I left the hall after I turned 18. My Dad was still a Witness when he died...I Was 43 at that time. My Dad wanted a JW funeral to which we granted. The funeral left us feeling a void with closure. The funeral was impersonal and void. We decided to have a separate ceremony to celebrate my Dad's life and honor him with our personnel reflections. It gave us closure. Understand you.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your experience on getting some closure. 💛
@thrivingexjw2061
3 жыл бұрын
I’m so sorry for your loss. As Ex’s, most of us, if not all of us, have had the experience of a JW funeral, unfortunately! At my moms funeral, her JW family decided to not even tell her disfellowshipped brother that she had passed. When I overheard them talking about it, I was appalled!! I took it upon myself to call him & invite him!! ( Big no no) We were both told ( by elders) to come in late, sit in the back row & not welcome at the gathering after. We were told that if we showed up, all the JW’s would leave.. soooo.. I came early, greeted everyone, hugged them & thanked them for coming. Then my uncle & I marched ourselves up to the FRONT row and “squeezed” in with the rest of the family! Also showed up at the gathering and made sure that I chatted to EVERYONE about my moms memories. They didn’t quite know what to do with me.. lol BTW.. the shunning started at that moment, but to tell you the truth, I was better off for it. It’s been 15 years off no contact. They are strangers to me at this point. I appreciate them leaving me alone to deprogram & make a great life 👏
@rosiej.1473
3 жыл бұрын
GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Elders have no idea what to do with people who do not submit to "their authority".
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
That was so courageous of you! Love it and your story to move on after that to deprogram and have a great life! 🙏💛
@thrivingexjw2061
3 жыл бұрын
@@rosiej.1473 - I left the org 26 years ago & had been “marked” up to that point. The only reason they had anything to do with me is because they “needed” me to help take care of my mom who had cancer. Once the funeral was over & they took all her belongings, I haven’t seen or heard from them since. I’ve been to a couple of JW funerals since then.. always the same treatment..terrible !!
@woodyglendell7400
3 жыл бұрын
"Dam the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!!!"
@laymanphil8513
3 жыл бұрын
After the death of a child (refusal of blood), I often think of parents who wake up 30 years later. What a nightmare, what a horror, how to overcome the insurmountable.
@specialkonacid6574
3 жыл бұрын
'Its less about the person and more about the religion ' If you were to ask me when was the time I've been the most angry in my life I would answer that it was after my dad's funeral. Thank you for sharing this 💕
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
🤗💛
@jessicaa.6690
3 жыл бұрын
I understand that so well. I was so angry and disgusted at what they did with my Mom's funeral. JW funerals are the worst. The elder that spoke at my Mom's funeral gave her name, DOB, date of death. Then he had the nerve to say, "If you want to know anything about Jane, you can read her obituary." Then he proceeded with the Watchtower Infomercial.
@specialkonacid6574
3 жыл бұрын
@@jessicaa.6690 the year before my dad died one of my best friend's mom died. It was the first 'celebration of life' I had ever been to. It was a beautiful thing, sharing stories, laughter and tears. Sounds like we had the same [insert brother/sister name here] service. I still haven't properly grieved. Take care and thanks for sharing 💕
@craigclark8655
3 жыл бұрын
Of all the talks I gave, including assembly and convention talks, funeral talks always troubled me. Never realized why until I completely separated myself from the cult. Always a sales pitch for the borg. Ot never felt like it gave any honor to the life lost. So sad.
@jodigirl6610
3 жыл бұрын
That is SO true!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Oh wow, ‘sales pitch’. So true. Thanks for sharing, Craig. 🤗
@mo1240
3 жыл бұрын
God is Love, so where Love is absent, they don't know Him - your heart of love is so lovely, Living Truth
@pennybeeflower
2 жыл бұрын
I'm so sorry to know that you have the pain of losing your brother so tragic and heartbreaking. I think I can kind of relate because I lost my younger brother when he was 27yrs of age. He was essentially being shunned/distanced from our family because he didn't stay with the society. It was his heart that could not keep him alive anymore. His heart was literally too big. He was also a kind, generous, loving, compassionate person that was abused as I was when we were babies/children/youth/young adults within the society/cult. Kyle was the middle child of five., the only son of my parents and the only brother we sisters had. We sisters tryied to bring him up in conversation when we would get together but since I can no longer stomach the society's hypocrisy and double, multiple standars I chose to leave and my sisters don't speak to me. About the funeral, it was in a funeral home given by the funeral director who knew my brother fairly well. There were not more than a handful of jw who attended. I feel my brother with me and I cherish that. I used to hear my brother screaming and crying in pain because my mother is so violent but now He visits in my dreams and we always have a delightful visit. I hate their god's name and keep it out of my vocabulary so now there is much more peace in my life. I think the jw society could have been the most comforting place if it were not for their prohibition on education and their view of women and closed mindedness about scriptural beliefs...well, actually their ignorance and lack of education caused serious social traumas for children and vulnerable persons really. There really is too much that needs to be reformed if it comes down to brass tacs
@kimberlyfarris1280
3 жыл бұрын
I’m sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you. My son passed away November 2020 unexpectedly he was only 24. I think about him every second of everyday and my heart is forever broken. He was such a beautiful and compassionate young man and touched so many lives. My husband and I woke up and faded in July 2019. We are not disfellowshipped and not one JW has called me nor sent me a card to give their condolences. My mother and nephew who are the only ones in my family (thank goodness) that are Jehovah’s Witnesses and they never call me or text me to see how I am doing. They haven’t even called my daughter who lost her best friend and brother. (Neither one of my children were ever JWs) These people are hateful and have zero love and empathy for others. That cult creates narcissistic drones. If I didn’t already know it was a cult, I sure do now. If they think that I drifted away because I was spiritually weak then why have they not reached out to me especially during the most devastating time in someone’s life? They had an opportunity to show natural affection but they have none. Where is their humanity?
@rosiej.1473
3 жыл бұрын
I am so sorry for your loss. Wish I was there to hug you and listen to your memories with your son. I am always shocked by their total lack of social awareness, it shouldn't shock me anymore but it does. Not only are they unloving but have no common decency. So bizzare!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Kimberley, thank you for sharing. My heart goes out to you for your loss. My deepest condolences 💐. I blame the Organization for poisoning their members in how they act towards ‘unbelievers’ or anyone that isn’t close to the congregation/organization. Sending love and hugs. Tammy
@dand3329
3 жыл бұрын
I'm so sorry for your loss, there is no humanity or love in that cult . I am glad that you escaped and hope your family that is still in wake up.
@phillbobaggins5962
3 жыл бұрын
As a father I send you my heartfelt and deepest sympathies, no parent should ever suffer a death of a son or daughter, hold those loving memories close to your heart, knowing that one day you will hold him again, that is one thing I am certain of, that we who have lost our dear ones will welcome them all back, the lack of natural affection from those close to us in the watchtower org is indoctrinated into them, and they know no better, all organised religion is surely marked for destruction including watchtower, warm Christian love from Wales.......💖
@anandaharris1481
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for posting this..I have 3 family members who are JWs and noticed how brainwashed they are.. I'm so sorry for your loss
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing your comment. x
@brianprince1649
3 жыл бұрын
Hi I do understand how you fill. My wife passed away two and a haft years ago. I find it very difficult to talk about her, such a big hole in my heart. She was going to the JWs Kingdom Hall. I am not a member but I would take her to the meetings and conventions, she was in a wheelchair so it was difficult for her to get around. We were married for 49 years and have four children.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
My heart goes out to you. You sound like a very kind person to care for your wife like that- in taking her to meetings even though you’re not a JW yourself. Thank you for sharing, and keep talking about it as it truly helps to process the pain. 🤗💛
@allanu6416
3 жыл бұрын
You have a deep, pure and kind heart. It must've been so hard to talk about the loss of your brother and the cold, heartless JW culture. I disassociated in year 2000 after 35 years in the cult. I lost family and my only son (shunning)... there's a warm exJW community online that can provide you with sincere support...I will not list my favorites (unless requested), but I truly wish you peace of heart. Never feel alone or abandoned....it took me years post-JW to process and delete much brainwash and to make a new life/friends....to sum it up...you will do fine...your eyes speak volumes!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing your comment. x
@ivyrides
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this and being so open about the traumatic events in your history. You're a beautiful soul. 🥺❤
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 🙏🤗💕
@tuffstuff9809
3 жыл бұрын
Not long after being raped, 5 year old Chessa Manion said, she found herself with her parents at the home of her abuser and his family. "I was made to hug him," she said, "because the elders told our families that we needed to keep the peace." She paused to underscore the horror of the scene: "I hugged my rapist after he raped me." The experience took a terrible toll on the little girl, Ford said. "Chessa got really dark."
@SoulshineBnB
3 жыл бұрын
Hi. Sorry to hear about your brother and hope you are getting through your grief. Thank you for sharing. My dad was a JW and he died 2 years ago. My sister and brothers are JWs and not once after he died did they call to offer condolences. Like you, i am not disfellowshipped but considered an apostate by family as I no longer believe so I too have been shunned for years by my mother and siblings. I wanted to give a eulogy for Dad but as I am not a JW I wasn’t allowed to speak so I had to sit and listen to an elder who had known Dad for only 6 months relate stories about my Dad and family. He got most of the information wrong and missed so many good things about my Dad It broke my heart. It was really just an excuse for them to sell the religion. As there were many worldly relatives at the service my siblings acted normally to me, despite having shunned me for years. Then since the funeral they have never spoken a word to me. My mother is in a nursing home but has disowned me as I’m apostate. I’ve decided I’ll never enter a Kingdom Hall again. I came into this religion ( dragged by my mother) at age 16. Life was good before but since then it’s been despair and sadness due to the craziness of this cult. Even when you leave this cult the hurt and despair goes on for decades. Every time my Dad’s birthday passed I would think what a waste it was that his life and achievements weren’t celebrated because God wants all the glory. What sort of God needs that? Surely he could let everyone have some glory? When you hurt we that understand hurt with you. I feel helpless to help but just know you are not alone and if I could help take the pain away I would. Keep the videos coming, hopefully your next will be happier and you smile some more.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing. I feel your pain and loss. It’s good to share to move some of that grief out. Sending love. 💛
@sploik65
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Sis, I lost my Mother in 94, she was on her way to the Kingdom Hall, icy winter road, sadest day of my life
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry for your loss, John. 💛
@johnnylavery5512
3 жыл бұрын
Witness funeral talks are always captive audience recruitment opportunities. Very little about the person and more about witness dogma.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
What better time to sell someone the resurrection? Or the belief of them being an angel, for that matter. 😏
@mrssomuchmore7193
3 жыл бұрын
As a born-in...Funerals were the worst for me...I would cry so hard, it was so tragic to me...and even for people whom I'd never met! 💔 I have a different set of beliefs now, funerals are not as traumatizing for me now...JW's just DON'T offer comfort and hope...they use funerals/the Memorial as a chance to recruit others...
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. x
@erikasanchez6588
2 ай бұрын
My husband died 2 months ago, at his burial his mother was giving out watch tower pamphlets , yet she couldn’t get up and leave a flower on his urn after we buried it. She was too sad to do anything but was able to give out her booklets! I did everything myself and my kids. I never got a thank you, it’s been 3 weeks and doesn’t call to ask about her grandkids. Shame on her
@parisitaly6012
3 жыл бұрын
After reading all of the comments I am not sure what I can add. I have empathy and sympathy for what you have gone through and continue having to deal with emotionally and spiritually. I am almost 70 and was baptized at 12 as a JW. My mother became one when I was 5 or 6 probably because my grandparents, he parents, became JW’s just a few yrs before her. I was very close to her parents. They loved me and made me feel special always. My brothers were close to my dad’s parents but having 2 parents that were both only children was an experience all by itself. My mom a JW & my dad not anything. They were married 10 years before she became one. It was clear from the start my dad didn’t want any part of it so there was lots of drama for all of us with holidays, Christmas, birthdays,etc. Dad celebrated and mom resisted but she put a tree up and bought presents, never had a birthday party but I’m sure we were compensated.. my dad traveled with his job and brought us presents often which was something we looked forward to. Mom tried to match his stuff with buying us new clothes for memorial or conventions and so as kids we had an unconventional like, the best of both worlds we thought. Until we all married JWs (young)and started our own families. I reg. pioneered for about a year but stopped when I got married. Not sure why but I knew I Wanted a family. 3 kids and 14 yrs later, I found myself divorced ( he left), unprepared for real life as on how to support myself and 3 kids. College was totally discouraged by the society. My brothers also were divorced ahead of me. I took it the hardest I felt because I didn’t think we even believed in divorce!! I took a vow before Jehovah and Jesus and the congregation with my husband. I didn’t ask for this nor accept it gracefully. I usually kept my emotions inside, rarely cried in front of anyone. I was a mess for about 5 years and had almost 2 years of therapy! 3 days a wk at first. Gradually it was 2 then 1. My moms name came up the most, not my ex husband. It was like death only worse. No one offered to help us. No jw! I tried 3 congregations and no elders or sisters would get close to us. I felt like We had the plague! I had a major surgery after my husband left us and jumped into college to get a degree. The elders so freely told us as teens to pioneer suddenly refused to give advice when we got older and really needed advice. They had plenty to say when we were minors! Well that was an eye opener. So no sympathy from brothers. I felt like I was in a mental prison being divorced but not scripturally, so for 9 years I was in lots of pain. Finally I moved away my myself, after my oldest 2 were in college and my younger son was now with his dad, in his last 2 years. They were all turned off of “the truth” and I was still trying to be a good JW!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing some of your story. x
@DV-ux8eg
3 жыл бұрын
I’m with you my beautiful friend,Hugs 😔😔😔😔
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny 🤗
@VEE-rd7cu
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, I understand. My cousin committed suicide; another cousin drowned both were my best friends and we never spoke of them, ever again. I believed that I would die young & would be forgotten. No happy stories or memories to memorize...
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry for your loss. 💔
@dand3329
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing such a personal story, I'm sure that your experience will help many people open a discussion about death and what they were taught and how they think of it now. Being atheist, I am so much sadder at a death then I ever was as a jw.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this. I can relate about the atheist aspect too.
@EXJW-ACTIVIST
3 жыл бұрын
I like to listen your voice, it’s calming :) You have good topics and thoughs. Thank you ❤️
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the feedback 💛🤗
@peterbunyan3924
3 жыл бұрын
"But they seem such nice people" is a comment you often hear, l have thought for a long while now they cannot be when you know how they will treat people who leave for whatever reason.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
They are nice people. They are stuck... just like I used to be.
@ayerger1734
3 жыл бұрын
I guess they still believe that disfellowshipped one's will not be resurrected in the new system??
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
I would say that is still accurate, yup. 😏
@ayerger1734
3 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 That's so sad !😪👎
@schleprock000
3 жыл бұрын
My dad had a 'funeral' or some type of service in the Kingdom Hall. All I remember is sitting there, wondering when this dude was going to actually say something about my dad. He managed to fit in a few relevant sentences but it was mostly a sales pitch for the JWs.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
yuck.. I know what you mean. Sorry for your loss. x
@catmeow333
3 жыл бұрын
I lost my younger brother at 19 in a car accident in which all 3 passengers died. The only witness in the family is my older brother. He’s emotionally robotic when John’s name comes up. He actually thinks it’s a fast ticket through armageddon. Big bro has the new system fantasy and there’s almost a hint of shadenfreud when Whirley people grieve. It’s creepy.
@haan3549
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing love. Don’t ever apologize please for feeling depressed. Let our community support you as you support us.💗💗💗
@LivingTruth1
2 жыл бұрын
🤗❤️
@evsalas3
3 жыл бұрын
The JW throw shade on everyone who don't believe in their fairytale 🧚
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
That’s true
@brentjacobs7838
3 жыл бұрын
Beautiful perspective 😊👍
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
🤗
@mo1240
3 жыл бұрын
their lives should be celebrated, and yes our spirit lives on in Love
@craigclark8655
3 жыл бұрын
And I must add I am sorry for your loss clearly it is something you are still processing so many years later. May your soul find peace.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@MattG171
3 жыл бұрын
I can relate to much of what you said. One thing that keeps bouncing around in my mind, is my own mortality. Realizing in my 40s that I will die in this “system of things”. Pretty strange I know, since usually kids realize hey I’m going to die some day. I was never going to make it to high school as I recall. “This generation was pretty old when I was a kid”. Great video and we all enjoy hearing from you. Take care.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing. I totally relate to the belief that I would never get old or die. I recall that I was even worried I wouldn’t get my drivers license or graduate high school before Armageddon came! Crazy 😜
@brendapeterson4361
3 жыл бұрын
Obviously a heavy week for you, but I'm glad you shared...the way we end up processing grief so many years later is fascinating to me. I've often wondered about the psychological effects of the 'celebration of life' style of funeral vs the typical Witness funeral where they take it as an opportunity to tell the audience of their religious beliefs. Always available to chat if you need. Great job - authentic, real and raw 🥰.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve been thinking about you, and next chat. :) Yes, a heavy week that keeps on giving as my dad reached out yesterday with more about my brother’s death. It’s a process.
@brendapeterson4361
3 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 oh my. Would love to hear more. Definitely a process. Everything is so dang emotionally complicated with this stuff!
@davidguerra9994
Жыл бұрын
Two years later but sending my condolences to you and the family 🌹🌹🌹🌹
@gataheart
3 жыл бұрын
So very true. When the dead is df'd ..they refuse use of the KH and also deny service by a brother. WHERE IS THE LOVE?
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
It’s conditional.
@brunomarsall4077
3 жыл бұрын
Much love and blessings to you... Thank you for sharing 💞💕💞
@blackfoot7925
3 жыл бұрын
All of us had that one person in the truth that was our best friend, for me that was J, if there was one person that could have brought me back to the truth it would've been him, but because I disassociated myself he couldn't. He died of cancer not long ago and I was contacted by an elder about the date of his funeral and that I really should attend, so I did. The Kingdom Hall was full and I was prepared to be ignored and pushed to the back which I was but I didn't care I was there for him. I sat and listened to the talk and when it was over I got up and left but unknown to me and as I was told later by the same elder that invited me there was slide presentation afterwards and one of the slides was a picture of him and I up north on one of our canoe trips, in a room full of people who would not talk to me there I was up there on the screen larger than life, lol, it was wonderful gesture of kindness from an old friend.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Great story, thank you for sharing this. x
@joecortez2332
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this. Definitely not easy.
@4flyguyeli
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Very therapeutic for me, thankyou!!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you💜
@JamesBond-ds3es
3 жыл бұрын
Just a vile horrible cult The .org has no love whatsoever Thank you for your video
@kd5gsp
3 жыл бұрын
Yep...JW funerals can be a sad experience. I would comment on some of mine from years past, but that would take up too much space in the comments section. Perhaps I will send a message at some point and tell about the inconsistencies, depending upon how favorable your family is or isn't!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
You are so right.. the inconsistencies. Thanks for sharing. 🤗
@parisitaly6012
3 жыл бұрын
So... I had moved 2000 mi from my family to find me, b near an ocean, and just live. I finally dated, had two long relationships but none ended in marriage. I was still ingrained with jw rules and did not wake up until much later. I spent a year in HI, first job and almost 20 in CA. Finally moved back to Midwest because job insecurity set in in the state I had lived in. I missed the weather, the freedoms, the mountains and oceans and people I had met ( in CA)when I moved back. Still, trying to b a JW. Went back to my old hall, of course everyone treat you nice when you’re new or when you go back in the hood seeing you at one time. Everyone asked for your phone number your email your address etc. especially the others. And if they noticed you don’t have a gray Bible, they hand u one. Maybe that’s a signal I think you haven’t been for a while. I don’t know. All I know is for the next five years no one ever showed up at my door to call check on me and I had mentioned I needed encouragement and I wouldn’t mind having a ride to the hall. Trust me no one ever showed up or called. Things have changed so much since the 50s and 60s and after 1975 when JW‘s from New York, The governing body decided that was the year Armageddon had to come! Attended a convention in Atlanta Georgia and from the platform a governing body member said if you go to college even if you do, you will never have the opportunity to use it because Armageddon is right around the corner! Of course now I am not 17 I am almost 70. Some of us are slow learners I guess. Fast forward to now. First my dad died in 2000 it was not a witness and did not want to witness funeral but what did my mother do? She gave him a witness funeral and she surely must’ve bribed the elder because she had money. It was not in a KH tho. He started out by saying that my dad was not a wicked man but he was a good man. That’s about all we remember hearing as his children grown and in our late 40’s. Not a wicked man... Who says that at a funeral?! Oh of course! My younger brother was especially upset and insulted because for the next hour it was all about the organization and the whole on the resurrection etc. not about my dad not about the wonderful father he was and how he provided for us and made it possible for us to do many things not just go to conventions meetings but vacations he was the fun part of life. We had somewhat of a childhood because of him. Even though half the time when he was gone we would be running to meetings and out in service so it’s kind of a split personality kind of thing weird. Well my mother was one you could never get close to. She had a very Hitler type personality totally authoritarian. Come to think of it all about total authoritarian. They’re not the only church or religion like this most religions it’s all about the money it’s all about control and I have read lots and studied lots in the last 10 years and now we have KZitem and Internet to help us out. When I start putting all the pieces together after reading crisis of conscience and many other books and starting to realize I wasn’t the crazy one! I was just part of a group a man-made organization with a lot of nice people in them but an off a lot of stupid people that believed anything and everything they were told from the platform without researching for themselves including myself. The icing on the cake is that my mother my brother my younger brother and I out of the her will! Only my older brother did she leave her estate. She has been gone eight years now and I can say I did not shed one tear at her funeral because i had tried my entire life to get her approval. The two years that followed an illegal battle over the wheel of which we were unsuccessful and I did not have the money to file an appeal, taught me a lot. All of my family had been in a family business and we knew how dad wanted everything left how he would’ve left it if he had been the last to go there were houses I’m just now learning 20 years after he’s gone and eight years after my mother is gone he wanted me to have one he wanted each of the boys to have one there were properties that we were to have my mother sold everything and she divorced my father I failed to mention I remarried him his last two years of life to get her name on everything. She even called me in California to ask if I wanted my PLOT. I didn’t know what she was talking about it first I said you mean my burial plot? She said yes. Now I understand my great grandfather bought and gave these to my dad when we were young. He had the deed. I was in shock I had to think about it called her back and I said yes I want my plot. Well after all I’ve told you it’s no surprise we don’t have our plots not my younger brother nor I. Believe me I’ve had therapy over all of this as well it just goes on, but in the last year and a half I have been awakened and I realize what I was a part of my entire life and how it affected my kids myself my relationships etc. So this is not an easy thing to get out of unscathed. The one final thing that woke me up and came to me was where is the love there is no love in this organization it’s all conditional. And I started praying to my creator show me what’s really going on and that is when I started watching things on TV and things start coming to me. I do believe God the true God listens to our prayers. I still believe in Jesus I believe in Jehovah but I’m not even sure we shouldn’t be calling him Yahweh as in the Hebrew language. I just now I start praying about it and I woke up and I feel so much freer and what helps is I don’t have any family that are witnesses. They’re all gone except for my two brothers and they’re not either. We all just faded away and none of my kids or their kids became JW’s thank heaven. I don’t know if this helped hearing someone else’s experience and maybe you think I’m crazy but it’s all true and I survived it but I take one day at a time and I tried to live with intention. I appreciate the simple things in life my daughter and her husband bought me a Home almost 2 years ago and that has been a super blessing I never expected! I have two cats and a dog I have a garden I mow my yard I’m retired I have good neighbors and I’m probably more contentThen I have been in my tire life entire life. Hope this somehow helps just knowing someone else has walked a path similar but different. take care! 💞
@danikasmithenhouser5370
3 жыл бұрын
I went to a Witness funeral 6 years ago of a very good friend who passed away from a sudden trauma to his esophagus. He needed surgery and blood but he refused both due to his religious beliefs. He told his wife, who was also Witnessed, that if he couldn't stand strong in their Faith now when called upon to do so, WHEN would it matter more? She begged him to consent to surgery and blood transfusions to save his life but he flat refused. God's will be done...He passed away a few hours later holding his wife's hand. She called me. I wept hard. I was invited to and attended the service at the Hall. My husband and I were both greeted warmly, treated respectfully and the service was very honorable to my friend. They asked me to speak and I did with a full heart. I recall the congregants never proselytized those few of us who were not Witnessed. I expected it but glad it was not done. The service was not unlike others I had attended. Very Life affirming and honoring my friend's many achievements. He was one of the TRULY nicest humans that were ever born. I miss him. I offer sincere condolences for the loss of your brother. 🌻
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing your comment.
@andracadicecrawford4256
3 жыл бұрын
Sooo sorry for your loss my sister.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
That’s kind, thank you. 🤗
@ZachtheArvadite
3 жыл бұрын
I was looking at the background, is that near Vancouver? It does look very peaceful. I have lost all my JW grandparents in death and very well recall what it was like to lose them.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, Vancouver. Thanks for sharing. 🤗
@TruthHasSpoken
3 жыл бұрын
I'm quite convinced that your brother is with Jesus in heaven. God is the God of the living, not the dead. ALL are alive in Jesus Christ. And too, I can readily believe that your brother is aware of your life here on earth. I have observed post-death experiences in my own family that are quite convincing that this is possible, all through the will, power, and love of God who allows it. Your brother is in heaven praying for those on earth. You (one of the saints below) are most certainly one of those he is praying for. It's again through God's power that God makes known your petitions / pray requests. Rev 5:8 and Rev 8:3 below. _8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints;_ _3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne;_ And keep in mind, your brother in heaven is 100% righteous, and the prayer of a righteous person is quite powerful. _16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects._ (James 5)
@phillbobaggins5962
3 жыл бұрын
So sorry to hear that you lost your young brother the way you did, it is very difficult to come to terms with, death can never be trully accepted by the human psyche, and it gets complicated by so much Watchtower intrusion, there are no words that can explain what you go through, I lost my beautiful wife recently from Leukaemia, and had to go through months of Covid restriction protocols with visiting her in hospital, then I had to deal with the funeral, I asked an old friend who is still an elder to take the funeral with no Watchtower propaganda. he respected my wishes, we had only 30 allowed to the funeral beause of covid, but it did cover the very close friends and family, and her school re-union girl friends too. These last three months have been hell, especially with trying to unravel the Watchtower belief system that is now in question, yet I do know from my knowledge of scripture that I will see her again, she now rests in Jehovah's memory, and the day will come when I will see her again. I have two beautiful sons who look after me now, but there are no words to cover the loss of a loved one or soul mate, we are all in Gods hands with such matters, whether you believe in god or not, yes it is so painful to live with. I am pleased you touched on this subject it needs to be discussed, regardless of how painful the subject is, sending you warm christion love Phill.......❤
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing. Sending you my deepest condolences. 💛
@seekingtruth9677
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for being here🤗
@lb8313
3 жыл бұрын
This highlights how cold JW is. I remember my two uncles dying while young and in JW and had to process 'resurrection' or "just not resurrection" because they weren't jw. So cold.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. It’s cold.
@jodigirl6610
3 жыл бұрын
First of all, I am so sorry about your brother. I can't imagine how that must have been for such a young girl. 😕 I have never been to a JW funeral with s open casket. That is so interesting to me! And I have often said the same thing about treating ex JWs that way at a funeral, how would that treatment ever entice them to come back. That doesn't make any sense to me! My niece who was 29 and who I helped raise, just died of a OD on March 2nd. We hadn't seen her in 6 years and the whole situation has been so sad all the way around. None of my family are JW anymore and we all have said we miss that certainty of thinking we know what happens when you die. None of us have a clue what to believe now and it kind of leaves your emotions at loose ends in a way. I totally get why religious people find so much comfort in their beliefs about the afterlife. ♡
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and for sharing here. Sorry for you loss. It is not easy to reconcile or navigate death, especially when you no longer believe... or not sure what to believe. What has helped me work through it all, is reading books and viewpoints on it, questioning as to logic, and overall remembering that no one has a definitive answer on the afterlife since it’s not evidence based. That said, I have found it helpful to practice mindfulness and learning how to live in the present, (power of now). There are so many things that don’t have answers.. and that’s okay. Just enjoy every moment, as we have them. Peace and love to you. 💛🤗
@bigsr.644
3 жыл бұрын
Totally binging your content omw home from work. It seems you've had the most lamest experiences with JWs at key times in your life. There's no way you would think it's the truth. I have a feeling if situations were handled differently you might just still be a JW. I feel for you but you're doing a great work and you're definitely helping a lot of people including myself. Keep it up mama 🙂
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@jamesf11856
2 жыл бұрын
Ow dear sorry to hear lost brother 😢
@pinkfuschia8140
3 жыл бұрын
I really feel for you and your family. God love you. My husband's funeral was really strange. He was due to be reinstated that week, so they agreed to do the funeral. They did not talk about his life. They knew very little about him in fact. The whole thing is just a sales pitch for "Jehovah" and the "new system". You are not allowed to focus on the deceased as it is seen as idolatry. My whole testimony in 5 parts is now uploaded.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing. :)
@antijw4121
2 жыл бұрын
my jw father had a heart condition , and thought if he could make it to 1975 , the last armageddon date set by the jw organization, all of his problems would be over..! well unfortunately , because he did not seek out medical attention for his condition, he passed away in the spring of 1974 , at only 61 years old..! well guess what, now jws ‘can’ have blood , well fractions of blood anyway , which ‘ is’ blood..! who knows, maybe a governing body member needed blood at some time to instigate the change in their thinking on the matter..! the Bible speaks about not eating blood into your ‘digestive’ system , but does not offer anything on blood being injected into your ‘circulatory’ system , in order to sustain life ..! big difference ..! I still have family members heavily indoctrinated/imprisoned in the jw cult , and because of this , the last few years have not been without controversy ..! another thing my jw brother always talks about is how nice it is going to be in the ‘new world’ after armageddon, to see our dad once again , and live forever on a paradise earth , never to get sick , or old, or ever die again..! could someone quote me a biblical scripture , or scriptures to back up this whole scenario..?
@LivingTruth1
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Sounds all too familiar. :)
@Esther-1914
3 жыл бұрын
I see beautiful orbs floating around you while you talk about your beloved departed ones. I'm sorry to hear about the death of your brother. 💔 JWs don't want members to grieve. We stuffed that grief, and it keeps us stuck in that stifling cult - Until we know better. It's never inappropriate to grieve, if we never did permit that most natural feeling. I've been to some Celebrations of Life. Funnily, there was no mention of turning into a jdub - how refreshing!👍
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing, Esther. 💛🤗
@JillyC5
3 жыл бұрын
I'm so sorry about your brother. it must be like grieving all over again when you realise the resurrection is just a fantasy. I have a friend who is disfellowshipped, and when her husband died (who was a witness) the members of the congregation moved past her as if she wasn't there to speak to her son. How can they think that is Christian? And how could that make her want to go back!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
You’re right. It was a paradigm shift in thinking when my beliefs changed as they did. Awful about your friend- such a heartbreaking time for her, made worse by the shunning. :(
@HyborianAge
3 жыл бұрын
I have a neighbor who is a Jehova Witness. I just found out his father passed away but he was not able to go to the funeral because it's in another country. What can I give him? He is a friend of my family and helps us fix stuff around the house. Maybe a toolbox?
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve found that the best gift is just being there- checking in regularly to let them know you’re thinking of them; offering to take them for coffee so they can talk; and similar little actions that they know they aren’t alone.
@parisitaly6012
3 жыл бұрын
Ps: my apologies for mistakes. I have only my cell phone to write or type and sometimes it doesn’t put what I type. Maybe my thumbs are too big. Anyway, the longer You are in a cult the harder it is to totally come out of it or to see it for what it is. I don’t have all the answers but I also know much more about reality and what’s going on in the world now that when I was a JW, living in a bubble. The pedifile deal in Australia ... was a big wake up call also. So much swept under the rug. But it’s everywhere now and if you have followed utube and other channels like telegram... there is lots of info about everything going on affecting us all. I fear for parents now ( my kids and their kids) with all the dangers on the internet and the millions of missing children in the Us and worldwide. Now we know what happens to them and it’s is worse that the Canaanites! So sad!
@lalo2641
2 жыл бұрын
Sorry about your lost
@LivingTruth1
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you x
@GG-kv8vv
3 жыл бұрын
Appreciate!!
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
😘
@michelprovost1796
3 жыл бұрын
They stop you from normal grieving expressing how you miss tour love one the pain of not sharing life experience anymore . Jesus never said it's not right to have emotion . Aniway I talk about my wife her living personality lot's of positive she brought to the family it makes my kids smile happy good memories. Inspired them to be good loving parents.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Love that. Thanks for sharing. 💛
@MrMike-fm8bp
3 жыл бұрын
My dad was a jw since 1975. Biggest hypocrite I’ve ever known
@GG-kv8vv
3 жыл бұрын
Oceanside? Carlsbad area?
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Vancouver BC :)
@petertherock7340
2 жыл бұрын
The sad part about leaving a cult like the Watch Tower is the common temptation to become a skeptic. When your heart is empty and hurt it is easy to turn away from God completely. However, atheism is truly hopeless and only leads to deeper despair and contradiction. Atheism is simply the abandonment of all hope. Yet it cannot account for anything in a rational way. We will all end up worshipping something no matter how much we think otherwise. The human heart was made to worship God. So sorry you lost your brother.
@LivingTruth1
2 жыл бұрын
The loss of religion will not lead to nihilism in societies. Religion is not the source of purpose, meaning, and morality. But rather, religion can be understood as having incorporated these natural motivational and social dispositions and having co-evolved with human cultures over time. Unsurprisingly, religion has also incorporated our more selfish, aggressive, competitive, and xenophobic human proclivities. Modern secular societies with the lowest levels of religious belief have achieved far more compassion and flourishing than religious ones. That all said-- it's important that people are tolerant towards others beliefs and values, and not stuck in a judgemental, destructive and religiously intolerant mindset towards others with opposing views.
@petertherock7340
2 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 “Scripture is the Word of God, but Creation is the Work of God.” Dr. David Berlinski.
@petertherock7340
2 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 You are completely in error. Darwinian evolution has no scientific evidence whatsoever. Human life and the physical reality of the world is the product of a Designer. Being an ex JW does not make you an expert on any religion, philosophy, or science. Look before you leap into the existential abyss!
@petertherock7340
2 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 For further information, I recommend “Signature in the Cell” by Dr. Stephen Meyer.
@jojjeoskarsson784
3 ай бұрын
I always thought they never had a casket in the ceremony just a urn o nothing at all as they think the body is no more so the body or the ashes is alway in the ground before or in the crematory or wherever the keep the body or ashes before the interment
@writerinc
3 жыл бұрын
My mother passed away last November and my stepdad still repeats to everyone how he can't wait to see her in her brand new body 🙄 also he flirts with this young married teller at the bank. He's 85 years old and jokes that he's only having fun by flirting. I don't find it funny 🤔 also I'm sorry about your brother's death 😔
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you and for sharing. I’m sorry for your loss of your mother. It sounds like your stepdad is possibly dealing with the loss by using some humour- that be as poor taste and sensitive as it is. Grieving is a strange process. My condolences. 🤗💐
@lalo2641
2 жыл бұрын
Love going to Dana point the sea caves
@debbieyule8565
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@georgenyameh
3 жыл бұрын
Soon the GOVERNING BODY will begin to sell their mighty BETHELS all over the world.
@justinporter458
3 жыл бұрын
My beautiful 48 yr old wife Nicole is still a pomi jw or pimo jw she's a half in half out Jehovah's Witness I'm a 60 yr old Australian dissociated apostate since 2018 aged 57 my you tube channel is called justin porter ex jw. If Nicole dies there's no way I'd go to her jw funeral and get shunned and listen to Watch Tower try to recruit free labour for their publishing company. It worries me that when I die will Nicole get comforted by her jw friends will the elders tell her to take down my channel all I ask of Nicole is to tell them Apostates make the best husbands. I love your videos dear sweet sister your very charismatic and charming keep your videos coming I've been watching them since 2015 or 2016 when I was pimo and I love you .I don't want Nicole to be shunned but every month 2 elders come to visit her to sus her out if she's gone apostate like her husband . I'm looking forward to your next video dear sweet sister may Mother Nature bless you. Justin porter ex jw
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you and for sharing here. 💛
@Bishop472
3 жыл бұрын
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please try your best to stay strong and to endure. Jehovah knows how you feel and he will be putting an end to all of the suffering, and pain that we all deal with. And, bible prophecies are being fulfilled. (Mathew chapter 24 and 2nd timothy chapter 3) Soon,on a global scale, the deceased Will be resurrected. On that day,I pray you'll be with your brother and loved ones. Never give up. I'll be praying for you.🙏♥️🙏
@wingerj.4192
3 жыл бұрын
Im sorry for your lost. Death it s a very sensitive topic for me. There s a lot of possibilities for death and life itselfs. Best scientists in the world like elon Musk and others believe in the simulation Theory.. Basicly we are a videogame played by civilizations thousands of years more advanced.. I still believe in a Creator.. I know it s not the most lógical thing to believe because there s so much sufferring in the world but i need to believe someone is watching us and taking care of us just like every single human has the need to be loved by others. Other possibility is the fact that Governments are finally admiting that ufo s are real and they have no explanation for the phenomenom.. So we humans May be all a genetic experience made by aliens and they are here observing us without interfire in our lifes... We sure aren t alone in the Universe. Blondie.. I want to give u a hug. Good vídeo, stay strong, beautiful as always 👌
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Death is probably the hardest topic for people. We have a lot of similar thoughts when it comes to not being the only ones in the universe. Thanks for sharing here. 🙏🤗
@kingofthedots3835
3 жыл бұрын
Talk about an in your face funeral ......is that in the Bible ?.....
@usautospa2672
3 жыл бұрын
JDubs suck. Keep your head up. 💪💪💪
@Vincent-qh7zz
2 жыл бұрын
Sorry for you. You will see your brother again. Correct about JW funerals. Never about the deceased. All about the cult.
@LivingTruth1
2 жыл бұрын
😊🙏
@jeannec7558
3 жыл бұрын
Watch your video back do you see what I see... There's an energy surrounding you it's with you constantly hovering around you. Its not a trick of light either. Since I have left the cult I no longer believe the dead are just in an unconscious state. Your brothers energy is with you.
@LivingTruth1
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. You’re referring to the filter I put on the video that does that effect. Glad you liked it too. x
@jeannec7558
3 жыл бұрын
@@LivingTruth1 really that's strange because I know of people who's filter has not been on and it's done exactly the same thing. How strange. But yes it's a great video
Пікірлер: 151