Jehovahs Witnesses Want Their People To Shun Children

[@OwenMorganTelltale]

Twitch: twitch.tv/telltaleatheist Telltale Unfiltered: kzbin.info/door/OB86WpguzlOEs4z93iZ7kA Telltale Fireside Chat: kzbin.info

[@ryru2093]

I have a question about Jehovah Witnesses that has never made sense to me. According to their beliefs, 144,000 Christians will be raptured. If there is a finite number of 'seats on the bus', why in the world would you continue to knock on doors and try to recruit new members? Also, how do Jehovah's Witnesses explain the current 8.7 million followers with a '144,000 seat bus'?

[@joez3706]

Thank you Telltale for being an advocate for LGBT people. Much appreciation!

[@joez3706]

@@ryru2093 everyone else gets to stay on paradise earth made new .

[@ryru2093]

@SLAYA'S GAMES Thank you. What is the determination of who gets which ticket? If all are great, who picks the 144,000?

[@ryru2093]

@SLAYA'S GAMES Thank you again. The whole concept is just crazy to me. I imagine it would suck if some get picked and some have to stay. Do everything perfect in your life and your faith, only to be split from your family because your ticket number was 144,001.

[@thejesuschrist]

This shit really gets my tunic in a twist. Never stop exposing this stuff.

[@narwhals4550]

Thanks jesus

[@honorhearthire6523]

"Tunic in a twist" is an amazing metaphor. I HAVE to remember to use this! 🤣

[@pachoortizavaortiz3769]

Dude i saw your name and picture and said “YES” 😂

[@AriOrSomething]

@@honorhearthire6523 I think it's an idiom

[@sashawolfson3602]

Wow, even Jesus is seeing this BS

[@prettybirdthepetgoosefrien8155]

Shunned and disfellowshipped at 16.. I was kicked out, homeless, and my nightmare began.. once, when I went home, broken, seeking comfort from my big brother, after the unthinkable had happened to me, my brother cut me off, didn't let me speak, and just said: "IM NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU! WHATEVER HAPPENED TO YOU, YOU *DESERVED* !!!!" After that I felt numb... For a long time... He had broken what was left of my self. Now, 16 years later I'm a happy mother wife and woman. I'm disgusted by people who turn their backs on their children!

[@merriquelynn]

I’m sorry this happened to you.

[@SwayzieMayne]

I’m so sorry, Goose. I am happy that you have found happiness in life!

[@jacobnoelle8428]

@Pretty Bird the Pet Goose the moment they disfellowshipped you was the moment they cease being your family

[@stevenwolf3201]

And what happened to the generation that would not pass before the END ? Oh they moved the goalposts again. 1914 . -45 - 75 ? Late 90s ....... any day now huh . A good con can’t have a expiration date.

[@barbieblues7639]

I'm so sorry 😭 I can only imagine what must have happened to you as a homeless teenager... I know all too well, sadly. I really hope you're doing better today. Your so called family should rot in hell.

[@normaowens7340]

If you are a parent and you choose your religion over your own child, you should suffer. There is never a reason to ever choose a cult over a child

[@bangsandbullets]

Fully agree! It's repulsive and vile that a parent would choose to disown or shun thier children, and any parent who does so deserves every ounce of pain they recieve

[@PsychoticFemboySlvt]

Agreed these people need to be thrown in prison.

[@chainsawartbyjustinberry4401]

The church I went to growing up says you have to put god before everything even your family and you'll go to hell if you don't

[@mask938]

@@chainsawartbyjustinberry4401 That church is wrong.

[@chainsawartbyjustinberry4401]

@@mask938 I know I'm 35 now and see religion for what it really is it took years to deprogram those ideas

[@august6316]

"They still missed me even after all I had done" What she did: dated someone who made her happy

[@raincandy1653]

Honestly, the way they were acting you'd think she was running a whole drug cartel or something

[@Venus0914]

They treat her like she committed a mass shooting that killed hundreds

[@AddyOkay]

You'd think she killed someone

[@AddyOkay]

@@Relex-p7r Lol you've been brainwashed

[@Alexander-the-Mediocre]

​@@Relex-p7r Your said "Nobody gets disfellowshipped for dating. It is the open sex which is not tolerated" then stated the person is a liar implying they were lying about disfellowshipped for dating but the video never said that. Video says if your dating an outsider they start pre-shunning you but won't be disfellowshipped until you break a serious rule like sex before marriage. So if anything your the one lying. Saying " It really is up to individual and their choices. All humans are free to choose" doesn't prove this person calling JW a cult is a liar. That's like saying: "It really is up to individual and their choices. All humans are free to choose. That is why whoever is trying to call Heaven’s Gate a Cult, is a big liar and the truth is not in that person." See how nothing changes in your quote even when you replace JW with any other cult name because your statement doesn't actually show anything.

[@danielmulhern3375]

The first thing you feel, during your first sexual experience, is guilt? This isn’t brainwashing, it psychological torture.

[@tarragonhaas3404]

My friend’s brother killed himself while he was disfellowshiped. He had tried to tell his parents how desperately lonely and ashamed he felt but they continued to not talk to him until he was no more. I hope it forever haunts them.

[@julietfischer5056]

They long ago convinced themselves of their innocence.

[@wigit2510]

They believe they will live on a beautiful paradise earth in complete happiness for all of eternity while he burns in an eternal lake of fire. God is love? Ya right. That's some devil worship right there.

[@thedoruk6324]

@@orangesnowflake3769 they are essentially cult maniacs that are neglectful and abusive

[@cookiemons9097]

What did he do to be disfellowshipped?

[@tarragonhaas3404]

@@cookiemons9097 premarital sex.

[@cloutfisher7714]

I already knew that Jahovah’s Witnesses shunned family members, but hearing it be justified like this in propaganda is just heartbreaking

[@boooster101]

the morbid irony is that to an outsider like me it doesn't even sounds like the video is pro-JW. Even in their propaganda it seems to be vile and hostile. I guess a despicable practice like shunning can only be played down that much.

[@Swnsasy]

There is not one place in the Bible that says to do this to your child, not one..

[@boooster101]

@@Swnsasy well the Bible tells you to shun evil. If you then brainwash people to think that it takes a demon (evil) to be disfellowshipped, it is in accordance with parts of the bible. If you want the Bible to support an immoral position, you can find the verse.

[@Swnsasy]

@@boooster101 Exactly... They can take anything to turn it to fit their narrative..

[@boooster101]

@@Swnsasy which makes the Bible evil. If the Bible gives you blanket permission to punish the wicked and vile without some really tight definition, it's evil itself. And the whole "old law is abolished" gets ignored and cherrypicked by everyone so that one verse is worthless. (Or have you had any christian abolish the ten commandments?)

[@chriscortez2036]

THIS IS EMOTIONAL ABUSE. As someone who was part of a dysfunctional family, the basis of any healthy of relationship is good communication, openness, trust, respect, mutual empathy and acceptance. But these values are completely incompatible with this cult: They don’t want your love, they want your loyalty. Conditional “Love” is based on loyalty, usefulness, conformity, and subservience. Families are being told that their loved ones, even their children, are disposable and evil unless they are undyingly loyal to and beneficial to the organization as its servants. Seriously think about what’s happening in this video: A girl is kicked out by her parents for daring to date someone who simply didn’t share their beliefs. The parents WANT her to suffer, to feel awful and alone, that it is impossible to ever find happiness outside their cult and that they can cut you out if you ever disobey. It’s despicable & beyond manipulative. True love is for it’s own sake, with no strings attached. Edit: Additionally, it’s fairly obvious that they want their followers to be loyal to “Jehovah” (The organization & the Governing Body) rather than each other as a family. This is something you see in totalitarian countries and cults: They brainwash people into spying on and betraying even their own loved ones in order to solidify control and root out any dissenters. Only here, JW leaders are hiding behind religion and using a deity to justify it. It’s actually quite impressive how powerful their indoctrination is, teaching people to disown their own family members if they dare to step out of line.

[@tek4]

Whats so scary is that its real humans not monsters that do monstrous things.

[@tazman9236]

When I was little my mom and dad were Jehovahs witnesses. My mom left because they didn't believe in Christmas. She wanted us kids to have Christmas so she left. Dad stayed in. He finally left because they were trying to convince my dad to divorce mom because she left.

[@enlighenme11]

Very well stated. Thank you!

[@nickgagnon3626]

Exactly right.

[@jamesparson]

100% agree

[@anthonylong9067]

I had a cousin who was sexually assaulted and abused by her own dad who was a JW. They shunned her and didn’t believe her. Then told her she deserved it She took her own life I will never respect JW’s and will never respect religion as a whole because of that.

[@weatherman1504]

That is completely terrible. How could somebody even do that to a human being? Let alone one that went through so much? It's shit like this that makes me kinda wish for all religions to burn down. Nobody should get a free pass on child abuse because of something some imaginary sky thing allegedly said so. Religions are primitive and should be abolished if this is how they're being used.

[@swain-Ix1tv]

god that's awful

[@anthonylong9067]

@@swain-Ix1tv since then, i refuse to speak to my ultra religious family members. Im sure they’re aware im an athiest as i always post on social media about why i dont believe anymore. How they receive it is entirely on them and i dont care if they dont like it.

[@hecheng4909]

I told my family I was being molested and my grandma who is a JW and who I used to look up to said at “least I wasn’t r*ped”. That was my final straw I cut her off.

[@lovetoodeeply]

i’m so sorry💗

[@lindam156]

An old friend of mine’s family had to shun her cousin because he was gay. I remember how angry she was at her cousin for “being selfish” and continuing his “sinful ways”. She legit made it out like the cousin was purposely being gay just to embarrass the family 😒😒

[@kringlez7340]

I had a old friend like that.. His sister did the same thing but she and her/his family were catholic.

[@daisychain3007]

Being shunned by your cousin isnot nearly as bad as being shunned by your parents because your parents raise you and support you financially; a cousin does not. It is hard enough being gay in a secular family. In a religious family, like in a Jehovah's Witness family, it is anguish.

[@tacticallemon7518]

yea, they believe sexuality is a choice Although, i haven’t been able to convince anyone to be gay for just one day, so they know it’s a load of bullshit

[@Gunkle_Jeb]

@@daisychain3007 lmao hi it’s been 7 months but I think they meant that their friends’s entire family was shunning the cousin- not just that one B-word in particular

[@MattyCash1010]

I have a friend who's family kicked him out at 18 for focusing on the gym more than jehovah. He had one friend at the gym who let him move in. And helped him get settled in the real world. I met him at 25, still naive to most things but a good dude overall.. I let him live with me for about 2 years and his mom actually showed up at my house to see him one day. She was a mess, I could see how it was tearing her apart. Like I was an actual peice of shit growing up and this kid has a good head on his shoulders and made way better decisions in life than me. But I still have my family and he doesn't. So I've been the family he doesn't have. An older "worldly" brother if you may. It just doesn't seem fair, but it also doesn't make sense to me. I'm no genius. But this kind of brainwashing and propaganda should be easy to recognize. If something I was involved in told me I needed to kick my child out and shun him I would question it.... ??? It's just sad to see. If they won't have his back I will.

[@tek4]

The problem is to maintain the cohesion of the culture it is required to shun those who are not directly under the control of the elders. And when good people stand by and do nothing, they are guilty.

[@MangoChango]

When we leave this cult, most of us are still naive since that cult is all we knew. It took me 5 years to figure out how life and people are. A lot of people took my kindness for a weakness and my reputation is ruined.

[@Zift_Ylrhavic_Resfear]

Check out TheraminTrees' video "bending truth", it explains quite well why people don't recognize the propaganda.

[@claian12]

You'd think people would question the brainwashing and propaganda, but that's just how insidious these cults can be. By the time the cult demand their followers to do this shunning crap, the followers are already fully on board with the brainwashing, where the cult is their sole support structure and source of information. It's very hard to break from brainwashing and propaganda, even as an adult. Especially if it's been done to you since you were a child, as an adult brainwashed and propagandized as a child has a harder time breaking free of it (which is coincidentally why a lot of religions want to inflict their instructions on, and instill their beliefs in, kids). You have to be outside the cult in order to see it for what it is, because the propaganda and the brainwashing obscures and obfuscates the reality of the situation from the followers.

[@RESIDENTHOB0]

good man

[@NotFadeAway522]

I have two kids and if anyone said I had to shun them I would give them a "fuck you" and choose my kids. These people are ridiculous.

[@boooster101]

Easy to say as an outsider. Same with being in a 'regular' abusive relationship. Once you are that emotionally and well 'spiritually' invested, irrational and unhealthy behavior looks normal to you. My own childhood was tremendously abusive and there was quite a bit of behavior I endured that seemed normal to me until other people told me how awful it was.

[@bodybysmod]

@@boooster101 I was a pretty dedicated Witness when my son was little. I knew that if he were ever to be disfellowshipped I wouldn’t be shunning him. I thought that I would be dooming myself to die at Armageddon, but I knew that paradise without him would not be paradise. The programming is evil, but you don’t shut out your children if you love them.

[@alexandriamancheck3474]

You have courage, backbone, something they do not.

[@Cherno35]

I agree. I’m not a parent (I’m 15) but I would never shun a family member unless they truly deserved it.

[@codybaggett5329]

You're not mentally ill though

[@PoeticProse7]

I don't understand how people can do this to each other in the name of religion. I remember being told to shun my father and my aunt. This is barbaric.

[@nenmaster5218]

"Run for Office please." -Telltale

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Question: Can you imagine an Utopia where blatant Child-Abuse can be reported and a Group/Council/Goverment-Official than sees that Experts can prove that the Accused checks all the Checks-Mark ever conceived by Cult-Experts to identify a Cult, will make the Goverment then disband the Group?

[@TheSapphireLeo]

Is this also a part of #capitalism, again?

[@ZonLikesMnK]

caIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and desolate, and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep, and God’s active force was moving about over the surface of the waters. 3 And God said: “Let there be light.” Then there was light. 4 After that God saw that the light was good, and God began to divide the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, but the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day. 6 Then God said: “Let there be an expanse between the waters, and let there be a division between the waters and the waters.” 7 Then God went on to make the expanse and divided the waters beneath the expanse from the waters above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. 9 Then God said: “Let the waters under the heavens be collected together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, but the collecting of the waters, he lled Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said: “Let the earth cause grass to sprout, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees according to their kinds, yielding fruit along with seed on the earth.” And it was so. 12 And the earth began to produce grass, seed-bearing plants and trees yielding fruit along with seed, according to their kinds. Then God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. 14 Then God said: “Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to make a division between the day and the night, and they will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. 15 They will serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God went on to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. 17 Thus God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth 18 and to dominate by day and by night and to make a division between the light and the darkness. Then God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. 20 Then God said: “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let flying creatures fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 And God created the great sea creatures and all living creatures that move and swarm in the waters according to their kinds and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 With that God blessed them, saying: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the waters of the sea, and let the flying creatures become many in the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 Then God said: “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds, domestic animals and creeping animals and wild animals of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God went on to make the wild animals of the earth according to their kinds and the domestic animals according to their kinds and all the creeping animals of the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” 27 And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.” 29 Then God said: “Here I have given to you every seed-bearing plant that is on the entire earth and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. Let them serve as food for you. 30 And to every wild animal of the earth and to every flying creature of the heavens and to everything moving on the earth in which there is life, I have given all green vegetation for food.” And it was so. 31 After that God saw everything he had made, and look! it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day

[@emalusabeth1422]

Being directly asked by my sister to shun and cut out our own mother was what started the chain of events to realize I didnt want to be a JW anymore. I cant imagine not talking to the woman that poured her whole heart into raising me with real unconditional love.

[@cmxzie]

My cousin was forced out of the religion cause he attempted suicide. Instead of helping him, they disfellowshipped him. It’s so frustrating

[@ErikZarins]

I hope he's okay ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[@veryexperiencedcamel]

My mom committed suicide when I was 3 in this shit. I hate it so much

[@banquo4223]

The fact that these people go door to door trying to convince people to join their religion while simultaneously shunning their own children astounds me.

[@kayakat1869]

If you shun your family for anything other than the worst crimes when you had a good relationship before, you never really loved them.

[@roems6396]

OR you’ve been brainwashed into believing that you will be punished with eternal torture if you don’t shun them.

[@ZeldagigafanMatthew]

@@roems6396 AKA, never really loved them. If a kid being gay is enough for you to shun them, you don't deserve to have any more children now, and into the foreseeable future.

[@trishayamada807]

I watched a documentary on a serial killer (Jeffrey Dahmer) and his father said I’ll always love him. That he doesn’t love what his son did. I thought how could he still love his son? I have three children now and I understand. There is nothing that could shake my love for my children. I don’t have to love what they do, but my love is forever.

[@ddjsoyenby]

honestly brainwashing is a h3ll of a dr*g.

[@trishayamada807]

@@peppr115 that’s sad.

[@smacain]

I had a roommate who was shunned by her JW family for having sex outside of marriage. She was only 19 and was in college, but had to drop out because she couldn’t complete financial application forms without their tax information and they wouldn’t reply to her. It’s absolutely horrible anyone could do these things to their children. It also highlights the need for programs to help young adults. 18 and 19 year olds are technically adults, but most don’t have the skills they need to support themselves if what is supposed to be their support system fails them.

[@fetchstixRHD]

That's one of the things I've found weird about finance for students - they often require information from your family and assume that they're going to help you, when they very well might not. Of course it probably isn't possible to fund everyone like that, but still, seems pretty nuts...

[@candicefrost4561]

There should be an organization that focuses on kids in this age group (sometimes younger) who have religious trauma and are at risk or experiencing homelessness.

[@christinafidance340]

Oh absolutely! Im not JW, but my father didn’t help me w/ paying for college and yet, I had to include his income and bank statements in my financial aid applications, so I got no help other than loans to cover the portion not covered by my academic scholarship and I had to work my ass off and it took me 6 years to get a bachelors degree. I understand why they do this, but there are SO MANY young adults out there who don’t have the support and assistance of their parents and you’re right. There should be a safety net for these kids.

[@Mr_Brains]

@@candicefrost4561 Yes

[@smacain]

@@Relex-p7r Because FASFA requires your parent’s information until you’re 24, regardless of whether your parents intend to pay or not. She did have a job, btw. Kudos to you being the most insensitive person of the day.

[@GuruishMike]

I don't think I'd ever forgive my parents if they did that to me.

[@wigit2510]

It has taken me decades to realize that forgiveness places you *above* that bullshit. I know it's hard for you to see now, but trust me.

[@screamindog8772]

@@wigit2510 honestly man, I’d say I’m decently forgiving but if my family pulled a stunt like that, I’d forget but never forgive.

[@AzixxSeraph]

@@wigit2510 nah. nah. you would forgive someone if they destroyed your life?

[@blastemaston8709]

When you've shunned your child but doom music starts playing

[@limmiedee7405]

@@wigit2510 it certainly would be hard to see something which doesn't exist. forgiveness doesn't place you above anything. and forgiving someone who destroyed your life as you knew it-but for the worse-speaks more to naïveté than it does to any emotional maturity or moral high ground.

[@ryhanon7]

I’m a former JW - never baptized though so never had to deal with disfellowship. Still… these people ruined my life in so many ways it’s hard to even explain - all in the guise of “love” and “understanding.” It’s a seriously demented and sick cult.

[@raquelmelendrez8748]

Same, I was never disfellowshipped because my intuition told me I shouldn’t get baptized, so I never did. I officially left at 15-16 years old. It was one of the most difficult things I ever did, and it definitely helped fuel my anxiety disorder which I still struggle to heal to this day. Life is so much better though. I remember feeling so much anxiety in the Kingdom Hall, and I knew that so many of the young kids my age were developmentally messed up and socially inept. They still are, even in their early, mid and late 20’s. I’m so happy I left! 😭

[@xaesirx8112]

same situation, I never got baptized and left at 18, but the trauma we had to deal with is astounding considering we don't really know what to do on the outside world.

[@ryhanon7]

@@Relex-p7r ok 🐥🧠🤪

[@jasminemattingly8018]

I was never baptized, but I am shunned anyways because I was raised in it and “should know better”

[@ryhanon7]

@@jasminemattingly8018 That would probably be my situation too if not for my father, who never bought in to the JW nonsense (or any religion, for that matter). My mom and sister are fully in though.

[@jedstanaland2897]

I have a friend who was a JW and his parents tried to kill him because he was disfelloshiped. He had to run away from his house at the age of 13 because he needed insulin to survive. His parents had been refusing to provide him with the life saving medical care and about six months after he ran away from home he was placed in a real loving home and they loved him until they passed away only a few years ago.

[@jamistardust5181]

This Jehovah Witness video is sick. I've had a sister-n-law and nieces/nephews in Jehovah Witness. My niece became pregnant and they shunned all of them and not the boys family, whose father was the local leader. That proved to me many years ago that they were a cult. I have no idea why they think this video will help their religion. It's absolutely disgusting how the girl in the video was treated. It was definitely abuse. If you compare it to a religion it's obvious. I was raised Catholic; I left the church when I was 18. There was no reaction by anyone.

[@margaretjohnson6259]

i left the catholic church when i was 19 and never looked back. i had no intention of letting some old man in the vatican tell me how to live my life. later on i just gave up on any religion because they all had idiotic rules. athiest and the satanic temple are far better for a rational life.

[@nathancooper1]

The members eat this stuff up. They say it’s so great and a message from Jehovah. It’s sick.

[@TryingMyName]

See that’s the thing that makes it a cult, if you were Christian and decided to leave the religion most (sane) people would be totally okay with it because in the Bible it says treat others with respect, and pray for the people who hate you. I hate how this cult manipulates people to stay there or else they will be shunned and forgotten like a piece of garbage. It’s truly disgusting

[@undrwatropium3724]

The people that need to see this video the most won't see it

[@ninjaked1265]

You’re niece was JW

[@annalysenko9180]

I had a friend in school who was jw. She was allowed to have friends and I would hang out in her house quite often. She was allowed to have a monster doll, while I, as an orthodox christian, wasn’t. I suppose the crazyness varies from congregation to congregation, from family to family. But now I understand why she was so scared to be seen outside by other jw. What they’re doing is indeed terrifying.

[@barbieblues7639]

Do you mean Orthodox like Eastern Orthodox or-?

[@annalysenko9180]

@@barbieblues7639 yep

[@TheVillainOfTheYear]

Some JWs live "double lives," and live in constant fear of their violations of JW rules being found out by others in their organization. Sometimes also children with parents who are religiously divided might have a non-JW parent who let's them get away with normal things the JW parent wouldn't.

[@sashamulligan2993]

There are rules that are supposed to be followed. It’s pretty consistent in terms of what they expect. However because people are imperfect some of them just can’t do what they’re asked to do. My family shunned me when I was going through a divorce and I don’t think they felt bad about it at all. In the end I did not give in and I became a much stronger person because of it.

[@sashamulligan2993]

@@Jenkinscraftingco2.0 you’re so right. I know a lot of families that don’t do the holidays but they pick another day to give their kids 20 gifts because depriving kids is not what most parents feel good about doing.

[@bobgreen1236]

I worked for a few years for a family owned business. They were Jehovah's Witnesses, and the owner of the business was kind of a big deal in their congregation, maybe their equivilent of a deacon or whatever. The son worked in the business as well, and had a terrible drinking problem. This eventually led to him being disfellowshipped. The thought at the time that occurred to me was that this man, at the time he needed the most love, support, and understanding, was literally being thrown into the trash bin by his family. Sick and twisted way to be with your "loved ones"......

[@tek4]

It hurts me to hear that I am not alone

[@wigit2510]

I think they consider it a form of 'tough love'. What they don't understand is this just does not work. It's like beating the gay out of your son. Ain't happenin', folks. Here's a beauty scripture that fits this perfectly... "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." - 1 Timothy 5:8 Doesn't it suck when an atheist owns you with your own holy book? Oof

[@louistournas120]

@@wigit2510 But what does 1 Timothy 5 telling us. Is it telling us to provide the ethanol drinker with love or to provide him a kick in the teeth or kick him out for a while? It all depends on how you want to interpret these vagueries.

[@thedoruk6324]

@@wigit2510 tough love equals neglect and abuse

[@user-du6vx7ir7m]

my gf has kids who are now with her parents who are JW, not to go into too much detail but she stuck around her abusive husband many years ago and it was u fortunately best for the kids. Now we’re together and we’re sober and she hasn’t had her kid for a few years. Her son is 14 and isn’t in school, plays video games all day and isn’t allowed to talk to online friends who aren’t JW but he does it anyways, can’t read or write, her daughter is older and graduated early, just lays in her bed all day long never had a boyfriend too scared to drive, they don’t do anything all day long besides watch TV. Praying we get the kids and let them live a normal life at some point like smoke weed, drive, go out with friends go to school but it’s already been taken from them and it’s fucking sad

[@Montesama314]

So, what was the girl character's life actually LIKE outside the church? Yes, she was kicked out, but she wanted to be back in, because... Reasons? The ignorance of the JW cult of the outside world, not even able to fake an IMAGINARY version of what it's like in their hypothetical, is pretty telling.

[@evangelionfan69]

well said, I was thinking about this too

[@elizabethperry2622]

It’s not wanting back in. It’s wanting a relationship with your parents and siblings. It’s wanting to have the only people you’ve ever associated with ever not hate you. It’s being unequipped with dealing with the real world and not knowing how cope as an adult having never had a choice about any aspect of your life. That’s why it’s abuse.

[@thewewguy8t88]

thats what i was wondering too like did i miss something she left but then was like oh you know what i think because i sat in one time i want to join again because all of a sudden it makes sense to me? what/

[@nift36]

I agree with OP's comment, and especially that last paragraph: the first propaganda video basically screams of manipulation to me. Edit: This comment was made before I finished watching the video. The second one manages to be even worse than the first one and screams of manipulation even more

[@Montesama314]

@@nift36 I mentioned in a separate comment that this environment of isolation, powerlessness and ignorance looks like a breeding ground for child and sexual abuse. Who do you as a victim turn to when literally everyone you know is part of the cult, with the social circle you're in probably being led by your abuser?

[@Avarcirith]

A friend of mine grew up a Scientologist. As she got older, she started having more questions and kept basically being told to shut up and stop asking. She left in her mid-20s, and her parents and sister haven't spoken a word to her since. Any "religion" who does this to people who disagree with them has some serious issues, and that's putting it lightly.

[@daisychain3007]

Scientologist disconnect you, Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowship you and other religions ostracise or reject you - same meaning, different words.

[@unfortunate8937]

I’m sorry if this seems like a jumble of ideas, I’m feeling very emotional about this right now. I’m 13, whenever I have friends (my moms a Jehovah’s Witness) she always tells me they aren’t actually my friends, that my friends are the children and adults in the hall. When I was younger I wasn’t aloud birthdays unless it was at my dads house who married my mom and became a witness then left. At school I had to watch others eat cupcakes and cookies while I just sat on the side or sat in the hallway. I decided to just take them as “Friendship Treats” but I had never felt that guilty in my life. Now I do take deserts from birthdays I just don’t tell anyone. When I decided to talk to her about how I didn’t really believe in it she brought up death, and how I’d just die forever, I wouldn’t be resurrected, and she’d forget about me. I was scared, and when I was younger younger and I watched Caleb and Sophia videos I would think “Well if I just die now then I can go to the new world quicker!” I was always terrified and anxious, I still am, I’ve had really bad mental health issues because of this. I’ve had anxiety attacks preparing for meetings. The main reason I keep going back is because of how disappointed my mom talked to me when I told her how I felt, she said I would die and I don’t want to die when she knows my huge fear of death, and the fact that I’m always on the edge. When I first found out that it was a cult I couldn’t believe it, I hated the idea and thought, it terrified me that my entire moms side of the family (And my stepfather my moms actively trying to conform, and my little sister who’s only two who doesn’t know what will happen in the future) scares me, I wish I could just pull them out. I hate Jehovahs witnesses and being a part of it so much, the way I see the earth is so different compared to others because of how serious the manipulation and brainwashing i went through. I’ve always had issues with some of the things that went on there. Like how we couldn’t celebrate birthdays because one man killed someone on his. How women couldn’t become elders or give talks, they couldn’t record, they could only help build or be a good wife. No matter how hard they tried to change that their sexism was rampant. I never knew about the SA that went unreported. But when I searched up sexual assault on the website after I remembered when a kid when I was younger would touch me it never said anything about the police except for “It’s not your fault! But tell your parents and the elders, they’ll handle it!” It makes me feel like a terrible daughter. I feel like it’s ruined my life, I feel extreme guilt about birthdays, holidays, thinking about changing religions, hating religions, hating my mom, being scared for my sister, dating somebody outside of the religion. Life scared me, death scares me, their beliefs scare me. Thank you for listening.

[@someiraniandudez5886]

Hey girl, glad to see you're reaching out for support. Just know that it will all be fine as at the very least you have realized the truth behind JW. Stay strong ✊

[@ona512]

death is scary, but don't let it consume you. Good luck bud

[@derreckwalls7508]

You are exceptionally articulate and mature for being 13, and your story was completely coherent and understandable. Give yourself more credit, because your feelings of inadequacy are part of the indoctrination you have suffered. I was not a JW, but I went through some very similar thoughts and feelings when my church condemned me. I wish I could say some encouraging words of wisdom that would help you make sense out of all you are going through. But I never could make sense out of my own situation until I realized, and accepted, that it was all senseless. I desperately wanted to find someone responsible for my suffering - someone to blame, even if I had to blame God. When we are taught to believe in God we are also taught that everything has a purpose. That isn't always true. In some cases, especially in religion, everyone is a victim. We sometimes torment ourselves trying to find explanations when there are none. Certainly don't hate your mom, because she is as much a victim of the JW cult as you are. You have taken the difficult first steps of questioning, doubting, and rejecting your indoctrination. I did the same thing at 14, but since I was not an adult I had no choice but to do what I was expected to do. You are forced to live a lie, to lie about your thoughts and feelings. In my experience that was perhaps the most difficult part of the whole ordeal. You are going through that now it seems, and I know it is not much comfort to be told "you are not alone". But it does help to know that you have been heard - that someone has a sympathetic ear. You will definitely find that here, and on other sites as well. You must consider yourself fortunate, because just a generation ago there were no internet groups or sites to share common experiences. Hopefully you will gain insights from others who have had very similar experiences, and that will be some comfort and encouragement. I wish you well in your struggle to break free from the trap.

[@yuhvalentine466]

i’ve been living with my grandparents for 15 years actively trying to move out now at age 22 and yes this stuff does brainwash peoples mindset it’s so sad

[@unfortunate8937]

@@derreckwalls7508 Thank you, I'm sorry you had to go through this too. I guess I never really thought of my mom being a victim as well, but it makes sense. I’ll keep researching and being patient, thank you for responding and giving me your advice and story!

[@edwardcreegan236]

Disgraceful, manipulative, ugly cult, and what's worrying is that the quality of their videos speaks to their significant financial means. Owen you do a service to many with your videos. Keep up the excellent work.

[@ovider6625]

I thought you were talking about me for a second

[@genesisbisani2479]

A lot of it is free labor too it’s sick

[@limmiedee7405]

it's not significant financial means, but free labor from Jehovah's Witnesses who go to school for animation for these purposes. it's absolutely wild and the reason I'll never raise or promote religion to any child of mine

[@genesisbisani2479]

@@limmiedee7405 yup yup the way people that work at Bethel are put on a pedestal within the community of the religion as peak service to god is absolutely despicable

[@mlee_wood3778]

This cult is so cruel

[@PokemonRules333]

It is the jw organization should be shut down

[@TheRealLucifer_Morningstar]

Indoctrinating children with the threat of eternal hell is practiced by most Christian sects. It is its own form of control.

[@clipixs447]

@Ye Ye especially ones in the Middle East, you get stoned to death if you break the rules

[@valeryrosweld2411]

Personally, I truly hope from the darkest part of my heart that any parent who chooses a cult over their children, ultimately gets extreme torture by the devil's pitchfork for eternity.

[@nathanjones6638]

I would hope I get to be the one with the pitchfork. God won't end these terrorists, so help is needed.

[@j3in725]

Nah in all honestly the parents are also victims. They actually believe this just as Muslims believe they should shun and Mormons do. Religion is a cancer mate.

[@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus]

The parents (in a twisted way) are also victims. The ones who deserve the pitchfork are those at the top of the cult. They are responsible for all that brainwashing, and they know it.

[@jesusgavemeaids]

​@@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus you're not wrong, BUT the parents perpetuate it.

[@Montesama314]

I love how they try to make it sounds sinister to find someone you love outside the group. Obviously a cult.

[@OneMadApple]

Sickening. If you have to shun anything and anyone who make you think, you're 100% in a cult. Full stop.

[@gowdsake7103]

ALL christians are the same

[@emilysigmund1255]

This is hard to watch, yet your video makes clear of how JW's actually have been convinced that shunning their own children is the right thing to so. Thank you for sharing.

[@ikazuchioni]

I agree, it is really heart breaking, and I personally witnessed a friend get shunned because he had a relationship with someone outside the religion. He was a total wreck, took him a while to pick up the pieces. Eventually, he left the religion and now is happily married, but not with the girl he was with before.

[@gowdsake7103]

Its what ALL religions do

[@ovider6625]

@@gowdsake7103 no just this one

[@maxmorehouse4190]

makes me want to punch my folks in the face all over again.

[@maxmorehouse4190]

makes me want to punch my folks in the face all over again.

[@nexttytreporter2598]

A real parent would say, "oh you want to shun me if I don't shun my kid? Bye Felicia!!"

[@basiczachh3978]

the fact that our nation has normalized this kind of cult is insane

[@valroniclehre193]

Its an unavoidable consequence of freedom. I don't really see a way around it. Not one that doesn't, itself, bring even worse.

[@mooniegoodie]

The fact that THE WORLD has normalized this kind of cult is insane

[@dailealexander2055]

My best friend was raised as a Jehova's Witness. Her childhood was nothing short of a living nightmare, & she hated every single second of it with a bleeding passion. Being constantly bullied/ostracized at school for being such a "weird outsider," never being able to partake in any sort of joyful celebration whatsoever, never once receiving a birthday or Christmas gift, being forced to spend literally EVERY spare minute of her time studying & memorizing Bible verses, being forced to go ringing people's doorbells every weekend from dawn to dusk... it was hell for her (as it would be for virtually any child). Finally, when she was fourteen, she'd had enough. She told her parents she was done with this all this inane bullshit & was not going to partake in any of it anymore. Thankfully, rather than kick her out of the house & pretend she was dead to them, her parents (who were secretly having their doubts about the organization by that point as well) actually stood by her, & they all left the organization together. But sadly her childhood had already been essentially ruined by that point. It's so heartbreaking.

[@Starmadien2019]

There have been stories of desfellowshiping rape victims. Who were raped by the Elders.

[@manusiabumi7673]

Well, they're no longer useful for the elders and can even be a threat, so why would they keep them around, duh..

[@nathanjones6638]

So they're as evil as the Taliban. All religious authority must be destroyed by any means necessary.

[@lasalsssa]

A woman in my church was disfellowshipped for divorcing her cheating ex husband. Even though it was a good reason for divorce under the church, her husband had privileges so the elders protected him.

[@weatherman1504]

Yeah at this point I'm fairly certain that Jerkovah's Witless should be burned down to the ground. The entire religion should be considered a cult and should be dealt with appropriately.

[@candicefrost4561]

There is extensive child abuse that they have covered up.

[@LAexJw]

I recently posted a phone call, where my mom is saying she will be permanently shunning me. That was so hard for me, but it brought a lot of closure. I’ve only been out a year, and sometimes I still feel like that child who was thrown out, at an early age. Shunning is traumatic and the trauma is long lasting. It’s inhumane, unscriptural and should be criminal. However, sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. The aftermath of losing your entire social network, by detaching from Watchtower leads to ultimately discovering your true self, and surrounding yourself with people who show unconditional love. When one door closes, many will open.

[@wigit2510]

I've been out for 35+ years. My JW mom and I talk regularly and love each other very much. Keep at it, she will come around. 'God is Love' after all.😉 Never give up on her, no matter what.

[@wigit2510]

Gongrats, btw. Welcome to the real world.😁👍

[@LAexJw]

@@wigit2510 Thank you. Hearing that is reassuring. I may give up on trying to reach her, especially when she doesn’t reach out, but won’t give up on the possibility. Let’s not forget, she may feel the same way deep down, to not give up on the idea of me returning. Although I made it pretty clear though. No invites to the memorial this time around, is very telling. 😄 Things could turn around though. You can be hopeful, and at the same time, not keep your hopes up.🙏

[@wigit2510]

Cheers, Poley. Be good to yourself and others. 🍻 Enjoy your new found freedom.

[@madjock-ig5bv]

@@wigit2510 That is good to hear. I left even longer ago and still have a relationship with family albeit a bit fractured. There is no doubt that we would be a lot closer if they weren't in it (or if I was). From watching what is going on, I feel it is actually a lot more difficult for those who try to escape now when it comes to family shunning. The new group of guys running the operation are ruthless, I think a lot more than say 30 or 40 years ago. They really are pushing this agenda more and more. I think in part due to the fact the leaders are scared about the internet and channels like this which show them up for what they are. They have decided to close ranks and terrify those who might look to leave or even have any questions. It is great that channels like this exist (along with various ex JW groups around the globe) to help those under these cruel new leaders. Just to reasuure those dealing with this now and might be scared or worried that there is hope and there are peope who will help.

[@roberts7737]

Shunning is one of the most cruel punishments imaginable...In earlier human history, Shunning meant almost certain death, that fact is deeply set in the human mind.

[@roberts7737]

Owen, if you read this..Do you think the G.B and their organization, actually study human psychology? Or does this just come naturally?...maybe it's idea for a video?..best wishes

[@roberts7737]

Outside the tribe..you were alone...cold, hungry and thirsty and totally vulnerable...as you know

[@nathanjones6638]

Well, gatherings of religious terrorists are a bunch of enemy combatants clumped in one area. Time to do to all cults what we did to the Taliban.

[@sherrellsabree50]

It's so weird watching this. Kids never just leave home - in every scenario I've known, most are put out - told by their parents to leave. Literally, serve Jehovah, go to the hall, or get out.

[@makko6541]

That was shown in one of their movies as well.

[@Mr_Brains]

They aee narstics cultists

[@Cellidor]

I think this video has encouraged me to change my actions. I'd always planned that if I ever met with a Jehovah's Witness pair, I'd just tell them I'm not interested in their cult and leave it at that. Now, I think what I'll tell them is "While I'm not interested, if either of you ever end up feeling unsure or that you doubt the congregation's words, come back here. You're not alone, I'll help you out if you need a support structure if for whatever reason you end up leaving". It'll probably never happen, but if it does, I like the idea of being a potential support structure for someone, one the congregation _can't_ take away and hold over as a threat for people who are unsure. I'd want to deal with that cult by doing something to show those inside it that you don't _need_ to fear their threats.

[@AnikMonette]

And it doesn't need to be forever, some people would just need emotional support to move on or find a decent job!

[@cristenrhodan9175]

I dont know why but this triggered a memory I had between my father and I. I asked him if he loved God more than me his own daughter and there was a long pause. He said yes that God is more important than me. I'm still torn up about it.

[@maniacsmaxs6815]

Yeah. Words can't describe how stupid it is to love a person you never meet or talked to, more than your own child.

[@FixHart]

It's traumatizing to hear that from your own parent.

[@Toocant]

Wow I can’t believe a parent said that to their child, that’s so incredibly hurtful

[@jonathanwalker35]

I’m a Christian not a jw, I don’t know where you are coming from. But, for me this is the equivalent to asking someone if they had a choice to save the life of their child or wife, who would they save in a house fire and leave to die. For someone who is religious that question… it’s putting your father in an impossible situation. It’s the Abraham and his son kind of thing. Love is in manny ways sacrifice. You basically asked him if he would be willing to sacrifice everything he believes in, his faith and place you above that. From an atheists point of view that’s the correct moral answer. In a Religious point of view it’s an immoral thing to do. So his response was truthful. That said in my religion, it’s god and then the family as priorities. So it’s not that love can only be exclusively given to god or you. I’m just writing because you seem upset about this, and it might help to understand what you actually asked of him. At least that would be how I would view it if placed in your fathers position.

[@SDayle]

@@jonathanwalker35 If you genuinely thought even for a second that some fictional bearded dude can legitimately be as important as *real* people, then I have bad news for you: you've been brainwashed.

[@AeonStaite]

I know we have freedom of religion... and i hate that this would play into their hands... but the watchtower and every parent who has shunned their kids needs to be arrested for child endangerment... plain and simple.

[@zoyadulzura7490]

Yup, that's exactly what it is. JW parents as well as other parents who throw out their kids for being LGBTQ+, any minor, for any reason. Though not currently protected under law, it's just as wrong to throw out a young adult who is still basically a kid and don't have protection under the law simply because they had a birthday.

[@GumSkyloard]

The US needs both Freedom *of* Religion, and freedom *FROM* religion.

[@clipixs447]

@@GumSkyloard I mean that’s what freedom of religion is…. The problem is children don’t have a choice

[@zefft.f4010]

@@clipixs447 Not exactly. The French have a "freedom from religion" type system that has sometimes been controversial, the US does not. The US favors religion, any religion, over the absence of it, but Christianity obviously has a privileged position compared to any other faith.

[@Flammifleure]

Freedom of religion does not allow people to break laws and harm others on religious grounds. I'm pretty sure the government would not allow murder because it was a religious human sacrifice. I feel like child abandonment for religious reasons should also be prosecutable.

[@k1ngp1n37]

I'm christian and shunning is so horrible it breaks my heart. Especially when its family members, its so wrong and hateful

[@Godsbelovedkid]

Exactly :(

[@yeet8627]

exactly. when did God ever told us to do stuff like this?

[@Godsbelovedkid]

@@yeet8627 just evil people:( idk how ppl get away feeling guiltless

[@clichebonaparte2601]

when i was nineteen and going through some very rough times, i met a man who offered me a ride home (i was hauling a week's worth of groceries and perpetually exhausted at the time) in exchange for just a few moments of my time to listen to him speak about jehovah. i figured it couldn't hurt and agreed. needless to say, it was easy to reel me in when i was in such a down and out stage of life. it only took a month for me to realize that something wasn't quite right about it all, but it took me a year or so to fully grasp everything that was wrong with what i'd experienced. it's been years, i've moved twice, and i still somehow get contacted by the man who helped me that day trying to reel me back in. 0/10, wouldn't recommend.

[@kringlez7340]

You okay boy/girl/they/them?

[@slenderminion2229]

You know, for the first half of the first Jehova's Witnesses video I thought this was about someone who got shunned by the cult and learned to be strong without it. Then I realized what the video was actually about and immediately felt sick. Honestly it shows how disgustingly effective this tactic is. She didn't come back to the Jehova's Witnesses because she had done something wrong, she just wanted to see her family and friends again.

[@lekiscool]

I can hear the abuse. I keep expecting her to say something that’s like “this is why this was wrong,” but it keeps being like “this is why I was wrong.” They made the speaker look sickly too.

[@johnmulhern2833]

I've been an atheist since the age of 12 and had a friend I had for over 20 years....they are deeply religious and when I mentioned being an atheist they cut contact with me. It's tough when these things happen

[@wigit2510]

If a 20 year friend dumped you because you said you were an atheist....that wasn't a friend. Sorry to break the news to you.

[@M0oranshi]

@@wigit2510 Don't be cruel. You don't know everything. If he said he was a friend, it was a friend to him.

[@wigit2510]

Friends don't dump friends for disagreeing on religion. That's not being cruel. That's telling someone the truth. There are millions of better friends out there that would never do such a thing.

[@M0oranshi]

@@wigit2510 Well, my dad 'dumped' me once he joined an Indian cult. Doesn't mean he hadn't been my dad for 30 years, and I still call him dad.

[@gowdsake7103]

@@wigit2510 Yes they do

[@thiccchungo1041]

If god wants us to act like this then I don’t think that this god in question is a truly benevolent god. Which begs the question should we even be praising him in the first place?

[@ovider6625]

Jehovah witness are like the kkk it’s a cult and far from the actual ideal Christian

[@xcicciobox932]

Well, the alternative is not very cool.

[@jentryiguess]

Jehovah Witness is very different than older Yahweh-related religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). While this religion is a newer branch of Christianity that started in the 1870s, I’d say it’s the most cruel and ungodly branch of all Christianity (Speaking as a Christian myself). Jehovah Witnesses seem to forget the most important part of Christianity itself that you pointed out, Love. Love is the key to everything (Even the Bible says it in 1 Corinthians 13!). In Christianity, Jesus has told us loving God and others is the greatest commandment! Something Jehovah Witnesses threw out the window! As for God himself, Jehovah Witnesses have in a sense demonized and altered Yahweh into a creature that is now a false God. It’s a demon or human concept that pretends to be Yahweh. The Yahweh most Christians know that he is slow to anger (Psalms 103:8), meaning he gives people chances before turning them to the consequences of their action. Plus, he’s a very forgiving father (Psalms 86:5). My point is that Jehovah’s Witnesses seem to have forgotten about the character of Yahweh. In reality, Yahweh is a god that doesn’t abandon you if you screw up. He helps you get back up and try again, he forgives you and lets you go again. Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t seem to understand that. Everyone has a different reason why they worship Yahweh, but for me as a Christian, I do it because he knows me and is one of the only few things in my life that’ll actually listen to me talk for hours and love me for who I am. Yeah, that’s right Yahweh loves people for who they are because we are his children. I’m not saying this to make you come into Christianity. I’m just saying it to help you understand. Not all of us are like this, I promise

[@yeet8627]

@@jentryiguess i completely agree. these JW’s are just.. wild

[@factenter6787]

@@jentryiguess JW is NOT true Christianity as they do NOT acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, Saviour, and Master. Do they pray to the Father in the name of the Son? No. And Jesus shunned nobody who did not deserve to be shunned. In fact, He broke bread with people whom the rest of the society shunned...the publicans, tax gatherers, prostitutes, beggars, etc. He ministered healing even to those who were shunned by society because they were considered unclean due to disease or infection

[@SeanNH94]

"My mom failed too" Oh. Oh dang. This is personal. I'm so sorry man, that really sucks... Remember, everyone has 2 families in life, they one we're born with and the one we find along the way in life. We can't pick who we're born with but we can pick the people we stay close to. Hope you're doing well, good video, cheers.

[@Imperator_Invicta]

I gave great respect for what you do. A very dear friend of mine was disfellowshiped at a young age. She's the most wonderful person I know. Just because she is attracted to women. It breaks my heart somebody I care about so much had to struggle like that. What this cult teaches is beyond horrific.

[@Mintea_-ou2mj]

its seriously downright ridiculous. to treat your own family like they dont exist for something as normal as liking someone of the same gender is absurd..if jehovah is a god of love, why would love between two people, same gender or not, jw or not anger him? it makes me sick.

[@Thedanyeager623]

I love watching the drawings. It’s so soothing

[@tonypeppermint5329]

It's great against the horrors of the subject in question.

[@blzbubb5135]

I agree, these are my favorite videos Owen does

[@peggyfillmore1971]

Right ? It's like ASMR 😁

[@teresamcmurrin8672]

Sooo..."it could make me think there's no need to return to Jehovah." So, so many things wrong with that. One turns or returns to the deity of their choice out of faith and love. This isn't about that. This isn't about returning to one's god, it's not about faith, it's about shutting up and conforming to the strictures of a specific religious organization so they can be a part of their family again, regardless of what they actually think and feel. Emotional blackmail is not an act of love.

[@NobleS1236]

As a Pagan, I can't understand why they feel the need to do this. But then again, all people who become Pagans choose this path of their own volition. I just can't understand how someone can essentially give up their own freedom, their own free will, just to follow a version of a text that has been twisted to benefit those on top. To be subservient to a cruel organization that doesn't care about it's followers and will toss them aside the moment they think for themselves is something I just can't wrap my head around. How can anyone willingly give up a gift as precious as freedom?

[@FrozenWillow1980]

@@NobleS1236 I'm an ex jw and I followed the pagan path after it. I was told all my life about how bad pagans were, magic bad etc. Even Sabrina The Teenage Witch was not allowed (but I watched it secretly anyway) - I was drawn to paganism my whole childhood. Now I am an eclectic solitary pagan and I forge my own path. Think of JW's like this - they are under a dark spell, some of them see the light and awaken - some do not. Some do and are still trapped by it for fear of losing family members. We call those XJW's PIMOS (Physically In, Mentally Out) and are the most vulnerable group of XJW's because they have to wear the JW mask, whilst simultaneously not believing the JW teachings and waiting and hoping for the day their families wake up as well. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it does not. Those particular XJW's, the PIMOS, have to be extra careful online, what they are looking at, what they are sharing online and if so, are they using pseudonyms? VPN's? Clearing their browser cache's every time they leave an XJW website? It's awful for them.

[@NobleS1236]

@@FrozenWillow1980 that is sad. I wish there was something I could do to help them.

[@slipstreamxr3763]

That's because JWS are not true Christians they take Christ's message of salvation and pervert it for their own agenda, the Mormons are no different. They don't see God as a loving God who sent his only son to die for everyone, but a disapproving, abusive parent who cares nothing for his children. They are not Christian; they follow the other one they just don't realize it yet.

[@RealPumpkinJay]

I remember watching that conference clip. This one was so ducked up. Definitely the worst convention ever.

[@bigflx2754]

I remember it too, do you remember what year it was, was it 2018?

[@RealPumpkinJay]

@@bigflx2754 2016 I initially thought 2019, but turns out I’ve been following the goings on of the organisation for a lot longer than I thought. The first convention I followed along was the 2016 “Remain Faithful to Jehovah” regional convention

[@bigflx2754]

@@RealPumpkinJay Thanks. I remember watching this at the assembly and thinking, “fuck that’s gonna be me soon.” Thankfully that didn’t end up being the case

[@iPLAYtheSTATION]

It's really sad when parents choose their cult over their children.

[@BOFAMET]

This is all incredibly heartbreaking. As a mother I can't even imagine being so beholden to some religious doctrine that I end up abandoning my own children for such trivial issues. It's so painful to even imagine that it almost brings me to tears. And so many people in the world adhere to this terrible practice. It's enraging and depressing all at once.

[@mikey2toes966]

My dad has been shunning me for 20 years now. Only saw him recently cause I had a son. I tried making a connection with him and was told by him that he only wants to be my “friend”. I guess am not his son anymore.

[@wigit2510]

Yo Mikey2toes, let your old man see his grandkid and see if that'll turn his head around. Give him a chance. I think you will see him come around. Do NOT let him take your child to the KH, whatever you do. Lol

[@paulboger7377]

How can he live with himself?

[@mikey2toes966]

@@paulboger7377 it’s actually seems pretty well. I live in Texas and he ran off to North Carolina to restart his life where no one knows anything about him. Been there for 15 years. Now he is an elder and runs his own congregation. He has this “ all knowing personality” now that logic can penetrate. Then there’s the fact he seems like he is a true believer. He can’t have me around messing up his chance at resurrection. He actually thinks that he gets a reset in paradise. Like if I die before Armageddon I could get a chance of resurrection and suddenly believe then we get a second chance.

[@ThatOneGuy0006]

If I were you, I wouldn't let him see his grandson. After all, he's just a "friend's" kid.

[@marcuso.530]

You're a better man than me. No way my dad would be ANYWHERE near my kids if he did that. You already abandoned me. You don't get a second chance.

[@thoughtfulghost]

I had a friend in 6th grade who was a JW, I loved her and we had a little trio with another friend. Other kids would try to ask her about it but it made her visibly uncomfortable, i assume she had some bad experiences. Your videos have made me understand so much about her behavior I didn't get before. We would always try to hang out or exchange numbers but she would always say her parents were weird or strict about that. It's sad she was a social person and I could tell she wanted friends outside of school. She went to visit her cousins out of state and was sobbing when she came back and I wonder if it was because she was lonely. After 6th grade she was home schooled and would messages maybe once a year from this website we would write stories on before we lost touch. She would say she hoped we would run into each other around town. I looked her up a couple years ago and she actually became a missionary for JW so I assume she's very deep into it. Didn't contact her as I didn't want to put her in an uncomfortable position where she might wanna talk and can't or feels weird I looked her up. (Also our other friend and I also came out as lesbian and bisexual respectfully and the thought of her possible rejection just makes me really sad.)

[@nenmaster5218]

"Run for Office please." -Telltale

[@leadanon127]

She was finally cooked in the cult pot.

[@melanielee7228]

I was shunned at age 12 and moved to my non jw fathers house. My mother continued to shun me through my childhood

[@multi-milliondollarmike5127]

People who do this to their own kids are failures as parents. Dogma over everything for these delusional people.

[@lovetoodeeply]

i’m so sorry. you deserve better and i hope you’re doing better now

[@Renamatic]

Omg watching those videos is so triggering. My parents have shunned me for about 6 years now. And a few months ago my sister and brother also left the JWs and are now also being shunned. It’s so cruel. Not only to us but to my parents, they have lost contact with 3 of their 4 kids (plus 2 of their grandkids) cos they’ve been brainwashed into thinking it is the right way. I hope they “see the light” before it’s too late.

[@floralfancy7814]

I wish I could give this girl a hug 🫂 Poor thing. Imagine being disconnected from your whole family forever just for 1 mistake. How sad and overcontrolling for nothing. Also you're an inspiration man!

[@marwatson7408]

This is why I never raised my children in this nonsense I was never to going to shun them, and the constant pressure from this organization to do it. I didn’t need a husband, elders, and an overbearing controlling, possessive mother -in -law / grand mother telling these kids that their only focus in life better be to survive Armageddon. The constant fear, guilt, and shame was to much for me and I wasn’t going to subject them to this. When your kids become adults it’s no one else’s business what you do.

[@DonDon45-i5h]

Imagine choosing religion over your kids. Imagine choosing anything or anyone above them. Do people even deserve children if that’s the case?

[@ecpracticesquad4674]

This sounds very familiar to the extreme Amish experiences I was told about in the Midwest. It’s a straight up abusive hostage situation. “If you leave, I’ll kill you or myself, and it’s going to be all your fault” level stuff.

[@nathanjones6638]

"Oh, you'll kill yourself? Good. One less cross hugger in the world.

[@SwayzieMayne]

This propaganda is fucking sick. The shunned person getting “reinstated” and then lovebombed by her peers and parents triggered me so bad smh. As a parent, I could never imagine shunning my kids because somebody else told me to.

[@v1v1d1ty]

thank you so much for these videos, please never stop making them. shortly before i was born, my mom had lost her father to a heart disease. he had told her since forever, that JWs aren't to be associated with. well, when he passed, she wondered why God, if he was supposed to be so good, had taken him from her. my mom sought out the JWs and became good friends with some of them, and started attending church while she was pregnant with me, she got baptized. she became to really be involved with the church as a whole, believing she would see her dad again in the resurrection. i truly do think they used this to make her more vulnerable, telling her that if she wasn't apart of the church and worshipping Jehovah, she would never see her loved ones again, also meaning her mom, my dad, and i, since if we weren't apart of the church, we wouldn't be able to be in paradise with her. i came along and was thrust into the world of the JWs extremely early on. no birthday parties, no holidays, my mom getting upset whenever i partook in holiday themed things at school, no friends who weren't involved with the JWs and sometimes she would try to witness to their parents or even the kids, which the parents especially hated, and would tell their child to not be friends with me anymore, no games with magic/violence, all standard practice for JWs and their children. also don't forget not doing the pledge of allegiance at school! i thought it was all normal, albeit i was extremely lonely and unhappy with how my mom was running every aspect of my life, until i grew up a little. since i had been born, i was told we were living in the "last days". i was always on edge, believing Armageddon was around the corner, and how they depict it in the children's bible story books, is nothing short of horrifying for a child to see, let alone being told they were also going to go through the same thing shown in the pictures, being told the sky was going to rain fire and we all had to go to the mountains and we wouldn't be able to take our pets, i was terrified to my core. i honestly do believe that thinking the world was going to end at any moment played apart in my lack of motivation to have a future now as an adult, i spent my whole life thinking i wasn't going to have one, now i'm 19 years old, with 0 personality and 0 goals in life. my mom never got to the point where she was so deeply brainwashed by this organization that she would disown me for doing things against it's wishes and beliefs, which i'm deeply saddened at the fact i can't say the same for a lot of other kids born into this, so i stopped going to church and stopped practicing their faith. thankfully, over the years, she's drawn away too and doesn't attend many meetings, but she still carries around some beliefs, like how Armaggedon is still coming, and doesn't want to get a dog for the family because we won't be able to take it with us. i truly don't think a child should ever be involved in this religion, let alone any adult as it can be extremely mentally damaging and that's very hard to reverse. i found these videos and was able to realize that i'm not actually alone in my suffering and i can't tell you how much comfort it's brought me.

[@OneofmanyASMR]

Know this is late but I hope your doing better now sweetie wishing you the best dear!

[@robertaylor9218]

Scientology is (in all functional aspects) exactly the same. Thanks for your work.

[@toforgetisagem8145]

Shunning is cruel. It is also shifting the responsibility of love onto an outsider group. If there was no outsider group to care for those shunned by these evil JWs those shunned would have passed been subjected to a slow and agonising death sentence. It is only by the grace of those willing, able and loving enough to care for their rejected that these nasty excuses for humans are not murderers. In the days when communities were isolated the shunned would die from hunger and the elements. And the elders must know this. They are intelligent enough to manage their money they are intelligent enough to know the consequences if their diabolical behaviour. If god was real surely he would turn up and punish them.

[@beardlessodin945]

*Question for Telltale Atheist:* If somehow the Watchtower Society _did_ discontinue the practice of shunning with the stroke of a pen and a change in the doctrinal “rules” of the cult, do you think a schism would form in the church and there would be breakaway and splinter groups that wanted to continue the practice of shunning? I’m interested to hear your input on the matter. I think it would happen, even if the breakaway sect was only about 1 to 5 percent of the overall group. Much like how the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints) broke away from the LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints AKA the Mormon Church) after the LDS officially discontinued polygamy with the stroke of a pen to gain Utahn Statehood. It doesn’t even have to be about a rule change. The death of a religious leader can spur on a schism. Like how the RLDS (Reorganized Latter-day Saints) broke away from the LDS after the murder of Joseph Smith Jr. (the man who founded the LDS Church) due to those who went on to form the RLDS thinking that Joseph Smith III should be next in line as the leader of the LDS church and not Brigham Young. When Brigham Young became the de facto leader and then the official leader of the LDS Church, the folks who supported Joseph Smith the Third broke away to form the RLDS. Sorry for the length of this post, my friend. I’ve been a subscriber for many years now and I always enjoy each and every one of your uploads. I could watch you draw all day (and sometimes I do) and I’m always interested to hear your take on anything that interests you. Keep up the fantastic work and I wish you and Alpha Force Zero all the success in the world. A bit (a lot) late, but my condolences about your father, sociopath or not. I’m also sorry to hear about your mother still being under the JW spell, but in the last update you gave us on the matter, she seemed to at least be more willing to question certain aspects of the cult and she seemed to be texting you more often and being more in touch with you and your daughter. I sure hope that trend has continued and that your estranged relationship continues to grow less and less so. Much love and support from North of the border 🇨🇦 and never stop doing what you love, because it is now what WE love! Yours Very Sincerely and Respectfully, -Beardless Odin

[@AgathaVixen]

Disfellowship and blood abstinence are the core components of the cult, without them they will another generic christian denomination. I doubt that will change someday, at least in this generation.

[@beardlessodin945]

@@AgathaVixen interesting take on the matter. Many thanks, friend!

[@barbieblues7639]

I hope he actually replies to you

[@AJoyofDesign]

I think cult members would accept any new rules the governing body does. Cults, dictators, etc always use FORCE to control others. A democracy/ freedom allows choice to leave without repercussions. Anyone else sick of them saying "Jehovah" everytime they mean their Organization???

[@OscarSommerbo]

It would be interesting to hear Owen's take on it, But in the meantime I will give you mine. First off, it will never happen, as it is a great tool in several different ways. It creates the sword of Damocles, the threat of shunning keeps people in and obedient. By cutting off contact with those who have left the cult, it limits the flow of information that being out is actually a good thing. It punishes those who leave and if they are weak enough (no judgement here, some just can't take it) to return reinforces for everyone how horrible the "outside world is". All this also strengthen the "us vs them" thinking. Why this long-winded explanation, to things you already knew? Because, if we look at it, the impact is on the organization, it keeps members in JW, it doesn't actually impact any humans in JW. So if shunning was abolished, I don't see a splintering of JW, because it doesn't impact the members in the cult. You are still free to stop talking to anyone, it is just that the requirement to shun has disappeared, it will still happen, just as it happens in other religious families when a kid declares himself an Atheist. Let's go a step further and JW elders not only abolish shunning but adopts the stance that those who leave are "lost sheep to be showered with love" this is even more unlikely, but we are talking hypotheticals here anyway. This might create a fracture and a hardcore group of JW might attempt to leave and setup their own cult, because now they are compelled to alter their behaviour. But again unlikely to happen, JW has messed up mightily on several occasions, 1914, 1975 and more dates when the worlds were going to end, but we don't really see a splinter faction of JW, we do see a bunch leaving the cult, but none of those started a parallel JW organization, as in your LDS examples. If this outlandish turn of events were to happen, I assume a small number might drop out of JW, seeking some other religion, but most would go along with it, they get so many crazy dictums from the elders that they would probably accept it, and those that felt betrayed would go on shunning those they hate. My stance is that people are moved to action if a rule/law impacts them personally in some way, and the bigger the impact the bigger the reaction, and to stop not talking isn't much of an impact. Further, it is easy to keep on shunning even if the requirement is removed. At least that is my take on how abolishing shunning would go.

[@jensraab2902]

I almost never use this word to describe actions of human beings but this shunning business is truly evil.

[@nathanjones6638]

And considering they gather to make the declaration is tactically unwise. A single soldier could take down a significant number of terrorists at each such meeting.

[@mikaelarutyunov9578]

@@nathanjones6638 What do you mean?

[@nathanjones6638]

@@mikaelarutyunov9578 well, think of it this way. Religion is life for some people. Shunning someone takes that away. We live in a country where military weapons are readily available. So, logically, if you take religion away from a person with access to guns, they may choose to kill the people responsible. Should that happen, it only reduces the number of religious terrorists in America, and they make easy targets for those they wrong by consistently being in the same place on a schedule.

[@smolcake6860]

My mother always tries to justify their shunning and it makes me sick!

[@Kingpin1880]

Someone should write Levi's story, about how he found a support network of people that understood him outside of the Watchtower, how he met his significant other and settled down, how he got a great job and bought his own house, but how, with his first child on the way, he felt homesick and, after talking things over with his amazing partner, sent a message to his parents, explaining all the wonderful things that had happened to him and how he wants them to be a part of his life, a message that they never read. He reaches out again and again, but they ignore him, until he decides to cut them out of his life as they're clearly not interested in him. I'd do it, but I'm not sure it's my place.

[@dragonsword7370]

Being in a cult or cult like controlling environments seems analogous to being stuck in a jar. It is a prison but you can barely tell it is. When you see the world around you in a warped misshapen fashion unless you were placed in the jar while knowing the difference then that walked viewscape will seem the right one instead. That is horrible.

[@khunt5336]

It's like the Allegory of the Cave After seeing the shadow theatre for so long, it becomes reality

[@jimileecrawford7731]

As a former JW (forced by family) I nearly cried at the store if this beautiful child. A bisexual trans woman is dead to them. I lost my family for the overwhelming most part and I miss them but I can't change who/what I am! Thank you for this video.💖❤️🥰

[@Duskusbunny]

Right on!,,,,

[@ThreaT650]

Sorry to hear that happened to you 😔

[@jacobnoelle8428]

make your own family. one filled in love

[@ddjsoyenby]

it's worth it be your true self :)

[@jimileecrawford7731]

@@ddjsoyenby ❤️

[@JOKER_GAMING735]

This is the complete opposite of what *Jesus* taught & did because unlike these dysfunctional families who would rather shun their "sinful" children *Christ* on the other hand constantly hanged out around sinners & was always befriending them

[@wigit2510]

I'm an atheist, and even I know that is a fact.

[@maxalberts2003]

And many people HATED Him for doing so.

[@JOKER_GAMING735]

@@maxalberts2003 EXACTLY just as Jehovah's Witnesses view members who hang around outsiders in the exact same way ancient ignorant & arrogant self righteous individuals viewed Jesus

[@furiscafynn6275]

It's basically a hostage situation. That is horrific.

[@drcloudy]

Oh my gosh as somebody who actually lost a family member who was young, watching them go into that kid's room and act like he was dead has INFURIATED me. holy curse words, every single one that I doubt I can say in a youtube comment.

[@foxloaf8843]

"that small dose of association might've satisfied me, it could've made me think there was no need to return to jehovah" that's not what i imagine disfellowshipped people think, that's what all the higher-ups think

[@pencilpauli9442]

Makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Jehovah ignores His children and couldn't give a shit about them, so of course humans should emulate their God by acting the same. In case you missed the sarcasm... that was sarcasm. It's my way of dealing with something so egregious I get worked up about it.

[@ramenbomberdeluxe4958]

As a Deist, I can see that being a dark joke with Deism since we rationalize the lacking presence of the divine in day to day life as the general “alright I planted the seed now uhh, go off on your own” approach we see that a potential God most likely had. Of course we don’t tend to view God in a grim sense but, indifference is key.

[@pencilpauli9442]

@@ramenbomberdeluxe4958 I used to think that God didn't so much "move in mysterious ways..." as doing things out of a perverse sense of humour! lol

[@newtkintsukuroi3702]

I really want to thank you for these videos. I have been shunned for over a decade now (unless my family wants something from me, lol). They didn`t even tell me when my grandfather passed away. Your videos finally let me feel angry about it, instead of shameful. They are the ones who should me ashamed, not me, and you helped me see that. Thank you for sharing your story and letting people like me know we are not alone.

[@Sara.Miller.]

my biggest regret is getting someone shunned. I saw a girl (15) leaving a jehovah church (not sure what they are called) and stopped to ask her what her name was. We ended up talking, and my brother came over. I should note that my brother is very, very, flirty and teasingly flirted with the girl. The Girl's parents thought my brother was her boyfriend, and neither of us were Jehovah's wittnesses. She ended up being shunned, and due to my dad having a criminal record and no space, we couldn't take her in even though we wanted to. A 7 year old girl's innocence may have ruined someone's relationship with their family.

[@lunettasuziejewel2080]

The JW family and organization are responsible for their actions towards that girl, not you or your brother.

[@Mintea_-ou2mj]

.....this is absurd i dont even know what to say. WHAT IN THE EVERLIVING FUCK??

[@julielarge6120]

What is actually worse is if you've been disfelliowshiiped and you go back and sit at the hall for months in the back room and then are reinstated after a visit from the elders from there you expect to be welcomed back. I sat in the kingdom hall and when it was announced that I'd been reinstated not one person came to speak to me. These were people that I'd known for years, had round to my home and spent hours with. Later on when I decided I wasn't going back they started coming to my home to try to get me to go back to the meetings but I never did except one or two times and I never felt comfortable after that.

[@WillieManga]

That is fucking manipulation and they know it.

[@NickelCityRD]

Thank you for shining a light on this. More people need to know about the horrors many of us have experienced. So many disfellowshiped folks stay quiet on the matter as we were drilled to feel shame for simply not following blindly.

[@NickelCityRD]

@@peppr115 yeah for sure, anything you can do to support yourself emotionally and mentally through your healing journey is worth investing in and trying. Emotional triggers can come back and I’m still struggling about 15 years later.

[@laymanphil8513]

Is there no greater control than controlling the family?

[@gregpotts7]

Thanks for your content, especially the JW stuff. During my seeking phase I gave JW a chance. Knowing it was a cult. But it was a reason to dress up and have a nice lunch after a JW meeting. Even though I liked exercising my knowledge of the Bible, I could tell the elders were uncomfortable talking with me. I think the phrase “ emperor Constitine was gods great editor” was my ticket to leave the Hall

[@heavymetalpirate2463]

You weren't uncomfortable yourself? Do you still interact with them?

[@January.Junimo]

I love that quote!

[@Flammifleure]

I imagine fundamentalists of any stripe are uncomfortable when dealing with someone with knowledge of the Bible beyond their denomination's proof texts.

[@jondoe7036]

Out of all the messed up things this constraining cult does to it's members, this may very well be the most disgusting and inexcusable part. Turning your back to your children, actively shunning and othering them is something that stands to mess them up for life and if having to resort to defending such blatant abuse for your religious doctrine doesn't work to demonstrate how clearly evil that doctrine is, I don't know what will...

[@JuMiKu]

I think refusing blood donations for their children may be worse. This is killing countless babies and moms for no good reason. It's vile.

[@jondoe7036]

@@JuMiKu Fair enough, that's beyond awful too. Suppose the whole hiding child predators and dodging the responsibility on that by pushing it onto children to report about it, also goes atleast in that same ballpark of evil.

[@JuMiKu]

@@jondoe7036 I think we can safely agree that it's just a huge bundle of horrifying and the whole cult shouldn't exist.

[@brendagordon4571]

Absolutely no shunning in my family. Since the pandemic, I grew even more closer to my bio family. Family need each other to help struggling family members facing the high cost of affordable housing and outrageous food costs.

[@soulslikefan6760]

Oh how bad could it be? Sees first 30 seconds. Oh shit, what the fuck.

[@axer3515]

My friend left the JW at 17. She was never really a believer. She had saved money and planned to move out at 18, but another friend's family let her move in to finish high school. She had 4 other siblings and all but one shunned her. Within a year her brother moved out at 16 and lived with her. So they shunned him. They got an apartment together. Then her grandfather left her his house when he died, and the other 17 year old moved in with them. They were twins. On her 20th birthday her mother and 12 year old brother showed up at her door and moved in. They had only spoke 3 times in almost 3 years. The kids did not join another church, and the mother returned to nondenominational church,but rarely went . We still are pretty close and she has told me she was never happy until she left the church. The father stopped shunning and sees his grandkids often. There was no abuse in the family other than the church. They were not bad people, they just went to a screwed up church. I talked to her last month and she mentioned that many of her friends from the JW now talk to her. I guess she wore them down. Also I told her about this channel and a few others and she told me she had seen most of the channels I knew about. She is very anti JW over the shunning concept. She has helped many kids who needed a place to stay. The reason she will tell you she left the realized the church was wacked is she loved coffee, and she wanted birthday parties.

[@LordBaldur]

If a religion tells you not to ask questions, then they don't have the answer.

[@ovider6625]

Ask me a question about religion then

[@blastemaston8709]

@@ovider6625 is hades a bad person

[@ovider6625]

@@blastemaston8709 well it depends which version in Greek mythology he isn’t as much of a bad guy then people expect him to be as he did more good actions then bad but if your referring to Christianity/Catholicism then yes he is absolutely terrible a self entitled maliciously low back coward.

[@ovider6625]

@@blastemaston8709 the only bad thing hades has done in Greek mythology is kidnapped Persephone

[@chelalee3014]

I was never baptized so I was never shunned. But my mom told me when I was 3 months shy of my 17 bday that I had the option to follow the religion or get out of the house because I was an embarrassment to my family and my dad could not become a senior of our congregation because I didnt want to go to meetings or go door to door. And that behavior reflected bad on him as head of household. So I had to leave because they were starting to get shunned a bit because of me. And that hurt but now I'm 40 and I haven't stepped foot back into my mother's home. I call and they talk to my kids but my relationship with my parents was never the same after that.

[@lainaballls]

I recently found your channel and was also simultaneously rewatching all of the Deadly Women series. I found out about Lauren Stuart, a women who was shunned with her family from JW because they wanted their kids to go to college if they wanted to. She killed her entire family and herself because she was so deep into a clinical depression and reliant on the studies of the cult, she believed they were better off dead now then during the “Armageddon”. That’s story made me think of everything you’re doing to stop the cult and I hope that it ends. This is tragic.

[@gwit4051]

wow they aren't even subtle with how evil they are, who watches a video like that and thinks "yea im gonna go join that"

[@ona512]

they wouldn't show this to a new member, they know better. this is probably level 10 jw propaganda, where you're too deep to leave now.

[@yeet8627]

exactly. they don’t even try to hide it

[@yeet8627]

@@ona512 yea probably.

[@carolgibson-wilson4354]

Devout Jews do likewise. My neighbor's daughter married a Gentile. Now they deny her existence. Loving God indeed

[@pastelguts6182]

"After all I had done" goddamn, she says it like she killed someone I already know all this stuff, but its therapeutic to hear you talk about it.

[@Novaitidae]

Man the end part where she finally gets hugged by her family makes my stomach hurt. It feels so hollow and completely horrifying.

[@LittleYuppa]

This is disgusting. If an organization makes you do something, and it make you feel horrible, maybe you should not be taking instructions from that organization. And, that quote is horrible. It is so sad that this happens.

[@Gfish17]

This Shunning is just another reason to remove Religion from the protected Classes. Respect PEOPLE NOT RELIGIOUS DOGMA

[@JohnJackson-mn4ts]

If that’s “Jehovah’s Love” then I don’t want it.

[@TheCanadiangringa]

Baptized at 15. Shunned for 24 years so far. My parents continue to be brainwashed by the cult. My life sounds just like this poor girl’s. So glad I’ve never gone back!!

[@pinedelgado4743]

That young lady going back to "Jehovah" to be re-instated as a JW was like a North Korean managing to escape the tyranny of his leaders to the freedom of South Korea and then, a short time later, going back to live in the communist and authoritarian repression of North Korea. :(