Interview: Former JW Elder Speaks Out Against Shunning 

Powerful story!!!!! Tony's ending statement "Its not new light its new lies"

😭 I am literally crying. I wish I could give him and his wife the tightest of hugs. 😭

My husband and I are in a similar situation. Left at 65. Shunned by friends and family. Making new friends. Enjoying retirement. Our best to you and your wife.

Thank you Tony for sharing your heartbreaking story! My entire family is hard shunning me too, because I questioned the GB! This organization destroys families & it’s criminal!!!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm dumbfounded by the magnitude of governing body's gaslighting mechanism to control its members..😣

I am glad Norway has taken action with the shunning issue. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime . I have been shunned over 40 years.

The damage this organisation causes, is unforgivable. Great interview.

Anyone can hear a story like this and think how horrible. But, when it matches your own and you've lived it, it kicks a little harder. I got the same text from my daughter when she turned 18. That was 8 years ago. I haven't had a single word with a single family member in that time. You do move on and the consideration of unconditional love really does become the driving force for your own strength.

This really really breaks my heart. In my family a similar story. He is such a nice man, my heart truly hurts for him. What a cold hearted family killer organization!

Isnt it ironic Sir you TRULY ARE what Jehovahs Witnesses wish they were. You are so warm and kind and wise. My own heart breaks for you and your wife, but thank you for telling us your story i am so grateful that i got to hear it.

I was a 4th Generation JW, born and raised in it, 46 years in the cult. I successfully FADED 10 years ago, on my own terms, not DF'd, not disassociated. For the last 28 years being a JW, it was a nightmare. I asked too many questions and knew too much. I never consented to the authority of elders giving nonsense opinionated advice. I made them try to explain what they are forcing me to do, and they couldnt, so I pissed them off all the time. I would not reach out for anything, I was comfortable in my own skin, being "just a publisher", which pissed them off, because when a man is not reaching out in the Kingdom Hall, they cannot use anything against you. They cannot "extort you", pressuring you to do something, or else they would either NOT promote you or they would remove privileges from you, for you doing or not doing something they demanded. In other words, they had nothing to control me with, either by demoting me or by not promoting me. So they had no power over me. Besides that, most of the elders were hypocrites. They did things not right, were bullies or I had dirt on them. I was threatened all the time to SHUT UP, or I would be disfellowshipped. That didnt work for them either. The elders that were basically nice, were spineless and cowards to the bully elders, that controlled everything. So they were useless in getting rid of the problems. But I voiced the problems and confronted the Bully elders, which stirred the pot. I did not let them push me around. I wrote letters to the elder body about the problem elders, then passed these letters out to the good elders pertaining to the bad elders right before the meeting. I let them fight it out. The bullies always prevailed. I told the Circuit Overseer about the problems existing with the elder body, and he sided with the bullies. Then I wrote a letter addressed to both the elder body and to the circuit overseer in the same letter. I exposed the bully elder to the CO and then exposed the CO for not handling the bad elder, to the elder body in this letter. I handed out that letter to the good elders before a Sunday meeting and then handed the letter to the Circuit Overseer visiting the other Congregation, a week before he visited our Congregation. So when the CO visited us a week later, his last visit before changing circuits, he was mad at me for the letter. In fact, his last talk given on Sunday was directed right at me. I sat towards the front of the hall while he gave his talk, and I death glared him his entire talk for what he was saying. After a few minutes of looking over at me and seeing the looks I gave him, he stopped looking over at me for the remainder of his talk. He knew I was pissed at him and he never tried to do anything to me through the Elders after his last visit. I didnt take crap from anyone, but exposed all of them more. They tried getting rid of me a few times, one for Apostasy, but they never succeeded. I told them I have their Flock Book and know how to use it. I told one elder if any of them goes after me, I would sue them., he said good luck with that, no one has won against them, I told him "until now", and luck has nothing to do with me winning and he never said a word again to me about it. They were clueless as how to deal with me. After that, I left all of them for ever. I just walked out after one meeting and never went back, that was 10 years ago. After leaving, I said I would NEVER be a victim to anyone or anything ever again. I studied law and how to fight using contract and commerce law that Lawyers will not use. I have been successful with every circumstance I have been in since. NEVER SUBMIT TO THESE A$$HOLE BULLIES. They are as dumb as a fence, dont know the difference between Biblical Law or regular law, have no clue as to what the Bible says and think they are spiritual shepherds, when in fact they are Corporate agents of the WATCHTOWER Corporation. Their first and foremost priority is to protect the WATCHTOWER Corporation before anything else, through their Corporate Bi-Laws, which is everything in their publications, which are produced by the corporate entity, not a religion, making it a corporate bi-law, not a Biblical standard.

What a heart wrenching story from a very genuine and still loving man. I pray his daughter and granddaughter wake up. They are depriving themselves of so much!! Thank you so much Tony and Justin. ❤🙏❤️

Tony helped more people doing this interview than he ever did as an elder. 5 ⭐️ interview. It’s interesting that he said he was inactive, not disfellowshipped or dissociated and that there was some instruction by the org regarding that during the pandemic. They are doubling down they have to retain members because all these revelations are going to hasten the exit.

Fantastic interview! ❤️ Shunning is a sin. I hope more of us continue to wake up and spread the truth about this organization!

Thank you Justin for continuing to do what you do. 👍🏾👍🏾🙏🏿🙏🏿

Justin!!!!!! Please send Tony my heartfelt condolences. I was shunned as a teen and attempted suicide. Shunning DOES NOT WORK. I did as I was FORCED to do because I was in my mother's home. But it developed in me an absolute hate for this cult. I have been completely out since September 1995. I never said a negative word about this "religion" until I discovered the CSA mess. Once I learned of that, I fell into the EXJW internet rabbit hole and it was confirmation of what I felt as a child. Tell Tony to try and stay in contact with his granddaughter. She's young and life happens. As an adult, she'll be able to make decisions on whom she wants in her life. Love your interviews and other videos. It's always worth the wait. ☺️

Thank you so much Justin and Tony for giving us the interview my heart is hurting for you. I left in 2020 at 80 years old. Born in . Happy to be free. Still have my faith. Oldest daughters do not speak for years even when I was in . As I would not abandon my 3rd daughter who left . Many blessings to you both

This is heartbreaking … 😢 I imagine it was really hard for him to share this, so I want to say thank you for sharing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I'm recently out and tried to get my mother out, but she is die hard so I leave it alone and live my life

Thank you Toni for telling your story, but so sorry for your loss! Glad I got out of this cult many years ago

Thank you Tony for your brave testimony ! I will be 65 in a few months , i walked away at the age of 45 , God has saved me & opened my eyes , lead me to the real truth , ive been born again ! God is great ! They are( Jws) destructive! Love you Brother in Christ😊

Tony, I cant believe it! My husband, now an ex-elder & DFd for speaking up about CSA, noticed the SAME thing in the Awake! He use to read tjose words to householders, like a promise written in stone, as if "The Awake said it, it's TRUE!" He noticed that whole generation thing starting... In 2011,when WT printed that "article" 😠 on the beloved "Was Jerusalem destroyed in 607?" I was so happy that they gave references that could check out - usually, they are vague - so... I did... I spent a LOT of time, weeks reading, putting 2+2 together.... and it didn't equal 4. I saw them-the WTBS- for who they were. Lying, heartless numerologists who suck the life out of all of us. I was awake, I had no feelings left for such tricksters... We left.

The 1975 prediction changed the very course of my entire life! What a powerful story this wonderful man tells. Thank you for this interview and thank you to him for sharing his heart-wrenching story. There are, literally, millions of others stories like this and it breaks my heart for all of them.

A sister in a car group said that she don’t have contact with her disfellowshipped children since 12 years, I told her that this is cruel. All hell broke lose in the car….. Next meeting one Elder had to talk about how loving the shunning is……

Really good stuff, as someone who desperately tried to wake their parents up this is so validating. And I believe I may have seen this kind man from the stage one Sunday morning

Thank you Justin and Tony for sharing and educating the public about cults.

Yes indeed. I understand his story completely. I was indoctrinated for 54 years and awake for nearly 3 years. The family and friends you lose are incredible. Unconditional love does not exist in a cult. I appreciate your story Tony and thank you Justin for your channel and support. Scott.

Thank you both! Tony I don’t have words, but this is exactly what this cult is doing to all of us and I am with you! Love you❤

What a wonderful man you are Tony, very brave and I'm so sorry your family is broken, I'm now an atheist but if I could pray I would pray that your family gets to wake up, what a fantastic interview Justin, I love the way you let Tony speak without you interrupting him, absolutely brilliant, good luck for the future Tony I sincerely mean it . There IS a worldly saying, there is light at the end of a tunnel x

Great interview, Justin. What a wise person to listen to. I hope a lot of JWs listens to his words and take a good look at their situation. I know everyone has to take their own route to freedom but gems like this interview may be of great help.

What an awesome interview! Tony’s courage, empathy, and compassion are incredible! I don’t see how anyone couldn’t wake up after hearing his story!

Wow!! Justin this truly sincere, integrity keeping man has given us a lesson in what makes us better than the unevolved chimps of the Watchtower organization. We are humane and have unconditional love for our offspring. Powerful interview. Thank you.❤

Tis interview is very powerful & emotional. Who feels it's knows it. May Jah hv mercy on your son's soul. May he rest in peace

Thank you for your sad story! Very powerful , please Tony heal, don’t blame yourself in the death of your son, you did all you could, you went to see him and reached out to him.

My sincere condolences for the terrible loss of your son. It is especially difficult when family members choose to hard shun members of their family who have been disfellowshipped or who have awaken and left on their own.

Wow, what a extraordinary, fantastic interview. I enjoyed it so much but cried that he lost his son. How I wish my family members who are still in would only listen to this interview. How can any current JW listen to this truthful, sincere man tell his story and not be awaken by it. The longer I'm out, the more I see what a cruel, hateful and dangerous religion it is. Thank you so very much, Justin. Keep up this important work. It saves lives.

This interview is heartbreaking. My heart goes out to Tony, as I can already imagine that even after all those years since his son's death by suicide, it still hasn't been any easy for him to process his grief. This interview also REALLY goes to show that disfellowshipping and shunning people for breaking rules, questioning the organization, or openly speaking out against the organization's doctrines and practices is NOT love. It is cruel. It's VERY abusive. It's FAR from okay.

Never a JW, but wow...Tony's experiences that he shared are so powerful and touching. I hope his story reaches out far and wide to those who need to hear this. Thank you both.

OMG what a story. My daughters left the org and are doing well.I am on my way out. I hope your daughter will wake up..I wish you all the best.

I cried more than once during this heart wrenching and so painful story, dear Tony,you are everything our loving Father expects in a loving caring human being, and would love if the whole world was full of people with as much love and depth of caring that you show, but one day soon it WILL be my dearest true and genuine brother,and one day we will meet one another under happier circumstances . There are massive changes taking place as we speak, stay strong my much loved spiritual brother. 🥰🥰🥲🥰

When a good man is appointed as an Elder, he will either cease being a good man, or he will cease being an Elder. So much of what was described in this interview was familiar. We hear these experiences over and over, proving that corruption within WT is not isolated, IT IS SYSTEMIC.

Wow, Tony you are an amazing, kind and caring human being. It truly and deeply hurts to have to endure the shunning, it hurts so bad. Thank you so, so much for sharing your story.

Hi Tony, You’re experience really hit home. I’m going to be 66 this month, and I was an elder for a long time as well, I also resigned. I’ve faded, but my wife is still a strong believer. I’ve been out for almost 2 years. Anyway your experience has really helped. It would definitely be nice to talk sometime.

Sorry for this poor man . Respect as well . This interview was particularly good and well conducted . Thank you .

My biological sister, who was always my best buddy at the same time, has been a Jehovah's Witness for many years. This was treated with respect by me with all its peculiarities. She really wanted me to do a Bible study. She organized it for me during the pandemic period. For a whole year I was eager and well prepared. He was an eldest for over 30 years, very humorous, we got along very well, also met privately for walks, barbecues, drinking coffee, etc. From his point of view, I was a conscientious and interested student. Over time, I felt that one or the other question was being avoided. My questioning changed his behavior towards me. That made me suspicious. Then I began researching the history of the organization and its teachings and policies on the internet, social media, and RU-vid, which I had not done before. Many weeks, many days, many hours I spent on this and woke up painfully because I felt betrayed, but prematurely, I thought. When I paused my studies for an indefinite period (I was now aware of the technique of avoidance) and I then had a conversation with my sister who was visiting me and we went for a walk, I told her about my personal experiences and my findings. She got angry, spoke of apostate lies and fell silent. She didn't say another word on the drive home and that hasn't changed since till now, she no longer responds my messages. It is undoubtedly clear to me, that members are entering into an abusive relationship with this organization that affects themselves or those close to them. All members become society's puppets as thinking, information, emotions and thoughts are controlled in a sophisticated way. I got to know many individual members as very nice people, but they are just tools for the organization that has neither the truth nor was chosen by Jesus. Terrible.

The same story with my parents. In the 60’s they studied. Not much money 2 small children, it was Germany after the war and people were looking for better things. I was baptized with my dad in 1970. He also became an elder!

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son, Tony. It is bad enough to have to lose one or both parents, but for a parent to lose a child is more painful. I hope the true God will help you overcome your sorrow. Thank you for sharing your poignant story.

So so sorry for your loss, thank you for letting us hear your story, my heart broke at all that this cult has done , I wish you some days of peace where life will be gentle an caring love Louise"

I am 72 and my story is much like yours Tony, I did not lose a son like you and I feel very deeply with you! It really touches me so much.

Thank you Tony. Your message speaks brings truth. 😔

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 for this interview. I appreciate it very much. My husband and I are 50 and 51 and woke up a little over a year ago. We too are being shunned by our adult daughters and no longer have a relationship with our 5 grandkids. It’s heartbreaking 💔 My husband’s brother committed suicide 10 yrs ago because he thought he might be DF for the third time. We have so much in common with Tony. Although I wouldn’t wish the shunning on anyone, it’s nice to know we are not alone. There’s no amount of shunning that would bring us back to that cult. Aside from the shunning, we have never been happier. Freeness of mind is priceless.

Never trust a man who wears too many rings! Your story is absolutely heartbreaking! When you got to the part about being elated over the phone call you received from the young woman who wanted to come back to the organization, I felt your emotional high, and your feeling of being elated all the way home, as you thought about your own son, encouraged that he too might see the light and come back, only to have your hope dashed to pieces and catapult you to the lowest low of your life within five-minutes of returning home after discovering that your son had just committed suicide. My heart broke for you as I listened to your story. My deepest sympathy to you and your wife. Nothing is more devastating than losing a child. It throws people into a complete tailspin of utter devastation, a black hole that is nearly impossible to escape from. I feel for you.... Then on top of that tremendous devastation ( just when you needed them the most) your daughter and granddaughter whom you were very close to, and saw every day, send you a letter that they can't see you anymore based on the organizations latest instructions to shun those who are not actively involved. This isn't about love, it's about Conquer and Divide. They say the reason they separate families is based on love, it's because they want the disfellowshipped one to return, and if they can deprive them of their family then maybe it will FORCE the disfellowshipped one to return? Firstly, Jesus Never used force on anyone unless you want to point to the account where Paul got knocked off his horse. This isn't about love this is about FEAR. The organization is fearful that those who leave will use logic and reason with their family and friends and convince them to leave as well. They want to prevent the spread of what they deem to be infection which is why they are willing to kill relationships dead. It's not out of love it's out of fear! I completely agree with all of your reasons for leaving. The truth cannot be built on a lie. I'm still a believer in spite of religion, not because of it. Kudos to you for marrying your wife at the young age of 16, and you only 17, and still being in love and together 49 years later. That is a major feat and testament as to what True Love really is. In spite of your many losses you have accomplished what most people could only dream of. A rock solid marriage that survives in spite of immense loss and adversity! Hats off to you!

I’ve been there young, naive and vulnerable the perfect setup like you said I got out after 3 years because I was fed up with their nonsense. 🙄🥺My heart ❤really goes out to this man for his son that committed suicide.😞😔 and for his daughter and granddaughter to treat him that way.

Well done both of you, peace and love

My heart aches for what Tony and his wife have experienced with his son and daughter and granddaughter. So courageous. I applaud him for doing his own research and speaking out. I 100% agree with his conclusions. I was in the Org from my pre teen age and although woke up in my late forties and after being PIMO for 10 years I read Crises of Conscience and that sealed my decision that I had to leave. Blessings to Tony and his wife.

❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing your story. I hope speaking out is a healing experience for you. I'm crying. It takes a lot for an elder to wake up, despite them seeing more of the issues. It's wild how much we need to hit rock bottom for many of us to wake up. I'm glad you have your wife and your freedom.

Thank you both! We all have seen the convention experiences where someone who was disfellowshiped & "returned to jah's organization". I was mentally in but physically out for many years & always stuck up for this organization & would defend it without questions. In April 2017 I saw a convention video where a previously disfellowshiped sister was interviewed & asked "what made you return to Jah's organization?" Her response hit me like a ton of bricks. She said, "quite frankly, it was the missed association with my friends & family". It then dawned on me that this was the reason I too wanted to go back & it afforded me the opportunity to question. What did I have to lose, I'd lost everything anyway.This organization knows full well the effects isolation can have on a person & how they hold your family hostage. You must obey or this is what will happen to you! Absolutely no grace

This a practical example, why they destroyed their shunning videos from the convention. That video was the clear reflection of this real father's story.

This is a very powerful story! Thank you for sharing Tony!

I was a born-in, now Ex JW that was of the 1975 era. I remember when the Organization introduced the "comprehensive version" of the Watchtower and Awake! bound volume magazines... AKA edited out "old light"... I remember standing in the Kingdom Hall library realizing that the Organization removed all their previous truths (lies and false teachings).😮

My heart broke listening to every word as you told your life-lesson story, Tony. I have no words. I can’t even start to imagine the pain you and your wife have suffered. You are on the right path now, looking forward and healing gradually. My heart goes out to you and Robin. I was also lured in as a young vulnerable adult. Never been disfellowshipped, never disassociated. Now in my late 50s, shunned by my adult son for almost 9 years. The WT has a cruel and heartless leadership, they only care about power and accumulating real estate using slaves like we used to be. So many are leaving and the word is getting out with stories like yours. Thank you for surviving to tell it. Peace and healing to both of you!

Thank you. What a wonderful Testimony, sad but so true. Thank you for speaking up against the cruel and unusual atrocity of shunning. It does break your heart. I am so happy that you and your wife are together sharing unconditional love. Your grandaughter will return to you someday. God bless you.

Tony & Ex-JW Diaries... I have a few words. For Tony: Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are such a kind soul and your fearless is so encouraging. 😭 My heart hurts for you. Your sincerity just comes across so much in your words. Sending love and hugs dear brother! 💜 Ex JW Diaries: Thank you for having Tony on and using your platform like this. This content is so uplifting and his stand and his sincerity shows the reasons why so many sincere JWs are leaving. It is encouraging to see that there is hope for others on the other side because the ORG makes it feel like only they own Jehovah and truth. Thank you for this!!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. Waking up isn’t easy or pleasant but I’m glad you and your wife are doing well. I felt you pain for the loss of your son. Thank you again ❤

Thankyou so much Tony for sharing your story and Thankyou Justin for your hard work. So appreciate your story Tony, it touched my heart, after many years of believing I finally woke up. I hope your daughter and her family will see it too one day in the near future. Much love to you and your wife. ❤

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss. Keep sharing whenever you can, maybe one person will listen and then another, and another, and another…

@exJW Diaries I’m a former elder, pioneer and special pioneer that would be more than happy to speak out against this cult. This is one of the most interesting interviews I have ever heard. Thanks

Thanks for such a great interview! And I appreciate the former elder sharing his story!

My heart breaks for Tony. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so happy you and your wife are still together.

Thank you Tony for sharing your personal story. I cried for you and your wife for the loss of your son. I'm so sorry. One thing there was never a short of growing up as a witness were hugs. I least in my congregation. I miss hugs. I wish I could hug you and your wife right. Here's a virtual hug and wish for peace and happiness for you both.

It's Not new Light, it's Old Lies!! What a profound and accurate statement!! That gave this PIMO goose bumps!! IT'S JUST LIKE HE SAID, WE CAN'T LEAVE FOR FEAR OF LOSING EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE WE LOVE! I thought of a new weird for the "O" in F.O.G. Fear Ostrasism & Guilt!!! Thank you both so very much for this video! Mr. Tony, I felt your pain thru the video!!💔🥺😫😥😖💔💔 in so sorry for the lise of your son & your daughter and grand daughter by way of the horrible practice of shunning! It's a horrible, horrible, horrible thing to do! Thank you both!

Absolutely incredible story and experience. Thank you so much for sharing!!

This was a great interview! Blessings to you and your wife!❤

This was such a touching story. I'm a former JW myself. I shared your channel within the John B. Wells RU-vid platform tonight following an on-air shout out for you both (around <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="162">02:42</a>:00). The show is still in play as I write. Thumbs up to you both.

So sorry for your loss of your son 💔 I have 2 sons in and my daughter who are terrified to speak to me I have done nothing but question the pedephiles and csa reporting ect being in the org is wreaking havoc on their mental health I stayed in 10 years waking up and being PIMO and have left seeds of love and truths love conquers all. I walked away about a month ago to leave a lighted path people don’t leave for they have no where to go Your lights on this path is bright and easy to follow 💛 to a great crowd still in ❤ I’ve told my kids and good friends about the support out here and local exjw groups with some of the people they grew up with 💗

Thanks for sharing a powerful story Tony. You were just trying to help people back then and you are certainly helping people now. We need more Tonys!

A brilliant interview...so raw, authentic and inspiring!

Thank you. I needed this awaking. I studies with Witness during the period 1980. I wanted to start again but was stuck at 1914 and kept praying to Jehovah for an explanation. I saw how my Dad was treated by here sisters and nieces who he supported emotionally and physically throughout their life, in fact even at the expense of us. They wouldn't even as the love to be with him in his days. He begged to come see him. This man carried boxes with ground produces(the best)even though he didn't have it to give. They didn't even come to his funeral.

Thank you Tony for sharing your story. Good wake up story for all. Much Love to you and your wife for enduring so much pain and loss. May God bless and keep you both safe.

Tony, your son is gone, but when you talk about moving forward, never forget how many other people sons will be saved by this. Sons or daughters who may have died but didn't, because of your story, someone will wake up in time to stop shunning their child, and that is the best forward moving motion of all. Your heart is huge, and I thank you for your story.

Thank you, my brothers Tony and Justin. Tony, your story is important and needs to be told. Justin you're an amazing brother. Tony, just know you and your wife are Not alone. Love is here. #baptized@9 Brian Gibbs

Thanks for sharing. I lost my family 23 years ago. So much heartache from this organization

Just speechless...this is heartbreaking. Dear Tony, I'm so sorry for your loss. To Jason and Tony: best wishes and ❤ from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

Thanks, Justin, for doing this interview. All the best to you, and to Tony! May your loved ones wake up.

This was excellent. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Thank u Tony for mentioning so many details about so many old lies. My parents over and over to my borther and me 'You will never die!' just as Satan told Eve "You positively will not die.'

WOW! How we learn to carry on! One step, another and another. My compassion for JWs (I'm a non JW, a lifetime atheist) who have been shunned is bottomless. I lost both of my children and I'm strong like Tony and Robin. We have no choice but to carry on.

Dope interview 👍🏿 So sorry for your loss.🙏🏿

I have been in this religion for over 50 yrs and have seen and heard those with positions in the congregations who disagreed with some of the rules and policies. They were too afraid to speak up. Tony Thank You for your courage and compassion .Your interview will help others to leave this destructive cult that has hurt so many.

What a powerful testimony Tony. ❤❤❤ If I could put my thoughts out in a song and send it to my extremist jehovah's witness dad ir would be "One by warren haynes"

This is so heartbreaking. This poor man is now on the fast track to being disfellowshipped for speaking out, which will destroy any hope of seeing his daughter and grandchild again. My father didn't go to meetings when I was in "The Truth". No one told me to shun him. However, this was back in the 80s when things might've been different. He was never baptized either, though. Neither was I. I was so damn fortunate to get the hell out of that twisted organization before I got roped into the trap of baptism, so shunning couldn't be used against me, I guess. But for those poor people who choose to get baptized, become elders and pioneers...those people are truly imprisoned. Obey, or end up like this poor man. It's criminal.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you so much for this interview! It takes a lot of courage to speak out, and the tragedy Tony endured is so heartbreaking. My heart goes out to him and his wife. Shunning has such devastating effects on family. I'm glad I left many years ago, but my entire immediate family shuns

Sweet and honest man! I relate on so many levels. I hope the granddaughter leaves and reconciles with them.

I definitely appreciate this interview from this elder. I been fighting my own personal feelings since being disfellowshipped how shunning doesn't work. If anything it made me feel suicidal and family love is conditional not unconditional. My parents never treated me that way and I am so thankful for them. But my siblings and friends I grew up with are lost to me. They were all I knew, I grew up in this lifestyle.

Raised in the org, baptized '75, at the age of 15. I was married at age 17, and disassociated myself '86, after a failing marriage and (3) young children/daughter's to raise, I also attempted suicide, [I believe this was the reason my mother never totally isolated Me, by cutting off all ties]. However, I was shunned by countless numbers of family members/siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. I was shunned even while attending my mother's funeral at the Kingdom Hall...and it continues to this very day. I Pray and have Faith That the scales that have blinded them, will be removed and fall like scales from their eyes, in the Mighty Name of JESUS. My condolences for Your loss, and I give Thanks to Our Heavenly FATHER for Your testimony...it has, greatly, strengthened My Faith Bro Tony HALLELUYAH 🙌🏽 🙏🏽

My heart goes to you Tony. The biggest hug. x So much pain.

Such a courageous man! Thank you Sir for your testimony. I wish that the future brings you the love that you deserve since with all the pain you went through and still have you wish to help. You are an noble soul.

My heart goes out to you! So powerful testimony. The one thing I learned about being witness is to never become one!!

My heart goes out to Tony. Appreciate his story and experience. Ty for sharing!