Experiences
The experiences that appear on this site in the form of articles and videos are included to help in a range of ways.
Some are from people who recently went through the same issues you are facing, to show that what you are going is common and there are people that understand you.
Others are of people recounting being in the same situations you are in a number of years ago, how they coped, were able to leave and move on to happy lives. These provide hope that your future can be bright in the long term.
Some experiences are more tragic, recalling difficulties and tragedies that occur based on leaving without the right support. These provide valuable lessons as to why it is critical to take time and be strategic in determining how to approach loved ones and plan for leaving on your own terms.
Jenna on the consequences of being raised Jehovah’s Witness
37 minute video. Jenna discusses the heartbreaking experiences, guilt, relationships, consequences and multiple disfellowshippings she endured as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. https://youtu.be/SnIDoTKYl6o
Monika – Disfellowshipped as a Believer for Something I didn’t do
Embedded 25 minute video experience. Monika was a 21 year old regular pioneer that wholeheartedly believed Jehovah's Witnesses, the religion she had been raised in, was the truth. Out of the blue, her parents reported her to the elders on the suspicion that she...
Emily on not believing, homelessness, addiction and beyond
11 minute video. Emily's father was an elder, but she did not believe from the age of ten. Her story covers topics including a childhood heart operation without blood and inappropriate questions from an elder. After telling her parents she would no longer go to...
Overcoming Drug Addiction after Leaving
I stopped going to meetings and moved out of home when I was 19. I can’t say it was due to a matter of belief or principle, I simply didn’t want to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and never felt I was good enough to survive Armageddon anyway. Articles in the Watchtower...
The Hardship of being a Gay Jehovah’s Witness
I was raised and baptised as a very serious Jehovah’s Witness. Every waking moment of my day was lived for Jehovah and his organization and for nothing else. I was also gay. Whilst I was told I could have Jehovah’s favour if I did not practice my homosexual feelings...
Monk3y – Growing up as a Gay Jehovah’s Witness
I feel the need to express how I feel and felt about my life as a gay man. I was brought up from birth as a Jehovah's Witness. This has played a major part in my life and it has been a real struggle to get past. I remember when I was really young, feeling strange...
Ben’s Experience as an introvert leaving at 17
18 minute video interview with Ben. Ben left at 17, initially waking up upon finding the Watchtower resorts to an abundance of misquotes and incorrect information when it discusses evolution. He discusses the struggle entering the "world" as an introvert carrying the...
Cutting & Self-harm
The following content is upsetting and may be triggering. If you have felt the need to self-harm in the past, make sure you are in a safe place and have some stimming strategy in place before reading on. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please seek help...
Live Support
If you are researching Jehovah’s Witnesses it is only natural to have questions. There is a large community of current and former Jehovah’s Witnesses at reddit.com/r/exjw to discuss these with. You will receive a wide range of responses, and part of your growth will be to develop critical thinking skills in order to choose the opinions that are best for you and your unique circumstances.
Recovering From Religion offers peer support and professional support to people doubting their beliefs. Volunteers of this not-for-profit organization come from a range of religious backgrounds, and provide support to people regardless of which religion they belong to.
Questioning whether Jehovah’s Witnesses are the one true religion can lead to anxiety and depression and even thoughts of suicide. If you are experiencing such emotions, please seek help immediately. There are many free resources you can call for confidential assistance.
- Australia: 13 11 14
- Canada: 1833.456.4566
- UK: 116 123
- USA: 1800-273-8255
International Crisis Lines and suicidestop.com contain lists of free support lines for almost 100 countries.