Podcasts about disfellowshipped

In this heartfelt conversation, Nate and Susie sit down with Al, a former Jehovah's Witness who lost everything the moment his family and faith community learned he was gay. Disfellowshipped and cut off, Al shares what it felt like to watch the people he loved most simply vanish from his life. But this isn't just a story about what he lost—it's also about what he's created in the aftermath. Al found healing in the kitchen, channeling his roots and international influences into his own micro bakery. Learn more about Al's food at https://www.instagram.com/painpanbakery/ Support us and Join our Monthly Zoom on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ITriedtoBeStraight Chat with us and others on Discord: ⁠ https://discord.gg/5jVTkdUm --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/i-tried-to-be-straight/support

Caleb Morell joins David Schrock to discuss his longform essay "'The Power and Duty of An Association': Have Baptist Associations Historically Disfellowshipped Disorderly Churches?" Timestamps Intro – 00:37 About Caleb Morrell – 2:23 Why is the History of Baptist Associationalism Important for Today? - 04:01 Walking Through the History of the Philidelphia Association - 06:35 What's the Connection of the Philidelphia Association and the History of Baptists in America? - 08:18 What is Benjamin Griffith Arguing For with New Testament Churches and Baptist Churches? - 09:56 Stories of Churches that Illustrate Associationalism - 12:20 What are Other Ways Associationalism Played Itself Out? - 14:57 What Can We Learn From Our Baptist Brothers Who Have Gone Before Us? - 18:32 What Was Capitol Hill Baptist Church Waiting For? - 20:18 Is It Possible Now in the SBC to Do What the Earlier Baptist Associations Have Done? - 23:00 Churches Disfellowshipped - 29:10 Having a Tighter or Looser Confession and Commitment - 30:51 James Merritt's Statement and Where We Are Today - 39:06 Outro – 44:23  Resources to Click “'The Power and Duty of an Association': Have Baptist Associations Historically Disfellowshipped Disorderly Churches?” – Caleb Morrell Theme: Creeds, Confessions, and Cooperation Christoverall.com/give

Is local church autonomy at odds with Baptist associations disfellowshipping churches from their membership? This historical study clearly demonstrates that the answer is no.

I had the privilege of interviewing two of the most respected EX Jehovah's Witnesses on the Internet, Kim & Mikey @KimMikeyex-jw. I needed some content so I used a new service called OpenAI and wrote this blog asking it for a parallel between Ponzi schemes and religious cults.Religious cults and Ponzi schemes are both forms of manipulation and exploitation that can cause significant harm to those involved. Both rely on persuasion, deception, and manipulation to recruit and retain members or victims, and both may use tactics such as secrecy, isolation, propaganda, and financial incentives to maintain control. Both may also use charismatic leaders to gain followers or victims, and both may exploit the trust and loyalty of those involved for personal gain. Both may cause significant harm to members or victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of these types of groups or schemes and to protect oneself from becoming a victim.There are several parallels between religious cults and people who run Ponzi schemes:TIME STAMPS / CHAPTERSDanny de Hek 00:00:00Kim Mikey 00:03:051) 00:24:30 Both rely on persuasion and manipulation to recruit and retain members/victims.2) 00:30:30 Both often use charismatic leaders to gain followers/victims.3) 00:38:10 Both may use secrecy and isolation to control members/victims and prevent them from leaving or speaking out.4) 00:48:30 Both may use propaganda and misinformation to maintain the loyalty of members/victims.5) 00:50:51 Both may use financial incentives to recruit and retain members/victims.6) 00:58:37 Both may use threats and intimidation to silence dissent and maintain control.7) 01:01:15 Both may prey on vulnerable individuals, such as those who are financially or emotionally distressed.8) 01:07:30 Both may use a sense of community or belonging to keep members/victims committed.9) 01:11:00 Both may exploit the trust and loyalty of members/victims for personal gain.10) 01:22:00 Both may cause significant harm to members/victims, including financial ruin and emotional trauma.11) 01:27:10 Both may use the guise of a legitimate organisation or cause to mask their true intentions.12) 01:31:34 Both may use techniques such as hypnosis or brainwashing to control members/victims.13) 01:37:20 Both may use group pressure and peer influence to coerce members/victims into compliance.14) 01:40:00 Both may use rewards and punishments to control behaviour and maintain loyalty.15) 01:42:15 Both may use emotional appeals and appeals to higher ideals to justify their actions.16) 01:44:00 Both may use the promise of a better future or a utopian vision to attract and retain members/victims.17) 01:47:50 Both may use fear and anxiety to control and manipulate members/victims.18) 01:49:15 Both may use legal and financial tactics to intimidate and silence dissent.19) 01:53:00 Both may use deceptive and manipulative language to mislead and deceive members/victims.20) 01:54:46 Both may engage in unethical and illegal activities to further their goals and protect their interests.Conclusion 01:59:00There are several modern day cults that have gained significant attention in recent years, including the Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious group known for their strict adherence to the teachings of the Bible and their aggressive evangelising efforts. READ MORE https://www.dehek.com/general/ponzi-scheme-scamalerts/the-dangerous-deception-of-religious-cults-and-ponzi-schemes/Support the show

Please consider a tax-deductible end-of-year donation at watchman.org/Give.Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. By God's grace, Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. In this episode (Part Two), we conclude our discussion. Daniel talks about the importance of discipleship and how to talk with the Jehovah's Witnesses when they knock on your door: Is the average Christian church equipped to help former Jehovah's Witnesses transition to the true gospel of the grace of Christ? What is one of the best questions we can ask a Jehovah's Witness? How can a "SEE" (significant emotional event) be a catalyst for spiritual transition? Besides the Bible, what one book helped Daniel clearly see the Jehovah's Witnesses errors? Why did Daniel join the leadership team as a board member at Watchman Fellowship? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/JW Video: Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Book - Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Franz, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Video: Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Please consider a tax-deductible end-of-year donation at watchman.org/Give.Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. Daniel's testimony is a rebroadcast first published in 2020. In part one of this discussion, Daniel shares his journey from the Kingdom Hall to the Kingdom of God: When he first got the knock at his front door, what attracted Daniel to listen to the Jehovah's Witnesses and initially embrace their teachings? What caused Daniel to mistake the Jehovah's Witnesses sincerity for their accuracy? Why is it difficult for former Jehovah's Witnesses to believe in Jesus even after they learn their religion was wrong? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/JW Video: Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Book - Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Franz, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Video: Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In this episode, Pastor J.D. is addressing whether or not a church should be disfellowshipped from the SBC if they have a woman serving in the role of pastor.

How to Reach VEVIAN VOZMEDIANOFacebookInstagramYouTubeWebsiteABOUT VEVIANLearning how to live after leaving or getting disfellowshipped from the Jehovah's Witnesses is a challenging journey. It destroys your whole approach to life. It's like the rug gets pulled out from under you in every way because the organization defined everything about your life. It defined who you were, what you believed in, your relationships, your purpose in life, your view of the world, your view of the future, and your view on what happened to us after we die. Being part of it is how you made sense of the world.As a Jehovah's Witness, you were taught to be "no part of this world." The religion made you believe that it was only "Jehovah's people" who had "the truth". I'm here to tell you otherwise.When Jesus said, "the truth will set you free," he was speaking of your OWN truth. Living your truth means that you unapologetically embrace who you are and present that true self to the world. Your authentic self is the self that will most benefit you and the lives of those you encounter. Leaving or getting shunned from the organization and not having your voice as a woman can leave you feeling psychologically and mentally stunted and incapable of making life decisions. You could be feeling helpless, suicidal, numb, riddled with guilt and shame, angry, suffer from sleep deprivation, eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal dysfunction.It is heroic of you to say NO to the organization and no longer want to be part of it. Possibly for the first time in your life, you are starting to ask yourself, what do I want and believe?Welcome to your healing journey and finding your truth. In a very real way, you have to re-create your identity from scratch. I know what what this feels like.I was disfellowshipped in December 2011. I wrote four letters to get back into the organization in 2 years. I missed everyone, including my mom, who has been a regular pioneer for 30+ years. After these two years of getting rejected re-entry, I decided I wanted to see what life was like in the real world. It turns out it's pretty INCREDIBLE!I've dedicated the last ten years of my life to my healing journey of finding my own truth. This journey of self-awareness, self-inquiry, self-acceptance and self-compassion led me to the path of self-love. It turns out, the only person you need approval from is yourself!Along my healing path, I've picked up tools, habits, and tactics that I'm sharing in this program.This program is intended to help support you and help you discover who you are outside of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The group format and setting will provide a safe space to connect with like-minded individuals who will intern empower you on your journey. During these eight weeks, you will take a deep dive into your inner world to unlock what you believe, who you are, and help you connect with your full potential! Please consider supporting our work on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/exjwcriticalthinker Check out our t-shirt designs: https://exjwcriticalthinker.myspreadshop.com/all How to Contact UsWe appreciate hearing from our viewers; however, we do not have enough staff or resources to communicate with everyone. We rarely check messages in our social media platforms (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), therefore, if you want to reach us, email us directly at the email ad

Today listen in on my interview with Miranda Davidson who was first excommunicated as a teenager, then left the Jehovah's Witnesses in her 30's.Listen in to learn about some of the following:Why the Jehovah's Witnesses don't celebrate birthdays and other holidaysWhat happens to non-Jehovah's Witnesses when the end comesWhat the knocking on the doors is aboutHow Miranda was kept from societal influenceWhy Miranda was disfellowshipped as a teenagerWhat it means to be disfellowshippedWhen she finally decided to leaveAnd more….Miranda was raised Jehovah's Witness and home schooled, then became a stay-at-home wife and mother. In her early 30s, she left the faith, went back to school, started a new career, and left her marriage.She's now 38 with an MBA, a career in data analytics working for a publicly traded financial tech company and has primary custody of her 3 daughters (15, 13, and 5). On Facebook, she runs a private group for survivors of religious trauma / cults and is working on starting up a group for in person meetings.In her free time, she takes belly dance and hand drumming lessons and recently started performing with a small theater troupe. She also enjoys international travel, baking, and studying astrology and tarot.If you are going through a faith crisis or faith transition, you are not alone. Sometimes you may feel you lost what purpose and meaning there was in life after leaving a religion that gave you the structure for every part of life.Come get a Human Design Life Purpose Reading to help you open up to the possibilities of who you were born to be: https://rebeccatervo.com/designPlease click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!© 2022 Rebecca Tervo Coaching LLC Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This introductory episode is to clarify why I started this podcast, who I started it for, and what it's about. The reason I'm sharing this is because then you can make a fully informed choice about if you would like to subscribe, keep listening and continue to explore this conversation with me! In this episode I share the 2 epiphanies that caused me to wake up (after I'd already been Disfellowshipped from the JW organisation), and the realisations I had after diving deep into exploring the world of "apostates" and post-religious activism. ---------------------------- FREE RESOURCES Access your recovery audit >>> HERE > HERE

Scripture: “‘But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself, that person shall be cut off from among the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean. It shall be a perpetual statute for them. He who sprinkles the water of purification shall wash his clothes; and he who touches the water of purification shall be unclean until evening. Whatever the unclean person touches shall be unclean; and the person who touches it shall be unclean until evening.' ”” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭19:20-22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/num.19.20-22.NKJV Announcements: It's Friday special! To update our partners in Gen1toRev22, we've moved away from social media and continued to see stable listening numbers. The audience has begun to grow more consistent for which all credit goes to the Lord. It is an encouragement to hear of others being encouraged through this simple podcast. It's been a busy season full of both productivity and much needed refueling. Trying to personally focus on balanced rest after a very busy/stressful time since 2020. To be more often like Mary, than do more like Martha. Observations: • If someone chose to not purify themselves, not to pursue consecration, then they would be disfellowshipped. • reiteration of the cleansing process Application: We we do not abide in obedience, our relationship struggles, we will feel distant, even be disconnected from the assembly of God's people. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ““If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John‬ ‭14:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” I John‬ ‭4:20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Prayer: pray the passage and how the Holy Spirit has convicted you back to the Lord. Ask Him to do in You what His Word teaches. This Podcast is brought to you by FMM: Focusing on the Mark Ministries ~ keep living a Matthew 6:33 live until He comes. Find out more at Gen1toRev22.com Mission The Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 Project often follows the simple SOAP method to equip you to delve into your Bible and share God's Word with others. S cripture – read the Bible O bservation – observe the context A pplication – apply to life and worldview P ray – in line with the Word It, also has a focus on Expository-Apologetics when teaching Gen1toRev22. This means that there is an undergirding, prayerful motivation that as the message of the Bible is explained that there is an opportunity to answer questions, defend, and share the Christian Faith. (ryanmmarks.com/genesis-1-to-revelation-22-project)

Under the old covenant a man witch suspected his wife of adultery could enact or process which would invoke a curse on her if she was unfaithful. Is there an application to this for us as believers?

As a child did you say you were sorry begrudgingly? Today we see the Lord's call for His glory and our good to genuinely come to a place of being sorry and seeking restoration

Brother Ryan discusses an application of the laws practice of separating from the “unclean”

Captured in the Albanian Mountains, awash in golden hour light, this magickal photograph was made where the heavens meet the earth. The foreground is filled with hourglass-shaped cobblestones, painted with long curling shadows that span the bottom third of the frame. An ornately designed wrought iron railing with an infinite pattern of circles containing eye-shaped ovals stretches alongside the cobblestones and a sheer drop off…     [If your podcast app isn't showing the featured art for this episode above visit https://rebekahnemethy.com/artink# to check it out.   Castbox and Podcast Addict are both apps I recommend that do show episode specific art.]     Links from the Show at a Glance:   Artist: Mia Dovolani Title of Art: Stairway to Heaven Artist's Website: miadovolani.com Instagram: @miadovolani   Art Ink Submission Guidelines: rebekahnemethy.com/artinksubs     Art Ink Podcast Transcript:   [Intro:]   Hello you magnificent human you. Yes, I'm talkin' tuh you! I've been sitting on this story and this art for quite awhile… as a bartender in my previous life I was trained to avoid certain topics… oh who am I kidding? I'm a trained people pleaser so I'm always afraid of what people will think of me.   I feel like I've been living my whole life in a shadow. For most of my life the shadows have been plentiful and long, like those cast by an early morning sun; easy to hide in. Now, though, my mid-life crisis is that it's noon and there isn't enough shadow left to stand in let alone live in… if my life goes according to metaphor the shadows will lengthen once again, eventually, but right now the urge I have to share new kinds of stories with you is strong and it seems impossible not to at least inch a toe into the sunshine… and so that's what I'm doing here.   But first, let's talk about the art that pushed me out of my writing comfort zone and into, yup—I'm saying it, writing heaven. My dear friend Mia Dovolani is our featured artist for today, and she's my millennial role model. She's not just an artist through her photography, her life is art, photography is just the medium she uses to capture it.   I had the pleasure of working with Mia for a couple of years in my photographer days, and there was an energy she brought to the studio that charged me. I don't know if it was just the bubbliness of youth, but Mia seemed to savor life experiences in a way that allowed me to vicariously bubble over like a shook champagne bottle right along with her.   Whether she was talking about food or family or travel or dogs, this girl could even get me more amped up than I've ever been about weddings – only Albanian ones though (and anyone who knows me knows just how miraculous this actually is). Mia drinks in life like a fine cup of espresso, and a sip of life seems to charge her every photograph with authenticity.   Whether I'm looking at a cobblestone street in Macedonia, or one of Mia's serenely seductive self-portraits, I love how she sees the world and I love how she sees herself.   As I write this, I honestly can't say what's on Mia's Instagram feed these days, as I've been absent from social media for awhile… but even a couple of years ago when I asked her if I could feature this photo, she shrugged and might have even grimaced a bit, saying “you really like my old work huh.” And, I don't doubt her work has further evolved… so make sure you check Mia's Instagram @miadovolani to see what her camera's been clicking around lately.   For now though, let's dig into Mia's photo, Stairway to Heaven:     [Art Description:]   Captured in the Albanian Mountains, awash in golden hour light, this magickal photograph was made where the heavens meet the earth.   The foreground is filled with hourglass-shaped cobblestones, painted with long curling shadows that span the bottom third of the frame. An ornately designed wrought iron railing with an infinite pattern of circles containing eye-shaped ovals stretches alongside the cobblestones and a sheer drop off on the left side of the frame.   Five black lampposts are staggered along the fence line, leading to a black archway that's decorated with curling heart shapes across the top. Through the archway is an implied, but invisible, stairway on the other side that seems to head back down to earth. Beyond the cobblestones and the railing a fog-like layer of clouds span the horizon, and above them nothing but beautiful blue sky stretches upwards.   It captured my heart and sent me spiraling back into the start of my spiritual journey and all of a sudden I was, as my off-the-boat-Italian grandfather used to say: in the toilet.   This is a true story, I'm calling it: Prayers in the Toilet     [Story:]   The first time I can really remember praying with all of my might, I was a pre-teen kid, sitting constipated on the toilet. I shit you not, pun totally intended, ‘cause that's a fucking good one!   This is one of the only memories I have of really trying to believe in god. I made a deal with him: If I could just get this turd out without splitting my skinny little body in two, I would pray every day.   Since I'm here telling you this story, obviously I lived to shit another day. But pray every day, I do not. I mean, I stuck with it for a few days, ever grateful to have made it out of the bathroom alive, but so many things about the religion I was raised in just didn't resonate with me, and it was hard to pretend.   Plus, the baby-forearm-sized poops were a semi-regular occurrence, and I was afraid to tell anyone because of a traumatizing experience I had with my grandmother (she once saved one of my massive turds to show my mother) and so I turned to god to save my hole. OMG, it's like the Universe is just begging me to be punny today.   But the truth was, the only time I ever did any more than pray, was when I was around my Gramma Dottie. And that's because she always cried to me about all the people she wouldn't see after armageddon, because sinners wouldn't be allowed on the paradise Earth he'd reserved for only his most devout followers, and she feared I wouldn't make it.   Most kids looked forward to their summer vacations, and I did too, except for those couple of weeks I was sent to Gramma's house. I mean, I had friends that had “religious” families, but none of their religious practices seemed to intrude so fully on day to day life as it did at Gramma's. It'd start right at breakfast, when I was tasked with reading the “daily text” aloud, while Gramma and Nana cooked breakfast. The thick pamphlet would open to the right page automatically, a brightly colored rubber band serving as a makeshift bookmark.   Then, before we ate any meal, we'd pray. It wasn't so bad on the days that Gramma did the praying, but it was a drag when I had to perform the shoddily memorized words I only ever used at her house.   On a good day that was all there was to it. But those days were rare. Most of the time there was a meeting to prepare for, or a bible study Gramma wanted to drag me to, or worst of all, a day of door-to-door preaching. As a cute little girl all foofed up, I was a marketing tactic… a way to soften hard expressions and limit the number of doors that were slammed in our faces.   But even when we just had a 1-hour meeting ahead of us, it was a whole production that filled me with dread. There was homework; reading followed by questions to answer. Then my least favorite part, I had to get all dressed up in the most ridiculous clothes. It was like getting ready for school but worse, because I had to wear tights and a dress and fugly ass shoes.   Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad at Gramma's house… in fact I have fond memories of library visits, board game nights, and crunching on fresh green beans picked straight from Nana's garden. But even all that goodness couldn't balance out the bad for me. And Gramma was always pushing me for more. “Why don't you read some bible stories?” she'd ask me when I picked up an R.L. Stein book that I actually wanted to read.   Guilt trips were her super power, and though they worked on me, they also pushed me away so I wouldn't have to feel so guilty all of the time.   I was a teenager before I finally told her the truth. My one saving grace was that Jehovah's Witnesses don't get baptized until they agree to it. “When are you going to get baptized, Becky?” Gramma asked me as we watched dozens of people get dunked at one of the assemblies. “I don't think I want to get baptized.” I told her.   I wish I could say that she backed off after that, but I'm sure it was more of my own distancing than by any choice of her own. Then, after she told me it'd been so long since she'd seen me that she'd forgotten what I looked like, I stopped calling her too.   This was around the time I'd begun exploring my own path through spirituality. I have my Mom to thank for that. As far as I knew, Dad was still a Jehovah's Witness, and while I looked forward to seeing him on the weekends, I did not look forward to Sunday meetings, which he continued to attend, with me in tow, until I was about 12 or 13. I didn't ask him why we stopped going at the time, too afraid my reminder might start the cycle back up again, but weekends got a lot more fun after that.   My Mom, on the other hand, was more like me. Though she didn't break free from the Jehovah's Witness life until after she'd been baptized, so that gave her an unsavory title. My Mom was Disfellowshipped… and if you ever want to get a Jehovah's Witness off your doorstep in record time, just tell them that you're Disfellowshipped and they'll disappear quick as a flash mob disperses. Maybe they'll even blacklist your address for awhile – there's a modern-day prayer I can stand behind.   Anyway, my Mom and Dad separated when I was five… and that was when the pagan party began. Well at least at Mom's house. Translation for all my non-Jehovah's Witness listeners: that was the first year I was introduced to mainstream holidays. Because when you're a J.W. you can't spread your arms out with out hitting a “pagan” practice. Birthdays, Christmas, Easter… basically anything with candy, presents, and fun… totally off limits. Most kids don't remember their first Halloween, but I do, and vividly. Mom dressed me up in a glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume, and she painted a creepy skull on my face with lots of bloody veins.   I never really got into Christmas, but that was probably because I had a bad experience before my parents split up. I can't say for sure, but I think my Mom was on the way out already when she'd taken me to my Aunt and Uncle's house, where I unwrapped my very first Christmas gift at 4 years old. It was definitely a dollar store gift, some brightly colored cardboard with holes punched out of it and dotted lines connecting those holes. It came with a ginormous kid-safe needle and yarn to pretend sew with. And I absolutely loved it; played with it all night until it was time to go home. But when I got home and showed my Dad my gift, he asked me where I'd gotten it, and the angry look on his face immediately turned me into a puddle of guilt as I blubbered out something about Christmas. Then Mom and Dad started screaming at each other, though I don't remember what exactly was said. And honestly, although I suspect my parents fought a lot when they were together, that's the only fight I actually remember.   But I'm getting off track… the point is that with my toe dipped into the forbidden fun stream mixed with all the unsatisfactory feelings of blatant manipulation I got from my given religion, I started to question reality more and more.   I became obsessed with the new age shelf at our bookstore. I read about ghosts, near death experiences, alien abductions and UFO sightings. I began to dabble in psychic development exercises, spellcasting and many different forms of divination. I don't know what I thought I was searching for back then… but in retrospect I can see it: I was looking for power, for a way to take control of the chaos I felt inside.   Then I started adulting, and most of the magick left my life. And for a good decade I tried to be like other people. I went to school, worked shitty jobs to pay for said school, got a dream job whose dreaminess quickly faded, and realized that money and job titles could only get me about 2 rungs up the happiness ladder before I started itching for a better ladder to climb.   It wasn't until I started meditating, sitting in the midst of so much unhappiness, that I finally started consciously creating my life.   Up until that point, during my magickal dry spell, I'd decided I was an atheist. Jokingly, I'd tell my friends that I was god. I reveled in my religious rebelliousness. I dared god, if he existed, to strike me down for such blasphemous thoughts, and I thought these thoughts often… but no lightning ever came.   Then one day I heard someone else say the same thing, except, they weren't joking. They said that we are all the gods of our own universe; we are creators. It's funny, I can't remember who first tickled my ears with that concept, because it's something I hear often now that I tune into that channel, but I vividly remember the resonance I felt when the words washed over me and I realized: I am a motherfucking god. And yes, so are you!   The stairway to heaven is inside of you. That's it. It's that simple.   But, since it took me 30+ years to learn this myself, I know first hand how easy it is to overcomplicate and therefore overlook that simplicity.   You might have noticed that I went silent on this podcast for quite awhile. I'm not gonna lie. I've spent many of the past several months in the fetal position sobbing intermittently. I mean, I've always felt like a rainbow colored sheep in a wooly sea of beige, but when the worldwide hysteria, division and fear started seeping into me… it was like I grew 3 extra heads and started levitating too. At least that's how I felt to stand in my truth outside of the flock… so I just stopped standing, and I crawled for a bit; it felt safer that way. Sad but safe…   I could blame 2020, but the hard truth I'm coming to realize is that, as a god, I need to accept responsibility for my own creations or, in this case, the lack thereof. What can I say? I'm a god in training. I'm still learning. But what I'm learning has been so fascinating and life-changing, that I've had a suddenly strong desire to share it all with you.   Because, if the whole calling-yourself-a-god thing feels icky, let me put it another way: life is art, and we are ALL artists. I don't know about you, but I want my life to be my greatest masterpiece.     [Conclusion:]   That's why I'm planning to stray a bit more out of my comfort zone from here on out. You can expect many of the upcoming podcast episodes to feature some of the most profound experiences and discoveries I've had on my spiritual journey. These will be personal narrative style stories, the only difference being that the art and writing ‘inspiration roles' will be reversed from a typical Art Ink story. Meaning the writing comes first and isn't necessarily a reaction or response to the art. Let's call it an art pairing! And, obviously, the subject matter will be a bit more focused on all things magickal and metaphysical.   And, full disclosure, this is also my attempt to balance the energy I'm sending your way. Another reason I haven't released a show in awhile was because I was working on a few dark stories that felt too hard to share at the time. Those stories will be released soon, and let me tell you, while I'm not lying when I say that I believe the stairway to heaven is inside of each of us, you bet your ass I know that the stairway to hell is in there too. So I think it's important that I share my shadows as well, for context, however scary that may seem.   I'm still accepting submissions for art and stories, on any topic, but until I'm able to commit to an outreach plan, I'm going to be focusing mostly on content creation and marketing, which means you'll be seeing a bit more art from my own stash until I'm mentally able to start scouting on social media again. Or… and to be honest, this is what I'm hoping, until the Universe taps you on the shoulder and you feel the same urgency I do to share your work with us here.   I'm not sure how that'll work just yet because you are experiencing the inspiration as it comes out of me right now… but this makes it even easier to get your art featured on Art Ink – you don't even have to write a story now!   Thanks so much to Mia for sharing her gorgeous Stairway to Heaven photograph with us today. I really encourage you to check out her work on Instagram @MiaDovolani to see what she's working on now. That's @MiaDovolani on Instagram.   Well, that's all I have for you today! Thank you all, so much for listening!

He's on a few fences, but wants to defend the faith that raised him, and eventually kicked him out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reviewing the Kingdom Ministry article, “Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative is Disfellowshipped,” from the August 2002 Kingdom Ministry. Subscribe to the JW Review Podcast HERE (Apple/iTunes) and HERE (Spotify) Support MJF Apologetics through Patreon HERE Skype contact: mjfelk82_1 WhatsApp: please contact me directly for my number Email me HERE

Reviewing the appendix section, “How to Treat a Disfellowshipped Person” from the Watchtower publication, “Keep Yourself in God’s Love.” Topics of discussion: disfellowshipping and shunning Subscribe to the JW Review Podcast HERE (Apple/iTunes) and HERE (Spotify) Support MJF Apologetics through Patreon HERE Skype contact: mjfelk82_1 WhatsApp: please contact me directly for my number Email me HERE

One reason that people are attracted to cults is that they are looking for stability in life. They may feel vulnerable and are looking for answers, something to hold on to that allows them to leave their troubles behind. Unfortunately the reality of what cults offer is nothing more than a surface level illusion of stability covering over deep dysfunction, beliefs that people use as an escape for their problems. It is like quicksand. It looks like firm ground but once you take the first step things just slowly get worse and worse. Stephanie grew up in a somewhat chaotic environment. She could be found beating her dolls while “playing meeting” because the dolls weren’t listening. At fourteen her father started suffering from mental issues that altered his view of reality at times. Her home wasn’t stable from the environment in it to where she physically lived, even moving in with another family at eighteen. Then in her pursuit of stability she would look for it in marriage and find anything but that. Disfellowshipped three times, Stephanie finally realized that what she was seeking could only truly be found in another life and she had to go find it. The song that Stephanie chose to represent her journey is Praying by Kesha. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let’s talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach. Click HERE for more information. Support Stephanie by leaving her a comment HERE Want more resources or to participate in the Shunned Recovery Project that I mentioned? Go to my new website exjwHelp.com Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app or on YouTube. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah’s Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Follow my new podcast called LouisvilleOne at LouisvilleOne.org or look it up on a podcast app. You can watch the live videos on the YouTube channel HERE. Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.

In this episode we share our different perspectives regarding church discipline and materialistic relations. 

In this episode the Venus Lucifer Effect goes into Leo's life being brought up in a cult. Feelings while in quarantine and who know what other kinds of magic! (Trigger warning, there are mention of very tough topics, if you are easily triggered prehaps, checking out another episode first, or skipping this one, would be best) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thevenuslucifereffect/support

This podcast was inspired by watching the documentary “The Watchtower” aired on Oxygen.com in February 2020I was bought up a Jehovah’s Witness. I was disfellowshipped twice, I got reinstated after only four months, and then disfellowshipped again 6 months later. My family doesn’t speak to me and I’ve been out of the organisation since 1993.I’ve had two family members commit suicide and I believe one of the main factors was the Jehovah’s Witness organisation.I had to start over from scratch at the age of 23. All the people I looked up to, all the people that gave me leadership and my best and dearest friends, were lost and I couldn’t communicate with them.Honestly, I do not believe I have a chip on my shoulder, however the influence this organisation has on people has to be spoken about. Ironically, they believe that the world will turn on them one-day, who knows, this could be the beginning.Feel free to contact me if you would like an interview.

Disfellowshipped twice by the age of 18 and reproved multiple times as well, Nina lived a very tumultuous life as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Hers was often the perfect looking family on the outside that wasn’t what they appeared to be, something that is very common among the group. Her first memories were images of the earth opening up and swallowing people, and she would spend much of her life trying not to be swallowed mentally and emotionally by unhealthy people that lacked proper boundaries around her. The song that Nina chose to represent her journey is Losing My Religion by R.E.M. Speaking of music, you can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. Want more resources or to participate in the Shunned Recovery Project that I mentioned? Go to my new website exjwHelp.com Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let’s talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach. Click HERE for more information. Support Nina by leaving her a comment HERE Follow my new podcast called LouisvilleOne at LouisvilleOne.org or look it up on a podcast app. You can watch the live videos on the YouTube channel HERE. Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.

Disfellowshipped for her second time at the age of 19, Rebecca was kicked out of her house. She had always led a double life, the one that she wanted, and the one that she was being forced into as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a child with no young people in her congregation her only friends were those older than her at the Kingdom Hall, or the occasional “worldly” kid that she could have over as long as she spent that time studying and trying to indoctrinate them. This is a story of a person that knew that they didn’t want to live a life that they were given and that eventually was pushed so far mentally and emotionally that she gave in and truly became sincere in her efforts to be everything that everyone had always wanted her to be. She finally wanted it. They had succeeded in making her low enough that she truly wanted to be one of them, and you will find out how that went through Rebecca’s story in this episode. The song that Rebecca chose to represent her journey is Worthy by Jacob Banks. Speaking of music, you can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. Want more resources or to participate in the Shunned Recovery Project that I mentioned? Go to my new website exjwHelp.com Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let’s talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach. Click HERE for more information. Support Rebecca by leaving her a comment HERE Follow my new podcast called LouisvilleOne at LouisvilleOne.org or look it up on a podcast app. You can watch the live videos on the YouTube channel HERE. Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.

On 6/30/2019 Mormon Bishop Jared Lusk attended a Mormon church disciplinary council in the Farmington, New Mexico stake on the charges of apostasy. His "sins" included:   1) Losing his Mormon faith after reading the Mormon church's own Gospel Topics essays, which discussed topics such as : a) discrepancies in the multiple accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision, b) Joseph Smith's polygamy and polyandry, c) concerns about the authenticity of the Book of Mormon and Book of Abraham, etc.   2) Writing publicly about his loss of faith on Facebook, and   3) Supporting Mormon Bishop Sam Young's efforts to protect Mormon children from sexual abuse.   During the disciplinary council Jared's Mormon Stake President read the charges of apostasy, including several of Jared's Facebook statements. Then, Jared's wife, Gwen, along with two of their daughters (Taylor and Madison) testified on Jared's behalf. Then Jared provided his own response to the charges.   At the close of the disciplinary council, Jared's stake president twice asked Jared explicitly if he would agree to stop commenting on social media about his disbelief in fundamental Mormon truth claims. Both times Jared told his stake president that he would NOT stop expressing his disbelief on social media - explicitly defying the counsel of Jared's priesthood leadership (which in and of itself is ground for apostasy).   In a somewhat unexpected and heretofore unheard of act in the modern area, Jared was informed by his Stake President that he has been Disfellowshipped for Apostasy.

What does it mean to be disfellowshipped from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society? How does disfellowshipping divide families from one another? The post Being Disfellowshipped from the Jehovah’s Witnesses appeared first on Family Shield Ministries.

Autumn was born and raised in Utah. She met Chris while they were in high school. They have three children, and she is very creative and crafty. Chris also grew up in Utah. When he was of mission age, he told his bishop that he wasn’t going to serve. At a baseball game that same day he very nonchalantly proposed marriage to Autumn. They had been best friends but hadn’t even gone on a single date. Highlights Chris’ Story 6:00 Introduction to pornography and masturbation 6:20 Differences in accessibility between then and now. 6:50 Shame caused him to keep it secret. He wanted to approach his bishop but didn’t know how. 7:30 Sexuality was not openly discussed in his family. 8:20 He began seeking out pornography 9:30 Decision made not to serve a mission 10:15 Avoidance tips and how to help your children: have an open relationship with your children, sons and daughters 10:45 Framing the question: “When was the last time…” as opposed to “If”. 11:15 Don’t let this be a taboo subject. Statistics show that 90% of children are exposed to pornography by age 9. 12:00 Talking about these subjects all along mitigates the shame of approaching parents when something happens. 12:20 When something happens, first express love. 12:45 Talking to the bishop is not a bad or shameful thing, but is a normal part of the healing process. 17:20 Thought getting married would make addictions go away. Most of his friends in recovery had the same belief. 19:00 Called as ward Young Men president. Addictions triggered, multiple affairs began. 21:20 First meeting with bishop after getting caught, getting released, and the disciplinary council. Wanted to keep from his wife. Confessed only to the one affair, kept all else secret. 23:30 Example of the “addict brain”: he prayed to be excommunicated so that upon rebaptism he could be forgiven of all the other things which he had not disclosed. 29:00 Disfellowshipped. Starts marriage counseling. 29:30 Autumn confronts him about additional affairs, is hospitalized for a suicide attempt. Bargains with God to stop all bad behavior if Autumn lives. She survives. Chris begins disclosing most of his secrets to Autumn. 35:00 Breaking those promises to God. 36:00 The wisdom of allowing time to pass between a traumatic event and holding a disciplinary council. A buffer of time allows for stability and opportunity for spiritual healing. 36:40 Chris’ disciplinary councils were some the most spiritual experiences he’s ever had, and allowed him to feel God’s love, with the love of those in the council. 37:35 Excommunicated. 48:30 Church-sponsored Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meetings: bishops are encouraged to attend shortly after being called so that they can refer individuals with knowledge of the resource. 1:02:10 Autumn empowers him to finally disclose every detail during a therapy session. True healing begins. Autumn and Chris start their therapy from square one, the real starting point for their recovery. 1:08:00 After full disclosure, commits 100% to church and Autumn. Focuses on falling back in love with her, by Checking in with her daily. Praying daily, asking for help to love her again. Studying his scriptures every night and finding personal application, which he then communicated with Autumn. 10 years sober, still maintains these habits. 1:12:00 Finally gives self to Christ. 1:13:15 Leaders are there to empathize, connect, and to love--not to fix. Leaders assist members in coming to a point where they are ready to give themselves to Christ. Until members embrace “the formula” for themselves (read, pray, go to church), that surrender to Christ will not fully take place. 1:14:25 Reconvening council: re-baptism, patriarchal blessing, and priesthood blessing restoration. 1:16:00 Finding normalcy again and “maintenance” therapy. 1:19:35 “Recovery”: still tempted all the time and has to choose between “acting out” and “reaching out”,

12/08/18 Saturday 1pm ET/12pm CTRL/11am MTN/10am Pac Call in and listen at 1-347-934-0379 or pnline at:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2018/12/08/hxo-re-broadcast-meet-the-astacio-family Not in the United States compare your times available using: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com  Also check out our new You Tube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/Gusdaberean/videos?view_as=subscriber  In this re-telecast, Former Third Generation Jehovah's Witness shares his family and our mutual experience coming out of a cult. Sheila and I have been married for 24 years raised as Jehovah's Witnesses and even had a kingdom Hall wedding. We will share some of those photos for those in the video suite so come and meet the family on video! Amber my eldest daughter will share what its like growing up as not a Jehovah's witness and in a normal Christian setting! Come meet the family and laugh with us! Also some flashes of the most energetic boy my son Ethan!

GUILTY AS CHARGED = DISFELLOWSHIPPED on Tuesday, November 27, 2018  Years later I'm still feeling guilty.  I am charged guilty and I agree. The charge, fornication according to the Jehovah's Witness Organization. Guilty of having sex before marriage. There is no way to hide it, I am pregnant. I stood guilty as charged. GUILTY AS CHARGED = DISFELLOWSHIPPED. Are you guilty as charged? Do you worry about getting caught or found out? Do you wonder if you will ever be forgiven? It's time to face it!  Let go of the guilt and shame and know that you will be forgiven! You can listen LIVE at 347-934-0379 - 4:00PAC/5:00MT/6:00CT/7:00ET OR STREAM LIVE AT: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2018/11/28/guilty-as-charged-disfellowshipped Contact Melissa at: genesis5020ministry.org, 719-355-7164 ext. 284

Happy Thanksgiving! In today's episode: Daniel O'Brien, a high school educator in the Conejo Valley, sits down with Rachel about his 20 years in the Jehovah's Witness. Unhappy with his parents and life after quitting high school, Daniel went all in for Jehovah. Dedicating himself to being the best Witness he could, he became an elder and joined the Theocratic Ministry School for 14 years, where he realized he enjoyed teaching but also learned that the Jehovah's Witnesses are a corrupt organization that, like other high-control groups, weaponize guilt, shame, and fear to keep members in line. After being "Disfellowshipped", or shunned, by his wife, sons, and peers; he spent four years winning back their trust before leaving the cult for good. Stay tuned, Before You Go: Rachel speaks on the differences and similarities between cults and other controlling organizations, like the Jehovah's Witnesses. Check out Daniel's music on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dannymuse/az-e-n-katita-m https://soundcloud.com/dannymuse/blues-for-huddie-1

Our guests today are Danny and Darren, who have asked to have their last names omitted for anonymity, and they are members of an orginization called Recovering From Religion (RFR). RFR is dedicated to helping those who are doubting their faith or have outright left it and are in need of support and advice. This … Continue reading S02E19: Disfellowshipped and Disowned

Anthos is a laid-back guy with a great sense of humor, but he's also brutally honest about the teachings of his former cult, Jehovah's Witnesses. As a young child he knocked on doors to spread the good news about Jehovah and paradise (spoiler alert...you get a pet Lion!).  In adulthood he's disfellowshipped, but this drives him back to the faith and getting his life back together. Later in life, when his kids are grown he decides to research his church's teachings. He finds that it's B.S., but now what does he believe in? We also discuss petting Pandas, short haired Jesus and The System!  He's a great guy with insightful answers and some great takeaways at the end.   The Brighter Light Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCem6A97qeWuui3AXNB0iY5w/featured Twitter: @exJW_Apostacast#BLP or just look up Brighter Light Podcast Email: brighterlightpodcast@gmail.com 

Saturday 7/1/17 1pm ET/12pm CTRL/11am MTN/10am Pac call in at 1-347-934-0379 to listen, ask questions or share comments or online at:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2017/07/01/btr-talks-is-the-jehovahs-witness-policy-of-shunning-biblicaly-justified You can also listen via Six screens telenetwork at (712) 432-8710 or by video suite at: http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/telenetwork/telenetwork-directions.php When prompted dial 9925 and be sure to tune in at 5:30pm at the six screen telenetwork for more programming on the Jehovah's Witnesses! Nate and Gus are former Jehovah's Witnesses and together with callers will fine tooth comb the shunning of he Jehovah's Witnesses and see if it is biblical or just a policy of extremism.

Save The Date! Tuesday, February 23rd. TONIGHT'S EPISODE: IN MEMORY OF SUZY DAVIS. Suzy was our very first caller. A woman with a sensitive spirit, compassionate heart and cried out..."I'm hurt, I hurt...!" We will dedicate as much time as needed to the memory of Suzy. You will hear from a dear friend of her's who knew Suzy from the time she was a child until her passing.  If we have any additional time we will then discuss the following: I'm "Disfellowshipped." I do stand "Guilty As Charged." What do I do knowing I stand accused and guilty of the charges laid before me? Where do I go from here? Are you disfellowshipped? Do you sit in fear of being disfellowshipped since you've walked away? Do you fear that knock on your door?  Are you sitting in the balance of wanting to write that letter to the elder's but fear the disfellowshipping the shunning that will soon take place? LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS! LET'S SETTLE THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL! Please consider joining me on Tuesday, February 23rd when we will discuss the war that is going on inside of you. Melissa get's talking every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.  4:30 PAC/5:30 MT/6:30 CT/7:30 ET You can listen from ANY phone (347-934-0379) or via Internet at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2016/02/24/disfellowshipped-guilty-as-charged-on-hurting-to-healing-wmelissa  

06/13/15 Saturday 12pm ET/11am CTRL/10am MTN/9am Pac and 5pm in the United Kingdom Call in and listen, share comments or ask questions at 1-347-934-0379 Or listen online at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2015/06/13/3rd-generation-ex-jehovahs-witness-gus-astacio--is-shunning-biblical Agustin "Gus" Astacio is a former 3rd generation Jehovah's Witness who serves as a pastor at First Baptist of Acccokeek church. You can learn more about him by visiting the church website or his you tube channel at: http://www.fbcaccokeek.com  and http://www.youtube.com/user/Gusdaberean/videos