As the HBO film “Going Clear” earns rave reviews for shining a light on the inner workings of the Scientology cult, it is worth remembering that the Watchtower organization is not without its own hard-hitting film expose.
Released online last December, Gregorio Smith’s “Truth Be Told” is an interview-based documentary that offers outsiders a rare glimpse of what it is like to be born and raised as a Jehovah’s Witness.
A series of compelling interviewees, including retired American mixed martial arts fighter Nate Quarry, reveal the regimented structures of their JW childhoods and explain how their strict upbringing has effected them in profound, far-reaching ways.
Gregorio is currently in the UK where he will be meeting with cult experts, fellow former JWs (including victims of Watchtower’s mishandling of child sex abuse), lawyers, and a member of parliament.
In addition to leafleting in London’s Leicester Square on Saturday, March 28th to promote Truth Be Told, Gregorio also plans to visit the London Bethel the same weekend to capture footage for use in a future film project.
After leaving the UK on March 29th, Gregorio will be taking his tour across the Channel to mainland Europe, with events planned in Belgium and Switzerland before he jets back to New York on April 2nd.
To commemorate this campaign, Gregorio has kindly agreed to extend a special promotional offer to readers of JWsurvey. If you would like to download your own copy of the film, you can do so from the official website for a reduced rate using the special codes below:
- Use “JWSURVEY10” for $10 off the Deluxe Edition (25% discount)
- Use “UKXJW5” for $5 off the Special Edition (33% discount)
Gregorio is also interested in hearing directly from anyone living in close proximity to his tour route (Glasgow/Braunston/Cheltenham/London, UK – Ghent, Belgium – Zurich, Switzerland) who would be interested in hosting a screening, or just meeting up. The email address to use is: info@hereliesthetruth.com
Future promotional campaigns are also planned in Western-Central Europe, Scandinavia, and South Africa.
Especially since the launch of JW Broadcasting, an overt attempt by Watchtower to broaden the scope of their indoctrination and coercion, audio/visual media such as Truth Be Told has taken on added significance.
There is a war being waged to counter the organization’s cult influence and inoculate the ordinary public against becoming ensnared. With so much at stake, the contribution of Gregorio and others like him can never be overestimated.
Further reading…
I bought and saw “Truth Be Told” when it first came out. It was absolutely beautiful. Gregorio Smith has managed to tell the stories in a masterful way. I hope to see future documentaries from him on any topic.
If you have someone in your life – i.e. friends, significant others, etc. that want to understand what your life was like as JW, this documentary is invaluable. I saw it with my girlfriend and, until she saw the documentary, she really did not fully grasp what it was like to be JW and how that impacts you the rest of your life, relationships, perspective, etc. We cried together. We laughed together. Great film.
Great film. It deserves wide exposure and publicity.
High time the goons in charge of the cult were put on the spot and made to account for their cruel and destructive behaviour.
I purchased this just half an hour ago. I am in tears. I can’t believe what I subjected my children to. I am so sorry. The footage of the two children standing at the door with magazines in their hands has really touched a raw nerve. I have been out for over fifteen years and they still have a hold on my mind.
I am trying to purchase this download but the $5 off code isn’t working.
Sorry about that Stillstruggling. Would you be able to email Gregorio on the email address in the article and raise it with him, just so it can be fixed and others don’t have the same problem? Thanks! :)
Ok, sure, I’ll do that. By the way, thank you so much for all of the work that you do for us. It’s really hard to let go of the Watchtower thinking and the guilt that comes with doubting. I appreciate you and others that are brave enough to do this work.
It’s an absolute pleasure. Thank you for the kind sentiments. :)
Coupon fixed!
That’s great news, thanks for letting us know! :)
I am sure this a great documentary. I have not seen it as yet. I know there is a lot of stress in our religion. I am a Jehovah’s Witness and have been for 55 years. I have seen it all. I started out with the best job possible and lost that because of not working on Catholic Church property where they housed sexual abuse. I took a moral stand. I will not work on any property where there is even the hint of sexual abuse. Neither will you, even if you get fired for it. You may not get another job for years. But you have taken your stand, and that is more important. I see only Jehovah. I am reminded of the first century Christians. John the Baptist ended up getting his head chopped off because he exposed the immoral King. Jesus was murdered. Stephen was stoned to death. Other Christians were put in prisons and used as entertainment in the arenas where they were torn apart by lions as families while hanging onto their children. Later Christians were executed by the ax as well. Back then, I suspect you would have this site there, complaining about all the stuff that was happening. Can we imagine a religion telling its people not to throw a pinch of incense to the bust of Caesar. And the Romans saying to do that or they will be ripped apart by lions. Now we can say That is wacked for sure! But the Christian religion declared that very issue. Ever since man fell into sin, Satan has been messing with worshippers of God. That means I cannot complain. I am in good company. And I am alive yet. One more thing, there was a documentary on the History Channel entitled “Jesus Christ, Cult Master.” And he was none of that. But the accusations were there, false accusations. What is the answer? I will say it again. Close down all religions, including mine. Don’t need it. Serve God on a personal basis. Stop all holidays. No more tax exempt religions and collection plates. Sell of their properties for back taxes or remodel them for use elsewhere. I do not live for this life which is filled with misery. I live for the new life that is yet to come. 70 to 80 years now of stupidity is worth billions of years into eternity. In conclusion, without religion, no more sexual abuse or spiritual or emotional abuse by neurotics with power. Without religion or a restraint, someone messes with us or our families, we take them out back and best them until they are unrecognizable. Let them heal in the hospital. Then beat them some more. Without religion, there will be no laws to stop us, no consciences to hinder us. Get rid of religion. Keep beating up JWs. But include the other religions as well. Remember, 24 of the 27 nations that fought World War I claimed to be Christian. If the so called Christian religions told the governments they are not getting our congregations to fight their battles, there would not have been a World War I, that was 7 times worse than all the wars put together in human history. That’s why they put a number on it. One. Therefore, all religions have a lot of answering to do. Let’s line them up, expose, expose, expose. Go after their congregations and picket the Churches with signs declaring how rotten they are. Burn Christmas trees on their tax exempt lawns, as tax payers. Easy to prove. It was illegal to celebrate Christmas in the USA until the middle 1800s because the holiday was pagan. Step on the colored Easter eggs in their cute hunts. What is that all about anyway? So, get rid of all religions, period. I will laugh until I cry when that happens. So, do as I do. Tell your friends and relatives and neighbors that their religions should get shut down. That the United Nations is poised and ready to do just that. I love this site. But we have to include all the filthy religions on the planet. In the meantime, I will continue to serve the God of the heavens. With a church, or without one. From my youth up, I wanted to be a minister. And I sure am not going to stop now. No more corrupt religions. Nor more hypocritical congregation members. No more holidays. No more Ladies Aid banquets. No more collection plates. No more anything to do with religion. Check out the Middle East. The governments are getting fed up with religion. And so are you. And so am I. So, start a list of all religions on this site, and go after each one and expose them. That should be easy to do. Just read the newspapers.
Big Jim. What is your point? You say you have been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 55 years. I was for 50 years, baptized at 20 in 1966. Were you baptized at a young age? Are you trying to say in your comments that all religions have problems and so why just pick on Jehovah’s Witnesses? I don’t understand what you are trying to say. We know you are being facetious but why?
@Anonymous: I think I can see the line of reasoning of Big Jim…even if it reads a little if it is “Bourbon” laced.
I hope I can appeal to your memory of the mid-’60’s when WT entered into our world as a family.
Initially I was impressed by affirmations that I was “one of Jehovah’s Witnesses”. This was not to be used as a brand name. It was “Here I am send me”.
As the post “Truth” book world evolved it became clear that this was becoming another American born “fast food” super chain. I used to cringe as speakers, for example, were introduced as representing the “Watchtower Society”.
No,… he was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses speaking on behalf of the worldwide association.
Gradually WT developed the cult-like jargon and speech that is now characteristic of it. Suddenly, WT wasn’t a printing and publishing tool working for us…but we were working for it.
When I did my stint at Bethel, this became painful obvious. Folk actually lived in fear of men, rather than Jehovah.
I hope this film brings all the anxiety of this tragic homogenised religion to everyone’s attention.
Some, would have things stripped back to their own Spiritual Pathway again…where, Religion does not hold them in fear… whilst others would be happy to continue their lives with Atheistic views, free from the “Opium of the People”.
I hope my reasoning is just as lucid as Jim’s Bourbon!
It’s interesting what you said about the Ancient Romans, because in actual fact they were tolerant to all religions; there being many diverse religions in Rome each having their own temples. Unfortunately, one new religion didn’t want freedom of worship for anyone else except for themselves, and were intent on destruction to that end. That’s the reason the Christians were being put to death; not because they were the ‘true’ religion, but because they were causing a bloody nuisance of themselves. So you can’t really cry ‘persecution’ when it’s your religion that started the persecution in the first place!
My friend,
The world wars you refer to were not waged in the Name of Christ!
Hey, why is he charging for this documentary? If he really cares about truth, give it for free. Matthew 10:8 says, “You received free, give free.” Spread the word free. Get a part time job somewhere else and give these away for free. It is time to reject this commercial self centered world and prove we have what it takes.
Oh! If Watchtower did things for free, Sam wouldn’t be wearing that Rolex.
Why should he do it for free. He is not a charity.
FEELINGSICKTOMYSTOMACH – Very well said. I do despair sometimes at how ignorant and anal some people can be.
A website is the answer. Cheap. Put the documentary on the website so people can download it from there onto their computers. No paperwork. No cost. All electronics. That way the message will get to more people. Unless, this is all about the money.
I’m scratching my head trying to figure out whether you’re a cynical troll or just plain stupid. Who the hell do you think you are to tell a filmmaker to give his work away for free? Or should the same rule apply to anyone who expends their time, creative energy and resources writing books about Watchtower and Jehovah’s Witnesses? You expect people to “give free” as though we are all under bible law, but I wonder whether you would be so willing to work for days, weeks, months or years without any form of payment apart from the positive impact of your work. Do you even have any similar work that you have given out for free, or is this just something you expect from others?
What cracks me up is how jw’s use the bible as some kind of “Manual of Life”. Like you can solve all domestic, social, business, etc conflicts by referring to a particular verse in the bible. “Yes honey, I know it’s a problem, but I am supposed to love you and you are supposed to obey me – bleep bleep bleep…” It’s easier to be a robot than to think. They remind me of ostriches with heads buried in the sand, oblivious to reality and life.
The Watchtower Organisation NEVER gives anything for free. It Blackmails people emotionally to give their time,energy,free labour & money in the terms of
Donations,wills,Real Estate,stocks&shares,etc .If we give to JEHOVAH??? Meaning the Watchtower Organistion then we will get Eternal Life!!
What?? You make not a single intelligible thought. Even in the days of Jesus, did they contribute. But you probably would say Jesus is a myth as well.
David, can you prove Jesus wasn’t a myth?
Jesus is a myth as well.
Good one Pickled Brain. There’s always a catch with the WT.
Thanks to all responsible for making this movie available. I purchased a copy for future reference. Much better than any donation I made to the Watchtower Corporation.
Definition of “apostate”: Someone who has come to his senses
Love that, Neal!
Yes. I agree, but also the WTBTS definition of an apostate is one who falls away from the “truth” I ask you this, “How can this be a true definition when they never had the truth in the first place?”
Exactly, Alan! We fell away from the “Bovine Excreta”!
Unfortunately, I purchased the special edition of Truth Be Told before this special discount offer came about.
I would love to host a screening of this film on my campus.
Sometimes when jw’s, like my mother, talk about the “End”, I just agree and say, Yeah, it will all be over by next year. Then something strange happens. They seem to tense up, and keep quiet, or say something like, Well no, not that soon. I don’t believe jehovah’s witnesses really want the “End” to come. They just like running around scaring people, like Chicken Little. That’s what they look like out in the street – chickens.
I think deep down, organizations like WT know what will happen if jesus comes back. He’s gonna kick their asses for using his name and misrepresenting him all these years and centuries!!! :)
@ Neal Krouni .KEEP Your LIFE SIMPLE Brothers.!!! The END is NEAR??? Well Nearly Near!!!
When I look at the way the GB & Helpers??dress&FLAUNT their Wealth. NEW CARS every 3 years, 5 year Bethel Building Plans in Warwick (Plush new HQ) ,Patterson & Walkill!!
Now 80 acre New Bethel in England at Chelmsford to be finished in 5 years in 2020!! A letter read out asking for Donations for 5 years & free Labour & any Brothers who are Architects, Structural & Civil Engineers( all require 5 years at University)
Then all 7 MEN of GB & Helpers wear Flashy Suits,Watches& Rings on a Snazzy TV Set !!
Now Bros& Sisters please Downsize the way you live& work for free at Bethel & Donate all your assets to us because THE END is NEAR??? Ermmm!!! 1874(CHRISTs supposed presence) 1799 ( beginning of Last Days ) 1914,1915 End of System!! All in Studies in the Scriptures!! 1925(Resurrection of Abraham,Isaac,David,Noah,Jeremiah etc) 1942 put off having children as ARMAGEDDON is near ;all prophesied by Rutherford & 1975 by Franz!!
I SMELL BIG RATS exploiting innocent gullible JWs!! I vote for Anthony MORRIS & Stephn Letts as KING RATS!!
I wonder what size rock you guys will try to hide under. Anyways….I’ll be thinking of you.
p.s. have you noticed how there only a couple of you who go back and forth, making such comments. Kind of like giving each other “high fives”. Have you thought about why that might be?
Ha ha ha! Way more than “a couple of us,” Dave.
Just wait until the Conti lawsuit, with millions in punitive damages, is eventually upheld by the California Court of Appeals. The verdict will be out very soon. The legal precedent set by this will result in a massive landslide of sexual abuse lawsuits going forward. Your donations will go towards the defense of these sick pedophiles and the Watchtower’s protective policies. The real question is…what rock will YOU hide under, while the Watchtower’s foundations crumble all around you. :-)
Oh…and I wonder if your district overseer knows that you are visiting, and actively participating in ‘APOSTATE’ websites!!!
Oh! Oh! I know! It’s because it’s so much fun dissing Jehovah’s Witnesses!!!
HIGH FIVE BRO!!!
But the fact that you’re thinking of me gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. Thanx.
Very we’ll said!!!!
A big high 5 from here!
@David Martin . You NAUGHTY NAUGHTY JW .Visiting Apostate & commenting on Apostate websites can get you Reproved & continual BAD Association can get you DisfellowshippEd !! Even if you are only a JW Apologist can’t you see the Child Abuse a policies of Watchtower are EVIL .Go onto YouTube & look at Jose Lopez trial & Candace Conti & Dozens of others & see the CRUEL HEARTLESS way these Children at the time of the ABUSE took place how the Elders were advised to handle these cases & thousands of others(23,000) database!
Oh & there are thousands of JWs that read this SITE who are JWs but DON’T comment but Silently agree like I did for months before I plucked up the courage to comment Because of the FEAR Watchtower instill in people Not to mix with BAD Associations ( 1 Corinthians 15v.33)
The GOVERNING BODY Are LIARS!!
Look at new Video on TV.JW.ORG under ‘100 years of Kingdom Rule’
Sam Herd says the bible students knew 1914 was a pivotal year . They knew something was going to happen but were Uncertain what would!!! THAT IS A LIE!!!
Russell had published 6 volumes of ‘Studies in the Scriptures by 1913 & had PRINTED CHRIST PRESENCE had taken place in 1874 & LAST DAYS started in 1799 & All Governments & Religion would be Destroyed by 1914 & the Bible Students still alive would go to Heaven! THIS IS IN PRINT!! It Cannot be DENIED!! SAM HERD is a LIAR !! If the GB can be so Blatantly Lying about this Then you Cannot trust them what ELSE they will LIE about!!
Can anyone tell if Herd is wearing his gold pinkie ring? I saw him lift his right hand momentarily, in the vid, but I wasn’t fast enough to freeze it on that frame.
What I want to know is, Is he wearing tight pants? :) :) :)
Guys I bought this a while ago and it’s great. The download option can be fussy but the watch online is fine. If there wasn’t a fee to watch then i would have asked how i could donate.. this isn’t some corporation like time warner, its a real guy who invested years of his life and creativity to do this for us… ffs lets pay the man!
@ Pickled brain
Maybe we should start referring to the GB as the new “RAT PACK”! :)
@Neale Krouni . RAT PACk good idea!! Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jnr alias ANTHONY MORRIS,Geoffrey Jackson& Sam Herd ???Cant get Bigger Rats!!!
Now, i don’t have the right to dictate how the creator of this documentary makes the film available. Its obvious a lot of hard work has gone into making this. Personally, i am a little saddened the film is behind a $10 pay wall. If it was me, i would make donations a prominent part of the viewing experience and perhaps have a paid deluxe edition. To me, the essence of having a basic free-to-view version of the film would definitely drive it to reach more people and easily quash any claims of profiteering. Not trying to provoke an argument, just sayin’
I was advised to check out this site. I am not of this religion, or any religion. My life has been military since I was in my early 20s. I am currently with the CIA, almost retired, and seeking excitement in my older years. I suppose I have been spoiled by my history. I cannot reveal much about me as yet due to protocol. Whatever is going on here is interesting. There appears to be a ot of anger. From what I am gathering, justified anger. So be it. I will just sit back and continue reading reports as they come in, and I am sure there will be plenty of that. I have been around the world and have seen it all. A common denominator rings true in all problems throughout the planet. And that is a tragedy. At the core of that is exactly what all of you are discussing.
curious as to why someone not raised in this belief or converted to it would care? maybe we have been a big fish bowl all along to see if people will give in when it comes to their own goals and devote themselves to God. the tragedy is our sweet hard working members are True Believers (a book by Eric Hoffer) read that, sir and you will learn more than here. this is a site mostly for healing. you say you work in Maryland, that is great! read a book called Opium, a history. it will add to your appreciation of the original 13 colonies, and the crab harvest is great this year. again I cannot see why you would care about our bible club if you have not been inspired or hurt by it.
David Martin,
I will not be hiding under rocks! My conscience is clear. I have freedom of speech on Judgement Day, because I have love for my fellow human beings. 1 John 4.
How is your conscience, Mr Martin? Are you filled with a warm fuzzy feeling that your religion has covered up child abuse, and allowed paedophiles to continue to abuse children?
Are you filled with a warm glow that women are advised to stay with their abusive partners? Do you smile with glee when they are denied the chance to divorce and marry again?
I could go on, but you get the point, I hope, Mr Martin.
How are these policies in any way Christian? Your time would be better served in thorough and independent research on your religion, rather than trolling us with threats of death at Armageddon.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Why should any of u be judging anyone who has been through years of sexual assault starting as children made to be slaves to cult leaders installed by violence and mental torture be criticize or put down in any way for trying to turn the extremely personal story of torture into something that can then change there life’s witch does requires money! Did u ever think that after that kind of abuse and torture some people do suffer they some cases can’t get a job because they are to mentally messed up to posably work like me! If any victim gets any money from what happened to them good on them! And did u think that in many cases money is what these people need in there lives to help pay for all the expensive therapy they will need to try to get past what happened not to mention a hole lot of other expences that person may need but can’t provide themselves because they have grown up only doing a few things such as being bashed mentally and sexually abused for years and years on end unlike many of you commenting have experience your parents taught you how to get something as simple sounding to get as a job and how to provide for yourselves so just think how lucky you are that your only way to provide a better life than being abused is to sell your horrible scary personal details to people willing and all to happy to pay for it!
After leaving the UK on March 29th, Gregorio will be taking his tour across the Channel to mainland Europe, with events planned in Belgium and Switzerland before he jets back to New York on April 2nd.