I sent my letter of disassociation on July 6, 2020!!! Best life ever. I can relate to all that you have said. This has been one of the best greatest videos that I have watched 😄👏. I’m gonna share it on my Facebook. Happiness is written all over you. Congratulations from freshly awakened “apostate” from Canada
Hi Tebo, thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Congratulations on escaping the clutches of that awful organisation. I hope you find the same happiness and freedom that I've enjoyed since I walked out of the Kingdom Hall on Jan 5th 2014. I'm still as happy now as the day I left, if not happier. Have fun! :)
Well done mate, my son is in the organization and has cut us his family out of his life. I am hoping he wakes up one day. I miss him and my grandchildren so much. I am so happy listening to you knowing that there is a chance that my son might wake up, thankyou.
Thank you Lorna. I'm sad to hear about your son, and his decision to distance himself and his family from you. I believe that most JW's have a least one area of the JW faith that doesn't feel right, or a secret doubt that they cannot share with others. Hopefully your son will be the same. Don't give up hoping that he'll return to you. Knowing that my family would accept me/forgive me/welcome me with open arms when I returned made it easier for me when I finally woke up. If that day comes for you, I'd love to hear all about it :)
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment. I'm pleased to hear you're out too. Have you made a video of your story? I'd like to hear it and I'm sure others would benefit too.
@@karl2093 Wow, I didn't expect to hear back from you. I'm not entirely sure my story is impressive, in terms of how I left. I'm technically still inactive, so my family only partially shuns me. If I made a video - I'd be fully cut off from my parents and my aunts. I started waking up after I promised myself I'd take the Bible seriously. Reading the Bible for the nth time, I began taking a tremendous amount of notes and I came across so many discrepancies with the Bible itself and between the Bible and WT dogma. For weeks, I was very weary of the phrase "the truth" because it definitely wasn't the whole truth. I said well I'm already deep in this mess, so I'll just have to endure. Eventually I heard a Sunday talk that was such a blatant contortion of the Bible, and the speaker kept pushing blind obedience to the organization over reasoning - I got sick to my stomach. I was convinced at that moment it was definitely a cult. I just got up and left the hall during the meeting and never went back. Best decision I've ever made.
@@thehigherevolutionary First of all, apologies for the delay in replying. That's quite a story you have to tell. I fully understand your need to tread carefully to avoid 100% shunning. I love the fact that it was a Sunday Public Talk that finally got you to take action and walk out without delay. I hope you're doing well and finding happiness on your own terms.
Your story is pretty similar to my story. I got baptized in 1992 and after that I became a Ministerial Servant, I used to read letters just for elders. Those letters adviced how to deal with child abusers and they told us not to go to the police if we had a case. I felt very dissapointed and I left them in 2001 because of that and many other reasons, my wife left me and she remarried with an elder. My son was baptized when he was 12 years old and four years later he was disfellowed. I am so happy to be out of that religion.
WELL DONE Karl......Fantastic video, we are looking forward to many many more, it was amazing to meet you the other day, THANK YOU so much for the support you gave us all on Parliament day along with the pictures that you took...It is a privilege to know you and call you friend xx Marc & Cora
+Marc Cora Thank you Marc Cora. Your videos helped me to adjust when I first 'woke up' and I know you have helped countless others too. Parliament Day was very special. Thank you for arranging it. I can see a bright future for us all xx
Great video!! Simply AMAZING How Quickly you've woken up!! Let us hope many more will wake up as well! Shared your video with my group, Help Jehovah's Witnesses on Facebook. Looking foward to more video's from you! God bless!
Great video. Welcome to your freedom. :) Steve Hssan explains in his latest book that very intelligent people make the best cult members because they are so zealous, that doesn't make any of us fools for believeing their B.S for all these years.
Karl, thank you so much for pouring your heart out, for your strength and courage and for making this video. It gives me a tiny bit of hope for others, and reminds me of my own struggle so many years ago. The damage done may never be completely be undone, but health and happiness ARE here. I wish you the best on your journey!
I'm so happy for you Karl, life is beautiful outside the Org. The shunning is hurtful but there is much comfort to be had with those of us who have stood in your shoes and time does help in the healing that we must all do. Thank you for speaking out !!
Hi Karl, love your videos! And, love love, LOVE ..."where the greed is great" LOL. Keep up the inspiring videos, there are many many witnesses who are waking up to TTATT. Much love to you
This is one of the best waking up clips I've seen. I could truly hear the joy in your voice. I'm so glad you found your freedom. I only wish my family would wake up too.
Nice video Karl! Very well done. I enjoyed watching and listening. So glad you direct you own life now, something every human being is capable of doing ,and you are happy! Just want to say you are the only other person whom I heard express what I always felt for years, when I was was listening to prayers about god's undeserved kindness, over and over at a young age. For me it was just one more thing among many other realizations I came to over many years that caused me to leave and live my own life, happily. Best wishes Karl!
First off... welcome back! I was born into the witnesses as my mum is one, I grew up with it but soon enough as I hit my teenage years I realised it wasn't the truth nor did things make sense. best thing I did was leave and now with a family of my own I'm so happy with life. sadly my mum is still involved with the truth and have lost her as she doesn't acknowledge me or my family which hurts but again.... her loss
+Steve Sim Sorry to hear about your mum, Steve. But well done on waking up so young. It sounds like you're genuinely happy, something that would've been unlikely if you'd remained within the cult.
Thanks Karl, just woken up and trying to deprogram by watching testimonies like yours. Glad I stayed until the end, loving that song #thatjokeisn'tfunnyanymore 👍🏻
Mi chel, thank you for your kind comment. I did videos like this for the reason you stated: I'd enjoyed hearing the testimonies of others who'd already walked the path I was just starting out on. Hence, "I've seen this happen in other people's lives, and now it's happening in mine." How are you, since waking up? It can be a shock to the system when everything you thought was truth turns out to be lies. I hope you have support during this time. If you need someone to write to, my email is: klatimer10@hotmail.com. Take care.
This is the very first Ex JW You Tube video that I watched that triggered my waking up!! I attended my last meeting in June 2016. Thank you Karl for posting this video!
@@APBCTechnique Are you enjoying it? If it's something you decide to pursue through to baptism, please make sure you have no suppressed doubts. You're encouraged to ask questions while you're studying. However, critical thinking is frowned upon when you're baptised. It's your life. Do whatever makes you feel happy and alive! If you have any doubts, get in touch with me, or anyone you feel comfortable talking to.
@@prisonplanetdotcom thanks very much Karl. I’m in your area. I’m at Gateshead congregation. I’m a physiotherapist, osteopath and Naturopathic Doctor and I am believing in the Bible and I love Jehovah god, but I can’t get on with Jehovah’s witnesses much individually, as I am a deep critical thinker like you say. I’ve been studying with them for years on & off but even I’m regular they’ve never mentioned baptism to me.
Thank you for your videos. You where the first one I watched when I was investigating. I now have my own channel. Thanks again and I appreciate your videos!
You are an amazing speaker and If there was anybody doing what gods work should be- it’s you, sharing your experience, sharing your gratitude for your freedom and embracing the joy of being a full human being- I’m so thankful I’ve seen this video, but too late- thank you
Karl, your joy is contagious! I am so happy that you are free and using your own mind to make your own decisions. I was in a cult for 3 years and broke out. It is easier to let someone else make all the decisions for you and set rules to live by. However as you discovered, to become a real adult we need to take care of ourselves. Isn't it lovely to not be "guilted" for being human? It has been many years since I was trapped, but I am still grateful. I look forward to your next video and thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Hi Aphiwe, take your time and do lots of independent research, not just from the WT index. If you do research you cannot lose: either you will conclude it is the truth and your faith will be stronger, or you realise it's just another religion, walk away, and start to enjoy a different kind of freedom. At 22 years old you have your entire life ahead of you. Seek happiness. Seek truth. If something is true, it should not be afraid of examination. If something is untrue, it will be afraid of examination, and deserves to be exposed.
When you do your research, ask yourself, Why would a loving God, give his only BEGOTTEN SON as a ransomed for all mankind just to hand our salvation over to mere men, who I might add, already warned us not to put our Trust in? God, is perfect, does not lie, reveals everything to us and is not Partial.
Great video! I was born and raised as JW for over 27 years. I used to be a regular axillary pioneer, before I woke up, knowing that JWORG was not the truth. And my jw relatives shun me completely.
@@prisonplanetdotcom Num 21:6-9 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Jhn 3:14-21 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 2Co 2:15-17 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Holy Bible Jesus the Word made flesh.
Congrats on freeing yourself from the so-called "truth." I did the same thing, and I think there are many, many more like us. It is a shock to the system when you realize your whole view of the world around is wrong, based on erroneous conclusions. Took me a couple of years to reorient myself and figure out my place in this world. I agree with you 100%, it was the best decision I ever made and I've never regretted it for one moment. Thanks for making the video. I'm sure it will be helpful for those who are losing faith in the empty promises of the Watchtower Society.
+pizza pizza Here is the real truth that will set you free--there is no God. I understood this clearly when I left Jehovah's Witnesses. Unlike those who leave simply because they are disillusioned, have been wronged, or simply don't want to live the JW lifestyle, I studied my way out of the organization. I was a pioneer, Ministerial Servant, book study conductor, regularly gave parts from the platform. I studied JW theology in depth. I read the Bible cover to cover and spent countless hours even outside of meeting preparation pouring over every detail of the belief system and the proof texts. I went back and studied all the literature from the time of Brother Russell up to the present. If there was any brother in my vicinity who understood the teachings and history of JWs better than me, I certainly wasn't aware of it. So when I finally saw that certain aspects of Witness teaching simply could not be true, the whole thing came falling down like a house of cards. It is not merely JWs that are wrong, the bible is wrong period. After I left JWs I went to a university where I learned Koine Greek and translated the book of Mark from Greek to English along with parts of Acts and other books. There are mountains of evidence to show that the Bible is just a human book, filled with errors. It even borrows passages word for word from so called apocryphal books. Once you realize that the Bible is a human work of literature, than the entire basis of the Christian religion crumbles into sand. There is no God, no new system, no eating muffins with Moses and David in paradise. The whole concept seems so silly to me now I almost can't believe that I ever bought it. We evolved, we are primates, related to gorillas and chimpanzees. We only live once, 70 or 80 years as Moses said, so it would really be a tragedy to waste it believing in falsehoods. The truth HAS set me free. It set me free from superstition, it set me free from believing in imaginary invisible beings, it set me free from putting my hopes in empty fairy tales that will never come true. It set me free from Jehovah's Witnesses and free from the religious opinions of men who lived 2 thousand years ago in times of ignorance.
That is not necessarily true! A pastor from a church found out that I had lost my job and sent me money. I didn't ask for it. While I was unemployed, I had only ONE JW assist me. I had people from other faiths help me. There is no "sticking together". I have one JW friend who comes to my rescue from time to time. And I know for a fact that other religions have food closets, but the JWs do not! Why?
Karl, I appreciate that you were able to come out and share your journey. It is too bad that religions stand in the way of allowing people to experience the real Jesus and the freedom and truth in God through Jesus. We don’t need anyone to tell us how to relate to God. God is knowable to anyone who wants to know Him. If you were to read the scriptures, you will see that even when Jesus was on earth He was experiencing “injustice” from religious leaders in His days. I feel so bad for the witnesses who have been misled. I pray for more ppl to wake up And I pray for those who have been wronged.
Karl, what a fantastic video. I met you very briefly on Parliament day. You exude happiness and your smile is infectious. You spent 22 years, you baby, I was raised a jw and only left last year. I am now 50 years old. I cant believe I actually belived in it and went door to door telling other people. do I feel embarrassed! keep up the good work.
+Rose of Sharon Thank you Rose of Sharon. are you on any photos of Parliament Day? I want to put a face to the name. Yeah, I'm just a baby compared to you, lol. Congrats on getting out. I hope you're making up for lost time!!!
Karl, I just wanted you to know I watched your video about 8-9 months ago in early 2018 and it was YOUR Video (yes YOUR VIDEO) at the 22:00 min mark to the 25:30 min mark that actually WOKE ME UP!! THANK YOU - you helped me! I had to wait all this time to post due to my difficult family situation. THANK YOU KARL. That 22:00-25:30 was my "moment" (all of us who woke up remember our "moment").
David, I'm speechless and humbled. I read your comment and it had a profound effect on me. I'm so pleased to hear that I had a part in helping you gain your freedom. Whatever your circumstances were due to your family situation, it's great to see that you've now been able to move forward. I hope that you have as much joy from living as I've found since leaving the JW's. I'd love to know more about your story. Do you have/need help and support? Leaving the organisation can be tough when family is involved. Have you considered making a video about your experience? Have you joined any Facebook groups for ex-JW's? Good luck, David. I'm sure your happiest years are in front of you :)
Congrats to your freedom. Enjoyed watching your vid. I'm fader from Newcastle cong and have been in Blyth kingdom hall couple of times, started fading about same time you've left. It was a great struggle but I'm free( as much as fader can be, still restricted in some ways ) and happy. You are right life is not always easy,, but is worth living and we should enjoy every day to the full.
+johny english Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment johny. I'd love to know more about why you joined/decided to leave, etc... If you want to get in touch any time, look me up on Facebook - Karl Latimer
Yes, thank you! I was one who was abused (molested) as a child...taught one thing in bible studies & living/experiencing molestation...I was disfellowshiped 3 times & decided then, that I would go find Jesus on my own. I was 42 yrs old, addicted to meth & I finally found God & Jesus!! My life is better than it ever was before! I have been set free & enjoy knowing I live guilt-free. The JW's punished me for what happened & for years, I had no voice to say "No." Finally, in desperation, I called out to God & He sent people to minister to me. The light went on & I began to find my Healing! The JW's did nothing for me!! Today, I know Who God, Jesus & Holy Spirit are! God did something for me & I am complete. The JW's are a cult!!
I'm pleased to hear you've eventually found happiness. How sad you had to endure so much trauma at the hands of the JW cult to get there. Well done. You survived. You won!
What I don't understand Karl is what do you believe in now? You've found happiness which is wonderful but from what I'm understanding is that you don't believe in ANY truth or God?
most of my fam. are witnesses and I dabbled in it as well for a time many moons ago. it's making me very sad at times to experience the dumbed down stupidity of my fam.members. I'm about as far removed from it as you can possibly imagine. you are making a huge difference on this planet and you have my deepest appreciation and awe. thank you so much xxx
Just now watched this old video, and your words ring true now more than ever. Your viewing numbers show that quite a few current jws' have indeed watched this video too. Good going and stay strong Karl!
Thank you Karl for a great video. I spent thirty years of my life with jws (wasted years, I prefer to call them) It's great to listen to someone who is so positive and upbeat. I totally agree with everything you say especially Crisis of Conscience book, it was a great help to me. I feel sorry for those who are still on the inside. I had to smile when you said jws love to gossip...how true, and how sad!! Keep up the good work.
Great video! Thank you for sharing your story. Don't apologize for your video being too long! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts. It's great to be free isn't it? :) I've been out for about 17 years.
+Skeptical Thinker Thank you. Yes, it's an incredible feeling to be free. Long may it last. Well done on escaping 17 years ago. I hope you've made the most of your freedom. Stay happy ;)
Good for you. Mind control is a terrible thing to endure. I admire your courage to think for yourself. John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly". All the best.
'Truth is never afraid of scrutiny' (39:08). So true, and I love your enthusiasm for your new life. Brilliant to be reminded of how it feels when you first discover that 'the truth' is a big lie and the scales fall from your eyes - a mix of shock, joy, trauma, relief... a definite awakening and sense of freedom. I left 30 years ago and am very grateful.
Thank you, francesfree :) 30 years! I'm so pleased to hear you have been free for so long. When I see the JW's around town I feel nothing but pity for them. I still feel as happy and free as I did when I first 'woke up'. It's great to see and hear about so many others escaping from the Watchtower too. Interesting times :)
Hi Karl, This has to be one of the best, if not the best "Exodus" video I have seen yet. Please keep that fantastic attitude. You're a beacon for many folks. I hope you know that. Absolutely wonderful job in the beautiful video you've released. Feel free to come in to our group on Facebook to say hello, or send me a message. All the best, Jill
EX JWs International lve just left jw feel good now free,, there is life arfter jw if I'm shunned ok how sad they are, Jesus never shunned no one,, shows how unloving they are
This was the perfect treadmill video! Time flew by! Looking forward to the stories to follow. It's great to see your happiness. Unlike me who just became angry. Not as angry anymore but when I found out I was being shunned for bullshit then I was infuriated. Especially when no one would truly listen to what I found out.
+JWPrimetime I googled "atheism" and found two freethinking/atheist groups here in my area. How absolutely marvelous it is to FIND people who not only will truly listen to you, but who also understand the anger and share their own experiences. We have so much fun, excellent intelligent conversations with, oh my gawd, Questions and Laughter! I hope you can find like-minded people -- who also are soooo irreverent about religion --- to laugh with, a lot ! It helps dissipate the anger as Freedom becomes more and more our experience !
Linda Noel, I had to laugh at the other poster calling you a CHILD OF SATAN. I'm an ex-JW. I'm not exactly an atheist, but I'd say I was if it would get someone to call me that, lol. And you're right, finding others of like mind can certainly help with the anger, unless you find those whose entire life it's consumed with anger. I had joined several fb ex-JW groups and I left one of them because it was extremely negative. Time, laughter and therapy have helped me!
+Bonny B "The Bible says the Watchtower makes their member twice the child of the Devil. It is obvious that is what happened to you. Now you are twice the child of the DEVIL and you seem to like it." Is that really helpful at all? To anyone? What's the point of it?? I'm sure everyone is going to take note and change their ways immediately. Are you sure you are quite sane?
+Bonny B I think Andrew made his points quite intelligently and succinctly. It really shows your ignorance when you are reduced to calling someone a DUMBASS instead of trying to prove your point in an intelligent and articulate manner. It is the child's version of sticking out your tongue and saying, "nanner nanner nanner" because you can't think of anything better.
+Bonny B You really do need help. I expect you don't attend any place of worship of any kind. Right? Or if you do, it is sporadic. Would Jesus behave the way you do, or call people names like you do? Of course not. Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but (only) he that does the will of my Father. (Matthew 7:21) That includes our language and demeanor. It includes if we are humble or proud, kind and full of praise to God or full of bitterness and hostility. If you know you are a sinner saved by free grace then surely you will walk humbly before your merciful Saviour, and seek to win people over with sweet reasonableness. Instead of pouring out your invective on everyone I suggest you get back to the place of peace with God by believing on Jesus all over again. You need to go back to the beginning and simply believe that He died for a silly fool like you. Get low before God and He will lift you up.
Great video. Good for you for speaking out in your community! And against paedo rings. They are everywhere! Congratulations on your new life. I am not a jw or any religion but love your vid, love your energy. Love to you brother xx ps maybe your finger prints coming back is about you getting your identity back x
+Leanne Weird Hi Leanne, thanks for watching/commenting, especially: "maybe your finger prints coming back is about you getting your identity back" I wish I'd thought of that. I'd have made a point of saying it in the video :)
Leanne Weird - Try to remove the comments from anything other than JW are an illegal cult. Yes they protect their members but in all honesty, expose them for their lies and corrupt ways of being.
Thanks for this!! I was shunned also & lost my ENTIRE family, let's just say I did nothing wrong but have an open mind & questioned a lot. I was told if I leave I lose my family ... I left. It's been a very tough time. Big love to you Karl!!
I am so happy for you, Karl. I thank you so very much for your "little bit of activism" in this video. I was compelled to continue watching by your honesty, your obvious healthy Joy, and most of all Karl, the articulate ease with which you share your JW experience and becoming free of it! The processes of allowing yourself a little peek at "the corrupt world" --assisted by The Web - youtube ! and then using self-honesty and Reason to do the brave and necessary work of Becoming Yourself is such an honorable quest and, yes, it is thrilling to find such warm happy-but-not-glassy-eyed-with-willful ignorance and intelligent people -- most of whom are Readers ! (I have no idea why any of this has a line through it, if it still does -- I did not do that!) Last year I googled "atheism" because I was lonesome for like-minded people and discovered two groups in my area of Spokane, Washington, USA whom I am FREE to be my unbelieving self with and we sure have a lot of fun as well as appreciate each other's intelligence and strong desire to be honest and follow where that takes us -- knowing, as you now do, that This Is It, there is no supernatural anyone to fear or look to for the answers I need to live a good life. Now. I've subscribed and look forward to any other sharing you may do -- gawd, I love youtube !!! I have an open fb page as well -- feel free to visit! Linda Noel Schierman
The real Jesus, not the false ones. People need to read the Bible for themselves (a good, official translation) and think about it for themselves. Then they won't be so easily misled by false teachers/preachers/prophets. It's a matter of (eternal) life or death. There are so many false churches, the Jehova's Witnesses being one of them. But that doesn't mean that this life (on earth) is all there is. There is a true Church, and a true Word of God. There is a true Creator -- the God of the Bible. I didn't want to admit that at first. but thankfully my eyes were opened when I saw a demon (and the true God answered my prayer and saved me from it). Don't believe the lie of evolution -- there's no such thing as "upwards evolution" -- Darwin's theory of evolution is one of the biggest and most embarrassing blunders in the history of science. Genetic mutation is either near-neutral or deleterious. (Karl, I recommend you watch the Origins interviews on evolution and genetic research on RU-vid). Just because the Jehova's Witnesses believe in a false gospel, it doesn't mean that there is no Creator/God. We are warned in the Bible against "subtle heresies", and the Jehova's Witnesses' doctrine is one of them. Wishing you all the best Karl. It is good to see you so happy and relieved, but now there is a danger of deluded complacency. Don't stop searching, questioning and investigating just because you found yourself in one dead-end street. There are many such dead-end streets in this world, but there IS a Creator, and there is a true way. Apparently the Jehova's Witnesses don't believe in hellfire, but Jesus warned against it repeatedly. There is a reason why He had to come to die for our sins. It was so that everyone who believes in Him (trusts in Him and follows Him) may not perish (in hell) but have eternal life.
Welcome to freedom from guilt and fear Karl , you are not the only one who found TTATT by accident , I also did in April of this year. I thought about burning my copy of the Live Forever book as well as some of the others I have, but when I see Kim and Mikey's collection on their shelves , I decided not to because some day I may need it to help someone come out when it is too difficult to find decades from now. You have sisters and brothers all over the world , and are never alone.
I was in a relationship with a J witness for almost 4 years. He witnessed to me for years and wanted me to become a witness. I knew the organization was not the truth. I didn't know how to get him from under their rule. I wanted to rescue him. He seemed miserable and lost. When I spoke with him about my concerns he always fought back with scripture. He started drinking in excess to relieve his stress and constant guilt.I need help and don't know where to turn. I don't want to lose my best friend forever to this mind control organization! Your video was eye opening. I pray that he will some day realize what he's missing in life. I miss him terribly and pray that the truth will be revealed about this organization to him. Thank you for your honesty and courage in walking away while you are still young. Linda in Florida
+Linda Florida You don't say if you still have any contact with him. If you can get him to read "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz then he will leave. This book can be read on the internet for free. That would be the knockout punch but it could backfire if he is not ready to read it. He might not want to keep in touch with you if you offer that book to him. You could also get "How to rescue your loved one from the Watchtower" by David Reed (who was a JW and is now an Evangelical Christian). This is more than just a good read. It contains excerpts from the Watchtower mags and Awake, etc which you can photocopy and show to him (as if they have not come from an "apostate" book) which show failed prophecies, wacky teaching, etc. David Reed's most popular book is "JWs answered verse by verse" showing the way the Watchtower twists and abuses the Bible. Then you could buy "Combatting Cult Mind Control" or "Freedom of Mind - Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan, "America's leading exit-counselor". Freedom of Mind is an update of Combatting Cult Mind Control, though there is quite a lot of different material in each, so, though I'm happy to have bought both, its probably enough to buy just Freedom of Mind. You could even contact Steven Hassan for advice. Finally, if you don't understand the true Gospel then you could make sure you do by asking God to give you understanding. What JWs really lack is assurance of their salvation, but the New Testament is full of verses showing the true believer can have complete confidence they have been fully forgiven. You cannot begin to live a life pleasing to God until you know you are forgiven, because you cannot love God until you know He loves you by forgiving you. "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19. "I write these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13. "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and REJOICE in hope of the glory of God" Romans 5:1,2; "for I know whom I have believed and am PERSUADED that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" 2 Timothy 1:12 (Paul had committed the eternal safety of his soul to the safekeeping of Jesus Christ for the day of Judgment.) ; "It is God who justifies (us). Who is he who condemns?" (Answer: no one can condemn us) Romans 8:33,34. "I am PERSUADED that ... nothing .... shall separate us from the love of Christ." (Romans 8:35). Get the explosive JOY of this confident persuasion that you are saved by the free mercy of God, because Jesus, God the Son, died for ALL your failures, faults, sins, and then see where He leads you next.
thank you Andrew for your information and advice. You asked if he stays in contact with me? only if I text him he will text me back . I believe hes waiting for me to become a witness and I won't. I googled the book crisis of conscience and can't seem to find it ....any suggestions? was it written here in the United States ?
Wonderful share. You manage to wholeheartly make your points with gentle reasoning. More activists need to take this route. I also love John Cedars videos, you have that same care for reasoning. Thank you for your courage to share Please continue with your videos!
Thank you boho gal. John Cedars videos really helped me when I first woke up, it was just the support I needed. I'm hoping to make another video soon :)
Good luck to you Mr.Kyle. I stumbled on your video while watching "I escaped a cult" type videos on RU-vid. Most dealt with fundamentilast Christian cults. Your video was the most enjoyable in the sense that you at least escaped with your sanity and physical body intact. I especially liked your point on debate with apotheosized people, very good advise. If I may offer a suggestion; your next video should touch on how your exodus affected your marriage and your wife's relationship with her family as well. Seems to me that would be the hardest part of leaving the cult. Thank you for your time.
hi karl im very happy for you..for your selfrealization...be happy always living in the NOW..paradise is here within you..let us pray always and ever, that GOD Will listen and hear one day to all the prayers of all these beautifull children victims of this terrible childabuse in the world. Amen
Thank you for your heartwarming video for all PIMOs who suffer in silence. Over time, more and more PIMOs will emerge from this dead end cult. Bonjour de France.
38:55 Truth is never afraid of scrutiny. Many people live their lives blindly following others and are not brought up to think critically. Karl, you may have spent 22 years in JW, but don't beat yourself up because there will come a day when you will say, wow, it's been 22 years since I left and I am so glad I did! Peace to you and may the next 22 years be what you make of them.
Great video. I'm 16 (Liverpudlian) and I believe that you should live life to the fullest now. We are here now for definite so enjoy it. Why spend your life trying to get somewhere you don't know even exists.
Thank you so much for your love and concern for those who need to hear this value infotmation straight from one who lived through it. "You were given a brain (so)to use It"
Perfect Karl! You're so right! Not just with JW but sooooo many other religions. Such a level headed, commonsense discussion. Nice job to opening your mind and helping others to open theirs.
You are so full of joy! God bless you. Your positivity is contagious. Years wasted, I know the feeling. I too feel the need to try to help those still trapped yet when they won't talk to you it is very difficult. I don't like being labelled by them as an "Apostate". It is so unjust. I wish they could all wake up and see the truth for what it really is. We are not bad people, we are so full of love, for God and for truth. It takes tremendous courage and integrity to walk away from family because you know in your heart that this is not the truth. I wonder if they ever think of that.
+C Love C Love, you are spot on. I agree with everything you say. I do think the tide is turning against the WTBTS. Good times to be on this side of the fence.
Karl is a child of God, bottom line. Thank you Karl, I live in America, I attended the Kingdom Hall many years ago but did not assimilate well. I grew up in the Baptist Church, over time, I've noticed I'm happiest staying away. I'm an independent thinking person also, and often found myself in hot water trying to explain simple spiritual concepts. I literally got tied of the ignorance.
Thank you DancingCloud :) Independent thinkers tend to get themselves into trouble with the JW ruling authorities. Congratulations on your escape and I hope you find genuine happiness and peace of mind.
Hi Karl. I'm Mike. We have a few things in common. I was born in 1971. I Have no family who are Jehovah's Witnesses. And I started studying the Live Forever book like you in 1989 and got baptized in September 1990. So, we're only a year difference from the time we started in the Watchtower. I never got married though, so now that I'm no longer a Witness, the only ones who I don't get to talk to anymore are just friends I made while being a Witness. I miss a lot of them. Anyway, like you, I came to my realization after watching videos on RU-vid about the Watchtower being a member of the UN, pedophilia, and other things that shocked me. There's a lot as you know. The more I investigated the more shocked I got. My whole belief system started crumbling and I didn't know what to do or what to believe. I started investigating other religions, atheism, etc and was just being pulled one way and another. I thought to myself, if Jehovah's Witnesses don't have the truth, then where is the truth? One night, I got so frustrated and turned off RU-vid and went to watch a movie on Netflix. I can't remember if I selected a random movie or not, but the title of the movie I selected is called "The Encounter". I watched it and before it was even over, I could feel God guiding me to the direction to go. Since then, It put me back on track. I then started investigating the Bible and history because I wanted to find out if the Bible is truth. I didn't want any doubt in my mind. If the Bible is true, I wanted to know that it is true. It is definitely a history book that shows us what happened centuries ago. Even the Qur'an references Jesus and the first 5 books of the Bible known as the Torah. After several years of research and investigation, it becomes clearer and clearer that the events of the Bible did take place and that we do have a God and that Jesus did come to Earth from heaven to give his life for us. I know what the Watchtower teaches is twisted to fit their own theology. If you want to know if what the Bible teaches is true or not, reading it for yourself is the thing to do without the watchtower filter. I download the Bible in audio format and listen to it on my headset while I am at the gym. It is so refreshing hearing the real truth from God's word and understanding it as it was originally intended to be understood. It's a much clearer picture. I hope you won't give up on God and his word in the Bible. I have come to realize as you, that there is no true religion, but the only truth is in Jesus himself. Jesus is the truth.
So true Sterre, the Father is always knocking at the door...and so true Bonnie, if we have not love, we only invite evil in and truth shows in the ‘fruit.’
He never rescued me when i begged my ministerial servant husband to stop pulling me out of bed after hip surgery and he put me in hospital, i left him and was told to go back by the elders and "go the extra mile" or the times when he would come home after drinking his brain away only to throw up on me and i i had to scoop up vomit with a jug and then see him get up on the stage to do the closing prayer, when he left the truth, i got treat like a leper at the kingdom hall and was basically shunned before i disassociated myself. Ive sat and screamed at jehovah for a sign hes there for me and all i got was the international space station winking at me. No one was beating my door down when he put me in hospital, just the elders trying to keep the door shut on me in case i opened my mouth.
Well done for waking up! I too woke up, my awakening has led me on a journey & I believe it is by the loving kindness of our father God above & Christ I have without a doubt been given new understanding. It amazes me how the organization defines what they percieve as "The Truth". I independently study & pray about all things, the understanding I have been given is as follows; "The Truth" - "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - This is what Jesus proclaimed at John 14:6. You are probably aware or have seen or heard certain denominations profess they have "The Truth". It is very common for a religion to make such claims as it is this which tends to draw people to them, people who are searching for "Truth". The claim of having the "Truth" also plays a big part in keeping people within their religious society/organization Some use fear tactics to prevent people from leaving such organizations/societies, tactics such as threatening that if you leave or reject them and their doctrines then you are rejecting God too and will not gain salvation. This just is not the case and grossly untrue! Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast". So as you can see, it is not by any religious organization, group, society that you recieve or gain salvation, it is by faith in the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean to say that we do not need to do nothing and just sit back and expect to be saved no matter what, we must still try our very hardest to abide by God's standards, try to walk in the footsteps of Christ and imitate him, love our brothers and sisters, help those in need when we can. We must not give worship to anyone or anything other than God Almighty himself! When doing this it is very important that we observe, believe and have faith in the teachings of Christ and of the Holy scriptures in order to initially help us to gain a solid knowledge of Truth, in us doing so, it will result in revealing God's standards and His plan for us. We must worship Him in spirit and in truth, this is a vital part of building and laying the foundation as this will act as a secure support strengthening our faith. Be sure not to be misled as many will come on the basis of Christ's name. You will certainly know God's true servants, they will be recognizable by their fruits, they will be in total harmony with Christ and His teachings, these ones will only give glory to the Father God Almighty and His Son. If you study the scriptures you will find that it doesn't point to any particular religion or religious organization/society as being or having "the Truth". Jesus made it very clear that HE is "the Truth", it is by Jesus manifesting, making known exactly what His Father's plans are by understanding and relaying God's word in the most perfect way, a way that no other could do. In Christ's prayer to His Father in Heaven, Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." John 1:14 tells us exactly who is the Truth - "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." We can plainly see that Christ has been identified in scriptures as being "the Truth". We do not need any particular religion or religious organization to teach us the "truth" as we have Christ's examples and His teachings and of course the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. If we pray to our Father in Heaven and ask Him for Holy Spirit, then it is this that will help steer us and direct us along the path of "Truth". 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." God bless!
+Darrenh68 Thanks for taking the time to comment Darren. I'm no longer convinced that a loving, almighty God exists. If he does, we're not on speaking terms right now!
+Karl Hello Karl, I am sad to hear that, the thing is, as you know it is a blessing that you & I have woken up to the Watchtower's lies, there are many who still have not. It is not God's fault that we were misled, Satan is so very cunning, he had to create/infiltrate something that would seem to be so pure & so convincing so as to entrap those who are truly seeking God & Christ & want to serve them. I was very bitter when I realized the lie but as I said I threw myself into study & prayer & from that my understanding of scripture flourished & has led me to where I am now, I needed to go through what I did to reach this point & I give thanks for that. God & Christ love you even though you may feel that they do not, not all come to realize the lies of the Watchtower, some remain under it's spell, they are deluded, they are giving their worship to men & men's own version of doctrine (2 Thessalonians 2:11). It is still early days for you my friend, we all heal at different rates, I hope that you will one day rekindle your relationship with God & Christ, they will be patiently waiting. Kindest regards to you!
Darren.. Well, in the bible book of revelation jesus , who was given the revelation to give to john, indicates that the future followers , described interestingly( or ironically )as the two witnesses, Are ones that God is using , to bear witness to Gods purpose To restore paradise The Almighty, having the right to decide how Said the two witnesses were authorised To strike the earth with plague As often and whenever they wished ! See chapter 11 verses 5 , 6. Yes, it seems to fit When the 8 leading members of said outfit Were imprisoned, falsely In sackloth they prophesied Their opponents never cried But rejoiced when their tormentors were silenced They still exchange gifts, to this day, at specific times, that cannot be denied. Not so , of those that follow Christ ! Though sentenced for 20 years After 42 months trampling , the holy temple was repaired it appears Then a voice was heard ," come up here ".
Truth, is not the preserve in the absolute sense of humans. It is only God Almighty that finds it impossible, to lie. Scripture reminds us that in order for God to sift , He would "Rock the nations ". The new light from time to time serves well in that regard If we stand back , objectively looking dispassionately. Just like a garden sieve.
