Just know you guys didn’t “step down “ from being an elder . You actually stepped up .. your standards now are much higher and more admirable..thank you for this video ! And Beau it was great being able to see you on our exjw zoom meeting with T a few weeks ago !
Hi! Same Story here! Now from my today View back to this time i am very shocked what i have seen and heard. Specially behind closed doors. Love between Brothers? Never seen! Elders are enemies - Most of them! Hate each others.Sick minds, sexual frustrated, lots of alcoholism
@escaped to Vancouver I thought they were GREAT speakers. Mike especially had a great deal of wisdom and speaking ability. Both were humble men and didn't want to push their own agendas but just to answer Lloyd's questions.
I was an elder who was actually very refreshing for most people I am told. I was humble and tried to do as "Jehovahs organization" told me to do. I stood up to Injustice on the Elder body, and I tried to be loving and kind and compassionate. So you can imagine, it was a little jarring when I had to step down how quickly people flip the script on me. Of course by then I was already on my way out. I left within two months of that.
You have only left a man made organization not Jehovah God and Jesus Christ,... Your compassionate, kindness,care while still a JW was a true picture of True God Jehovah good qualities through Jesus Christ which you needed to discover more outside confines of JW organization.Please continue following Jesus Christ our saviour. May Jehovah God continue blessing you.The world is still a better place with Jesus Christ in our hearts than following man made organization.
I remember when the elders came to my house because they where told that had had premarital sex at 16. It was humiliating. I refused to speak and just stared at them as they read bible verses to me. The biggest betrayal was my mother who I felt had feed me to the wolves. Since that day I have never trusted her. I have advance medical directives just because I do not trust her to make medical decisions that are in my best interest. My saving grace is that I woke up when I was in 7th grade. I had a wonderful science teacher who taught me critical thinking. Which I ended up applying to the Bible. The nail in the coffin was me thinking if doctors bring in nurses for checkups they why can’t they bring in a woman or your mother or someone you trust. I bailed out as soon as I turned 18 although I wish I had as soon as I had made the choice at 15 that I would leave when I turned 18. Thanks for sharing your stories. It makes me feel less yucky about the entire thing and that I wasn’t crazy for having these thoughts
@@stressfree1817 I try my best but it’s hard when your entire family is in and devout. It feels like a divorce every time I cut one of them off. I’ve had to make it clear that I will never return. The dirt I have on some of them as well as lots of my family members are elders and ministerial servants. I made the conscious decision to never get baptized in order to stay in their lives when I left. Now I think that was the wrong thing maybe making a clean cut would’ve been better. But one can’t live in could haves
that is so pervy. It is a disgusting experience. I was fortunate enough not to have been born in (nor my wife). We are a family of five and I started to wake in summer 1998 and I got us all out by Christmas. We moved 70 miles away in July 1999 (for work, not because of them). Never looked back. My wife was a little resistant at first as I shared my findings with her and the programming kicked-in, but when I proved scripturally that the PO's wife had lied to her she confronted her about it. There was no defence and after that I was able to lead her into the light. We celebrated Christmas 1998 and the elders were still visiting trying to talk to us after we stopped attending. The look on their faces when they saw our decorated living room! They still tried until early spring but at that point my patience was wearing thin and I was not being honest with myself, so I told them it was all rubbish and lies and you have to be weak-minded if you believe it. One elder (an old boy who had only moved to the cong a year or so earlier) asked me indignantly "Look at me, you don't think I'm weak-minded do you?" The crest-fallen look on his face was a picture when I replied "Yes, if you believe this". He knew his authority had evaporated and they never came back. It was a good year 1999... freedom, a new home and a better job with *much* more money than I felt I was allowed to earn because it was a "worldly pursuit". I miss some of the people I knew, but they never made any attempt to stay in touch so screw them - not worth the paper they are printed on. Been where we are now for 20 years. We get the joeys coming down the street but they don't knock at my door. I suspect a note has been passed to the local cong.
@escaped to Vancouver =:O that is terrible. So you were always wary of your folks? I feel so deeply for you. I would take a bullet for any of my kids and always fought their corner when they were in trouble - right or wrong... the journey home in the car might have been "interesting" in the latter case. I have never let anyone mete out physical punishment to my children. I was brutalized as a child by teachers and I trust NO-ONE. A few years back I related this to my folks and they were horrified with "why didn't you say something?" type remarks. I came back that when they had visited my teachers for open-evenings etc they had always said (in my presence) "if he gives you any trouble just give him a clip round the ear" - to my young mind, my teachers were beating me with full permission of my parents. A while back I tried to find the teacher involved in one particularly scarring experience. He would be an old man now and I intended to beat and terrify him, now he is the one who is weak and helpless... perhaps it was for the best I was unsuccessful in my search. Probably dead now... he would have been about 40 at the time and I was about 11 so that makes him 80s+ now. I remember it clear as day; his face was red and his hair was all over the place as he beat me... it was not a controlled spanking, it was forceful enough for him to be shaken about - he had lost it and I had no-one who could help me. Can't really remember what it was about but a piece of paper was involved. I still have moments where my blood craves vengeance. Hence I trusted no-one to discipline my kids when they were little... if there was a problem, talk to me and I'll deal with it, but you raise a hand to my child and I'll be doing time for murder. This is why the WBTS stance of child discipline never sat easy with me. "Beat him, he will not die" ... maybe not but you will ;o)
Exactly. My brother's sons both became elders in their twenties and one was still in his twenties being considered for substitute CO. The latter was witnessed stealing the waitress's tip off the table by my son -- life skills.
@@Peekaboo-Kitty Yes. It is humiliating. With all your life experiences then a young buck give you counsel? And being on the other side of that, it was humbling. I would go with an older elder, then I was to take the lead. I felt like a fool.
The GB do not inform ordinary witnesses that once a judicial hearing has been formed you are now guilty, even if no investigation has taken place or even if elders have not spoken to you about the situation. WT was able to defraud me for 20 years, telling me they would rectify a situation when according to the elders' book such action was impossible. If I had known, I could have gone to a solicitor 25 years ago and prevented serious illness which will be with me now for the rest of my life. Due to my interest in chemistry and its complexity, I do believe in God which is a good thing since my life has been a complete disaster due to WT. Let's hope these fraudsters get stopped by the government as soon as possible.
Up to a point I. Like what you said i. Myself liked trig algebra and some chemistry classes in high school and in my army days some college courses in 1974. I. Wasn't an ace at it. But I did like those courses I took i. Say to you good luck luck on your life's journey wish you well .
@@tammyg8031 I have a strong faith in jehova but what you are doing is very serious. Jehova will keep in mind what you are doing online talking bad about his organization. End is coming soon. Not a jw though.
@@tammyg8031 by fear do you mean when the Bible predicts that only the ppl that lived in god way will be saved and the ignorant will be wiped out the face of the earth?? Or what exactly do you mean by fear mongering?? I have as much free will as you do, I’m human just like you. I can go smoke a cigarette and get drunk if I wanted too but from what I’ve read in the Bible I know better not to do those things. If you want to participate in the activities the “world” partakes in, you are feee to do so. “The world has hated them, because they are no part of the world.”-JOHN 17:14.
I used to have so much respect for my dad when he was alive because he was an elder for so long. Now that I’m awake, I feel like maybe he just wanted the power and control and admiration of the congregation. I think elders like the feeling of moral superiority.
@@toomyconne768 I am curious what things actually caused you to wake up, being an elder vs rank and file member. I know it might be a touchy subject and you absolutely don't owe me any type of answer I was just curious about your story. I was born in, 3rd generation, and spent 24 years in, I did get dfd once at 18 (was baptized at ten years old) when I went to a party, got drunk and did something I wouldn't have and told on myself but the lead elder on my committee told me flat out he was disfellowshipping me, not for what I had done or that he didn't think i was repentant for that but because I had broken up with his nephew after 3 months of dating. I only ever held his hand one time nothing more happened between us and when I brought that to his attention he became angry and told me "HE" was not changing his mind and that I was required to go to the upcoming district convention the following weekend first then the weekend after that I would be announced as disfellowshipped and until then I was supposed to keep my mouth shut and act like nothing was different. I moved to a different state after it was announced and got reinstated after one year but was required to get married to a guy i had been dating and whom had started studying while I was dfd in order to get reinstated I had to be married to him. So we got married and then a week after that it was announced that I was reinstated. Then my dad got cancer and bled to death over two days, from everywhere, as he obviously could not accept the platelets he desperately needed, in the same sentence the elders who came to the hospital told my dad that though he couldn't have platelets "bone marrow was now a conscience matter" they made sure to lay on the guilt trip though saying " if you do accept the bone marrow and it stumbles one of your brothers then you will be held blood guilty". I went to his funeral at the kh then told my mom I was done and never went back. I could not justify in my mind how on earth you could accept bone marrow but not platelets and then down the road I was told how my dad was used in a talk about staying faithful to the end and it seriously made me livid. I don't have any respect for the organization after not just my own experiences but after seeing the things coming out about child abuse ect I am so disgusted. I'm glad you woke up. I truly hope one day all members will truly wake up and see how awful and how hypocritical the organization truly is.
@@kirstenornelas881 Thanks for sharing your story. Sadly, just like Communism, many especially those who grew up on it just like me, won't wake up. The entire organisation would have to collapse, and even then they'd still believe that Satan has brought upon them the Great Tribulation, hence they have to stand firm and stick harder to tmThe Truth. It's after they've waited for The End for so long, but it isn't coming, then their children (the next generation) would walk out. And the parents can't stop them, because they themselves would be too fatigued and disappointed at having wasted their lives on the Society's doomsday clock, that they won't have the conviction or enough evidence to indoctrinate their descendants. They'd just have to let go by then.
That figures a lot. I have seen men change into little hi tlers when they become elders. One I really enjoyed rebutting when he tried to correct something I said out of his own ignorance
I felt the same as Michael, though I was awake for nearly 10 years, firmly convinced that nothing I was saying from the platform or reading in the literature was real. I just soldiered on, because I felt like I was helping the congregation and I had my friends and family. Its a miserable existence and finally I said: enough is enough - and grabbed my bookbag during a meeting and I walked out, never to return.
so did i, i had been serving from a too young age as an elder, and in my last very isolated congregation i was alone, one elder woke up after reading crisis of conscience, another one DA because his son in law DA while he was a missionary and bethelite...i felt i should do the job, i would have felt guilty to let the brothers and sisters or family, even i had a lot of doubts: about the holy spirit acting, about the non scientific teachings of my fundamentalist religion. I never felt power upon the brothers. Not at all morally better than them. Sometimes i thought, it would be better for me to have less knowledge, faith in the jw religion would be easier:) As Mike says, when you think about the universe, not as king david or some other man in the ancient times, you cannot go on with a litteral creationnist middle east centered world explanations. At work, i had to stand for science and logics, then turning to the kh platform and read and sustain the dubious WT explanations... at some point, it became impossible. Once i resigned, some new elders wanted to make a bible study with me...making sure i was still believing every detail. Uncomfortable position as an ex elder! by time, i da. And moved away, And started a new free life.
@@disassociated1731 Wow, thanks for sharing your story. I'm nodding to everything you stated. I was so stifled not being able to have intellectually honest conversations and when I heard some more of that obedience brainwashing aimed at kids on one Sunday afternoon - *just listen even when it doesn't make sense* - 🤢 I got so sick to my stomach! I could no longer silence my conscience and I left.
Beau! I don't know how much I can reveal but my father was an elder for 11 years in the same circuit you served in. I remember you and your wife very well. I'm pleasantly surprised to see you in this interview!
It’s ashame that a lot of ex witnesses mentally check out years before leaving. Shows you how effective the indoctrination is. That and the fear of losing friends and family. That in itself proves it’s a cult. Best wishes to you to and love ya! Just know that you are not alone.
@@MidnightAndLuna you have spoken truth to power and everything you said is the undiluted truth. You should know that every religion first focal point is indoctrination before anything else cos that's the only reason for the person to believe whatever they are doing is right. We shall overcome them God willing no matter their antics. How are you enjoying your spare time?
@@mikewerndy8556 exactly! With every single religion! Every religion has the us vs them mentality and the cause of the majority of wars throughout history. It’s why I am divorced from religion, period. You add indoctrination tearing apart families, causing trauma, and controlling every aspect of someone life that it becomes even more dangerous. I had an easier time leaving the Catholic Church. Just quit going. No priests called me in to ask why I haven’t been attending and threatening me with alienation from everyone and everything I know. That’s what makes this different
@@MidnightAndLuna smiles. When you pull out of religion you see yourself happy and pleasing humanity the very best way according to your conscience or else, they will start manipulating and controlling your life for their selfish interest. So where are you from, which is your favorite flower and color?
I just read that and elder I knew when I was a kid just died. I remember like it was yesterday when he said "they will be rioting in the streets in the next 5 years". That was 45 years ago. In a few years it will be 50 years since I first saw the blue Truth book that stated throughout "the end is near". They pressured me not to go to college since the end was so close "when they are saying peace and security then the end will come" was the current "light". There was a Crossroads Mall being built at the time and I remember them saying "it would not be completed since the end was near", well it was finished. I can't say getting a degree in pop culture or Irish history is worth the money but if you can take any class in the STEM field do it. I never wanted to be a window washer or carpet cleaner all my life and getting a STEM education was the best decision I ever made.
@@Not_really I wasn't baptized so they didn't have as much control over me. I was working at a bakery packaging bread while I was in High School and I watched a man that worked the ovens for 30 years retire with nothing but Social Security. He worked for basically minimum wage (no health care) for his entire life. That was the point I realized that I wasn't going to do that (end of the world be dammed :)). Up to that point I did nothing but the minimum in high school and didn't have very good grades but I managed to get accepted into a 2 year engineering program. I did it by driving to the college and introducing myself to the dean and I told him that I didn't want to work dead end jobs the rest of my life. He called my high school the following Monday and said if I made C's for the rest of the year they would give me a chance, I did and got a 2 year degree in electronics. I drove 26 miles each day working a part time job with a car that cost me $100 but I did it. I then went on to get a 4 year degree which is also an interesting story. At my first job I found the C programming language and I have been making a living writing software ever since, I've written firmware for oil field equipment and medical devices. If you have an analytical mind you don't need to go to college to learn how to write software and there are lots of other related jobs in high tech, technical writing, testing, etc. that pay well and keep you off the factory floors. I always recommend some formal class work since you want to compete with others to gauge your real skills. There are some talented people out there and you will be humbled but you have to compete in the real world so learn how to do it. There is one thing that JW kids get, great reading and comprehension skills, so many kids don't get the opportunity to read much less stand in front of an audience and give talks. These are real skills in the real world just don't bring up that Cain killed Able when he was a 100 years old lol.
@@rockpadstudios fantastic real life story. I have a parallel about attending college as well and had a tough life at 15 and beyond and all it did was teach me to be resourceful, think on my feet and other qualities that most ppl don't have! Lol.
@@theresaakins2317 I remember a teacher lifting me up by the hair in front of the whole class when I was in the 5th or 6th grade for not saluting the flag. But I have to say those experiences helped me navigate the real world, not get taken advantage of, and not bend to peer pressure. Sometimes not following the crowd does cost you so now I stay quiet for things I don't care about and only roll my eyes when they pray or say "my prayers are with you". I can't believe adults actually believe praying makes any difference. Praying never helped me as a JW so as child I figured out it was a scam. I was jealous of kids that had a normal life but now after 45 years I've been able to see how some of their lives turned out and it wasn't very good for many, dead ends jobs, early death from drugs etc. I think for most ex-JW's our later years are more care-free because we appreciate life and we don't use it recklessly. I always tell the young ones to get a STEM education and if not a degree that pays good money. The educational system is full of parasites now so they do have to be careful not to acquire too much debt.
I am so proud of myself for having rejected all invitations to receive a title in that organization. Which always pissed-off the elders each time I said no, LOL!
@@yurizhivago4591 - I was asked many times in the three congregations I was part of. I always told the elders, thanks, but no thanks. I'm not interested in "privileges" (I hate that word). It always made them angry.
@@ziggylaurie2268 What are the privileges for elders? I'm inactive for 20 plus years. My mom died in 2010 and all of a sudden I felt guilt that I couldn't make her last days (she suffered and died from cancer) happy. She held out hope that someday I'd return. It still bothers me.
Excellent interviews! I still mourn from time to time what I lost...part of my identify those I considered and treasured as family and most of all time! These things are gone forever! I do appreciate the life I have now though and am so very grateful for my freedom to be who I want to be my authentic self!
I cannot even begin to understand the struggles of individuals who were in the unfortunate situation of sitting in on a judicial committee. That’s got to be absolutely crushing in retrospect. I mean, I have things I am absolutely not proud of that I did when I was not fully in possession of my mental faculties, but I have no idea how I would deal with something that grave. I’m glad you are able to cope. That’s got to take an awful lot of strength.
They tried it with me. I realised the only authority over me was what I granted them. I also realised it was gonna drag on for ages so to nip it in the bud, I told them I didn't believe it any more and anyone who does is weak minded. It shocked them and I'm sure they decide I must have a demon but I have never felt freer now window cleaners are not telling me what to do. It was easy as my wife and I weren't born into the club and we knew everyone would drop us so we just went for it. I was still a believer in God but now, unfettered by twisted teachings, my own research has debunked it all especially the abrahamic religions, which also highlighted how corrupt the translators had been in their selection of words to aid their own direction.
One of my good friends got appointed to be the chairman on mine. I thought he was going to start crying the whole time. I appealed for the fuck of it and the appeal committee's chairman was an old family friend. Only a few months later my grandfather died and the idiot came over to me to shake my hand with a big dumb smile on his face and introduce himself. I said i know who you are and walked away.
@@captainboing EXACTLY! The Bible is a book of legends, myths and stories meant to encourage strict, repressive behavior. But believing literally in these stories is about as logical as believing in Dr. Suess characters (which would actually be a LOT more fun).
thanks Lloyd for this interview, i can relate so much to this, especially what mike explained, i’m an older man now, but in the past i served fifteen years as an elder from a very ( too) young age...its a long time ago, but its nice to hear and share these feelings from ppl who went through similar experiences! i wish you and your family a good new year...with less earthquakes and less pandemies:)
What an Epic Testament to the realities that Two Gentlemen faced in carrying out the duties imposed upon them as Elders. We live as Ex JW's and we know the Apostate labels we are given. Listening to these men is an inspiration to know that their integrity took them out of this Cult. If I was in a "Secular" Court of Law, I would really appreciate having one of these Men as Judges. Thank you, Michael and Beau, for your stories and you are respected and appreciated by us all and more than you may know.
easy, don't beat yourself up. They are *very* clever at what they do and target people with pretty lies and false hopes when they are at their lowest. You got out, that's a good thing.
Lloyd I just need to say that I just love your interview videos! As an ex witness who wasn’t bought up in the truth it really gives a great insight into the lives of those you talk to growing up and all the hardships they went through! I feel for the elders who really don’t like doing female judicials, as a young women who was in that position it fills me with PTSD! Mine was just terrible and I heard my elders laughing just before they disfellowshiped me! Keep up all the good work :)
Thank you, all three! An insightful and inspiring discussion. I too was an elder for a number of years, and related to many of the comments made by Mike and Beau. Been out for 2 1/2 years, but really started to question things about 20 years ago, just after coming off from being an elder. I agree with Mike, this is our only life....don't waste it, make the most of it, whilst not harming others. Keep up the good work, Lloyd! 😉
Great interview, I am getting flash backs from many of the things being talked about. I was an elder from 1992-2006 served in Spanish Cong, way more strict then English and the differences of cong in other countries and judicial meetings.
i could really relate to Beau - for me, it came down to one Sunday morning when I was getting ready for the meeting, and I was calmly, logically going through all of my options to commit suicide so I would never have to go to another meeting. My inner wise woman said, "You know, you could just stop going." And that was it. I was done.
As a sister who went through the judicial nightmare, it was so traumatizing I thought about dying after it was over. My mother gave one of the elders a “talking to” about it.
What an incredible and inspiring video!! Lloyd, I love you! I also love the two guys you interviewed! Thank you all for everything you do, and for making your voices heard! Welcome to the real world!
I served in 7 different congregations during my JW career, though not in any official capacity. No two congregations did things the same way and, without exception, each congregation felt like it was the only one doing things correctly. For the most part, each elder body is free to run its particular congregation as it sees fit. A certain elder body is free to promote certain teachings different from Watchtower teaching, but only in non-doctrinal matters. As a young man, I moved from one city in Texas to another city 150 miles away, but it may as well have been in another country. I had a friend from my hometown who moved to the same town as I, and he couldn't tolerate the difference and moved back home, and he was an elder.
Roger Kirkpatrick , Any congregations I visited, they all seemed to do the same thing in a cultural sense. The culture of every congregation may feel different, I guess, depending on where you live but disagreement on doctrinal matters is a big no-no, you are right about that.
I have a real problem with these parallel courts. Counseling people is one thing, but religious courts are another. Having said that, I want to thank these gentlemen for sharing their stories. Also hope the gentleman in Maine grants himself forgiveness. He was under undue influence, just glad these men made it out.
Ivan, no worries! There are a bunch of us with this name lol! Always nice to connect with fellow former Witnesses. This is a pretty nice community, very supportive and kind.😃
Thank you for these interviews. I too was an elder in a congregation in Ohio, and I could relate on so many levels to the remarks. I am still struggling as my wife and MIL live in the same house as me. They are still die hard JW’s and my daughter is being groomed to be a part of this disgusting cult. The struggle is very real when one makes a clean break from the organization. Lloyd I very much appreciate your work it cuts straight through the bullshit.
I feel this same pain! My mother and daughter are still die hard in this cult in Ohio and do not speak to me nor look at me if I happen to be in the same place! Like I have a horrible disease.
@@serafin1352 I am in pain because my friend is shunning me and that’s painful enough. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish you are feeling. I hope they come to their senses. It’s not love or Christian love to shun people especially family members. It’s a cruelty that should never happen. Shame on them. What will happen one day when thy need you? You’d be justified to ignore them, but I suspect your too nice to do that. Christian love.
That sentence "he was labeled as a sexual predator, and he was a school teacher" will hunt me forever. Made me cry out of anger. This is sick. Sick. Sick.
You’d be surprised how many there are. I’ve contacted the FBI and local government agency’s but it’s all hearsay they can’t do much. I know who they are and their names as well as the names of some of their victims. They are protected. not only to not bring dishonor to Jehovah but they are protected because in my instance they are the sons of elders.
Exactly my sons case! Had we been informed of 3 generations of predators I would have never married the man who later abused my children. But the body was determined to protect this family. I will never understand
@@thereconstructionists Isnt it? The org will be desperate now to hold onto any remaining "Good standing" families, the elders will no doubt become younger and younger. May even hear about mini servants at 12 and 13 yrs of age, wouldnt surprise me. "Important" mic duties will be a thing of the past. 🤣
@@isaaccarmignani Given the decline of this cult, there will necessarily be another "Raymond Franz", but this time there will be John to welcome him arms raised. The media effect will speed up the fall of this company.
If I'm interviewing on a particular subject that I know something about - in this case, being an elder - I won't be guilted over sharing my perspective in hopes of expanding the conversation. It certainly can't be called "monopolizing."
@@lachicarivers51demilo52 I think when you're in the company of other people with shared experiences one cannot help but join in with your own experiences. speaking personally as an ex JW, there are so many niche experiences I can recall that would mean nothing at all to my friends now; but were i to bump into a fellow ex JW I we would both bond over these minutia. It's just the way company and conversation works, you share commonalities.
@@lachicarivers51demilo52 I saw no evidence of Lloyd monopolising. He shared on two separate occasions his direct experiences as an elder - which flowed well with what the other two exJW elders shared.
I’m really impressed how these 2 answered all the questions openly and honestly even though it must have been uncomfortable sometimes. Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you for sharing, brings back memories of my life with my former elder husband. I so hope he will come to his senses, although he stepped down from his « privileges » two years before I had had enough! Admire your courage, very inspirational 😌. Lloyd another wonderful video, so thankful for your activism! 🤩
I really loved their final comments. It hurts when you come to realize it's all untrue and when you lose life long friends. However, the sense of freedom and actual truth is so worth it. #onelifetolive
Yes , they both seem nice people , who were trying their best to make lives better ! It really is the policy of the JW to heap burdens on the elders ! And it must be difficult for them at times .
@@MadderMel that's why myself I didn't want no privileges or step up to be a. Ms or elder to so your only working for wt and gb members and they add more burdens on you for taking those positions well i don't work for wt or gb members or the jw organization i. Don't miss it and don't want it .
Thanks Lloyd, beau and Michael for this interesting interview. I think it would be interesting to have another interview, perhaps a "one on one" video to explain us how did you wake up... take care
Hey ladies!! Just thought you might like to know Beau is single 😏 him and my boyfriend are buddies and he's an absolute delight and such a lively free open soul. Very awesome.
Lloyd, this was probably one of the best interviews. I loved the energy within the group, your approach and questions and the comaradry. I enjoyed [he honest answers from both Beau and Mike. I hope you have them on again and discuss their waking up process..
I hope all woke elders would contact personally those who they punished in the past whilst being a “good elder” and “carrying out orders” will apologise to them?
I did. I was very therapeutic and the conversation was excellent. The individual was more than understanding and did not hold any resentment....actually THANKED ME saying it was the best thing that happened (getting out of the cult so young) - sadly their family still shuns them......but we talk often.
@@timothysanfino4311 and the splitting of families is "justified" with scripture "I bring not peace, but a sword..." they (his family) are weak people to do that - let some faceless organisation turn them against their own family members like that.
@@Peekaboo-Kitty realistically the organization who attacks people to join at their lowest in forces families to shun each other so that you really can't leave should be held accountable. they were also victims just in another tone... they genuinely believed in what they were doing... doesn't make it right and it doesn't mean they shouldn't ask for forgiveness but restitution seems a bit unfair in reality that's owed to you by the church, even in the legal sense. Cuz honestly not just Elders a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses do things that are wrong in the name of religion or religious superiority
I was in a Behel congregation in Dutchess County. Perhaps you knew Bro Dowd, Steve Jackson? Bethel heavies for sure. Bro Dowd had a kind heart. Good man.
@@gailbozeman9626 in the real world or Satan's secular system of things. It doesn't work that way you have a much better chance to win a case in Satan's systems of things than jw organization the jw judicial committee is seriously flawed and is a completely ignorant bunch of fools that run it.
Ex JW party lol Leave it all behind, go to some swingers parties or gay orgies, swear like a fucking trooper, worship money and wash that JW shit out of your mind. No need for repentance.
I went into my judicial meeting fully repentant and thinking I was going to get help for my sexual desires of my young adulthood. It broken me when, not only was I not “helped” in a biblical sense... I also lost all my family, friends and my home when they disfellowshipped me and As a result I was kicked out of my home the same day. Completely traumatic.
Excellent video. The more the lid gets lifted off this cult, the more people may come to know the truth, and I thank you all for having the will and strength to be so candid. Blessed Be Lloyd, keep up your incredible work.
I had a sister that so traumatized she moved to a neighboring congregation and that PO called me and wanted to know the details. I told him the envelope was sealed I can’t reveal that, call Bethel if he wants.
I absolutely love this series. My father is still a prisoner, and Elder prisoner in this cult and this offers so much insight that I can use to slowly get into the cracks. It is my goal to help him free his mind.
I heard Michael's experience on a podcast a few years ago. Nice to add the face to the experiences. The fact that the least humble elder became the most dominant in the body and the others were intimidated to 'be modest and theocratic'. Having to submit to authoritarian COs was also painful, seeing the harm inflicted on the flock (their brothers).
We left the JW’s in 1980, it was the best thing my husband and I ever did for our family. We had an elder come to us (1978) to counsel us on being “materialistic “ because we bought a boat and we went water skiing in after service on Sundays. We could also fish out of this boat because it had an open bow. That same year, this elder had built himself and his family a brand new house, totally furnished it with new furniture and decorations, bought himself a new truck, his wife a new Lincoln Town Car and was thinking about buying a ski boat for his family. He had the NERVE to tell us WE were being materialistic! We left the JW’s soon after that. I lost my mother and two sisters after we left the JW’s, but you know what? They contacted me about 10 years later, wanting financial help and a place for my mom to live because she was homeless. I didn’t answer their inquiries. Haven’t talked to any of them since 1981. My life has been such a blessing since shedding that cult. I have truly been blessed with a wonderful life and my own wonderful family.
The painting the kingdom hall with a 2 inch brush illustration is fine. What do I care what brush we use, if I have 2 hrs to donate, whether we get done in that time or not is on them...after 2 hrs I'm going home. But it's not so trivial, it often comes down to playing master over your faith, demanding you believe some hogwash without question..(2Corinthians 1:24)
For Beau, being made to be baptised at 11 is just criminal of this cult. May you keep healing brother and keep up your strength working through this. Many fantastic years ahead for you and yours.
Wonderful interview gentleman, so honest. I think most ex witnesses experience shame remembering either being involved in the judicial process or actively shunning. I regularly tell my sister who was shunned how sorry I am, and I am grateful we now have a wonderful relationship. I recently reached out to a family member who was shunned over 25 years ago and apologized. She was surprised and confused at first but ultimately so happy for the call and we keep in touch now. It’s not too late to make amends sometimes!!!
As a female I was asked very private questions on a judicial committee, and then handed a copy of an article about ma****bation on a catch-up meeting, where a "lovely" elder drove me to a nervous breakdown. It was extremely humiliating. The event was 8 years ago and I'm still dealing with the trauma to this day. This is the reason why I'm watching this channel and similar ones
I had a friend who had massive massive anxiety and was talking to the elders about how the ministry was challenging and sometimes even going to the Kingdom Hall was hard. The elder told her “well….sometimes you just gotta suck it up and do it” and told her it wouldn’t be permitted to get in medication for it and thwt she was required to do what made her nervous and it wasn’t about her.
That’s awful. It kinda reminds me of how Hitler insisted that his soldiers keep fighting no matter what, even in the most impossible circumstances, and then blamed them when they were defeated.
Oh, Lloyd! Thank you, thank you for this video and the others I've watched..... I can SO identify with all the points raised on this one. I would truly love to talk with you some time, Lloyd, It'd be nothing but cathartic. Paul
My father in law just got appointed as an elder. This man is in his mid 70's. I've never been a jw, so I don't know the protocol, but it seems very odd to me that after 50 years in the org, he's now an elder?! so strange to me.
I would imagine age would come into play only if really young. There were elders in my old congregation that were over 70. They didn’t have any big responsibilities, but we’re still involved with meetings regarding the congregation
Thank you soooo much Mike for helping me as a PIMO "just doing a good job"!! You'd so much would have been an elder I'd have adored. Wish the best to all of you
Yes I can remember when i first woke up about the TTATT as it sometimes always a fall from grace that really makes us start to look into what the WT is all about . I think of all the years I put into faithful service and then to be just cast aside like I was some wild animal really hit home so no golden watch and handshake for me that's for sure.
This is just so hard to hear. My judicial committee was chaired by my own uncle and other men who I know were asking intimate questions for their own gratification. Just disgusting. Makes me sick to this day.
Them asking those questions show you what's in their heart. You were honest to admit what happened. They should have focused on how to help you and show practical loving guidance instead of creeping you out and making it worse. Yuck I'm shocked and sorry it happened at all.
@@mamazanderson1217 I just wanted out of an abusive marriage and out of that cult. The damage to my family is irreversible to this day. It sickens me to see the pain and hurt caused by the brainwashing.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I was 14 and had to sit in a room with 4 men and my aunt and asked all types of questions about my ‘experience’ and to this day it still angers me, frustrates me and I wish I could hug my young self and tell her I didn’t have to say anything and could have walked out. But of course I didn’t even know that was an option. I’m so glad my child will never know anything about this - my family is still very much in it (uncle an elder) and I just choose to not talk about anything religious with them for my mental health. Although every time I hear them mention their zoom meeting and preaching by writing and zoom calls I feel so disgusting and disappointed. I hope they wake up one day - I’m so glad I did!
Just know you guys didn’t “step down “ from being an elder . You actually stepped up .. your standards now are much higher and more admirable..thank you for this video ! And Beau it was great being able to see you on our exjw zoom meeting with T a few weeks ago !
Miss talking with you Gigi !!!! Soon?
Likewise! Hope to chat again soon!
@@timothysanfino4311 yessss!! I hope to see you on this channel soon too ! :))
Hello Gigi
Ex jw meeting on zoom?
I was an elder for years. I left this cult last year. Please have me on 🖐
Hi! Same Story here! Now from my today View back to this time i am very shocked what i have seen and heard. Specially behind closed doors. Love between Brothers? Never seen! Elders are enemies - Most of them! Hate each others.Sick minds, sexual frustrated, lots of alcoholism
I hope he brings you and others on. 👍
Glad you woke up! We need everyone who was an elder to tell their story!
Email LLoyd at JW survey to ask for a interview.
@escaped to Vancouver I thought they were GREAT speakers. Mike especially had a great deal of wisdom and speaking ability. Both were humble men and didn't want to push their own agendas but just to answer Lloyd's questions.
I’d love to see an elders WIVES tell-all 😆
😆
Yeah but this is no joke us ladies just tend to remember the juicy stuff!
Now that would be a doozie! The things they must know have heard and seen and said nothing!
How many parts..? 🤔😅
In my experience they are the biggest gossips ever
I was an elder who was actually very refreshing for most people I am told. I was humble and tried to do as "Jehovahs organization" told me to do. I stood up to Injustice on the Elder body, and I tried to be loving and kind and compassionate. So you can imagine, it was a little jarring when I had to step down how quickly people flip the script on me. Of course by then I was already on my way out. I left within two months of that.
You have only left a man made organization not Jehovah God and Jesus Christ,... Your compassionate, kindness,care while still a JW was a true picture of True God Jehovah good qualities through Jesus Christ which you needed to discover more outside confines of JW organization.Please continue following Jesus Christ our saviour.
May Jehovah God continue blessing you.The world is still a better place with Jesus Christ in our hearts than following man made organization.
I remember when the elders came to my house because they where told that had had premarital sex at 16. It was humiliating. I refused to speak and just stared at them as they read bible verses to me. The biggest betrayal was my mother who I felt had feed me to the wolves. Since that day I have never trusted her. I have advance medical directives just because I do not trust her to make medical decisions that are in my best interest. My saving grace is that I woke up when I was in 7th grade. I had a wonderful science teacher who taught me critical thinking. Which I ended up applying to the Bible. The nail in the coffin was me thinking if doctors bring in nurses for checkups they why can’t they bring in a woman or your mother or someone you trust. I bailed out as soon as I turned 18 although I wish I had as soon as I had made the choice at 15 that I would leave when I turned 18. Thanks for sharing your stories. It makes me feel less yucky about the entire thing and that I wasn’t crazy for having these thoughts
That organization is harmful, malicious
Get away from them
@@stressfree1817 I try my best but it’s hard when your entire family is in and devout. It feels like a divorce every time I cut one of them off. I’ve had to make it clear that I will never return. The dirt I have on some of them as well as lots of my family members are elders and ministerial servants. I made the conscious decision to never get baptized in order to stay in their lives when I left. Now I think that was the wrong thing maybe making a clean cut would’ve been better. But one can’t live in could haves
@@magalymorales-quintero4589 Stay strong! We have very similar stories. Much love to you.
that is so pervy. It is a disgusting experience.
I was fortunate enough not to have been born in (nor my wife). We are a family of five and I started to wake in summer 1998 and I got us all out by Christmas. We moved 70 miles away in July 1999 (for work, not because of them). Never looked back. My wife was a little resistant at first as I shared my findings with her and the programming kicked-in, but when I proved scripturally that the PO's wife had lied to her she confronted her about it. There was no defence and after that I was able to lead her into the light. We celebrated Christmas 1998 and the elders were still visiting trying to talk to us after we stopped attending. The look on their faces when they saw our decorated living room! They still tried until early spring but at that point my patience was wearing thin and I was not being honest with myself, so I told them it was all rubbish and lies and you have to be weak-minded if you believe it. One elder (an old boy who had only moved to the cong a year or so earlier) asked me indignantly "Look at me, you don't think I'm weak-minded do you?" The crest-fallen look on his face was a picture when I replied "Yes, if you believe this". He knew his authority had evaporated and they never came back. It was a good year 1999... freedom, a new home and a better job with *much* more money than I felt I was allowed to earn because it was a "worldly pursuit". I miss some of the people I knew, but they never made any attempt to stay in touch so screw them - not worth the paper they are printed on.
Been where we are now for 20 years. We get the joeys coming down the street but they don't knock at my door. I suspect a note has been passed to the local cong.
@escaped to Vancouver =:O that is terrible. So you were always wary of your folks? I feel so deeply for you. I would take a bullet for any of my kids and always fought their corner when they were in trouble - right or wrong... the journey home in the car might have been "interesting" in the latter case. I have never let anyone mete out physical punishment to my children.
I was brutalized as a child by teachers and I trust NO-ONE. A few years back I related this to my folks and they were horrified with "why didn't you say something?" type remarks. I came back that when they had visited my teachers for open-evenings etc they had always said (in my presence) "if he gives you any trouble just give him a clip round the ear" - to my young mind, my teachers were beating me with full permission of my parents. A while back I tried to find the teacher involved in one particularly scarring experience. He would be an old man now and I intended to beat and terrify him, now he is the one who is weak and helpless... perhaps it was for the best I was unsuccessful in my search. Probably dead now... he would have been about 40 at the time and I was about 11 so that makes him 80s+ now. I remember it clear as day; his face was red and his hair was all over the place as he beat me... it was not a controlled spanking, it was forceful enough for him to be shaken about - he had lost it and I had no-one who could help me. Can't really remember what it was about but a piece of paper was involved. I still have moments where my blood craves vengeance.
Hence I trusted no-one to discipline my kids when they were little... if there was a problem, talk to me and I'll deal with it, but you raise a hand to my child and I'll be doing time for murder. This is why the WBTS stance of child discipline never sat easy with me. "Beat him, he will not die" ... maybe not but you will ;o)
Love the casual conversation, its easier listening than if they were formally interviewed imho. Thanks for posting!
I could never understand how anyone could be an elder whilst being in their twenties what life skills do they have to shepeard
absolute obedience and some perversion helps
Not many
Exactly. My brother's sons both became elders in their twenties and one was still in his twenties being considered for substitute CO. The latter was witnessed stealing the waitress's tip off the table by my son -- life skills.
@@Peekaboo-Kitty
Yes. It is humiliating. With all your life experiences then a young buck give you counsel?
And being on the other side of that, it was humbling. I would go with an older elder, then I was to take the lead. I felt like a fool.
I spose you don't need life skills or empathy to tell someone to do more.
The GB do not inform ordinary witnesses that once a judicial hearing has been formed you are now guilty, even if no investigation has taken place or even if elders have not spoken to you about the situation. WT was able to defraud me for 20 years, telling me they would rectify a situation when according to the elders' book such action was impossible. If I had known, I could have gone to a solicitor 25 years ago and prevented serious illness which will be with me now for the rest of my life. Due to my interest in chemistry and its complexity, I do believe in God which is a good thing since my life has been a complete disaster due to WT. Let's hope these fraudsters get stopped by the government as soon as possible.
@@tammyg8031 We can only hope!🌞
Up to a point I. Like what you said i. Myself liked trig algebra and some chemistry classes in high school and in my army days some college courses in 1974. I. Wasn't an ace at it. But I did like those courses I took i. Say to you good luck luck on your life's journey wish you well .
Would be better if it was common sense.
@@tammyg8031 I have a strong faith in jehova but what you are doing is very serious. Jehova will keep in mind what you are doing online talking bad about his organization. End is coming soon. Not a jw though.
@@tammyg8031 by fear do you mean when the Bible predicts that only the ppl that lived in god way will be saved and the ignorant will be wiped out the face of the earth?? Or what exactly do you mean by fear mongering?? I have as much free will as you do, I’m human just like you. I can go smoke a cigarette and get drunk if I wanted too but from what I’ve read in the Bible I know better not to do those things. If you want to participate in the activities the “world” partakes in, you are feee to do so.
“The world has hated them, because they are no part of the world.”-JOHN 17:14.
I used to have so much respect for my dad when he was alive because he was an elder for so long. Now that I’m awake, I feel like maybe he just wanted the power and control and admiration of the congregation. I think elders like the feeling of moral superiority.
I was an elder for years. Being an elder actually made me wake up
@@toomyconne768 I am curious what things actually caused you to wake up, being an elder vs rank and file member. I know it might be a touchy subject and you absolutely don't owe me any type of answer I was just curious about your story. I was born in, 3rd generation, and spent 24 years in, I did get dfd once at 18 (was baptized at ten years old) when I went to a party, got drunk and did something I wouldn't have and told on myself but the lead elder on my committee told me flat out he was disfellowshipping me, not for what I had done or that he didn't think i was repentant for that but because I had broken up with his nephew after 3 months of dating. I only ever held his hand one time nothing more happened between us and when I brought that to his attention he became angry and told me "HE" was not changing his mind and that I was required to go to the upcoming district convention the following weekend first then the weekend after that I would be announced as disfellowshipped and until then I was supposed to keep my mouth shut and act like nothing was different. I moved to a different state after it was announced and got reinstated after one year but was required to get married to a guy i had been dating and whom had started studying while I was dfd in order to get reinstated I had to be married to him. So we got married and then a week after that it was announced that I was reinstated. Then my dad got cancer and bled to death over two days, from everywhere, as he obviously could not accept the platelets he desperately needed, in the same sentence the elders who came to the hospital told my dad that though he couldn't have platelets "bone marrow was now a conscience matter" they made sure to lay on the guilt trip though saying " if you do accept the bone marrow and it stumbles one of your brothers then you will be held blood guilty". I went to his funeral at the kh then told my mom I was done and never went back. I could not justify in my mind how on earth you could accept bone marrow but not platelets and then down the road I was told how my dad was used in a talk about staying faithful to the end and it seriously made me livid. I don't have any respect for the organization after not just my own experiences but after seeing the things coming out about child abuse ect I am so disgusted. I'm glad you woke up. I truly hope one day all members will truly wake up and see how awful and how hypocritical the organization truly is.
You are totally correct!!!
@@kirstenornelas881 Thanks for sharing your story. Sadly, just like Communism, many especially those who grew up on it just like me, won't wake up. The entire organisation would have to collapse, and even then they'd still believe that Satan has brought upon them the Great Tribulation, hence they have to stand firm and stick harder to tmThe Truth.
It's after they've waited for The End for so long, but it isn't coming, then their children (the next generation) would walk out. And the parents can't stop them, because they themselves would be too fatigued and disappointed at having wasted their lives on the Society's doomsday clock, that they won't have the conviction or enough evidence to indoctrinate their descendants. They'd just have to let go by then.
That figures a lot. I have seen men change into little hi tlers when they become elders. One I really enjoyed rebutting when he tried to correct something I said out of his own ignorance
Mike saying, "Stone age mentality" perfectly describes the
JW Organization to a tee‼️
Decribes all religions perfectly.
I felt the same as Michael, though I was awake for nearly 10 years, firmly convinced that nothing I was saying from the platform or reading in the literature was real. I just soldiered on, because I felt like I was helping the congregation and I had my friends and family. Its a miserable existence and finally I said: enough is enough - and grabbed my bookbag during a meeting and I walked out, never to return.
so did i, i had been serving from a too young age as an elder, and in my last very isolated congregation i was alone, one elder woke up after reading crisis of conscience, another one DA because his son in law DA while he was a missionary and bethelite...i felt i should do the job, i would have felt guilty to let the brothers and sisters or family, even i had a lot of doubts: about the holy spirit acting, about the non scientific teachings of my fundamentalist religion. I never felt power upon the brothers. Not at all morally better than them. Sometimes i thought, it would be better for me to have less knowledge, faith in the jw religion would be easier:) As Mike says, when you think about the universe, not as king david or some other man in the ancient times, you cannot go on with a litteral creationnist middle east centered world explanations. At work, i had to stand for science and logics, then turning to the kh platform and read and sustain the dubious WT explanations... at some point, it became impossible. Once i resigned, some new elders wanted to make a bible study with me...making sure i was still believing every detail. Uncomfortable position as an ex elder! by time, i da. And moved away, And started a new free life.
@@disassociated1731 Wow, thanks for sharing your story. I'm nodding to everything you stated. I was so stifled not being able to have intellectually honest conversations and when I heard some more of that obedience brainwashing aimed at kids on one Sunday afternoon - *just listen even when it doesn't make sense* - 🤢 I got so sick to my stomach! I could no longer silence my conscience and I left.
Beau! I don't know how much I can reveal but my father was an elder for 11 years in the same circuit you served in. I remember you and your wife very well. I'm pleasantly surprised to see you in this interview!
If it’s safe for you, reach out to me via FB. Would love to catch up.
@@thereconstructionists I was just thinking about it but wasn't sure if you'd feel comfortable. I'll contact you soon. Thanks!
Sad!
Great job Mike and Beau! Thanks for being brave and sharing your story. Keep up the good work Lloyd!
Thanks Lloyd for continuing to upload videos while outrunning earthquakes😬
3rd generation JW, I left mentally in 2012 then fully in 2017 .. Best wishes and love to you all! Freedom is awesome!!
Hello Misty
It’s ashame that a lot of ex witnesses mentally check out years before leaving. Shows you how effective the indoctrination is. That and the fear of losing friends and family. That in itself proves it’s a cult. Best wishes to you to and love ya! Just know that you are not alone.
@@MidnightAndLuna you have spoken truth to power and everything you said is the undiluted truth. You should know that every religion first focal point is indoctrination before anything else cos that's the only reason for the person to believe whatever they are doing is right. We shall overcome them God willing no matter their antics.
How are you enjoying your spare time?
@@mikewerndy8556 exactly! With every single religion! Every religion has the us vs them mentality and the cause of the majority of wars throughout history. It’s why I am divorced from religion, period. You add indoctrination tearing apart families, causing trauma, and controlling every aspect of someone life that it becomes even more dangerous. I had an easier time leaving the Catholic Church. Just quit going. No priests called me in to ask why I haven’t been attending and threatening me with alienation from everyone and everything I know. That’s what makes this different
@@MidnightAndLuna smiles. When you pull out of religion you see yourself happy and pleasing humanity the very best way according to your conscience or else, they will start manipulating and controlling your life for their selfish interest.
So where are you from, which is your favorite flower and color?
I just read that and elder I knew when I was a kid just died. I remember like it was yesterday when he said "they will be rioting in the streets in the next 5 years". That was 45 years ago. In a few years it will be 50 years since I first saw the blue Truth book that stated throughout "the end is near". They pressured me not to go to college since the end was so close "when they are saying peace and security then the end will come" was the current "light". There was a Crossroads Mall being built at the time and I remember them saying "it would not be completed since the end was near", well it was finished. I can't say getting a degree in pop culture or Irish history is worth the money but if you can take any class in the STEM field do it. I never wanted to be a window washer or carpet cleaner all my life and getting a STEM education was the best decision I ever made.
So, you defied the organisation and you lived to the story ?!
@@Not_really I wasn't baptized so they didn't have as much control over me. I was working at a bakery packaging bread while I was in High School and I watched a man that worked the ovens for 30 years retire with nothing but Social Security. He worked for basically minimum wage (no health care) for his entire life. That was the point I realized that I wasn't going to do that (end of the world be dammed :)). Up to that point I did nothing but the minimum in high school and didn't have very good grades but I managed to get accepted into a 2 year engineering program. I did it by driving to the college and introducing myself to the dean and I told him that I didn't want to work dead end jobs the rest of my life. He called my high school the following Monday and said if I made C's for the rest of the year they would give me a chance, I did and got a 2 year degree in electronics. I drove 26 miles each day working a part time job with a car that cost me $100 but I did it. I then went on to get a 4 year degree which is also an interesting story. At my first job I found the C programming language and I have been making a living writing software ever since, I've written firmware for oil field equipment and medical devices. If you have an analytical mind you don't need to go to college to learn how to write software and there are lots of other related jobs in high tech, technical writing, testing, etc. that pay well and keep you off the factory floors. I always recommend some formal class work since you want to compete with others to gauge your real skills. There are some talented people out there and you will be humbled but you have to compete in the real world so learn how to do it. There is one thing that JW kids get, great reading and comprehension skills, so many kids don't get the opportunity to read much less stand in front of an audience and give talks. These are real skills in the real world just don't bring up that Cain killed Able when he was a 100 years old lol.
@@rockpadstudios fantastic real life story. I have a parallel about attending college as well and had a tough life at 15 and beyond and all it did was teach me to be resourceful, think on my feet and other qualities that most ppl don't have! Lol.
@@theresaakins2317 I remember a teacher lifting me up by the hair in front of the whole class when I was in the 5th or 6th grade for not saluting the flag. But I have to say those experiences helped me navigate the real world, not get taken advantage of, and not bend to peer pressure. Sometimes not following the crowd does cost you so now I stay quiet for things I don't care about and only roll my eyes when they pray or say "my prayers are with you". I can't believe adults actually believe praying makes any difference. Praying never helped me as a JW so as child I figured out it was a scam. I was jealous of kids that had a normal life but now after 45 years I've been able to see how some of their lives turned out and it wasn't very good for many, dead ends jobs, early death from drugs etc. I think for most ex-JW's our later years are more care-free because we appreciate life and we don't use it recklessly. I always tell the young ones to get a STEM education and if not a degree that pays good money. The educational system is full of parasites now so they do have to be careful not to acquire too much debt.
Why pick on Irish history? It's very informative and you learn a lot about the Anglo American world power.
Thank you all for making this amazing video. So much love and hope coming from honest hearted people.
For those who want to know how Lloyd and his family are doing since the Croatian earthquake they are safe. He posted on Twitter. 😌
Thank you for telling. I do not use twitter, so i was still a little worried.
Thank you for the info! I don't use TW as well. Good to know they're safe!!
everyone else is fucked :)
I am so proud of myself for having rejected all invitations to receive a title in that organization. Which always pissed-off the elders each time I said no, LOL!
@@yurizhivago4591 - I was asked many times in the three congregations I was part of. I always told the elders, thanks, but no thanks. I'm not interested in "privileges" (I hate that word). It always made them angry.
Privileges were actually burdens
@@ziggylaurie2268 - I agree.
@@ziggylaurie2268 What are the privileges for elders? I'm inactive for 20 plus years. My mom died in 2010 and all of a sudden I felt guilt that I couldn't make her last days (she suffered and died from cancer) happy. She held out hope that someday I'd return. It still bothers me.
Excellent interviews! I still mourn from time to time what I lost...part of my identify those I considered and treasured as family and most of all time! These things are gone forever! I do appreciate the life I have now though and am so very grateful for my freedom to be who I want to be my authentic self!
I cannot even begin to understand the struggles of individuals who were in the unfortunate situation of sitting in on a judicial committee. That’s got to be absolutely crushing in retrospect. I mean, I have things I am absolutely not proud of that I did when I was not fully in possession of my mental faculties, but I have no idea how I would deal with something that grave. I’m glad you are able to cope. That’s got to take an awful lot of strength.
They tried it with me. I realised the only authority over me was what I granted them. I also realised it was gonna drag on for ages so to nip it in the bud, I told them I didn't believe it any more and anyone who does is weak minded. It shocked them and I'm sure they decide I must have a demon but I have never felt freer now window cleaners are not telling me what to do. It was easy as my wife and I weren't born into the club and we knew everyone would drop us so we just went for it. I was still a believer in God but now, unfettered by twisted teachings, my own research has debunked it all especially the abrahamic religions, which also highlighted how corrupt the translators had been in their selection of words to aid their own direction.
One of my good friends got appointed to be the chairman on mine. I thought he was going to start crying the whole time. I appealed for the fuck of it and the appeal committee's chairman was an old family friend. Only a few months later my grandfather died and the idiot came over to me to shake my hand with a big dumb smile on his face and introduce himself. I said i know who you are and walked away.
@@captainboing EXACTLY! The Bible is a book of legends, myths and stories meant to encourage strict, repressive behavior. But believing literally in these stories is about as logical as believing in Dr. Suess characters (which would actually be a LOT more fun).
thanks Lloyd for this interview, i can relate so much to this, especially what mike explained, i’m an older man now, but in the past i served fifteen years as an elder from a very ( too) young age...its a long time ago, but its nice to hear and share these feelings from ppl who went through similar experiences! i wish you and your family a good new year...with less earthquakes and less pandemies:)
What an Epic Testament to the realities that Two Gentlemen faced in carrying out the duties imposed upon them as Elders. We live as Ex JW's and we know the Apostate labels we are given. Listening to these men is an inspiration to know that their integrity took them out of this Cult. If I was in a "Secular" Court of Law, I would really appreciate having one of these Men as Judges. Thank you, Michael and Beau, for your stories and you are respected and appreciated by us all and more than you may know.
Yes! I agree. I so needed to hear these men speak about their experiences.
How could I have been so naive!! I feel really stupid, I was duped into this and had my son in a SERPENTS NEST!! GOT OUT IN TIME!! Great interviews.
Same.
easy, don't beat yourself up. They are *very* clever at what they do and target people with pretty lies and false hopes when they are at their lowest. You got out, that's a good thing.
Lloyd I just need to say that I just love your interview videos! As an ex witness who wasn’t bought up in the truth it really gives a great insight into the lives of those you talk to growing up and all the hardships they went through! I feel for the elders who really don’t like doing female judicials, as a young women who was in that position it fills me with PTSD! Mine was just terrible and I heard my elders laughing just before they disfellowshiped me! Keep up all the good work :)
Thank you all three for your activism. I like the way Beau described the organization by comparing it to Mcdonald's. So true.
cults love homogenisation.
Thanks, gentlemen. Outstanding. I hope all are safe and well.
OMG, I could tell you stories of “politics” in the congregation I left. The elders I served with were unbelievable
Were you an elder? If so please contact me I have something to run by you.
Do tell!! Especially about elder's meetings
Lets hear a story then....
Dont dangle that above our heads and not share some JUICY shit
Thank you, all three! An insightful and inspiring discussion. I too was an elder for a number of years, and related to many of the comments made by Mike and Beau. Been out for 2 1/2 years, but really started to question things about 20 years ago, just after coming off from being an elder. I agree with Mike, this is our only life....don't waste it, make the most of it, whilst not harming others.
Keep up the good work, Lloyd! 😉
Great interview, I am getting flash backs from many of the things being talked about. I was an elder from 1992-2006 served in Spanish Cong, way more strict then English and the differences of cong in other countries and judicial meetings.
i could really relate to Beau - for me, it came down to one Sunday morning when I was getting ready for the meeting, and I was calmly, logically going through all of my options to commit suicide so I would never have to go to another meeting. My inner wise woman said, "You know, you could just stop going." And that was it. I was done.
Oh my gosh. Im so glad youre ok ❤
So sorry you had to go through that.
Come back we love yuo
JW love is not real love
As a sister who went through the judicial nightmare, it was so traumatizing I thought about dying after it was over. My mother gave one of the elders a “talking to” about it.
Thank you so much for this. You are helping so many by telling your stories. Love you guys!
What an incredible and inspiring video!! Lloyd, I love you! I also love the two guys you interviewed! Thank you all for everything you do, and for making your voices heard! Welcome to the real world!
Mike was an elder in my congregation. He’s a fantastic guy and it was wonderful and exciting to see him here.
I served in 7 different congregations during my JW career, though not in any official capacity. No two congregations did things the same way and, without exception, each congregation felt like it was the only one doing things correctly. For the most part, each elder body is free to run its particular congregation as it sees fit. A certain elder body is free to promote certain teachings different from Watchtower teaching, but only in non-doctrinal matters. As a young man, I moved from one city in Texas to another city 150 miles away, but it may as well have been in another country. I had a friend from my hometown who moved to the same town as I, and he couldn't tolerate the difference and moved back home, and he was an elder.
Roger Kirkpatrick
,
Any congregations I visited, they all seemed to do the same thing in a cultural sense. The culture of every congregation may feel different, I guess, depending on where you live but disagreement on doctrinal matters is a big no-no, you are right about that.
I have a real problem with these parallel courts. Counseling people is one thing, but religious courts are another. Having said that, I want to thank these gentlemen for sharing their stories. Also hope the gentleman in Maine grants himself forgiveness. He was under undue influence, just glad these men made it out.
No, can't say I've ever heard of them.
Ivan, no worries! There are a bunch of us with this name lol! Always nice to connect with fellow former Witnesses. This is a pretty nice community, very supportive and kind.😃
Thank you for these interviews. I too was an elder in a congregation in Ohio, and I could relate on so many levels to the remarks. I am still struggling as my wife and MIL live in the same house as me. They are still die hard JW’s and my daughter is being groomed to be a part of this disgusting cult. The struggle is very real when one makes a clean break from the organization. Lloyd I very much appreciate your work it cuts straight through the bullshit.
Former elder and have an idea to run by you
I feel this same pain! My mother and daughter are still die hard in this cult in Ohio and do not speak to me nor look at me if I happen to be in the same place! Like I have a horrible disease.
What is your idea?
@@serafin1352 I'm so sorry. I know how that feels. Sending you LOVE.
@@serafin1352 I am in pain because my friend is shunning me and that’s painful enough. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish you are feeling. I hope they come to their senses. It’s not love or Christian love to shun people especially family members. It’s a cruelty that should never happen. Shame on them. What will happen one day when thy need you? You’d be justified to ignore them, but I suspect your too nice to do that. Christian love.
Thank you! So very proud of my brother Beau! You continue to inspire me!
That sentence "he was labeled as a sexual predator, and he was a school teacher" will hunt me forever. Made me cry out of anger. This is sick. Sick. Sick.
You’d be surprised how many there are. I’ve contacted the FBI and local government agency’s but it’s all hearsay they can’t do much. I know who they are and their names as well as the names of some of their victims. They are protected. not only to not bring dishonor to Jehovah but they are protected because in my instance they are the sons of elders.
Exactly my sons case! Had we been informed of 3 generations of predators I would have never married the man who later abused my children. But the body was determined to protect this family. I will never understand
@@FallenGrace-rj1iu wow that is disgusting 😳🤢
Elder aged 26 though, we know it goes on but when you really hear it again years later, its like whaaaaaaat!?
My Father-n-law was an elder at age 19...
Yup that young tbh. Who can they guide
@Blk Honey Badger lol 🤣
It’s insane in retrospect...
@@thereconstructionists Isnt it? The org will be desperate now to hold onto any remaining "Good standing" families, the elders will no doubt become younger and younger. May even hear about mini servants at 12 and 13 yrs of age, wouldnt surprise me. "Important" mic duties will be a thing of the past. 🤣
Great stuff guys- loved it
What were Mike's doubts in the area of 2004, I was a elder for 10 years and became inactive in 2019
Glad to see you back❤️
John, yesterday you interviewed pioneers, today alumni but tomorrow you will interview a member of the GB.
Maybe c o
Tony?? 🥸
@@hustonmices3976 YES perfect, a Tony "Montana" but after a few drinks ... 8.5 million views in 24 hours for John. John is a modern day hero
Who knows, that could happen the way things are going.
@@isaaccarmignani Given the decline of this cult, there will necessarily be another "Raymond Franz", but this time there will be John to welcome him arms raised. The media effect will speed up the fall of this company.
I would have liked to hear what made them “wake up”. Since they were elders that would have really interested me.
Lloyd is great, but sometimes monopolizes too much of his own experiences into his interviews.
If I'm interviewing on a particular subject that I know something about - in this case, being an elder - I won't be guilted over sharing my perspective in hopes of expanding the conversation. It certainly can't be called "monopolizing."
I was thinking the same thing. Mike, especially. What specific thing started the realization that this was not the truth.
@@lachicarivers51demilo52 I think when you're in the company of other people with shared experiences one cannot help but join in with your own experiences. speaking personally as an ex JW, there are so many niche experiences I can recall that would mean nothing at all to my friends now; but were i to bump into a fellow ex JW I we would both bond over these minutia. It's just the way company and conversation works, you share commonalities.
@@lachicarivers51demilo52 I saw no evidence of Lloyd monopolising. He shared on two separate occasions his direct experiences as an elder - which flowed well with what the other two exJW elders shared.
I’m really impressed how these 2 answered all the questions openly and honestly even though it must have been uncomfortable sometimes.
Thank you so much for sharing
Not finished yet as to listening...thankyou for this interview..so interesting to hear others...Love to all...💕🇨🇦🐾🐾🦦
Thank you! It was great hearing from people close to home
Thank you Lloyd and especially the ex elders. Wonderful insights and that has given me hope and strength after my loss. Love to you guys.
Thank you for sharing, brings back memories of my life with my former elder husband. I so hope he will come to his senses, although he stepped down from his « privileges » two years before I had had enough! Admire your courage, very inspirational 😌. Lloyd another wonderful video, so thankful for your activism! 🤩
Oh, that’s my favourite series. Thank you 😌
Fantastic episode, Lloyd. I was riveted by their stories. And your probing questions left no uncovered ground. Important work.
I really loved their final comments. It hurts when you come to realize it's all untrue and when you lose life long friends. However, the sense of freedom and actual truth is so worth it. #onelifetolive
There is a lot of pressure put on elders , they have to do stuff that they are not qualified to do !
Beau looks very traumatized by it all .
Yes but he has the toughness too
Yes , they both seem nice people , who were trying their best to make lives better ! It really is the policy of the JW to heap burdens on the elders ! And it must be difficult for them at times .
@@MadderMel that's why myself I didn't want no privileges or step up to be a. Ms or elder to so your only working for wt and gb members and they add more burdens on you for taking those positions well i don't work for wt or gb members or the jw organization i. Don't miss it and don't want it .
He looks like he wants to cry.
Thanks Lloyd, beau and Michael for this interesting interview. I think it would be interesting to have another interview, perhaps a "one on one" video to explain us how did you wake up... take care
Hey ladies!! Just thought you might like to know Beau is single 😏 him and my boyfriend are buddies and he's an absolute delight and such a lively free open soul. Very awesome.
But is he "reaching out?" Lol.
He's so dreamy and smart. I'm game! lol
The beast's harlot
,
Too bad I'm already married, and yes, I am happily married but I'll admit that Beau is pretty cute.
the love of a good woman would definitely help him heal faster
Haha!!! Thank you! 😊! Love you both! You guys are amazing! Can’t wait to see you again soon!
Lloyd, this was probably one of the best interviews. I loved the energy within the group, your approach and questions and the comaradry. I enjoyed [he honest answers from both Beau and Mike. I hope you have them on again and discuss their waking up process..
Very brave men. Thanks for getting out and welcome home!
I hope all woke elders would contact personally those who they punished in the past whilst being a “good elder” and “carrying out orders” will apologise to them?
It might be useless, in reality... It might even be understood like a "Satan's trick"...
I did. I was very therapeutic and the conversation was excellent. The individual was more than understanding and did not hold any resentment....actually THANKED ME saying it was the best thing that happened (getting out of the cult so young) - sadly their family still shuns them......but we talk often.
@@timothysanfino4311 and the splitting of families is "justified" with scripture "I bring not peace, but a sword..." they (his family) are weak people to do that - let some faceless organisation turn them against their own family members like that.
that will be the day
@@Peekaboo-Kitty realistically the organization who attacks people to join at their lowest in forces families to shun each other so that you really can't leave should be held accountable. they were also victims just in another tone... they genuinely believed in what they were doing... doesn't make it right and it doesn't mean they shouldn't ask for forgiveness but restitution seems a bit unfair in reality that's owed to you by the church, even in the legal sense. Cuz honestly not just Elders a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses do things that are wrong in the name of religion or religious superiority
Thank you for these interviews. I was impressed by both of them in different ways, but their honesty was very impressive.
I served it Patterson Bethel and I forgot all about that term "Bethel Heavy"😂🤣😂
I was in a Behel congregation in Dutchess County. Perhaps you knew Bro Dowd, Steve Jackson? Bethel heavies for sure. Bro Dowd had a kind heart. Good man.
Q11111111122222222222222222222222222222223322322322-@
We used the same term in the mid seventies, too
How can they even call it a judicial committee.. they are not lawyers!!
That’s why it’s kangaroo court..funny how the Elders get to have 3 of them in all witnesses,but you can’t bring anyone in with you as a witness
No,they play the judges!!!!!! :D So disturbing!!!
@@gailbozeman9626 in the real world or Satan's secular system of things. It doesn't work that way you have a much better chance to win a case in Satan's systems of things than jw organization the jw judicial committee is seriously flawed and is a completely ignorant bunch of fools that run it.
"religion is for those who are afraid to go to hell - spirituality is for those who have already been there."
Literally JUST MET Beau at an ex JW party the other night 😂😂😂He’s tall as hell, we come from the same circut, conventions ect.
Ex JW party lol Leave it all behind, go to some swingers parties or gay orgies, swear like a fucking trooper, worship money and wash that JW shit out of your mind. No need for repentance.
@@brorainer2714 We got smashed
Ex JW party?? I want to go to the next one 😛
Where u guys from?
@@krissykatportal MA
Beautiful expressions at the end, Beau
- and cool name to boot! ;)
Thank you! You’ve got a great name as well!
Great stuff, come have listened for much more! 💚
Excellent interview! I loved Beau's analogy at the end of the Paint by Numbers. You can colour outside the lines now :-))
I went into my judicial meeting fully repentant and thinking I was going to get help for my sexual desires of my young adulthood.
It broken me when, not only was I not “helped” in a biblical sense... I also lost all my family, friends and my home when they disfellowshipped me and As a result I was kicked out of my home the same day.
Completely traumatic.
If you want to see otherwise good people do evil things then look at religion. Sorry for what happened to you.
Thank you, this conversation has helped me heal some really deep wounds.
Excellent video. The more the lid gets lifted off this cult, the more people may come to know the truth, and I thank you all for having the will and strength to be so candid. Blessed Be Lloyd, keep up your incredible work.
My kids told me that they would look at the year text, and try to see how many words they could make out of it.
We are all free.
I had a sister that so traumatized she moved to a neighboring congregation and that PO called me and wanted to know the details. I told him the envelope was sealed I can’t reveal that, call Bethel if he wants.
So really appreciate the 3 of you. Very good interviews.
I absolutely love this series. My father is still a prisoner, and Elder prisoner in this cult and this offers so much insight that I can use to slowly get into the cracks. It is my goal to help him free his mind.
I hope you are successful and avoid being shunned by your father in response to your probing :)
I heard Michael's experience on a podcast a few years ago. Nice to add the face to the experiences. The fact that the least humble elder became the most dominant in the body and the others were intimidated to 'be modest and theocratic'. Having to submit to authoritarian COs was also painful, seeing the harm inflicted on the flock (their brothers).
Can you remember the podcast, I would love to hear more of his story?
@@margaretkelly7410
I believe it was from Godless Spellchecker,
EP#44 - EX-JEHOVAH’S WITNESS ELDER - MIKE BIGELOW
We left the JW’s in 1980, it was the best thing my husband and I ever did for our family.
We had an elder come to us (1978) to counsel us on being “materialistic “ because we bought a boat and we went water skiing in after service on Sundays. We could also fish out of this boat because it had an open bow.
That same year, this elder had built himself and his family a brand new house, totally furnished it with new furniture and decorations, bought himself a new truck, his wife a new Lincoln Town Car and was thinking about buying a ski boat for his family.
He had the NERVE to tell us WE were being materialistic!
We left the JW’s soon after that. I lost my mother and two sisters after we left the JW’s, but you know what? They contacted me about 10 years later, wanting financial help and a place for my mom to live because she was homeless.
I didn’t answer their inquiries. Haven’t talked to any of them since 1981. My life has been such a blessing since shedding that cult. I have truly been blessed with a wonderful life and my own wonderful family.
You turned ypur back on your mum who was homeless?
The painting the kingdom hall with a 2 inch brush illustration is fine. What do I care what brush we use, if I have 2 hrs to donate, whether we get done in that time or not is on them...after 2 hrs I'm going home. But it's not so trivial, it often comes down to playing master over your faith, demanding you believe some hogwash without question..(2Corinthians 1:24)
I definitely enjoyed every second of this video!
Good one! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
Side note. I’m soo impressed by your book collection. The shelving and organisation is gorgeous.
I see our guy is still uploading despite earthquakes.💪💝💪💝💪💝
My dad was an elder and I always wanted to know what he did behind the curtain
Dont ask....
I like to know as well, i too always wondered what they did behind closed doors.
@@FoxxyLucy I remember members coming out of the closed "back room" crying and running to their cars. NOT OK!
I worked and also lived with elders. They have congregation members dumping on them
play king of the mountain:?
Lloyd, Beau, and Michael. Thank you and we are still brothers. We are just brothers in a different way.
For Beau, being made to be baptised at 11 is just criminal of this cult. May you keep healing brother and keep up your strength working through this. Many fantastic years ahead for you and yours.
Wonderful interview gentleman, so honest. I think most ex witnesses experience shame remembering either being involved in the judicial process or actively shunning. I regularly tell my sister who was shunned how sorry I am, and I am grateful we now have a wonderful relationship.
I recently reached out to a family member who was shunned over 25 years ago and apologized. She was surprised and confused at first but ultimately so happy for the call and we keep in touch now. It’s not too late to make amends sometimes!!!
Wow I’ve never clicked so fast!
As a female I was asked very private questions on a judicial committee, and then handed a copy of an article about ma****bation on a catch-up meeting, where a "lovely" elder drove me to a nervous breakdown. It was extremely humiliating. The event was 8 years ago and I'm still dealing with the trauma to this day. This is the reason why I'm watching this channel and similar ones
I had a friend who had massive massive anxiety and was talking to the elders about how the ministry was challenging and sometimes even going to the Kingdom Hall was hard. The elder told her “well….sometimes you just gotta suck it up and do it” and told her it wouldn’t be permitted to get in medication for it and thwt she was required to do what made her nervous and it wasn’t about her.
That’s awful. It kinda reminds me of how Hitler insisted that his soldiers keep fighting no matter what, even in the most impossible circumstances, and then blamed them when they were defeated.
Oh, Lloyd! Thank you, thank you for this video and the others I've watched..... I can SO identify with all the points raised on this one. I would truly love to talk with you some time, Lloyd, It'd be nothing but cathartic. Paul
This was tremendously helpful. Thank you Lloyd and thank you to these two gentlemen. I do wish we were privy to what specifically woke them up.
My father in law just got appointed as an elder. This man is in his mid 70's. I've never been a jw, so I don't know the protocol, but it seems very odd to me that after 50 years in the org, he's now an elder?! so strange to me.
I would imagine age would come into play only if really young. There were elders in my old congregation that were over 70. They didn’t have any big responsibilities, but we’re still involved with meetings regarding the congregation
They're running out of brothers.
@@JP-td6vg thank you for your reply 🤘🏻
@@petalparker5 lol that was my initial thought!
How big is his pension maybe they are after it :)
This series has just been amazing to watch. So informative. I really loved the closing comments.
Thank you soooo much Mike for helping me as a PIMO "just doing a good job"!! You'd so much would have been an elder I'd have adored. Wish the best to all of you
Excellent !!!
I liked the color by number illustration, so true .
Lloyd, hope you’re doing ok. After hearing the news from Croacia I instantly thought of you and your family.
Same for me as well...nice to see Lloyd all in one piece...👍🏽☺️💕🇨🇦
@@wunderinwyndfeatherakaskje8872 It's pre-recorded.
Lloyd and family made it to a safer location. Check out his Facebook page for updates.
@@cindyarnold8165 I do not have fce bk...😢...I feel for them...hope all is ok...
@@garryiglesias4074 😦😢...hope they are not hurt...
Yes I can remember when i first woke up about the TTATT as it sometimes always a fall from grace that really makes us start to look into what the WT is all about . I think of all the years I put into faithful service and then to be just cast aside like I was some wild animal really hit home so no golden watch and handshake for me that's for sure.
Aaahhhhh the football shirt enigma... Been there Lloyd
This is just so hard to hear. My judicial committee was chaired by my own uncle and other men who I know were asking intimate questions for their own gratification. Just disgusting. Makes me sick to this day.
Them asking those questions show you what's in their heart. You were honest to admit what happened. They should have focused on how to help you and show practical loving guidance instead of creeping you out and making it worse. Yuck I'm shocked and sorry it happened at all.
@@mamazanderson1217 I just wanted out of an abusive marriage and out of that cult. The damage to my family is irreversible to this day. It sickens me to see the pain and hurt caused by the brainwashing.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I was 14 and had to sit in a room with 4 men and my aunt and asked all types of questions about my ‘experience’ and to this day it still angers me, frustrates me and I wish I could hug my young self and tell her I didn’t have to say anything and could have walked out. But of course I didn’t even know that was an option. I’m so glad my child will never know anything about this - my family is still very much in it (uncle an elder) and I just choose to not talk about anything religious with them for my mental health. Although every time I hear them mention their zoom meeting and preaching by writing and zoom calls I feel so disgusting and disappointed. I hope they wake up one day - I’m so glad I did!
One of the best interviews I have heard, So relaxed and ture. I am sure you are uch happier being out. I hope your family doesn't shun you.