This Is Why I Left The Jehovah Witness Religion: The Governing Body Woke Me Up

[@danieliglesias1669]

I, curiously enough, became awake through sports. When I moved from NYC to Miami, I began to play racquetball at a racquetball club near my house where the membership prices were low enough that I could afford. I started to play 3 times a week, with people who were mostly worldly. There was only one brother from the congregation who played “seriously” as I did but he was a member of a much more luxurious and more expensive club so, we didn’t play at all together. He never invited me to play at the club where he played. He could have invited me as his “guest “ but for some reason he never did. I invited him to play at “my” much more less luxurious club but for some reason he was always busy. In any event, I continued to play, with “worldly” people , 3 times a week, and sometimes during the weekend, when it didn’t interfere with “the meeting”. Anyway, to make an already too long story short, by playing this sport, sometimes even entering in amateur tournaments in my local area, I got to know lots of worldly people. And I found out that they weren’t the “monsters” described in the Watchtower articles. In fact, some were a lot nicer and turned out to be better friends and better “family people “ than most of the “brothers” in the congregation, in fact, better individuals and family men than even I was as a JW. And they came from all sorts of religious backgrounds and even atheists backgrounds…none of this prevented them from being really nice, “normal family people “….. people who clearly didn’t deserve to die in an Armageddon, just because they weren’t JWs. That’s what began my waking up process. Sorry for the too long story. Great video. 🤔🇨🇺🇺🇸

[@reneesalvatori1996]

Love this story. I agree. The “worldly people” seemed kinder and more genuine. That was what woke me up too.

[@magnificentmuttley154]

This is a channel where "long stories" are appeciated. And it only took me one minute to read all of that, so not really such a long story afterall, Lol It didnt serve to awaken me against the GB at the time. My awakening to the GB becoming an apostasy came many years later, when I was 43. Well anyway, I was only 18, & for the first time I had a regular job. Had worked for my g.father for years until at 18 had to move away from my witness mother & start my life. For the first time I didnt have to go to meetings. Just me & a catholic roommate, my first apartment & my first car I started meeting worldly girls on the job who, like me, worked long hours & just wanted to socialize when we got of work. JW's wouldve looked at it as courting or dating, but thats what you do when youre looking for a marriage partner. I would take these ladies out to eat when we got off work. Sometimes we just sat at a 24 hour restaurant to have coffee & chat, not to eat at all. I called it socializing 'cause no one was interested in getting married, & they werent out for sex. If they hadve been I wouldve stopped talking to them, & some of them said theyd do the same thing if thats all a guy was looking for Anyway, thanks to that experience I overcame my paranoia of being sexually propositioned and of giving into sexual temptation. I learned I could trust myself to be modest around the ladies. These were the same young ladies who knew each other from a tanning salon & from an IHOP restaurant right nextdoor to the dominos pizza I delivered for They all knew each other. Sometimes THEY grouped in 2 or 3 & drove me places after work. There were times when I did the driving to take them places. There were other young men my age, occasionally. And there were times where it was just me & 1 lady, once we became acquainted with the others around. In that case I dined/ had drinks with a different lady every week or two. Again, they all knew wach other, so they always seemed to know among themselves what I was doing & who I was hanging out with. My social life stayed this way for the most part for the 2 years I worked there, before taking another delivery job across town from there It was a very positive experience for a teenager who was barely a young adult, & needed social experience outside the very limited experience of the congregation. No one tried to sleep with me, nor I them. We didnt get drunk or "loose." These young ladies came from good parents & knew how to behave themselves. I had a terrific time with those girls, & I cherish the memory. Today Im 52 🥂

[@patriciapitt4228]

​@@magnificentmuttley154now you can sing that song "I'm only Human "Many Thanks *

[@JwRetroverdad]

The "worldly" will tell you that Armageddon is not coming. and they are right. Like!

[@ladybugbrack2834]

@@danieliglesias1669 I enjoyed reading your experience, my sister is a devout JW & she made a very hurtful comment in regards to her Family,mind you because of her beliefs,she doesn't have a relationship with any of us.

[@thebeastsharlot2776]

My first red flag was at the convention where they showed everyone how to shun your daughter. My daughter was a toddler at most and instantly knew that I would rather die with her if she sinned then be without her in Paradise. Also my husband at the time and I made a secret pact that we would give her blood of she ever needed it.

[@Cfalconeri]

Same here. When I started having kids I would question them saying, "They claim they display love and Jehovah loves you like a father, and as a father, I would NEVER treat my children like this if they made a mistake." Cognitive dissonance is a tough pill to swallow. Conclusion, they do not have love. If love is conditional, it is fake and non-existent. They are not Christian.

[@morningglory9288]

@thebeastsharlot2776 The shunning was what woke me up too. My best friends husband was disfellowshipped, and he looked so down hearted when I saw him at the KH. I researched on the internet (not WT's literature) to find out if shunning was truly scriptural. Instead I came across You Tube videos pointing to the CSA, end of the world false dates, especially 1925 and '75, Mexican/Malawi scandal and much more. I felt sickened, so left soon after. My JW daughter now has a child of her own. I wonder if she ever thinks about the possibility of shunning her daughter in the years to come. I can't help but wonder JW's are filling bible prophesy. In the last days' natural affection will turn cold. JW's are good for it.

[@TracyLeaBeauty]

@@thebeastsharlot2776 omg!!!! I felt the same way! I was already out, Oct 2012 was my last meeting. I had the same thought, I’d tell the to give my kids any & all life saving measures! I can’t imagine if I had a child who died & then to wake up, leave knowing I let them dictate that decision!!!😭 I was a fourth generation JW but only had my mother & older sister, she never got baptized so once my mother died, I contacted her & told her everything & she has had 2 heart attacks & once our mom died right before the lockdown, she was all alone. No one checked on her & no friends. It had been 8 years that they shunned me. My mother died & the last thing she said to me was “you’re going to die with your kids” I said well that’s ok at least I’ll be with my kids🤷🏻‍♀️. I live across the street from the Kingdom Hall! She would pass my house to every meeting. I’m so glad I got to my sister in time!!! I’m still baffled how they got me drinking their kool aid for 42 years!!!! When I knew I would never go back, I got a nose ring & started to get tattoos! Those were the two thinks I wanted to do for so long, but knew I really couldn’t do them! Keep your heads up everyone! It’s so much better without those people in your lives!!! If you’re reading this & need someone, contact me😃

[@georgecoons6872]

jehovah is satan molach allah there the same god. jesus christ is no different. he just has a white gloss.

[@megan148]

That was the one for me too. It was disgusting.

[@LucasElliot]

I just want to say I really enjoy your videos. My mother is a JW and attempted to raise me as one when I was younger. I'm 27 now and very clear of it but my mum is still always trying to force it on me and my dad on a daily basis. My dad has been feeling very low as there is nothing he can do to get her out. We watched a few of your videos together before and it's really made him feel better and not alone in all this so thankyou ❤️

[@arthurfleck629]

@@LucasElliot Never give up on her bro, perhaps nobody is more worth the effort than our family members, no matter how tragic our circumstances may appear to be.

[@dyplex9]

Please keep trying to wake her up. I feel so sorry for you and your father

[@MrEvilemma]

For me it was a similar time and my then 10 year old Autistic son asked if God was going to kill his friend from school for not believing in Jehovah; his friend who is genuinely one of the loveliest humans I know, a boy with Autism and a mild intellectual disability. I couldn’t answer him and it broke my JW trance to actually put a face to “worldly” people deserving death. It flicked a switch I couldn’t turn off.

[@skairain5865]

That's also what woke me up as a child. We witness so much hypocrisy, the snotty Witnesses girls all the gossip and belittlement, when my Catholic worldly friends were loving kind and sweet. Watched how clicks are rampant in the hall too.

[@katygirl9221]

Jehovah Witnesses teach YES that God is going to kill your autistic son and EVERYONE that's not a JW at Armageddon! They also teach that if your son needed a little blood to safe his life, you must not give him blood, and let him DIE! They also teach not to let your kids participate in any activities as well as NO EDUCATION! My best wishes to you and your son from escaping this dangerous CULT! ❤

[@dinara_safina]

I woke up when they got rid of the weekly book studies. We were told it was to focus on "family study." My heart broke for the members who lived alone and had no family to study with. A bunch of them all got together and formed their own study, but they shouldn't have had to! A provision should have been put into place. It made me realize that some people are nothing in this organization and that they just don't care.

[@mamajan99]

Jesus said that 2 or more should gather together in His name and he would be there with Holy Spirit guiding and teaching them all truth. Jesus didn't even mention some man made "Organization." There was none. No man made BORG was needed. Jo 14:26

[@erinblue5872]

I woke up in 2010 when I met my worldly heathen husband at a concert. I was told that I would never be happy and how horrible I was for not "waiting on Jehovah". 14 happy years and 2 kids later, I'm the happiest I have ever been and my husband is my Dad's favorite son in law despite being an atheist. My parents were both baptized in 1972. My mom died faithful to the org 4 days before I got married. My dad served as an elder for 30 years before stepping aside for health reasons but has remained a PIMI despite all his children leaving "the truth". Interesting, the other day I was talking to him about the how the organization has changed and how it is not the one I grew up in and how triggering some of the things the governing body says. To my shock he 100% agreed with me! I was so shocked but I kept my cool and asked him if he was happy and he said "its all I've known for so long but not really." I am hoping with everything I am that he is waking up and I can save his his last years (he's 84) and he can be finally happy.

[@kerrinbooth2764]

What was the concert?

[@carloscatarino7890]

It was exactly this generation overlapping bs that woke me up.

[@michelejashinsky8409]

Jeffery winder woke me up we’re not inspired we’re not infallible and we don’t need to apologize ‼️🙄

[@JwRetroverdad]

Cool!

[@morningglory9288]

That statement alone should've been enough to wake up every single JW in the world. Why anyone still follows and obeys the GB is mind-boggling.

[@rickybobby9886]

Abuse from the elders woke my wife and I up.

[@michelejashinsky8409]

@@morningglory9288 Amen and amen! Then I saw the UN connection the Royal Australian CSA …. Blew my mind 🤯

[@JwRetroverdad]

I was a Ministerial Servant. Two elders came to visit me because I did not go to the meeting with the Circuit Superintendent. Among other things, I asked him what the doctrinal basis was for the Governing Body not to apologize for its mistakes, as any brother would do. I'm still waiting for the answer.

[@joytoyouandme4593]

I departed back in 1985, during a time that I was going through a divorce from my disfellowshipped husband. Instead of receiving help and comfort from my congregation, I felt ostracized. As though the troubles I was going through would rub off if someone associated with me. It was the complete opposite of what I thought my religion was. I began to analyze my memories of all the judgements JW's had in many different areas. Against other faiths, against education, against personal achievements and against individual people. This told me it wasn't from God and just a bunch of fake people acting self righteous. Finding the ex community on you tube in 2016 has really helped me to break down even more false teachings and actions. Now it's so hard to understand how anyone can be sucked into this cult.

[@davidjrtodd]

I left in June 1985. You are of my generation without any overlapping occurring.

[@keithormesher4406]

@@joytoyouandme4593 mmm P,

[@potiphajerenyenje6870]

@@davidjrtoddkkk nice one. I was born in 1981. Guess we belong to the same generation

[@davidjrtodd]

@@potiphajerenyenje6870 that would be nice. I had a haircut today and was asked if I was still working or retired. The question was valid 😂😂😂 or 😢 😭 😿

[@simonjusticier333]

Fear, obligation, and guilt are powerful controlling tools as ex jw critical thinker would say. Beware of the FOG!

[@fadetoexadam182]

Loved this. The start of JW broadcasting was the start of many JWs waking up.

[@carlose.montoyajr.5920]

This exactly, just wrote this in abother comment

[@eyeswideopen8570]

I liked it better when I didn't know who they were. Once I saw them, I was done.

[@chasekeffeler7400]

I left 2014. The new Bible was released. A lot of scriptures were changed, specifically the first like 11 verses of John 8 were just removed. Made me think that the Bible was probably changed in the past too.

[@travisrepp1836]

The bible had hundreds of years as separate writings each with a different transmission, and there were many transmissions for each, and nothing was purposely changed. It would have been impossible for the uniformity to come about after centuries of separated Churches transmitting it separately. j.w.s and Marcion are the only known bible changers. And the exact same bible could be reconstructed the same as it exists in the old manuscripts from the Church Fathers.

[@Lesley-gb1dr]

Yes, 67 books have been removed. The power and respect for women was taken out of the scriptures.

[@carleymichellehildebrand6482]

I left a few years before then, but when the gray bible came out and my parents felt the duty to show it to me....I was really sad, actually. Genuinely. What I'd admired about the previous text had been robbed. I remember just going through it and telling my dad, "The poetry is gone." He didn't know what I meant.

[@chadc5803]

do you by chance know of any compilation of the changes made in their most recent 'version'?

[@eyeswideopen8570]

@@chadc5803 Google if you want to research, or jw facts

[@whoknew1981]

The fact that you made governing body fighters for super smash is chefs kiss

[@MrEvilemma]

I’m so annoyed I never thought of that because it truly is perfection

[@kayleehiebert4203]

My husband woke up about 2 years before me. He dropped me little hints too, but basically I tried to prove to him that it was the truth. I woke myself up trying to prove him wrong, logic won. I started to notice that I was being told what to think. I started to notice it everywhere, all of a sudden, that they would ask a question, then answer it. and that "your telling me what to think" would keep popping into my head. It started to make me feel really uncomfortable, it started to make me feel sick. You know that stomach ache you get right before you throw up, I kept getting that.

[@magnificentmuttley154]

Theres a word for that: nausea! 😹😲🤠😂🐯🤐

[@kayleehiebert4203]

@magnificentmuttley154 thanks tips..🙈

[@Hallel-o-jah]

Talk to Jehovah in your own private time. Seek His guidance and enlightenment. Outside of Jehovah’s organisation, who will you call your God, is it still Jehovah?

[@Humania2012]

Thank you for sharing, I'm going through the waking up phase rn and it's hard

[@canilecananlar]

Witnesses say that they believe and worship the Almighty GOD Jehovah, but in real they put Governing Body to the most High's position. This is an abominable act! Read 2 Thessalonians 2, It gives a detailed understanding about today's JW. The "lie" in their doctrine is 1914 hoax. Because they teach and make people believe that Kingdom was started in 1914, members do not question any of their leaders and rules assuming they are God's tools. And when the materials examined, it's every time the questions and the answers that must be given are "inside" the paragraph. This is mind control, not Faith. They again say they believe in the Almighty God, but they obey they masters who have some disguised under sheep clothing.

[@lh1673]

My first red flag was hearing one of GB giving talk at One day Special Assembly. It was about Assyrian attack. I can’t remember who it was cuz it was a talk given by audio, only his voice and it was in 2010 or 11. But I still remember the way he says All the horrific things that Assyrian army had done to people. This GB continually said all those horrific events with an emotion that seem not to bother him😮I as an adult who was listening it couldn’t take it, and felt sorry for the children who were sitting and listening to it.😮I remember after that assembly telling myself, jeez is this GB a Christian!?😅

[@Chronicroc]

Just checked, and I think the last thing that I saw on jw broadcast before I woke up was the 2022 annual meeting. Gonna have to rewatch it and see what broke the camel’s back lol. I was so so close to waking up back in August of 2021, but the David Splane talk about apostates scared me back for another few months.

[@olivesheridan1175]

Can't remember what year I woke up, but I remember going to an assembly, and they were talking about how truthful GB was, i knew of the csa in Australia, but didn't know it was that bad. I looked it up and was so upset 😢and angry 😡 i faded away after that

[@hetmobi]

growing up black, gay, and in a JW household, I always felt like an outsider *everywhere*! fortunately, was never baptized so was able to keep a relationship with my family (kinda) but I got out as soon as I was able to move out on my own; c.1996ish

[@MrEvilemma]

My gay JW friend took his own life. He was so lovely and I could never accept that God would have disapproved of him. I’m so glad you got out without going through baptism and survived it all 🌈♥️

[@Notendop90]

If you put the '!' between those "little stars", then the result is: *everywhere!* instead of: *everywhere*! -> those "little stars" that you see the (latter) word 'everywhere' to be in between.

[@hetmobi]

@@Notendop90 asterisks; thanks for the tip! 🙂

[@davidtapper886]

I woke up in 1978 when I turned 13 and was a victim of csa. Half of my congregation was involved in sexual activities or knew about the members having affairs or doing csa. I was put in front of the elders and was blamed for what happened to me and blamed for inappropriate actions with 2 girls my age. But the elder who victimized me was never blamed for anything and victimized a year old boy and still no jail time or punishment. My uncle was one of the elders there and he told elders about me and me accusing my abuser to elders from Ohio and Pennsylvania and they all kept it secret. I quit going then because they all made sick even to this day!!

[@beaniebaby1208]

Im so sorry you went through this

[@davidtapper886]

@@beaniebaby1208,thank you so very much

[@b4ph0m3tdk9]

Only in one of the gospels does Jesus say "this generation" in the others he say "some of you standing here shall not pass away before you see the son return" THAT was what Jesus meant by "this generation" - the people standing there!

[@itsjustme6315]

I can remember being so disturbed by that particular broadcast. Especially when he said Jehovah throws the person away like garbage. I thought God never left us, but we could leave him and stop serving him. But now they say right out in the open on a broadcast that Jehovah throws people away like garbage. That was one thing that really stood out my head. I had forgotten about that until I saw that again. Just a bunch of bullcrap

[@MrEvilemma]

Fear mongering so people aren’t tempted to look at “apostate” material

[@morningglory9288]

@itsjustme6315 that sickened me too.

[@lisasykes624]

I bet you cannot pull up that ridiculous video 😮😢

[@totogogocc5526]

That's shocking! i can't believe i just saw that. I heard they were on line now, but didn't know they had a reg broadcast.

[@canilecananlar]

JX-W is a cult. Although they openly and several times declare their love and devotion to Jehovah GOD, in real they love their Governing Body and Organization the most and they obey their organization, not GOD.

[@zakwinduss]

I remember thinking during that ‘generation’ broadcast “surely Jesus couldn’t have meant this” but then I shooed that little bird out of my mind like a good little cult member.

[@morningglory9288]

Me too, but it still bothered me. It was the first Crack that began my waking up process

[@mikekent1490]

@@morningglory9288 I sat in the KH disgusted that David Splane (Who I know personally), would insult our intelligence with trash like that. I could never believe it. I know many that don't believe it but they're too afraid to tell it to everyone.

[@QueenSamiyah]

I had been shooing so many of those little birdies away they formed a gang and started shouting at me once the GB started appearing in our face all the time😂

[@americabustos261]

This is so funny yet sad

[@christinesotelo7655]

OMG: Lett ! What a load of 💩! His expressions remind me of Stan Laurel in “Laurel and Hardy” classics. 😂

[@ShoNuffSoulBro1]

🤣 You’re right !! 🤣

[@toriwolf5978]

Your wife sounds like a very smart women glad she was wise enough to get out❤ thanks Wally….

[@joysoderquist4665]

Greetings Wally I'm a never JW but a recoverying Catholic. These last couple of years I've learned so much from you and have more empathy for anyone that falls for a high demand religion. You are very gifted in how you explain things in an entertaining way. Peace!

[@aristotlespupil136]

For me it was around the time of the Greatest Teacher book. It suddenly hit me that if jesus were to return he would be condeming the gb and elders for the same reason as the pharisees.... being more concerned about manmade laws than with kindness and caring for the flock

[@TheLionsPride]

It wasn't this point exactly, but in my case it was the behaviors of the Society and the Elders that woke me up too.

[@asapstan]

Liar @19:20 he says they don't solicit individual for donations or send s statement to each person but he doesn't mention that they send the statement to the elders to take a head count and they absolutely want a per person amount.

[@rhondalouise332]

@@asapstan THAT makes him a liar?!

[@maxhengst2252]

You nailed a lot of the same things that have completely turned me off to this religion I gave 40 years to.

[@concamon1364]

My baptism literally woke up 😅 I was like, "wait, I really don't believe this and I made the biggest mistake of my life because now they can disfellowship me" and started googling 😆 Their culture really can backfire and blow up in their face

[@AuntieClimactic]

I was quite lucky to have the brother doing the baptism questions tell me that I wasn't quite ready, as I knew pretty much none of the answers to the first few questions, despite being raised in it for 14 years at that point. I was also lucky that my parents were pretty neglectful in that they never once talked to me about "spiritual goals" (or any goals, which is not so lucky) and getting dunked. The only reason it occured to me was because my friends were doing it, and I thought, "Oh, maybe I should do that, too." I ended up leaving when I was 15 and almost all of those friends ended up disfellowshipped in a few years.

[@morningglory9288]

@concamon1364 I questioned why they didn't baptise in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. I was a study, came into the organisation as an adult. I assumed that was standard practice, but after seeing some baptisms taking place, I was too far invested in the WT, and to question it at that point didn't seem right. I still wonder about that.

[@georgecoons6872]

well dan manion of arizona is still a jehovah witness from 1980s everybody in them days are gone nobody left but one daughter. he is old and gray jehovah & jesus will never be there any day.

[@red_pill_br]

@@concamon1364 😮

[@Cfalconeri]

The governing body makes me sick. Whatever their channel is and inspiration, God is not with them. Frightening!

[@keineahnung74]

what gods?

[@ciscokidfab7595]

@@keineahnung74 not gods.

[@gustavscholten597]

It’s the nine guys that run the show. It’s a collective, when they pray they talk to themselves. There are no “gods” involved.

[@travisrepp1836]

@@keineahnung74 The TRUE GOD is the TRINITY. The GOD that preserved 8 Jesuits alive in the two atomic blasts on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and they were radiation free. The GOD that captured the Image not made with human hands on the LORD's burial Shroud - the science around it is amazing (but bbc only ever shows three guys from the US who never saw the shroud, and one guy that was the only guy from the science team to not examine it then make up crap about it, named Krone I think). The GOD that foretold the Catholic Church and the antichrist of islam, and the schisms involving the Nestorians and Monophysites, and the healing of that schism, and the rise of protestantism, and many things besides. The GOD WHO enabled a wanted escaped captive to return to his place of captivity with meek monks and convert nearly all of Ireland to the Catholic Faith in his own lifetime. And the GOD WHO has granted me to see flesh wounds heal before my eyes and many other Miracles.

[@ciscokidfab7595]

@@gustavscholten597 you are correct, they do not pray to God.

[@eddiejoseph9062]

If the Academy awarded an Oscar for “Worst Use of Visual Aids”, Ken Flodin would have one.

[@nicholassupino8775]

My mom will never wake up. She even said if she found out it was all a lie, she wouldn't leave anyway. Sunk cost fallacy. She won't even look into any evidence that doesn't come directly from the governing body. I don't care that she believes in God, I care that she's in a doomsday cult that uses her for her time, money and labor.

[@nicholassupino8775]

@Get-in-touch56 Thanks there Broba Fett

[@canilecananlar]

Witnesses say that they believe and worship the Almighty GOD Jehovah, but in real they put Governing Body to the most High's position. This is an abominable act! Read 2 Thessalonians 2, It gives a detailed understanding about today's JW. The "lie" in their doctrine is 1914 hoax. Because they believe Kingdom was started in 1914, they do not question any of their leaders and rules assuming they are God's tools.

[@svlutz]

I think my son was trying me to shake me awake at a very young age but of course I was the adult, I was the smart one.... oh my goodness I am sooo honored that my children still love me

[@MrEvilemma]

My son woke me up when he was just ten. I’m also one of the lucky ones, I have my kids out and eventually my husband woke up too. I’m forever grateful to smart kiddo

[@archervine8064]

@svlutz aw, why wouldn’t they? We can all be deceived; the question is if we wise up if given the opportunity. It sounds like you did and they’re so glad for you. Kids can be amazingly adaptable and insightful, as well as forgiving. They just want to trust thst you love them.

[@svlutz]

@@archervine8064 yes, it took years but we did it🙏

[@kerrydwyer1879]

One Shepherd book said gluttons should be disfellowshippped... GB mostly overweight. And psychdrugs affect metabolism etc in a large way.

[@mexicanson]

Damn, that's wild. Lol. 😂

[@christinesotelo7655]

Wow! There are lots of fat women in pants now too! I wonder if they get lectures in the back room on bagginess. Who looks, studies, judges? If Elders do, wouldn’t that “stumble” Elder’s wives, to see her husband studying women’s curves/bulges? OMG!

[@extraterrestrial4287]

Psych drugs do make people obese.

[@GubberWubber]

Yup, they all gorge themselves and buy thousands worth of booze.

[@patriciapitt4228]

That's true, my sister was going to be df for being overweight ,but the Elders changed their mind as she was so close to death, she would not have time to repent, how crazy is that, Geoffrey Jackson mum is on the large size, so it's who you know 😢

[@Mackedo5]

My mother was a JW member throughout the 60s. Her faith was heavily tested after the failed 70s prophecy but stayed. In the late 80s, early 90s, I was put into classes to prepare me for baptism. I asked too many questions. Evolution was a foot in the door, and an argument about carbon dating was the nail in the coffin. I left the faith around 92-93. When I next looked into the "faith", I think the biggest thing that shocked me was the change to the 144000 prophecy. They claimed when I was in training that when the last one was gone, Armageddon would begin. Now? Suddenly, more members of the anointed class are magically appearing. Failed prediction after failed prediction. Failed doctrine after failed doctrine. They can't even translate their own bible correctly.

[@ionasan]

I find that so interesting that your wife is from the NL. I'm actually an American that moved to the NL to be with my husband. His entire family are JWs and I had no idea what I was getting myself into😬 He hadn't been to any meetings since 2019 anyways but through talking with me is completely woken up now.

[@Mary-t2p6p]

Imagine Jesus getting up on the platform and talking about field service, beards, pants on women, any of the current insane topics. Now you’re done.

[@christinesotelo7655]

Wally, your Art Work and cartooning even back when you “woke up” is genius! I love laughing with you! As far as that Generation stuff, I just think it’s absurd. It just does not make sense. Thank you for YOUR story.

[@svenwaddell]

i think i started to wake up when i finally begged my wife at the time to go to a Sunday meeting public talk/ watchtower study back around the year 2001. i was excited and was hoping it would be the first of many more. my whole family was there and we were going out to eat afterwards. everything was going okay until during the watchtower study she complained about how it was nonstop talk about masturbation. to me i thought it was normal because i was raised going to meetings were talks about masturbating was normal. but she assured me it was weird. the more i thought about it, the more i agreed.

[@reneesalvatori1996]

Right! They are so fixated on sexual matters. It’s so weird. Glad she helped you see that.

[@sfc5654]

I had 2 witnesses knock on my door for the first time since moving to a different part of the country. I was all ready to ask them to leave but then I went a bit shell shocked when they started to speak. I made the mistake of engaging with their conversation. They kept saying they respected my decision to leave 'the truth' but this wasn't enough for them to give up... I have mild autism and find conversation difficult- I'm slow in thinking of honest responses in the moment, without a prepared mental script. Anyway... just needed to get that out. 😢

[@markperry9427]

After I was disfellowshipped I carried on attending meetings, and I vividly remember sitting through the Watchtower study on Help for the Poor, and a sister commenting " God's Kingdom is the only hope for these poor people" and I thought, but Armageddon is going to kill all the poor people as well as the capitalist oppressors, how on earth is that a hope. That was the start of me waking up.

[@mikekent1490]

I was the WT study conductor in 1995 when the generation was changed to the "Wicked and adulterous generation". I really struggled with conducting it. Normally I would dissect a WT but this one I couldn't. I buried my doubts and moved on. The we had a CO come through that was vile. I clashed bitterly with him over a sister who's husband had cheated on her and she'd left him. He was having multiple affairs and in the elders meeting he told me I had to tell her to go back to him. I refused. Then sitting in the hall in 2015/16 when David Splane gave his explanation I nearly threw up. I had never seen anything so ridiculous in all my life. I stopped going regularly after that. I became hit and miss. Then the final straw came when I changed congregations and an elders wife in the new congregation was a little hitler. She told me I would die at Armageddon because I loved my dogs. She even used an illustration in one of her talks in the school. Then she texted me and told me to go back to where I came from that I was not wanted in the new cong. That was it. COVID struck within weeks and I never went back again. I went to the Memorial in 2023. I wrestled inwardly wondering did I ever have the truth at any point in all the years I was Super PIMI? I had been a special pioneer and regular pioneer for nearly 20 years. Been an elder and served where the need was greater. I left my homeland and family and never went back. (They're all dead now). And then to eclipse it all was the Broadcast last October saying "Jehovah always warns before he brings destruction". He "warned the people before the flood but they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away". He "warned the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding cities before he burned them to death". Then at the AGM David Splane stood up and said he didn't. WHAT!!!!!! Don't the GB communicate with one another? So I did research on Matthew 24:39. Not one translation, including the New World Greek Interlinear says "THEY TOOK NO NOTE". Not one. Every one says "THEY DID NOT KNOW". I was blown away. The fact that "they took no note" was always used to compare peoples response and apathy to our preaching. But IT IS A LIE. I was done. I have walked away and didn't even bother going to the memorial this year 2024. I will never go back again. I am on the verge of writing a letter of disassociation. I watched the ARC and Jeffrey Jacksons response and nearly swallowed my teeth. I chocked when he lied and said "It would seem presumptuous for to claim we are the only ones God speaks through". What the hell have I been telling people all my adult life? Then the elders who took an oath and lied under oath. I am done. I am just sad that after all these years and spending thousands of hours preaching and converting well over a 100 people and leaving my unbelieving family behind, I did it all for nothing. That sickens me. I am now alone. Trying to rebuild my life but very happy to be free. Whether a god exists I no longer know. Is there any such thing as truth? I don't know anymore. If this being exists we don't know or understand it/him at all. He/it is very accountable for what has happened here on this earth. I puke when the gb try to tell me how compassionate and merciful this being is that can wipe out millions by drowning along with millions of animals. Then to burn alive men, women and children and infants along with animals because "The sin of Sodom was keeping undisturbed during calamity so I removed them as I saw fit". Ezekiel 16:48-50. I AM DONE.

[@eskiodo]

You look in shape dude, i was off alcool for a year and half when i got out of the JW it help a lot to had a clear mind. Keep going, you do a great work ❤️. Ps i kind a miss the old Jazz band painting 🎶

[@Mikedonalds1988]

Those guys in the jw broadcasting video were 100% Dutch cause I recognized them. Thanks for the openness!

[@TracyLeaBeauty]

Hi Wally! I could never understand their generation! I left in 2012, I was 42 years old. My 2 grown kids woke me up! I have a question for you, what do you think happened to Tony Morris? I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been to the Kingdom Hall, I figured if he had been, someone would have taken a picture!!! Any thoughts???🤔

[@Hhiller]

What woke me up was the cheesy dumbed down video and music at a convention. Felt like I was in class of school children, made me cringe and I walked out.

[@kronicstudios101]

I woke up after the release of that crazy video of "be courageous " (can't even remember the year again) when they did that rather hilarious video of men with guns looking for JW's & the sudden flash bomb from heaven.....😅😂😂. I told my sister, this was off the hook stupid

[@AM-ek5rm]

I Rember my cousin wanted me to watch a borean pickets video where he was talking about how he was mistreated by the organization and I remember thinking there is someone out there who I can connect with because my family has been through a lot of stuff but you continue because where else is there to go. Anyway, this was right as the lockdown happened and I would log onto zoom meetings and look at the people and how they all looked like zombies and then someone showed me the verse about the new light and when I read it in context I was like that has been applied wrong all these years! And then I was already assigned to be a householder with an elders wife on zoom and she sent me a copy of what she wanted me to say and I looked at it and decided to add lib on her like I really was an outsider and I almost threw her off big time. 🤣. Anyway I have not officially been disfellowshipped but I never once logged into zoom for field service and I eventually blocked the brothers from my phone because they would send messages of gloom and doom every single day and I just did not want to be bothered. So much more I could say. It took over a year before I quit logging on to the zoom meetings because I had to know what was going on for some reason. I guess it was out of habit because I had been a witness for almost 60 years. Matter of fact this December I would have been baptized 50 years😢. This is part of my story and I’m sticking to it🤣🤣

[@reneesalvatori1996]

@AM-ek5rm Welcome to your real life. Bravo. Congrats.

[@Whatsupkryss]

Wow this is an amazing video!!! I abso love how you took the time to take us not only on a vocal journey but a visual one as well. All the while respecting your ex wife and family. It made me emotional and reflect on mine as well. Thank you for all of your content.

[@fuzzyh1ghland3r28]

I began questioning after the overlapping generating new light and work up after reading the elders book

[@KayD]

What I'm hearing wally, is the elders were saying "🎶 he's too sexy for his shirt 🎶 " 😂

[@XOfebruarystarXO]

It was 2 things for me. The first was when I researched piñatas in the JW Library. They start out going over the "bad" origins of them, just to end it with, BUT, it's not seen that way anymore, so to each their own. The second was the talk Splane gave about their new understanding about the locust army. He acknowledged how obviously wrong they interpreted it for so long, but no matter, because new light and stuff. That was the beginning of my awakening.

[@vivecamorath780]

Thank you for all the work you put into showing the true selves of Jehovah's Witnesses. So glad the governing body is so self-centered and airing all these speeches and showing off. I left the Witnesses about 20 years ago. We knew almost nothing about the governing body, so they had a kind of halo around them. Got from a friend a book and after a while I had the courage to read it, it was the book that Raymond Franz wrote about the faith and the governing body, and the awakening was brutal for me. But now that they are showing themselves, everyone gets to see how completely bonkers and stupid they are, no more illusions :)

[@pietrosmusi6348]

"it's a double sided corn" - this legend

[@steann1]

‘Goatlike personality’ explained it the best.. 1 generation🐐 + 1 generation 🐐 = 1 generation🐐

[@thumbstruck]

"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." They used to "type where no man has typed before", antitypically..... They send out monthly reminders to congregations.

[@svlutz]

Enjoy your video, you give others help to see things and have aaahaaaaa no what AAAHHHAAAAAA🤯🤯🤯🤯 MOMENTS!!!! My 13 very intelligent son started to wake me up!

[@Mila897]

I am leaving Mormonism and find this so comforting and relatable, from a “governing body” of old white men in suits to changing the definitions used in teachings to even their manner of speaking….helps me realize I’m not alone.

[@kathryna6370]

I had the craziest conversation with one of my childhood friends last night about beards and women wearing pants. Her explanation for why she thinks it was right on time is Jehovahs timing! What???? She would not allow me to use common sense with her nor that the GB actually said that they were allowing it. I’m so glad I’m out because yikes!

[@canilecananlar]

Witnesses fervently support the stupid dress codes. Even Jesus and disciples could not enter the Kingdom Halls today as they prolly had a beard and moustache. (Charles T Russell had a beard too.) GOD looks the hearts, not the beards and dresses! They again say they believe in the Almighty God, but they obey their masters and organization who have some disguised under sheep clothing.

[@gorgeousapostate1915]

That generation explanation is complicated, I never got it!

[@clarencehoover6748]

22:04 The ironic thing is this child’s donation probably ended up in the organization’s legal defense fund for pedo lawsuits and official governmental inquiries.

[@yeilynschmidt1940]

I’m so happy that you and your wife were able to wake up and leave this cult ❤

[@JanelleGonzalez-cm6br]

Wally, I love your reasoning. So down to earth and full of truth about " the truth."

[@robynphillips-nb3ik]

Hi Wally, I really enjoy your videos. Brisbane Australia ❤

[@reneesalvatori1996]

I think this is the best video yet. It was the personal side of your life that was very relatable, however I truly enjoy all your videos. And I love the ending. Always makes me feel good. I left early 90’s just couldn’t handle the hypocrisy. I would still go to memorials (aka Black Sabbath’s. lol) but either way birthing first baby to my non believer husband he asked that I not teach our kids that he was bad. That was proof what I knew as how they teach others are below them. Then the last straw was when I wasn’t allowed to say anything at my father’s funeral. I’d not gone for years (not even the memorial), but they wouldn’t even allow my sister who was regular there to say anything. So they say the day of your birth is nothing, as you haven’t yet made a name for yourself. Yet at your death, you’re still a nobody. That was when any little drop of guilt I had over leaving was dried up. Keep up the great work.

[@jackshilshlack2820]

So W.F.W got baptized in 1914 and got his annointment free in the package the same year being 21 years of age. Really! This is mad!

[@JwRetroverdad]

It is that during those years everyone was anointed. Baptism and Holy Spirit were a combo. There was no earthly hope. what stupid

[@christinesotelo7655]

My sister got out quickly because she refused to not dress in her sexy styles. The way the women (including me) dressed back in the 70’s in the baggy floral thrift store dresses with puffy sleeves and flat shoes absolutely turned her off to JWs god. 😂

[@MrDMC11889]

They still discourage it but many "sisters" are starting to show more skin at the Kingdom Hall. When they're out and about they're dressed like "worldly" women. When you see Witness women at Walmart, you can't tell them apart from anyone else. As a man, I enjoy it. Most young Witnesses listen to rap and watch r-rated movies. More and more Witnesses pick and choose what they'll obey. Things really have changed.

[@Mary-t2p6p]

@@christinesotelo7655 that’s a very good description of the women’s dresses. My mom saw the flat shoes and asked me if I was joining the local Hutterite Colony.

[@victoriabeal3596]

@@MrDMC11889But aren’t they technically leading double lives then?

[@MrDMC11889]

@@victoriabeal3596 They show up at "gatherings" dressed liked. We're deterred from calling them parties. These kids are open about what they listen to and watch. The only ones who say anything are usually older women in the congregation.

[@maxipaw-dc5xj]

I left the Christian religion four years ago. Best decision I ever made ❤❤❤

[@AshleyRei-dk7kz]

I remember being “waking slightly” in a Taco Cabana and ironically it was because I remembered a video I watched which was “How can I stop gossip?” And one of the points said was listening to both sides to not be biased. When I asked my family about hearing out why “worldly” do not believe what we believe. They said not to because they would fill my heads with lies. And that really planted the seeds

[@peggyfillmore1971]

I can assure you they can ,I was abused as a child especially by my father,when I finally escaped into the military. I got woke up , wait this isnt how father's treat their kid,he had me manipulated and groomed that I owed him sex. In the military I went from shock,shame and then anger. So I'm sure it's not so different from being woke up for religion.

[@carolynlyfordsullivan1377]

GOD is with all people in all places at all times .

[@keithcampbell720]

Then starting the Broadcast, has quickened the exit for so many who were already struggling to wake up.

[@Elevatorthoughts]

The barrage of changes in the 2023 theocratic year was the final straw for me! ✌️

[@siggimad1219]

When i saw that ridiculous broadcast, when they literally begged for money (min.20:20),.. I immediately thought at Luk. 14: 28-30. This is the scripture JW.borg always presents if you what to buy something big for your self, like for instance a house. But they them self, are starting building projects without having the money for it!?! Claiming they are the follower of Christ who gave that advice in Luk 14:28-30!?! The deeds of the GB reminds more at Matth.23: 27 when Jesus told THEM ....

[@christinesotelo7655]

Right on, Wally! I was actually thinking this morning, how Belief in your Product is the salesman’s best tool! I can recall the vacuum or brush or even milkman door sales days! Wow! If they BELIEVED that VACUUM would save you time, labor and floors, YOU’D get to believing it and buy! The JWs are no different. There were those who could go door-to-door and line up Bible Studies and make out those Time Sheets and climb that success in the KH ladder (not females. We’d have to pretend we were “anointed” to get secret, silent awe)...but the guys would just burst with pride and showing acolytes how to do it! The voluntary canvassing was like preparation for their real job success, a sort of school.

[@kerrydwyer1879]

Hoping your animal family are all well.

[@pato7274]

So happy to see you!

[@bigboithe8th]

This the first time seeing the “bread” analogy. ROTFLMAO! BTW, that “poison” he put on the bread is either BBQ or Hoisin sauce, so it’s still edible. 😊

[@asapstan]

I thought it was soy sauce.but it sure bugs me that he wasted bread when he could've gave it to homeless.

[@bigboithe8th]

@@asapstan the only thing JWs would give to the homeless would be an old WT and a “free” Bible study.

[@ciscokidfab7595]

Balsamic vinegar and oil with the bread and a lice Italian dish, yuummm.

[@maryg1338]

Immediately after I was baptized I left for well over a year. Being in a very trying marriage and couple that with dissatisfaction with the Catholic faith, I went back. Fighting my gut, that kept saying this isn’t right. My husband started studying, and got baptized. That was my cue to become “active “. Looking at my husband and seeing the positive changes he made, I started back up. Never wanted to turn in my time. So I was labeled inactive. In and out several times. My son was disfellowship twice. It all came down when my son got married and the elders blew a hootie because we( my husband and me) went to the wedding. To make a very long story kinda short, I finally realized I was right to leave , so I walked away. My husband is still there as both my daughters. Makes for a challenging family situation. Haven’t had a family picture in over 2 decades. I’m sure there are plenty of stories similar to mine. If they ever take steps to formally dis fellowship me, I will try to take legal action. Might not go anywhere, but I’ll make as much noise as possible

[@jackshilshlack2820]

to believe means giving your mental energy various things you want to enliven whatever those things are. ( including flying spaghetti)

[@StannisHarlock]

When most people make plans that will cost more than they can afford, they reassess their plans. They don't ask millions of people to give them more money.

[@bortiz11]

I remember studying with my wife soon after the Witnesses knocked on the door almost 15 years ago. I told her then, and still do, to learn from the Bible and not from a religion's theology. My first inclination that JWs were wrong was a simple punctuation mark, a colon, which ironically is not found in their Bible online. Their little yellow book, as I referred to it then, used to say that Jesus told the two criminals next to him upon his... stakefixion?... that, "Truly I tell you today: you will be with me in Paradise." To be fair, the Bible now has a comma there, which is the same message. That simple little punctuation led me to conclude that they manipulated the sentence to change the entire theology, and that this could not have been a translation issue, because the Koine Greek simply HAS NO PUNCTUATION. Therefore, placing it or removing it, either one, simply is a choice. And this was before I began learning about the organization and all its history and... issues. I did not even know what an atheist was back then - I was just an inactive Catholic. Everything has worked out well, mostly - my children and I are humanist atheists, she is the worst JW because she disbelieves a lot of the nonsense they say weekly, and she has not been able to convert anyone. So great is the power of the Spaghetti Monster! All intake the blessed garlicky sauce with cheesy holiness topped with purple, sweet, and Thai basil!

[@theromans4599]

Yo, nice room setup and glowing keyboard.

[@christinesotelo7655]

Ha! You “wake up!” when the vacuum you bought from the door-to-door salesman blows up!! 😂

[@JwRetroverdad]

Exact. I asked myself that same question this year with the new interpretations of Sodom and Gomorrah that led me to further deepen the JW doctrine. Where is God when they have new enlightenment on the same issue? Now I am inactive, after 35 years and tolerating some stupid things. Enough of lies!

[@Summonsloth]

They really thought they were cooking with that generation chart smh

[@genewashington1502]

That statement by Jeffrey Winder was a word for word quote from the February 1, 2017 Watchtower, in the article “Who Is Leading God’s People Today?”, paragraph 12. I was sitting in the Kingdom Hall, saw that statement, and could not believe my eyes. I was thinking while I was sitting there “how can anyone stay in this religion after reading this?”

[@keithcampbell720]

For me the mid 2020 with all the Zoom going into the late 2021 woke me up bc I thrived more on personal interactions etc, so the zoom era was so damn boring and useless but then it started to wake me up with what was REALLY going on and how much control they and the local body of elders has on people

[@dawnbehatin1224]

I love hearing your personal stories!❤

[@jeremywalters5960]

f#$! I hate this cult so much 🤮🤢 Great work tho bro, keep speaking the REAL truth

[@tonywalker5538]

Love your channel...hey even the bible debunks the generation teaching... Matt 1:17 clearly says what a generation is 😊

[@MamaAng323]

Thanks for the time & efforts you put into these videos, it’s much appreciated.

[@SouriLemon]

Love the content Wally!!! 🙏🏼💯 can’t wait for the next video 😊

[@oliviaswarden6077]

I had left back in the 90s wished never had gotten baptized. Majority of my life was a lie and abuses woke up before the internet and but certain things I caught on earlier that most people didn't catch on. So glad I left cuz now it reaffirms that I was right along to leave.😅🤣😅 your pics of the GB ZFIHHTING EACHOTHER BRILLIANT AND 🤣😅🤣

[@lh1673]

I admire any who were able to catch and leave this org on those earlier years without infos from net! May I ask, what you caught? Also was there news of CSA within this org those days that you ever heard while was JW?

[@CarlStJohn-x9w]

Who really runs the Deathtower Society ??????? 😮

[@latishabennett702]

😂😂 I seriously wanna know 🤔 that's been on my mind for some time now!

[@petertocher6845]

The legal dept. They vet everything. Remember, The Watchtower is a publishing company, a business. They are quite seperate from the JW congregations.

[@cultytalk]

Mmmmm ... who runs all the cults historically ? 🤔 💭

[@barrycharles4640]

Satan!

[@JanelleGonzalez-cm6br]

El Diablo

[@danieliglesias1669]

Great work Wally. 🤔🇨🇺🇺🇸

[@joysoderquist4665]

Joseph Campbell's Power of Myths so "enlightening 🎉

[@bennypagesaunders6895]

The tight clothing figure hugging rule was ridiculous. Wal, you make a very good point.

[@damonrandall9844]

Hi Wally. I have a question off topic for you. Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jordan Peele? I have thought it ever since I started watching this channel. I showed my wife the picture from this video of you in your suit and she saw the resemblance immediately. I love Peele so this is a compliment from me as I hope it will be to you. Your channel kicks ass!

[@teresabaker5113]

Thank you for sharing what must have been a very scary and emotional time for you both... and I loved the photos❤

[@kartyl1wielki]

Hi! I was never a believer but I find your videos very interesting and informative - looking forward to part two. Also, I don't know if this is confirmation bias, but since I started watching yours and EXJW Panda videos I started to notice JWs standing next to the subway entrance in my neighborhood. On the other hand there was some big meeting in Warsaw few weeks ago so maybe that's why.