Why I Left Jehovah's Witnesses | Former Bethel Elder

This video explains what it was like growing up as a Jehovah's Witness and how I made the decision to do a 180° turn in my life, leaving the religion/cult and pursuing a career in Computer Science at University.

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⏳ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Childhood
11:13 Adolescence
24:28 The "Problem"
29:48 Decision Time
34:18 Bethel
48:49 Waking Up
59:35 Freedom
1:00:26 Conclusion

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🎹 MUSIC CREDITS
Song title: I dunno
Artists: Grapes

Song title: BELIEVE
Artist: NEFFEX
Album: SOMETHING YOU COULD NEVER OWN

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[jrojala]

I’m discovering that separation of “them” v “us” is so much more damaging in our youth than I had ever thought. I really struggle to develop relationships with people even as I near my forties…

[nazeres]

I remember being in that assembly/congregation when they played the video of the daughter trying to reach out to her parents, and her parents avoiding contact. Giving this whole idea of "she'll come back, she will we just have to pray to Jehovah and focus on what's best for her". I just remember giving a shocked and surprised face in the crowd, idk if anyone saw me do it but yeah that was when I broke and just became a PIMO (Physically In, Mentally out). Now I moved out and just tell my mom I still go to meetings because I'm not ready to break her heart just yet.
Which is absolutely toxic on what this religion does to the elderly.

[JillyC]

Loved this Ben. Welcome to the free world. I am 16 years out and zero regrets. It was the fall of Babylon date that got me too! My JW family are all in and all shun me, but I have built friendships and 'family' with people who love me unconditionally. Life is very good when you can follow your dreams. Please do more, you have a talent for editing!

[kamion]

@10:18
never realised how simple JW belief is:
Just everything a child enjoys is forbidden.
and from there expand it adulthood.
I fear there is a great risk of PTSD among ex-JW's


Keep yourself together Ben

[elcorrado]

It's nice to see the apostate community growing, i hope to see more content from you. Seeing people recovering from this cult makes me very happy

[ukanita]

Hi Ben, firstly big congratulations on getting out of the watchtower babble and crap society. I disassociated August 2019 after over 36 years in. I couldn’t clap that video at the assembly about the disfellowshiped girl trying to phone her mother and the mother not answering. Absolutely vile. Looking forward to hearing more videos. Sending support and love from U.K. 🇬🇧💜

[stevenlazar]

I remember watching those shunning videos at the convention.for the first time in 24 years I questioned my faith.i left a year later.now I'm being shunned but I don't regret it.it's ironic there own cult propaganda woke me up.

[vinimarshall]

Spare a thought for lloyd everyone he needs a break👍.Well done Ben

[Jexit]

Thanks, Ben for sharing your story so courageously 👏🏾

[SheilaConvery]

I'm sure you're going to thrive on "the outside" and I hope your story inspires others.

[Jexit]

I've been so looking forward to this! 😃 👏🏾

[bradr.]

I really enjoyed hearing about your journey in the organization. I could relate so much to your story as being gay myself in the organization for 30 years until I woke up after hearing about the CSA problem that the organization has been covering over. However being gay was a lot easier for me as I was not raised as a witness. I chose to be baptized at age 20 thinking it was the truth. So I just lived a double life for 30 years. And was able to do so because I was not raised by witness parents. I found my partner of life at age 30 and being together for over 21 years now enjoy every moment growing older with him. I'm so glad that I knew myself well enough to not allow the organization to stifle who I was as a gay man. So I welcome you on your exciting new journey as you explore your truly authentic self. Looking forward to hearing more content from you as your videos will help so many who are on their way to waking up.

[XOfebruarystarXO]

Congratulations on getting out 🎉You did such a good job of summing it all up on the typical JW upbringing. I really love your disassociation letter. I think it I may use it as inspiration for what I will put in mine when the time comes. I can definitely appreciate you not wanting to find evidence that the religion is false due to any bias. I felt the same in my journey. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just my wicked heart allowing Satan to mislead me. But, I can't unknow what I now know. I feel duped and embarrassed that I was in a cult 😳. I look forward to seeing more of your story 👍

[mariafagbuyi]

Hallo Ben, dein Video ist klasse. I really enjoyed it . Especially your sense of humor. I visited Bethel in Selters in October 2018 to visit my niece Melissa Turner, who was then working in the laundry. One year later I woke up and left the Organisation. That was the best decision ever. I am happy that you are free now and that you can be yourself. All the best and I would really love to see another Video from you.Brighton is so beautiful. Have been there on holidays .

[kammy]

I am so happy when someone leaves the JWs. I love it so much. Saw your video on Lloyd's channel and I'm looking forward to hearing so much from you Ben. So happy for you, all the best in college and enjoy your newfound freedom.

[jasperfagbuyi]

Happy to go through your Stories after leaving the JW Organisation. I was 37years with my Wife in the Organisation and has Visited Selters many Time but we left 2019 after seeing all these Bad Reports about Australian Child Abuse etc. Vielen Dank für dieses Licht und Aufwiedersehen

[ianmcwilliams]

Nice video Ben. At 1 hr long I thought I'd struggle but the time flew by!! Very interesting. I also was 'born in', father a well respected Elder, I gave Public Talks home and away blah blah, but I went down the disfellowshipped route and so lost all family as you will be aware.
However the last 20 years (I'm now 60!) have been truly amazing! Looking forward to your next video.

[maxwellcrazycat]

Recently I was asked by my brother and a friend both of them ex JW's as am I what I plan to do when I retire. I told them with a straight face full time pioneering. A tiny moment of silence then roaring laughter followed.

[EmiSuess]

Okay but it was so SO wonderful to see all the little bits at the end of Ben enjoying things and getting new experiences. That's what it's about. Having a fulfilling, unhindered life. ❤️

[blues]

Welcome to your freedom Ben, your good life now begins.
I left 3 years ago and I am so so happy.
This multi billion dollar book and real estate is sickening, and bad for your health.