Jehovah’s Witnesses & the Assault on Children’s Minds

For almost a century there has been an assault on the minds of young children inside of Jehovah's Witnesses, including a weekly meeting schedule, publications featuring frightening illustrations of death & destruction, subtle cartoons, as well as 'counsel' that creates shame and low self esteem. In 2022, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses stated to millions that they consider babies to be 'enemies of God.' Aside from the threat of physical danger within a Kingdom Hall, children are being exposed to messaging that does lifelong damage. We shine a light on the dangers innocent children are facing inside the 'religion.'
#survivingparadise #jehovahswitnesses #exjw

[@johnjones6112]

I'm an old man now - but I'll never recover from my JW upbringing. It ruined my life; you cannot know my suffering. May the vile governing body suffer as much as I have.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm very sorry John. In many ways, I won't recover either. The lost opportunities and time....you can't get them back. I hope you're doing something for yourself to help heal

[@markusbrauns4274]

I agree with you 100%. I feel the same way. I never made anything of myself. Felt like I've drifted from lame job to lame job. This cult needs to be exposed, for the evil, they really are.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@markusbrauns4274 It has been a massive challenge for many of us Markus!!

[@steved3001]

Looking back, I realize now how wrong it was to force toddlers and young children to sit through 90 minutes of mind numbing talks at the kingdom hall. The lucky ones were allowed to bring a coloring book and a few crayons. Some however, just couldn't endure it and started crying and acting out. At which time, mom would March them up to coat room and proceed to inflict punishment, which could be heard by every one in the hall. Then return with teary eyed child in tow. A lesson not lost on the other children. In retrospect, the amount of psychological abuse inflicted on children by this cult is staggering. They learn early, conform or else.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

100%.... the spankings in the B school are burned on a lot of people's brains from childhood. Couple that with what children are exposed to weekly and you can't believe it's even happening. In many ways, other religions at least understand that children need something softer while at 'church'....but not JW's

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@Jdub NoMo Ugh,....more trauma for the child being beat and those of us that listened

[@ronhansen8471]

The kingdom hall is no place to discipline your children. The discipline needs to start at home. God's word says parents are responsible for disciplining their children. As parents we can follow the counsel or not. Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline is what will remove it far from him.” “Truly, withholding such discipline amounts to hate; administering it is an act of love. Of course, discipline is always administered with self-control. In numerous instances, merely a few words of wise counsel are sufficient over physical discipline. “A rebuke works deeper in one having understanding than striking a stupid one a hundred times.”-Prov. 17:10.

[@ltsReallyHim]

Vividly remember getting beat in the bathroom during meetings.

[@Vbreychak7212]

I had two brothers much younger than me. I was already out of the house and free of the cult but they weren't. They were 12 and 13 and didn't want to go to the kingdom hall anymore. They hated it. My mother was was a pioneer, literally called the police on them because they wouldn't get dressed to go to the meeting one night. She made a crime out of it. The police luckily felt bad for the boys. Told her there was no crime in a kid not wanting to go to her religious meetings. As soon as they left she told the boys "You heard what they said, go get dressed" She called the secular authorities to confirm they were bad for not wanting to sit at the kingdom hall, they disagreed with her so she changed their words and forced the boys to go anyways. Imagine these poor kids standing with cops all because they did not like their mother's culty lifestyle. But it's true that JW parents can go so far as to see their own children as criminals for not conforming to the indoctrination.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

My god that is a HORRIFYING story, I'm so sorry A! Incredible what this does to a mother who means well, but is caught in a guilt cycle by JW's. I hope you're all much better now as adults!

[@Vbreychak7212]

@@survivingparadisepodcast My brothers soon started interrupting the meetings so badly that my mother was too embarrassed to bring them anymore. I was like "well played little brothers, well played" Lol Wish I would've thought of that strategy as a teen.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Vbreychak7212 I love that they figured that out!

[@ooklathemok7322]

The school brochure was so damaging! But while it made no sense to me as a kid. My parents with adult brains decided to enforce the nonsense!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Mine too my friend! A TERRIBLE brochure that damaged a generation of kids. I missed out on a lot :(

[@alisonschmitt9533]

Born-in 1972. I needed this today.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Alison! I always help it hopes, we are close in age!

[@alisonschmitt9533]

@@survivingparadisepodcast it does. I feel seen in this podcast in a way that other exjw channels don’t always achieve. What you talked about today is one of the most important, key, significant things one can say about this cult, yet it is often overlooked.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@alisonschmitt9533 Thank you Alison. I really appreciate your feedback. I'm more of an emotional person than analytical, so I thought there was room out here to talk about how it effects all of us!

[@markusbrauns4274]

3 years before the last time the Watchtower got it wrong about Armageddon.

[@Estee.Ar.6869]

Excellent podcast! I absolutely hated dragging my kid to the Meetings and Field Service. We left in 2006 because I suspected the JW/WT life was not normal.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I had a ton of guilt taking my young son to the KH as well. He didn't take to it .... at all LOL. And I'm so thankful!

[@stevebenoit6649]

The one thing that got me out@15 years old was smoking weed. I am 65 years old now. Weed is the one drug not condusive with mind control. "The weeds been letting me know where the evil lurks"

[@lizzidpeepole]

My favourite Mary

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Good for you Steve. I know of JW's that smoke weed in secret.

[@markusbrauns4274]

Weed opens the mind, critical thinking

[@ooklathemok7322]

Child of the 70s. My parents told me we would live in paradise in a few years or months. We would never die. They are both dead. I am in my 50s. All of the promises made to me by the org shaped my entire life. They lied!!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

You're not alone my friend. I'm in the same boat. It was all a lie.....and they're still feeding children this lie :(

[@ooklathemok7322]

@@survivingparadisepodcast When I was a kid the term was Society. The society says this or recommends that. As I grew older terms like the Branch or the organization became prevalent. As I served as an elder the faithful and discreet slave and then the governing body came to be the common terms. No matter what term was used this group required strict obedience to their mandates. I remember after my appointment as an elder we had a meeting and the fds made a suggestion to the body of elders. My response was this is just a suggestion. 5 guys looked at me with disgust at my comment and in unison said when we are given a suggestion that is what we do. Lesson learned. The 8 guys in New York are just following the pattern set by Rutherford, Knorr, Franz, and the rest. And every one of these commands they dream up are directly tied to a jws eternity. Jws are so scared of losing Jehovah's favor they gulp this nonsense down without a 2nd thought. And then like my Mom said before she died after 50+ years serving the org. I am so disappointed I am dying. I wasn't supposed to die. It ripped my guts out.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@ooklathemok7322 ookla my friend, you're not alone! So much to unpack regarding the damage done to our generation. I'm trying to figure out the best way to share that. We deal with emotions and thoughts that are difficult to explain. Most days are okay.....some are emotional hell. Damage done to us as......children.

[@augiemusky]

I began a study with a JW when I had small children. The first time I went to the Kingdom Hall was a Sunday morning. I went alone, wanting to check it out before bringing my kids. That was also the LAST time I went! I was horrified by the way the children were being treated. As a parent that prefers to discipline without corporal punishment, I knew I would be expected to conform to the spanking culture in that group. Stupid me, I continued my "bible" study for another couple of years - long enough to cause difficulty in my marriage, with my extended family, and looking back, oh how judgmental I had become! I got information from a cult ministry (mac gregor Ministries / MMOutreach) and woke up after 6 years of indoctrination. I didn't realize the cult is Satanic - it talks about Jesus but keeps you from finding salvation in Him.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

So glad you were lucid when you went into that building. It's truly terrible. Women and children aren't treated well at all. It can be difficult with the messages of paradise, which causes many to hang on with their study.....but eventually, adults tend to see through it all, while children don't have the life experience to do so

[@terridovey7648]

I've never been a jw, but I grew up with a jw girl. They lived in a house right there at the top of a giant hill that all of us kids would go sledding on in the winter. We would most of the time see her sitting on her front steps and I would always ask her if she wanted to sled with us, and she always said she couldn't. She would sit out on festivities at school (I always thought she got in trouble all the time), and by the time we got to high school, we all had our boyfriends, dances, etc, and then we were told she had committed suicide. I remember she never looked happy. I can see why she did it now. What the wt is doing to kids and teens is flat out child abuse.😪 Thank you Stacy. You're amazing. Love always to you and your family my friend.🍃✝️🍃⚘️

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

OMG, my stomach just dropped reading that. It's abuse ....and it makes me sick. That poor little girl.

[@SonicGamerGirl2006]

Oh, gosh! 😨😰😰 That poor girl... MY GOSH, I feel so bad for her... It's DISGUSTING to even think that such hefty indoctrination and shunning can drive a person to suicide... It's so heartbreaking... 😢😭😭😭💔💔

[@terridovey7648]

@Sarah Phillips I agree with you 1000% on that. She was beautiful too. Always alone, quiet, and we could see she was depressed. I always tried to talk to her but she said she wasn't allowed to talk to anyone. All of the years in school, she only spoke those 8 words to me. I'm not allowed to talk to anyone, and no. That's it. None of us even knew she was a jw until after her death. It broke my heart. So many of us tried to her her to be happy. But after my youngest daughter got sucked into the cult, that's when I did (and still do) research on the wt. And it's evil. God bless my friend. Have a great weekend! 🍃✝️🍃⚘️

[@sorhu72]

I always click on like before listening!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you so much zeta, I appreciate you!

[@brendamolina8714]

My book of Bible stories was horrifying! Now looking back, having it drilled in that either you listen to these 8 men or die, it’s traumatizing. When I heard S.Lett say “Babies are enemies of god”…I was infuriated! My baby died at 2 weeks of age; so does that mean he is looked at as gods enemy??? I’m so glad I have been out for going on 3 years, because if I was still in this cult, I would have been even more depressed after hearing “Christ brother” calling my dead son an enemy of god. You brought out so many great points in this episode! Thank you for what you do! 👍🏽

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

OMG Brenda, I'm so sorry!! You're precious son was an enemy of NO ONE! ((HUGS)) to you.....

[@petermadsen2498]

Bloody hell Brenda I'm sorry for what happened to you hugs to you from Australia.

[@ooklathemok7322]

Thank you Stacy. I just saw a new Caleb and Sophia video. Sophia tells a turtle I still have you as a friend. A turtle is her friend! Think about how damaging this is!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

UGH!!!! It's just insane and so damaging to a child's mind. I HATE that parents are letting their kids watch those videos!

[@stevebenoit6649]

I was a born in. My first childhood memory was the first day of school clenching the fence crying while all the other children were running and playing.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

:( I'm so sorry Steve. I have some terrible memories as well...all the things we missed out on :(

[@marwatson7408]

Steve I’m so sorry you had to experience that I never understood it when I was in I wasn’t married yet or had any children. I saw so many kids being robbed of their childhood not allowed to have friends outside of the organization, no playing on the playground with other children, it really is a very sad way to grow up.😢

[@kimberlysanchez5260]

I was one of their abused in the 80ies! Thankful to be out this crime that happens daily has caused many of us not to have families anymore, because of getting out! My childhood in this cult although good moments most were awful. And to believe I forced my son to go to meetings, service and join the ministry school against his will, because he's dyslexic and was scared! Elder pressure at the age of 12 was exhausting for me as a parent trying to do what was right so I thought for my kid. Because this is what my parents forced me to do, thankfully he never got baptized, he was an unbaptized publisher. But the elders managed to ruin his idea of God forever by punishing him for being human. I'm so thankful to be out been out for 11 years never to return.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so glad you're out Kimberly!! We have to protect children! The 80's was a unique time and they ramped up the mental abuse hard

[@maybethedog1997]

Favorite KZbinr

[@Hearwithyourears]

Very true! Well researched topics.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

You're too kind, thank you!!

[@96t5wagon]

Always clicking thumbs ups before even listening! Thank you Stacey

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I appreciate you, thank you!!

[@ajnooneslistening6134]

Stacy, this episode was outstanding! When I was a JW I felt so sorry for the young ones, they clearly had no positive future, unless they broke free from this horrible cult. What even saddened me more was to see newborns being carried into the Kingdom Halls to be sat next to their indoctrinated parents, knowing that these tiny little ones were next to be brainwashed into this cult. So sad!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It breaks my heart AJ. I just want children protected from this horrible cult. It destroys lives. Exposing children to this is criminal

[@ajnooneslistening6134]

@@survivingparadisepodcast I agree with you 100% Stacy. Making others aware of this horrible cult, is with out a doubt making a difference! The overall goal is to bring down this organization one podcast program at a time, you’re doing exactly that, and it’s greatly appreciated. Thank you again Stacy.

[@joannaalabaster5916]

I studied with witnesses at the age of 16 to 18 and was very involved (I preached at school and to friends, and was taken to do door-to-door witnessing). Even though I was not a witness, all the time (I'm 33 now) I feel that it had a negative impact on my psyche. I cannot imagine what people born in this sect are going through.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so glad you broke free Joanna! Exposure to the fear and guilt, even if for a brief time, can have a life long effect!

[@danettelewis8002]

Stacy, you've nailed it!! The damage in my mind started with the mind control and obvious disdain of young ones. Which allowed me to be molested by my uncle (an elder). I'm 66 now and have had a difficult life. As a direct result of low self esteem.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so sorry Danetter! No words for what you've been through :( Please know you're a wonderful, valuable person.....that was lied to as a kid!

[@DY2784]

👋🏼🥰👍🏼 Would love to hear your take on the WTBTS asking for $$$ so often lately.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's time to address that!

[@pennytarrant6608]

This is one of my most passionate topics and cause.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Me too Penny!!

[@xjwfurious]

I remember a hard-ass 60-year-old Elder in the early 90s, saying they have to treat everyone with 'kid gloves' (he obviously seemed to think the directions from the organisation were too soft). This would have been shortly after the YPA book was released - and My Book Of Bible Stories was compulsory reading material for children. He would have done well in the Third Reich (he was actually German). A few months later, his son was disfellowshipped (and he never went back). Ha! Poetic 'justice' for him.

[@johnjones6112]

Yeah we had a German elder / pioneer in our congregation (Helmut) - what a vile and horrible human being he was !

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Suddenly it all changes when it affects their own children. The get a whole new viewpoint!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@johnjones6112 usually pretty hardcore

[@johnjones6112]

Oh yes BTW - this German elder of ours was actually in the Third Reich as a soldier in the war, he was actually quite bitter they lost and the suffering he went through afterwards.

[@xjwfurious]

@@johnjones6112 I can picture it. I think the Elder I mentioned had a lot of inner turmoil and/or confusion when his son was disfellowshipped. He looked miserable all the time and he wasn't quite as 'vocal' as he was before...

[@phil6740]

I read my son those Bible story books and they did help him learn to read but some of those images now that I look back were terrifying to him .

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They're terrifying to a child!

[@johnnycroat]

you mean like in grade 2 first day of school looking for a moment to tell my new teacher who i am and that i will have to stand out for the National Anthem? having all eyes on me when i leave the room . Every sat morning going out in the field work? The anxiety on a Monday morning seeing the home class with Halloween and then Christmas decorations. The pressure to be an luminary in this bedarken world , to stand out, to be different . I don't know how that would be a problem. Being Sarcastic here

[@ooklathemok7322]

You summed it up so accurately for millions of us. Most of us scarred and carrying these memories around our entire lives.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

YES!! I went through those exact same things. I remember in HS a girl and I were crushing on each other, but she decided we couldn't be in a relationship due 'your religion'......I was devastated. The list is endless.

[@universeworld1782]

Last night midweek meeting on zoom. 10/19/2022 One Elder said this about Sisters, that they run their mouths when they should keep 🤫 😶 their mouths shut. But the insults did not stop there, he continued to insult his own wife by saying wives that give their husband unscriptural advice need to be dealt with by the husbands. Yet the video showed how one husband dealt with his wife in a patient loving way. How can a whole Congregation sit and listen to an Elder insult the intelligence of every family listening to that kind of talk! Because they are afraid to step up and say anything against the Elder's as they know the consequences will be harsh, and unforgiving, the opposite of love and forgiving qualities the Bible teaches.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's horrific how women are treated in that 'organization'...it's abuse. Disrespect. Elders have ultimate power to ruin people's lives. People live in fear.

[@smy74]

Thank you for caring for the young people. It is so sad how kids can't be kids. Always a slave if born in. I hope when they do leave they find their peace of mind within.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Susan. I love the little people....and no child deserves this stuff. I'm still packing around some anger on this subject!

[@krissykatportal]

Wow I was just thinking about this today

[@randyg.7940]

I was just thinking if you won 1st prize again

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Great minds Krissy!! :)

[@krissykatportal]

@@randyg.7940 lol

[@Robin-wr8mv]

Hi, I just want to express my gratitude for this video. I left the JW organization when I was just 17 or 18, but have always been struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, shame, low self-esteem etc. I did always link these feelings to my childhood as a JW, but thought as well that it was to large extent just me and my predisposition to depression. At the time I was leaving the JWs there was no KZbin or podcasts and when I was older (I'm now 44) I was reluctant to search online for stories or information since I thought I had just wasted enough time on this stupid organization. Recent events however triggered my emotions and I was encouraged by a coach I'm now seeing to start incorporating my past into my present. I had never really done this since I'm (to this day) so ashamed of my JW upbringing. Encouraged by the advice of my coach however, I started listening to podcasts of former JWs telling their stories a few weeks ago and I was and still am flabbergasted to learn that they seem to struggle with the exact same issues I am having. It feels as such a relief to realize that it's not my aptitude to depression or lack of character. Thanks to this video I'm able to pinpoint precisely what has happened to me as a child and youngster and it left me sort of speechless. Thank you for the effort of making this video, it means a lot to me to hear someone who has gone through the same experience tell what kind of madness we have been exposed to as a kid and what that has done to us growing up.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Hi Robin. These comments mean SO much. This show is all about some laughs and mostly healing...for thousands of people whose childhood was stolen from them. It's beyond criminal. You are NOT alone.....not by any stretch. There are many of us. I'm so sorry for what you're dealing with, but equally happy to hear that you're healing. Being a child in JW's is a devastating experience. Please be good to yourself and thank you so much for your kind thoughts!

[@snookered3gen781]

This made me cry because this was done to me and then I thought I was doing the right thing to raise my kids this way. UGH. I'm so glad I was not a zealous witness and spared my kids "some" of the torment I endured and grateful that it will stop with my grandson. I studied the red Youth book during our family study back in the late 70's (so cringy) when I was a teenager and gave a bible reading on what to do if you were raped when I was about 10 or 11. Those moments are still etched in my memory. So messed up. No wonder as witness kids we were so weird. So much pressure and nothing was ever enough. Thanks for doing this video. It was spot on and hopefully will save some children from this.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Don't be hard on yourself! You didn't know! That is what makes it so evil. I too raised a son in the 'religion' but he never bought into it. We were exposed to horrible mind control.

[@stevebenoit6649]

Very powerful video ♥️♥️♥️

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

thank you Steve!

[@pinkdymindz]

Thank you for validating my feelings of resentment. I've been looking for a JW support group for people who were unfortunate to be born into this organization like me. I don't think anyone outside of it will understand the amount of damage done to your psyche.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

You're very welcome and you're NOT alone! They do terrible damage to your sense of self (recent episode if interested)....being born in does incredible damage that many of us need help with when we leave. There is a great ex JW community, be sure to love and be patient with yourself!

[@pennytarrant6608]

May I just say thank you for the time and human compassion that you have given to produce such well thought out and articulate videos. It sounds like you are from my school, so to speak and much of what was your experience has been mine also. As a child of jw parents, who were not raised jw, I feel that the direction that the governing body is being led to take the cult has gone so far off the rails it is obvious that the entire governing body must be removed as apostate and following the churches that they would have us publicly condemn as no-pay forced slave workers. All children who were brain hijacked were forced slaves not volunteers because there was no opportunity to develop their brains normally without negative influence. I have listened to the life experience of slaves and they resonate so much with my experience.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you so much Penny. It truly comes from the heart. What they're doing to children is criminal in every way!

[@HD7100]

Great video Stacy. I may have mentioned in a previous comment; I was duped (by my JW sister) into joining the cult when I was 28. I turned 30 as a baptized publisher. I was probably around 33 when I became PIMO. I didn't want to lose my family if I left or was disfellowshipped. I stuck with the cult for almost 10 years until I was finally booted out and it took me a long time before I was able to finally remove all of the braces that the cult put on my brain. I remember "My Book of Bible Stories" when it came out new. When I paged through it and saw the pictures that showed some pictures of the terrible things that the cult's god "Jehovah" had done and will soon do to the world I could not imagine this was a book that anyone would expose their children to. That picture in that pink paradise book that showed the earth opening up and children and parents and pets falling down into a chasm was bad enough. I feel sorry for their children and wonder how long it might take for some parents to finally wake up to the reality that they are serving a billion dollar corporation and following the directions of 8 old men who are hypocrites.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so glad you're free!! YES, we all have the scars from childhood of this nightmare. Even so, I'm sorry you were exposed to it as an adult and had to lose family :( Exactly why information has to continue to flow to people.....so many painful messages weekly; children and adults

[@pennytarrant6608]

(21:51) When I left I started to practice my own life philosophy. I knew what I DID NOT WANT and incorporated what I wanted into my life. The normal was not my ideals or intuitive desires. I knew that normal was not right. I felt as a child that the beating, threats and forced pay-less child labour was not good. It felt horrible! Violence seemed to be everywhere in my social circles, school, religious meetings, bible, first job etc..

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so glad you had the cognitive ability to see through it all! So many don't :( It's horrible and life altering!

[@pennybeeflower]

@@survivingparadisepodcast I was beatten into the cult. I saw through nothing. It was allegedly my spirit that my mother couldn't beat out of me. There is something more than brain cognition, thank GOD and all that's good, which we innately have that keeps us alive. Otherwise none of us would be here to protest the unrelenting bullshit that the owners of watchtower and their jehovah governing body use to commit global genocide, my friend(s)

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@pennybeeflower I'm so sorry to see this Penny! I'm like you....it was our spirit that got us to find the door!

[@SuperMayor31]

Thank you, my brother for all that you do. It is needed. Much love ❤️

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you so much for listening!

[@SonyShock]

I'm reaching my 30s and I'm noticing all the trauma I went through and how it affects me... I didn't have a very easy childhood but I was never in a cult. To think being a survivor must be so many times worse =(

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

:( as you age you're able to identify the traumas and where you got them from. Please be good to yourself!

[@fLUKEYdNb]

There is no scriptural mandate for these men (or any other religion) to meddle in children’s lives. Religion: it’s not for kids.

[@terridovey7648]

I'm thankful our church teaches the children how God and Jesus loves them. That when they put their trust in the Lord Jesus, they will go to heaven someday. They're not taught to hate, or to judge. But to help people and to love everyone. I'm utterly shocked at what the gb is teaching little children with all the death and destruction. It's child abuse.😪 Love always my friend. Have an awesome day!🌞 🍃✝️🍃⚘️

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

AGREE!!

[@lori4971]

When Sunday roles around I start looking for your podcast Stacey it is my favourite on KZbin. Hope you can keep up this work as it must be emotionally exhausting. I certainly appreciate it!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you so much Lori, I really appreciate that!!

[@broncosbest6441]

Late catching up but you spot on. It’s worse now due to JW videos at conventions. One of the last conventions I attended years ago had where Lots wife was turned into a pillar of salt. There were kids absolutely terrified. I remember one boy about 7 holding his mother’s leg at the break and wouldn’t eat. He was literally shaking. In Sweden someone sued the JWs for showing inappropriate videos to children at their conventions and won the case about 2 years ago. It’s child abuse and yes I read the Bible stories etc. My children was freaked out by the revelation beast and those eyes in the horn of the Daniel book I think it was.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I saw that video! Unbelievable!! Their videos have reached an all new level of fear and propaganda! That Lot's wife video was something else

[@broncosbest6441]

@@survivingparadisepodcast That JW broadcast contributed to waking me up hopefully it’ll assist others. It’s ridiculous. Anyhow have a good weekend and keep up the great work. This subject did come up in my household after that convention my kids were about 18 and 20 so man this brought up some memories of that day!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@broncosbest6441 I love that they're damaging themselves with these videos. Have an awesome weekend!

[@dearmum7925]

I remember realising that all my friends in school would be destroyed if they didn’t become a Jehovah’s Witness. I tried desperately to start Bible studies with them all. Unfortunately my telling them they would be destroyed by God if they didn’t wasn’t received very well. I was 5 years old.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

:( you weren't alone. As you see a five year old today, imagine that little person thinking like we were. Horrific.

[@ciscokidfab7595]

Thank you again for a video full of thought!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you for listening!

[@lizzidpeepole]

"Pop out a Watchtower on it..." haha. Well composed approach to a subject that is infuriating to dig into.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

LOL, thanks Phil!!

[@leogolive]

Man Stacey, I’m 47 years old and was basically born in. I was four when my parents were baptized so that’s as far back as I can remember anyway. I’ve been really having to come to grips with the fact that I was raised in a cult. I left at 18, but still tried studying a few times off and on through the years. But about five years ago I finally let it go for good and you’re right, the effects are long lasting man. You hit home with this episode.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Great to meet you and so glad you're slowly 'freeing' yourself from the endless abuse you grew up with. I can relate! Right there with you! Take it slow and be kind to yourself, the damage is deeper than many of us realize. Thanks for being here!

[@HeatherHiller]

You are not alone in the fact when we are out we have to learn how to think about life completely differently. It’s tragic and something most cannot comprehend unless they have been in it. I’m still wrapping my head around all of this. It’s painful to process.

[@racthe1595]

I'm glad I came to the 'Truth', at 14/15(meaninglessly, baptized at 21), ok, not glad,...you know what I mean.I NEVER fell for the Armageddon doctrine.And, always felt pity for the 'born-ins', to this day(being a PIMO).But, one it did was put more distance between me and my mom's side of the family, since we're (I don't consider myself a JW) the only JWs in the family, we live in Ca., the family lives in NY.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Even at that age, I'm sure you have scars. It's terrible, I'm so sorry!

[@rebella5769]

Please keep sharing. I look forward to each and every one of this vital info.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Rebella!

[@PCMemoryLane]

Excellent episode. The whole reason I became interested in JWs in the first place was because of a coworker who I used to like who turned out to be a JW. We are obviously incompatible as a result of this. Your video explains very clearly why so many people raised as JWs are the way they are, and why it is so difficult for them to escape or even contemplate anything different! Thank you very much. By the way, I agree that children are so pure and innocent and must be treated as such!

[@ryancampbell1145]

I have been out for just over 20 years, got on with my life and buried it all until about 1 year ago I stumbled upon a Caleb and Sophia video from there seen the shunning videos and I found it so triggering, traumatic and made me so angry that it made me face the mental trauma caused by this cult and started me on this ex JW journey, I'm glad it did because I discovered surviving paradise.....still struggle to get through a whole Caleb and Sophia video!, makes me sick to my stomach that children are soaking all the twisted messaging into their brains

[@disassociated1731]

the point you touch here is imho the most dangerous aspect of cults, and i m still hoping democratic states will find ways to counter it! i left in the mid 80s just in time to get my children out of it, probably one of my best achievements. but for sure some thoughts and feelings will trigger me until my (definitive ) death. i m happy for you if you have got some ex jws real friends, because, even if one starts a new and happy life, perhaps with a new partner, some reactions will never be understood by ppl who were not born into a cult.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's true. Many amazing partners/spouses/friends can only be empathetic to something they don't totally understand. I hear it constantly.

[@Yassss-rj9zf]

I was a JDub back when they tried to deter you from furthering your education because it was worldly. It took me a long time to start my educational journey. I was in my 30s before I went to college. My mother would threaten us about not being part of the 144,000 and not making it to the new system when we would misbehave. It’s a really sad religion. It’s sterile. No real emotion is ever shown. It’s really sad for kids because you can even celebrate your own birthday sad 😞 I understood why the holidays couldn’t be celebrated but I could never understand why your birthday was off limits. This was back in the 70s and 80s.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Jennifer we are the same age! I had the same experience: fear, control......never better yourself. I'm so glad you got out and educated!

[@Yassss-rj9zf]

@@survivingparadisepodcast Thank you.I’m glad you got out too❤️

[@francescafoot9739]

If I believed that God was as violent and cruel as the JWs seem to portray him ,he needn't expect any worship from me - I'd rather face the consequences![ glad to say I don't]

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

YES. I've had many people say the same thing. "why would I want to worship a god like that?"

[@asherasky8147]

if they stay in they may find themselves guilty by association

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's honestly that easy.....terrible

[@robertmardis2110]

Stacy thank you! I am new to your channel....you are my favorite channel!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Robert!!

[@laveritesurlestemoinsdejeh8522]

Just in case anyone is wondering, the 1982 Awake quote at 29 minutes is from the September 8 issue...

[@daleprice8111]

A LIE HAS TO CHANGE AS TRUTH DOESN'T CHANGE !

[@universeworld1782]

I have to say this, that my experience is the 2 witness rule is a joke, looks good on paper, but in reality, even if you have multiple witnesses, even if you have a confession, the Head Elder has the power to dismiss witnesses, even if he knows the truth about the matter. Elders can even use a disfellowshipped individual as a witness according to their Elders Bible. But in a case just a few months ago, 2022, an Elders and his wife with 4 children aborted the 5th pregnancy. The Elders wife admitted to other sisters she was pregnant and they were attempting to do away with the child. The whole Congregation knows she was very pregnant! One widowed sister and her daughter, a teacher in a nearby school, were in on the discussion with that Elders wife. That Elders wife all of a sudden came up healed from her pregnancy, and is no longer pregnant. The Widowed Sister reported it to one of the Elders who quickly told her they would deal with her! Elders visited her finding out about the 2 witnesses, another 2 Elder's quickly came including tge Elder himself claiming his wife was never pregnant. The widowed sister presented the 2 witnesses, in which the head Elder and riches Elder quickly dismissed the other witness saying she did not qualify as a witness, leaving just one witness, the widowed sister standing alone! The widowed sister is now not attending meeting's any longer because she knows the minute she enters that Kingdom Hall, she will be called into the back room in a judicial setting. She is alone with no one to assist her. So if you think having 2 witnesses makes a difference, especially if it involves a child considered an enemy of Jehovah, think twice! Who will pray now for that child who could not defend itself as a fetus in its mother's womb when the Mother and Father murdered it😢? Who will stand up for that little 👶 baby, who is now considered an enemy of Jehovah? Who? Certainly not the 8 Anointed Men representing Jehovah!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

That is a heartbreaking story!!! I'm so sorry!! You're right, the elders have entirely too much power over someone's life. There is a lot of bias!

[@stopdrinkingthekoolaid9543]

100% agree!

[@daleprice8111]

CHILDREN ARE A GIFT 🎁 FROM GOD; PARENTS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO HOW THEY POTTER SHAPED THEIR CHILD !

[@KeihatsuWarrior]

What episodes were those broadcasts of their responses to those protective parents?

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'll see if I can track down dates, but it's Lett and then Tony Morris making excuses for the violence in videos they produce. It's incredible. I believe it's May 2020

[@RebeccadeWinter-t1c]

My first grade teacher came into class crying. She said the President had been assassinated. I said to hr,"God will kill him anyway when Armageddon comes." Such a good little JW, such a horrible human. I cringe every time I think about it.

[@elvenrights2428]

JW who have been bible studying with me told me that children get baptized when they feel that they are ready for it. Is it true? Do 6 ,7 ,8... 17 years old people really get baptized when they are really prepared for getting baptized? Do they understand all the consequences of being baptized?

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It is VERY true and proof is in print. Listen to last week's episode on baptism, I give references for kids baptized between 6-17 years old......in print!

[@markusbrauns4274]

I have heard recently of a 8 yr old girl, who got baptized. That's crazy. What 8 yr old knows the meaning of religion, or God, Jesus?

[@elvenrights2428]

@@markusbrauns4274 It is very sad what is happening. 8 years old child can't know what it really means to get baptized into JW. I just wonder whether anyone gets newly converted to JW via bible study (and who wasn't born to JW parents) at age 8 too...

[@tripledouble357]

I love you man thank you for your videos bro

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks so much Doc, really appreciate it!

[@BlackFlagHeathen]

Brainwash ‘em young and you got a sucker for life. Usually. So gross. Also, I’d just like to point out that I find the pic of Caleb and Sophia clinging to Anthony Morris SUPER creepy. •_•

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

That photo is beyond creepy. Does he think he's Walt Disney???

[@tripledouble357]

Please make more

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Doc!

[@feb196940]

That's the reason that I'm not married and no children because I'm not raising them in this cult because I had a difficult time growing up in it my parents are far extremists in it we never had any support from other so called family members like aunts uncles and cousins they think we live a normal life !

[@leejohnson6328]

for a child to be strong they must be trained in the mind of Christ. they must learn his ways and his teachings . they must learn how to stay awake and to prove all things. this will make a strong child in a wicked generation

[@andidp4535]

This is a sober podcast. This is beyond sad..💔

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It is truly beyond painful. The evil innocent children are being exposed to weighs heavily on those of us that see.....we must protect children; create awareness. Thanks for listening Andi!

[@BianchiRoadshow]

Poor little Sparlocks got tossed in a dumpster. =(

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Poor Sparlock! lol

[@nataliegrandauthorofcultgi1231]

🙌🏻

[@denniskennedy3311]

I wish I knew what the jw was all about I would have not let my children go with my x wife

[@louisesummers6398]

Yes this needs to be talk about , children need to be protected in every way. When ever I have the opportunity to speak about the cruelty towards children in the Jehovah witnesses I share it with anyone who will listen , they seem suprised but are grateful for having more of a understanding of just what this cult is doing. Protecting children is Paramount, thanks for showing this cult for what it really is. 🦚

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

YES!! Thank you for all you do louise. We need to continue to do what we can to protect kids!