Jehovah's Witnesses & The Chosen Path of Ignorance

What shocks YOU the most about Jehovah’s Witnesses? I’m often asked that question. The answer probably differs for everyone, but let’s take a look at how millions of people devote themselves to a cult without ever knowing it’s history, reading the Bible or being able to explain their ‘life or death’ beliefs. How are innocent people held captive to a life of ignorance about their own ‘religion?’ Why do they choose to bury their heads in the sand on ‘generations,’ blood, birthdays and more? Why are most JW’s so uneducated, despite being baptized for decades?
We take a look at how the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has molded millions of people into followers with a steady dose of fear and complacency that goes back over a century…and keeps millions of publishers coming to your door, unable to answer basic questions about their faith. Don’t worry… you won’t hear “I’ll need to research that and come back with an answer”… no ‘return visits here!
#jehovahswitnesses #exjw #exjehovahswitness #watchtower
TWITTER: @exjwpodcast
INSTAGRAM: survivingparadisepodcast

[@ooklathemok7322]

I just had the opportunity to speak for about an hour in person to a young man who was born in. He was a regular pioneer, m.s., and bethelite. He left the org and while going thru very difficult experiences being shunned no longer lives a lie. It is my belief in the age of the internet, keeping these kids with computers in their pockets in the dark will be almost impossible. It's 8-80 year olds in upstate New York in one corner against young intelligent, fact checkers, who hate hypocrisy. I am giddy to see the outcome. Game on!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They're in trouble. I'm not foolish enough to believe the cult will be wiped out, but they're hemorrhaging members rapidly. Even those 'in' aren't really 'in'....they're just a slave to the schedule! Good for that young man!

[@migdaliafuentes1618]

@@survivingparadisepodcastso true! I’m technically in, a PIMO Evolving into a POMO! Fading!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@migdaliafuentes1618 Keep fading!!!

[@brendavirtue1881]

I can relate to what you say and your sound reasoning on falsehoods drilled into my brain since I was 8 years old. I am now 77 and began fading for about 12 years. I’m angry I spent the majority of my life believing crap I was brainwashed to believe. What a waste. You’re right in the money when it comes to criticizing the governing body. Pious jerks. Since I found your podcasts I listen to at least one every day. I wish my brother would wake up and see what a lie he’s living. Keep up the good work.

[@GoverningBodyWhistleBlower]

Oorah!

[@fitcwebb]

This is what bothers me the most about this religion. Most of these people are absolutely clueless about what has happened through it's history. 1925, 1975, etc....no accurate knowledge

[@ooklathemok7322]

You are absolutely correct. I believe this is why. The ones who have years in the so called truth had no way to fact check any of the orgs lies. No internet back then. All they had was the jw side of the story. I am old enough to remember the apostates who came to our district conventions. They were viewed like Satan himself. So it is almost impossible to get these to honestly look at the org's history. Then you have the 80s and 90s jws. Who really know nothing about the early 1900s history of jws. "Millions now living will never die"if they heard this slogan it is talking about today not 1925. The history with vaccination, and organ transplant. However the internet was in It's infancy. We were starting to see alot more jws wake up. Why, because they could now research in the privacy of their home jw history. This is when the org came out with dire warnings and directives against the internet. Now look at the 2000-2022 jws. Knowledge is power. People can easily fact check all jws claims. For example look at the arc in 2015-16. Look at all the leaked Bethel videos. That is why the org is seeing large numbers leave. The org is working double time to see what all the activist KZbin channel's are presenting, but the content is overwhelming because watchtower history is being exposed. 60-80s jws unless they are brutally honest will have a hard time waking up. The infallibility of the org was beat into their head. 90-2000. They will more readily wake up because they use the internet and learned to fact check! 2000-2022. Good luck jws. This group of jws raised on the internet are going to be very hard to lie to about your history. Look at all the members of this group who have youtube channels devoted to exposing wt lies. Then have 8- 80 year old fools in New York? I can see no way watchtower survives the internet.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It continues to be the most shocking part of my experience....even though I understand WHY it happens. It's just mind blowing.

[@theresefournier3269]

Ignorance is the modern root of all evil! 🔥🥶👣 Get out of her my people! 😢

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

I know! So disturbing! My sister has claimed that it’s a “apostate lie” that the GB forbids them from doing outside research, including research about the child sex abuse cover-up. She argues that she has “free will” to read anything she wants, including anything that I’m reading, even while telling me that what I am researching clearly is “apostate lies.” She tries to make this completely flawed argument to me, even while knowing that I also grew up in this religion and know firsthand how much they drill into your head to stay far away from any form of “apostasy.” So it’s like, well I have “free will” to research anything I want, but I don’t want to because I know (have been brainwashed to believe) that those are all lies anyway. The image of burying one’s head in the sand is SO FITTING!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Danielle-nz9tn I'm sorry about your sister. My mother and other relatives are still in as well. Based on her responses, it's clear she is drowning in cognitive dissonance. If you haven't seen Governing Body member (you know, Jesus brother) testimony at the Australian Royal Commission on child abuse, watch it. There is no way for her to deny he is lying on the stand.....but I'm guessing she will never watch and will make more cognitive claims it's a lie. He lies multiple times that they aren't Jehovah's chosen organization....it's unreal 😳

[@QueenSamiyah]

You really had me thinking because I was one who was desperately searching and reading everything I could get my hands on before I started studying with witnesses but the love bombing was definitely what got me. All I had to do was show up and everyone was soooooo happy to see me, all I would do was raise my hand and everyone was excited and no matter what my answer was everyone was super excited and ran up to me after the meeting to congratulate me. You helped me to see that I intentionally shut off my "research" brain because I got addicted to the constant praise. Even though much of it made no sense and I disagreed with it I went as far as baptism because of those around me smiling at me. Until I came up out that water ..That's why the second they started shunning me for questioning the GB I went right back to researching but this time I did look into the religion like I should have from the beginning. I learned a lot but I stayed true to myself as much as possible and now I am so happy to be out!!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's a trap many, MANY of us have all fallen into. You're slowly lulled into their weekly schedule without ever knowing what is happening. This is a great subject for an episode. How love bombing takes you in a direction you never otherwise would consider. So glad you're out!

[@anniesavedbygrace]

At 17, I left unbaptised. My last straw was a talk by an elder from the platform where they preached that unborn babies who didn't take the breath of life did not have the resurrection hope. I 'woke' to the indoctrination at age 41 when I recieved the 2013 NWT and realised the org had changed words, added words, took out verses removed brackets around added words as if they always belonged.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

So glad you're free Annie! Some of the stuff said on stage is incredible!!! Like how does that guy know that??? The NWT is an abomination.....completely altered to serve their needs!

[@Womanmad1]

Do you think they are in this for the money they are a property development company or is it a power thing?

[@anniesavedbygrace]

@@Womanmad1 personally I think the power and control and the reverence that the members give has poisoned them and gone to their heads. The money thing I think is their screwed up way of trying to prove the success of the organisation through material possessions.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Womanmad1 Personal opinion.....I'd say both. But consider how the human mind works. They've invested their lives in a fairy tale; drunk with power. They would have nothing outside their made believe infrastructure. Imagine the nightmare Tony Morris would be for a corporate HR department. LOL

[@Charleneslife-23]

When I stopped attending meetings, a friend came by my house to find out why I stopped attending. When I tried to explain some of the inconsistencies with their doctrine she blatantly told me she’s wasn’t interested in “those things” and she will continue to be a witness. Should I chose to leave, she would no longer be my friend as we were only friends because of the religion. Unfortunately the vast majority of the JWs do not care about Bible truth. They view the religion as a social club.

[@MiguelRodriguez-ok9rb]

Don't talk to her anymore you don't need to listen to her she is not your friend let her stay in the organization and supper the consequences of it if she wise up she will leave it to

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They sure do. Most of them are sleepwalking ... they stay because their entire world is associated with this religion. That doesn't sound like a 'true friend'... I'm so sorry

[@Blueskies445]

They are definitely not your friend unless you stay in the organization. I had several talks with some of them before I left and they said that they knew that the Governing body was not 100 percent right on things but they won't leave. The elderly that I knew didn't care for alot of the laws we as witnesses were supposed to follow and they had constant guilt but they are scared to lose their group of people that they think care about them. It's sad that they don't care about their own salvation, they think the Governing body will save them, they have no knowledge that Jesus is the one they need to follow not man.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Blueskies445 I witnessed this as well. They've devoted so much of their lives to it, that they can't imagine life without it. It's beyond ironic that by doing so, they're literally disobeying the Bible. I always point them to Psalms 146:3 and ask them if they're obeying..... the look on their face is so sad.

[@nickyannajones]

I agree with much of what you said but I don't think they view it as a social club so much as they are indoctrinated that if someone leaves then they have also left Jehovah. They cannot see that the GB are pulling the wool over their eyes. They are genuinely afraid to disagree with the GB and loose their families.

[@liv328]

I LOVE your podcasts! I am always so excited when my little bell icon tells me you have something new to listen to. Thank you so so much for your hard work and thruths about the truth! I DAed July 11th of this year, (16 years and 5 days baptized) I am free! And loving your content. Thank you!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Liv!! I appreciate you listening and I'm so glad to read that you're out of that cult! I hope you're taking care of yourself and have a good support group!

[@Realitycheck044]

Yay, Liv! Welcome to freedom of mind, body and spirit. It takes a lot of strength to leave the cult; good for you! I’m glad you’re here. 😊

[@liv328]

@@Realitycheck044 Thank you! I am so much happier now. And the EXJW community has by and large ben so kind and helpful. ❤

[@ooklathemok7322]

Before I officially left the org after 40+ years. I had at least 5 conversations with elders including a visit with 2 elders on a sheparding call. I asked many doctrinal questions such as blood fractions, the generation of 1914, the overlapping generation. The monumental change of the identity of the faithful and discreet slave.The subject of the Australian Royal commission, donated funds being used to settle csa lawsuits. None of these guys had any answers! They literally just looked at me with blank stares like a deer in the headlights. There was no rational thought at all. Every one of them told me they would do research and get back to me. My Cobe promised me we would visit again. 5 years have passed I have never been contacted again.

[@fitcwebb]

They may have went to look for those answers and became scared of what they found. This is what happened to one of my family members after reading 2 chapters of Crisis of Conscience. Couldn't continue reading for fear that their faith might be in jeopardy. They can't handle the truth

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yep. I've seen it more times than I can relate. Elders...completely uneducated and know nothing about what you're asking them. Of course they will never contact you... but, but, but....you're life is SO valuable to Jehovah! You knew more than they did and always will. They are on autopilot getting 10 hours a month in service and pouring another drink

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@fitcwebb Yep. They're terrified. I actually had a friend say that. "I can't look...I know you're right"

[@theresefournier3269]

@@survivingparadisepodcast when you know, you'll also have a hard time to even mention that name! Truly! & am only telling you cause you can handle the living Truth.

[@ooklathemok7322]

@@survivingparadisepodcast wow!

[@willyb933]

I'm 14 minutes into this video and have to comment. This is an outstanding perspective and you obviously have a long history with this organization. I am 65 yr of age and was born in. I left about 20 years ago and left behind a broken marriage etc. largely in part to my decision to leave the Cult. Your specific point on Bible understanding and knowledge of the actual beliefs history, practices and behaviours of this Cult is absolutely lost on virtually all Jehovah's Witnesses. It is not part of their indoctrination process and most certainly never will be as time moves on. Thanks for your informed and well-presented views. Now I'll press play and resume!

[@krissykatportal]

This guy has the best exjw channel imo. Love you Stacy

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you willyb! I appreciate the kind words. With your history, I'm sure you can relate to handfuls of people in that organization that know nothing!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@krissykatportal Awwww, thank you Krissy! Love you back ;)

[@Elecyah]

What shocks me most - right now - is how the rank and file witnesses, mostly the somewhat older generation that knows how things USED to be, can stomach seeing their leaders front and center on their screens, spewing hatred, being judgemental, being goofy - frankly, being condescending, wearing rolexes and pinky rings. 😕 Last year when I decided to look at what's going on in JWland, I was SHOCKED! Absolutely floored. Not a trace of the humble, spiritual men that I'd been brought up to believe they were, was in evidence. None.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

That blows me away as well. My generation remembers how it used to be and it's completely changed in the 10-12 years. It's unrecognizable. But they just bury their heads in the sand.

[@deborahwentworth8792]

What shocks me most about JWs,is they believe they are so knowledgeable about the Bible,But,as soon as you turn the tables on them and bring out truth ,real Truth they seem like they get Lost and cannot use sound reasoning.They then get so upset .I really wonder how they manage every day life

[@julieellis2076]

It was by just reading the bible like a novel with no wt literature to explain it that caused me to leave. I was told that the bible will interpret itself so knew that it was not wrong. After all if I lived on a desert island with only the bible would I reach the same conclusions as the wt teach? I was soon to find out. A big fat NO 😁

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@julieellis2076 This is ALL people need to do!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They're mostly depressed and on auto pilot. Most have never read the Bible....even those in middle age. It's incredible.

[@symone3113]

Another excellent video. Thanks fir the food for thought.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Symone!

[@LaughinLoneStar]

When I was a true believing elder, I stumbled upon a project, I was asking my fellow door knockers "why does God permit wickedness?" most didn't say "the issue of universal sovereignty", like they're supposed to. I stopped asking because it was so discouraging of a reality for me.

[@FirsteMann1929]

They no longer say "Spirit directed organization " Now it just"organization "another subtle change but definitely a reason

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@asherasky8147]

You expressed completely my personal observation of my own parents. They always answer me,"we don't give pearls to swine", whenever I ask them any questions about the organization, or they refer to me as mentally diseased or satans child. They are extremely wicked people honestly, It's ashame things turned out that way, when I was a child I was convinced that eventually my family would turn into the watchtower leave it to Beaver style family, but the only thing my father gave was a warden and a clever;)

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so sorry Ashera. Their generation is nearly impossible to reason with. They've had decades of fear and judging imprinted on their brain :(

[@theresefournier3269]

Such cognitive dissonance leads to hypocrisy and a narcissistic mentality of the worst kind.

[@mattmurdock2868]

They don't have any pearls to give, and they are the swine...

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

I’m so sorry for your childhood pain, Ashera. I suffered the same. I always thought there was just something really wrong with my family (which there was), but as I’ve gotten older, i hear that ALL kinds of people have left Watchtower and that SO MANY JWs-including those “perfect model families” with elder fathers-were full of dysfunction too!! They were just in a position where they were forced to cover it up better, which also makes me sad for them.

[@muzikman74]

Your videos by far are THE BEST EXJW videos I have watched in a very long time. I’d be up for you to interview me anytime in the future. I’m a former bethelite and also woke up in 2009, both my wife and I just faded away. I was born in and I’m 48yrs old. Your thoughts and research are identical to mine.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you muzik! Send me a note at [e-mail]

[@Godly-Beard]

That picture of the guy with his head buried deep in the sand is the perfect description of a JW!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

LOL, I thought it was pretty appropriate!

[@archangeljesus4369]

Scoffers

[@ghostnoterboomboom9119]

Speak, brother, SPEAK! Pimo in MD

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Stay safe out there my friend!!

[@c.t8958]

That second baptism question changed. They took off the "spirit directed" bit at the end!!

[@krissykatportal]

Haha cuz no spirits are doing any directing

[@anniesavedbygrace]

I commented the same before I saw your comment. Sorry.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks for the info! I was too lazy to look it up....old habits LOL

[@Rightly_Divided]

I asked a good question once. I asked: "How do you know your Bible is the absolute truth? God said he will preserve his word. Since your version has only existed for such a short period of time are you telling me that everyone who didn't get the 'right' version are just screwed? You are telling me that anyone who studied a different version just didn't have the right word? And God as powerful as he is just allowed all those people to have no opportunity to hear the real truth? For 1.8 thousand years?" Reply: "We can't exactly answer all that. Why don't you come to the Kingdom Hall and ask your questions to the other elders."

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Common JW's can't answer the most basic of questions. They will literally look you in the eye and say "because the Society says so"... they don't even read their deceptive version of the Bible. They just obey

[@hustonmices3976]

What finally made me realized watchtower was man made was when I called bethel. Long story short the dude on the other side of the line said to me “you have the watchtower and awake, read them because we can’t do anything for you” I’m glad now he said that because that led me down the rabbit hole “is the gb really inspired?” Didn’t take long to answer that one.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

LOL, imagine putting people like that on the phone. "life and death" in the balance and you get some young kid who says "sorry, read more".....LOL, the man behind the curtain is exposed

[@karenmoody2763]

The thing is they have been told by the GB not to listen to anything but the literature from the Watchtower Society .So like me trying to tell my sister's and mother about the cult ,they don't want to hear it.

[@harmkev2]

I ask my Witness sister if she considered the new pictures from the Webb Telescope could be considered to be "new light?" She laughed and hung-up on me. 🤣😂🤣

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

LOL, I'm still laughing at this!

[@harmkev2]

With the birth of my first child, the question popped into my head, "are you going to raise your child the way you was raised?" Within90 seconds the answer was 'no!' However, it took 4 years after that to fully leave. Leaving a cult takes all the efforts of all human abilities. A mind is the most powerful thing we know in the human world so, to turn it's power over to anyone else is a crime against yourself.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

So true Kevin. I still deal with the fact that I raised my son in it for several years before leaving. It does damage! Good for you on getting your kids out!

[@Realitycheck044]

Kevin, I felt the same way shortly after having my first child. I became inactive shortly thereafter but didn’t officially leave until several years later. I raised my children as “worldly” children with birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving and all. The specialty of these cults is they have brainwashing down to an art. Once they’ve injected fear into their followers they’re able to control them. I resent my mother for not being stronger of mind. Her mental weakness had the ultimate impact on her four children.

[@beverlyharward9631]

@@Realitycheck044 I understand. I also remind myself she was also brainwashed.

[@Realitycheck044]

@@beverlyharward9631 for sure and I can’t speak for anyone but my mother, but her ears were tickled and she fell smack dab into the arms of the org. It’s great she found comfort in their teachings, but she didn’t have to grow up in that religion so she could never possibly empathize with our struggles.

[@hustonmices3976]

Nice!! Man your podcast truly are awesome! Keep it up. I’ll listen to it tomorrow! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Huston!

[@pato7274]

This is something you think and can’t resist-PG13 😚: the head in sand leaves him with only one place to talk from (grammar)!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

LOL ;)

[@natashapeeters988]

I am 30min. In this video : 1 thing comes to my mind... RESPECT! Including ourselves in being ignorant etc... Bravo 👏. Lots of people don't want to include themselves. 🙂

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's tough, but we all have to take personal inventory. Hard pill to swallow

[@theresefournier3269]

That explains why elders and overseers only would study with me! Wow... they knew! how most couldn't answer the basic questions... wow!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Most of them don't study themselves unless it's for a meeting part!

[@theresefournier3269]

@@survivingparadisepodcast They have ready-made answers and know who to call when they are clueless... the ORG!

[@asherasky8147]

Wonderful discussion, excellent delivery!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Ashera!

[@reneekennedy4619]

Sooo happy to hear you!! Lots of love to you hearing you’re fearlessly helping others and so happy you connected with Natalie Grand

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I just saw this!!!! Love it!!

[@deborahwentworth8792]

It's like being told you are going to school to become a Dr. But you are only getting the education of a certified nurses aid.They are told they are ministers but their biblical education/knowledge is only what the society has given them

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Bingo! Exactly. They get destroyed by a truly educated person. Then they slink away....I know, I did it!

[@krissykatportal]

27:19 omg yesssss that’s where it starts breaking down. I’m like, a normal person would be curious if there is new information to weigh out, but you’re right there is no effort at all to look for truth. It’s because their intentions are not what they claim. Their intention is to keep their worldview in tact. Their need to be right is greater than their need to be honest. My mom rides her moral high horse every day.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yes! Thanks Krissy! It continues to blow my mind... everyone on autopilot accepting stuff that is so absurd!!

[@theresefournier3269]

I just can't see it going on much longer! People will realize that the living Truth that they claim to be in is already in their own h-eart. which they are told is treacherous. Nothing on eart-h compares.

[@hustonmices3976]

They truly hold those publications in the same level as the Bible. Looking back I did the same! 😖

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@hustonmices3976 Imagine believing 'god' needs guys in upstate NY to explain his 'word'.....because it isn't enough for mankind.....

[@theresefournier3269]

@@hustonmices3976 not me. Even door to door, none of them could convince me i needed anything but the Scriptures. Any Scriptures, as i trusted, from childhood, that G-d's Word could not be changed by mortal men! Boy! Was i wrong!!!

[@christian.comedy.channel.2]

I found this video extremely helpfiul, and I love the Tjomas Edison quote. So much of what you say is also applicable to my own background in the extreme Oneness (Apostolic) pentecostal movement,

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you listening!!

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

I really appreciate your doing these videos. My brother got into the J.W. cult in the mid 1960's. He was an alcoholic at the time and I think he just fell for the idea of being part of a group that sort of acts like close family or friends. My heart just breaks for him because at 84, he's still in it. We live clear across the country from each other, but I love him so much. I began learning all I could about J.W. cult long ago and once I had internet, I studied everything I could about C.T. Russell, Judge Hayes, and on down the line. I am glad you referred to the N.W. Translation as a book J.W.'s tinkered with (or something like that). They dismantled the Trinity, the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (not a created being/angel), the fact that He died on the cross and bore the sins of the world, and then was physically raised from the dead in His glorified body never to die again. There is a lot the creators of J.W.'s/Watchtower/other names I can't remember from way back in J.W. history they destroyed with their "translation". The most damning thing they did was to deny the Lord that bought them. Thank you for what you are doing! ♥

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

Correction - Judge Rutherford not Judge Hayes.😁

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I'm so sorry! Your poor brother! The Internet has been the most damaging invention in their time, it has caused thousands to wake up or leave!

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

@@survivingparadisepodcast Thank you for your condolence. I really appreciate it. My heart has been so broken for so long because of him being in this trap. Mom just passed away July 8, 2022 at nearly 101 years old, and we both always hoped and prayed to be able to see him come out of this cult. I am still praying for him and I will until the day I die.

[@kathleenmckeithen118]

@@survivingparadisepodcast I won't give up praying for him!! Thank you for replying to me.😊

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@kathleenmckeithen118 So sorry Kathleen. Never give up!

[@pearlytiger564]

I’m not a JW, never born into it, I am a nondenominational Christian but my best friend is an inactive JW who still holds onto their beliefs. To better understand his religion I dove into the Bible (the original translations, not their butchered NWT) and studied their teachings. I have written a piece I call “Questions for a JW” and so far I have 8 pages of single spaced 11 font text of questions, statements and observations that make ZERO sense to me. I feel I could write a book at this point. The insanity just never ends

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I love it Pearly!!! Trust me, if every JW just read the Bible, studied it...and read it against their own literature, they would all be stumped and wondering what the hell was going on. But they don't. YOU have done more with your document than 98% of them will do their entire lifetime. They can't answer questions because they just repeat what they hear at a Kingdom Hall. VERY uneducated people

[@pearlytiger564]

@@survivingparadisepodcast it’s so sad. To be so cognitively dissonant that you are scared to think for yourself. I was always that kid that had to know how things worked and why things were the way they were. It also drives me nuts when people use their emotions as their driving force when making decisions. Screw that. Burn me with the truth and don’t ever comfort me with a lie. Was married to a lying narcissist for 12 years and the same feelings I get from the trauma of that marriage I feel when I hear those 8 men talking out their a$$. Like nails on a chalk board hearing those evil men talk.

[@pearlytiger564]

@@survivingparadisepodcast before I even knew literally ANYTHING about JWs, when I heard the governing body talk, I got so damn uncomfortable and couldn’t figure out why … at first. Now I know lol 😆

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@pearlytiger564 So glad you're free of all of it!!

[@pamelaruth7400]

I appreciate your bold honesty and everything you are doing!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Pamela, just sharing my craziness! Thanks for listening!

[@ismaelamadot3893]

Good morning, brother. Thank you for the wonderful information and video. Right on the money. Everything 💯 percent. I know. I lived it. 71 years old now. Can't pass one over me. Feel sorry for younger ones. Older guys. Do not have any pity for them. They should know better. Soon Jehovah will open their eyes and it will be too late. Many blessings from Jehovah and Christ. Amador, Kingdom Christian from sunny Puerto Rico.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Ismael! I appreciate you listening and glad you're out!

[@Styles652]

Stacy, this podcast helps me so freaking much!! You are so insightful and interesting it is ridiculous. I love you so much and appreciate all of these audios. Thank you so much! And I can’t wait to listen to more!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Wow, thank you Robby! I really appreciate this! Thank you for listening!

[@sarareimold3151]

I loved to research everything and was always looked at with suspicion. Even then, I didn't research the religion until given "permission" by a family member. After that it only took a couple of days to realize the truth.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Good for you! It's the studying that does it in....if they would just look at their own literature!!!! But they're even afraid of that.

[@natashapeeters988]

HUMAN PEOPLE: I am keeping that one ❣️

[@theresefournier3269]

They also seek out the most vulnerable at their most vulnerable time!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Oh yes! That's how they got my single mom ...and all of us....

[@lilith_iamtheberry]

Stumbled across your page a few days ago. This was great! Thank you for your work. Sharing with those I can. Thank you Thank you, PIMO on the LeftCoast

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Lilith! Thanks for listening.....love the left coast!

[@frawell410]

When I was disfellowshipped one of the elders owed me 600 dollars. Bought a new car before I asked for my money.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Not surprised. I've got stories about elders borrowing money. Not pretty!

[@nicosyiallouris1103]

@@survivingparadisepodcast Me too

[@pearlytiger564]

What shocks me the most is their declaration that they follow the Bible but they do everything but that! Read your Bible people! It just kills me how blind they are to their own religion, their Bible and the organization. I probably know more than they do at this point with all the researching I have done

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

SO TRUE!!!!!!!! We have an entire episode coming up on this VERY subject......stay tuned! :)

[@heatherwillson4862]

Im unable to express how right on you are. This was my favorite podcast so far. I discovered what you are saying here 20 yrs ago. I was in for 42 yrs & I noticed things all along the way. My brain sees details. My dad taught me think indepedently. I cant keep myself from reading everything I get my hands on. In my early 20's I realized something was wrong so I doubled down. I read the bible thru & was just horrified! But,...fear & family kept me in...until I finally was shocked to my core! A sociopath brother started stalking me. Immediately I brought it forth. Oh, but the secrecy! ( secrecy is a good topic, btw) Nothing in 11 yrs could get the elders & then the headquarters to even ask that man, & his wife, mind you, to stop. He said in a backroom meeting in front of the elders, me & my husband, & his wife, "I am pursueing her." I was attacked. He went scot free. He was after my daughter & 5 little boys. His wife did express concern over that, while she continued helping him. Can you believe I took that for 11 yrs, when I knew it was BS all along? And 20 yrs later even my family sees me as the devil incarnate, conscience be damned. And yes, I left with a crisis of conscience, heart broken, but finally free! Freedom of mind is completely worth it! It is heartbreaking to stand by & not be able to penetrate the brain washing, fear & the mental laziness, as my therapist called it. Oh yeah, I needed therapy. It was SO shocking I was mind blown! The pure, clean religion? The one that didnt follow their own rules? So that was how I came to realize that there was an inheritant evilness unlying the religion & after much research & digging discovered the subliminal images (another good topic that even most x JW's have no idea about). And that opens a whole other can of worms! Keep it coming!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Wow, I'm so sorry for what you've been through Heather! Unreal! To have a married couple stalking you and your children?? I'm so glad you're free of all of that and I'm sorry it's caused lost relationships. It truly is evil... and once a person starts to actually study for themselves, it becomes apparent. Secrecy is a great topic and so is the Bible in general!

[@heatherwillson4862]

@@survivingparadisepodcast Lol, the Bible damns itself! And proves that it was written by very selfish men. My experience & the Bible proved to me that there is no Godliness in either the Bible, nor the JW Cult! NONE.

[@heatherwillson4862]

@@survivingparadisepodcast If you have time, listen to the Annoni Mowse You Tube channel & her vid titled The Negative View of Women By The JWs & the Bible. Precisely what I noticed as a child!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@heatherwillson4862 Thanks Heather, I'll check her out!

[@hiramiamilan4392]

EXCELLENT episode, as usual, my friend. Thank you. To me is the HYPOCRISY. The double standards.

[@georgebrito-dq2yu]

You are hands down the most knowledgeable ex JW I have listened to and funny at the same time. I am an Accountant and business person living in South Beach. I bet your subscription will sky rocket if you make your videos shorter. I do not care I have listen to all of your videos anyway. But general rule people spam is less than 10 minutes.

[@freedomparadisechick6564]

Fantastic podcast!! I'm halfway and what you say is so true! They are too scare to investigate their own religion!! Regards from England!😊

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you! Great to hear from England! I appreciate you listening!

[@nicosyiallouris1103]

@@survivingparadisepodcast The hole world should know about this despicable cult!!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@nicosyiallouris1103 We are doing our best to lend our voice! Thanks for listening!

[@gisella1350]

Thank you I just found it. Beth Shan. People take so much time finding out the history of a car they want to buy, a piece of metal, but when it comes to their lives, your video site picture explains it all. Keep shaking and rattling, good for you, some will listen.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They sure do!! Thanks for listening....Beth Shan is something else!

[@justinthyme5382]

Hundreds now living will never die, stay Alive till 2075.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Are you anointed? Don't give them any ideas Justin LOL

[@justinthyme5382]

@@survivingparadisepodcast I'm not anointed only annoyed, that I was a jw for 46 years.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@justinthyme5382 🤣 you're not alone my friend!

[@ernesteggleston4069]

The harsh reality of facts surrounding the Truth, after the baptism means giving up everything you know and love. In most cases it seems easier to follow the lie of the truth than Truth Itself!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Once you've 'dedicated' your life to this publishing company, you begin a sharp descent into cognitive dissonance and the need for it all to be 'right'

[@davidh5403]

Excellent breakdown of the truth and reality of the average JW. We CAN reverse this path of ignorance by simply being courageous enough to do a little research.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yes David! Thanks for listening!

[@galaxiethinker183]

Yes jw has a lack of Bible understanding . Just pick a simple subject the parable of the wheat and the weeds which is to happen at the end of the conclusion of the system it's very clear Jesus explained it but JW believes they have already been separated from the weeds and chosen. Every other religion is a weed, shocking twist of somple scripture.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They've managed to take a parable and build and entire cult around it: the faithful and discreet slave. And millions sit there nodding their heads!😆

[@pennytarrant6608]

Well, Ignorance of the law is not a defense, right? It's so horrible when the organization itself ostracizes and shames anyone who wants to know the legal facts about the administrative center, watchtower, if they have the wherewithal to know that it is their right. Very strange that they named the jw's magazine, Watchtower, which ironically enough was also the name of the publishing corporation. I remember being and apologist for jw when I was in service one time when someone accused me of working for watchtower, and I told them no, that is the name of our magazine. I did not even know I was confused and didn't know what I didn't know.

[@richb.48]

I am NOT an exjw, but I do have family in the cult. What caught my eye was the ingenious "head in the sand" imagery, along with what looks like a poop emoji on top of the WT logo. Had to laugh. But this is a serious issue. The picture is a 100% accurate depiction of how most ALL JWs react to facts given about the organization. I married a JW woman, as a "professing Christian", not really knowing anything about the JW organization. I thought I could change my wife without much effort. Boy was I in for a ride. Once I realized "I" can't change anybody, I also had to realize that my Biblical knowledge was illiterate, and ignorant. I knew enough about the JW religion to KNOW they weren't TRUE, but I didn't know enough about MY OWN convictions to defend my own belief system. Once I started researching my own beliefs from the Bible, and researching the organization's own teachings, I quickly realized that my wife must be completely brainwashed, because just mentioning ANYTHING about what the organization teaches, I was met with extreme prejudice. After listening all the way thru, I had to preface this statement as "What shocks me most about JWs". JWs DO NOT want to hear YOU tell THEM what the WT teaches. You could read a statement, verbatim, right out of the WT magazine, and it upsets a JW. I really believe that when a JW is listening to a NON-JW reading their own literature BACK TO THEM, they can actually hear how ridiculous some of those teachings are, and it upsets them. That is why my wife gets defensive when talking to her about REAL WT teachings. I can see her get physically upset and she shuts down. I realize that these people are in a dangerous place. They are truly lost. However, the Bible teaches us that there is always HOPE for these people. I just keep loving them, while living MY Christian life in Christ. I am convinced that the best weapon against the WT is to keep loving them without judging them, and living your life as if you are dependent on Jesus every second of the day. They will see your walk with the Lord, and it will definitely make an impression. What JWs do is look for "professing" Christians living in sin; shacked up, sleeping around, drinking themselves into drunkenness, backbiting, swearing, etc.... They LOVE to see this happen because it reinforces their trust in the organization, because that's what the organization tells them that WE are. But when Christians establish relationships with JWs, then the JW can't just brush you off as "part of christendom". A TRUE Christian, living a life devoted to Christ, is the best weapon for refuting the WT's false theology. With JWs, it is often times what is NOT said, that is the hardest hitting in the mind of a JW. I've seen this happen personally with my mother-in-law. She is passed now, but she and I had some really heated discussions, but when the smoke cleared, and I was still there loving my family, she couldn't deny the fact that she saw something "in me". What she saw during those times wasn't me, but Christ living IN me.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Rich, you get me! A little humor, a little sarcasm and hopefully, a little healing for those that realize what 'poop' it all is. I'm so sorry about your wife and it sounds like you've found the very best way to support and love her through he cult indoctrination. The dynamic you described continues to intrigue me: it's THEIR stuff... but they got into a catatonic, defensive 'mode' when faced with reality. What JW leadership has done for over a century is such a study in human behavior.... cognitive dissonance is incredibly powerful.

[@jmsr77]

Yeah, the level of ignorance displayed by the average JW is astounding. Especially when you consider that this is the information age. Nowadays, ignorance is a choice.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Absolutely...it is a choice. They don't want to know the truth. Cognitive dissonance.

[@nataliegrandauthorofcultgi1231]

A great episode! Thanks for everything you do. 🙌🏻

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Natalie!

[@tuckersalazer8946]

Powerful. I also like Jordan Maxwell's content of reading more books and learning and the info he had on the watchtower.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Tucker! I'll have to check out Jordan's stuff!

[@katb945]

All I knew about the org was from their own literature which was contradictory and I just put that down to imperfection.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

The demand strict obedience, then roll out 'we are imperfect' when everything blows up. Cult.

[@quisthegreat13-KalEl]

One of the shocking things for me is since the 1800s you can continue to move the end and they all stick with it ... I remember when the Berlin wall came down my dad was like this is it ... then war in Iraq.... the 9 11 ... then the conflict with North Korea ... then the Pandemic ... but him and my mom stick with it and in their 60s been practicing since they were kids never trying at life never trying to better themselves... I often wonder if they can live to be like 900 years old would they ever question it

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

They likely never would. That generation has invested their entire lives and cognitive dissonance is very strong with them. But they will openly laugh at cults and other religions. Old Judge Joe built a brainwashing empire.

[@krissykatportal]

Sunken cost fallacy. They’ve invested their entire lives into this religion. Pride won’t allow them to admit they were duped. My mom is the same way.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@krissykatportal So true....that is a great subject for a show!!

[@nickyannajones]

I didn't accept everything. I researched and asked questions but I got bamboozled and gaslit into shutting up and going with the flow. I was raised in it so the mind manipulation ran deep but I knew! I could see and after a while I couldn't ignore it. Even 20 years of being disfellowshipped I was mentally in. It's only been the last 4 years of research and this last year I absolutely cannot go along with it any more

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's incredible the long lasting effects of being raised from childhood in this cult. It causes mental and emotional problems that last a lifetime. I'm so glad to hear that you're healing!

[@pennytarrant6608]

(9:36) Children of jw parents had no choice but to conform to what their parents and spiritual guides were telling them because they were also told that they could not trust anyone outside of their family and religious society. Always under a state of high alert with fear then topped with the pain that the religion brought to them from outside plus the pain that the parents inflicted was setting children up for trauma of untold consequences. Now the experts are exposing narcissism, Stockholm Syndrome, and other symptoms including suicidal ideation as a way out of the pain. The society killed my brother and is disabling my sisters, possibly my self as well. That is why I call the watchtower's crime, genocide, because it compromised the health and killed countless numbers of children legally. There were blank spots in the code so that children and women were not even considered persons to be protected, which means that the blank spots allowed crimes to be committed where the protective laws should have been. No laws, therefore no laws to be broken so the criminals got off scott-free. By this crime they also deliberately made the religious protection rules so that their crimes could happen unchecked and impossible to report or prosecute. The JW children were the true canaries in the coal mine, proving David Brumley (Watchtower's Legal Human Rights Representative) that the jws were the canaries in the coal mine. He knows that the jw are being set up to be protected as a religious body, only, therefore they are not able to be protected individually by watchtower (only the big bad world can protect them by some miracle that someone's apostate whistle would/couldl be heard).

[@natashapeeters988]

EXCELLENT!Thank you!

[@anniesavedbygrace]

35 minute mark.....there is no Spirit directed organisation in the baptism questions. They changed them a few years ago. They removed 'spirit directed' Holy Spirit has been removed from the verbal dedication.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Annie!

[@anniesavedbygrace]

@@survivingparadisepodcast no worries, with the ever changing doctrines of the JW org it's no wonder that bits can be missed. It might change again by the end of the year who knows xxx lol

[@gisella1350]

Thank you. Then there is, Beth-Serum. How do they talk themselves out of that one. Virtually raise in this Organization, but left a while back because it made no sense. The Internet is their downfall, a big thorn in their side. Sadly some people would rather believe a lie, and would rather just follow, no questions ask.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Beth Sarim is a doozy. Here is one for you that many don't know about: Check out anything you can find on Beth Shan......bunker. Not kidding.

[@Hearwithyourears]

Great video! Thanks 😊

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thank you Beloving!

[@frawell410]

When I watched Leah Remini’s episodes of Scientology. I began to wake up. Even in the title “ Watchtower 1st Bible 2nd and tract 3rd. In this order of importance.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Interesting, my younger brother had the SAME experience. He called me panicked and said 'oh my god....it's a cult'.....her show had an impact

[@erikag1365]

During the reunions, ever since I was little I always found it odd how they discouraged looking up information about the watchtower and the JW's organization in general. For a long time I was even scared to read anything that went against JW's because I didn't want to disobey. When I started reading about the history I was so confused because it was just weird lol. Even though I was never baptized and my parents never forced us, being raised jw really molds who you are. I feel guilty and even disgusting when I partake in birthdays or any holiday haha.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yes! We all went through that! Total fear of stumbling on to information. It takes time even after you leave to shed the guilt or worry. It's incredible how they embed this into our minds

[@mattmurdock2868]

Erika... Christ has set us free from religious superstition. "Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival, or a new moon or sabbaths." Col.2:16 This includes birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, light festivals, parades.... And, all the festive food and drink that accompany. Freedom in Christ. Bondage in Watchtower.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@mattmurdock2868 Unfortunately, Jehovah's Witnesses seem to miss those verses, along with more in Romans. Most don't read their Bibles or their own literature.

[@stevemaclin6524]

Jesus Christ gave me a clear revelation. The fire of the Holy Spirit when You accept Jesus Christ starts to burn in you. They say is the active force; They twist the scriptures. Daughter of the mother catholic pagan...

[@ingramwright5399]

The woman who studied with me warned me about the 1914 generation not passing away before "the end of this system of things." It was in the mid 80's. Hell, those people were in their 80's by then, if they were about 10 or so in 1914. So, naturally, I got baptized as soon as possible. They all have since died. Coincidentally, this same woman was in the 'truth' well before 1975. 😳 Blind leading the blind.

[@marwatson7408]

Yes I know my grandparents were born in 1908 and 1912 so yeah I fell for it too and this was also back in the 80’s so I started to study with them but I’m no longer a witness.

[@rubenoeschger5728]

Ask any JW if you have 3 minutes to live ,what must I do to be saved ? You will get lots of different answers. 😊

[@DY2784]

👋 You've described perfectly the Spanish Cong I currently attend. The vast majority know nothing about the Org, nor do they care. For them this religion is just about friendship and community. They'll never wake up, extremely blissful in their ignorance.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

It's truly sad. Just like robots reporting for duty. There is some 'good' that comes out of community and friendship. But they know nothing about what they are part of... it's hard to watch. Big good to yourself out there!

[@natashapeeters988]

Stacey, I was baptized the year it changed. 1985, same year I DA myself. I didn't hear the question...the sound was that bad in the international convention 😳// Montréal, Québec, Canada. I didn't answer anyway. Of all of the new baptized, the radio 📻 station asked ME... how I felt just after... what was my answer 🤔 😕??? I answered truthfully and said Twice that I felt wet. I could never be hypocrite , not lying, and couldn't smile to those people. I liked a few. But, being in a KH, I couldn't smile 😊. I learned to smile when I was an adult. When I say adult I was more than 18 and less than 25. Smiling in public...took longer...talking about it was years. I am your age. I wish to have a friend who to talk to just like you. I am sure that I could provide you new subjects until we die.😅

[@Realitycheck044]

I would present questions such as: How is it God had no beginning? How can anything exist without beginning? Etc.. I never received an intelligent answer, but rather would be told that we aren’t to question Jehovah. Oookay. Great answer. The org didn’t want people questioning their beliefs or practices. A lifetime of mind deadening teachings. It pisses me off that their lack of answers were acceptable. I wish I had lived my youth rather than having allowed my youth to be controlled by them.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Trust me, we have all experienced that. ZERO answers to even basic questions. It's insane. I still deal with the anger of lost youth. We just can't get back the time they stole :(

[@Realitycheck044]

I’m in no way speaking for others but I personally feel that growing older feels more difficult than it should simply because I didn’t go through the normal stages of growth and experiences in my youth. I mean with each experience in life there is growth, hopefully. Every adult witness who I know grew up in the religion suffer from anxiety. I can’t help but wonder… If I allow myself to spend more than a fleeting moment in thought about my stolen youth the rage just feels too big so I temper those thoughts with much care.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Realitycheck044 Huge subject Angel. You're not alone. Now at middle age, some days still include anger and resentment. You can't get time back :(

[@Realitycheck044]

@@survivingparadisepodcast there are so many layers of damage to heal from for those of us who were raised in that religion. Middle age is hard enough without the added baggage of having lost our youth to the society. It would take a month of Sundays for us to unpack just half of the many ways we were jipped, used, controlled and isolated. The fleeting of time is unrelenting and the rage we feel over having lost our youth to the org is very valid. I’m grateful for your channel here on KZbin. Keep up the great work!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Realitycheck044 ​ I'll tell you Angel, it's something I personally continue to deal with daily. It deserves an episode for those of us that are looking at middle age. So much resentment. Thank you, I appreciate your thoughts and listening!

[@ScarletEyeMoon]

Thank you for sharing that Clement Stone quote, so true, so true, and I would add: or just because it hasn't been proven, it's still truth. Also I have always found, and most people know this, that so called apostates, which is the wrong definition of the word, always know way more about the bible and the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses than people who are Jehovah's Witnesses! So you just nailed it with this one, lazy, ignorant, head in the sand, and ironically choosing to be that way. Actually now that I think about it, reading the bible was one of the major reason's I woke up. I just started to see how diametrically opposed in some instances the Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine were from the doctrine of the bible. How the parodical son was lovingly welcomed when he returned home, even with all the wrong he had committed. Yet the Jehovah's Witnesses demand you come to the meetings after being disfellowshipped to face hard shunning in allot of cases for years before they are forgiven and accepted back. Shameful! I would also add that the authorities need to get with it and demand that disfellowshipping be banned or their status of a church will be revoked and all the tax benefits they enjoy with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I've often said that a person simply needs to read the bible to 'wake up'....once you read and truly study it (outside a Watchtower) the lights start coming on!

[@darrengreen9273]

Excellently spoken!!!

[@murex0909]

Great talk, they really do have their Adam Hillhead in the sand

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Stephen....it's brutal. These new conventions featuring JW's in bunkers as if they're the most sought after people on earth. Just nuts!

[@Dogpool]

As I understood it the vetting was supposed to have been done before the commitment and baptism. Once you give the ok that it checks out , then you own it and have to switch off any doubts or critical thinking. Problem is it’s clear now that no one who joined properly checked things out and knew what they were getting into. And thats by design. But you can only know that when you gain perspective

[@marlenemcmillan8891]

My sister has been brain washed 50 years a witness..She is not happy ....she lives in fear and just told me that the prophecies are being fulfilled and a new system will be here soon...I've heard this same story for years from her

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Millions are in the same spot, so sorry marlene

[@galaxiethinker183]

just wanted to make a suggestions would it be possible to do a video on how much Brooklyn and all those properties sold for then how much it cost to buy Warwick and then have a look at what would have happened if they'd held the Brooklyn property I suggest that they would be worth billions of dollars more now , selling the Brooklyn properties so clearly shows they weren't having gods Direction are you getting the feeling from this message what do you think

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks for the suggestion Galaxie! Definitely possible, I'll add it to the notes. There are some well researched activists that have gone fairly deep on that information. Most JW's have NO CLUE the amount of money they have in real estate....there are even websites selling their properties, but no JW is even aware!

[@donnietheape712]

Awesome podcast.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Donnie!

[@Inverted.surfer]

I'll tell you something about your podcast , happily you'll get more out than you got in !!! Yeah

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Thanks Broderick!

[@hudsonchalmers6504]

Looking back can be painful, how could I have been so stupid. Unfortunately I never studied the BIBLE just publications

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

You're not alone Hudson...once you realize it, it's time to heal!

[@nickyannajones]

I used to be a locksmith and one of my customers had been in since the 40s. He had so many books and publications. I wanted them so bad. Irrefutable proof of what the society has said. At that point in life I was p.o.m.i . Now I'd love that library for a different reason. I'm ok with changes but when it wrong and it's lies just to still look right....that's evil

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I have one regret nicky.....when I left I tossed everything. I'm so mad at myself now. It was a fit of emotion. I've had to go back and collect their garbage all over again just to have solid proof. Many of those books I used daily, like Reasoning From the Scriptures and the Insight Books are so filled with proof of their lies. It's exactly why they no longer print them :(

[@redpillfreedom6692]

My initial doubts were raised over 607/1914 but the final straw was the Australian Royal Commission.

[@angelaneilson3999]

ignorance means not taking responsability for anything or anyone else, all responsability is thrown over onto the elders, the district overseers, the organisation, the governing body, ' i did what the org told us to do, and threw my burdon on jahovah'...

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yes! It's a play on human nature. Lack of accountability. They want to be 'told what to do'....we can all be guilty of it. It's dangerous!

[@estebansteverincon7117]

Eight men, in a room in New York state decide the fate of *supposedly* 8 million people. Amazing.

[@charlesmorris6476]

Yes that’s very appropriate, that little Watchtower Ice Cream Sh•t Cone, it’s lacking something, oh I know, a little whipped cream and a cherry on top should finish it off nicely,🤪 there are a lot of people who enjoy eating Watchtower’s Sh•t Parfait.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

😂 you get it!

[@natashapeeters988]

Ignorance is comfortable for jw's... I guess. I had questions still not answered from when I was 3 years old 🙃 😐

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Yep! If they live in ignorance, its as if it isn't happening to them....ME TOO!

[@natashapeeters988]

I don't understand why there's so many trapped 😕 inside the cult. In 2005 and now : ignorance is a choice...!?

[@geraldlatchman6477]

I think you've hit all the spots, I totally agree, the number one thing for me is their ignorance, they make donkeys look so dam intelligent, so sad, we need to be there for them and pray for them

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

So true! It's fascinating and heartbreaking

[@rubenoeschger5728]

If you follow someone or worship that person you need to know him. Jesus invited people to have a relationship with Him and to get to know Him. Through His Word we can be clear about the character of the Godhead. I spoke to two JW'S about Tony Morris. One said who is he ? And the other said he is not aware of Tony Morris leaving the GB.

[@pennytarrant6608]

(10:54) Psychological Weaponry and psychological abuse must be in every criminal code on the planet.

[@JWAtheist]

That is also what i realised after leaving. I never really studied the bible. Just narrow minded JW doctrine. You can learn more in a hour watching the MythVision channel then in my case 13 years of being a witness/ministerial servant. You really don't know much as a JW.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Exactly. It literally sneaks up on you and you don't realize it. At all. You've been brainwashed. Derek at MythVision does an incredible job. Love his stuff. The Governing Body would be lost watching that channel.....they're so dumb. LOL

[@JWAtheist]

@@survivingparadisepodcast Hahah soo true!

[@rochelle_johnston2703]

For me it was the contradictions and the stupid rule in the bible about forgiveness. There are certain things which are unforgiveable and I was hounded to do so.

[@DokoloCity]

you must rather ask what shocks you about religion

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

That's fair. It truly is the #1 thing that shocks me about religion as a whole, but in my experience, it was JW's

[@Rightly_Divided]

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 KJV 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (All of Satan's religions) There is only one God and there is only one religion. That religion comes from the gospel read in context. The word is the truth and no other way is the truth. Any religion saying you need to do this and this for salvation they are wrong. We only get our salvation from the sacrifice Jesus Christ made according to scripture. It is called a free gift. Why would you need to work for something that is free? Because you don't. That is why religions are wrong. You have to do this this and this and that is just their way of controlling people.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

@@Rightly_Divided Excellent quote from the book they claim to follow. Unfortunately, a common JW's brain will shut down at the moment you try to reason with them.

[@pennytarrant6608]

(43:03) Where did the governing body or watchtower get the word, 'apostate', if it were not from the world which they tell everyone to be no part? Where is the proof that satan is apostate at all if the word apostate does not exist. Jesus spoke to Satan, so what was the point of that? Satan never said anything that was not true. In the big picture, Satan was the one getting everyone to think.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

Isn't that interesting?? A common ploy of high control cults!

[@rubenoeschger5728]

They must be the only Organization that is argumentative.

[@denniskennedy3311]

I would like to get my son and daughter out. It's so hard to do when they won't talk to me

[@denniskennedy3311]

I know exactly how you feel

[@jeremiahrowesr.3130]

What also is so funny that the Jehovahs witnesses believe God to be called almighty, instead of mighty. They think it is wrong for jehovah God to be called mighty, Brit makes him less “powerful”. But here is what their new world translation says, go to Jeremiah 32:18 in the new world translation, also read Deuteronomy 10:17 in the New World Translation. Both passages in the new world translation verify that jehovah God is called mighty by name, now jehovahs witnesses read Isaiah 9:6 in your new world translation, who is the messiah? What is he called? Exactly. You jehovahs witnesses have said that the Holy Spirit is God’s active force, but in your new world translation it says otherwise. I recommend reading Job chapter 33 verse four in the New World translation here’s what it says first off I’m gonna give the other two passages due to Ronnie and Jeremiah to you to verify my point. Deuteronomy 10:17 (NWT) 17 For Jehovah your God is the God of gods+ and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty, and awe-inspiring, who treats none with partiality+ and does not accept a bribe. Jeremiah 32:18 (NWT) 18 the One showing loyal love to thousands, but repaying the error of the fathers to* their sons after them,+ the true God, the great and mighty One, whose name is Jehovah of armies Now you said that the Holy Spirit was gods active force, but your New World translation says otherwise, here’s what Job 33:4 says about that and then I’m also gonna give you second corinthians 3:12-18 from NWT. First job 33:4 (NWT) 4 God’s own spirit made me,+ And the Almighty’s own breath brought me to life. Now I’m gonna read to you 2 corinthians 3:12-18 (NWT). 12 Since we have such a hope,+ we are using great freeness of speech, 13 and not doing what Moses did when he would put a veil over his face+ so that the sons of Israel might not gaze intently at the end of what was to be done away with. 14 But their minds were dulled.+ For to this present day, the same veil remains unlifted when the old covenant is read,+ because it is taken away only by means of Christ.+ 15 In fact, to this day whenever Moses is read,+ a veil lies upon their hearts.+ 16 But when one turns to Jehovah, the veil is taken away.+ 17 Now Jehovah is the Spirit,+ and where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.+ 18 And all of us, while we with unveiled faces reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah, are transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, exactly as it is done by Jehovah the Spirit.+ Jehovah God who? Jehovah God who? The spirit. So right there in all those passages, not only is God Almighty the call mighty, and so is the messiah according to Isaiah chapter 9 verse six in the New World translation, but also the Holy Spirit is called God according to the New World translation which I thought you said you read? No you don’t you know why? I’ll tell you why, you get all your information from a freaking magazine. You said the Bible was corrupted no no the Bible cannot be trusted, believe in our elders and in the governing body even though that’s not even scriptural at all, believing them and put your trust in them know I put my faith in Christ Jesus and put my trust in Christ Jesus not a governing body nor a organization that God never set up on earth.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

The NWT is a trainwreck. There is a ton to unpack on this subject!

[@justwritechristian]

While I agree with everything you said here, I would call it 'cowardice' that keeps them where they are.

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

I don't disagree! It's fear and cowardice in many cases!

[@MichaelSmith-lm5sl]

I studied 18 months to join this cult, what a waste!

[@survivingparadisepodcast]

VERY glad you were able to escape after 18 months!! The trauma can last decades for those that stay involved....good for you for getting out!!