Experiences of Former Jehovah's Witnesses
I have read hundreds of experiences and letters from former Jehovah's Witnesses. So many people have suffered similar treatment, including myself and my close friends, that the behaviour of Jehovah's Witnesses must be prescribed. Some of the following experiences will break your heart. Failed prophecy, changed doctrine and doctrinal irregularities aside, these stories are proof enough that the Watchtower Society is damaging and unchristian. (Most of the names that follow are Internet nicknames.)
PAEDOPHILIA
Barbara Anderson writes about her experiences as
researcher and writer for the Bethel Writing Department in Brooklyn. (The file is a 25 page Microsoft Word document and is 720KB) I highly recommend taking the time to download and read her story.
Barbara has written a number of articles for the Watchtower publications and was one of the researchers for the Proclaimers Book.
She became involved in research on pedophilia for a number of articles released in the 1990's. Eventually her conscience no longer
allowed her to be associated with the Watchtower Society, particularly due to the Governing Body's resitance to changing Watchtower
policy that protects pedophiles. Barbara Anderson and Bill Bowen appeared on Dateline in 2002 and run the site for Jehovah's Witness
victims of pedophilia; http://silentlambs.org/ For a overview on Watchtower policy on pedophiles and the damage this has caused, see Paedophilia
FreeGirl2006 is an experience of the treatment meted out to a pedophile victim
AFFECT OF SHUNNING
One of the most destructive aspects of high control religions and cults is that they almost universally insist on followers
limiting contact with 'worldly people' and shunning former members. These invariably includes family.
Family are the foundation of society and I can only hope governments start to outlaw religions enforcing such behaviour.
For a detailed look at why shunning family is not scriptural please see Disfellowshipping.
Merry This story is devastating but beautifully sums up the evil of a religion to impose strict shunning on its followers.
Crumpet Witness children are strongly encourage to be baptised as teenagers. Often they are disfellowshipped whilst still teenagers, at the time in their lives that they most require love. I came across Crumpet on the Internet. She lives in the UK and was enquiring after her uncle in Australia, a brother from my old congregation. I contacted him in an effort to have him contact her.
Moanzy This experience shows how a Witness parent will put the organization ahead of their own children, equating the Watchtower with God.
Sundawn Regardless of their age a accomplishments a shunned child will feel that their parents consider them a disappointment and failure. The intimate questions the elders asked Sundawn at her judicial committee are attested to by many people I know, and are highly traumatic for a teenage girl confronted by three older men.
DISASSOCIATION LETTERS & JUDICIAL COMMITTEES
People that disassociate themselves generally have done so after considerable research and thought. Disassociation letters are full of valuable information about what is wrong with the Watchtower Society, and show the heartfelt desire of the person to do what they know is right.
AK Jeff A very well written letter describing the double standard of the Watchtower Society and its political involvements.
Paul Grundy This is the letter that I wrote to the Watchtower Society requesting my baptism be annulled. I reasoned that my baptism was a void contract as I was a minor and had based my decision on lies contained within the Watchtower, with references to these lies were. The annulment was disallowed on the basis that I had formed other contracts with the Watchtower Society, such as becoming a Pioneer and Bethelite. The subject matter of the letter was never addressed, nor the actions of the Watchtower Society ever addressed.
ConradWest This is the transcript from a judicial appeal committee. It is unusual because the original committee was formed for charges of apostasy, but as there was no concrete evidence of apostasy this was changed to 'loose conduct', on the grounds that he was disrespectful to the elders in the meeting. The appeal supported the 'loose conduct' charge by bringing up prior patterns of conduct. The end is most interesting.
Brant Jones letter to the Governing Body regarding the United Nations
scandal, and the Watchtower Society Response.
LETTERS FROM WITNESSES TO THEIR FAMILY
When active Jehovah's Witnesses write to family members that leave the Organization their letters contain none of the careful phrasing of Watchtower articles. These letters gives great insight into reality as understood by the Witness mind.
Morwen Inactive publishers can be treated as though they are disfellowshipped, such as being experienced by Morwen.
GROWING UP AS A WITNESS
M0nk3y Growing up as a Gay Jehovah's Witness.
HOW LONG DOES THE RELIGION AFFECT ONES THINKING?
Guilt and Fear can stay with a former Witness for life. It is important on leaving to spend time researching the history and doctrine to prove to yourself that Jehovah is not using the Watchtower Society and is not going to destroy you at Armageddon.
Just As I Am feared Armageddon for 20 years after leaving.
Chaka The only way to ever clear Watchtower thinking is to research the religion, otherwise moving on will leave chards of wrong thinking that continue to eat away at you for life