I realized they were a narcissistic group when I ended up in a relationship with a narcissist after leaving. From one abusive relationship to another. Neither of them are capable of taking responsibility for the harm they do. Thankfully I am thriving now without either of them.
@J Lux I was just going to type in the exact same wording as your comment! 🤦🏼♀️ I am a 5th generation of JW, only one of 8 siblings to leave, and got involved in narcism in my relationships…I finally left apx 20 years ago, followed my 2 son’s went they left. Knew it was a sham since I was a teen! Nothing made sense to me….but I didn’t want to leave my siblings, parents, friends of 40 years. So glad I did. Thanks to my sons ❤
THIS! Was raised in the organization and ended up married to a malignant narcissist for 16 years. It’s because you don’t learn to trust your own opinion or instinct and you’re basically trained that being gaslit is normal. So when it’s happening in other relationships, you think there’s something wrong with you, not them.
Raised by my aunt & uncle & indoctrinated into the JW organization, I was about 11 the 1st time I heard the term narcissist. My cousin & aunt were in therapy & after returning from a visit they came home calling each other narcissists. This was 30 yrs ago. I remember how competitive the sisters in the congregation were. A “keeping up with the Jones’s” mentality. As an adult looking back, & after being diagnosed co-dependent & having found myself in a relationship w/ a narcissist. I’ve realized how I was not only indoctrinated as a JW. I was taught to please narcissist’s within the Congregation. I thank you so much for tackling this issue. The damage done by the organization is so far reaching because it encapsulates so many areas of abuse!
They are definitely Narcissist, both my parents are and they ran their household just like the organization with control, guilt and shame! When u first come to the hall they love bomb u make u feel like u are special and what u are learning is the truth and everyone is so nice as soon as u get baptized the mask slips, they no longer invite u unless u are slaving for the organization or inside the click!
I was shocked the first time I went to a gathering at an elder's house--they drank like fishes, elder's wife was slurring her words by the time I left. Because I had been divorced and had come in 'from the world', she pulled me aside and wanted to know how was it being with other men. That was so offensive: her assumption; that being an elder's wife she had such a dirty mind. But oh yeah, they have the truth. NOT
Thanks for the collab JT and Lady Cee! What you’re doing on this channel is amazing: teaching people that critical thinking is our right and we shouldn’t allow anyone to take that right away from us.
Hey Arc! It's nice to see you do this collab! You really are knowledgeable about narcissism and you make it easy to understand this topic. I've been viewing your videos for months and enjoy your content! What a nice team up with JT and Lady Cee!
quietstormaps hey!!! I recognize you, I’ve seen your comments on my vids. Thanks so much and yes it was a very nice collab. This info is much needed. Thanks again!
I spotted this behavior in my husband ,he is nascist, he was abusive, I searched on internet why he behave the way he does if he is a true Christian. This slowly woke me up, I noticed that the elders and most of the people in the congregation are nascist, their dressing code are Christian but 🐺 inside, they love bomb you at your door during Bible study and at their meetings, once they catch you well ,they will turn around and percute you to death, I went through that and disassociate myself. That's satanic.
You are so right on this. Especially with support systems. I have been a "JW" for over 30 years BUT have always challenged it. It has got my cards marked so to speak but i have always had outside friends and family. I found i left them but they never left me. That's unconditional. Witnesses have CONDITIONAL. We have really good friends in all sorts of religion. My husband has best friends who are Hindus and are the finest, kindest people. Another brill video 👍😘
I was born and raised a JW. I have left now for 3 years. I am struggling to make new friends. EVERYONE I know is still a witness. They of course won’t talk to me unless I go back. I am not disfellowshipped…this was my choice. Any suggestions on how to rebuild a sense of community, friends and family? I feel so isolated but am terrified of going back.❤
HUGE Arc Ripley Fan! He's so smart and an expert at argumentation and manipulative tactics used by everyday people. He's helped me so much! Great collab!
I got into an elevator this weekend with 2 JW brothers dressed for convention. My daughter signaled to me (evil eye) not to say anything so I didn't. But the superiority and pride oozed from them! Noses completely in the air! Then we got to the breakfast bar at the hotel and they were ALL like that! Such clearly proud and delusional robots!
Love your self reflection. It’s amazing how they had us fooled into thinking we were special which made us look down on anyone not willing to join their group.
I cannot make it without Christ. I can and will make it with Christ. I do not need, want nor no longer accept any cults so called help. Thank you both for this new video. Highly informative.
Exactly. To think we were afraid to leave. We always had Jehovah and Christ and holy spirit with us. Now my response is I am going to continue my walk with Jehovah and Christ. And response to come back to Jehovah is "I never left him. I left a corrupt organization that keeps people from following him and his son."
Having been in an abusive relationship and an abusive religion, I can tell you this is 100% spot on! I had the support of my family when I was in the bad marriage and even then I was terrified to leave. One reason was that my ex threatened me and my family with bodily harm....not too different from JW who threaten to take away your family if you leave.
YESSSSS.... I have been saying that a cult is basically a narcissist relationship but in group form. I have been studying narcissism myself and this is 100% on point.
Oh my gosh! I haven’t watched yet but read that title and let me tell you I’ve thought of the organization often in connection with narcissism since leaving! Going to watch now!
Thanks JT, Cathy, and Arc, there many more psychological issues that go on in this religion but collective narcissism is the main tool this religion uses.
I am so THANKFUL that you two are so level-headed and well balanced in your presentations. Also, I really appreciated your guest, Arch Ripley of Arglue and his interesting and important information delivered. Much love, and blessings to ALL!!!!
I definitely wasn’t immune from this quality, it’s what kept most of us in this company. I’m definitely over it but I love the reminders of just how insane this insanity was
😬😬😬 number 3 was me... no one was thinking or focused on us!!!! Once I got some space from the group I realized that lots of times as a JW we created our persecution as a JW we made our own selves outsiders I found out lots of nonJW’s had high morals
If you read Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave by W. Schnell you will find this is the tactic JWs engaged in from the early days by provoking religious or government leaders and then playing victims when retaliation takes place by claiming persecution!
@@dantoinettetaylor1663 exactly. It's like being slapped in the face then claiming persecution when the other person or organization fights back. By their own definition of persecution the Watchtower is one of the biggest persecutors of Christendom.
Exactly, they falsely paint a picture that they only have morals. There are many pipo out there who are honest. I remember many times news bulletin would write about someone who picked a lost parcel n returned it to the police or looked for the owner. I wud quickly conclude he or she must be a jw only to realise the person is from another religion. I'd say what? I was misled into believing on jws are honest.
When I was a JW I definitely remember feeling like JWs were center of attention. As an exJW living in NYC I see JWs like all the other cults around here. 😂
Oh my my my here we go again. one more time you've just HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. ALL THIS IS SO SO TRUE. NO ONE IN OR OUT WHO IS SINCERE CAN QUESTION ANYTHING IN THESE TOPIC. THANKS THANKS THANKS. WE LOVE YOU ALL.KEEP HELPING MANY SEE THE DANGERS OF THIS CULT AND COME TO FREEDOM OF PERSONAL CRITICAL THINKING.ANGELA IN IRELAND.
😢 I watched this twice, you guys are the best!!! Yes they browbeat us by saying over n over in talks n publications, you can't leave and they used God's words to their advantage especially that verse in Peter where he asked Jesus, where would I go? Who else is offering everlasting life. Thank you soooo much for helping me in my journey of detoxing myself from this spiritually abusive organization. 🙏💕
That was awesome ! I married the two when we were waking up - Watchtower and narcissism. It's a concerning pathology that needs to be exposed. Brilliant guys. Hopefully more JWs will learn about narcissism to be able to navigate out and protect themselves.
Thank you so much for this incredible topic, I would like that all of X Jehovah's Witnesses to warn people about the Organization of J. Witnesses how dangerous they are, and to let people know that they are not True Christians.
14:02 - One of the most frequent questions and arguments I get is "Well, if this isn't the truth, then where are you going?" It takes a while for a Jehovah's Witness to deprogram themselves to the point that they can accept not having to be inside a group or organization that runs their lives.
Great video! The Organization breeds narcissism and is saturated with narcissists. Makes sense because The Organization itself if very narcissistic by the very definition.
I saw that very early in my life. It's not just narcissism but elitism, haughtiness and self absorption. A bunch of people walking around with their noses in the air thinking they are extra special and are the only group accepted by god. These were people that rarely had any special talent or skills but thought they are the cat's ass compared to wordly people. To me they stunk like a dead fish. I saw right through the lie.
This was an excellent video. I studied the whole book the Knowledge book & a lot of there other books especially the one talking about different religions. I never followed through I told my friend & others I will not answer to some man running the religion meaning your Elders. That’s where I backed off. Besides the Narcism they are very self centered they will not help anybody. Once again Excellent video.
My mom used to look down on people so much. She would say that they were weak for going to churches that were easy to believe in, but in "Jehovah's Organization" the truth was just the truth and if you didn't get it, if you didn't believe it, you had to study until you did. So yeah, narcissistic a bit.
I was guilty of this when I was in. I remember having heated debates with non-believers. And ultimately thinking I was right and their reward would be death. I have intense anxiety because of those feelings, even now that I am physically and mentally out.
you guys should do a separate video on the witnesses thinking they're the center of attention. I never heard that before. But it definitely makes sense.
I dealt with a JW & she was so narcissistic. She knew the Bible forward and back, but she was abusive and cruel. I am glad I came across this video. I learned about why she treated me the way she did. She would never apologize, and now I understand why.
Not growing up a JW and searching for years I truly thought I found the truth. I remember writing your channel after being out over 10 years and asking "where do I go"
This has done wonders for my mental health. Cuz I have nobody to talk to about what I'm going through... its always a "Pick yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality and its always my fault.
Thank you guys. I subconsciously knew they are narcissistic because I grew up with a narcissistic parent and didn’t know it had a name until my younger sister told me to look it up.i recommend all current JWs look up the characteristics of a narcissist after sincerely praying and asking God to show them the truth of it. If after they do this they still don’t see it, they are lost.
JT and lady Cee I was a slave for almost 40 years ministerial servant elder, but for years before I left I knew there was something wrong with this religion something wasn’t right so I finally started doing hundreds of hours of research and after doing that I was able to break free with no guilt and now looking back I cannot believe I was trapped by that religion. Fortunately I didn’t get baptized till I was in my 20s so I knew what the world was like and I knew there were a lot of good people and even as I was a witness I met a lot of good people and consider them friends only to be spied on chastised by the elders they tried to remove me as a servant because I was fishing with the worldly man that I knew for a long time and considered him a friend it was just ugly but I just wanted to let you know that you are one of my favorite channels because of knowing what I went through you guys are spot on! Thank you
In addition to a bad marriage, the feeling of not being able to talk about my ex husbands faults for fear of not sounding submissive and not being able to hang with my coworkers or friends from the "world" that i had from before being baptised to vent made me feel trapped. One morning i just announced to myself "I dont want to be a witness anymore!" Scared the crap out of me.
Eric Hoffer's "The True Believer" discusses the need to identify with something bigger than oneself on the part of those who feel disenfranchised from life.
Absolutely true. They are very narcissistic and the belief of superiority is nauseating at times. My elder brother in law distanced my sister, niece and nephews from myself and my husband/children, claiming that it was Jesus that comes to bring division. He did not see a need for us to be in their lives because we are not Jehovah's witnesses....He was not too happy when I asked him if he proclaimed to be Jesus.
What an excellent video! I really appreciate you having Arc on your program! I learned so much from this and really agree with what y’all and Arc were saying. The part about group narcissism is so true! I never realized that when in the group (of course!) Thanks so much JT and Lady Cee! I am so glad this came into my feed today, even though it was from a few years ago. For me, I realized that it was not “where” will I go, but “to whom” will I go?! And that was to my Lord, Savior, and Mediator, Christ Jesus.
Just saw and talked to my Mother for the first time in almost 2 years.. Think about that the woman who gave birth to me refuses to see her oldest son and her grandchildren because I want no part of the false religion that she has been slave to for 34 years .it took 34 years for her indoctrination to be complete to the point that we live 15min apart but have no contact! And seeing her reminded me how dangerous ALL false religion really is and That's Why I always pray for THE MOST HIGH YAH OF ARMIES to Bring this and all false religions to the ground in total and complete destruction in a way that even the totally brainwashed can awaken from the spell that they are under!
@@crepespalacesc it's tough it really is but whats helped me is that I prayed to THE MOST HIGH YAH to give me Strength to not let my desire to be with my family weaken me and JUST what I asked for I was granted! Try it You'll see that it works!
@Marie Neely That's cool for you, i'm very highly educated on who the EL of Yisrael is THE MOST HIGH YAH OF ARMIES is going to Bring total destruction to the wicked and you can call him what you want!
It really helps explain my subconscious reaction while dealing with Jdubs and even former Jdubs. It sure takes time for me to fully trust them. I remember each and everyone of the persons in the org that are or were (some have already 'fallen asleep') good-hearted. They all changed my life for the better. Heck, one elder had already had a positive effect on my mother before he had a positive effect on me. She cries when she thinks of him. May God remember this wonderful human. If you are unbelievers, please have patience with me, the same patience I have with you my friends. We can and should all get along 💞.
As to the feeling special part of this video and JW’s belief that they’re favored over others because they hold certain beliefs - their outright bigotry could not be plainer. Substitute another characteristic for belief and express that idea again . For example, I am favored over you and others like you because I am white and you are not... because I am male and you are female... I am an American and you are not. This is the very language of bigotry and JWs speak it fluently.
Yes and parents favouring JW adult children over non JW. I seen this personally this week mother was gushing over brother and wife and kids who happened to visit while I was in on my weekly check ..I kid you not she was disappointed when I walked in the door before their "yearly visit " .
I'd say it goes farther still, as favoring or not being favored is something you survive (and is natural if we're being honest). Non-cult religions generally see their way as a best bet, while seeing outsiders as brothers and not hopeless. Here though the JW are required to believe their non-JW family and friends are not worth investing in if they will not get right with Watchtower, and will be destroyed violently and they'll likely have to see it. With that weighing on them, the defense can only be to distance emotionally one way or another.
Outstanding interview. Also too, a prime scientific topic discussed in regular terms. Anyone can understand what a narcissist is without 4 advanced degrees. This is truly awesome. The hardest thing to do is teach people a topic in a way in which they learn and understand ... at a basic level.
I appreciate this interview. My entire life was surrounded by narcissism. I escaped to JWs for hope of a better life. Ask me how that worked out? It didn’t.
Thanks for teaching me about this word i'd never really thought about this behavior or even knew there was actually a word for it. And it sadly is so true in the witness community I felt the cruel effects of this behavior until it totally destroyed me emotionally, psychologically it wasn't until an experience I had with the way i was dealt with by a group of elders who totally turned on me to cover up what was really going on within the congregation. Then allowed the CO to remove take my privileges away. This made me finally start searching for the truth about the truth so thanks to your video's and research plus the many other web sites that have gone to the trouble of researching past watchtower articles for us to read.
Very enlightening and informative. I would also add that another reason many do not leave the organization, including myself, is that the narcissism, control, cognitive dissonance, and abuse becomes familiar and acceptable and seems normal. I was also raised in a dysfunctional physically and emotionally abusive JW family. This made the JW life even more normal. I stayed for so long and returned to the organization, despite the negativity wasn't because of FOG, but because it was all I knew and not feeling good enough was normal. At least I could feel special as a JW.
I have told my mom that it is really disturbing how from the platform they teach that we need to be humble, kind, not be self assuming, don't be haughty and don't be judgmental. Yet, in the very next breath they claim to be the only true religion
Thank you so much. Learning a lot about an organization to which I once belonged, not by choice. Unfortunately, I was born into. Today I learned so much about narcissism. You guys are always on the button. Love you.
Great collaboration video with Arc Ripley one of my favorite RU-vid Content Creators!! I also found this channel particularly interesting because I have a good friend who became a JW, and I noticed a marked change in that person. Now I know a bit more about why...
Great video. Well put together so simple and to the point. I wish witnesses would watch this so when they flip out when truth about “the truth” is shared with them.
So many good points. I had a close friend who cited their desire to “be different” (read “better than others”) as one of the reason they became JW. I too felt special, among other reasons for being one of the few that would live through Armageddon and never die 🤣🤣. My grandma still believes that very same thing. She’s 85. I hope she makes it.
The saddest thing for so many witnesses is that they are stuck there mentally even if they have big doubts. They have seen and heard about 'others' who have been disfellowshipped and they themselves have participated in the 'shunning' even if they had liked that person previously. They decide, (wrongly), just to stay, it becomes easier just to live the lie rather than be put aside as if they no longer exist. These videos are very helpful. I know that witnesses are watching, let's hope they can take some of this information on board.
What motivated me to get a Facebook page was to search all my friends that left or were DF'd. And even a few family members. It's very therapeutic to re-connect with lost friends. 1/3 of my FB friends are ex-JW's.
They are so narcissistic even if you don't go out in service for two weeks they'll look down on you instead of thinking you might be going through something
FYI: Jehovah’s Witness are taught not to question their beliefs. I am not a Jehovah’s Witness, but my wife is a JW. I showed a video from RU-vid about an Australian JW elder testifying in court that they do destroy sexual complaints in the Kingdom Hall to protect the Kingdom Hall. My wife called her mom and asked about it if it is true or not. Do you know what her mom’s response was? Her mom said on speaker phone, “No, that’s not true.” “That’s the work of the devil.” “Only believe what the JW says, not the internet or RU-vid.” After that incident, my wife never question again. So sad. I am a Special Education teacher.
al713 713 maybe if she can just SEE IT with her own eyes...it is one thing to hear a rumour about sonething, yet another one seeing it on tape. Once you see certain things, you cannot unsee.
So many sisters were staying with cheaters and abusive. Ni therapists i was surrounded and never utilized them. Disfellowshipped peop le cant hang out together either.
Being the center of attention- This is so true and a bit comical. When I first left I thought everyone in the world would freak out when they heard I used to be a witness. When I finally would tell them they could care less. I might as well have told them I used to be a Methodist. It had no value or impact what so ever. I had built up the importance in my mind through years of believing the witnesses were the center of attention. No one cares or are even thinking about them.
At the very inception of the Great Depression, the clean-shaven judge Rutherford was engaged in narcissistically kissing over-ripe oranges in the vicinity of his vast luxurious manor house Beth Sarim.The dude could not glory in being persecuted, but this was not an impediment.
Great video guys I used to think that way and never realized I was being a narcissist. I know a lady that wants to go back and she has that mentality “this is truth!!!” JWs don’t realize how crazy the teachings really are
You say a high power group. I still say a cult. Most dictionaries agree with me too. That being said, after being gone from the organization for over 3 decades, I have now had that fire in resurrected and I feel the need to shine a bright spotlight on the damages they’ve caused. Much more to come.
Very interesting video about Narcissism. I used tell my ex husband he had a very narcissistic personality. I never put the puzzle pieces together to figure it out that it came from growing up as a witness. SMDH!!! Even after 10 years I’m still learning about that dang cult…
I so agree that JWs try to instill fear about what will happen if JWs leave the organization. As I was never baptized, my family couldn’t use that tactic, since I hadn’t fallen into the trap of baptism, so instead, every problem I have in life, they imply that it is due to not being a JW. My JW sister is extremely jealous of me, which becomes very obvious when she acts resentful about me going to college, becomes very defensive about her lack of college education, and portrays herself as a martyr who sacrificed a college education to be a full-time pioneer (putting herself up on a pedestal in comparison to me). Every time we have a disagreement, she attributes my position (disagreeing with her) as demonstration that I think I’m smarter, etc., because I went to college (resentment) and that I must think she is stupid because she didn’t (playing the victim). It’s so sad, because clearly she feels inadequate and so limited because of the life path she chose as a JW, yet she also thinks she is so special because of her role as a full-time pioneer in the organization. And we know that the organization puts pioneers on a pedestal. So she is getting a lot of ego needs met there, despite most likely feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled on the whole. There is the cognitive dissonance you’re talking about. I see a lot of Narcissism in her personality. She is unable to take responsibility for her actions and apologize in a sincere manner. She is also unable to forgive. As an unbaptized sister of a devout JW, I have always felt that my value to my JW sister was the fact that I was the “undamaged goods” sister (vs. our disfellowshipped sister), and that she might be able to convert me to become a Jehovah’s Witness. Ugh. It makes it so hard to have a relationship with her because I don’t feel like she is sincere in her love for me. I dream that one day she might wake up so we can have a real relationship.
You have a lot of insight to see this toxis dynamic and also the root. I do recognise some thinga you say. But with my mother (who also pioneer, but is very cruel and my half brother who has tasks in the congregation (i do not know the english word for it) even though he is also very cruel indoors. My mother let everything slide from my brother because he has a certain position (it is the one below the elder) and me as a sister is nothing in her eyes. I am planning my escape. From my abusive family and the abusive cult
@@toxirala2455 I feel for you and wish you all the best in planning your exit. Know there is a lot of support out there for you. Prioritize self care. ;). The position is referred to as “ministerial servant” in English.
