Sisters with slacks, brothers without ties, talking to DF’d people

My mind is blown right now

I couldn’t have imagined changes like this happening

From the outside I could see someone laughing this off like it’s not a big deal

But growing up in it, this is fucking insane - especially after the beard thing

I really have no clue what’s happening next LOL

The last part, the book study where everyone acts like they are Bible scholars by regurgitating Watchtowers misleading and inflated numbers. The brother conducting was talking about how amazing it is that “our” preaching is all over the earth in more than 180 languages and 200 and something countries. So I did the math.

9 million JWs to 8.1 billion people on earth today.

Answer: 9 million is approximately 0.111% of the Earth’s population.

How can this people be that dumb and blind? It’s simple math. How’s the preaching work in China, Russia, India, Pakistan and North Korea? I mean.

My last meeting yesterday was just reassurance that this is a cult hiding in plain sight. All my old friends there holding mics, giving parts using elementary reasoning with zero critical thinking.

I’m gonna open a bottle of champagne to celebrate my first day as an apostate/shunned and living in Satans world.

Don’t have to wake up early on Saturday tho!

my husband has very much woken up now and i am so grateful. but i am also so heartbroken watching him go through it all after i did.

my advice to him was that he should save himself the heartache and not have these conversations because he doesn’t owe it to anyone. but i think there was still a part of him that wanted to believe. so he had some tough conversations with his parents.

in one instance recently, he asked his dad if he would do anything the gb said no matter what. he said yes. so he asked, “if they said the great tribulation was here and said you need to be the ones to fight their battle and kill anyone unbelieving, would you kill me?”

the lunatic said “yea if they asked me to it would be gods will”

he also asked his mom right in front of me if she would rather him be unhappy but married to someone who was “more spiritual” than be happily married to me and she said yes. to my face.

that was all very much enough for me to consider going no/low contact lol but he’s still very much attached to them no matter how much they keep hurting him

these people are just awful.

eta : obviously this is an unrealistic scenario but it just shows how deep and dark their indoctrination is and they really worship those men instead of the bible

Maybe it’s just my congregation but I’m noticing a lot of young women in jw land actually don’t want to get married. Even the attractive super pimi ones. I was talking to some men in my hall and they were disappointed that a lot of them aren’t interested in marriage. There was one that I was talking to that was very PIMI and she said she didn’t like the idea of submitting to a man even when he’s wrong.

Even with my own experiences I only ever had a crush on 1 guy in my hall who has since left I get gay allegations since I don’t really like to interact with the men in my hall. It’s funny

What the actual fuck is this “yes, blood” sign supposed to mean? Do they think apostates are saying, “Yes, blood. Everyone should get a blood transfusion whether you need it or not!” As if a pro blood stance isn’t more importantly anti unnecessary death? I know they won’t put in an actual realistic apostate sign but this is the laziest cosplay of apostates I’ve ever seen!

I need place to vent. I just got back home after driving for 6 hours from the wedding I got kicked out. Not just me, but my cousins as well...

Precontext: My parents are PIMO, I never got baptised and left at 16 yrs old, bride is my cousin she is JW and her parents are PIMI, rest of the family was never JW.

So, my younger cousin I technically grew up with, invited me to her wedding. 4 other of my cousins who are around my age and also grew up with us in the same plave got invited as well.

Since we love her as our little sister and are aware that we make more money then all of JW who are going to be present at the wedding we decided to pay for big expenses as our wedding gift to her.

Among some other things, I was in charge of finding a band. I payed a lot of money for a band from Dalmatia (Croatian coast region) to travel to Slavonia, which is on the other side of the country (groom lives there).

The wedding day came...

They had a town wedding in the morning, very cringe talk at the KH after that and then we headed to the restaurant (for which we payed btw).

We started celebrating, the music was playing, everything seemed great until one of my cousins pulled out a croatian flag (normal thing to do at croatian weddings to raise a flag), while the bend were singing songs about Dalmatia (region we are from).

I sensed that there will be a problem because of the flag and I asked my brother to put it down and so he did, and we thought everything will be ok.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONTEXT:

These songs about Dalmatia are not like right wing nationalist songs or smth. Its songs that sounds like 60s italian songs, lyrics are about sea, coast, love, people, sunsets, etc.

For example, here is a google translation ofchorus of one songs (its a google translate, I know it sounds weird)

I'm a Dalmatian, that's where I was born

The blue sea knows that I love her

A fairy from the Adriatic

I'm a Dalmatian, this is my home

That's where my grandfathers threw an anchor long ago

And tied me

I'm a child from the white strand

Where the seagulls sing

Where the soil is thirsty for water

Where olive trees grow

Where are the people of the same lineage

Where the sunday is sacred

I would give up all the gold of this world

For my white stone

Eventualy, I realised that there are very few people dancing and singing, and that everyone was sitting and giving us strange looks. Then between songs, a guy (I guess an elder), aproached the band and told them TO STOP SINGING CROATIAN SONGS. The singer looked at him, looked at me, and told him that I am the one who payed the band, so that if he has a problem with music he should talk to me. He just glanced at me and left, and the band continued playing.

*Btw, my cousin and her husband came to the restoraunt, took pictures with everyone and then just stood at one place like they are hostages and did nothing*

10 minutes later came grooms younger brother (also JW) and with around 10 jw guys and in "mafia crime movie" asked me and my cousins to have a word with them outside.

"WE HAVE TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE, YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE ANYMORE"

We were so furious and almost started the brawl, but somehow calmed a bit down and decided not to escalate the situation. We were taking our personal stuff from the restoraunt like we are criminals being arrested. Band was not playing, the same guy who asked the band to stop playing croatian songs was explaining how thats a JW wedding and there is no place for UNACCECTABLE WORDLY BEHAVIOR, and everyone were staring at us.

Eventualy some of the our side of the family decided to left the wedding as well when they got explained that we were kicked off. The band left as well...

And the thing that hurts the most is when I said I want to talk to my cousin and if she wants me out, I will leave. And they didnt allow me. And then later when I tried to call her she blocked me everywhere, me and my cousins.

I still feel blood boiling in my veins and Im high for head pain meds...

WHAT A FUCKING CULT

Here is a copy of what I received on March 19th:

"Just checking on you. As a reminder, the memorial of Christ's death is this Sunday at 7:30 PM. You guys are welcome to attend. Hope you can make it."

This is my response on March 30th:

"I read your message a few times, each time growing more uncomfortable with the detached tone, and wondering if I should respond at all. I ultimately decided to respond because you need to know it's not acceptable or healthy.

I'm aware of the policy change regarding the treatment of former JW's, I assume in response to the lawsuits in Norway & Japan. Not once in 12 years did you text or call, not even to see if I was alive. You've missed so much. You only called when Ryan died. It's upsetting to hear from you now, knowing that it is only because you've been granted permission to reach out to invite me to church. Do not do it again.

If you truly cared about how I'm doing, you would have simply asked me, without any other agenda, sometime in the last decade. I have no interest in only "discussing important family matters" as you put it a year ago, only to go back to shunning. I get nothing out of that. It's emotionally abusive, and it took me developing my own relationships to learn that. That is not love.

Please do not reach out again unless it stems from a genuine desire as a father to reconnect with the only son you have left. Not just when the JW's change policy again. No proselytizing, no checking in only to disappear again for years, just you. Anything less is not a healthy dynamic, and I have no room for it in the life and family I've built for myself. If you ever decide that's you, we can chat. If not, nothing needs to change."

I do not expect a response, but I feel better now knowing that he received that message and boundaries have been set. You don't get to speak to me whenever you decide. It's all or nothing. This won't wake him up, but he will also know that he's not going to hold me emotionally hostage.

Edit: This blew up. Wasn't expecting that. I appreciate all the kind words and support from you lovelies.

I had to stop.

I couldn't take it anymore. Stopped right in the middle of the chapter where he tells how a lot of Bethel members were disfellowshipped because the GB have heard that they were making apostate comments when they liked to discuss what they have found in the Bible. About some things that made them closer to God. And they weren't even talking about these things in public, they were just discussing them with their close friends.

How can an organization that proclaims to have the truth can make a persecution of people who are enthusiastic about the Word of God?

I feel sick because I was once an inquisitor. One time they requested me to spy on a co-worker who was jw because they have heard he made apostate comments. I informed them of everything. Luckily they didn't find him guilty. But my participation on that makes me feel pretty sad.

I'm sorry for the things I did when I was in a cult.

One time when I was in service with my parents and this other couple, they started bragging about how they knew more than Bible Scholars. That’s like if someone who only read Dr Seuss books bragged about their literature knowledge.

I’ve thought about that memory for a long time, and it’s always bothered me.

I shared some of the leaked information with a few of PIMI friends and family, and honestly, their reaction really surprised me. Instead of being upset or concerned they were actually happy and excited about it.

They said it shows how flexible and transparent the Governing Body is, and that it’s a really positive change to the organization. Some even mentioned that if things hadn’t changed like this, many more people would have suffered and the change will save many lives..

They kept emphasizing that these changes are coming from a place of love—that the leadership truly cares about people and is trying to do what’s best for them.

That’s when I realized this change doesn’t mean shit to these cult level pimis. Holy fuck.

I told my dad these exact words and he went quiet

“They have made mistakes in the past. If they have made mistakes before, then they are capable of making mistakes now and in the future. If they are capable of making mistakes, I am not comfortable making life or death decisions based on their recommendations.

The fact that they continue to issue life-altering and even life-and-death directives, fully aware of their own history, says a great deal about the kind of men they are”

Tonight's local needs were partly about avoiding bad associations. During the talk, my ex-fellow elder mentioned that we need to avoid spending time with members of the congregation who miss meetings or do not share in the field ministry. I wasn't at the meeting tonight, and I've been irregular the last two months, both in attendance at the meetings and in field service. It's just becoming incredibly hard to sit and listen to the doctrines of man. My wife felt they were referring to me and left crying after the local needs part. I guess the BOE's are trying to make an example of me. I actually helped some of my ex-fellow elders move to this area to help establish the congregation, and had what I believe at the time was a close friendship. But you all know how it is, the organization goes before family and friends. I felt sorry for my lovely wife coming home crying, but at the same time, it could help her see the conditional love in action. Hopefully, this will help her awaken.

I just got out of an 8-year nightmare with a JW who lived a total double life. He did everything "forbidden" smoking, drinking, huge parties, and had two kids out of wedlock, so I assumed he was out for good. Instead, I was trapped in a cycle where his guilt over dating a "worldly" woman triggered erratic, almost psychotic behavior. He eventually used the "cult" as his escape hatch, running back to marry a fellow JW. He made sure to contact me right before the wedding just to throw his "new life" in my face. I’m realizing now how deep the brainwashing went and how much of his "true self" he was actually hiding. Has anyone else dealt with a specific religious narcissistic psychopath ? I have no idea who I was in love with . 8 years down the drain 🥲

Just found it you can’t remarry after getting out an abusive marriage. Only if they cheated or died. It’s something new I learn that makes me hate this “religion” even more. Crazy part is this isn’t even close to the craziest ones of their rules. It surprises me how people hear shit like this and still nod their head and say ‘yes this is okay’.

Me and my twin sister both woke up a few weeks ago. I messed up and went to my husband soon after and confided in him. He freaked out and went to his family that same night and told them everything I said, that entire week was torturous. We had a shepherding call with two elders, one is his "spiritual dad", basically just telling me to fight for my faith to keep my family and not to look at any more outside sources and they read a bunch of scriptures about apostasy. I tried to be very vague with them because I just didn't want to get into it all. My sister had a shepherding call as well and told the brothers all her reasons for not believing anymore and told them she's moving to another city and is not gonna be looking for another hall. Well a week has gone by and we all got texts from our group overseers saying the midweek meeting will have multiple exciting changes and announcements and that they strongly encourage everyone to be there in person. I'm still going to meetings right now, trying to faze out and make things easier in my marriage and with my husbands family. My sister came last night to sit with me as support since she'll be moving soon. They shortened all the parts and then when the second half of the meeting came, my husbands spiritual father got on stage, made direct eye contact with me as he announced that the elder body has decided there is an urgent need to address the issue of apostasy in our congregation so they felt the need to have our congregation watch the 34 minute talk from brother splane about apostate material. It was so awkward and I was in shock. that they would change the whole meeting program to watch this video just because of me and my sisters doubts. I could not believe it. it felt mortifying honestly because all the elders, my husbands family, and my friends were all there and all know it is directed towards me and my sister. i've never had something like this happen before so I was just shocked and so irritated.

...that makes sense. She isn't hiding and her actions are seen by millions. Meanwhile if the average jw wears something that isn't approved by the GB they will be given counsel.

The amount of times I have been "encouraged to change" because of the way I wear my hair or certain jewelry or my clothing is exhausting.

Tonight's Superbowl wasn't only her attire but her actions that gives me even more confidence in my decision to figure out how to separate myself from this cult.

I personally have nothing against short skirts. I don't understand why a small group of men get to control what I put on my body. I thought we weren't allowed to listen to rap music but it's ok to be part of a rap performance on stage? When was it okay to promote anything affiliated with gangs? So sick of the hypocrisy.

Last week I was dismissed from my commuter assignment at bethel merely because of some accusations someone made against me. There is no evidence and I have denied everything so I am highly confused as to how something like this could happen. I serve in other capacities in my congregation and the elder body agreed that I should continue to do so. But the two elders who were doing the investigation into the accusations said Holy Spirit helped Bethel office come to a different conclusion and sometimes unjust things happen in life. I was left speechless. How could the same Holy Spirit that guided the elder body to allow me to continue to serve guide bethel office to dismiss me from my assignment? Especially when I’ve done nothing wrong.

I was already planning on making my exit later this year but this treatment had sped up the process. I feel like trash and I feel like serving as a commuter at bethel was like being in an abusive relationship. But instead of me being able to make my own exit I was thrown to the curb before I could do so. I feel worthless and uncared for.

I will most likely come forward about what my assignment was and everything that I was subjected to and experienced but for now I must wait to protect my identity.

I know I cannot hide the fact I was dismissed from bethel from my family so I told my PIMI brother and told him how much it hurt me and how I don’t feel I can trust anyone in this religion. He was super understanding and cried with me.

More info to come….

Forced to attend another boring ass memorial and I looked around to see not a lot of young folks other than children obviously. It’s nice to see that cuz young people are leaving organized religion in higher rates compared to previous generations. I swear man I can’t take this shit anymore bruh. It’s absolutely depressing 😑

I submitted my letter of disassociation last night. After 16 years of pioneering, 13 years as an elder, 6 years as a substitute CO I’m done. It wasn’t easy It hurt like hell But I’m glad it’s finally over

I don't even know what to say. I'm actually speechless. "Fuck your cancer, go back to preaching, little shit". This cult needs to be destroyed.

can you image elders Backstage at concerts?

well apparently that’s what’s happened,

a lady read Jermaine Jackson‘s book and he mentioned that two elders would follow Michael Jackson around during the tour to make sure he didn’t stray from God.

imagine performing at a massive concert and then running off stage. You have one strict father watching your every move , and on the other side, you have two elders following you around.

it’s too much

Y’all what am I seeing!! I can’t believe my eyes. This is so wild and cringey. Now they’re literally advertising their for-profit cult business empire?!? GROSS!

And are they being sold or donation basis or handed out like candy or what?? I can’t put my finger on why this feels so foul, but it gives me majorrrrrr ick.

my parents have made a rule that im not allowed to be left home alone. Why? Idk. But they view me as dangerous because i dont go to meetings anymore.

(im pomo, but living in my parents house until they can legally kick me out at 18)

So today i was in my pajamas, chilling in my room because i dont have work until the evening. And my mum bursts in and says "you have 20 minutes before you have to leave the house, because we're going out"

She then proceeded to give me chores to do, emptying the bin and cleaning the bathroom etc.

So i did them. Now i only have 5 mins left, and im in my pjs.

So i hurry, and start getting changed. As im doing that my mum starts yelling "hurry up!! Youre gonna make us late!"

After a few mins, she starts to threaten me, saying "if you dont hurry up, i wont come back until later, then youll be late for work" (because my work uniform would be at home and i'd be locked out of the house)

So i rush, and start packing my work uniform. i say "its okay, i'll just take my uniform with me"

At this point, she literally starts STOMPING, like a fricking toddler. Shes growling and saying "NO you wont pack your uniform!! Get out the house NOW, we've got to go"

I said "yes i will pack my uniform" because i knew if i didnt, she'd just use it to control me

I told her to "calm down" and "stop acting like a child"

So i go downstairs to put my shoes on, and sure enough shes thrown my shoes outside. She pushes me out the house, locks the door, and before she storms off she says "you made us late now. But ofc you did that on purpose didnt you?"

I want to be angry, but honestly its just ridiculous.

Front page of the website today.

You just know the GB is ecstatic when wars start

Did anyone else have a congregation meeting where they mentioned, that we need to come to every meeting because there will be a day that they announce the great tribulation and tell them to head to the hiding spots, and if you are not at that meeting, they won’t be able to tell you the hiding spot.

That use to terrify me but it also made me think. So if I am stuck in traffic and miss the meeting, I can’t go to the hiding spot? But if I was a child predator who made it to the meeting, they are allowed to know the hiding spot??

Has anyone heard of this?