Ex-Mormon and Ex-Jehovah's Witness Compare CULTure (ft.

[@Zeett09]

Funny JW story. My wife’s JW family visited our apostate home. Their little 4 year old daughter came up to me and said My mom said you you don’t serve Jehovah. I looked down and said Sweetie we don’t serve Jehovah but you know what we do serve? Ice-cream!! Do you want chocolate or vanilla? 😂

[@megamind678]

LMFAO!!!! 😂😂😂

[@leannhelling3060]

Lovely 😂❤

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Hahaha staaaawp! 😂😂😂 gold star ⭐️

[@CDNMusicLover]

4 sad.

[@katiempojer]

Funny story here, I was once getting something at a shopping center and I spot them the Jehovahs Witnesses' walking towards me two women in long skirts. They came to me and I said I am already episcopalian and dont wanna belong to a cult, you ladies need to get out why you can

[@maddmd9171]

I was an 'unbaptised publisher' So glad a never got baptised. These episodes, I am loving and blowing my mind at the same time.

[@lovefaith6285]

I also loved art and drawing as a kid and was into surrealism so my mom really hated everything I drew and was very critical of what I drew. My mom also tried to get me to draw paradise pics or tell me how I could draw for WT. What killed the confidence in myself as an artist was when my mom came into my room and asked what I wanted to be after I graduated high school. I told her I wanted to be an artist and get an MFA. I wanted to be a curator in a museum so I could be among the works of the masters. She got so angry and told me that if I was going to be an artist that I would just end up being a bum like my brothers. That really cut me deep. So to make her angrier I calmly replied well I guess I'm going to be a bum. So now at almost 50 I look at how I've lived a watered down version of my dream because I never believed in myself or my talents to pursue my dream and it still brings me to tears after all these years. So do whatever brings you joy regardless of what anyone tells you!✌💜

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Hi! So sorry to hear that! Thank you for sharing. I hope you still enjoy your talent 🙏

[@lovefaith6285]

@@VB-ff1dr this is a quote I have posted up, "The only people who would discourage you from living your dreams are the ones who are too afraid to live theirs." I've realized how WT instills fear into their members and JWs are some of the most critical/judgemental people. We have been given a gift and it will take you places you've never thought possible. Find a community of like minded artists and begin exhibiting your work. I was so nervous at first but the more I did it the less "scary" it was. Sometimes my art doesn't make it into an exhibition and that's ok, it wasn't what the curator was looking for, no hard feelings. I like to exhibit in the El Corazon and Day of the Dead exhibitions in Dallas. This life is OURS to live the way we want. Live it like the artist you came here to be. There's no one stopping you except for you. All that you are wanting you will find on the other side of your fears. ✌💜

[@juliee593]

I'm so proud of you!

[@stacyyoust]

Yea and it's not just JWs who crush your dreams lol

[@sarahwales6276]

So are you saying your Mother was a Jehovah's witness? That you were also?

[@Mila808g]

One of my male friends went on a mission trip when he was 19. His assignment was to go to the Philippines. Before he flew out he got all the appropriate (required) shots but despite doing so still got sick around 8 months in. Poor guy lost 40 something pounds. Long story short, the LDS mission president or whoever was in charge of the medical side of things let him get one step from death before he was finally allowed to go home. He was in his crappy apartment for SIX MONTHS just dying from this foreign stomach bug before he was released. Through all of this he, for some reason, was not allowed to contact his parents or friends or family members. Parents randomly got a call in the middle of the night saying their son would be coming home but received basically no other information. He showed up in Utah on their doorstep 6 hours later in desperate need of medical attention. And the best part is that the church expected him to do another full 2 year mission after he recovered. SMH.

[@hejnye]

I hope you reported this to the police, that is a crime

[@mirmizkool]

That is TERRIBLE!! SHAME on these abusive religious leaders.

[@aclark446]

The church pays for mission medical expenses, so they are told to basically never receive medical care so the church doesn't have to pay. It's an organization that has HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of dollars, btw. But they'll let a kid die to save a few dollars.

[@suzannep]

Another great video. That part about your skills being hijacked by the cult really hit home, I decided to go to community college, and JW friends were not too thrilled with that, but because I was taking architecture they started pressuring me to apply to join the JW design construction team and use my talent for Jehovah🙄 I would play along in the conversation but I knew I would never actually do it. I saw so many people use all their free time volunteering for the construction and they were wearing themselves out and had nothing to show for it in the end.

[@zakcourt]

I have a funny relationship to JW. One of my best friends family was devoutly JW, and she had broken away. I was openly queer and would hang around there all the time, talking and chilling with her mom. We got on so good and always enjoyed having me around. But everytime as soon as I left (for over a decade) she would turn to say to my friend "Its time to think about your friendship with him" or "until he stops being gay you shouldn't be hanging around him" Created some good cognitive dissonance for her. Really liked me as a person, could not get over me openly living in sin. I might have been the first gay she met...

[@zakcourt]

We had a complicated relationship. She also snapped my first edition Nightmare Before Christmas VHS, thinking it was her daughters. Anything devil demons or witches was banned from the house. My VHS got caught in the crossfire RIP

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Oh wow! It’s so sad that religion can be so divisive. We are all just humans who want to be loved and accepted. And it’s sad that a belief system can get in the way of that

[@souleylove]

That’s how my parents were with one of my best friends growing up. Treated her like another daughter while she was around, but after she left would lecture me that I should try to make more JW friends and should be careful who I hung out with. By the time we got to senior year of high school and were still best friends, my parents gave up. In my 30s now, she’s still my best friend, and even though my parents are still JW, I’ve left the religion.

[@ronaldmoonsun5374]

Not the nightmare before Christmas!!! 😮😢

[@bladenot-runner1795]

I'm queer and was raised a JW. No one found out until I ditched the religion. That two-faced friendliness and knowing what "nice" people say behind closed doors, when they think the people they're talking about aren't listening, is one of the main reasons I don't trust anyone.

[@Doing.the.truffle.shuffle]

So crazy listening to you two discuss these "religions". I was deeply involved in Scientology and we had some of the same treatment and also same/similar philosophies, control and whatnot. I think it probably got some of it from JW and Mormanism

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Yes! It’s so wild how similar they all are. Did you see my most recent video on Scientology with Dani?

[@CjChik29]

That's because hubbard took elements of every religion and/or cult and brought it into his.

[@Doing.the.truffle.shuffle]

@@CultstoConsciousness Yes I did, glad she spoke out and glad she is gettingthe help she needs. I was in much deeper than she was so I fully understand her and also what you two went through in JW and Mormonism. Yall were more strict in some ways and Scn was more strict in other ways

[@link1997legends]

I’ve been catching up on your backlog ever since I discovered your channel. I, thankfully, didn’t grow up in any cults or high demand organizations, but I am a human on earth so these organizations do affect me in a broad way, especially as a queer man living in the Bible Belt. Lately my anger at religion has been mounting and weighing so heavily on me, but finding your channel has really helped. It’s been so moving to hear these survivors tell their stories and mention how every group has the capacity to do culty things even without being a cult. It’s a good reminder to look at my fellow humans with kindness and understanding. Even the religions that try to oppress my community are filled with lovely humans doing their best to love others the only way they know how. I used to think religion is bad, period, but now, to borrow a phrase I keep hearing on your channel, I don’t want to ‘throw out the baby with the bath water.’ I don’t want to be in religion, people use it for harm, but lots of people are either trapped in it without knowing, or are self aware and use their religion for themselves, like Rome and India from one of your other JW videos. I’ve even had a conversation with my boyfriend’s catholic mother that I came away from fascinated and smiling. I know I’m not the demographic you’re trying to help with these videos, but I’m glad I found you. It’s another helpful reminder that we’re all just trying to get from point a to point b. Religion isn’t bad, culty behavior is bad, and the members of cults are victims too.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Hi! Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so happy to hear that the videos are helpful to you. And honestly this channel doesn’t even have a specific demographic because like you said, everyone can benefit from knowing more about these oppressive groups and how to better handle themselves around the members or ex members. Wishing you all the best in your journey!❤️🙏

[@tarameers5401]

Proselytizing is HUGE as a JW! And you get shamed if you aren't regular in the "ministry". And you start as little kids, even toddlers. And we get trained to preach from a very young age, and can become a publisher as young as, I think 5, and then you give parts on the stage in front of your congregation, men and women. We used to get cousiled in front of the congregation on the points we were assigned. We were also encouraged to preach at school, starting in elementary school. We were even given a brochure to give our teachers explaining why we can't do certain things, including celebrating holidays and soluting the flag. We were also encouraged to regular pioneer as soon as possible, late teens and early twenties, which means devoting 50 hours a week to preaching in addition to attending all the meetings and quickbuilds (if you're on the quickbuild committee) There's soooo much more to say on this. We lived breathed sleeped JW, 24/7

[@tarameers5401]

To add, we were taught that we would be considered blood guilty if we don't preach, because the ministry is a "life saving work".

[@vusimngomezulu2500]

​@@tarameers5401 Jesus christ sent churches including exjws apostate to preach about the Jehovah's witnesses?????????

[@CoffeeAddictEvan]

​@@tarameers5401 you just brought back a memory for me I used to think I would die in Armageddon, because of the fact I couldn't go door to door for years because we lived in a rural area and didn't have a car, and didn't live anywhere near other witnesses, so couldn't get rides from them

[@Rupunzelsawake]

Yes. JW are called "witnesses" for a reason. Their entire purpose is to witness and make disciples. Engaging in congregation public witnessing arrangements is even a prerequisite for baptism. No field service report, no baptism.

[@souleylove]

I hated having to clean the Kingdom Hall, unless my best friend was there too (neither of us continued in the religion after becoming adults). And my dad forgot me at the Hall one Saturday because he was doing yard work while I was cleaning inside. And the elders laughed at me for it for years. I didn't find it funny.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Oh no! I wouldn’t find it funny either. Yeah cleaning was the worst

[@billesommer4636]

Without pay is slavery!!

[@abbiejo6822]

So they laughed at You instead of at your dad who made the mistake…they sound like such lovely kind logical people 🙄

[@svetlanaherhorses6526]

Oh my, fresh contents! I love to see different people from different high demand groups and escaped to talk about the similar experiences they've been through and that's true enlightenment.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

🥰🙏

[@r.l.5964]

My aunt was excommunicated for divorcing her abusive husband who got sent to prison for multiple financial crimes.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

😱 wow! That’s awful!

[@r.l.5964]

@Cults to Consciousness I remember going to her baptism as a kid and trying to figure out why she had to be baptized again. Watching this video reminded me of it, and I hadn't thought of it for a long time, even as I started deconstructing. Thanks for your videos; they help me see more items I need to think critically about.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

@@r.l.5964 thank you! I’m glad you enjoy them 😁 I find myself trying to do more critical thinking as well since interviewing all these people

[@WatchingwaitingG2D]

​@CultstoConsciousness you're nothing but pretenders.

[@scottmedhaug4107]

Christ-like people should reject those that are abusive not stand behind them

[@luciamorenovelo8345]

I once heard a young man from a celibacy group that he left very uncorfortable with the movie "The Piano" because sex was so prevalent in it. I was surpised bc I had recently seen that movie and didn't remember any sex. I remembered the music, the landscapes, the dancing on the beach, the stregh of the main character as a survivor, etc. Years later, I rewatched the movie and made a point to look for the sex. Yep, there is a sexy scene in the movie. How sad that man didn't see anything else. ❤

[@CultstoConsciousness]

So interesting! Thanks for sharing that. I agree, missing out on all the beauty. INCLUDING the sex

[@jaclynrichmond1049]

As a teenager , the boys in my sons youth group at church wouldn't walk past Victoria's secret without closing their eyes. The purity culture was strong. They feared lust.

[@linzrojo]

What a great video !!!!!!! I will forever be grateful to the ex Mormon community . It was ex Mormons telling their story that got the wheels turning and started my waking up process ❤

[@MrzBulldoppz]

He said bad associations and my brain immediately said "spoils useful habits" not sure if any other xjw used to hear that but it was my moms fave. 🙃💜

[@Nathan-jq1uw]

I heard that all the time. ALL the time.

[@Iruparazzo]

it strikes me that could make a cool welcome mat/porch sign: "useful habits spoiled here"

[@MrzBulldoppz]

@@Iruparazzo omg I want it. Quick, how do you make a welcome mat?!!

[@Iruparazzo]

@@MrzBulldoppz I'm not sure, but I bet there's some sort of printing service like they do with t-shirts and coffee mugs etc. But I'm seriously considering going to the craft store to find something to make a hand-painted sign, that seems easier to DIY than a welcome mat. I already painted the bisexual flag above my doorbell, something like this will go perfect with it lol

[@MrzBulldoppz]

@Iruparazzo lol yay! I'm gonna get to googling. Hopefully it's not too pricey lol.

[@Robert_W7]

I was once a JW and then after a few years became Mormon. Now I'm neither I can think for myself 👍🏻

[@kellypat125]

Wow you did both? Did you grow up JW and choose Mormonism as an adult and how did that happen?

[@sarahmcdowell815]

Ex JW * When I was younger, I loved singing and writing poetry. I often received positive feedback from "worldly" friends and teachers but when I would show my art to my family they would ask why it was so dark. They would ask why I don't spend as much time studying or out in field service as I did furthering my art. It was as if any talent I had was downgraded unless I could use it at bethel.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

That must have been so hard to deal with. Hope you are freely enjoying your gifts now!

[@scottbrandon6244]

I always thought the practice of shunning was cruel for JWs. Families and Kingdom Hall people can't talk to the disfellowshipped member.

[@tarameers5401]

It's extremely emotionally and mentally damaging as we as isolating. There should be a law banning this practice.

[@Bondgirlhopeful]

One of my dearest middle and high school friends was JW, once I spoke about Green Mythology to a different person in her vicinity and she actually burst into tears and ran out of the class. The teacher went after her and returned to ask us to just put it off for later because our conversation was what had freaked her out. I think about her all the time and how different her life is from mine.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Woah 👀

[@CallmeMelinanow]

Hello, fellow ex JW here. I was in a drama when I was little, I remember it so well. Thank you for doing what you guys do, this is so important!

[@Estee.Ar.6869]

The comparison was great. The similarities is incredible.

[@fleurhufflepuff2198]

You guys should make this a regular series. I love these videos sm!

[@michaelkeller5555]

What Jake mentioned at the 48 minute mark or so comes from something called The Narcissist's Prayer, which goes: That didn't happen. And if it did, it wasn't that bad. And if it was, that's not a big deal. And if it is, that's not my fault. And if it was, I didn't mean it. And if I did, you deserved it.

[@amandacamposrodriguez9971]

Wow, I'm out of words 😮

[@forristcannady3066]

The dynamic duo back at it again. Love you guys together ❤

[@ComradeKatya_]

even though I didn't come from a mormon or jw background, these videos are comforting as an ex evangelical.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

@4:50 I'm Australian and last winter answered the door to two men accompanied by a little girl of sbout 4yo. We might not get winter as other countries experience it but it grts cold (for us). Also where i live, toeards the end of winter there are westerly winds that are really chill enhancing. The little girl had short sleeves to her pretty dress and was obviously very cold. The men were wearing suits. I asked her where her jumper was and her apparent father replied that she'd forgotten it and they hadnt realised until they were in the car. I said, "What, you couldn't go back for it? Shes freezing. You're not promoting your religion very well by showing cruelty to your child." The response was "We're nearly finished this area, and anyway she needs to learn consequences "

[@actualkarenokboomer3158]

When we lived in Oklahoma for 40 years we used to get a lot of Mormons. Once there were about 4 or 5 together and the first thing I said, "Elder than what? I am getting elderly and you are younger than my child, but older than my grandchildren." They would say, "Have you heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints?" I would say, "yes I have and I think we should start with the Mountain Massacre and your use of Native Americans and blaming it on them. Did you convert any? How did you justify your murder of, how many adults, to the surviving children."

[@megamind678]

Wanted to make a comment about what Jake said about things going back to normal after being disfellowshipped. I know he probably didn’t mean it that way but I just wanted to point out that things don’t always go back to normal… you’re almost “tainted” after reinstatement. For ex - my sibling was DF’d and my entire family was treated as if we were DF’d… even after her reinstatement. I have seen this treatment towards other people who have been DF’d in the past but are now reinstated. Another example is when looking for a mate, I have met parents who prefer that their son/daughter does not marry someone who does not have a “clean” spiritual record (AKA someone who has been discipline, especially through being DF’d).

[@tarameers5401]

Sooo true!

[@vusimngomezulu2500]

Jesus christ sent churches including exjws apostate to preach about the Jehovah's witnesses?????????

[@vusimngomezulu2500]

​@@tarameers5401 Jesus christ sent churches including exjws apostate to preach about the Jehovah's witnesses????????????

[@Rupunzelsawake]

Yes. Some have decided to fade after experiencing being treated like a contaminated person after reinstatement.

[@kiwigirljacks]

Interesting. I think that may depend on where you live as well. I remember visiting the UK and people talked about disfellowshipping as if it was nothing. “Oh so and so is disfellowshipped at the moment, but they’ll get reinstated in a couple of months”…it was so casual! Like it was almost a thing a lot of people did…get Df’d, have a nice little break from things, come back. All cool 😂😂

[@jenniferakridge5056]

I find your show fascinating. You are a really strong person and your stage presence (film presence) is great. It make watching you so great.

[@deborahking7873]

Omg, you are giving me chill, I moved to NJ in1983, with my husband and 2 kids, to a little suburb, the only people I met were the witnesses knocking on my door, they were so sweet but sometimes I would hide from them and make my kids be quiet.other times I would invite them in. We studied for a few years This went on for nearly 3 years,, my husband worked away and I was so lonely. I finally told my sister that I was close to joining the jehovahs , she was appalled and really helped me break up with these lovely sweet people. I was just so lonely.so sad. YIKES

[@djdingwall1]

I feel like I repeat myself after every episode, I watch and listen to. It’s fascinating to me to to learn about other experiences, and how I can relate it to my own. Thank you again, Shelise, also Alex.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Thanks Donna!! Glad you liked it!

[@CMBauer]

The church is the people! Thank you!

[@jannettb7930]

I grew up JW, thankfully I successfully dodged getting baptized until I could bail. Also thankfully, my dad was a bit of a survivalist and we spent my middle school years in a logging camp in the middle of no where so I didn't have to spend half my week going to Hall and knocking on doors.

[@Sasha.Co1]

Very interesting!!! Thank you so much both of you!!! This is very important

[@AspenColony5647]

I really felt that "why can't you just draw something happy" comment. I was going through literal torture from someone I thought was my friend in middle school and my mom was just like "all your characters look so sad. Are you even capable of drawing something happy?" And like even now coping with my religious trauma I draw it all out because it helps get it out of my brain where my brain tries to rationalize it, writes it down on paper, and shows me "no this is not what it claims to be your feelings are valid". Art is a trauma response. It's part of why I'm an actor. It draws out repressed feelings. Censoring art is not healthy for the artist at all. I have a friend who has generational trauma from British colonization of India during WWII and as a result can't easily find a way to sympathize with them. They draw on their world history papers because the subject is triggering, and the teacher said they can't do it anymore because it's "offensive". It really breaks my heart to see people hurt like that

[@leiacatart]

oh goooooood jake say "can't you draw the paradise" was such a flashback. i loved to draw and drew a lot of anime because i was that kid and any time i showed anything to my mom it was always why dont you draw the paradise! idk man drawing grass and panda sounds boring. let me draw my terrible ninjas.

[@siriusthecat]

Yay!! I love the dynamic between you two, such great co hosts!! The other videos you did together is how I found both of you.

[@andreafranke8771]

I live just north of Palmyra, NY where Joseph Smith created Mormonism & every summer there used to be the huge performance of the Hill Cumorah pageant. It ended in 2019 but was a HUGE thing in the community

[@sarahwales6276]

Growing up as a Jehovah's witness until I was 19 years old, the vibe was, don't bother planning for the future, Armageddon is coming any day, most of your family members and friends will die because they're not believers, along with your pets and God doesn't resurrect animals. He may or may not save you, no one can say if you'll be saved but just know you're never good enough.

[@mwest3191]

THAT INFOMERCIAL STYLE JW VIDEO, I CANNOT. I wish that were a spoof, but in these contexts that’s usually the sure sign of authenticity.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

You’re so right!!! 😂

[@000MIMS]

Those are generally witnesses that are acting, but it might be an actual event

[@rae_angela]

I was a JW from 3 on. I don't remember anything but that life as a kid. Growing up was confusing because my mom stressed education and self-sufficiency. She was an immigrant and a single mom after my parents divorced when I was 10. But the religion was hard core-women need to be married, follow headship (even as an adult, the elders talked to my little brother about me, because I was single), and focus on marriage and pioneer service. I aux pioneered for many years on and off. It never felt natural. But I was so scared to lose my family (Mom) that I stayed until I was 31 before going PIMO for a year before leaving. Fortunately, my brother left before I did and it helped me to leave. I always felt put down as a woman. I was even accused of being gay, because I was independent, lived alone and made good money. No one would marry me unless I stopped being so masculine. Overall, it was a terrible upbringing, a bad way to be a kid and teenager, and a lonely life if you're a woman who isn't looking to be taken care of.

[@wiedzma_nie_niewiasta]

I love you two so much. I'm so relieved to see there are other people who think the same way I do about those things, even when they were brought up differently.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

❤️🙏

[@goatmealcookies7421]

I was laughing because my presbyterian step mom was living with her then husband in salt lake city in the 50s. While giving birth, in the hospital, her roommates were horrified to find she had no garments, and then refused to speak or look at her. She left Utah after 2 years, and still bitterlyrecalls the isolation and loneliness she felt in that community.

[@calinasagilitypartner4444]

Shalise, you should really read The Testaments by Margaret Atwater, if you haven't already done so. It's not really a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, but a lot of the characters are the same. I'd love to hear your reaction to that book.

[@lj9524]

You two are the best! Thank you for your experiences! ❤️

[@Suzanneyhearts]

I would love to hear you guys discuss the 2 witness rule in the next one. Also, when I learned about Mormonism it was in the same unit of high school region (catholic school) as Seventh Day Adventists. It struck me how similar the second coming and resurrection were in the beliefs. I have known a few Seventh Day Adventists and don't hear so many bad things about the organization as JW or LDS, have you ever spoken to someone who has left the Adventists? I would find that very interesting.

[@samanthas2280]

They will DENY it, but JWs are actually an offshoot of the Adventists. They'd never admit it.

[@KPW2137]

Cults like these are a good example of how you can really go Orwellian in real life. Organisation is infallible and yo have to follow it blindly. But if something changes it's not a problem. And if it changes overnight? Hey, it's been like that. I've read that JW are going away from printed publications and IMO there are two reasons for this: first, it's cheaper - having everything on one site is much easier than printing all the stuff in so many languages around the world. Second, and more important goal: you can update the content on the fly, however you see fit. Anthony Morris has always been in the Governing Body. Anthony Morris is not a memeber of the Governing Body anymore. Anthony Morris has never been a memeber. Anthony Morris? Not track of him, if that was needed.

[@realbedo]

I just started (7 minutes 50 seconds in..) but I will say that even though Mormons don't send kids out like JWs we are taught from a young age to constantly be preaching and sharing our scriptures. I was given many many book of Mormons with notes in them from activity day leaders and young womans leaders just to give to other people. When I was really young I only had one friend that lived near me so I got a plastic bag, put the book of mormon and a friend in there with a note I had my mom write and I hung it on my friend's doorknob. For years I was praised for doing this. The book of mormon was given back to me but my friend kept the friend magazine and I was convinced that was because the spirit was reaching out to her. Whenever we had an inactive member we would go right to their door and give them sweets, trying to get them back to church. We would heart attack members and even just random people we knew. Whenever we did anything good though we were to tell the activity leaders and we would get candy or other rewards. There's many efforts for children to do missionary work. And they would call it missionary work or being a missionary.

[@vusimngomezulu2500]

Jesus christ sent churches including exjws apostate to preach about the Jehovah's witnesses??????????

[@realbedo]

@@vusimngomezulu2500 Sorry I'm a bit confused, this is my experience with the mormon church not jws.

[@vusimngomezulu2500]

@@realbedo 👍

[@CoffeeAddictEvan]

​@@realbedo Vusi is a troll who shows up on anything ExJW related, don't pay them too much mind

[@realbedo]

@CoffeeAddictEvan ohh that makes sense, thanks for telling me

[@tiffanyb6420]

I never understood how JWs expect you to come to their Kingdom Hall, but they REFUSE to set foot in another church. For example, a JW would not attend the church service of a wedding or funeral of a non-JW relative. It’s so confounding.

[@mayloomis9638]

I really appreciate watching your videos - I was never in cult, but people in my community have periodically experienced some culty types of leaders - the framework is smaller and there are a lot of really good people in it, but I'd wondered growing up why my parent's had 'noped' out of it periodically - and each time a culty leader had popped up and people started following them. I think we just got lucky in that the framework is so small, and is mostly just a guided ceremony by leaders that have been 'approved' by the previous leaders (red flag there though I guess). But leaders who want to take advantage only have a very small group available to try to brainwash, and once people start leaving that group, the budding cult fails. It's sad because I do really respect some the basics of it. Sorry, I know that was pretty obscure. Just in combination with that and with watching yours and other similar videos I've started to wonder what is wrong with people that we have people who try to control other people like this. And what is wrong that they can get people to follow them? And why are so many people so liable to be ok with giving up their personal autonomy?

[@newgabe09]

I'm in Cambodia. Today I found 2 Mormon missionaries talking to the teenage son of the family I'm staying with- an American and a local. They stayed for over 2 hours mostly speaking in the local language that I don't understand. I felt so uncomfortable and even angry at their intrusion.He's a curious young man and wants to be 'modern' so I think he could be vulnerable. I said to the lad 'be careful' and I hope I can slip in some more information on why he should be.

[@mama_abudance]

I had a family come to parent teacher conferences when I was a first grade teacher. The parents kept redirecting ever question I asked about their child to discuss JW. The next day the mother sent me a lengthy list of links to the JW website which explained why almost every holiday has pagan origins. I was so lost 😂

[@ginifaulk9822]

“Bad associations spoil useful habits” is spicy ✨trauma✨

[@kayladyeann3306]

Omg that clip of the daughter being shunned awakened some childhood anxiety of disappointing my parents 😳

[@leannhelling3060]

I did not know about the Shepard book for elders until 2014. It holds us under the Mosaic law which they lie to us as being, “nailed to the torturer stake”. My mom did not know. But when I asked if a secret book for Enders bothered her she said no. I swear I never knew my mom. 😢

[@AtypicalPaul]

Love these conversations

[@orlaelizabethwedlock6012]

O my gosh that was my mom when I did my photography degree I was photographing fine art nudes that my tutor thought was the best he had seen in forever but I got home and told mum I had a distinction (the highest possible mark) I wasnt allowed to show my strict catholic family. Her words were couldnt you have just done something pretty and girly like flowers. No matter how well I did in anything if it wasnt what she thought the church would want it wasnt allowed to be seen by anyone and had to be hidden. Most of my life I felt I was hidding myself until I decided on my 21st birthday holiday to visit my long distance boyfriend that I had hid enough and wasnt returning home to hide anymore.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Hi Orla! Im sorry you had to hide and I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself and owning who you are at such a young age! I bet you’re a force now!

[@MichaelYoder1961]

I have a really good friend who was excommunicated from the LDS when she came out as lesbian, and I know an ex-JW woman who was dis-fellowshipped because she left her husband and had a child with another man. It's just sad that these "churches" do such terrible things to people, just because they're being people. "Judge not lest you be judged and found wanting" doesn't seem to apply.

[@sharkofjoy]

18:35 Shelise's face at "queer coded clothing" is priceless. Oh yes, better have a loose suit, don't want to...uh. Uhhhhh actually I'm making that face also.

[@MacDriller]

Crowd sourcing with this one: Can anyone give me tips on how to approach my wife in an attempt to “wake her up?” …long shot I know. I’ve already noticed our 4yr old expressing unworthiness and it’s heartbreaking. To be fair our kid does come to church with me half of the time. (Episcopalian) Thankfully because of that, in time, she’ll realize the guilt is unnecessary but in the meantime I’m concerned. Not at all saying we are perfect. I know for sure our children’s curriculum doesn’t teach them they have to check boxes or else they aren’t good enough.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Such a great question!! I wish I could be more helpful. Check out the podcast “marriage on a tightrope” where they discuss mixed faith marriages

[@Spaztastica]

I'm so mad for Mormons that they at least don't give you grape juice instead of WATER! 😭

[@baemaxxed5389]

Probably because it costs more money to use anything but water. They already have members bring their own bread for the congregation.

[@Spaztastica]

@@baemaxxed5389 They have to provide their own bread! How darn cheap is that church?! 😱 That's what the tithes are for! 😡🤦

[@baemaxxed5389]

@@Spaztastica haha you have no idea 😆 that's just the tip of the iceberg.

[@bookchick]

Water, and cheap white bread...instead of unleavened bread and grape juice/wine.

[@NicoleACottageWitch]

In the fundamentalist community I grew up in, it was grape juice and tiny cubes of bread! Wine was definitely not allowed.

[@filipfred1651]

You 30:08 you forgot about “marking” I’m from Sweden and haven’t really experienced it, but the threat is there, which is a light kind of shunning, almost, you get marked as bad association.

[@katietomlin253]

I have been both a JW and a Mormon. Converts to both raised in neither. Now I am not a part of any religion and happier than I have ever been. Found what I was looking for which I thought was religion but it wasn’t. What I was actually looking for was myself and connection to the universe. I laughed when you said we are here to share a positive message and conduct free bible studies. So scripted I had a flash back! Lol

[@daniellima2973]

The first person a Mormon Bishop calls when sexual abuse is alleged is Kirton McKonkie , the Church’s law firm.

[@Riot_Bird]

Wait.... is that the series of unfortunate events in the background on the bookcase? I love that book series

[@Kaltag2278]

Is there a trend of kids of higher-ups getting "better" mission locations? I've never actually heard of it being a thing but I've always wondered.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

I've always wondered too. And if kids of wealthy parents get better posting because they'll better be able to pay airfares etc. What really happens to the money donated at tithing to missionary funding?

[@starsINSPACE]

The Narcissist's Prayer (by Dayna Craig): "That didn't happen. And if it did, it wasn't that bad. And if it was, that's not a big deal. And if it is, that's not my fault. And if it was, I didn't mean it. And if I did, you deserved it." ETA: I noticed someone else already posted this poem, so I'll add that I really think Dayna Craig's poem is very telling for high control groups but one thing she doesn't mention in the poem is how controlling people often say "I didn't do that but if I did you did it first and so I am allowed to do it to you because you did it first, but also I am not admitting I did it too or that what I did came from a place of being mean and what you did was just trying to stand up for yourself or completely unrelated." I am not a poet so mine is less poetic lol. Let me come up with an illustrative example with some made up names: a narcissist named Lex calls their daughter Hope the B word. Hope says to Lex "why did you curse at me?" And Lex says "I don't remember that happening and if it did well you cursed first so I doesn't matter!" But this is completely ignoring when Hope cursed she didn't curse at Lex. She just happened to say sh1t because she was cooking and burn herself a little bit. Or maybe she said "I have too much shit to do right now to deal with this" because she was frustrated by Lex trying to start a fight. And by the way, calling someone a bad word doesn't give them the right to call you a bad word back necessarily because two wrongs don't make a right obviously.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Great example! Thank you for sharing!

[@jaclynrichmond1049]

We are imperfect in need of a savior is the whole Christian message, and we can't question the Bible and it being the inherent word of God.

[@lau4545]

25:00 I've thought about this so many times while watching these videos... Like I don't remember really seriously thinking about s*x before my late teens, but I sure as hell would have been thinking about it constantly if I had constantly been told not to think about it from a really young age 😅 don't they realize that it does the opposite of what they try to achieve

[@wilfredozelaya1391]

I'm curious if the wayback machine or other websites could capture the changes these organizations make on their websites.

[@filipfred1651]

39:45 the wierd thing about this practice is that jws talk a lot about doing things for the right reason, that you love Jehovah, if we then starve people socially to create an incentive for people to want to come back to spend time with their family again, how is that about loving Jehovah. Then you do it because you want to talk to your family. If the reason for coming back is about loving and returning to Jehovah, then you shouldn’t shun, you should keep association with disfellowshipped to be able to talk about how Jehovah help with coping with life. I might be wrong here but I’ve always found the motivation for shunning not very well thought through… Should ad that I’m not active myself anymore

[@CultstoConsciousness]

I agree, it feels very disconnected with what Jesus or god would actually want

[@ladypamela8269]

In my experience they also call you to a position so that you will learn lessons and overcome things. I was very very young and they called me to a teaching position for the 3 and 4 year olds. 1st of all I shouldn't have ever been in a position to teach 3 and 4 year olds when I was a confused teen. And then when I went to them and said I can't teach this anymore because there was something that I disagreed with and I didn't feel proper about telling kids this they shamed me so. Told me that turning down a position was closest thing to murder that there was. When I thought I'll long the closest thing to murder was something else. Long story short that is when I 1st started seeking out outer knowledge and it took me many years

[@LexAnnalyn]

Can’t think of another company where you have to pay in order to work/sell for them? I think you forgot about MLMs. ;) …which I’ve heard are particularly common in Utah, among the LDS.

[@theakaneko]

I almost felt bad for any JW or Mormon missionaries that went by my in-laws' place. My father in law would sit down with the missionaries and ask them all sorts of the Hard Questions about their beliefs and how they would know things. His favorite was responding to "what would it take to change your mind" with volleying it right back at them. Always nice, always curious, but definitely got their house avoided afterwards 😂 and considering how they would stalk our neighborhoods is where the "almost" came in.

[@californiadreaming567]

I grew up in the 50s and many marriages were in shambles but they couldn’t divorce so parents stayed and hated one another, their lives and they took it out on the kids. 😢😢😢😢

[@CultstoConsciousness]

😥

[@bernadetteconsilio]

I grew up in the Cleveland Ohio area and moved back after I retired. This area is filled with JW’s. It is the only place i have lived where i have been inundated with JW’s. In fact during the pandemic I received letters. Ugh Ugh Ugh! I don’t answer my door at any time im not expecting visitors! As a kid in the 70’s they would come up our back stairway and peer in our windows and wait for you. It was horrible! Cleveland and Chicago is also filled with LDS missionaries. They are not as aggressive, but still annoying. Mostly I see LDSM’s in Aldi trying to buy as much as possible with as little as possible. LDSM’s are easy to spot in their ‘uniforms’ & name tags. The Southern Baptist’s are aggressive at work places and public corners of downtown! We get all the religions who feel the need to save our souls! And ironically I grew up Roman Catholic who believe they are the only ones who will are going to heaven in the end! I have been emotionally harmed by many people who feel the need to ‘save’ my soul! Be concerned about yourself!!!!! Leave me alone.

[@kristingardner9660]

Please post the video your guest was referring to. Thanks. Great podcast!

[@ladypamela8269]

The court system in a lot of cases like with mine when I was young. Also did the shame game. At least in Utah. I was literally told look what you were wearing when what I was wearing was long Levi's and a turtle neck. Did judge actually had me hold up a pot bottle told me to spin it took told me to put my other finger out and try to put it in there. Me not understanding what she was doing yes it was she. I did it and was unable to put my finger in there. Then I was told if you move around enough these things won't happen and if you were wearing proper attire it wouldn't entice them. Also being shamed by my bishopric for appearing out of hand. By the way that guy only got 6 months in a state hospital and let out on good behavior.

[@rosealexander9007]

My husband’s family are Jehovah witnesses. My husband and I are not. My husband and I are born again Christians. One thing that annoys me about the Jehovah witnesses is they keep saying they have the truth. I try to be respectful of other beliefs as much as I can. But the last time my husband’s sister said to me that Jehovah witness is the truth, I had enough and finally told her that I believe I have the truth also. I told her that everyone believes they believes that they have the truth or they wouldn’t believe it. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@Iruparazzo]

I posed a question recently to my discord and they went wild: would you rather be a JW and never get to celebrate birthdays/holidays or be a mormon and never be able to imbibe anything fun (caffeine, nicotine, alcohol etc). There was a lot of debate but the ultimate consensus was: rather be JW, as you can always just not tell anyone you're getting drunk to celebrate something lol

[@Alexis-tx5en]

Actually you can’t have nicotine as a JW either lol

[@tawneenielsen4080]

You need to do this regularly!!!

[@tracyrawlins8016]

Had some really persistent JWs coming to my door often. I kept explaining I'm ordained and following my calling elsewhere. They finally informed me that we all have to be the SAME or God won't save us, that JW is the ONLY way and the only God-ordained religion. I said to them, oh like that other guy....there can only be one race, one religion....dang, what was his name?....guy from the 40's.......

[@ladypamela8269]

Also in both of these religions and others if there is a molestation or a rape that has taken place they want to handle it in the church. A lot of people are chastised or chastised or put down if they actually called the police. Because they do not want that recognition. And often cases the abuser is brought in talk to and nothing ever takes place with it other than they are told no no. And told to do the work. Often. In my experience and opinion.

[@a_l_l_i_s_o_n__]

I’d love to see an interview with Lloyd Evans !! 😊

[@2022Coopersmom]

And all that abstinence, the first thing RMs need is a spouse before they sin. So they never get time to question

[@rmandbd2]

I heard no one actually makes it to heaven but that God replicates another being from his memory of you

[@Cor6196]

That sounds like an intelligent modern take on St Paul’s explanation about how the Christians who had already begun to die before Christ’s second coming could possibly enjoy His Kingdom: The dead will all be raised, not as revivified corpses, but CHANGED into INDESTRUCTIBLE life forms. The parallels with zombies have lately become so apparent (thanks, Hollywood) that your explanation solves some problems that St Paul didn’t foresee! 😅

[@Iruparazzo]

that sounds like the plot of the video game SOMA

[@adamcosper3308]

So going to heaven is like using the transporter from Star Trek?

[@rmandbd2]

@@adamcosper3308 I have no idea. I’m a Christian I believe I am going to heaven.

[@Cor6196]

@@adamcosper3308 Genius! “Beam me up, Jesus!”

[@positivevibes2468]

Love @altworldly total Seth Rogan vibes and I’m here for it😁

[@StannisHarlock]

Oh no. Jake was one of those people the Watchtower Society duped into building their new headquarters. I had no idea. I remember when I heard they were building a new place. I thought, what a terrible thing to work on?

[@jackiearagon1268]

I want to ask how do you deal with a JW that married into a non JW family? I fought for 8 months with my son to get him to stop allowing my granddaughter to attend with her mother, he finally gave in however we know she is still teaching her AND she is very confused and it is causing terrible conflict in the family. Even my daughter in laws mother who is no longer JW has tried to get her out. There is such deep brainwashing I just don't see an end. Funny thing is she still shows up for holiday events but sits away from anything happening. At times I just want to smack her and say WAKE up. Frustrated very frustrated

[@Honeypot833]

I feel bad. JW came to my door, I told them I was almost blind (true). They came back with large print materials for me to read.

[@joannegrieco8523]

Shalise Scientology makes you pay to do work too. It's insanity to me

[@2022Coopersmom]

I would pray after rubbing one out “please make mom stop drinking and I promise never to do it again” mom died. I’m still a sinner 🤔😅

[@unshavenpanda2558]

God damn, that’s a blunt way of putting it 😂

[@mylesmarkson1686]

Tell you what--Next time I rub one out, I'll think of your mom. It's the least I can do!

[@steviearielle5249]

So you’re telling me that’s not Seth Rogan ?

[@CultstoConsciousness]

😂

[@onesunnyday5699]

Across the river in Iowa we can see the golden image of Meroni on top of the Navoo temple & in service we would talk about how we wanted to watch it explode at Armageddon. JWs are very blood thirsty for such a neutral, passive group.

[@VictoriaForSale]

I HATED Services in winter as a ex jw. It was horrible... Or if it rained... Everything was muddy and wet and just ugh... But yeah, I had to go... My parents would otherwise give me the look. I honestly think some people just felt sorry and let us in... I loved those people, I really did 😂

[@spawnedreplacement]

I grew up in Phx and then moved to SLC, Utah when I was 11 (non LDS). The shoulder thing was so bizarre to my whole family. I grew up in tank tops and then once I moved all the sudden I was treated like a whore. At 11. I still wore and wear tank tops lol. I would just ask them how small their world is if they were seriously getting upset over my shoulders. I was pretty much treated like the antichrist while I lived there

[@beckyguthrie4787]

I love your content .Have you ever considered writing book? I want to preorder it if you do.

[@CultstoConsciousness]

Thank you! Yes I am in the process. It’s hard to focus on while making content each week but I’m not giving up on it

[@ladypamela8269]

As for the churches doing stuff that they teach their people not to. What about all the members who grow the items specifically for stuff or the company's that the church has invested in that they tell their people not to use. Such as a beer company. Or Coca-Cola company.

[@murielgregg5]

I wanted to see the guy talking about Jehovah’s Witness and something happened on my phone that I can’t get a hold of it. Can you post it again please because I’m interested in knowing what they believe in or not believe in.

[@Spmama444]

My only issue in this was his assortment of Jordan Peterson taken out of context and I’ve listed to all or almost all of his work even being on a completely different political stance … just an off hand comment should not make you think bad about someone you haven’t watch their content