Cult Life with Robin Jackson

I've heard many Jehovah's Witnesses say that they are the only religion that does not engage in war, and use this as indication they alone follow God's standards. For a period while I was a Jehovah's Witnesses I believed that. But this self-proclamation of uniqueness is far from correct.Other religions are promptly blamed for their involvement in war, with followers referred to as "children of the Devil slaying their spiritual brothers."(Awake!, December 22, 1985, p.10)Despite claiming to be the only religion to demonstrate neutrality and love, war atrocities pale in comparison to the Watchtower message of Armageddon, which claims "billions" (w93 10/1 p.19) will be slaughtered by Jehovah, never to be resurrected.________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4Cult Classic Wear Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Cult...Affiliate Link to Jehovah's Witnesses: Their Claims, Doctrinal Changes, and Prophetic Speculation. What Does the Record Show? https://amzn.to/3ML2oHb #JehovahsWitnesses #WarandJehovahsWitnesses #ExJW

Recently I got a lot of flack from a Jehovah's Witness lawyer on TikTok about me stating that the Jehovah's Witness belief that they will never die is false and I was told that I was creating sensation. Well, in this episode I unpack the belief with proof from their very own publications that the doctrine is actually true.The organization is notorious for laying the blame of their false predictions squarely on the rank and file. Rather than saying that Jehovah's Organization or the Governing Body incorrectly promoted a wrong teaching, they say 'people' made the false assumption, shifting blame from the leaders that promoted the teaching.________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4Cult Classic Wear Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Cult...Affiliate Link to Jehovah's Witnesses: Their Claims, Doctrinal Changes, and Prophetic Speculation. What Does the Record Show? https://amzn.to/3ML2oHb #JehovahsWitnesses #Armageddon #ExJW

Fear, manipulation and undue influence all form part of the arsenal that cults use to control members. In this episode I discuss a further five reasons not to become a Jehovah's Witness.Jehovah's Witnesses are generally sincere, clean-living individuals who devote their lives to serving Jehovah in the manner instructed by the Watchtower, which includes regular preaching and attendance at meetings.One of the enjoyable aspects of being a Jehovah's Witness is making friends through the congregation and meeting a diverse range of people through Conventions. This is not, however, unique to being a Jehovah's Witness. Other religions and churches do that too.High control religious groups greatly limit the freedom of their members, based on the belief system of the leaders.The fault lies not with the followers but with the system, particularly the manner in which Watchtower leaders force followers to think and behave. ________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #ExJehovahsWitness

Jehovah's Witnesses are generally sincere, clean-living individuals who devote their lives to serving Jehovah in the manner instructed by the Watchtower, which includes regular preaching and attendance at meetings.One of the enjoyable aspects of being a Jehovah's Witness is making friends through the congregation and meeting a diverse range of people through Conventions. This is not, however, unique to being a Jehovah's Witness. Other religions and churches do that too.High control religious groups greatly limit the freedom of their members, based on the belief system of the leaders.The fault lies not with the followers but with the system, particularly the manner in which Watchtower leaders force followers to think and behave. In this episode I look at the poisonous practices of Jehovah's Witnesses that you should be aware of. Link to video discussing Jehovah's Witnesses and Higher Education: https://youtu.be/TQLIuLcehcU________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #ExJehovahsWitness

Charles Manson convinced his followers to murder 9 people in an attempt to incite a race war. Shoko Asahara ordered his followers to release sarin gas in a Tokyo subway killing 13 people.Marshal Applewhite of Heaven's Gate convinced his followers to castrate and kill themselves in the belief that it would help them to ascend to a higher plain. Jim Jones convinced more than 900 of his followers to kill themselves. All this was done by using influence and control techniques.Although the Watch Tower has a history of flip flopping with regard to some of their doctrine, their followers are still encouraged to obey them even if it makes no sense.________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #GoverningBody

Norway, which has a national Church but no national religion, is one of those countries where religion is literally subsidized by taxpayers; the more members you have, the more money your preferred religious (or Humanist) organization receives. Any "religious" group with 50 registered members is eligible to apply for state funding, and over 800 groups receive it.The law is very clear about the types of religious and non-religious organizations that can receive that money.There are, however, some rules that govern that allocation: If a religious or philosophical community, or individuals acting on behalf of the community, commits violence or coercion, makes threats, violates children's rights, violates statutory discrimination prohibitions or in other ways seriously violates the rights and freedoms of others, society may be denied grants or grants may be suspended. This video breaks down the reasons behind the defunding of Jehovah's Witnesses in Norway.________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #Norway

Amongst Jehovah's Witnesses it was memorial season. It was celebrated memorial will be celebrated on the 15th of April this year of 2022. It is a big occasion for Jehovah's Witnesses as people get invited to attend. Interested ones, family members who have faded away from the religion, even those who have been disfellowshipped are invited. Although they end up sitting in the back of Kingdom Hall. Core to Watch Tower doctrine is that only 144,000 humans will go to heaven, where they are to rule as kings and priests. This number is based on misinterpretation of Revelation 7 and 14, and also proven false by Watchtower's own statistics of the number of partakers since Jesus.Most Jehovah's Witnesses are not considered part of the 144,000 and do not expect to go to heaven. Rather, they believe themselves part of the Great Crowd that will never die, but rather reside forever on earth. One of the results of this doctrine is that most Jehovah's Witnesses do not partake of the bread and wine emblems in memorial of the death of Jesus. Only remnants of the 144,000 are permitted to.__________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #Disfellowship

The one doctrine that has always been a despicable practice with regard to the Jehovah's Witnesses and many cults and high control groups is the practice of disfellowhipping.Jehovah's Witnesses were recently fined 12000 Euros in Belgium due to this practice of disfellowshipping and shunning. The court ruled that the non-profit association behind Jehovah's Witnesses is guilty of inciting discrimination and hatred or violence against former members. One of the lawyers of the civil parties said during the trial last month, “The Jehovah's Witnesses' shunning policy cuts to the very core of relationships, and the victims suffer both physical and psychological consequences.”In this video I discuss the effects of this policy on its members.___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #Disfellowship

Watchtower has made a number of changes to the elder arrangement throughout their history. Whilst policy changes are acceptable, the way this has been done indicates human direction and not that of God, despite Watchtower claims to the contrary.There's a new elders manual that has just been released by the Watchtower. It is called Shepherd The Flock of God and as with every iteration there are changes of course. One of the changes that is particularly concerning is their view of elders and the responsibility that is handed down to them especially in light of their age___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #EldersManual

Today's show is about a verdict that was handed down to two Jehovah's Witness elders who failed to report child sex abuse. This reaches back to 2006 to a Spanish congregation in Illinois.And in this case, the elders left the thinking to the organization. They left a moral obligation to be decided by somebody else. They left it to the Watch Tower. Ultimately, they pay the price for the undue influence exerted over them. In the end children suffer because it is better to protect the reputation of the organization than protecting the little children from abuse.___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 #JehovahsWitnesses #EXJW #ChildSexAbuse

I have been travelling over the past few weeks and its been a busy time for me. South Africa, in conjunction with international authorities have identified and a cyber cult operating in South Africa called Black Axe. Black Axe, a crime syndicate operating in several countries around the world, has been exposed in South Africa via an international investigation that initially focused on Ireland. Some authorities view the syndicate, also known as the Neo Black Movement of Africa, as a cult. Its South African wing allegedly has security known as “butchers” to maintain discipline.___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 Sign up for the pre-launch of the How Cults Work course here: https://north-star-academy.thinkific.com/courses/how-cults-work

In this episode I am in conversation with my son, Jodi, about how me leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses when he was growing up affected him. He shares some experiences from school that I was not aware of.___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 Sign up for the pre-launch of the How Cults Work course here: https://north-star-academy.thinkific.com/courses/how-cults-work#JehovahsWitnesses #ExJW #Cults

South Africans went to the polls this week to vote in the local government elections, however, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses did not. And that's because they are faced with a conundrum. Are they allowed to vote, or are they not allowed to vote?It is a dilemma that they face which is quite understandable, looking at the history of the Watchtower's standpoint on issues of a political nature. Jehovah's Witnesses are known to be politically neutral and for refusing to vote. They have suffered imprisonment and even death for abstaining from involvement in political affairs. But the Watchtower's writings have been very very misleading and proves once again how their doctrines do not hold up in the face of scrutiny due to their flip flops on these matters.___________________________________________________________________If you would like to support the work I do and would like to see this channel grow please consider supporting me on Patreon. It would be highly appreciated. https://patreon.com/robinjacksonBuy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4 Sign up for the pre-launch of the How Cults Work course here: https://north-star-academy.thinkific.com/courses/how-cults-work

This is a recorded live-stream I recorded where I answered questions about about my background, growing up a Jehovah's Witness in South Africa etc.I will also be pre-launching my How Cults Work course. Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4Sign up for the How Cults Work Course here: https://north-star-academy.thinkific....

Before being baptized as a Jehovah's Witness I was baptized as an infant in the Anglican church. My father was an Anglican Church member before he became a Jehovah's Witness. I eventually accompanied him to the meetings and took to the faith. The pressure from the elders in the congregation and amongst teens is immense and I eventually got baptized at 13 years of age. What is very ironic is that Watchtower criticizes Christendom and the churches for infant baptism. Despite such criticism, and recognizing that baptism requires informed consent, Watchtower highlights it allows the baptism of children as young as 6. Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4

ver the course of a number of years of my cult activism I have appeared in the mainstream media speaking about my journey as a Jehovah's Witness and I have been asked to give my views and to unpack the dynamics around cults locally here in South Africa and abroad. I've written extensive articles about the phenomenon and have commented on the cult landscape not only from a religious perspective, but also from a commercial, self-help and political overview.And during the course of all of this I have also been contacted by parents and concerned individuals wanting to know more about a certain group or how to protect their children, family members and friends from getting drawn into cults or high control groups. I remember working with the Concerned Parents Group here in Durban whose children were being recruited at high school and eventually lured to Mauritius and told to cut ties with their family members. It was a heartbreaking saga as it reminded me of how many other groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses practice shunning and what a devastating effect it has.Recently, I have been contacted by concerned individuals who once again wanted to know how to protect their family members and how to get individuals who are stuck in a cult out.With that I realized that I needed to put an educational programme together to educate people on the basics of cults and their recruitment techniques. The past year and a half have been tough on many of us. We've lost family members, friends and many other loved ones to this pandemic.Many of us are suffering the after effects of the virus and its impact on our health and our psyche. The economic impact has also been a major factor that has caused major mental health issues with many of us.And this is a climate ripe for cult recruitment as people want to make sense of what is happening in their lives and looking for a way out. Cults thrive in this type of environment. Not only the religious type, but the political type as well.So subscribe to this channel to be updated on when this will be released and how to access the course.Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4

In publications directed to the public, Watchtower claims not to judge homosexuals, yet continues to release articles that are disparaging of gay people and anyone supporting gay people. Watchtower labels homosexuality as one of the most vile sins, and practicing homosexuals will be destroyed at Armageddon. It has written that masturbation can lead to becoming homosexual, and homosexuality is a desire that can be overcome. Clever use of images convey a message not always put into writing.Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4Affiliate Link: Gay, Straight and The Reason Why. The Science of Sexual Orientation https://amzn.to/3BdXvke

As a publishing company, Watchtower amassed considerable wealth from the sale of literature from the 1800's to the 1990s. There was no need to resort to the same collection efforts typical of other religious groups. This changed in 1990 with a tax ruling against Jimmy Swaggart. In 1988, Jimmy Swaggart was taken to court in the case Swaggart Ministries v. California Board of Equalization. This was with regard to paying tax on profit derived from sales of religious material.Realizing a ruling against Swaggart could result in the sale of Watchtower publications being taxed, Watchtower filed as friend of the court to show support for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries retaining tax exempt status. The Supreme Court ruled against Swaggart on January 17th, 1990, ordering him to pay back taxes.Well, the sale of Watchtower publications fell under this ruling. Watchtower decided that rather than pay tax on the money it was receiving from the sale of Watchtower literature, it would be better to direct Jehovah's Witnesses to start asking for donations from people who accepted Watchtower journals in the house to house ministry work. This led to a decline in income.This video shows how the Governing Body solicits money from the Jehovah's Witnesses, including from the poor and children.Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4

In this episode I want to ask the question, "Does Jehovah's Witnesses and other high control groups and fundamentalist sects foster narcissism and egotism?" It is a question and observation I have been wrestling with for a number of years and I thought I would throw the question out there to you, the viewers and the listeners, to get your views on this topic.Please feel free to post your comments in the comments section below.

Growing up in the Jehovah's Witnesses I've always had a disdain for the misogynistic and sexist nature of the Jehovah's Witnesses.They are a patriarchal society where women are to view men as their head and only men can hold positions of responsibility and teaching in the congregation. The head of a wife is her husband, and the spiritual head of a "sister" is a "brother". A female Witness is not to pray in front of a male Witness and must wear a head covering in order to pray in front of an unbaptized man or conduct a meeting in front of other sisters. Women have not fared well in many of the world's religions and societies. And the JW organization is part of this discrimination against women. All leadership roles within Jehovah's Witnesses are filled by men. Women fill only the very bottom position of the organisational hierarchy.Misogynistic, sexist and subjective views of women are not without consequence.Buy my book Losing The Faith: Amazon https://tinyurl.com/27x2htzmBuy my book Cults: How They Work Amazon https://tinyurl.com/3bw82jk4

Jehovah's Witnesses are advised against pursuing a higher education, with Watchtower providing regular warnings that attending university is an improper use of time in these so called last days. Higher education, such as obtained at a college or university, provides benefits at both a private and social level, hence religious groups that attempt to take this choice from their followers deserve public scrutiny.In this episode I address Jehovah's Witnesses stance with regard to higher education, but there's a twist. Buy my book Losing The Faith: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-R...Buy my book Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Wor...#JehovahsWitnesses #highereducation #cults

Vice aired the documentary called Crusaders which examines the secret database of thousands of child sex offenders and how it has impacted the lives of the victims and those who actively speak out about the way these cases were handled by the congregations and the Governing Body at large.Those of us who have been Jehovah's Witnesses know how the Watch Tower would consistently publish damning articles about child sexual abuse within the Catholic church and often mention this from the platforms. Well, years after the Catholic Church was found to have harboured and protected child sex abusers while punishing the victims for seeking justice, attention was turned on the Jehovah's Witnesses for doing the exact same thing.By my book Losing The Faith: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-R...Buy my book Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Wor...#JehovahsWitnesses #ViceTV #secretdatabase

A few years ago when I published my two books I was contacted by the South African Broadcasting Corporation to appear on a television show called African Views. The producer who called asked if I was the author of the books called Losing The Faith and Cults: How They Work. I said I most certainly am.She asked if I would be willing to appear on an episode of African Views which will deal with the topic of fundamentalism in religions. I agreed to appear on the show and what follows is the story of how the Watch Tower refused to be on a television show with me.By my book Losing The Faith: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-R...Buy my Book Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Wor...#JehovahsWitnesses #SABC #Cults

For some, religion serves as a community, a place of support. It can serve as a common identity shared among family members or a set of beliefs one has held since childhood that governs their lives. For others, religion is a source of pain and shame, a place they feel shunned and unwelcome or even unsafe. Religious trauma syndrome (RTS) is a set of symptoms and characteristics that tend to go together and which are related to harmful experiences with religion. In this episode Robin explores the fundamental causes and effects of Religious Trauma SyndromeLeaving The Fold by Dr Marlene Winell affiliate link https://amzn.to/3ku1jIvBreaking Their Will by Janet Heimlich affiliate link https://amzn.to/3xJAgwxBy my book Losing The Faith: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-Robin-Jackson-ebook/dp/B005AHSJZQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Losing+the+faith+Robin+jackson&qid=1626627822&sr=8-2Buy my Book Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Work-Robin-Jackson/dp/0620423579/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Cults+how+they+work+Robin+jackson&qid=1626627973&sr=8-1#JehovahsWitnesses #ReligiousTraumaSyndrome #Mentalhealth

A few months ago I appeared on ENCA to express my views on the events surrounding Trump, the insurrection and how the Republican Party in USA has become the personality cult of Trump. How that personality gave rise to the insurrection on the Capital on January the 6th. The events that have unfolded over the past few days here in South Africa has shone a spotlight on our vulnerable society and how political leaders and personalities use the status quo to advance their own agendas and to protect their own selfish interests. What we saw here in the province of KZN and Gauteng was a well orchestrated attempt by the faction of the ANC aligned to Jacob Zuma who has been imprisoned for contempt of court. Zuma and his RET faction has always been a Cult of Zuma within the ANC organization itself. With the RET faction realising that their Zuma faction was slowly being rooted out and confronted by the Ramaphosa faction, it was time for them to stage a fight back to protect their criminality and own looting of the state coffers for over a decade. Their aim was to destabalise the economy and SA as a whole by crippling our supply chain and infrastructure. The names of those responsible are already known according to the Minister of Police and Minister of State Security. A reformed National Prosecuting Authority has put key players like suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule on the defensive as he faces Free State-related corruption charges in court in August. The ANC itself has put its own reform into top gear. In the past week, it has suspended RET spokesperson Carl Niehaus, Mpumalanga leader Michael Ngrayi Ngwenya and on Wednesday suspended the Eastern Cape renegade politician, Andile Lungisa.And as I've said before in a podcast on political cults that history is littered with examples of this. Show people the contradicting statements and utterances of these characters and cognitive dissonance sets in. Their minds simply short circuits in an attempt to justify and legitimise the contradictions and flip flops. Some people will wake up and some won't.There is no doubt that the criminal element took over the chaos which was instigated by the hidden hands under the veil. Many were opportunist going along with the masses and got swept up in herd mentality. And as this dies down within the next few days, and communities pick up the pieces in the aftermath, this will have an effect on peoples mental health, physical health and overall well being. But they will rebuild.Those who instigated this madness should be held accountable. South Africa has a fragile economy and may have survived this past week of violence and mayhem. But only just. It might not be so lucky the next time.#SouthAfricaUnrest #ANC #Zuma

There are an estimated 175,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. They are not recognized as Christian by Orthodox and other Christian traditions, primarily because they do not believe in the Trinity. They also do not salute the flag, bear arms or participate in politics.More than 170 Jehovah's Witnesses have reportedly been imprisoned or put in pre-trial detention in Russia since 2017 for practising their faith. That's when the Russian Supreme Court labelled Jehovah's Witnesses an “extremist” group. Witnesses are a religious minority in the country, where the Russian Orthodox Church has the backing of the state.Recently a Russian court has handed the country's longest prison sentence yet to a Jehovah's Witness.Buy My Book: Losing The Faithhttps://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-Robin-Jackson-ebook/dp/B005AHSJZQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1564088941&sr=8-1Buy My Book: Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Work-Robin-Jackson/dp/0620423579/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=cults+how+they+work&qid=1625313503&sr=8-1#JehovahsWitnesses #Russia #Cult

In September of 2020, a 50-year old Christian mission in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa came under police investigation after allegations of wide-ranging abuse, gross violations of human rights, turning a blind eye to sexual abuse, and alleged money laundering spanning four decades.News24 interviewed former members of Kwasizabantu over a period of seven months. As the story unfolded, more and more victims came forward with tales of abuse.We look into the history and allegations that the church has been acting like a cult.Exodus trailer courtesy of News24. https://youtu.be/puMOos_1EwQBuy My Book: Losing The Faithhttps://www.amazon.com/Losing-Faith-R...Buy My Book: Cults: How They Workhttps://www.amazon.com/Cults-They-Wor...

The current events surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across America and other countries have shone a light on racism within our society once again. It has also overshadowed the worldwide pandemic we are fighting.All world religions proclaim universal brotherly love. Yet, history is littered with moments in which religion has provided a justification for, or has given cause to, all kinds of atrocities directed towards people of different race or culture.

The current events surrounding the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent protests across America and other countries have shone a light on racism within our society once again. It has also overshadowed the worldwide pandemic we are fighting.All world religions proclaim universal brotherly love. Yet, history is littered with moments in which religion has provided a justification for, or has given cause to, all kinds of atrocities directed towards people of different race or culture.

So, the whole world is in lockdown. COVID-19 has decimated economies, livelihoods and our normal routines have been interrupted. This pandemic has wreaked havoc globally and we have lost many lives to this virus. Currently, many countries are starting to ease the lockdowns to get some economic activity going. But is clear that we will not be going back to life as we knew it in 1999.In this episode Robin discusses the disinformation surrounding the virus as well as David Icke and the Conspiracy Theory brigade.

So, the whole world is in lockdown. COVID-19 has decimated economies, livelihoods and our normal routines have been interrupted. This pandemic has wreaked havoc globally and we have lost many lives to this virus. Currently, many countries are starting to ease the lockdowns to get some economic activity going. But is clear that we will not be going back to life as we knew it in 1999.In this episode Robin discusses the disinformation surrounding the virus as well as David Icke and the Conspiracy Theory brigade.

Robin Jackson continues the discussion of his journey out of the Watch Tower organization.This episode focuses on early adulthood and marriage.

Robin Jackson continues the discussion of his journey out of the Watch Tower organization.This episode focuses on early adulthood and marriage.

It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.” This statement comes from the movie called The Matrix, which to me aptly describes what I experienced and what led to me being awakened to the deception and cover-ups of an organization that claims to be directed by God and states that it is the sole channel of communication between God andmen.From about eleven years of age I truly believed that the organization known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was rightfully that which it claimed to be. I was actively involved in the preachingwork as set out and required of every Jehovah’s Witness and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would find myself taking my current stand. For twenty five years of my life I believed this was “The Truth”. Well, I reached a crossroads in mylife and this book describes what led me to my decisions and howI came to the conclusion that I was living a life based on justanother religious concept. A concept that can be very damagingto individuals and families.My gripe is not with the people in the organization, but it iswith the doctrines that have no sound scriptural backing. Thedoctrines that the leaders of this organization enforce on itsfollowers that cause so much pain and family break-ups. Thereare many good people in this organization that I personally know,and who truly wants to serve God with their whole heart andmind. They do not know of the cover-ups and deception that thisorganization and so many others like it would much rather hide from their followers.

It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.” This statement comes from the movie called The Matrix, which to me aptly describes what I experienced and what led to me being awakened to the deception and cover-ups of an organization that claims to be directed by God and states that it is the sole channel of communication between God andmen.From about eleven years of age I truly believed that the organization known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was rightfully that which it claimed to be. I was actively involved in the preachingwork as set out and required of every Jehovah’s Witness and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would find myself taking my current stand. For twenty five years of my life I believed this was “The Truth”. Well, I reached a crossroads in mylife and this book describes what led me to my decisions and howI came to the conclusion that I was living a life based on justanother religious concept. A concept that can be very damagingto individuals and families.My gripe is not with the people in the organization, but it iswith the doctrines that have no sound scriptural backing. Thedoctrines that the leaders of this organization enforce on itsfollowers that cause so much pain and family break-ups. Thereare many good people in this organization that I personally know,and who truly wants to serve God with their whole heart andmind. They do not know of the cover-ups and deception that thisorganization and so many others like it would much rather hide from their followers.

History is littered with cults that use political ideals as their base. Classic examples of this type of cult are Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Communist USSR. This was mind control on a large scale. On a smaller scale, white and black supremacists, terrorists, and rebel groups commonly use forms of mind control to recruit and dominate members. Under this type of cult we include examples such as The Michigan Militia, Posse Comitatus, The Nation of Islam and The Ku Klux Klan. And dare I include South Africa’s very own AWB (Afrikaner Weerstand Beweeging).There has been an increase in the politics of personalities and the formation of cults around political leaders. Smaller parties, four of them new, and the EFF have presented the electorate with prominent leadership figures and will hang the immediate future of their parties on these personalities. For the ruling ANC, too, the election has become a lot more about Cyril Ramaphosa than it is about the party. In fairness, the ANC is less of a cult, than say, the EFF, Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s African Content Movement, or Andile Mngxitama and the Black First Land First Movement (BLF). However, the EFF has become a classic example of how cults rise out of the personality of one charismatic leader. A leader who can do no wrong in the eyes of the rank and file and who's followers will say and do anything to defend their leader. Even when they are confronted with the hypocrisy and outright lies of that particular leader.

History is littered with cults that use political ideals as their base. Classic examples of this type of cult are Hitler’s Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Communist USSR. This was mind control on a large scale. On a smaller scale, white and black supremacists, terrorists, and rebel groups commonly use forms of mind control to recruit and dominate members. Under this type of cult we include examples such as The Michigan Militia, Posse Comitatus, The Nation of Islam and The Ku Klux Klan. And dare I include South Africa’s very own AWB (Afrikaner Weerstand Beweeging).There has been an increase in the politics of personalities and the formation of cults around political leaders. Smaller parties, four of them new, and the EFF have presented the electorate with prominent leadership figures and will hang the immediate future of their parties on these personalities. For the ruling ANC, too, the election has become a lot more about Cyril Ramaphosa than it is about the party. In fairness, the ANC is less of a cult, than say, the EFF, Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s African Content Movement, or Andile Mngxitama and the Black First Land First Movement (BLF). However, the EFF has become a classic example of how cults rise out of the personality of one charismatic leader. A leader who can do no wrong in the eyes of the rank and file and who's followers will say and do anything to defend their leader. Even when they are confronted with the hypocrisy and outright lies of that particular leader.

In 1985 The Watch Tower released a book called Life, How did it get here? By evolution or creation? The book was studied by the Jehovah’s Witnesses at their book studies and was hailed as a definitive tool to counter the argument for evolution. However, the book proved to be a feeble attempt by The Watch Tower to prove their doctrine.The book contained numerous misquotes of experts in the field of evolutionary science, biology, palaeontology and anthropology. Quotes were taken out of context and twisted to suit the narrative within the book. Needless to say, many of these experts called out The Watch Tower for their dishonesty. It leaves a question mark over the ability of the Watch Tower's teachings and doctrines to stand up to scrutiny and truth.#evolution #creation #JehovahsWitnesses

In 1985 The Watch Tower released a book called Life, How did it get here? By evolution or creation? The book was studied by the Jehovah’s Witnesses at their book studies and was hailed as a definitive tool to counter the argument for evolution. However, the book proved to be a feeble attempt by The Watch Tower to prove their doctrine.The book contained numerous misquotes of experts in the field of evolutionary science, biology, palaeontology and anthropology. Quotes were taken out of context and twisted to suit the narrative within the book. Needless to say, many of these experts called out The Watch Tower for their dishonesty. It leaves a question mark over the ability of the Watch Tower's teachings and doctrines to stand up to scrutiny and truth.#evolution #creation #JehovahsWitnesses

We are back with a brand new season of Cult Life. This show outlines the new book called Leaving The Witness by Amber Scorah, a former Jehovah's Witness that was a missionary in China. Leaving The Witness: Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life recounts Scorah's journey and experiences as a Jehovah's Witness. Ambers view on dealing with change and loss is profoundly inspiring and encompasses what many have to deal with when exiting a religion or a cult.#LeavingTheWitness #AmberScorah #ExJW

We are back with a brand new season of Cult Life. This show outlines the new book called Leaving The Witness by Amber Scorah, a former Jehovah's Witness that was a missionary in China. Leaving The Witness: Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life recounts Scorah's journey and experiences as a Jehovah's Witness. Ambers view on dealing with change and loss is profoundly inspiring and encompasses what many have to deal with when exiting a religion or a cult.#LeavingTheWitness #AmberScorah #ExJW

Following a series of tense negotiations and years of liberation struggle, the first democratic election was held in South Africa on the 27th April, 1994. This election changed the history of South Africa. It paved the way towards a new democratic dispensation and a new constitution for the country. For the first time all races in the country were going to the polls to vote for a government of their choice. Nineteen political parties participated and twenty-two million people voted. The election took place in a festive atmosphere, contrary to fears of political violence. Many Jehovah's Witnesses do not vote and stay neutral in political affairs.However, the requirement not to vote has varied over time. Although few Witnesses vote, since 1999 it is technically a conscience matter. This episode discusses the standpoint from the Watch Tower and how it has created a mess. Lives have also been lost due to the Watch Tower's commands.Music intro provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com).#JehovahsWitnesses #Vote #SouthAfrica

Following a series of tense negotiations and years of liberation struggle, the first democratic election was held in South Africa on the 27th April, 1994. This election changed the history of South Africa. It paved the way towards a new democratic dispensation and a new constitution for the country. For the first time all races in the country were going to the polls to vote for a government of their choice. Nineteen political parties participated and twenty-two million people voted. The election took place in a festive atmosphere, contrary to fears of political violence. Many Jehovah's Witnesses do not vote and stay neutral in political affairs.However, the requirement not to vote has varied over time. Although few Witnesses vote, since 1999 it is technically a conscience matter. This episode discusses the standpoint from the Watch Tower and how it has created a mess. Lives have also been lost due to the Watch Tower's commands.Music intro provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com).#JehovahsWitnesses #Vote #SouthAfrica

Measles outbreaks are devastating countries across the globe, linked to a massive drop in vaccination rates. The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm and ranked ‘vaccine hesitancy’ as one of the top 10 threats to public health everywhere. Washington state has experienced a measles outbreak in the past month. And South Africa is not immune to this.Dr Yogan Pillay, deputy director general at the Department of Health, said that 85 percent of children in South Africa are fully immunised by the age of one year – but the most recent data from the country’s Medical Research Council suggests this figure is closer to 70 percent. There are a number of factors that contribute to this with access to rural areas being one, where parents find it difficult to get to clinics and medical practitioners also finding it hard to reach many in the rural areas. Another factor is, of course, the anti-vaccination drives being fuelled by misinformation and bogus studies that have been debunked at proven to be false.But does religious doctrine and sentiments play a role in the anti-vaccination communities?#Vaccination #Measles Religion

Measles outbreaks are devastating countries across the globe, linked to a massive drop in vaccination rates. The World Health Organisation has raised the alarm and ranked ‘vaccine hesitancy’ as one of the top 10 threats to public health everywhere. Washington state has experienced a measles outbreak in the past month. And South Africa is not immune to this.Dr Yogan Pillay, deputy director general at the Department of Health, said that 85 percent of children in South Africa are fully immunised by the age of one year – but the most recent data from the country’s Medical Research Council suggests this figure is closer to 70 percent. There are a number of factors that contribute to this with access to rural areas being one, where parents find it difficult to get to clinics and medical practitioners also finding it hard to reach many in the rural areas. Another factor is, of course, the anti-vaccination drives being fuelled by misinformation and bogus studies that have been debunked at proven to be false.But does religious doctrine and sentiments play a role in the anti-vaccination communities?#Vaccination #Measles Religion

From inception, Watchtower leaders took issue with the education system, bemoaning teachings that contradict a literal interpretation of the Bible. One of the primary reasoning against a higher education has been that the time left is reduced, so the final days of this system should be spent in full service for Jehovah and his organization. However, controlling the information that members take in is typical of cults and high control groups.#JehovahsWitnesses #HigherEducation #CultLife

From inception, Watchtower leaders took issue with the education system, bemoaning teachings that contradict a literal interpretation of the Bible. One of the primary reasoning against a higher education has been that the time left is reduced, so the final days of this system should be spent in full service for Jehovah and his organization. However, controlling the information that members take in is typical of cults and high control groups.#JehovahsWitnesses #HigherEducation #CultLife

On the afternoon of Monday December 31, 2018, the Truth and Transparency Foundation was issued four separate takedown requests with a total of 63 documents. The request came from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is the third time the Truth and Transparency Foundation has received such a request, this being the first regarding withdrawal of documents not related to Mormonism.All the documents included in the requests are currently hosted on the website of TTF project FaithLeaks, which serves as a site to host confidential documents from religious institutions. The entirety of the documents was published in late April or early May 2018, eight months before the requests.How did FaithLeaks.org respond?#FaithLeaks #WatchTower #Takedown

On the afternoon of Monday December 31, 2018, the Truth and Transparency Foundation was issued four separate takedown requests with a total of 63 documents. The request came from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is the third time the Truth and Transparency Foundation has received such a request, this being the first regarding withdrawal of documents not related to Mormonism.All the documents included in the requests are currently hosted on the website of TTF project FaithLeaks, which serves as a site to host confidential documents from religious institutions. The entirety of the documents was published in late April or early May 2018, eight months before the requests.How did FaithLeaks.org respond?#FaithLeaks #WatchTower #Takedown

Many religions and cults frown upon and have a disdain for the field of Psychology and we will explore some of the writings and utterances of some of these cults showing their distrust of this academic discipline and science.According to The South African College of Applied Psychology it is the scientific study of the multi-dimensional facets of the mind and human behaviour.It seeks to understand the developmental, psychosocial and environmental factors that influence experiences and shape individuals and groups. Psychology explores many fascinating concepts including perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior and interpersonal relationships to name just a few.The study of psychology ultimately aims to benefit individuals and society in the enhancement of mental health as well as in understanding and solving problems in many other contexts and spheres of human activity.#Cults #Psychology #JehovahsWitnesses

Many religions and cults frown upon and have a disdain for the field of Psychology and we will explore some of the writings and utterances of some of these cults showing their distrust of this academic discipline and science.According to The South African College of Applied Psychology it is the scientific study of the multi-dimensional facets of the mind and human behaviour.It seeks to understand the developmental, psychosocial and environmental factors that influence experiences and shape individuals and groups. Psychology explores many fascinating concepts including perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior and interpersonal relationships to name just a few.The study of psychology ultimately aims to benefit individuals and society in the enhancement of mental health as well as in understanding and solving problems in many other contexts and spheres of human activity.#Cults #Psychology #JehovahsWitnesses