got to live normal childhoods and here you are feeling like you woke up from a coma and you missed out on your own youth. And instead of childhood memories, all you have are bad dreams. It helps to remember that no, there are others. And if they can live their best life, so can you. Not to get too sentimental, lol. 😅

[@bloodymetalangel287]

I’m sorry to hear you went through that ❤.

[@DemetriusDrekin01]

Saaame! I love watching videos like this but the anxiety is really hard on me.

[@LettaLeeJoy]

@@DemetriusDrekin01 Right? The content itself, at least for me, can feel like it's almost trying to pull me back into that world. When other content creators are all yelly about it or just somber, that can make it even more stressful. The anxiety is the hardest part when wrestling with this stuff.

[@kbbrown8154]

I have a problem with "Forgive Freely." She's asking her father for help with her brother taking her shit, eating her food and sneaking around her bedroom. Instead she's made to confess imaginary wrongs that have nothing to do with Caleb.

[@DarthMagog]

Right, where's the balance and the fairness? Caleb wasn't even asked to make it up to Sophia.

[@msganymede18]

Definitely need to do the Caleb birthday episodes. Emotional abuse is definitely shown there. Also, the one where Sophia gets bullied, because it shows (in my opinion) the wrong way to deal with bullies. Like the parents don't even go to the principal to talk about how Sophia is getting bullied!

[@DarthMagog]

Oh we're on it. Clone Commander Fives wants some armor upgrades, but quite likes analyzing these

[@Roadent1241]

Not that it helps anyway. They'll (The school, headmaster etc) still blame the bullied kid for being an easy target. "Stop being disabled and they'll stop bullying!" is basically what they're secretly saying.

[@msganymede18]

@@Roadent1241 Regardless of whether or not telling the teacher helps, bullying shouldn't be used as a "good excuse" to teach about whether God hears our prayers or not, which was what happened in the vid.

[@Roadent1241]

@@msganymede18 God definitely didn't, so he's deafer than I am. I dunno why we have All Saints schools where we pray on the daily before we even hit 5, I wonder how many other kids 'deviated' from the visiting priests' prayers to ask for a personal situation (disability, bad home life) to be solved and thought "well screw you you're just proving you're not real" because nothing changed. Then 30 years later you're still getting told he has a plan and I just do "Well...... We're waiting!" GIF face. I get having RE classes because you can learn about other countries and their religions without it being commands to pray but having daily assemblies where you pray and sing hymns outside of church??? Did that happen in America??

[@Fapujo]

I'm really interested in Commander analyzing those two too, they're one of the worst, especially the emotional guilt tripping over eating a piece of cake because it was someone else's birtday cake... such a wtf moment

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

The assault on JW children is despicable. These videos should be banned and it is detestable that children's developing brains are exposed to such damage

[@DarthMagog]

Mortifying. I mean I grew up with the "Book of Bible Horrors" and that was enough. Super gross really. Glad to have your support SP! Ironically your video on hair styles and beards just came up in my recommended, so I'm watching it over lunch

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@DarthMagog Oh yes, was there when it was released. We've covered several 'fun' subjects from that terrible book on the show. It gave entire generations of kids nightmares.

[@Beatrce_83]

I used to be a Jehovahs Witness, and leaving them in 2019 was the best decision I ever made

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Beatrce_83 Congratulations on FREEDOM....your life free of the cult has just begun~!!

[@ZizixxSamurai]

@@survivingparadisepodcast "It has begun!"

[@impossiblewolf2371]

Cant wait for the inevitable Caleb & Sophia fanfic taking place 20 years later as Caleb and Sophia go to an apostate group therapy and it turns out they both have horrible anxiety and Sophia’s married to Carrie

[@DarthMagog]

Forget what Stephen Lett and Tony Morris say, this fan theory is Canon to the Caleb and Sophia universe

[@Illitha]

I'm totally gonna write this. Need a site to publish it on tho... (Edit) this means imma have to watch every episode to learn the lore

[@DarthMagog]

@@Illitha don't play, I will do a live reading and commission some art for a text story.

[@Illitha]

@@DarthMagog nah I'll do it for free. Just need to catch up on the source material

[@Hell_With_Perks]

@@Illitha Ao3 is always your friend for strange fiction. I await the result eagerly.

[@dawn8293]

On the forgiveness one, if I see one child has broken a toy and the other child is mad, I will focus first on helping the child who broke the toy to apologize and to fix the problem (buying a new one). I would also work to comfort both kids; comfort one by assuring her that her toy will be replaced and that it's okay to be disappointed and frustrated sometimes, if we deal with it healthily, comfort the other by explaining that it's going to be okay because we'll fix the problem, and it's sad when people are mad at us, but we can learn not to touch stuff without asking and to fix our mistakes. Why would my FIRST instinct be to force my child to forgive a legitimate grievance?

[@DarthMagog]

And it extends beyond this too, I worry about what other things Children would have to forgive adults for in the congregation, regardless of the trauma on the child. I think it's problematic AF too Dawn

[@Nocturnalux]

@@DarthMagog This, this opens the floodgates and if you consider the appalling track record of this organization when it comes to sa, you can tell how truly awful and utterly soul-crushing it can get.

[@nakseyyy]

the kid's emotions over losing a toy are completely overlooked. now she's the one who must do the step forward, forgive. what of her feelings?

[@honeyholly001]

My child used to hide behind the couch in scenes where Caleb and Sophia were being told off.

[@tophatcat1173]

@@honeyholly001 that's probably a bad sign.

[@KittyChan86]

Ex-jw for 15 years, so I missed these videos. However, the forgiveness thing even extends to sa. For girls, sa is always their fault for 'tempting " the perp. I was required to publically apolgize to him and his wife for my behavior. It happened from 8-14. But all of the blame was mine. Good video. I appreciate people getting the message out

[@billcipher8645]

That's very upsetting, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I hope you are in a better place now

[@DarthMagog]

"I'm sorry for living in a body as a small child in the presence of a grown-ass man who has no self control or awareness whatsoever." Absolutely disgusting, I'm sure that "Brother" was the victim of "stumbling" too...

[@KittyChan86]

@@DarthMagog oh yes. But the elders decided that I was the cause. I am in a much better place, but it took me time to figure out what the heck had happened to me and to put it in real terms and not brainwashing terms. Since I wasn't married and couldn't have s*x as a result.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

I'm an ex-evangelical, raised in that church. I was taught I had to forgive my abusers, that rape victims have to forgive, that's it's the job of women not to tempt men, etc. "Forgiveness" can lead to abusers getting away with it.

[@dr.altoclef9255]

God that just makes me absolutely *livid*. I'm so sorry that some scumbag took advantage of you, and that people you hoped would defend you wouldn't.

[@metademetra]

So video two: Caleb's wrongdoings: Everything follows a pattern of not respecting Sofia's personal space. He's constantly violating her privacy and taking her stuff. Sofia's wrongdoings: Here there's a pattern of forgetfulness that doesn't negatively impact anybody but herself. Except maybe the dishes. While these two different patterns of behavior ARE problems, Caleb's is the more immediately pressing problem. Telling Caleb that his sister also makes mistakes doesn't help him learn to be more mindful. In fact, it teaches him the exact opposite. Fast forward a couple years, I guarantee Caleb is gonna start accidentally walking in on Sofia trying to change, or start stealing REALLY valuable belongings. Also, I can't say this enough "whataboutism" doesn't do anyone any good.

[@DarthMagog]

Right? And why isn't Dad disciplining his son? Forgiveness is fine, and it's clear the kids are loving siblings, but he still needs to learn about consequences. Sophia deserves to have her feelings validated and for Caleb to make it right with her..

[@hexegrams]

i’m not JW nor was a raised as such but this video helped to illuminate some toxic parenting practices that my own mother used while i was growing up. things such as throwing things and screaming at me, even calling me names and spitting on me, then saying “look what you MAKE me do!!! don’t MAKE me do these things!” as if i was responsible for her actions. seems like a theme here too. always blaming the children for an adult’s lack of emotional control.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, lack of patience and adult emotional immaturity. Pretty painful.

[@lambadajewo.4143]

I hope you are alright now

[@glamrockgalaxy9007]

my mom has done this a couple of times when i was younger she doesn't do that anymore

[@Sienisota]

22:55 I had a friend who knew a JW kid when growing up. Every classmate hated that kid, because she kept saying everyone who isn't a JW is going to hell. My friend was a very mild mannered kid, and it always startled me how much she hated JWs. Apparently the JW kid would never shut up about it, disrupting class, bothering people. (And this was before gay marriage was even a thing.)...As an adult, I pity that kid. She had no friends, as she was considered arrogant and cruel by her peers.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, and I bet her folks encouraged it. Called it "working ger territory."

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

And I don't think I blame that child. She was likely brainwashed, manipulated, and too young to know any better. Telltale said that cults can cause their peers to become alienated, isolated outsiders - and this is often what the cult wants.

[@Psycul]

jehovah's witnesses don't believe in hell so you are either making this up or that kid was confused

[@dr.altoclef9255]

I knew a family who was part of the Westboro group who was the same way. The sad part is that he and his sister were reasonable, nice kids and he actually had a pretty good sense of humor under it all. And...if the topic never came up he and I had a fairly decent sort of friendship. His family was out of it by high school but a lot of damage had been done. He and his sister didn't talk to many other people and seemed like they sort of struggled with...almost burnout.

[@quackdracular7610]

​@@Psycul That's a weak argument. The way her preaching was heard and interpreted was that everyone who did not conform would be destroyed which is how hell is perceived. Most people do not know of JWs unique interpretation of Hell. It's really a distinction without a difference.

[@dexstewart862]

I grew up with grandparents who were fairly lax on religion, and I was quite shocked to see other kids occasionally who took their family's religion so seriously.

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah it's all very cultural, depends on the family really. Very common in JW households, pretty much JW law really.

[@snazzyidiot]

My parents are just like your grandparents

[@dilly-dally-mations6851]

As a Christian myself, I've met ex jehovahs witnesses struggle with their upbringing. Its hard to break free From the psychological trauma produced from it

[@DarthMagog]

Daily fight, but we'll make it.

[@drzaius8430]

Just remember what Christ said, sword not olive branch. But if you don't know the Bible don't do it, leave it to people who do and don't care about feelings. I love to debate them and other religions, they always pull the "Jesus would never say that!!!" to be fair no he would say worse. Remember the temple? Or the most of his speeches? Yeah he would throw down hard with love, with love he would dead call you a snake for intentionally being foul. They need a good word smack, remember too we as Christians are ment to know why we are Christians and be able to call out false prophets and false leaders. It's not easy but hey, if your brother was about to do something stupid would would be happy and smiles or rage and call him out?

[@molybdomancer195]

I think Sophia resents her brother being the golden child and that why she didn’t draw his face in the picture of her family.

[@DarthMagog]

He sure does get a lot of attention and focus episodes in the series. That's a sound fan theory.

[@seitisetsoh4991]

I wonder if there would have been a difference if both of the children were the same gender, or if it's just because Caleb is a boy

[@anthonycrowley2264]

@@seitisetsoh4991 considering how sexist and misogynistic JWs are, it's likely just because Caleb is a cis boy

[@uu-ek2mg]

That may very well be the case. Everyone knows religious people favor boys/men over girls/woman because woman are (somehow) 'less' then men.

[@iclynnx]

@@seitisetsoh4991 I think there's def a dofferenxe in how girls and boys are treated in the practices. Young boys get to have speeches. Girls just answer questions and sometimes play pretend on the "stage" that they're visiting someone and talking about a certain subject. All the elders are old men. All the people in power are men. Men that usually don't give a crap about you if you're not a top-notch example.

[@cupcakedoll247]

More of these please! I'd particularly like to see a look at the one where Caleb gets a wizard toy and his mother pressures him to throw it away. It's several layers of terrible and the way it's animated someone in production knew just how upsetting that would be for a kid, making it a very weird piece of self-own propaganda.

[@DarthMagog]

I'll add it to the list. I think Commander Fives has seen a bit of it, but hasn't seen the whole thing yet, so I'd be interested in the Commander's take.

[@crimsondynamo615]

Self own propaganda, reminds me of Rock It’s Your Decision, which feels like a propaganda film on the flip side.

[@silverfire1248]

Raised catholic, went to catholic school from k-12, and from k-8, went to church weekly. I once got a 0 on a before and after project for putting an ape for before and a human for after. I know the way the Catholics act, but no matter how many times I’ve heard about life as a Jehova’s Witness, I cannot wrap my brain around half of what JWs teach. I would absolutely love to see more of a breakdown of your experiences as a JW or more Caleb and Sofia breakdowns. It‘s both similar and so completely different than the religious cartoons I grew up on. VeggieTales for example, is religious. For those who haven’t seen it, It tells you Bible stories in fun ways, usually with an actual prayers at the end. However, VeggieTales isn’t particularly heavy handed about it. You can watch most of them and cut out the Bible verses and prayers and get pretty much the exact same product. This is so completely different, it’s baffling. VeggieTales slaps tho and a comparison between the two cartoons could be fun.

[@DarthMagog]

Oh I'd never thought about that. Veggie Tales vs Caleb & Sophia. Though Veggie Tales has a Narrative, so that'll be interesting.

[@seitisetsoh4991]

@@DarthMagog yes please!

[@PeachWookiee]

@Silverfire 12: VeggieTales had fun with pop culture, too. I loved their Star Trek spoof!

[@metademetra]

I think in all my years growing up on VeggieTales, I have only ever taken offense to ONE episode. It was their Easter Carol episode, where the end gave the "everyone would be a bad person without Jesus" message. But even then, I usually think people that way are lying to themselves and not giving themselves enough credit. The thing is I ultimately assume the VeggieTales creators are good people. I cannot give the Caleb and Sofia people the same benefit of doubt.

[@Kpimpmaster]

I wish I could tell every JW “god gave us the ability to think for ourselves and if don’t you start doing that you’re wasting that gift”

[@DarthMagog]

I do hope I get to try that soon...

[@zera_nei]

Thank you. I was raised in it. but its so infuriating that, they all think that people are puppets, that we are controlled by Ja or Satan (for the outside world), as if people cant make tehir own choices

[@sprout305]

I've grown up in a divided family, where my mom is a JW and my dad is Catholic. My parents divorced because of their religions (theres more reasons but keeping it private) and I always heard one saying shit about the other. Its kinda funny as, since I was little, I never really wanted to be a part of any religion, but I kept believing/following my mom's because I didnt want to see her sad/upset. Thankfully, when I was around 14 I think, I stopped going to the church. It was a slow process and my mom would always be upset, but today she accepted that Im not interested. And after I watched your video, I just realized that I broke free from this religion, as a kid, all by myself... woah.

[@DarthMagog]

Dude that is pretty serious! I couldn't escape until I was an adult. And I know some folks who didn't escape until well until retirement age. Wise beyond your years my friend.

[@sprout305]

@@DarthMagog thank you! And I'm sorry that you had to take more time to escape, at least we are free now

[@Nockgun]

@@sprout305 escaping at young age requires strong will kids do not have that until they are self aware enough or they are pressed enough to rebel

[@localdumpsterfire5267]

Never thought I'd be feeling safe from my JW trauma from Star Wars characters yet here we are. Nice job!

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you, helps me process too 🙏

[@inyu00]

I think it's funny Sophia's mistakes only effected her except the dishes all of Caleb's effected someone elses. The parents are enabling Caleb's bad behavior, enforcing dependence on them, the last one was cringe.

[@daydream5120]

Guess we all know who’s the favorite child

[@DarthMagog]

Poor Sophia, I swear she gets more and more anxious as these videos go on...

[@inyu00]

@@daydream5120 Caleb will be in and out of prison or rehab or fully dependent and Sofia will either go full zealot/cultist or off the family from a mental break. The parents aren't doing either child a favor in life.

[@inyu00]

@@LostSoulchild89 never hear of darvo thanks learned something new.

[@i.s.9451]

Not a Jahova's witness account, but a situation where I empathize with Sophia banks on the fact that my family is extremely religious: I was away at school and my sister (3yrs older) decided the Holy Spirit spoke to her and burned my books. The same sister who disowned me twice. Where were my parents? Dad was away, working. Mom helped put together the fire and read the Bible as my very first hard cover series was reduced to ashes. I drove home unawares, noticed the fire, was puzzled due to knowing the farm schedule but just wanted to be done with the day so I preceded to my room where a massive absence came to my attention. I confronted my sister. My parents backed her up until I mentioned that, not only was her actions stealing but that the book series was approved by mom (I made her read it to prevent this sort of outcome.) She cried as a last resort. I was forced to apologize to her. Then my dad finally had some sense and asked me if she could make it up somehow. I basically said it wasn't possible, what is lost is lost. They pointed out "You can't hold this against her." Where I pointed out, "She lost my trust. She doesn't respect my things and she doesn't respect me. Trespassing, stealing, and destroying a siblings things is not simply fixed with an excuse." "Well then if you want to cry about it, go ahead because unforgiveness will only hurt you." So, yeah, I went to cry in my room Should I mention my sister also spread lies about me in school to her Showchoir friends? Hmmm, yeah. Those rumors were snuffed when the people who thought knew me really knew me (fortunately). Long story short, forgiveness shouldn't be mandatory. "I am sorry" means "I won't do it again" which is mutual understanding between the parties to preserve peace. Peace wasn't an option because she tries to walk all over me and is frustrated that I 'dare' to make her actions have lasting consequences. Caleb looked remorseful, but did he understand enough to play gentler with her toys and ask permission before entering Sophia's room? Otherwise the destructive behaviors will continue and more things will be broken.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, wouldn't be surprised. The trouble too is that it didn't teach Caleb anything, except to self flaggilate and beg. So they damaged both their kids in a single swoop. Jehovah's so efficient that way 🙃. On a side note I'm so sorry about your books. I know the hardcover collections get expensive, especially when you're growing up and might have to save a few bucks every week from allowance or odd jobs and what not (personal expeience) and having a sibling that doesn't respect your autonomy is pretty painful.

[@Nockgun]

being too forgiving is a flaw being too unforgiving is a flaw im an unforgiving person i may forgive small things but i will only double down when i did nothing wrong

[@i.s.9451]

@@Nockgun 👏this

[@itzyaboipainiscupcake561]

Gotta say man I really dig this channel. My GF is an ex-JW and it’s baffling to learn about how controlling that organization is. It’s surreal. Thanks for making this content. It could really help other JW’s get out too.

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you! Yeah it was a shock to my Spouse. Religious trauma hurts a lot more people than we really think, so I'm happy to help 😊

[@carolynfox704]

Ya'll should cover the episode about how Sophia can't have friends in the science club/who aren't JWs and the one about temptation where her big temptation is doing well in school.

[@DarthMagog]

From the Annual Meeting! Yeah I'll put that on the docket too, that'll make a great episode. We filmed already this weekend, but I'm sure I can get another episode out of it

[@uR_mm-ph2jq]

This is exactly how I was raised. The first video they reacted to I immediately got a feeling of relation with me and the kid. I wasn't taught that cleaning up after myself was a normal thing to learn and it would make myself happy living in a clean environment. But more of if I didn't clean up there was the guilt and fear of your own parents feeling and the fear they would think less of you if you didn't clean. The emotional aspect of the guilt that makes YOU feel less of yourself because you didn't pick up, and the feeling of what your parents would think or DO to you.

[@DarthMagog]

Oooof, yeah. Clean it the way I like it or that's a whuppin' is how it came down in my house. Definetly no far reaching effects 🙃

[@roxassora2706]

I think a lot of boomer and gen x parents did take advice from a JW.

[@Haunted_Plush]

Btw, if anyone actually wants a *good* cartoon for your kids, I highly suggest Bluey. There's a lotta reasons it's great, like being able to watch *with* your kids, morals that are tought in a way that isn't just "because I said so" and they even have the exact same scenario happening here. The main character Bluey doesn't wanna pick up her toys and wants to help her dad while he's baking a cake, but when he accidentally makes a mess he gets overwhelmed because of stress and slumps down against the floor and cabinet to take a breather. Bluey cleans it up just because and finds out that it feels pretty good, actually. So then she actually _wants_ to clean her toys away, and even cleans her sister's things up too. It's a great way to show kids _why_ you should do certain things, and it's even a great show for parents to show how to best go about situations with your kids. Seriously, go check it out (the music and animation is stellar, too)

[@DarthMagog]

Very nice Saltine. I believe when my Dark Apprentice was a youngling, they were a big fan of that one. And Octonauts. Quite liked them both. It's a wonder that a kids show can actually be high quality when you have REAL Childcare Experts and Teachers working on it. As opposed to, 8 (ooops, now 10) old guys (At least 6 of which don't have kids at all.)

[@metademetra]

I would suggest parents show their children Bluey if for NO other reason that it teaches kids their parents aren't gods. There's a LOT of focus on the parents being flawed people, but showing that they still maintain a healthy relationship with the kids. Unlike here, where the parents are unquestionable monoliths.

[@Haunted_Plush]

@@metademetra my thoughts exactly

[@CommanderViv]

Sophia's mom did raise a good point in episode three. Some things really SHOULD be left behind, but it seems there may have been some misguidance as to what should be thrown away. For instance, let's keep basic human decency and tolerance of others, but get rid of bigotry, shitty parenting, literal abusive behavior, the JW propaganda, and screw it, let's throw out some entire cul--erm, religions here while we're at it. Thank you so much for making this video. The Star Wars theme you have going on really helped calm the nerves I always get when it comes to facing and reflecting on my own childhood trauma. :)

[@DarthMagog]

Hey happy to help. Silly as it sounds, having a lightsaber makes me feel like i have an easier time facing all this goofy propaganda too

[@MissCaraMint]

@Darth Magog That sounds perfectly reasonable actually. We find strength in many things. I don’t think it’s silly at all.

[@EL-IZ-At-BETH-sarim]

GREAT video! Please make more. As a teacher I'm really concerned about the children/minors in this organisation. Keep up the good work! Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@DarthMagog]

Wonderful! Clone Commander Fives teaches this grade level as well. Glad to hear we have another ally protecting the children from this religion 🙌!

[@sallytheinfinitygirl]

I babysat for a "Christian" family for 2 years. I'm a tarot reader and an atheist. They didn't know for 2 years. I was fired for being a tarot reader. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

[@DarthMagog]

You dodged a bullet bud

[@endergamer7483]

As an ECE professional with their own history of trauma there’s so much mixed messages in these videos. For example Caleb breaking Sofia’s toy and their father expecting forgiveness I would have done something like this: “that’s really upsetting that Caleb broke your toy and it can be extremely frustrating when he goes in your room without your permission. I know he’s said that he was sorry and you don’t have to forgive him right away. What can he do to help you forgive him?” Then help both of them come up with a plan that is fair to both sides, only bringing up what Sofia didn’t do if necessary since she’s not the guilty party at that moment. Acknowledge their feelings and help them come to a solution.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, that'd be tremendous.

[@MrSophire]

That is what I will do, that actually sounds more healthy way of doing it.

[@caitlinsnowfrost8244]

21:04 This is what boggles my mind the most! Even if we pretend to go along with the mindset that same-sex marriage is wrong, like...how is it Carrie's fault that she has two moms instead of a mom and a dad? She's literally just a kid!

[@DarthMagog]

Right? They're putting responsibility on TWO children. Neither of which had an inherent problem with it.

[@MrSophire]

Exactly, I am against same sex relationships but putting Sophia in the middle of this is wrong.

[@hungeefckinghoggo]

@MrSophire Why? Sam sex relationships literally do not affect you at all, so just let people do what they want, man 😭

[@kaz296]

Speaking as a religious person, this is a great channel and has better Star Wars content than Disney. Fortunately I was never was involved with JW but I had a friend who's mother converted to it when we were kids. It destroyed her marriage since her husband didn't want any part of it. She also started to become very preachy around my mother who I'm very thankful had the sense to not fall for it. Ties were eventually cut, and I haven't seen my friend in almost ten years now. I sadly don't know how things ended up for him. I hope he's all right.

[@DarthMagog]

I hope he's doing better. Maybe you can reach out. You never know, he might have escaped!

[@kaz296]

@@DarthMagog I tried a few years back but couldn't find him sadly. He still has his dad who stayed outside the religion, which does give me some hope he's fine.

[@throneisbed7833]

The gay marriage one and the afterward discussion just reminds me of something I was told by a close friend back when I was a young lad attending a private christian school; "There's nothing wrong with being gay, so long as you don't act on it," Fortunately though, I was fourteen and old enough to be able to think that wait a second, that doesn't exactly add up.

[@DarthMagog]

Right? What is "acting gay?" Never understood that...

[@vividd8246]

@@DarthMagogI’m guessing they think gay is being overly feminine, and loving pink as a guy. Those types of stereotypes.

[@Nockgun]

@@vividd8246 color is not gender biased only society creates gender bias bullshits

[@MrSophire]

As a Catholic I can answer that, will at least from a Catholic point of view. Just don’t have sex with the same gender. You can be yourself. If you are a bit feminine or masculine that’s fine. This comes from how Catholicism views sex. It is not a bad thing but something beautiful and powerful. It has the ability to bring life to the world, removing that feature turns the person from a sexual being to a sexual object. Which is why we are against birth control and sex outside of marriage. I honestly believe sex before marriage is worse than same sex umm sex, since it brings a innocent child into the situation that the mother and father are not ready for and might even have a abortion (I see it as ending a life). I personally am not married so I am still a virgin because how highly I value sex. So it can be done, not having sex. If you disagree that’s fine, but do let’s agree it is not Sophia’s position to tell Carrie about her two moms. I disagree how the teacher handled it but I know we will not agree on that.

[@throneisbed7833]

@@MrSophire thank you for the insight, I do understand that sort of viewpoint. What I should have clarified, I suppose, is what this friend meant was not acting on same-sex attraction of any kind, meaning not even acting on romantic interest, essentially you can experience the attraction, so long as you keep it in your head and only ever do anything romantic/sexual with the opposite sex. But I do find your points interesting.

[@minervamclitchie3667]

Owen Morgan was raised JW and does excellent videos about them. He has also focused on the Caleb and Sofia videos. Although I already knew a lot of unfortunate things about JW, Owen mentioned that his mother gave so much money to them that all he had to eat growing up was bread. Imagine almost starving your kid for your religion.

[@DarthMagog]

I remember that video of his. Owen was a gigantic inspiration BTW, he was part of the reason I dawned the armor myself 🖤

[@mindybouvier5416]

I really enjoy this. I have no personal association with JW. I really enjoy learning about religious trauma

[@DarthMagog]

Happy to pass along the knowledge 😎

[@ergotoxicosis]

The forgiveness thing has HORRIFIC implications when it comes to silencing people who have gone through childhood abuse, especially children actively going through it. Like, "all sins are equal", and "no one but Jesus is free from sin", so therefore "you need to forgive your abuser" because "they have repented".

[@davidbakke9293]

All sins are definitely NOT equal! I have no idea where Jesus ever said that.

[@jadacoombs5263]

THANK. YOU! Last week I got into an argument w/ my mom about queerness and simply saying that "Homosexuals, adulterers, drunkards, and etc won't be in God's Paradise". I simply asked," How is homosexuality is just as bad as somebody LITERALLY cheating on their partner, and other things that inherently hurt people?" She just says that it's a sin because God says so. That ALWAYS leaves me boggled, since the Bible is suppose ld to be a benefit for every human, cheating, being drunk and being arrogant are clearly wrong for factual reasons..But lumping people like me in the same way as adulterers and other cruel people is just 😤!

[@MrSophire]

I think homosexuality is a sin but using because “God said so” is beyond dumb, then again I am Catholic so we never were a “God said so” type of people. We were encouraged to ask questions to understand why things were a sin. The reasoning homosexuality is sinful would dive into philosophy tree that is section is to short for but let’s agree Carie’s mom are none Sophia business

[@ViewingChaos]

Such high production quality and insightful commentary on such a small channel- I think I’ve found a gem

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you! We're still learning a lot of the tricks of the trade, but we have fun producing:)

[@leiasolo9315]

As a fellow apostate, your whole concept has me howling I love that you're dressed as a sith lord, they lost you to the dark side! Also "Apostate sacrifice" is the most accurate analogy Ive ever heard. My Apostate sacrifice was studying Norse pagan religions, as I am Nordic. Also they found out I was smoking weed for medical reasons lol

[@DarthMagog]

Your highness, we are honored to have you join us :) I like the Norse Pagan religions too, though my favorite is probably still Greek mythology. And I'm a big proponent of the Red Cards. Additive and filler free pain management? All for it!

[@Nockgun]

just dont smoke too much weed its addictive

[@matts_rantz4982]

What i noticed about those K and S videos the kids are always pushed into feeling bad about their decisions. Those two kids always end up frowning.

[@DarthMagog]

Every other screenshot I see of these fictional children is them being miserable. Especially Sophia. I know they're both make-believe but gosh do I feel bad for these younglings...

[@Thepresident498]

​@Darth Magog It doesn't help that a lot of children actually live this way

[@daydream5120]

Yup, as a person who grew up as a JW, I always felt bad for my decisions. It also doesn’t help that I have a perfectionist side in me, but I still have trouble with it. It’s an ongoing struggle to just let it go

[@bassbunnylove]

I left this life behind 20 years or so ago.. my brain still hurts from it and I still get people trying to pull me back in.. my mom showed a few of these cartoons to my son. I was cringing a bit and made an excuse for us to leave

[@DarthMagog]

Good. Yeah Fives thinks that these are VERY bad for children. You did the right thing!

[@Dr_Mid]

I think that installing religion and homophobic movements into young children is very damaging to their mental health. Let children be free in what religion they believe in. This is coming from an Atheist from a Christian and Buddhist family. (My grandmas family was Christian, but she didn't study it because she didn't care.) Being gay is fine. Don't force children to have a fear of gays. They're actually pretty chill! (P.S, I am a huge star wars fan. I listen to your vids whilst playing Jedi academy.) Merry christmas.

[@DarthMagog]

Oh man I just finished my Jedi Outcast file, gonna hit Jedi Academy next, haven't played since I was a kid. Ironically, gaming is how I discovered that the cult's homophobic beliefs were so radically wrong. Another little crack in "Jehovah's Spiritual Armor..."

[@PDD555]

As someone who is part of the LGBT community oh boy, you are so right. Most hate and violent threats towards us come from extreme religious and hateful beliefs and believers, not even from logic

[@tranatkikomi6873]

Got into a heated debate online with a parent who proudly declared she was raising her kids to hate gay people. The very first thing I told her was "congrats, you're raising bullies". She tried going on about how no, her kids were not going to be bullies, how dare I suggest such a thing?!. But when you actively encourage hate, you actively encourage bullying. They might have a classmate with two mums or two dads. And guess what will happen? I mean, kids have been bullied to literal death because their behaviour had others assume they were gay!

[@daragristwood5200]

I find it hilarious that you have a clone trooper, a combat unit with the soul purpose of killing and subduing, who also has a masters in childcare

[@DarthMagog]

Some Clone Battalions are more specialized than others 😂

[@thegayghost872]

There’s something about the word “obey” that feels so much more charged than similar words like “listen” or “behave”

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah it holds a LOT of weight in the culture.

[@WiiMan25]

The part about saddling the kids with responsibility of the parents' feelings hit me hard. I was never a JW. But I distinctly remember a lot of cases where I'd make a mistake, and when it came time for my parents to lecture me over it, it was more important that they vent their negative feelings about it at me, than that I learn and grow from it. Sure, they'd pay lip service to the idea of me learning and growing from it. But in practice, them using me as their venting bag and making me responsible for their feelings was the main goal, and that other stuff about me learning and growing from it or whatever was an afterthought.

[@astrinymris9953]

The thing about the forgiveness video is that in patriarchal sects forgiveness is often weaponized against the victims of SA. "Yes, Brother Marcus r*ped you, but since he's said he's sorry, as a Christian you must forgive him." It's often tacitly implied that the victim's refusal to forgive is just as bad as the original offense, if not worse.

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah thats a pretty disgusting application they like to use too...

[@DemetriusDrekin01]

Ex born again Christian, as much as born again Christians shit on JW and Mormons they gave so much in common. Shame was a huge part of my childhood. The abuse is disgusting. Also you are now my favorite channel, such a legendary style.

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Magdalena! Yeah these religions are never as unique as they claim to be. That was another thing that got me out of the Witnesses personally.

[@monstervain]

"I'm so proud of you for obeying." Yep. I'm done. That just left a bad taste in my mouth.

[@DarthMagog]

Pretty gross the way they work that...

[@disodosid]

Just discovered you via this video in my recommended section, and i must say, it is incredibly refreshing content! Tackling such topics can easily result in a heavy atmosphere, which is not always easy to watch/listen to. That being said, your video maintained a level of levity that is truly unique and, in my opinion, rather important for the cause of educating the general public. Fantastic work, keep it up!

[@DarthMagog]

Thank uou so much! Sadly we can't undo the trauma, but we can take the power away from it (Hopefully.) Glad to have you aboard.

[@tehilagrunebaum-lake6982]

Jewish woman here. In Judaism listening to your parent is also rather important, however the emphasis is on respect rather than obedience and it stresses to parents that they should be good examples and try be the best parent they can be Its more about respecting everyone which i like.

[@DarthMagog]

There we go, balance! That's what we need. Respect and kindness, that I can get behind.

[@drzaius8430]

I was raised Baptist. We we're raised to honor our parents, that doesn't mean blind obedience or even liking them. I was taught to think freely, yeah the Bible was read to me as a kid but I feel like my mom made it different from most. See always asked my taughts after she explained it in a way I could understand. I wasn't ever told I had to believe anything, Infact she encouraged me in science, history, cultural studies and even other religions. End result is a Christian by choice who can debate even some hard core atheist about the nature of the universe, our role in it, our origin and concept of an ever expanding universe into a currently unknown void that may or may not contain multiple universes or dimensions. Yeah it gets complex, brain frying even. I tend to raise my kids that way if my wife and I ever decide to have any.

[@itsmub]

I am getting a degree in educating children. Theyre our FUTURE, our HOPE. They have the right to grow up healthy. And if their trauma is holding them back, i will be the teacher to guide them through their troubles as best as i can. A teachers job is as important for the childs growth as the parents. If that sides rotten, this side will never be

[@MintyFreshCupcakes]

I have so much to say about the forgiveness one. Just growing up catholic "forgiveness" doesn't mean much to me. Always having to forgive, even when the person never changes their behavior, is very invalidating and makes it confusing on what it even is. I've been working in therapy to learn what forgiveness actually is. Forgiveness isn't erasing the bad things people have done to you. I now know that the only true apology is a changed behavior and the best discipline is restorative, not shaming.

[@DarthMagog]

Unironic amen to that. I try not to hold a grudge personally, but I'm also not opposed to cutting someone loose if they're bad for me at this point. Forgiveness or not, all actions have consequences

[@Toxic-cd4yh]

If there's anything I've learned as a catholic, forgiveness doesn't establish a relationship. You have the choice to forgive because of free will even though we are called to forgive always, want to forgive a person for the last time? Cut ties with them and not hold that grudge anymore as it will poison your very soul. Really its better for both parties.

[@Daisyfluffinq]

Really appreciate how you handled the subject without bashing or bullying all JWs and trying to understand their perspective while still pointing out the flaws in Caleb and Sophia The video has a certain kind of kindness and civility that I don't find often on the internet. Keep it up!

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Daisy. I've been hunting for this comment to show Commander Fives. Fives is always very sensitive to religion and culture, but kids come first in the commander's book, so we gotta be honest too lol.

[@Daisyfluffinq]

@@DarthMagog Yeah of course!

[@apostababelindajames7461]

*Darth Magog,* I love this kind of psychology stuff. Thank you so much for having the child psychologist on here. So for a video in the future that I would like to be examined is the one video of Caleb and Sophia where they scare the holy shit out of the kids if they fall asleep at the meeting again. Comparing it to what would happen to the ark, if Noah didn't pay attention when God told him how to build it before the flood happened. They would all drown. BTW, in the video you played called two moms, (something like that) I dare say it's no accident that Caleb had no face. If you think about it many times when somebody is gay in their videos you only see them from behind so as to not see their face. I believe this is done so that people will not bond with them. Plus it's very dehumanizing. The video with Sally who accidentally walks into a quaint little store having no idea that they're having a marathon for the lgbtq+ community, in this video they don't really put down the lgbtq+ people. No. What they're really doing is having you see what an ally, a Christian Ally would be depicted as. As a bully.

[@apostababelindajames7461]

I ended up using that video as my coming out video. 🏳️‍🌈 Be courageous 🏳️‍🌈 2018 Convention. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIick3yNlrdoj7s

[@DarthMagog]

Oh Falling Asleep at the meetings, yeah I got whooped for that one as a Youngling. I'll add it to the list for Commander Fives! Also, I hadn't even connected the faceless Caleb and general lack of portrayal from the LGBTQIA community. We never see Carrie, her Mums, or even the mothers of the lab assistant in another JW drama. More and more disturbing the more I think on it 😳

[@JennerallyAnxious]

I think part of it could also be that all the actors, producers, cameramen, etc are JW, and I think they're so homophobic, they don't want to show the actors face so there will be no question that they're super super straight... Also, those live action videos they put out are blatantly teaching people to feel oppressed. I've never seen anyone act like that in public. If you refuse a gay pride bracelet, no one is going to say anything, let alone attack your right to refuse. The foundation of their business model is to make their members feel persecuted, and brainwash them to legitimately feel everyone else is dangerous/evil. That's the one most effective ways to keep members in your cult.

[@apostababelindajames7461]

@@JennerallyAnxious So true, feeling persecuted is a key tactic used on members of abusive groups. What is also used in abusive groups is the tactic of an, *"us versus them"* mindset. *Us, being the good guys and them,* ( those in the world, ) *being the bad guys.* *It's this us against the [evil] world* kind of mindset. This is why the members will voluntarily stop associating with friends and family ( who are not part of the group ) while thinking they're making this decision all on their own. Members are taught to have the mindset of, *"If they are not willing to become part of the group, then they are part of the world"* and therefore, *"under the influence of Satan the devil."* Members are taught that associating with people who are outside of such groups, *"will erode the members faith, loyalty and/or dedication,"* so again, *members think that they are making these decisions to voluntarily stop associating with friends and family, solely on their own, when in actuality they have been manipulated to come up with this conclusion, thinking that's the only choice that has been left for them in order to remain in god's favor.

[@Crystalfeathers4]

First off, the persona of Darth Magog and Commander Fives is endlessly entertaining. Second off, the way you analyzed the "Become Jehovah's Friend" series was really interesting and I learned a lot. Thank you for making this.

[@DarthMagog]

Very welcome. We just put out the 2nd one and have more on the way :)

[@-gearsgarage-]

It is so sad how children are always victimized by adults tucked up mentality and ideology

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, combine that with adults placing responsibility for their feelings on their children? Bad news.

[@JustinGrays]

This is magnificent. Quite informative. While I knew that JW child-rearing was dangerous, this really puts it in perspective. Thank you for doing this, and for pointing out why it's harmful. This is very important.

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Justin! Hopefully we can help a few kids steer their way to better lives, without the shadow of a crumbling Watchtower.

[@buzzybeez204]

I was raised in an agnostic household, sorta like, my parents have a general philosophy of "We personally believe that there's some sort of higher being, but as is our responsibility as parents we also believe that our kids should be able to grow into their own decisions, and that includes decision of faith. I mean *we're* gonna say grace at dinner but if you really don't want to it's cool" and y'know I love them for that!! I do sorta think of things like this in a context of "Ok, so imagine you were in this situation. That would be fucked, right? That hypothetical fuck shit is somebodies' reality" so when I think of the whole concept of "Disobedient children not being allowed to actually learn and develop from their mistakes" I often start thinking of my brother. Quite literally the sweetest boy you'll ever meet. He's so incredibly smart and creative and just an absolute joy to be around. He does have behavioral issues, though, among other things that are fairly genetic. He's pretty difficult when it comes to listening to our parents, remembering to do things. etc. etc. Of course, he's a teenage boy, it's expected, but it's been ongoing long enough that he's getting some professional help for it. I think, though, that there's definitely some kid just like him who's being raised like how those videos demonstrate. No room to grow, no people who at least understand to a minimal extent that it's not necessarily intentional, no opportunities to talk to a professional about it. Incredibly fucked. Y'know, I'm queer, I feel like it would make more sense for me to talk about the last video shown here but also I've just been thinking of my brother a lot recently cuz he's been going through a rough time recently so the ramble is about this instead. Hope at least one kid in aforementioned situation is able to get out.

[@Nockgun]

what is your sexuality? then

[@thechristiancosmossystem9896]

I would literally love to hear commentary on any and all of the Caleb and Sophia vids One that came to mind is the bullying one But tbh I would be happy for a series where you go through them all

[@DarthMagog]

We've got 2 videos picked from the comment section (Pay attention at the meetings, Obey Jehovah) already. Got room for a third vid, what's your thought?

[@thechristiancosmossystem9896]

The one where Sophia gets bullied.

[@DarthMagog]

@@thechristiancosmossystem9896 oh I just found it! "Does Jehovah Answer Prayers?" That's perfect for Commander Fives. They even asked about "Talking to Jehovah" and this should give the Commander so additional perspective

[@thechristiancosmossystem9896]

Hooray!! So glad you found it. This one was pretty cringy and I think should give a lot of insight to him!! Look forward greatly to his comments on it.

[@dinosaysrawr]

Re: Kids being encouraged to preach to their classmates, my cynical, suspicious, and uncharitable read is that sending the kids out into the field full of hubris and naivete to preach and push ideas that will strike the average person as off-putting and bizarre is a strategy, and not an oversight. When all of little Timmy's peers ostracize him or kick his ass on the playground for telling them their parents are all going to Hell, Timmy will have little choice but to flee back to the flock for solace and support. Then, everyone will gather around, congratulate Timmy on having fought the good fight, and commiserate about how mean, sinful, and horrible the unbelievers are.

[@DarthMagog]

Wow, actually that was hyper efficient and surprisingly accurate. Were YOU a JW at some point Dino?

[@gyakushulivi3893]

i like how caleb's head is like bigger than his whole body in the older animations

[@DarthMagog]

Lol so much cartoonier in the older films.

[@Mr.Tw1sty]

Bro was built like a Funko Pop💀

[@daydream5120]

I forgot that they used to look like that so I had a whiplash moment lok

[@stephaniecourteoreille5972]

not even 15 seconds in and despite never seeing another video of you guys before, immediately had too subscribe. Truly a f****** *_godsend_*

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Stephanie, we are honored to have you join us

[@eway44]

My family is very religious. But we are Lutheran. Honestly, I see people trying to say all Christians support abuse like this and it's just not true. My parents and Plenty others are good. I like how this video points out the parts of the Bible deliberately being ignored instead of just being, "Christian bad." It's refreshing.

[@DarthMagog]

Christianity (and religion in general) isn't inherently bad, it's just easy to apply badly. If your church provides community, charity and culture, then you know you got some good stuff. If you run into Behavior, Information, Thought & Emotional types of control? You're in a very bad spot. That's what I'm learning anyway ☺

[@davidbakke9293]

Absolutely; It's a stereotype we need to end. My parents are Catholic, and they still loved/supported me even though me and my sister had different views on certain political things.

[@midnightmoon7257]

I did have a friend in elementary school (I'll be honest i forget what her religion specifically was) anyways, we would walk home together everyday, always hung out at school blah blah, but after i had said something or idk something happened, she started consistently telling me how she wanted me to follow her religion and do what it takes so we could "go to heaven together" following such as not cursing, avoiding television that cursed or such, i can't remember much more, but i remembered i politely denied and being really uncomfortable cause she kept pushing it on me any time she got a chance, to the point that i started avoiding her because she genuinely started scaring me with all the talk about it (i was under like 12 years old so I couldn't understand why at the time or what was going on) she did try giving me a letter after a bit and when i read it, it mentioned she didn't understand why i stopped talking to her, i ended up at a different school not long after so we didn't really see each other after, but i still think about it from time to time

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if she was Mormon, or JW or 7th day Adventist, or another high control group. They really make these children believe that they're at fault if people don't join.

[@miticaBEP07]

I imagine Carrie reacting to Sophia telling her that her mothers are sinners like Lilo from Lilo & Stitch when Myrtle tells her she's crazy. ATTACK.

[@DarthMagog]

Lol what I'd pay to see someone animate that!

[@exjehovahswitness]

good to see you back! one of the best exjw videos in last few months!

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Wally, that means a lot coming from you!

[@gigabuster_87]

Thank you, Lord Magog. I knew that the Pixar Rejects (as I refer to them) needed a better understanding as to how children in the organization. It almost sends shivers down my spine that I too had to have these experiences and that I now know that this life is not a life worthy for youth.

[@DarthMagog]

Same. It's comforting to know I wasn't the only one living like this, and more importantly, that those of us subjected to it are dedicated to protecting other children from it 💙

[@nakseyyy]

star wars and JW criticism? i'm sold

[@DarthMagog]

Welcome to the Dark Side B)

[@thesardonicpig3835]

I think the most glaring problem about the first cartoon, where Caleb dirties the floor, is the smallness of the problem vs extensiveness of the father's lecture. The fact that he turns a small accident into a profound life lesson implies that Caleb's fault is much greater than it actually was. There was no need to kneel down in front of him and treat him to a long-winded speech, rhetorical questions and a bible-quoting escapade. In fact, rhetorical questions like "AnD wHoSe FaULt iS tHaT?" are terrible in general. They don't guide the child to a deeper understanding about themselves, they are just a vehicle to get yourself the answer you want to hear.

[@DarthMagog]

Shoot to this DAY I get Witnesses popping onto the channel as asking those silly, binary rhetorical questions. The thinking permiates through the whole culture. These poor children...

[@melissacooper8724]

While I have no problem with Caleb cleaning up after himself after tracking up the floor it seems like his dad was making a mountain out of a molehill.

[@thesardonicpig3835]

@@melissacooper8724 That's what I thought as well. It could have been done with casual firmness. Instead, he turned it into a literal sermon.

[@nationalinstituteofcheese3012]

I’m using your videos to learn how to point out subtle abusive behaviors/tactics since I’m hoping to become a social worker

[@DarthMagog]

Oh shoot, yeah we got more in the pipe. There's always JW.borg, but if you want the slightly censored version through our filter then feel free 😁

[@Kpracn0va]

I noticed that, in the video ‘forgive freely’, all of Sofia’s mistakes aren’t towards Caleb, while Caleb’s are towards Sofia. To me, this isn’t fair. He did break a toy, eat something he wasn’t supposed to, breached her privacy and screwed with her song book, but Sofia just forgot to do her chores and her homework. Edit: I would also like to point out that Sofia’s mistakes a repairable. She still has time to do her bed, clean her dishes and ask for another copy of homework, but Caleb’s aren’t reversible. The ice cream is gone, her can’t erase the fact that he went in her room without permission, he CAN erase the drawings on her song book, but we don’t know with what he drew, it could be ink-pen, markers, crayons, colour pencils; heck, even lead pencils are hard to erase sometimes! The Giraffe is broken, I know that you can fix it, but it’s still damaged and, therefore, fragile. No matter what you do, it still has a chance to break again and the cracks are noticeable. Anyway, in conclusion, Sofia shouldn’t have had to forgive Caleb so easily. Yes, Caleb is a child, but the father should have taught him that it’s not okay to break his sister’s toy, even if her mistakes balance out. Edit 2: damn, I didn’t realize how long this comment was 😅

[@DarthMagog]

Right? Caleb never hears a damn thing about what he's done wrong. Serious imbalance in the family.

[@dr.altoclef9255]

He also hasn’t tried to fix this. Like, if he felt bad, apologized in a heartfelt way and then like…started saving allowance money to get her a new book or a new toy, or cleaned up the mess he made in her book, or even helped fix the broken toy and then made an effort to like, ask before eating something or be more careful with her stuff or just not go into her room that would be one thing. I feel like that’s a much more ‘godly’ moral anyway. An apology isn’t like a ‘get out of jail free’ card, you have to actually understand that you hurt someone, understand why it’s wrong and genuinely want to make amends in some way.

[@Xx_Gucci-Jesus_xX]

Appreciate you taking the time to discuss topics like this! Looking forward to more content

[@DarthMagog]

We've got plenty more coming 😁

[@souda925]

I've been a Jehovah Witness for my whole life, I was unfortunately born into this religion. I didn't really give these videos much thought because I was very very young. Seeing this video has made me realize how much it impacted my mother and I. She reminds me a lot of the mother in these videos, but much more aggressive I guess. Thankfully I found out the truth before I got baptized and whatever. Anyways, awesome video, I can't wait to see more of what you guys think!

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you Souda. Always wondered how it hit members that actually got it as first hand "spiritual food." I'm glad you got out, from a fellow Born-In

[@moonieistired7263]

This smells like ✨Religious Trauma✨ Yea, I have a lot of issues Wasn’t raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, but was raised Catholic, then converted to Christianity. Now I’m atheist and trying to unpack all of the trauma

[@DarthMagog]

That's why we're here. You're always welcome to rest and unpack here

[@davidbakke9293]

As a Catholic, I'm sorry you had trauma

[@Jaminux]

great video! i really like the banter between you two and the explanations from both perspectives! i also learned a lot from this video; i haven't had any involvement with the JW community personally, so a lot of this is new to me besides that ridiculous "one man, one woman" video. i also went through similar emotional abuse as a child, so i appreciate you guys spreading the word that this isn't okay. keep fighting the good fight!

[@DarthMagog]

Just doin our part to protect the kids. And if Watchtower happens to fall over while we're at it? Well thats just icing on the forbidden birthday 🎂

[@Kittykat5kits]

I’m surprised that you didn’t mention how the command to forgive can be used to silence victims of sexual abuse. As a Catholic I have some very painful personal experience with being told to make up with the people who hurt me and forgive them so that they don’t suffer any consequences

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah we were running long on this one, might come up in this weekend's shooting schedule though.

[@cokecola232]

Christian here the bible says forgive your enemies but you can defend yourself and protect yourself but just pray for them and don't hate people hatred is bad.

[@myaltaccount4438]

I don't like how they portrayed the kid forgetting to take his shoes off as an act of malice. He was having fun and taking his shoes off merely slipped his mind because he was busy. Then papa came in all like: "What would mom think if she saw this?" effectively blaming the kid and making him feel bad because of a simple mistake. Then turning it into a lecture like that's gonna stop the kid from slipping up at any point in the future. You don't need a degree in psychology to know this could lead to some massive self-hate issues. Making a small mistake that's easily fixable isn't something worth sitting down and having a lecture over.

[@Katharina-rp7iq]

I went out of my way to read ancient to modern letter and email correspondence from parents talking about children for a project once and guess what? They may be sometimes more and sometimes less direct, but the stuff they complained about was pretty much the same.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, the problems never change, just the people do it seems

[@wannabehistorian371]

Who knew Commander Fives was a childcare expert? If only he met Anakin earlier…

[@DarthMagog]

Fives truly could have saved the Galaxy 😂

[@jamesgreen5298]

Please continue this as a series. It was really, really good and insightful.

[@DarthMagog]

We got our next 3 videos in the chamber 🔐

[@jamesgreen5298]

@@DarthMagog Excellent!

[@Roadent1241]

@@DarthMagog Are they a weekly thing or a monthly thing or...?

[@DarthMagog]

@@Roadent1241 shooting for every week or so. It'll depend on Commander Fives' availability. Very busy, the life of a teacher

[@Roadent1241]

@@DarthMagog OKie, thank you! A teacher's work never ends.

[@nos5915]

this is such a genius way to preserve privacy and instill humor without minimizing the reality and severity of the content

[@DarthMagog]

Thank you. TBH I was only really riffing on the whole "evil Apostate" thing, but it turned out to be a fun channel theme :)

[@suzannep]

The fact that everything in these videos boils down to "making Jehovah happy", and by extension as kids we were repeatedly told that if we did not make him happy we were going to die at Armageddon by being swallowed up in earthquakes or crushed by hail and fireballs from heaven, it is taking everything to the worst case scenario immediately. In my own experience growing up before the Caleb and Sophia cartoons I remember the message always boiling down to you could die if you are not obedient to parents, elders, governing body, and Jesus and Jehovah. Everything was high stakes even the most ridiculous little thing was blown way out of proportion because of their teachings on one false step leads down a path of increasing badness. It's so manipulative and just plain abusive.

[@DarthMagog]

Yup, that tracks to my childhood. Until my parents got bored of it and went inactive, but the damage was already done. 1 - 13 are highly formative years.

[@daydream5120]

I do sometimes wonder if this is where my anxiety started

[@suzannep]

@@daydream5120 I know it is a huge part of where mine came from.

[@Phoenix-J]

This is such a video that youtube only recommends to you at 2am when you're half asleep, and when you wake up in the morning you tell someone about it and they think your a crazy person then you look every where for this video to show them but you never end up finding it again thinking it must've been a dream

[@DarthMagog]

The Darkside is a pathway to many videos that some would call, Unnatural....

[@leavingthiscompromisedaccount]

My grandma actively tried forced conversion on me and my four other siblings for years when we use to all lived together as a family. Now it's just me and my youngest sister and I'm the second oldest. She would drag all 5 of her grandkids into the living for bible study an make us watch these stupid videos that taught us nothing other then to hate her more. I began to hate it most after knowing that anything revolving, magic, movies\ TV shows, gifts involving fantasy creatures, holidays, and fucking birthday parties including holidays songs were not allowed in her household. She knows we hated going but she just had to bring us along to show us all to her witness friends like a prize for the most grandkids. She has stopped making us go to the kingdom hall all together because we hated it an would sit away from her as an act of rebellion and an urge to disassociate ourselves from her. Mind you she forced us to go as blackmail threatening to kick us out the house. Because we weren't religious like she was and because our mom raised us to be more expressive with our emotions and are allowed to actually have feelings my grandma saw it differently when we moved back in with her. My mom was abused as a child physically an mentally all because my aunt got pregnant without being married an told no one. She herself was shunned an banned from the congregation because of the rumor's told about her being a liar. After she had become a victim of sexual assault from a family\friend (not sure who she doesn't like to talk about it) The shunning became worse that my grandma couldn't even speak her name anymore calling my mom a disappointment or weak link to the family. In my grandmas point of view, emotions an feelings are to be suppressed and if you're insulted you have no choice but to accept it and move on, basically to endure the abuse from everyone because "Jehovah" will fix it and we will all go the promise land." It didn't. Everyone in my family has been bullied in school over the years but we handled it in our own way that did not sit well to her. She however saw it as being selfish an rebellious and to break that rebellion, every time we did something wrong or we got into trouble she'd drag us into bible study every thursday to teach us a lesson since she has quote on quote "No experience on how to raised a child" Attempting to be the role of mom when it was not her place to be in that position anymore. Even if she had my mom an aunt as a result of being an alcoholic and being neglectful resulting in my grandpa having an affair an leaving. All that matters to my grandma is religion, money, status, and most of all control. The emotional abuse, threats of physical abuse were insane creating a very toxic household of miscommunications, accusations, an so forth complete utter chaos. We even called the police on her once. As an example she has grown an extreme hate for men including my brothers ages 26 to 16, she hates them an expects nothing more then labor work as she does with every male she comes into contact with. While for the girls it's much worse, she refused to let us do anything that included boys with expectations of being a girl playing with dolls, keeping clean, an never having a choice in clothing nor anything in general. She's purposely body shames my sister on a daily because she's overweight but it's not her fault she inherited it from her father (all 5 of us accept for my older brother and I have separate fathers.) She's to the point of offing herself and there is nothing I can do. I can only do so much to protect her as I am trying my best. She has gone to therapy\psychiatrist however grandma see's therapy as a trap for exposure to her abusive ways becoming a threat to her status purposely sabotaging her sessions making it my sisters fault for being the way she is to make herself look good. Half of my siblings are gone now because my grandma. She to this day denies all of these allegations despite our attempts to explain it to her in a way she can understand but to no luck she will never accept what she has done when it was she who pushed them away leaving us to feel extremely alone without them. She doesn't understand that raising a child the old fashion way as apposed to the modern day area is considered illegal. She doesn't do it anymore. But I try to avoid my grandma as much as possible sadly. Me and my sister finally broke into her that we were no longer going to be doing bible study because we were getting older and there was nothing she could do about it. I'm independent (age 21 going on 22) and will be moving away from her home within time as a means of sort of going no contact. I dispise Jehovahs witnesses for the cruel ways of manipulation of me and my family and I hope it burns to the ground like the jedi scum for ruining my life. I don't depend my existence on a god though I respect all religious beliefs I just would rather not participate in them because of the religious trauma I went through. I do not wish ill upon her. However. She will one day face the consequences of her actions one way or another. Edit: I apologies for the constant repost I saw spelling errors and I had to fix it.

[@DarthMagog]

Absolutely heart breaking my friend. I'm glad you're getting away. These are horrifically common stories in JW culture, and it drives me up the wall to no end. It really just fuels my desire to continue exposing this dreadful organization for what it is. At least give kids a choice, ya know?

[@Riv3ryderp]

As a Jehovah witness (who's still a minor), I grew up loving Jehovah but, my sister showed me videos that explain that it's a manipulative religion, and I realized that my parents manipulated me to be in a religion that I've been groomed in, my parents manipulated me to think it was normal but they stopped going to the kingdom halls bc I was being groomed for the THIRD time

[@DarthMagog]

My God that's terrible to hear. I'm glad your parents came to their senses. And more importantly that you're safe now and can heal :( The religion isn't anything that we were sold as children, and they do their best to suppress any critical thinking that we could develop during those formative years. I do hope one day these underhanded tactics collapse this organization and bring those criminals to justice

[@Riv3ryderp]

@@DarthMagog The good thing is that the groomer, who was an elder at the kingdom hall, got kicked out of the kingdom hall

[@DarthMagog]

@@Riv3ryderp a small victory. He deserves to be rotting in a cell as far as I'm concerned, or worse really. But I'm glad to hear you have that closure.

[@LinkyMew]

This is a super interesting dive and a new perspective into the Caleb and Sofia videos I haven’t seen before. I would absolutely enjoy if you continued this in the future, since it doesn’t just high light the flaws of the arguments presented, but also the inherit issues with how they are presented.

[@DarthMagog]

Actually Commander Fives and I are planning to watch some more videos today :)

[@LinkyMew]

@@DarthMagog Awesome!! Can’t wait to see it.

[@ElectraPrime]

I only recently found this channel, but I already love it. Aside from the awesome star wars attire I really appreciate seeing more people speaking out. I was not in that religion, but videos like this help me learn about it so if I ever meet people or make friends who were in this religion, I can at least have some understanding of what they may have went through. (everyone has different experiences I understand that) I wish you the best, and thank you again for sharing your perspective and knowledge here with everyone! ⭐️

[@DarthMagog]

Always happy to bring awareness, thank you for your support Courtney!

[@blueizumi]

I still can't get over the ending of the Caleb and Sophia video regarding the classmate with two moms, encouraging kids to try to break up relationships and ruin families because your religion doesn't like gay people. Wtf.

[@DarthMagog]

Yeah even i didn't have to tell kids that their Moms and/or Dads were evil for being gay when I was Sophia's age. That one just hit different. Like, how do you even think that's an appropriate thing for a child to tell another child?

[@Nockgun]

@@DarthMagog i see them as someone strange but i knew its not my buisness

[@AspectOfMoth]

I didn't think my 2023 bingo would include two star wars people discussing abuse in a Jehovah's Witness cartoon series

[@DarthMagog]

Did you get 5 across yet?

[@AspectOfMoth]

@@DarthMagog not yet, but I'm sure i will eventually

[@Wince_Media]

Already a minute in and thus is so adorable. A Clone wars general being a childhood professional

[@DarthMagog]

Lol originally we were gonna do another Sith, but Commander Fives just works so much better in armor!

[@Wince_Media]

@@DarthMagog aww! The occasional humorous commentary is also really charming and adorable!

[@Geoffrey454]

My parents' emotions were definitely my responsibility growing up

[@DarthMagog]

So sorry to hear that Geoffrey, that's no way to parent :/

[@Geoffrey454]

@@DarthMagog definitely not! I didn't really realise it was to do with my religious upbringing until this video. I think I have some work to do on myself and the way I think before I have my own children so I don't unintentionally perpetuate this kind of emotional abuse.

[@Herstal8389]

"you went for the snapped necks right away" "speaking of snapped necks" i like this guy! he has some good humor

[@DarthMagog]

Lol you should see us on set 😆

[@colinmelton3815]

I just about spit out my drink when you were going over your final part of the final part of the end of the last of the final part days! Just subed, keep up the good work!👍

[@DarthMagog]

Lol the worst part is I say that at home too, it annoys the hell out of Commander Fives (I can never stop before I fall into a puddle of tears laughing.)