Why Do People Become Jehovah's Witnesses: Guilt & Manipulation 

I was spiritually deficient. I was a 17 year 4 month Army participant. I became involved with a young lady who I loved. Much to my surprise JW’s do not embrace the Military. My ex who I loved told me we would not be able to get married unless I would not be a part of the Military. My mistake was me GIVING UP the Military & by association my retirement. As one would imagine I became like a celebrity as a baptized witness for 5 years. I was 38 years old. Well, subsequently, I returned 9 years later to the Military. Since I had prior service. I was able to return at the age of 47 with 2 waivers. I was grateful to retire at 51 and I’m 65 now. Great video guys!!!

These videos heal my inner child that grew up so devoted to the organization. It helps me realize I’m not crazy, and makes me happy knowing someone understands where I’m coming from. You all take the words right out my mouth every time. Please keep going ❤

You are right that if you were born into this religion, you leave when you become an an adult. This happened to me, even though I never got baptized. The reason I didn't get baptized is because I would sometimes hear talks where I knew something about the talk just didn't seem right. When I questioned, no one could really give me the answer that made sense. For instance, I would always wonder why at every assembly we were always in a deficit on the 1st day of the assembly and didn't get the answer until JT of critical thinkers explained it, then that made all the sense in the world. For the elderly ppl that ends up in a nursing home, the witnesses would go see them 1 time and max 2 times, even though they served jehovah all of their lives, they are soon forgotten by the organization. Now is that love? NO, SMH, what a shame.

I was raised by a single mom who was a narcissist and studying with the JW reminded me way too much on top of being shunned by my own mom for the last 20 years. I’m so triggered by my husband’s belief system all I saw was red flags 🚩

When I was little, my Bible teacher made me memorize all the books of the bible in order so that it was easier for me to turn pages when we did our study together. Even at the meetings, she would grab my arm and pull it up to make a comment even though I didn’t want to.

I remember a couple that got married some years ago. People in the congregation would ask when they’re going to hav3 kids. They said they didn’t want to have children until the “new system” because they didn’t want to raise kids in this world. They’re still childless. Jehovah’s Witnesses teaching on paradise is incorrect. The Bible does say that He will make all things new, but the witnesses have painted the picture differently. Paradise is mentioned as being in heaven in the Bible.

I have studied with JWs a number of times, starting at age 13-14, I am now 70 years of age, and never became a member, but from time because of the way my life was going I came to a point believing that they were truthful. But when I started studying with them again it just never felt right, and thats because they always divert me away from my questioning them as their JW Booklets became more and more important than the Bible itself and left me confused. Even when for a period of the last decade they seemed to change some of their ways, in which at the time I told my daughter that I was studying with them, which made her happy and glad, but about 10 or 15 weeks in there is a switch mad to where the Bible is set aside and my questioning was not being answered. I even went to PASSOVER Memorial and Convention, even took my Mom with me with her Dementia, as I kept being attentive to her. My mother passed and we eventually sold her home as she had a reverse mortgage on her home. And I stop studying and moved to my own place. Came to realize that they were still the same. They may have tweaked here and there but it was the same teaching. I don't understand how or why people fall for it , even my Ex-Wife, my daughter I understand as she was born into it as I never interrupted her Mother teaching her and at the same time didn't want me to be a part of our Daughter's life as a father, so we divorced and I was granted Visitation Rights but my Ex decided to move back to Georgia to deny me my visitation rights and I decided not to fight it for my daughters sake, but over time even she has turned against me. I too Care of our daughter from birth until her age of 7 and that when everything came apart all based on me not wanting or desirering not to be a JW. I was a Credit Union Manager, Professional Photographer, and a Drummer for a Gospel Group know as The Los Angeles Temple Aires. I am a Christian Man believing in God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I just don't believe in Cults. I am my own person willing to think for myself and make my own decisions. As I have said, I Love the way you two communicate with each, having a strong bond and Respect for each other! God Bless You Both!

I was dooped by all the love bombing! Newly divorced, single mom.....you know the rest

Been out since 1996. Not a fan of the religion. But I will say, sitting still as a kid taught me patience and improved my listening skills. The ministry school get me ready to talk on front of people. The rest, they can keep that $hit.

We love you both!!! Great video, amazing explanation of things. We agree with y’all 100%. We both were raised in the “truth”…we both are seniors and girl…I’m back in college at the age of 60 finishing my bachelors in education. Dwight my husband was “born in”, and I was pretty little when my mother started to study. So, between both us, we’ve spent more than 60 years in the cult. We started to watch your shows and y’all just nail every comment about the sect. We love y’all!!!!

I find this couple charming and witty in their delivery and endeavors to help open the eyes of their former JW members. I came across this duo as I was seeking to learn all that I could about JW and their misguided beliefs. Recently I came in contact with a former friend of 45 years ago, who is a JW and fully immersed into the cult. I try diligently to reach this person with scriptural evidence that their beliefs are not in line with Biblical teachings. JW’s wrap a little bit of truth in a blanket of deception, misinterpretation, misrepresentation and lies. Even when their doctrine can be easily proven Biblically to be false they refuse to accept. I will continue to pray for my friend and all JW’s that they should learn to worship the JESUS of the Bible (and he is not Michael the Archangel😊). Likewise I pray that this couple doesn’t let their experience with JW cloud their ability to accept JESUS as their LORD AND SAVIOR. I would like to meet them in Heaven one day telling their humorous antidotal stories. 💗GOD Bless the two of you!😊

When I grew up I too thought the Bible was hard to understand. But when I met Jesus, it all made sense. The Holy Spirit (third person of the Trinity), revealed to me what it all meant. The Bible is an extended story about God interacting with people. At first, God is vague and difficult to grasp. Later, when God became a man in the form of Jesus, God became real. JWs don't have a personal relationship God, so how can they know the Bible--His word or message to humanity?

You guys are awesome and really convey the nuances of the JW’s very well. You describe my experiences to a T, starting from the first visit through about 60 days going to the meetings.

Nice to hear the perspective of young adults, critically thinking.

Well done ! You two are a dynamic duo, thank you for an informative and insightful discussion. 👏🏿 Perhaps a discussion on how harmful this cult is to people’s physical and mental health. For example the people that take this nonsense too seriously and develop all types of personality disorders. 😢

I knew it was nessed up when Moses floated doen the Nile in the middle of Africa was displayed in" The My Book " as a white baby with rosey red cheeks🥺

Think about all the dreams deferred. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach their members to not pursue your dreams, not develop your God given skills, gift’s, and talents, don’t live life to the fullest, don’t go to college to learn and develop any skills so as to get a good job and secure a good home for yourself, etc. But to just slave for the watchtower corporation all your life. Yes, the Bible does have wonderful promises, but God wants us to be happy now. You can love and serve God and Jesus whiled fully enjoying this life he has given us now.

Thank you for telling your experiences. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

"Why in the world someone become a Jehova's Witness" That 1st line got me laughing so loud.🤣🤣

My husband started saying “ even if the paradise isn’t true this is still the best organization in the world” I’ll keep hearing is…..”omg he’s doubting the paradise!”

My husband (of 31 years) is an unbaptized publisher 🤦🏼‍♀️and is getting toward the end of the Live forever book and I never see him prepare for it or even open his “Bible” throughout the week. He only uses the website to look things up. He’s 60! I have such a hard time believing he will be able to meet all the demands of the organization. I pray he wakes up however, his family are diehard JW since the 70’s soooo 🤷🏼‍♀️

As someone who came into the organisation in their mid 20s for me I was raised by a narcissist father who raised me with similar isolation tactics like the JW organisation. The JW org is narcissistic so they lie and manipulate by pretending to love and care for you personally. I was love bombed and they knew I was traumatised. At the time I had issues with my relationships and had severe mental health issues so they swooped in while I was vulnerable and showed conditional and manipulative love. I was brought into their family and given a lot of attention which I lacked growing up.

My mom lost her mother when she was a teenager and she came in contact with the witnesses when she was a young mother herself. She kept studying with them on and off for years until she was a single of 4 and we were poor so we were the perfect candidates to be recruited into the cult. When we got in and saw how "nice and loving" everyone was, especially because we were so spiritual, we felt it was the perfect place. We were fully convinced that it was the truth and we felt protected and safe in that community of those seemingly nice people. The truth is a lot of them are truly nice people, so when certain things happened we didn't know how to process it. Like when the COBE tried to s*xually @ss@ult my mom because she used to work for him. She was afraid to report it because the elders would just say she mistook his kindness for advances. Or the many other things that happened to make us realize that some looked down on you if you're poor. We knew there was something wrong buy the cognitive dissonance had a hold on us back then.

You guys are spot on with your videos. Much therapy for many to relate too. It’s comical looking back and seeing how blind you were when you were in that cult. The one thing I learned from being a JW was to never ever become one.

“It’s a spiritual exhaustion!” Took me OUT!🤣🤣🤣 I was a single mom to a toddler, full time culinary student, living in a city with no family or friends trying to finish school, and every Saturday for my bible study, all we talked about was how I wasn’t doing enough. I was so overwhelmed and depressed smh

Hi Awaken Truths. You're exactly right that most people that join their cult do later in life. I'm so glad I woke up & left, & never ever will return. Yall are really calling them out & they never can explain completely most of their own teachings. I love yall's channel & always look forward to your shows! Peace ✌️ yall 👦 guys & 🪆 dolls , Janine Smiley 😀😃😄🙂🙃🫠😉😇🥰😍🤩😘

So true! Grew up in, but I was fading in and out for 40 years, married on the sly someone that wasn’t a JW and then the firm break over 20 years ago, because that was my time!! 🙌🥰🙌

The book is by Rich Bach about seagull....Short review: Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a book about potential, about dreamers, about passion and the meaning of life. That's quite a lot for a little book about an ordinary Seagull who teaches himself to be extraordinary. This is a book for anyone who is a dreamer with a passion that doesn't fit into the pack. The message is that we can all be so much more than we believe, or are given to believe. That God - or fortune, if you wish - is on the side of the bold, the adventurous and the free in spirit. I am 2nd generation JW my mother did this because was spirit person but lonely thus became JW for 50 years. It was her social club in a new town . She died one over 50 years but all her children woke up from the JW cult. Thank you for your hard work

I am back with a new account haha Another great video and 100% accurate, you explain everything so clearly and honest i love it. Cannot wait to see the other 2 parts :)

Exactly true

When it comes to this religion, it's easier to get women in. You don't find a lot of "worldly" young guys in their prime getting baptized. If you get a young dude off the streets getting baptized - he is probably weird or zesty. Selling po' people dreams of a better world is another way. During the pandemic you had JW's going thru the obituaries and writing letters to the surviving family members. Now that's just straight up dumpster diving for a witness. When I REALLY got into researching our history - I was DONE with Christianity. Granted Black people put some razzle dazzle and seasoning on it - I just can't buy into "their" savior being our savior. That's just MY opinion. But I'm celebrating Christmas. 😂😂😂 Overall, I have to admit I got a few positive things from the religion. 1. I can start up a conversation with ANYONE. 2. Not afraid to speak in front of an audience. I tried to find three. 😂😂😂 Love your videos. I don't know what book Lexie is talking about. I googled "book about an eagle" and a couple about spiritual stuff as an eagle came up. Waiting for the next video. ✌🏾

My mom used to tell us, if you’re well enough to skate, you’re well enough to wake up for service 😂 or if you can stay awake in school all day, you better be up for the meetings, with at least three comments prepared!

Q: As ex-JWs, have you ever read the Bible (or even just the NT) from beginning to end in an English translation other than the NWT?

You are doing a great job with these videos

I became a jehovah witness because after the Tuesday book at the age of 15 years old the old man said he wanted me & my sister out of the house so I was fear mongerd !

Commenting because I love you guys and want you to continue making videos. Do you think you’ll ever do interviews with other ex-JWs? That would be kind of cool.

As an adult if you become one, you are not dealing with something else in your life

I haven't read it, but plan on it. The only spiritual book on Eagles is! Mary Whetchel. SORING ON HIGH? Hope this is what you're looking for? ❤

When did they start writing letters to reach out to people? I got one. I was wondering where they get their mailing addresses from?

They got me as a single mother raising two boys on my own. I worked for a home care agency, and they sent me to a Jehovah Witness lady's house. We really hit it off, she kept telling me she used to be a single mother, and understood how hard it was. She was so sweet. She encouraged me to take a study. I studied for five years, became an unbabtized publisher, then I got baptized. Some people judged me for being a single mother, that wasn't cool.

Keep doing these videos 😊

Great shirts!!! 🥰♥️🥰

The other saying was ...if you go to the mall you can go to the hall😮

Fear mongering is a big thing too

Even a Christian cannot brush aside the worship of Jehovah as God. In Revelation 1:5 the Son of God called himself "Jesus Christ, 'The Faithful Witness.'" When on earth as a man he was a Jew, an Israelite, to whose nation the words of Isaiah 43:10 were written: "'You are my witnesses, 'is the utterance of Jehovah, 'even my servant whom I have chosen.'" Jesus demonstrated that he was a faithful and true witness of Jehovah God. His genuine disciples today must be the same kind of witnesses, Jehovah's.

Was it in the blue book called the truth book

I was lonely just moved to a new state. So I called the society I was told by a witness in New York to call the society and they will send somebody to me I was studying in New York for a little while so I figured Jehovah witness they seem to be nice people but I learned later on they were weird lol

The skating thing must be a Midwest thing since there's nothing else to do especially in winter growing up in a rural Indiana congregation that was one of the only "fun" things you're "allowed" to do as a kid/teenager but don't you dare be skating with someone of the opposite sex cause then the rumours start and you will be in all kinds of trouble lol

Then the way the governing body talks all I think is how similar it sounded to EVERY MLM convention 🤪

You should read the autobiography of Malcolm X; the Nation of Islam is the same as Jehovah's Witnesses. They preyed on vulnerable people in bad situations too.

Wish you had a place for LONG COMMENTS 😪

People in my community turn down kids all the time 😂 9:03

In my family the jw women married Catholic men and it took time but eventually all the men became jws.

Making a video of all the gossip that goes around in the congregation, especially from older sisters and elder wives 😂😂

I remember those games. When you hear Jehovah, Jesus, or Angels, mark a line under it. My Grandpa was the first to come in before my Grandma also. I like the comment about not regretting the time as a JW. It does help you to see who you are. I remember a friend of mine who seemed like everyone was trying to make a witness to (they made it clear they didn't want to join). When one of their relatives died "Now's a good time to give the 'When someone you love dies' tract!" The skate guy... further proof that friendships are conditional by how much you do in the organization and not character. I guess I can be the biggest A-- Hole in the world and as long as I'm devoting everything to the Organization, I'm look at favorably.

Was it a female or male author? That's a little vague...

So What do y'all study now?

Their bible is totally different. Rewritten once again

Damn do she got a sister 😂a cousin or sum

THIS TIME IS NOT THE TIME TO LEAVE JHEHOVH GOD WHEN THE END IS NEAR.IF YOU GUYS NEED HELP CALL THE ELDRS AND THEY WILL HELP YOU.WHY YOU GUYS MAD WITH JEHOVAS ORGANIZATION? REPENT AND COME BACK.MOST PEOPLE LEFT THE ORGANZATION AFTER THEY COMMITED A GROSS SIN.JEHOVAS ORGANIZATION HAS HIGH MORAL STANDARD SO DONT BE MAD BECOUSE YOU CAN NOT HANDLE JEHOVAH HIGH MORAL STANDARS.

I would never become JW or any religion that doesn't have original scripture especially when the whole world knows that the Bibles have been changed and have many errors in em and worst of all you don't even know who has written it and the authors are anonymous. The only serious followed religion is Islam. In the entire world Quran is the only scripture that is preserved(safely kept without any changes), 100% original and never changed. My only advice to the REAL PEOPLE is if you're wanting to love God and connect with him then you have to be sincere to yourself first and sincerely look into the history and the authentication of Islam. Once you get all proof and evidence you'll know this is the 100% TRUTH and the 100% word of God!