On this channel we create content that helps people lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives with the overall aim of finding their voice.
Having been in a high-control religion for 37 years, I know the pain associated with unraveling indoctrination. Religion is a breeding ground for narcissism and when it’s a religious parent with toxic narcissistic traits, catching the signs can be extremely difficult.
I believe it is extremely Important to deconstruct indoctrination in various healthy ways, and we will talk about those ways on this channel.
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Biggest reason I didn't get baptised was I didn't want to be treated better for it. I felt like I could see who really were my friends/ not friends staying not baptised.
Avi you are such a beautiful woman, inside and out! ❤ Isn't it amazing how we can know so early in our kids' lives that they WON'T stay in the religion?! My kid was 3 when he told me a story in the bible stories book "makes no sense" to him 😅
Only people in a religious cult would follow the inhumane and cruel practice of shunning family members who leave the religion. I know jws who dont agree with shunning.They have left the religion to be with family and friends.I know others who secretly meet with them.I am very glad that governments are stepping in to protect peoples human rights.I believe in religious freedom but when religious rules deny people the right to see their children, grandchildren, mothers and fathers they have gone too far!!
Do you know if Dr. Lee accepts VA insurance? I've always looked for a a form JW therapist. I'm so tired of my focus in therapy being explaining the beliefs I grew up vs the damage those beliefs have caused and continue to cause.
Deacon Anthony (former but I still like to show respect) was awesome on the Greater Light Studio podcast channel too. I’m a former 9 year member (I had some great memories but also have mixed moments too.)
Another off-shoot of the Millerite movement, so fascinating!!! The similarities with the JWs are freaky. They even have a book called The Truth book. Loved this.
Many diseases are caused by stress and this organization going to the meetings all the time causes stress even not to talk of the daily assignments we had to do which brings more anxiety ,I did research when I was having symptoms and realised trauma was causing my health issues, doctors could not help so I took it upon myself to help myself started eating well saw my health improved a little bit but immediately realised that the meetings and the relationship I was having were having effects on my health I stopped and I immensely saw improvement, when the elders asked me why I was missing meetings I told them I realised the coming to the meetings was causing more stress ,they told me how come because if I have love for Jehovah I will not say because the meetings is suppose to refresh me😢,I didn't mind them I choose me and continue to choose me because the truth is no one cares if you do not take care of yourself
Yes I really relates with her,also African , attracted to this religion because of the resurrection hope, also had health issues but when I immediately stopped attending meetings my health issues resolved, peace of mind is underrated
That's what I told myself that one Sunday morning I got up and felt thirsty and decided to drive to NJ to get some sippy sippy juice. I had an itch in my throat and needed some vitamin that only Jameson and Macallan would quench. The next thing I know some guy starts bothering me and asking me questions to which I did what any great Jehuva Witness would do... I answered his questions. A few months later everyone is talking about me. And now I am sitting in a lame as town in North Carolina watching my stupid neighbor clean his gutters.... what a life!
Good for you! After I left Bethel, well after I got my ass kicked out, I didn't get much of a choice. They just sent my ass to a whack ass town in North Carolina...
I enjoyed your interview with this former SCJ member.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 I am a former member of the World Mission Society Church of God, and I've recently left 7 weeks ago after being trapped in there for 18 months day and night. I understand how difficult it is to deconstruct your life after such an ordeal. There are 3 miillion members in in WMSCOG in 175 countries and the number is growing rapidly. I never realized how many cults there are out there until I went on the internet to do my own research on the wmscog. I only wish, that I did more research on the internet at the beginning, however, we were frowned down on going on the internet. I was told, that Heavenly Moher would cry and have a broken heart if I ate from the tree of knowledge and not of the tree of life. I and I did not want to die Spiritually. I guess I'm not the only one who was brainwashed in this world. Thank you once again for this video. I'm going to subscribe to your channel for sure.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😮😮😮😅.
I have the book “Millions Now Living Will Never Die” along with dozens of other books. I left the cult in 1979 at age 18 unbaptized. My parents stayed until their deaths in 2011 and 2017. I inherited their very large collection of WT material. I also bought many many at used book stores and on line.
Watchtower organization is disoriented, meaning they are doomed to crash on the Alps mountains. The GB meaning the pilots, if pilots get disoriented, they will crash! This is it!!!!!! Shunning a weapon used to keep all in and pretend.
If there was no shunning, everyone would leave this spying controlling disrupting families, doing a lot of injustices, child sexual abuse hashing, protecting the abusers. Thanks again
i remember that young man who wanted to be a singer. he had his own band back home. he didn't care what his parents thought and carried on with what made him happy, although, his dad was an elder. it was great not judging him, that's why his parents enjoyed inviting me around
I was born Jehovah’s Witness , and on Aug 12th, 2021, I prayed to Jehovah letting him know how much this religion has hurt my heart. Since I was born I’ve been told that God was going to destroy all who were not witnesses. I couldn’t do it anymore I prayed to God letting him know all the damage this religion has done in my life....I told God that all I wanted was his love not paradise especially knowing all the non-witnesses that I loved were dead and I would gladly give my life in exchange for my children that are not witnesses. I told him I could no longer assist meetings because this religion is making me think badly of him. I remember yelling in my head how I couldn’t understand how a loving God could do this knowing our imperfections...I was sobbing, overwhelmed with grief when all of a sudden I had a thought of : I would never hurt anyone. I felt it down to my bones, I instantly calmed down and felt at peace. That night as I was laying down, my whole body started with intense waves of vibration, I started to sit up and it kept going, then I just had this knowing not be afraid and I just relaxed and immediately I started seeing all these lights and I was in a tunnel of light. I kept thinking if my husband turned around I was going to be sparkling! Then I was inside of this most amazing light that was filling me with so much love, fractals of light were coming towards me and all I could hear was I love you, you are loved over and over again. I felt all the pain and hate and hurt melt from my core, I was just floating there in unimaginable love and bliss, I remember being asked if I wanted to stay and I thought of my kids and then it just melted away and I was sitting in bed. I was drunk with Gods love for 2 weeks, I was healed from a full body skin illness I had been suffering for 3 years. I haven’t been back to any meetings since. Haven’t spoken to any elders about what happened just my mom and husband her reaction was not surprising, immediately told me to talk to an elder. I know they will say it was demonic, but how can a love so complete not be from something so pure? Because of this experience, I started researching and was blown away by THOUSANDS of accounts of others who have had this out of body experience called NDE or STE, I’m telling you it’s mind blowing how death has been held over us. Everyone says the same thing: God is not Judging us WE are!!! I still pray and feel Gods Holy Spirit with me something I had never felt in the Kingdom Hall! I just want others to know that God is not in the religious buildings/kingdom hall he is in our hearts everywhere we go, always. He does not give us the spirit of fear, anything in the Bible that causes fear is a misinterpretation. Jesus came to free us from the lies and it’s happening again, we are the new scrolls...the countless witnesses of how religions are a snare! Jesus said it was done! He didn’t say now we have to follow another religions rules to inherit the kingdom! My Father and I share the same will that ALL WILL BE SAVED!
an ex jw was explaining that the organization get their number of members by counting the new born babies ,unborn ones, adding those coming to assemblies whether baptized or not, oh, not forgetting those regularly attending to meetings. and as they realise many are leaving their community, they refrain from disfellowshipping eagerly as they used to do
when they dissassociate ppl, they announce it at the next tuesday meeting. they waste no time. the idea being the quicker, they do that, the faster everyone in their community would disown you/shun you and start following you around wherever you go until the worst happens. at that point, when they put the pressure on you, to take your life, they can't get the blame for it
here is another proof that they do follow ppl (jw) around by standing in front of the person (they harrassing)'s house, they come to your work to make sure you lose your job and become dependent of them to the point that such behaviour push many jws to take their lives. this is sick
Gday Wendy your videos are therapy to me. I made a video today called Apostate Muslim ,Mormon ,Scientoligist and Jehovah Witness. Keep up the good work Wendy ❤ ❤❤ Justin Porter ex jw.
Wow! This short video truly describes my past and present. I have difficulty thinking I am worthless. I am always striving to be better and it’s never good enough. I enjoyed thought about how you have to do more in the congregation to be accepted. I hadn’t been baptized so I got baptized at 16. Although, I was denied twice. Then that was not good enough and I became a regular pioneer. Back then it was 90 hours a month. Then I didn’t have enough return visits. It was very defeating. Thank you for putting these ideas into words. It really hit home.
Thank you Wendi. This is so valuable, every exjw needs to listen to what he has to say. Ryan helped me during the darkest period of my life, when I first woke up. He helped me immensely.
Thanks Wendi, great to see another video from you and am looking forward to the next one. There was so much helpful information in the video and lots I can relate to, I really appreciate the time and effort you both put into this video😀
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I loved this episode, Dr. Lee was great as well. I have been disfellowshipped for over 20 years, but it wasn't till the last few years, with therapy and watching activist channels that I have felt like I am a whole human being. I was raised in, elder dad, daughter is a pioneer, I like most lost friends and family. The grief is the hardest part.
Grief is definitely the hardest part. There are lots of issues around undoing programming and ingrained ways of thinking that are easier to tackle in a more pragmatic way, but grief (such as the kind that comes from losing your family and community) is a pain that is only really processed through the feeling of it, and there aren't really any shortcuts (though having someone to hold space for you can definitely make it more tolerable)
"Jehovahs witnesses dont relate in a genuine way" ... such a true fkn statement - let me tell u the cringeeee i did wen i was a JW, i was soeaking to someone and wantd to turn it into a "witnessing opportunity" .. she told me her dad died, and i asked "how do u feel abt that?" & she said r u serious how do i feel abt that, i said yes, and then when she told me she hated it and was sad and angry i said "think of how youll feel wen he is resurrected" ... what a fucking asshole, i realized in the moment how insensitive i was being asking that question, but i kept it going to get to the witnessing point.
Enjoyed this one! In regards to the section on guilt - i used to feel guilt twds Jehovah and Jesus when i felt i disappointed them based on the indoctrination, when i realized JWs arent "the truth", & JWs are so crooked, & the bible isnt the "word of god", & that i dont believe in abrahamic religions, there is no guilt twds god because i realized how truly amazing i am. Self love came after i let go of self hatred, self hatred came from the indoctrination of i was birn a sinner.
yeah, so often our guilt (what we have been told is our "conscience") is really just fear of displeasing some invisible force who we have been told is unhappy with us and we are never going to be good enough for. This invisible judge, who we never actually hear from, but can assume disapproves.
Hi Wendi! What a great show. If there is a Numb stage past Sadness and anger then that is where I'm at but just sharing. It is amazing that ppl who leave for years still call the religion the truth. Anyway, see you next time
The numb stage is generally the total system shutting down, your soul essentially saying "this is all too much, so I'm going on strike". This can be a useful protective mechanism for a period of time, but can be problematic as an ongoing state of being. It's especially challenging because usually, in order to feel fully again, we must start by making space for the things we would prefer not to feel (eg anger, sadness)
I was especially fortunate when I left, because I knew I was 100% right in leaving. Not only the elders of my congregation, but NY was involved in telling me to sit down, shut up, forgive & continue associating with the stalker/pedo who openly admitted to what he was doing, didnt stop, didnt apologize & continues to this day, 30 yrs later. I had myself & my daughter to protect! Ba-bye! See ya, Satan! "Get out of her, my people!" That didnt make it easy. I lost my family & everything. I had to chew off my leg to get free of the trap,...but I grew another one. 🐎
I'm so happy you were able to break free (and reconnect with lost limbs =) ). Being completely sure about your decision saves you a lot of grief, but yeah, there is still a lake of other kinds of grief to swim through. Good for you for committing to it and following through with what you knew in your heart
Happy to see your you tube video. Definitely do not have to do one every week or even in a month. Great to see you are able to add meaningful content to this subject.
Deep conversation!! All culture’s and civilizations down through history have its unique quality of control, belief systems, ways to exclude or include individuals. We are still tribal and social beings figuring out our niche or ways to be accepted or a need by accommodating or acclimating to situations. Say this, do this, alter how or what you say. Will save this one or watch again. Would say more but tired. Surprised I could type this much and almost did not add my comment.
Yes, even though the experiences of an Ex-JW are very unique, I believe their journey echoes one which almost all humans go through to varying degrees. As you said, ideas of belonging, purpose, connection and questions about what it means to be a good person/live a good life
Thanks so much! Yeah, after working almost exclusively with ex-JWs for the past 5 years, I have found that these particular experiences are almost universal with everyone I meet
When I saw the first images of your video, I had the impression of seeing my sister take her Jehovist baptism. This takes me back to a period of my life that I want to forget, but I believe that I can truly forget this painful period only when this apocalyptic cult has disappeared from the face of the earth and I work there locally every day.
@@WendiRenay I agree. For a lot of people, that pain never fully leaves, but for almost everyone it fades, and usually in relationship to the degree to which we invest time and energy into our own healing. And yeah, the complete dissolution of the org would be a lovely thing to see, but I do take some solace in the fact that they seem to be hemorrhaging members since the 2020 covid lockdown
