Escaping A Cult: My Journey Out of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Part 1: The Trauma Begins) 

So proud of you, baby. As you know, I am inspired daily by the strength and determination it took for you to escape a lifetime of brainwashing. From the little JW boy I knew at school to the force of nature I'm married to now. You're amazing

Brilliant video. I've been out now for 25 years. Best thing I ever did but regret all those lost years as a JW.

Glad you're free. I've had 2 birthdays thus far and my next cake will have 3 candles. I don't make a wish when I blow out the candles. I give thanks. I give thanks that I'm free

Good to hear an English account of an escape from this cult. I remember being at assemblies at Nottingham football ground. You are probably around the age of my poor sons who I, to my everlasting regret brought up as Witness’s. One is still in it, the other mercifully, out. The one still in brought my precious grandchildren up in it too! All traumatised because of it! God forgive me for being the instrument of their demise. So glad you are out!! My poor boys had no birthdays, no parties or presents, Christmas presents or parties. I’m sorry for your awful childhood. Thank you for exposing this vile cult for what it truly is!

Thank you for your experience and being free. I got out 5 years ago after 36 years of being fully indoctrinated. So many are waking up, it’s great to see more and more getting their life back.

wowsers... turns out I didn't know much about JWs. Public facing seems so benevolent and harmless. So very happy you're living, loving and learning (and out of the cult). Thanks for sharing, and stay strong

You cannot have humanity and remain a part of an inhumane organization. ❤

Thank you so much for your video. My husband and I are POMO in the UK. My husband was an Elder and we pioneered together. We basically woke up this past year and jumped ship. But it hasn’t been easy it does take great courage to no longer run with the herd. We both discuss the same questions and have come to the same conclusions as you. So thank you for your honesty. You are also correct it is a cult.

Always great to hear another experience! I’m up in North East Scotland, I went in in my early 20’s and just left a year and a half ago and am now 60, what an absolute relief to be out and a a shock discovering what I’ve been part of. Didn’t take me long to realize I’d been in a Cult. I was absolutely mentally and emotionally exhausted but now with support of my husband who was never interested and other family members my life feels so much happier and glad to be in control of my own life again. Thank you for sharing your experience. ❤

Excellent video. My life has been easier since I left this cult after being raised in it. Couldn't get my head around not being able to see my pet again in the new system at age 8. Asked my elder dad if I would, he said no. I asked why and was told, " because it's not made in god's image like us." I said " But if god is love and I love my bird surely that's it? God IS love." That turning of his back on me and telling me to get ready for the meeting was an early eye opener. God as a literal thing - Jehovah, Allah, Shiva etc etc doesn't exist. There's only love and not enough of it where religious fanatics are involved. We had an army swagger stick in our living room, always propped by the fireplace. It was used often on all us seven kids, some more than others 😊 My dad, the pious elder, arrived home from door knocking, dragged me up the garden path by my hair in front of my non JW friends ( I was playing football in front of our house) and threw me to the floor inside. I jumped up and called him a bastard. The first time I'd ever swore. His reaction? Walked up to me, head butted me and broke my nose. I was 15 he was 47 ex coal mining window cleaner. So much for love. I left home as soon as I could and was shunned before I left and after. I have tried so hard to keep family contact for years but have found life easier now I reverse shun them.

Hi my name is Marcie and I was one of Jehovahs Witnesses for over 30 years. I served as a regular pioneer for ten of those years. I was first contacted in the door to door ministry back in 1987 and I finally left the organisation in 2022. That is the introduction to every video I have made on my RU-vid channel. (There’s about 50 videos up there now) I can relate to a lot of what you say. I also worked in an area of great difficulty. I worked in the court system with victims of abuse including children and people who had been abused as children and as adults, were bringing the abuser to court. I had many questions about why this happened, where was God in all of this? Also I too was a victim of CSA starting at the age of 8 and it went on into my teens. I have made a video about what happened when I discovered there was a paedophile in my congregation. This religion had destroyed the lives and the faith of millions of people. Thank you for adding your voice to the growing community, that wants to see ‘The Tower ‘ toppled and destroyed.❤

Everything else aside, thank you for helping get so many children justice. You don’t understand that you’re their guardian angel.

I appreciate your point of view! As someone who served as an MS for 17 years in several congregations and foreign language. My experience was constantly being on an endless hamster wheel of work, talks, assignments, accounts, territory, literature, PTs as soon as one schedule was done another would come in and my life would be filled with these endless tasks, which I gladly did for my God. I was burnt out and had to step back when my child was born. After years of working endlessly the Elder body was more interested in getting me back to work then really encouraging me. This made me realise they just wanted to put me to work, I started to push back and they showed me their true colors. I couldn't understand why they were more interested in my reported hours then my immediate sitaution, (mum was also sick at this time and work had fired me and there was a global pandemic.) The timesheet hours weren't good enough for them to make me an elder... and the CO visit was coming up. When it comes to work the JW men are busy and burnt out... that could be the reason why so few men in the org. Many are simply not interested in working for free for a real estate business high control group.

I very much appreciated your video. I have been out seven years. Please keep posting from the heart.

I truly understand your feelings and I'm glad you left the cult as I did. I'm older now, almost lost my husband because of my nonsensical stance. Always tried to say join!!!!! Glad he didn't. But, respectfully I do believe in a loving God. I don't understand the horrors that's done to the vulnerable. And I cannot say why God doesn't intervene. There's alot I don't understand. But I totally get what your saying. I can see your disgust. I see your anger and I get all of it.

I enjoyed listening to your story. I have been married 36 years to a man that was raised a JW but wasn't in it when we met, wasn't even baptized. Well about 10 years ago all that changed, he was baptized, and that will be what takes my wonderful marriage, up until 10 years ago. He is brain washed, and he is blind. There is no getting him to read nor question anything and it breaks my heart but nothing I can do.

You are an amazing human ! An inspiration! I am sorry for what you endured . It’s good to see you free , living your best life .

Thank you for sharing your story. I was born into the cult and left at 19 years of age. Nearly 25 years later I am honestly only starting to clearly see just how much damage this cult caused to my mental wellbeing and development. It has taken being in a mentally and emotionally abusive relationship in my 20’s because that was what I thought a relationship was for a woman to then an emotionally unavailable partner in my 30’s to now be able to look back and understand how much that early brainwashing and programming has impacted my adult life. I am only now starting to truly undo and deprogram. I am lucky to have found now a supportive partner who is helping me work through everything. I suspect there were things I have suppressed from my memories of growing up but despite losing my family over my decision it helps my heart heal knowing that love is not and should never be conditional on adherence to a religious belief and if family choose their beliefs over their child this is then their loss and not mine. My chosen family love me for the person I am and for that alone with no conditions.

I AGREE WITH YOU A GAZILLION PERCENT MY GOOD MAN. GLAD YOU GOT OUT OF THAT WICKED CULT!

You mentioned some books, I’ll look them up but one book that really helped me and others who were bold enough to read it contrary to the rules “Crisis of Conscience “.

Glad you escaped! I am 4th generation and it was hard to get out until I realized that they are the apostates, and I needed to shun them. Weirdly it made it easier.

Thanks for opening up about your personal story, I know it's not easy.. It can be of help for people who struggle with doubts and can't find the courage to leave, so go ahead with part 2 😉

Glad you made it. Welcome to the world, it's not so bad. Wish I could get my sister back from the organization, but I guess she's happy enough. Best wishes to you-

Never in my entire life have I had a birthday (or Christmas) present or celebration ... never, and I am an old man. Watchtower is totally totally evil and vile.

Thanks for sharing your Exjw experience. Would love to hear more. Greetings from London.

I always found it interesting that the organization felt the need to further convince people about the dangers of blood transfusions. It’s not enough to just explain that the Bible says transfusions are a sin and not allowed (which isn’t true anyways), but to further justify it by claiming they are dirty and dangerous is just ridiculous!!! Soo many witnesses believe they are unsafe and that you’ll get some disease if you get one. It’s really sad

There are things I'm ashamed to admit I did because of Watchtowers teachings. The way I treated people and behaved in some situations, especially with birthdays and disfellowshiping and with non believing family. It's a great embarrassment to me even after having been out for over 20 years. It is clear to me now that there are no gods. No need to adhere to absurd dogmas. Every video I see like this is helpful in reminding me that I wasn't the only one. Many of us were caught up in this monstrous cult simply by force of circumstance and power dynamics in our families. I was 6 when my mother was baptized. My father never got involved, but the manipulation is terrible meaning the kids in that situation will most likely fall victim to their indoctrination.

Please, I just discovered your video and I wish you could make it daily. I felt that it came straight from your heart 💙

Funny how having a kid and allowing our brains to mature wakes us up and exit - good for you fella.

Hugs. Thank you for sharing your story. It was great.

My dad was from Stockton On Tees (well Thornaby actually). He went to school at Thornaby and I believe it was next to the railway station but I'm not sure if there is a school there any more. I used to go to Middlesborough, Saltburn and Redcar a lot on the train quite a bit but I haven't been for some time now. Great beach walk from Saltburn to Redcar! It's fascinating hearing life stories from other former witnesses. I never grew up in the org but came in when I was around 23ish. I've been disassociated for around 15 years now. It can be traumatic for sure, but we all get there in the end! All the best.

You're still figuring it out my brother. You're very strong. We'll all be together as one in eternity. See you then!🎉

Thank you great info will help many.

Thank you for sharing

This is excellent. It is very powerful and great storytelling. I hope to hear more. Hello from Pennsylvania.

im up i yorkshire and left 8 years ago....The stories that i know are unbelievable..........only those that have been in can know the craziness and control .........glad your out bro

Thankyou for sharing 💜 I too was brought up JW I got out at 16 I relate to you and the conditions we lived under .

Thanks for sharing. I recently woke up at 46. Born in. Not all was bad for me but I feel robbed of a childhood, adolescence and adulthood that I could have had. I left and haven’t looked back. Hopefully my wife and son see through the facade and do their own research.

Very similar experience waking up. Thank you for sharing your story!!

Good for you sir. 🇮🇪🙏

Thanks for your video. I am one of eight children. One of my siblings became a witness at age ~50. My feelings are; Jehovah Witness stole my sister from me and the family. They took advantage of her when she was vulnerable.

Thanks for sharing, we all have our reasons. I never got baptized even though I studied for YEARS! Apparently I ask to many questions 😅

Glad to hear I had two young girls JW come to my house the other day...and I had a great conversation about the Lord with them...though Im a russian orthodox...they looked at me like who is this guy and how does he know so much? I didn't insult them or anything...I told them they could come back and talk about the Lord again ....I love the Lord

Man the irony. I just got in the gym after leaving. So your channel is about to be perfect for me

I found this fella on RU-vid channel called archaix , his got a playlist called the dark scriptures , it helped me so much with sorting my mind out after leaving 26 years ago , first time I’ve really understood what the bible is .

Awesome thank you

I was a witness on and off for about 35 or 40 years. My husband and daughter came to the meetings with occasionally, but did not believe the JW doctrine. There were a number of red flags that I noticed along the way, but I did not act on them until I stopped to really think about it and decided this was a cult and not worth my time. I was never disfellowshipped. I just faded. I am so glad I did. My life was extremely stressful as a witness. My beloved husband took care of our daughter and me until after he passed away forty years later when he had his 98th birthday in 2017,

Brother, just as much as there is an endless amount of GOOD that can happen and that one can experience, the same is true of the opposite. There’s no limit to the downward negative spiral just as there can be no limit to the upward positive spiral for our human experience. The JW’s give Jesus and Christianity a bad name. Jesus came to save sinners and that is exactly what He did for me. My life is truly a testimony of the goodness of God and transformative power of Christ when Christ really has a person’s heart.. The religion is bad, but the Spirit of Christ is good. I didn’t grow up religious/spiritual, got bad into drugs and prostitution, almost died at 25 years old from brain aneurysm now partially paralyzed on left side due to MY transgressions.. I do feel like Jesus saved me. I have changed sooo much in a short amount of time since I have given my life to Christ. Jesus came to save sinners. He couldn’t stand the religious people as well.

An ex JW here - left in 1993. I really enjoyed that. But I hope you don't mind but the name "Dorian Yates" kept popping into my mind as I watched - you're definitely a ringer for him.

We were taught that Jehovah was being patient out of love, and to finish the "Sovreignty" issue, by letting mankind prove that they can't rule themselves, over time, allowing all mankinds failures to prove this. Allowing evil to proliferate and get worse and worse, just to prove that he was the only one who could solve mankinds problems, and after it was THOROUGHLY proven, FINALLY the end could come. Even if that were true, which it isn't of course, I realized at the age of 50, that, as almighty god, he could prove this, and put the sovreignty issue thorougly to rest, WITHOUT allowing child trafficking and child rape. He could at LEAST allow all other evils to carry on, and that'd be more than enough to prove that mankind can't rule perfectly. He has the power to do this IF HE WANTED TO. Easily. Instead he's proven one thing: that he doesn't do ANYTHING. This "patience" thing is just a lever for the Governing Body to keep everyone hooked forever.

Ah that Fritzl case made a big impact on me too!

Thank you for sharing yr journey so far , we as ex witnesses do have to do a lot of healing and pulling apart of beliefs , I started therapy just because I wanted to know who I am 🤯 which sounds crazy , but I just didn’t know what was actually me and what was the learnt behaviour from upbringing, i look back now , I’m 52 and left at 28 and I just think wow , wtf was all that about , it’s only now that part of my journey is completely coming to a close , the guilt towards my family that are still witnesses because I don’t see them very much is fading now. I see it all with different eyes , they were hoodwinked into the religion so I try not to hold on to blame and resentment and try and be grateful that I’ve learnt what I have and went on to investigate so many other religions and cultures and where they originated , so maybe as much as it’s been far from easy I kinda get that maybe cults are everywhere in society and it’s very very easy to full into one . I haven’t really found where I fit in yet (at 52 🙃) but that’s just cool I kinda like it that way 😊

Interesting thank you & good luck to you 👍

Thank you for sharing. Every story helps. While the stories all vary a bit...they are all the same. I especially related with your thoughts on Jehovah not helping victims. That disturbed me greatly! And allowing your child to die w/o blood. Crazy! Waiting for more.

Good and honest speech!

Excellent measured take on life as a j dub ..how it kills all your aspirations and hopes of achieving something really worthwhile...i gave it 25 years of my life and when i left they abandoned me ...please make another video ..i ll look forward to hearing more of your experiences

Thank you for telling your story a lot of their things don't make sense

Thank my friend..from Sydney

I’m interested in part 2, thanks for sharing

its amazing we are got to be here in the first place and are thinking it

Yeah no love ever ever shown from this God… great video 👍

Part 2,3,4,5 please

Why do humans believe in something when there is insufficient evidence 🤔

You're so good looking! Welcome to freedom brother! I left over 30 yrs ago!

great vid. im struggling to get myself out as well.

fantastic video. i love your integrity and honest thank you so very much for speaking out. would you consider speaking out on the shunning that takes place on this platform

Also the confusing part about he ransom sacrifice is that according to the watchtower God did not know Adam and Eve would sin. But is God not All knowing?

You are more than welcome to say that you are a part of Tuatha De Acacia of Danaan ❤️‍🔥🪽🍀💯 Those that have God n Mother Earth within there hearts ❤️‍🔥🪽

Would love Pt2

I am a ex jw

22:04 if you’d like to read more about people experiencing similar struggles about “this happened to me, so how could god let this happen? How could he exist?” I recommend reading Night by Elie Weisel But otherwise I reccommend Educated by Tara Westbrook!!!! Both are memoirs.

🙏 🙏

Xjw from Carlisle UK 👍

Excellent 👍 ❤

Respect from nz

its crazy but I cant get out even as an adult I want To.

Interesting…. Thanks for sharing How’s the husafel coming along?

we know a lot more now because of the internet

Stay Alive 75

I remember my 5th birthday , it was my last as my mum became a jw by the time i was 6. I gave myself a 50th bd even tho i was still "in" the org. Been out now 4+ years after 50+ years in and no regrets leaving. Jesus is now my hope not the wt org .

From the age of 16 years i started to study stopped an started again in my late 20s an got baptised soon after when for about 4 years an just stop going soon after cause i cant tek them dirty ways

👍👍👍👍

Dude you are so cool

I was 35. My mom threatened suicide if I didn't increase my field service.

My wife is just going in and it’s crazy

Drop the shame ! It’s heavy , it’s not yours to carry my friend. You were programmed. We can only see with the eyes we had . Your vision had been skewed purposely by others.

Love your tattoo.. is that vegvisir?

I wish you brought up the fact that there is white blood cells in all mammals milk, when you were talking about blood !!

Good job brother 👍 I have a message for all JW get a real bible study and the truth will set you free

Yeah, I get that. It’s so sad that you didn’t get to celebrate birthdays however you make it sound like there are no other joyous occasions that you could remember. It’s like you put all your joy in a birthday. You can have great awesome experiences on days that are not your birthday. Personally, I don’t celebrate my birthday. I don’t wanna be reminded. I’m getting older and I just find it a bit silly that people would sing happy birthday to me and it’s such a drudge and there’s so much responsibility and people expect you to put on a party and a show and even for the kids people expect you to put on a party and it’s so much work all I can say is that at least Jehovah’s Witnesses have been freed of that obligation. But I’m sorry you feel you missed out on something you didn’t really I think this thing what you feel it in your family is a symptom of something else, maybe you just didn’t feel heard or seen. I bet it’s got nothing to do with not celebrating birthdays.

its all ambiguous cannot verify or validate who and what is God ? How did God there in the first place every body looks at things from thier point of view in relation to what they know at the time as you learn more your opinion can change

1914 millions living now will never die

did God ever answer your prayers

It was God in the flesh who condemed sin in the flesh the nature of God Sin needs to be paid He is a Rigetoeus Judge therefore you either pay for your own sins or you are declared Rigetoeus by Trusting in Him Jesus Christ finished Work His death burial resurrection blood ( also you have Free Will in Eden the Tree of Life and you have the tree of knowledge of good and evil this is your free will jeavoah witnesses are not saved they are working for their salvation also have a false Son of God

You weren't allowed? Who was going to stop you?

I’m just really curious that you claimed that you left Jo’s witnesses when you were adult and you were in it for a long time. You don’t look like a Jehovah’s Witness I mean, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t have beards or tattoos or pierced ears so did you just go wild after you left Jehovah’s Witnesses and decide that you had a lot of stuff to catch up on and did you go All in one day and get your ears pierced and get your tattoos to catch up or what that all about? I mean, you don’t even look like an ex Jehovah’s Witness.

The bible is filled with JEHOVAH YAWEHS DISCIPLINE enjoy YOUR JOURNEY me I will stay at kingdom hall. all the way to Armageddon 40 yrs so far it been fantastic wonderful I love going door to door I find a whole lot of peeps who have no religion its great we are 5000 kingdom halls behind we are in the3 fastest growing religion!!!❤

Love ex bro

I'm thinking the bloke in the video must have left the JW at aged 35 and the next day got covered in tattoos and ears pierced and bought himself a big birthday cake and a poor bastards shoulder to cry on for the rest of his life!😅

Always a moner