First off, I need to apologize for being so absent from posting articles over the last few weeks! As some of you know, I spent a month in northern Europe between late July and late August initially for the purpose of attending two exJW weddings – one of which I had been asked to officiate at.
Once I realized I would be away from home for such a long time, I decided I might as well make the most of it and do some activism while on the road. I took along my camera and ended up filming no less than 8 interview videos with various exJWs/activists, which I am still in the process of uploading to my YouTube channel. Here is one such video with recently-awoken ministerial servant Daniel Genser in Holland…
I also got involved in observing Watchtower Victims Memorial Day while in Belgium…
During my trip I also had the pleasure of being interviewed about the recent “Texas billboard” initiative on the “Ask An Atheist” podcast, and I was delighted to be involved in this conversation about cults with ex-Scientologist YouTuber Chris Shelton…
As productive as this trip ended up being, the timing could not have been worse as far as developments in the world of Jehovah’s Witnesses are concerned. Why? Because this trip coincided with Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, and its case study of Jehovah’s Witnesses – arguably the most significant development in the sphere of Watchtower and child abuse since the Candace Conti verdict.
The sheer volume of meaningful information brought to light by the commission, and especially the skilled questioning by senior council Angus Stewart, took me completely by surprise. Likely it will take weeks or even months to fully process what came out of the testimony of various elders and Watchtower officials, including governing body member Geoffrey Jackson. In fact, I have no doubt the information gleaned will prove useful in analyzing the organization and its processes for many years to come.
I’m extremely grateful to “CovertFade” and Karen Morgan for keeping the home fires burning with their articles on various parts of the Witness testimony during my absence. I have now set to work on an article and video aimed at delving into the testimony given to the commission by Geoffrey Jackson that will highlight some of the outright deceptions contained therein.
Though I’m disappointed not to have been available to cover the commission evidence while it was in progress, I was at least able to discuss it during this conversation with fellow activists Marc Latham, Louise Goode and Karen Morgan during my trip…
Apart from picking up the pieces with the royal commission, over the coming weeks I will be working on a special project to commemorate “JWsurvey Day” on October 4th – a new event to mark the site’s first launch on October 4th 2011. Along with a number of fellow exJWs and activists I will be releasing a special montage video titled “What you DON’T know about apostates.”
If you are interested in getting involved with the video or some other aspect of JWsurvey Day, please join the JWsurvey Day group on Facebook for more information (PLEASE remember to use a fake account when using Facebook if you are a current or fading Witness). The music to be used in our special montage, slated for release on October 4th, is below…
Over the coming weeks I will be preoccupied with attending to various other business, such as finally getting the results of the 2014 global survey published, and working on my book. I am also currently exploring the viability of a special partnership with a YouTube network aimed at getting the John Cedars channel (and thereby this site) more exposure.
There’s plenty to do, but I love my activism work and I wouldn’t have it any other way. In the meantime, I apologize to everyone for going AWOL over the last few weeks. I will try to make it up to you with some quality articles and videos in the near future!
Sounds like a productive trip. I was wondering when you were going to post on it. Thanks for the update Lloyd!
Hey, here is the Reddit master thread of the RC highlights. All points are described and will jump directly to the relevant part of the video.
https://redd.it/3g4460
Thanks for the link to this valuable resource.
Go on! i read you every day.
thank you and good work! your success is ours.
Lloyd
While you were away, not unlike Moses up on the Mountain, your sheep wandered aimlessly in the plains below. We were just about to make a golden calf , (or go to the liquor store for more beer) when you came back online, your face aglow holding 10… (or 8 for accuracy) interviews in your hands.
Welcome back!
Sela- A melody of Garrett
(To be sung in raptured joy)
All copy rights apply, the golden calf and burning bush (batteries required) can be returned with original box in 30 days for full refund.
lol, it’s a shame the golden calf never got made! I assume it’s a flatpack from IKEA? ;)
Absolutely love your work, missed your posts
You are so funny, my boyfriend and I love your work, thank you for been an activist.
Thanks for the update Lloyd! I’m glad you had a productive trip. Keep up the good work. Take care.
Don’t forget that you also participated in a podcast-episode about the RC :)
hello all out there dear cedars we have missed you but hope you and family had a good trip and a rest from us i really do think this site is gathering momentum some of the comments and reaction to arc and jw fiasco is just not going away and we all have things to share i hope you and your team friends dont get too overwhelmed but it is evident to me we are in need of this voice that little whisper is getting louder day by day so keep up the good work best wishes still running with the hare and hunting with the hounds rl
Informative update, Lloyd. Many thanks. Watched your video, Special Interview: The Royal Commission. Found it an engaging, balanced discussion. Agree with you in above post that the momentum is unstoppable now. Just one new phenomenon is the surge of individuals recording themselves for YouTube calling Aussie WT HQ, New York HQ, Mill Hill UK HQ, etc, and asking directly about the WT’s investigation by the Royal Commission. I’m sure many of us on jwsurvey know about this, but for those who don’t yet — folks, check ’em out … more heart-warming activism spotlighting what WT must do to change its cruel policies on handling sex abuse.
Cedars, Iv’e never posted before, but would like to have some contact with you regarding the Royal Commission.
Not too comfortable posting anything on this site before speaking with you. I have an involvement in it at a personal level………..Hope to find some way to make contact.
Hi Charley. Feel free to email me at cedars@jwsurvey.org and I will do my best to help.
Is there anyway of getting in touch with Daniel Genser? I read his article and watched the interview. I am trying to become a software developer and I am seeking advice. I am currently in a small town still dependent on my parents and struggling to fade. Long story short I am hoping to find a job as a software developer(needing Daniel’s insight) so I can move elsewhere in an effort to fade.
Shocker alert: You’ve been GONE??? Who knew?
Hahahaha…..Your fill-ins have been doing a great job of keeping us informed about the Royal Commission.
Overall, I think the Commission’s questions were spot on, though there were a few times I said (to myself) “If they would only pursue that line of reasoning further or ask the right question or word it differently, they would get a different response and could have exposed the Organization further”. They would have needed an insider to guide them though they were quite knowledgeable about the inner workings of the JWs.
Welcome back and I look forward to our future!
At one time I thought nothing serious was going to happen to the organization in my lifetime. But if 65 is the new 45, I have hope now that I will live to see the collapse of the GB’s power and control.
@ I’m a countrygirl. I Concur with your points about pursuing the line of reasoning with Jackson further & For instance if Angus had pushed Jackson over the BLOOD FRACTIONS issue. Angus allowed Jackson to Spout on About how With Medical Advances the GB have updated their Blood Policy!
OH ANGUS ! I wish you had Said ‘ Before year 2000 if a JW had taken HEMOGLOBIN would he have been Disfellowshipped & SHUNNED??? BUT after year 2000 it was perfectly acceptable to have HEMOGLOBIN which is 33% of Red Blood!! I felt Angus did a Reasonable Job as He wasn’t raised a Witness so he doesn’t know how to REALLY NAIL these 7 Evil men down completely, But Give Angus his due I was IMPRESSED with his research on scriptures & Peter McCellan Really nailed Jackson on Corporal Punishment though I wished both of them could have used the Watchtower & Awake mags against them and Quoted from them !
But this Royal Commission was real progress as it highlighted the DISGUSTING WAY Chlld Abuse is handled before 3 Men in our Organisation!! & Angus got Jackson to admit there is a problem with Child Abuse among those who hold positions of responsibility such as Elders. So there is REAL PROGRESS!!
Welcome back!
keep up the good work now that I have found you and others like you I have plenty of good stuff to read, shame it is so sad at times to hear other shunned ones stories…
I would like to say that I have been reading your information off and on for a while. I am 47 years old and I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. I also visited my father for Christmas and Summers so I was a Baptists also. I found myself believing the Witnesses more than the Baptists. However, as I got older I started feeling really terribly about disfellowshipping because I watched a friend of mine family totally disowned her after she decided that she didn’t want to be a witness. She was the kindest person, but she was just a teenager and needed her family the most and they shunned her. I knew this could be from God. So I up and graduated and joined the Marines instead of becoming a special pioneer. Then I felt terrible about saluting the Flag. My whole life has been in limbo because I would study than back off. I never felt like I belonged anywhere. I still don’t. I come here often to hear the latest on what is going on and I feel sick, like my whole life was on limbo for a BIG LIE. Now my mom is in it and she lives with me and I worry about her a lot because I know that she believes that Jehovah will send his Holy Spirit upon the Governing body to correct what I have been telling her about this pedophile issue. I want to tell her friends that I love but I don’t want them to tell the brothers because I don’t want them to pick on my mom. I can stand up for myself, but she will shatter. She had a hard life and she needs the thought of Jehovah’s kingdom to justify her existence for the last 50 or so years. I am sad.
Michelle, I’m sorry you are in the situation you are in… I’m in a similar one… Please know you are not alone…
It is good to know that others understand what I am feeling. It wish that I was alone in feeling that way because that mean that this wicked organization has corrupted so many more than me. It has to stop.
Your not alone. These JWs prey on our weakness. For 45 years I had to live with the cult like thinking. 2 years ago I reached out to a friend I knew and met 45 years ago who was a witness. Her name is Barbara Anderson. We speak daily. She has showed me how to change my cult like thinking. I do not know how I am still alive today. I was molested but not by a JW at 13. What happen from then on was a life in a narsistic home of self destruction. Don’t feel guilty. As a person connected to military I understand your confusion. I have learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable
Thank you so much…Your words take the edge off of what I have been feeling.
Michele, I can see why you have mixed feelings and feel guilty. So do I.
I awoke from this terrible nightmare and saw the light (after nearly fifty years!). I Found a measure of comfort and happiness.
But not my children or grandchildren. I brought them up from babyhood into this murderous cult. It’s my fault and I can’t fix it. I feel sad too…..
gameisover….it sounds like we are in a similair position…Im 57 and my eyes have been opened the last two years…Im married to a lovely man…a dedicated jw who tries hard to be a true follower and all my children and thier spouses are also commited jws…I nearly left jws when in my 30s but could not bear to see my husband so broken hearted…I now wish I had for my childrens sake…the monthly broadcasts have really finished me though … I always thought it was a good wayof life till these men became flesh and blood cult leaders on screen… I now have to play a role so that I am not left completely alone as I have no life outside of the organization and am heartsick at all my missed opportunities…but I cannot be shunned by my children I think if that happened I would want to die…so I have to be content with the freedom of my mind…hopefully I can fade one day…and I want to sew some seeds of dobt in my childrens head…that I can do…discreetly…my oldest daughter is already railing against the roll of women and thier position of second class citizen in the organization…I now believe in nothing …. its a sad thing to countenance but I am finding my way slowly…this site helps me see Im not alone.
Idontknowwhattodo, the freedom of your mind is a powerful, beautiful and vital resource. Well done you, for taking back your personal liberty.
I have several loved family members still in as JWs; I have never been one myself, nor my spouse, but we certainly have been exposed to years of vicarious undue influence from family members who were/are JWs.
I would be so happy to know that they might be near experiencing your new-found private but very real freedom of mind. Don’t give up.
I am sorry that you feel that you can’t fix it. They are YOUR family and your Bloodline. There has got to be a way to help our loved ones to realize that we mean them no harm, but we want them to be happy.
Michelle. I to like many others felt I had wated thebette part of my life as a JW. I became a Jw at around 19 years ols and gave 110% to the JW’s for more than23 years until I was around 42-43 years old and I could not do it anymore. In my mind I could see how wrong they were but like all JW’s I had children and my wife was ( still is ) a BIGTIME JW and pioneer etc. Everything in my life was connected with being a JW. friends, work, social life, me being a respected Elder, etc.I was hating my life, It was so monotoneous and I boring, I knew it was a lie and I could see more and more how JW’s could not think for themselves or have a rational discussion. I was scared to leave bc of the DFing thing and that my own family whom I loved would not be allowed to talk with me. All this and the fact that I thought to myself wow, did I waste my life? Did I teach my family the wrong life and put them into a cult? What am I to do now that I have awoken? This was nearly 20 years ago before the internet had these support groups and blogs etc. Of course the JW guilt thing as well. So I decided to just fade away. It wasn’t easy as people would call me, people would, not talk w me. however little by little it became better. Much Better.I began to see things differently, I wasn’t afraid to “THINK” I reasoned on history and the JW organization nd how many times they have been wrong and still are.I developed other friends and other interests. I never divorced for personal reasons, my family is still here and only my wife and daughter are active JW’s. My sons and nephew are not and we “JOKE” about our days as JW’s. I know this sounds simple and I feel your pain bc at the time of my awakening and departure from the JW org it was mental torture to me. So I am encouraging you bc I know what you are going through. It isn’t to late and you have to become a philosopher and realize that life can take us a ll in many directions and we are not fully in control much of the time. It part of the journey that put you in the JW org.The Journey is not over and you can still make a good life for the time remaining. You need to develop other interests and do other things, make new friends, join a few groups, sports, book club, social media, hiking, take some educational courses, music courses, study something ( not the WT LOL! ) Stay active in something you like, Life is still full and little by little you will be ok. Believe me it will happen.
All the Best in your journey and healing
Thank you… I actually finally decided to get my Bachelor’s in Business. I am in school now finishing up my Associate’s degree. Of course, my favorite course is Compartive Religion because I kind of feel like I need to find a new religion that doesn’t indoctrinate you, but Enlighten you. I believe that there is a powerful Being who created this wonderful universe. I just don’t know how much to believe of the scriptures that men interpreted. This feeling has a lot to do with my distrust of people telling me what I supposed to feel and think about creation and Life. I still pray. I just don’t know if his name is really Jehovah. I don’t even know if Jesus is real anymore. I ask my Higher being to forgive me everyday because I can’t accept the Trinity. The witnesses always say, that one of the worst sins is stumbling another person on forging a relationship with Jehovah, Yahweh, whatever. Yet as you can see from my writings, they have stumbled me, threw me down, kicked me and left me bewildered. I am slowly getting back up and I am learning to trust my abilities to problem solve and to investigate on my own for the time being. Thanks for sharing your story. It really helped.
Can not wait for Royal Commission Vlogs from you!
WHat the heck are you talking about, are you addressing here? Fluff?
Is there not any concern about those abused by elders in the JW organization?
Are you putting your head in the sand when it comes to child abuse in Australia?
Where is this substance? Why not talk about this? Or have you lost your sense of compassion? Beats me
Are you seriously suggesting I lack concern and compassion for victims of child abuse simply because I have been away and thus unable to write about the commission?
I don’t know. Do you ever address it? Any compassion for those abused. Why does your conversation cover everything but that? Seems to me you like to hear yourself talk. I could be wrong but so far on all these threads everyone is so full of themselves. Much like Jackson testifying on the stand, quoting scripture but never once showing compassion for the abused and having a an to help them. You tell me
Wow, I thought for a moment you might be joking or reacting to someone else, but apparently you’re serious. Because I was busy attending weddings during the royal commission and thus unable to report on it as I would have liked, apparently I am devoid of compassion for child abuse victims. And apologizing for the lack of articles and updating my readers on what is happening with JWsurvey makes me no better than Geoffrey Jackson.
In a comment to another poster, you say that Barbara Anderson has been helping you get rid of cult thinking. I would suggest this project is by no means finished.
For everyone else, I’ve blocked PJ wilcox for her silly, insulting behavior, which I have no doubt is due at least in part to her cult experience. Hopefully she will eventually learn how to interact with others without accusing them of being passive towards child abuse simply for being too busy to comment, at which point she will be welcome to return.
Thanks Lloyd for blocking PJ wilcox. Her comments were insulting not only to you but all comments here and nonsensical to say the least. I have a hard time even believing anything she said, especially when she said that after she was molested at 13, her life after that was in a narcissistic destructive home of self destruction. That doesn’t make any sense. Why would being molested at the age of 13 have anything to do with after that having to live in a narcissistic home of self destruction??? Her whole comment sounded like she was just trying to garner attention. Narcissists like to get attention by insulting other people and making up stories and they will hurt anybody and everybody to get that attention.
Don’t let nutters like her hurt you. We are all glad you are back and we all know from all your comments and articles and videos how much you care about abuse victims!!!
Thank you for being so considerate of your readers. My husband (now an ex-elder) and I have recently come to see TTATT. We have been devistated by all that we have learned but we can’t be vocal about it due to the fact that both our grown children are still very active. Our son is a ministerial servant and our daughter is married to a servant and has two children of their own. We fear we will lose all we hold dear. So we are slowly beginning our “fade” by not being so visible and have stopped our ministry. Your articles and videos have helped us and your own story is very touching. I just wanted to thank you for activism because you are a voice for those of us who do not and cannot have such freeness of speech.
[Silly off-topic conspiracy theory post removed. Please refrain from making any further such comments or you will be prevented from posting.]
Welcome back!!!
Do we know when the Royal Commision will resume??
BP j wilcox is totally unjustified in lashing out at Cedars and
all who comment here, claiming we are “Full of ourselves”
and lacking in compassion for those abused by elders.
All of us have been abused in varying degrees by the WT Cult
and many are STILL being abused on a daily basis, through
loss of normal family contact as a result of the cruel shunning
policy. Cedars is included in those.
I am deeply sorry that p,j, Wilcox suffered molestation, aged 13,
It is also something that continues to abuse, long after the
molestation has stopped. Some others who comment here have
also suffered such vile treatment.
Rather than being “Full of ourselves” then , we can empathise
and have “Compassion” with others who have been abused,
and this has been evident in recent comments on the Australian
R,C. P,J,Ws attack is unwarranted and without foundation.
One final thought. It takes time to produce a well considered
article into all that took place at the R.C, it’s not something
that can be dashed off in half an hour.
its ironic that people would accuse us of the very thing we are trying to fight decontruct or just plain have a rant about!! all of us on this site to some degree or another have been abused even if it was only deception so there should be and i do think, there is a measure of respect and good behaviour so i understand that comments have to be blocked but the majority of us are so pleased this site is in existence. im not wobbling in my resolve to do my bit but timing is everything so cedars we really do appreciate your commitment to activism on a point can i get intouch with you on the subject of charities in uk? rl
Thank you!
I was surprised by skilled questioning by senior council Angus Stewart, too. How did he get to know Watchtower’s manipulations so deeply. I wish he was an international consultant and save people beyond Australia boundaries.
In Africa, we are awakening, too!
PJ Wilcox,
I think maybe you need some serious therapy. Your comments seemed to be up & down, a little bit manic. I hope that you get the right help.
Cedars,
Great to see you back. I’m looking forward to what you noticed in GJ’s statements.
I have a theory as to why GJ stalled every question that was put to him with comments like, “thank you for asking that question” or “That was a good question, let me answer it”. Just about every response had that & I think that he needed those comments to let whoever was coaching him to remind him of what he was to say with each of the questions.
I don’t know if he was allowed to have his lawyers in the room with him but they some how managed to pull off one thing & that was to have him questioned on their terms & not in the hot seat.
His advisors would have gone through the previous questionings & put it together to make sure that he gets it right so that the faithful r&f who watched, hanging off his every word would not be stumbled by him. His responses were designed for them.
@Grace . I agree with your comments. I felt Jackson was Stalling at times with his MOCK HUMILITY & Jackson was given too much Leeway to Spout the ORGANISATION LINE of Thinking & was aimed at the R&F JW ! But there was Real Progress as my comments above to Imacountrygirl’ reiterates .
Wow, John Cedars. Do you realize how important what you are doing is to everyone? Oh my lord… This is the only website I can find that has this kind of meaningful conversation. I feel so much better and I feel so much stronger meeting the people on this website. You guys mean a lot to me. I’m very thankful.
@ Catalina . You Dear Lady , have made such BEAUTIFUL COMMENTS & I think All on this site would Echo your words entirely.
Wow, John Cedars. Do you realize how important your work is to everyone? Oh my lord… This is the only website I can find that has this kind of meaningful conversation. I feel so much better and I feel so much stronger meeting the people on this website. You guys mean a lot to me. I’m very thankful.
Martin Luther King once said ” I have a dream”
It was an almost insane dream given the circumstances at the time. That blacks and whites should live together in harmony and peace, but he had a dream.
That dream in the last decades has largely come true.
We even have a black president.
I TOO have a dream. I am dreaming of an after party. A time when this evil organization falls and all of us victims come together from all corners of the planet and finally meet and shake hands and party and celebrate together. What an event that would be! I think Lloyd is right. Call me a fool but I think we are seeing the cracks in the tower and I hope in the coming few years we will see it falter and fall.
My dream is for all of us to have one big party. Although I am from Minnesota, I can think of no better place to have a global celebration than in London, the world capitol.
Do you all share my dream? Would you be willing to make the plane flight for such an event??
I have a dream.
@ Garrett . I HAVE A DREAM TOO!! That very soon BIG FURRY CUDDLY LION that is pictured in the JW Publications would come & BITE Geoffrey JACKSONs ‘ HEAD OFF’ & the other 6 GB Members!! & their ROLLING HEADS could have their Eyes Plucked out by the Birds of Revelation! I am just tucking into fried Egg & Bacon for breakfast in the UK! I am sorry I can’t stop Laughing! I knew I shouldn’t have watched Monty Python when I was a young boy !!!
I was told that the birds will eat my tongue out of my dead body! Can that happen to the GB too, cheers.
@Ocma . Cheers too you !! I have just read the bible reading this week 2 Kings Chapters 9 to 12 about good old Jehu chopping off Heads!! Don’t you love the Old Testament or as we call it the Good old Hebrew Scriptures!!
Exciting times in that book.
I never did the weekly bible reading, just pretended to! I’m getting sleepy just thinking about the Thursday night meeting (back in the days when it was the school first then the second half of navigating my way all over the KM, gah!)
Hahahahaaaa….pickled brain… Just read your response and about choked laughing. Call me a sentimental sucker for having a dream! Whenever this cult folds up what a laugh we we have.
And by the way… Python was the best…
G
im not a brother but my family are jw same as my girlfriend my dad is an elder for the last 20 years. we are from us from the Spanish congregationon the us.
well i been try to avoid become a full jw. its been a year seance i went to the hall.
my father just give me an ultimatum because i told my dad about what was happening in Australia
he is usually really cool about me telling him apostate staff. i told him about child abuse cases before and he always is good i investigate he say it will reaffirm on me that jw is the truth.
but this time was different. he told me i have 2 weeks to get out the house, that he does not want me on the house with my brothers. and if i don’t chance my ways i will be treat like an apostate in the family.
the problem is i dont really have a lot of fends who are not a jw
will it be a good idea to become a jw and avoid loss my family
Dear ahg. How old are you? I live in the U.S. too and I think parents have to take care of you until you are 18 unless you do something illegal to get kicked out of the house. I might be wrong about that.
I became a Witness from 1964-1965 and got baptized in January 1966 and I regard it as the worst decision I ever made, now that I know what the real truth is about the truth. (That is not to say that my three children are a mistake) If you join a religion that you know in your heart is telling lies to it’s followers, you won’t have a good conscience trying to tell others about it and that is what will be expected of you.
Your father is under mind control of a cult and if you can make friends outside of the organization, I think that is what you should do. Hopefully there are relatives or friends who you can turn to for help in your situation. I personally feel you would be making a mistake to get baptized into a religion that you know is a dangerous cult.
When I say dangerous, it is because once you are baptized, you will be expected to die, rather than to take blood and you never know when or if it might happen that you may need blood to save your life. If you get married, you will be expected to marry “in the truth” and your wife will have to be a witness and you will have to live a lie with her or trick her into thinking you are a believer and you will be deceiving her as well.
If you have children, you will be expected to bring them up in a religion that you know to be false. Is living a lie for the rest of your young life worth it?
You were brought up being barred from making friends outside of the “truth” and the reason for that is simple: To keep you in the religion for fear of being alone without all your “friends”. That is sinister, evil.
The religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses doesn’t tell the truth to it’s followers, plain and simple and any religion that deliberately lies to it’s followers can in no way the the real “truth”.
Well, I am so very pleased that this blog exists. As I said before when I left there was nothing around where you could speak your mind. The internet had been around for a few years but the Watchtower had such a stronghold on everything. Some brave ones were trying to report the truth. Of course they were called apostates, which is a highly inhuman word, even though the Witnesses changed the meaning to make it really evil to suit themselves.
That is why I only recently found this site, only in the last year or so. I had gotten so used to holding all my feelings inside about the Watchtower Corporation and how to a degree it ruined part of my life as it robbed me of my best years and my relationship with God and the Bible as it left me so spiritually gutted.
What I am saying is Cedars, I am so glad you had the guts to create this site as it is a haven for those who are disturbed by the Watchtower Cult and it is needed. I think especially for those who have doubts and are thinking of getting out. With the ARC going on, I thoroughly enjoyed having a running commentary from not just those who wrote professional articles but also from those who comment on this site too.
The cruel treatment of victims of child sex abuse in the JW’s was the reason why I left many years ago. The thought of them and what they have been through makes me really sad. Yes, I am insulted that some people don’t think we feel anything for these ones. So untrue.
On thinking about it, I do feel sorry for Pj wilcox and I do agree with Grace, that she may need some professional help to deal with her anxiety. I definitely don’t want her to feel that I hate her as I know that that will not help. It is easy to misjudge people online as we don’t know exactly what they mean sometimes. When you are depressed it is easy to get a wrong slant on things.
Bravo on your work! From here in Canada, i always look forward to your posts. My story is no different than many here. Baptized as a minor and DF not long after. Now, almost sixty, i have spent a lifetime segregated from my family. My deepest sadness is over time lost and moments never to be shared. It’s an obscene policy. My own rich, family life of loving wife, children and grand children are my precious consolation. Anyway, just a tip-of-the-hat from Canada…keep up the good stuff. Be well.
Barry, I don’t believe your time was wasted since you are in such a good position now to help many people.
Thank you James. I trumpet warnings of this cult whenever possible. My note of sadness and time refers to the many lost family moments and relationships due to a life time of being shunned. Such a waste. I only hope over time, it’s membership will see it for what it really is. Thankfully, i believe, social media is playing a huge role in shining a light on this group like never before and providing needed information. Info to trigger thought among the members.
@ Barry . You have a brain that reasons well! Many in JW Cuckoo land sadly don’t or are frightened because of the EVIL SHUNNING POLICY!!
Welcome back, Lloyd. Pleased you had a profitable trip. I was on holiday in France and notice that the JWs have opened a shop in Rouen, rather like a Christian Science reading room I suppose. I wonder if it will catch on elsewhere?
Hi ahg,
I feel compelled to write you. I am a mother and my heart goes out to you. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right”. Simply put, baptism may not be the best solution. You would perhaps be trading one set of problems for another. Perhaps a loving appeal to your father. Let him know you love him and you understand the hard work it takes to look after and protect a family. Let him know that you don’t want to leave home. You simply found information that you thought as a father he should be made aware of. You have proof on your side because the WBTS has a facebook page where the videos with the ARC can be viewed. There should be no issue for your father to go to the WBTS own page and check out these proceedings for himself. Let him draw his own conclusions and peacefully accept them. You cannot force someone to see something they don’t want to. But perhaps by appealing to your fathers desire for you to be truthful, honest and respectful and recognizing his desire to care for his family, you may be able to calm the situation and be allowed to remain in your home. These suggestions may not work and no doubt there are wiser people than me who may be able to help you but if these words offer nothing more than a measure of comfort then that is something good. May you find comfort and peace.
Eyes Opened
Greetings,
Just a note to say that I enjoy and am grateful for this website. How comforting to know others are facing the same things and often thinking the same things. My husband and I are active but fading. We remain such due to family as so many of you have done. Very elderly family would be devastated if we did anything very drastic. Our ministry is when we have informal conversations about the Bible. We will not give information to people that cannot be backed up by scriptures. And like so many, our hard earned money goes elsewhere, not to the org. My husband and I remain spiritual people and we seek what the Bible says not men. It’s amazing how viewpoints and thoughts change once you start thinking for yourself. Our eyes are opened and there is such freedom in that. I truly appreciate the respect and consideration shown by writers and guests to this site. Although I’m new to posting I have been a regular reader for quite some time. Full disclosure is great! And that’s one of the draws to this site. No hidden agendas or manipulating. Just a presentation of the facts.
With much appreciation,
Eyes Opened
Lloyd,
Thanks for all you do for this forum and for the activism you do outside of this forum. No need for apologies at all! As most of us have learned by being associated with JW’s and the WTS, an all-absorbing activity can be very unhealthy to anyone. You do need time away from activism for fresh thinking and for your family. I am glad you have made time for other activities too. I had no doubt that you would be back.
Searcher
Am I missing something or am I the only one trying to work out what will happen next with the Royal Commission?
Is that it?
Is there to be a follow up and recommendations?
Am I being totally stupid?
Will WTBS be asked to comply with their recommendations?
Will there be another hearing?
Sister Drifter UK, my understanding is that there will be a formal recommendation from the ARC either this month or October.
Love your monikker, by the way!
Lloyd, I check this site everyday looking for any new information that I can use with my family. Thank you for creating the site and maintaining it and to all the others that contribute. I have no one to talk to either so I love this site!
@Mimi . Lovely comments which we all endorse completely!!
Lloyd, it has been over a year, finally found the courage to post comments on a few topics.
Freedom requires truth.
The denial of lifer’s is staggering.
The pain of family denial is also staggering.
Your site gives voice to the voiceless.
THX.
@ new carrion . Keep on commenting , you do it well. Yes ‘FREEDOM REQUIRES TRUTH’
How HONEST are the Watchtower publications about CHILD ABUSE by Elders within the Congregations!! What protection or warning to other parents with children. IF the GOVERNING BODY were following scripture then they Would MAME the GUILTY PERSON & SAY What the TYPE of SIN or CRIME he is GUILTY OF like Apostle PAUL did at 1 Corinthians chapter 5 from Verse 1 -5 about the man who was guilty of SEXUAL RELATIONS with his STEPMOTHER!! But the GB Cherry Pick how they use Scripture when it suits them!! ORGANISATION MANUALS like ‘Shepherd the Flock of God Book & Branch Manuals ‘are more important than SCRIPTURE to the JWs !! Which is going against the advice of Revelation ch. 22 where it says about not Adding to the Word of God which is condemning of Death!!
I need clarification. I noticed there are a couple of elders who visit this website so I hope I can get clarification. My brother and I had a big argument. His daughter was put on private reproof for loose conduct. The argument is this… My brother says she had intercoarse one time with her lover so it’s considered a weakness, but if she had intercoarse a second time with her lover it’s considered willful conduct and she would get disfellowshipped. My brother says it works the same way with pedofiles. When it’s a one time occurrence it can be considered a weakness and they’re put on private reproof. Is this true? My brother used to be an elder. He says he knows. Is what he says true? We had a BIG argument. He told me I’m an a.hole for not believing it. I told him he’s an even bigger one for believing it (I didn’t cuss) I’m upset. I need clarification. Is it true?
The difference is child abuse is against the Law, just imagine if a person went to the elders & confessed to murder, i heard of an experience were this happened & the elders told the person they had to go to the police, they did & were convicted, served prison time & still studied the bible.
@ Cedars . Your site & Activism is invaluable considering the limited resources you have to the hundreds of Millions of not Billions of Dollars of Donations, Property, Stocks & Shares. Life Insurances, Wills & Trust Funds etc at Watchtower Disposal ! Lloyd , YOU ARE SAVING WASTED LIVES at the Hands of a Real Estate Publishing Empire by waking people up!!
What WATCHTOWER & Mormon& 7 Day Adventists,Baptists, Pentecostalists,Etc ALL DO is TWIST SCRIPTURES & Use the Bible & Jesus to CONTROL PEOPLE!!
Jesus own words at MARK Chapter 9v.40 Proves ONE ORGANISATION is NOT NEEDED to be APPROVED by Jesus!!
The above scripture quoted should have been Mark ch.9 v.38-40.
Keep up the Good Work & Good Health to all your Family!
Dear eyes opened.
I really enjoyed your encourging comment. But please, could you confirm that WTBS has a Facebook page. I sincerly doubt it, especially that Watchtower has orovided the ARC material.
Thank you.
Hi JKL,
Thanks for your kind remarks. With respect to the wbts Facebook page, I simply did a search for the “Watchtower Bible and Tract Society” and a page came up. Frankly I was kind of surprised since they have sounded so many warnings about social media. I am not able to confirm who is making posts or maintaining the page. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. However having said that, Facebook has millions of users so the potential for exposure is tremendous. Time will tell.
Best Regards,
Eyes Opened
Sorry. PROVIDED. :-)