Just June here! Thank you for coming back, hope you enjoy this interview with my son. Stay tuned for part 2! As always, thank you for watching! Be yourself and be well. ♡
I always kept my kids home on those days. I didn’t want them to face any BS. I would also tell the teachers that they do not have to police the kids. I would say “you teachers have enough to do. If my kid takes the Bday cup cakes then he takes the cupcake. My daughters teacher and I got to be friends. She respected me bc of my normal people attitude
Almost every day I find a new channel of exJW's. I can not be happier that so many of us are leaving the CULTure. You and your son's experiences are really similar to what my daughters and I went through. I feel so awful for what I put them through as a JW parent, I am so thankful they never baptized and left as soon as they were able. Me on the other hand... it took over 20 years for me to wake up.
@@liv328 The reality you have is that you have become a victim of the biggest fraud in human history. And that is thinking it is best to leave Jehovah and join others who now attack the faith. Just as the bible said would be done by the devil in the last days.
@@MrRklewis I appreciate your reply and I 100% understand where you are coming from. When I was a Witness I would have said and done anything to defend my faith and NOTHING anyone said or showed me would have changed my mind. So I do empathize with you. However, because of that I also know that trying to convince you to change your mind is never going to happen. So, rather than argue frivolously with you, let me just say that I 100% understand your position, I lived that same mind frame for over 20 years of my life. And I wish you well in yours. :)
Props from the ex-Mormon community! This interview is hilarious and wholesome. I love how his mom looks lovingly at him while trying not to burst into laughter.
My favorite JW memory is when I went to see Chippendales with my coworkers and ENJOYED it! I had absolutely 💯 NO remorse for my actions. Someone told the elders, and idk how but I didn't get in trouble for it. Completely got away with it 🙌💪
I never raised my kids in it. I was born and raised in it, hated all of it and refused baptism. My kids learned from me that it was not a good thing so they have information to warn others which is good. Your son is amazing. So glad you're still close.
Thank you for the extraordinary interview between a mother and her son that we are privileged to be a part of. A special exchange of memories, emotions and truths and such a beautiful, open conversation that is not possible among active Jehovah's Witnesses because the thoughts, the emotions, the actions and information are controlled. A specification of this liberty-robbing high-control group.
Thank you for sharing your stories. I’m glad you & your son have escaped the wicked tower! Your son is precious. I wish you a very merry first Christmas 💕 🎄
I’m glad your son got out of the cult. I haven’t been in the Kingdom Hall since 2009. Hearing your sons story made me feel the same way. Full of guilt for myself. I haven’t told my family that I’m celebrating Christmas with a friend and at first I feel a bit guilty back then, but over time I got over it. Well Merry Christmas to you and your family for sharing this video.
🥰🥰🥰 So glad you guys are making these vids. You are going to inspire SO many people. I think there are some human beings who are so colourful, intelligent, critically thinking, kind, loving, and, genuine, their true natures cannot be muted or suppressed. It is impossible. They will eventually break out of “The Box”. So glad you did! You guys have two scoops of life, and, sparkle. Thank goodness you guys AND your son are all awake and bonded in love and joy. You are all on the same page, and your relationships have not been fractured by (members leaving) this religion as many JW families have been😢. On the contrary, it is evident your familial bond has actually been strengthened and reinforced. You seem to have an awesome *friendship* with your son…and that is EVERYTHING!! As an aside: I had my older son on MY 20th birthday…he is now 28. I love to see how you two relate with each other. ❤️❤️❤️
@@JustDeannaJune Aw, sending love. I hope you continue to feel heard/seen, embraced, and, supported by community. No matter what our stories, we are all on this wild ride called LIFE, together. *Edit / clarification of my previous comment: Yes, I didn’t mean the religion bonded you.😅 It was the journey of leaving it (together), for sure.❤️❤️ I hope your channel grows. I have subscribed, and, will share it with others. I am excited to follow you on your journey, absorb your wisdom, and, delight in your new life of joy, freedom, new connections, and, self discovery. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Great interview. You don’t know how many of us long to have this kind of frank, honest, reflective conversation with our mothers in particular. Thanks for giving us this.
I grew up in “the truth” and NEVER got baptized for fear of being destroyed. I have so many traumatizing stories. Thank you for this channel. My mom passed away in 2008 and that was my out from that religion.
I am a ex Jw I got out at 18 I’m 45 now and I still feel the after effects I still have family members who look at me like an outcast I will subscribe and share your videos I thought for the longest something was wrong with me but it’s not us something’s wrong with that organization
Ja odeszłam rok temu po obejrzeniu komisji Australijskiej. A moja siostra cielesna w organizacji plotkuje że jestem psychicznie chora. Pozdrawiam z Gdańska. ❤❤
Don't worry about delays and the technical stuff. It's the content that's important. Really interested people will watch regardless of your schedule or editing.
Great part 1, looking forward to part 2. I would love to have this type of relationship with my parents. Even though we get together all the time and have a great relationship, there are limits we don't cross. The biggest is bringing up JW issues. They are POMI and well religion is just off the table of topics of discussion. Thanks for sharing.
This first part of the interview was fun somehow... your son is kind of witty, I like that (not sure it's the right translation - I'm French so maybe some words are not the right ones): I'm heading to the follow up vidéo now!
Thank you for sharing your family stories!❤ Just subscribed after hearing your husband story. I must say though, the kingdom hall microphone has me triggered a little bit...well ALOT TRIGGERED!😳😣😬😂
June your videos are amazing. Thank you for sharing your story, I think its extremely interesting as a non-religious person to have some small insight into how people in high-demand religions (specifically JW) live their lives.
Thank y'all very much for this very item and honesty video! Im happy for you two as well, that your out of the org!organization!! Congrats, a "stuck in" Pimo
How did everyone wake up ! You seem like a completely normal family ! There were so many odds families in my kh ! Jealous of your relationship, mom hasn't talked to me in35 years !
Eat'n'Park !! I know those places!! Have one where I live, just 40 miles from Pittsburgh. I am also an EX JW !! LOVE your videos and LOVE that you are HAPPY away from the CULTure!!!
@@JustDeannaJune running the mics or the sound board was one of my favorite parts of the meetings.... My family is still in and ... Well.. don't really get to see them anymore... Glad you and your family have been able to stick together.
You really need to stop beating yourself up for having a child at 21. No matter how old we are the first one is all about learning how to take care of this little person. I was 21, I have two wonderful sons. I made bad decisions and many mistakes ,we all do. The best decision your family made was getting out, now get on with life and stop worrying about what you did. It’s what you do that matters. Merry Christmas!
I can see why you guys left together. Your parents can never regret being JWs because the met, married and had you. Having kids too young isn't good but doctors are concerned about maternal health as mothers are having kids later. Everyone I know had kids in their late 30s & 40s and regretting it as they face leaving kids under 20 carers or even bereaved in some cases I know. It's all a balance of course but there are some benefits of having kids young, energy to play and being there till your kids are even 60 is a major one.
"I just want to admit, I ate every single cupcake and cake they brought in. I wasn't a JW, my parents weren't there. I was just Thomas. " I LMAO harder than I have in a while. Hell yeah Thomas!!! 😂🎉
Great interview! I was just thinking 🤔 all of us have field service 🔫 gun stories! Traumatic! One brother I knew personally was punched off a porch! Like your experience, we all have had these terroristic threats, we were never encouraged to go to the police and report these threats! It was reported to the the elders who "took care of it"!🤔🙄😬 Rediculous how unprotected we were in this area as well!!😱😨🥺
22:20 I first went to the Hall in Nigeria. I missed the people from the Hall there. They were genuinely good people. When I returned to America and started going to the Hall, well, I miss a few people. But some sucked. And not the good kind. I don’t miss them and good riddance. I told the elder in the shepherding visit, I am not going back and there is nothing he can do to make me.
I am glad you were able to escape the cult with your whole family...unfortunately my family won't listen, so your story is rare! The saddest thing to me is that the "organization " pushes people into atheism. The real Father is strict but much more forgiving and loving. I pray that your family stays happy and can rebuild your relationship with the real Creator....to do this we don't need a "organization " or the supposedly faithful and not-so discreet slave!
I was very lucky. My mom never stop me from seeing my friends or playing sports in School. My friends are always over at our house. 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️ Notice I said lucky 🤣😅😅
This is a little hard for me to watch. It's VERY triggering. I was NEVER a JW but I married a man who's sister was, and it was like, I WAS ONE! SUFFERING SO MUCH BULL 💩! And NOW my best friend who is the sister of the JW I talked about, (they are 3 sisters in total) is in this "church" now, too! After we've talked for more than a decade about how BAD this 💩 is..... Now they got their claws into her, too!!! Ive had to be very stern with her and it's breaking up ower friendship. I Toled her I wouldn't say ANYTHING to her and that I didn't want her to mention any of their 💩 to me, either. But damn when these people get "in", it's just a sad, sad, day. . She changing and won't respect MY religion (in their very stylish way) and she's driving me up the wall! I told her: I WILL #NEVER GIVE IN TO JW'S CRAP, SO STOP TRYING! I ignore all the little messages (that comes with pictures, in my cel) but I'm at a stage in my life, where I just need peace. If she keeps it up...there will be no friendship. That also will be a very sad, sad day. But I ASSURE you, I won't regret it. I'm tired of it already as is.
@@JustDeannaJune Thank you VERY much, my sweetness for answering. Whatever happens, happens. We are living in the worst of times and we can't "fall asleep" ya know? Loved your son and interview, don't get me wrong. MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄⛄🎄⛄🎄
When I have baptized before I went in the pool. One of the elders came to me and said are you okay with the Jesus to Michael the archangel issue. And I said yeah but deep down I never believe Jesus was Michael the archangel 😂😂😂
19:40 I was like 14 or 15 in field service and got threatened with death and an Voodoo curse. It did not phase me. Hearing your shotgun story, maybe it should of. 😆.
I have no idea how I never saw this comment all this time!!! I am so very sorry! I actually know Wendi quite well and I saw your interview I think, even though it was like a year ago! If you are still interested in getting in contact with me, I'd love to talk. I was sorta on hiatus for a bit, but I'm back in the swing of things now. If you're interested still, you can contact me at: justjune1973@gmail.com 🤗 sorry again about the mixup and not seeing this post until today! 🙄😩🤪
OMG! I went to school with two JW brothers that had to be put in the hallway every time we did the pledge of allegiance or for any celebration. One of the brothers was a bully, so I didn't feel sorry for him missing out. I would tell my friends that it was God punishing him. LOL! I felt sorry for the little brother that had to sit out in the hallway. He was sweet.
My daughter got baptized to make Billy Graham happy. Kids had taken some kind of rally and I guess she got fired up about being baptized. Today at nearly 40 she has two kids, no religion, no church, no faith. We don’t speak religion in our home when she or the kids come to visit. Something turned her off and so far nothing has turned her back on. Sadly, the same thing has happened with my other kids and in some cases are quite antagonistic about religion as is my husband. This was not JW but a regular main stream church. They saw the church as irrelevant and boring and had nothing to offer them.
Hi Just June. My name is Manny. I too an an ExJW since 2018. But that’s not why I am here. I wanted to let you know I am a videographer/video editor for a living. I wanted to offer my assistance if ever needed. I Edit on Final Cut Pro and would love to lend a hand specifically because I understand the background of JW/ExJW world.
Hi. Me and my mom used be JW,I now how it feels. But we never was baptized. I have been going since I was 3 years old,l what because of my mom I never what because of my me. One I came out as transgender this year, I come on Facebook then about two weeks after that I told my mom but my mom doesn't support me and she said that she wouldn't let me change because I don't have a male private part. ( I was born as a female.)
hugs. most people support your right to be you. make sure you stay alive because the world needs you and you deserve to pursue your dreams and happiness as much as anyone else.
Oh boy…I have 4 kids that were ‘born’ into this garbage like I was. I at least got us all out when they were relatively young, but the damage was done 🤦🏼♀️😂
June, it sounds like you, the parents, weren't very deep in your beliefs to begin with and you unconsciously transmitted your doubts to your kids. Very fortunate!
My late Mother was the biggest JW hypocrite you could imagine, she was abusive, Emotionally and at times physically but emotionally mainly. In High School I was allowed to pursue Theater but I was shamed and guilted every step of the way and the only reason I was allowed to continue in Theater is because she didn’t want people to think JW’s were weird and cultish, in a way she was trying not to bring “ reproach” on Jehovah’s name….sound familiar? That old phrase……In school my older sister would take us younger kids out for pizza during Holiday parties/days but it was only used as leverage for emotional blackmail from my mother. It was so satisfying when I grew up and independent in my own life and career that I told my mother exactly what I thought of her cult. Needless to say she began to talk to me less and less.
I was a JW kid. My parents were not active JWs, so never forced me to do anything related to Watchtower. I choose the life myself as a kid. I did not participate in birthdays, Christmas or other events. I am an ExJW now and looking back, I don’t regret it nor feel denied. It was something I wanted to do. My fun did and does not depend on others. I don’t get why ExJW I see now feel like they were denied for not participating in what Watchtower call worldly events.
@@JustDeannaJune I was not trying to bring anyone down. I don’t attack people unless attacked fire. I am just curious why they feel denied when they thought they were doing the right thing.
The BIG difference in your story is that you choose it. And your parents weren't active... so I guess they didn't indoctrinate you much like the majority of ex jw.. discourage you to pursue higher education, etc..
@@Nathaly0886 My mother was going to the Kingdom Hall. I was in Nigeria then. At that time, elders and other members encouraged me go to college. One said I should do Mechanical engineering. My JW friend spoke about college all the time. Another elder had 4 kids he put through college. Life at the Hall in Nigeria was a joy and fun. I miss it. It is when I returned to America at 17 and started college soon after that I got into a bizarre world at the Kingdom Hall over here. The people were different and acted different. I got a side-eye by the the PO (now called COBE.) Witnesses in the West are different from African ones. Plus, my indoctrination came from reading on my own. I read a lot as a kid to the extent my father used to order me to go outside and play.
@@b1crusade384 Well your lucky to not have had to experience the indoctrination like most jw kid had, maybe in Nigeria in your specific congregation they were open minded enough to not follow all the recommendation the watchtower gave and your parents were inactive, I know a few Jw that did encourage their children to go to college even though it was discourage by watchtower, but the majority of jw follow everything the governing body say without even question anything, they were successfully programmed like that to do so... Remember your experience is not everybody experience, so be gentle and compassionate with others.
@@Nathaly0886 Yes. My experience is not the same as other. But I think it is fair people know that there are other sides to life in Watchtower. I am not trying to support or help Watchtower. I am just being open-minded and share my experiences when they differ from what other ExJWs say.
I’m sorry I didn’t understand the old man field service experience and you couldn’t do it to him again🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️. I totally missed it you got to explain it,it’s a cliff hanger 🥹🤣🤣
10:20 JWs get married young because that is the only way to have sex. Plus, the dating pool is shallow. If you find someone great and don’t grab it, it may be a while because another great person comes.
Tom and June have you ever wondered why Watchtower hates masterbation so much ? The real reason why Watchtower hates masterbation so much is that at Bethel they are having problems with sticky pillows , the pillow cases are sticking to the fingers of the laundry workers and the brothers are going to morning worship with pillows stuck on the back of their heads. Justin Porter ex jw ❤️
Raised as a Jehovahs’ Witness myself. I have went thru all the things things you did. I never ate a cupcake, birthday cake or did sports. I don’t regret any of it. My parents were a beautiful Christian example of faithfulness for 60 years. It saddens me to see both of you. People in this life will always disappoint us in any religion. Jehovah God doesn’t, his word will come true. My parents passed away faithfully. A perfect example despite imperfections.
It's strange to see how similar the J Dub and Mormon religions operate, and then see the loyalists get offended when you use the "C" word to describe what they are.
Where did you grow up as a witness? I grew up in New Jersey went to Verona congregation. They sold it for $600,000. I walked away in 2017. Because of the eight knuckleheads in New York. By the way did you see the video with Anthony Morris at the liquor store in New Jersey. Check it out it's called bottlegate. 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
@@JustDeannaJune yeah the terrible tends you're right 👍❤️ you know the true brothers and sisters are the ones who have left. Thank you for your videos they're wonderful looking forward to seeing more. Thank you sister ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍
I am happy that you left those JW KOOKS, I had to deal with those kooks because of my father, he was a kook and a believer, I was involved from the age 6 to 16 thank God!! I never got baptized , but they never liked me , I was to free thinking ( worldly ) and I had good because my mother knew they were some kooks and it helped the fact they were divorced and weekends with her were fun, my father did not like it... but I do have some takeaways i learned from those kooks was to speak up and don't be afraid to speak and say what you have to say and I learn from field service and another not to let anyone influence you, and I took those to heart. But they are still some kooks 🤔
@Just June I was blessed the rest of my family did not believe in those kooks as my mother called them and the was one of main reasons of their divorce, my mom was not having the crap in her house
@Just June thank you, but here is quick story , my father got started with my uncle but aunt was not having it also , so she told he that if kooks come back to her house for type of discussion or study that she would walk around naked 🤯 until they leave 😄🤣 also he stopped ..
