Interview: Punished for Returning to the Jehovah's Witnesses 

Bro thank you so much for letting me share my story with the ex-JW community! I hope this can help people to wake up and see how this organization is far from loving and the way they handle judicial matters isn’t biblical nor loving … people need to keep in mind that when we confess our sins these imperfect men can NOT read our hearts but god does and with that being said I hope that my experience will help others, thanks again broski for letting me share my experience with the world 🙏🏾

I have been DF’d since 2018. I can first hand say, this message is so accurate. The Borginazation is so the opposite of loving when you do not agree with policy and the false teachings being taught as “truth”.

I was born in, but I managed to not get baptized until I was 19, almost 20. When I was 18 I had a single sexual experience with a "worldly" girl, felt horrible about it, but kept my secret. It was a one-off. After I was baptized, I eventually confided in a friend about my experience BEFORE my baptism. A few weeks later, when that person got angry at me for something, he told the elders. A committed ensued and I was disfellowshipped. For pre-baptism actions. That seriously pissed me and my family off. Even another elder stepped down due to my situation because he didn't want to serve with that fool. I was determined not to let that one elder who had a real personal issue with me win. I never missed a meeting and at 6 months I wrote my letter to be reinstated. He jerked me around for a few weeks, but ultimately they decided to reinstate me. I say "he", because it was one elder who was just running roughshod over the other two. Even when he read my reinstatement, he listed every restriction I would still have, from the platform. After the meeting people were still apprehensive to approach me, they weren't sure if I'd actually been reinstated or not! Everyone commented that they'd never heard an announcement like that before. How that whole thing went down changed me forever. I got back in, I was still young, dumb, and wanted to keep my family relationships. But I never joined the school again, I barely went in service, I wasn't really PIMO, because I still believed, but I was checked out when it came to trust and knowing of the hypocrisy and zero holy spirit. Eventually, I would get disfellowshipped again when I was 35, but I wanted out by then. A few years later, I went through the same period of, "hmm, maybe I should give it another shot. I feel empty." So, I went to meetings for about 2 months, but It was no good. I couldn't stomach it. Even at that, it would be a few more years before I started actually deconstructing. For a long time, I was just content to die at Armageddon, but I'm way past that now. The ex-JW online community has been amazing. I wish I'd had that 20 years ago. Better late than never.

It really never fails to amaze me how this cult works. I didn’t know there’s a timeline for forgiveness. Those elders go by that dang shepherd book and nothing else.

Disfellowshiping depends on who you are, and also on how many people know about what you've done. It's not based on justice. I remember a JW commitmented adultery and he was not disfellowshiped. Simply reproved. Why because his dad was a highly regarded elder and also congregation coordinator. Another Jehovah’s Witness, I remember was married and he later admitted he had sex with his now wife before he was married. The elders didn't hesitate to disfellowship him because they didn't like him. Nothing to do with God. Watchtower is a joke.

You brought tears to my eyes because it is between you and Jehovah and only he knows your heart.

Thank you so much your journey is so relatable…. the indoctrination the stress the pain the guilt and shame

If it smells like a cult, walks like a cult, and behaves like a cult .... it is cult. It is about power over weaker humans by many sociopaths in cheap suits. They are predators.

Thats the million dollar statement "proving yourself to imperfect men"

Very good interview. I felt Tony's pain and loneliness. So glad you woke up and helped yourself to freedom. Hoping your family will soon unshackle themselves.

Great interview. If you are an independent, critical thinker/ empath / artist, creative, then you will be an outsider in many situations in life (except for any inner circle of friends/kindred spirits you have built (if you are lucky enough to have doneso)). You will especially be an outsider in the organization if you have these traits most likely. Being an outsider is a good thing in this case. Again, great interview and thanks for sharing this.

They must be telling them at the Kingdom Hall of lies that the end is near or something 🤣because my nearly grown kids I & left 4 years ago & I’m doing very well. 👁 My family is thriving! My old Bible study keeps leaving voice mails. Love bombing me saying “we miss you & the family” I was born into the Hall of lies in the 80’s. I study the occult HEAVY, and after my Aquarian ♒️self did the research, you couldn’t PAY me to come back there! 👽

I would love to share my story if ever possible! My adoption was handled through the organization and it severely changed my life.

Thank you for sharing. I understand you very well. That is very similar what is happening to me now. I have been inactive for almost 30 years. They do not help you. They do not care and there is no love. I am getting ready to write them a letter stating I am done with them. It is all of them not Jehovah.

Brilliant interview; my man is COMPLETELY awake - the was really enjoyable to watch. The craziest thing in this was where the elder asked him to confess everything he had done wrong in the previous 10 years prior to his return. I mean, Jdubs are always banging on about how the prodical son was treated by his father in this return; the father dad didn't even want to know what his son had been doing; and was just glad to have his son back; and then there's this elder wanting to know EVERYTHING. Tony also mentions it being like a Twilight Zone episode. There's a really good episode that really mirrors the disfellowshipping experience really well. It's called 'To See The Invisible Man'; I recommend it. I'm sure you and tony would enjoy it. To me, a few of the primary objectives of disfellowshipping are blackmail and manipulation. The moment I realized this, was the moment I decided I could never go back. Because, to me, the only reason I would be going back is not because I really believed what Jdubs were teaching, but because I missed my family and old friends, and that would just be dishonest; I would be living a lie; and the whole reason I left was because I was tired of living that way. They were holding those relationships hostage, and I would only be going back to relieve the pain of those lost connections - and would have to hide my true feelings about the organization. Some have been able to do it, but I never could. They dangle your most important relationships in front of you like the proverbial carrot in front of the donkey. And won't let you have that carrot unless you abandon yourself and completely comply with their demands. A highly manipulative behaviour dressed up as a loving action.

Good info guys, I feel for you brother. I was also in it from a young age. I reversed the tables on them, shut them out, blocked their#s and didn't answer my door.so no judicial meeting for them. Lol.

Every time I see these videos, it reminds me of Snow white and the Seven Dwarves over there at Watchtower. Thanks for posting this.

Disfellowshipped witnesses are encouraged to faithfully attend meetings so the members have a fearful warning of failing to comply. If the fail to comply, they will also be shunned and lose their family and friends. Powerful cult control. Dehumanizing, unloving and destructive.

You’re not alone bro Tony. I was out 1 day before the day they retured to door to door witnessing after COVID. Everyone becomes to wake up.

Great job Tony! I hope you continue to build on your own personal relationship with Jehovah! He is the only one who has the last say over your spiritual destination. I’m so glad you finally opened your mind and listened to the ones that aided in waking you up, so that you could critically think and start seeing the bigger picture! Stay encouraged and keep moving forward! ❤️

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. I have been out for many years but I grew up an elders son and was also an introvert. I felt the same pain you went through. I like your comment on proving ourselves to men. I felt the same way. Only by leaving the organization did I find true happiness in my life. No more organized religion for me in any way shape or form. Excellent video guys!

Its so cool that he started his own exjw channel now. I love what he has to say. Aswell as yourself! Thanks for everything you do

Nobody needs to believe that 3 guys in cheap suits act as their intercessors. "These are not my people!" . ...great interview.

Great to hear y’all young Bros chop it up. REAL TALK!!!💯💯💯

I only lasted 4 years!! Been gone since 1996

His Judicial Committee was like when the mobsters walked Joe Pecsi into a empty room in Goodfellas

WOW....talk about fake love, false friendships, and being betrayed and lied to. Im POMO I've been out of the organization for over 4 years already and because of Tony's story im NEVER going back again EVER....All the experiences and testimonials you would hear at the assemblies and convention's about being in the organization.....yet we would never hear experiences like Tony's....wonder Why? Love the videos Justin, keep them coming......To add more to this story , I'm a POMO I've been out of the organization for over 4 years and for me to go back to the JW religion would be like for Brittney Griner to go back to Russia.

Something I read (a sheep spends its whole time avoiding Wolves and predators, only to be slaughtered and eaten by the shepherd) 🐑 🥩

Unbelievable what some elders are doing! I feel for you, because I am appealing one last time to the US branch to remove these "self-willed" "lording it over" the flock , elders! I have requested reinstatement 2 times; and been denied over petty and stupid reasons! (1 Peter 5: 3; Titus 1: 7) They have set themselves up as judges over and above our King and Judge, Christ Jesus, and over and above Jehovah himself! (Psalm 130: 3, 4), Despicable hypocrites!

Very powerful message Hope all is good on you end man JT

I live in middle southern Tennessee, been here for 6 years,two witnesses know im here,but no shepherding call,J.Ws don't care,this is how hated I was, my records were thrown away.

The reader of Hearts is Jehovah … you’re Salvation is between God and yourself… The JW organization and the GB 8 men in NY has No right to Pass Judgment on anyone !!!

well done! Your work is so important.

Great Great Job Justin

I have been out for 2 years not. Ha 23 seems so long ago the way time is moving 😂 but i knew once i was getting DF'd i was never going back because i was starting to wake and see that violence would not solve everything and people would honestly be ruled in fear in a way let alone what elders and the governing body would say and how people acted one way and then a different 😮‍💨 i still believe there are good i mean great people that are nice but either because of fear of losing their life or friend or family all the above they stay in. I still tell my father i cant changed your mind but what they say will hopefully do... 💯

If you read the Book of James, you will see that the work Jesus expects of us, is to love one another, to be kind to orfans and widows, to strangers etc. It's not the preaching work. As a matter of fact, if you are a preacher you are held accountable for what you are teaching. Not all people are equipped for preaching. Please read the Book of James, my dear brothers and sisters. I know that this isn't the theme of this conversation...,but I really feel the need to say this. Love you guys. You're so enlightened. Keep up the good work. You're amazing.

I have a good friend disfellowshipped for over 10 years. He was the kind of person who would disturb me everyday, doing something good for someone in need. He was just That way! He tried to get reinstated after 10 years. Instead of welcoming him back, they began by demanding he confess for every serious sin he committed in the lastv10 years while being out, you know No longer one of us, or a Jehovah's Witness. He assured them he was no longer involved in drinking or smoking pot, things like that. But No! That was not good enough for them. Turns out some of the Elders just did not like his attitude. Had nothing to do with repentance, just that they did not like him. He had made some enemies in the Elder arrangement. And they just would not help him return to Jehovah. That is the real Corporate JW Organisation!

Hey now. I was one of those that sang kingdom songs all the time, and blasted them in the car. I actually enjoyed singing them. Lol.

Great job ❤️

Nearly every video I see with other former male members feeling bad or guilty about selfcare ✊️... I guess I just missed the memo because I never felt a shred of guilt. Sheesh.

Great interview… really sad how this young man was treated… go and live your life… it’s too short to live someone else’s dreams or rules…. YOLO!!!!

Great interview real truth, not jw lies.

This is very good

Bro I know what you're saying I came in this organization with four children but I was a single mother poor too so the children weren't allowed to keep outside friends but t&e teenagers that were in did not want to keep friends with them it was hard for my children it mess with their self esteem too iam fading but my head is messed up and there are no real friends in there either

I had to leave the country to not suffer when i left the "truth".

Jehovah knows our hearts.

I think the whole premise they put forward for disfellowshipping is disingenuous. I think it's less about making the DF'd person miserable enough that they realize their need for the organization, and much more about sending the message to the rest of the congregation that "if you step out of line, we will hurt you."

Don't let JWs find out you play Dungeons & Dragons.

Hey bro, I just checked out the video pretty good I love to tell my story Justin on your channel we have to edit a lot of it but hey man people know How it was around 1975 just a thought maybe we could talk about it next time we chat all right my brother peace

I'm used to living without family, so I deal very well with shunning.

Direction for elders. Anyone sick among you (spiritually) raise them up. If they have committed sins they will be forgiven. That’s the direction. Nowhere in that scripture does it say dig find what sin and kick them out

Sister who said aren't we blessed we don't have to worry about this crazy system, we just listen to Jehovah and do what they tell us to." That's when I spontaneously heard myself telling her that im not a robot. No wonder she hated me.😅

Justin, I must be misunderstanding, bc there seems to be a double standard here for Elders vs Regular Members? In the secret Elder handbook (Shepherd the Flock?), is it true that it states that an elder would NOT be disciplined (removed/disfellowshipped) for a wrong doing if it was way in his past? Am I understanding this wrong? If this is true, then this action against this young man is unforgivable. You would think that men of position would be held to a higher standard than the regular members. Thanks for another excellent video.

I am 51 and still can't make friends. I still feel like I don't belong not part of the WT organization and not into what was deemed worldly. I wonder how many of us don't have friends as we age...

Why in the heck do the JW religion still exist?

Flock book gives elders free ride on old sins.😮

I’m still listening and your comments “they are not my people’ hit home for me…. I too couldn’t connect to the witness folk but I didn’t grow up in the religion. I married into it…. I had a JW friend who grew up in the faith but man she was wild… married had a affair on her hubby, very “ worldly” that was confusing to me especially how faithful she was” acted”…. We stop talking years ago after falling out on a trip we took…. SMDH!!!

I been out of the organization for 50 years but off and on coming back so I was never DF just left so when went back for 3 or 4 time I was told by the elders if you not sincere about Jehovah get up and walk out I didn’t at that moment but few months later I left for good which was I’m the 80s or90s

hey tony were you aware that elders have a 3 year statute of limitations on wrongdoing.. its in the elders manual

ps.. addendum..... wrongdoing that they as an elder may have commit and kept a secret

Jesus is Lord God Almighty clothed in unsinful humanity and He is the author of "eternal life" to all who trust Him alone for salvation. This means that saving repentance is realizing that you are a sinner deserving of God's just punishment in Hell and turn (repent) from whatever you trusted in before, if indeed you trusted in anything; to trusting in the person and finished work of Christ "alone" for salvation.

What is PIMO?

Live a moral and righteous life for yourself, not for a cult or religion😊

Jehovah’s Witness is the most complicated cult because people do not see it that way, and they see nice people whom they do not agree with, but “nice” though.

45:35 true, we ex's study the Bible more than JW's because they just read what they are fed.

Michael Jackson was born in JW... I think you all know anyway. I guess he suffered much more than just as a super star at a super early age.

Always, always, always trust your intuition. If it doesn't seem right, that means it most likely isn't. And if you have any doubts, there is no reason for you not to be able to question everything. Our minds were created to think things through and have critical thinking, to use discernment for our own protection. Thank you for sharing your story with the world and I know you're blessed with knowledge and strength to go against what you were taught and allow yourself grace and freedom to think for yourself, knowing that the possibility of being shunned should you become entirely POMO won't keep you from finding the real truth that is out there. 👽 BTW, I know all about being in the Matrix. I thought I would fuck around and find out and took both the red and the blue pill, now I am 👻 LMMFAO! j/k sorta 🤪🤔😏

Here's a view~slightly more hopeful ~this can't be just poor translation ~it's to direct~GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. ~~ // ~ LORD guide us all I pray. Some much overlooked truth ~ hidden by people who thought they were doing God a service~> ~ ~ ~>[I believe]

Jesus started one church The Roman Catholic Church

Jesus paid the price for you and all repentant sinners! It’s only because of Jesus and what HE did! He takes our repented sins and throws them in the deepest part of the sea and remembers them no more! “ You will know them by their love!” Judge not less you be judge! Forgive of us as we forgive those who trespass against us! Find yourself a Bible teaching, people loving church! Don’t go back to Satan’s world! Pray for guidance to be in a church he wants !

He is still in fear and bondages ! Be free in the name of Jesus Christ! Jesus Loves you!

Why dont you be free from their power? You live your life young man

😒 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕠𝕤𝕞

There is alot of gay people that are JW.

The prodigal son was celebrated, not put on public reproof. Tony, the love that you are looking for comes from Jesus. Please read a real Bible, Jesus calls to you.

He's from Philly

I left that cult 22 years ago