Under new management: JWsurvey welcomes new Editor and Assistant Editor for next three months

With any worthwhile cause, many hands make light work
With any worthwhile cause, many hands make light work

It gives me great pleasure to announce some exciting changes. Over the last few months I have been gradually expanding our team of writers.

The more I have witnessed the skills and attributes of my wonderful team, the more I have grown in confidence to share the burden of running this website.

As many of you know, I am tantalizingly close to getting my book finished, but I have been forced to accept that I can’t give it the attention it deserves with so many pots on the boil. When you are a young father with your own business, news blog, youtube channel and book to complete, something has to give.

I’ve therefore decided to recruit an Editor and Assistant Editor who can run the website over the next few months so I can focus on tying up loose ends. When the three months are over, we can review the situation and decide together how to proceed.

Covert Fade has kindly agreed to take on the Editor role, with John Redwood as his assistant. Both have impressed me as being enthusiastic, eloquent, committed and knowledgeable activists. They also have a genuine desire to maintain the existing welcoming tone of JWsurvey, and recognize its significance as a “halfway-house” between cult indoctrination and mental freedom.

I will continue in the background submitting occasional articles as the need arises, but I am grateful to be leaving the day-to-day running of JWsurvey in such capable hands. I know all you dear readers will give Covert Fade and John your support and encouragement.

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our outgoing webmaster, John Hoyle. John is, in my opinion, one of the great unsung heroes of the exJW movement, having launched, edited, maintained and renovated numerous websites over many years, not to mention contributing many significant articles. He is now taking well-earned retirement from activism following his enormous contribution to the cause, which includes designing and launching this website back in 2011.

I cannot thank John enough for his extraordinary kindness in taking a chance on me back when I was virtually unknown, offering to build me a website completely out of the blue. It is his extraordinary kindness and generosity that inspires me to trust the keys of JWsurvey to other like-minded ones, thus adding their skills, energy and talents to a project I truly care about.

As individuals we can accomplish much, but as a team we can be unstoppable.

 

 

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41 thoughts on “Under new management: JWsurvey welcomes new Editor and Assistant Editor for next three months

  • January 21, 2016 at 2:30 am
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    Looking forward to the book Lloyd!

  • January 21, 2016 at 3:24 am
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    Thank you all for your hard work in keeping jwsurvey going. This site has been a life saver for us.

  • January 21, 2016 at 3:57 am
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    Thanks for everyone’s help in making this site a home for all of us to come to. Congratulations to Covert Fade and John Redwood.I can not wait for the book to be released.

  • January 21, 2016 at 4:05 am
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    Thank you Lloyd for your efforts and all the best with your other pursuits and writing your book. Great choice for interim guardians of the site. They do write good articles and I am sure they will settle in in no time. Don’t worry guys, if you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world.

  • January 21, 2016 at 4:20 am
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    Happy to know this.
    As you know, I read and translate your mails in french and send them to many people.
    Thank you

  • January 21, 2016 at 7:05 am
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    Love all of this! Brilliant work all! Thank you for all you do!

  • January 21, 2016 at 7:15 am
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    Wishing everyone new, old, retired and busy all the best :) may we all continue to support and encourage each other however and whenever we can.

  • January 21, 2016 at 7:48 am
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    A balanced man you are! I hope the book contributes more in awakening people all over the world.

  • January 21, 2016 at 7:59 am
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    Happy to hear you are going to have some help,but please don”t stay gone to long.You have been a major help to my wife and me.with respect,David

  • January 21, 2016 at 8:02 am
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    I was a bit concerned when I saw the title of this article, but having gotten to know Covert Fade and John Redwood from their articles, I know the site is being entrusted to capable hands.

    I really appreciated the description of this site as a “”halfway house” between cult indoctrination and mental freedom.” All of us heal at a different pace based on number of different factors and there comes a point when it is time to leave the halfway house and move on with life. Some of us may move on – I have seen some commenters gradually slip off the radar; earlier this week, Tiger123 said his farewells – others stick around as counselors and supporters.

    Lloyd: we appreciate all your hard work with this site – know that you have been able to help many, many people. I look forward to reading your book when it is released.

    WS

    • January 24, 2016 at 1:14 pm
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      Well said

  • January 21, 2016 at 8:58 am
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    Good luck everyone! Thanks for all the hard work.

  • January 21, 2016 at 10:47 am
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    Appreciate all the hard work. Good luck to the newbies, looking forward to the book.

  • January 21, 2016 at 10:57 am
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    Happy that you are sharing some of the work! It is hard to do everything yourself. I know it is hard to let go, but sometimes it is the best things. Looking forward to your book. God bless you and help you in your endeavor. I am praying for Him to open up the Watchtower to complete visibility to those who are enslaved by them and that they will be set free. You have been a great help in this. Love you, Gramma Velta

  • January 21, 2016 at 10:59 am
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    I appreciate so much the efforts of you and everyone who has contributed to your website, Lloyd. Good luck with the book! And a big congrats and welcome to Covert Fade and John Redwood!

  • January 21, 2016 at 12:39 pm
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    Lloyd,
    I want to thank you very much for the sound line of logical reasoning that you have presented in each of your blogs and videos. They have proved so so so helpful to me and my family. Waking up from undue influence takes enormous mental effort, and to have this place to come to- that helps you feel somewhat normal with the roller coaster of feelings you experience is just priceless (and even essential in many aspects) I’m so early on in my journey that I hate to think of not seeing updates from you, but, of course, I realize that life must go on for all of us. I’m happy to have “crossed paths” with you and your team of writers. I’ve been raised a JW since 5 yrs old, and baptized at 16. 29 years have passed since that day I dedicated my life to this organization at such a young, tender age, and I have struggled with so many doubts but kept swallowing them down. I’m so glad to be free, but like a captive who learned to love their cage… I’m slowly coming out and investigating this wonderful world I was told to fear. Thank you again from my heart. Wishing you success in all you do!!! @llyod Evans

  • January 21, 2016 at 2:25 pm
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    Thank you Lloyed & JW Survey.

    You have been my escape route. I was one of those that stayed in “the halfway house”. 2 years ago, I came here out of desperation & depression & I found people who were going through the same thought processes as me.

    2 years ago, I sat with the Elders sobbing to them. Telling them that I must be a weak & unfaithful person because I have never been able to “grow spiritually” & that I can’t do this anymore because I have been stumbled by the Candace Conti case.

    How that changed when I educated myself here & Paul Grundy’s site along with Steve Hassan’s books. I realised that I wasn’t “spiritually weak” or “unfaithful”, I was an intelligent enough woman who was finally using her thinking ability & that it was okay to acknowledge that. I used to put myself down all of the time.

    When I first left, I used to walk with my head down if I went out because I was so intimidated by the thought of running into “brothers & sisters” who were judging me but now I can walk with my dignity again thanks to this site & the comments from those I have come to know.

    I have not left here, I will always come back to check in on everyone & see how they are going. I don’t always comment as everyone seems to touch on what I’m thinking but I read the articles & comments & feel happy when I see new ones commenting.

    I have gained my family back. I used to cry a lot when I was “in the truth”, I had never cried so much in my life, now I feel free & the tears a few & far between. Now, I laugh more especially when I read some of the comments on here. I used to be judgemental & critical, now I let people be. I truly did not like the person that I had become when I was a witness. Now I feel like me again. Thanks again to you all.

    • January 21, 2016 at 3:11 pm
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      Grace,
      It’s encouraging to me to read comments like yours!
      I want to be where you are one day soon!

  • January 21, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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    Sliced,

    You will get there. You just need time & a lot of reading & researching to confirm your doubts. I look back & I see that life as a JW is like looking at a picture so close that you only focus on one aspect of the picture but when you stand back far enough to look at the whole picture, you start to see the ugliness of it all.

    By doing that I could see that there is no way (if there is a God) that is loving, more wise & more empathetic that me, a mere human that would find this religion acceptable. Seeing that gave me the strength to walk away knowing that I have done nothing wrong, they’re the ones that have & they know it. They are just constantly covering their tracks & trying to hide the ugly truth.

    Controlling abusers like to make their followers believe that they can’t live outside of their control. They beat you down mentally, convincing you that you will never be happy without them & that everything is your fault. This creates dependancy.

    It’s easy for me to say this though as my family never accepted the JW religion so I had somewhere to go & feel accepted. I also had “worldly” friends that are understanding people. I feel so much for those whose family are still in. That’s why sites like this are invaluable.

    I ran into my study conductor yesterday & she looks old & depressed. She said to me years ago that she told her kids that they would not finish high school. Now she is a great grandmother. Her family are messed up & half are inactive & have moved away. The other half that have stayed in live near her so I think she hangs in for them. Her husband was never a believer & I think she sometimes has doubts just by some of the things that she has said to me over the years but can’t bring herself to go there. She really looked sad & weighed down to me & kept bringing up how horrible it is getting old. Every time I see Witnesses they look depressed to me. But saying that, I haven’t seen many around lately, I keep asking hubby if they have left town because I used to see them everywhere as they love shopping. He doesn’t see any around either. Is everyone hiding their basements or something?

      • January 21, 2016 at 5:42 pm
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        Nicely choreographed, but not very “Theocratic”.

        • January 21, 2016 at 5:54 pm
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          New sign out front:

          Kingdom & Dance Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

          or

          Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses & Center for the Performing Arts

        • January 22, 2016 at 6:04 am
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          They are in the middle of a crisis so they have to adopt practices that they have once criticised. You know lies get brighter!

          • January 22, 2016 at 12:31 pm
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            Of course, WT has been doing the old Song & Dance routine in Kingdom Halls ’round the world for years & years now. lol

      • January 24, 2016 at 1:24 pm
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        I’m so former old school indoctrinated that that freaks me out!, yet I’m glad they’re having fun. My former hall would barely host a reception and snacks for a funeral. Geez!!!!! Lmao!!!!

      • January 25, 2016 at 5:45 am
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        So that’s why we don’t see them out on the ‘work’, they are all practising the ‘New World Dance Routine’.
        Me thinks they would be more popular if they danced around the streets looking happy! And the blue jeans in the KH! Tony ‘tight pants’ would surely have something to say about that!

  • January 21, 2016 at 6:33 pm
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    As all the other comments have stated already, thanks to all of you! I check this site for new articles 2 to 3 times a week. It has been a very instrumental part in helping me to break free as a slave to the watch Tower . As we all know after 30 years or more of indoctrination breaking free is not easy , the mental and emotional roller coaster can be overwhelming. I can truly say that this website plus many others of its kind has truly helped me ! I can honestly say that I feel as if I have been set free ! I am happy and I am content ! No matter how much lipstick the watch Tower continues to try to put on , it is very obvious they are coming apart at the seams I see it in the local congregations around me and how all the other brothers that are still in our feeling . And thank you to the ones that are taking the torch and are helping you to keep this website going thank you! Looking forward to your new book I will read it from cover to cover .

  • January 21, 2016 at 7:11 pm
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    I really liked this fitting ending,”As individuals we can accomplish much, but as a team we can be unstoppable.” It perfectly echos my feeling. Best wishes to new team and the ones retiring.

  • January 21, 2016 at 9:24 pm
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    Go team!

  • January 22, 2016 at 6:01 am
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    Cedar, It would be nice to see more expansion. Maybe this site can be translated in different languages, professional movies explaining JW history and flawed doctrines could be also produced. I think there are talented people out there that want to promote freedom from cult indoctrination. People would be happy to contribute and donate for such a good cause.

  • January 22, 2016 at 8:20 am
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    Lloyd,

    Thanks for all you have provided here and bravely started.

    Mike.

  • January 22, 2016 at 8:24 am
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    I didn’t realise that John Hoyle manages the website. He’s a top bloke from what I know of him and he evening gave me some quality blogging/commenting tips after visiting his http://www.ex-jw.com website, which I shall endeavour to put into practice on here too!
    All the best with the new book Lloyd and I’m really glad you have got to a point where you have found people you trust to steer the chariot.

  • January 22, 2016 at 8:39 am
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    Smooth transition, no hiatus. Surely someone must be
    controlling the weather, or something.
    Great organisation guys.

  • January 22, 2016 at 4:22 pm
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    failures are many little did i knew.watch us grow in truth for life jw

  • January 24, 2016 at 1:17 pm
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    I thank you for your excellent work and help for those who need news to expose the lies and abuses on the WT

  • January 25, 2016 at 2:26 am
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    Lloyd, we’ll miss you but understand your reasons. You have a very able team of writers who have given us some fantastic articles over the past few months. I wish you well, your family and the team for the future.

  • January 25, 2016 at 5:31 am
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    Lloyd – I’m so pleased to hear that the Book is coming along nicely. It does take so much time, I’m amazed that you have fitted anything else in! (My husband has written a couple of books since leaving WT and they were his total focus.)
    Good to have Covert Fade and John Redwood on the team, they are both accomplished in their contributions.
    May the work long continue!

  • February 2, 2016 at 3:56 pm
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    As all the other comments have stated already, thanks to all of you! I check this site for new articles 2 to 3 times a week.

  • February 10, 2016 at 6:36 am
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    Has John mentioned when his book is coming out? I have been keeping an eye out for it-as have my ex-JW friends-but I haven’t come across any news. Would be great if John could bring us up to speed regarding a likely release date and where we can buy it. No doubt a lot of the haters will be trashing it when it arrives, but the old adage about there being no such thing as bad publicity rings true here. John will always be a hero in my book…and even more so when his own book arrives!

  • April 25, 2016 at 4:24 pm
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    Thank you. Im new to this web site, but Im already hooked. Good to know theres a place we can come and talk about what we went through and even maybe help others sever ties with this horrific cult.

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