r/exjw

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I am nobody special, I don’t have the right to talk about (you have free of speech to use any word you want, that’s not my business), but I will give my two cents on this subject. The ones who label ExJWs as “apostates” are Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves. The term “apostate” is used to refer to anyone who does not agree with the teachings of the Borg.

But think about it… Who calls us apostates? Who says that anyone who disagrees with them is an apostate? Who gets to define who is an apostate and who is not?

In many posts I have seen here, we seem to have internalized the definition of “apostate” and started using it to refer to ourselves. But THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LABEL US that way.

Personally, I prefer the definition of “apostate” that refers to someone who “spreads false teachings.” Now think about it: WHO TEACHES LIES? Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves. By that definition, they are the apostates.

They are the ones teaching falsehoods.

Thank you, that’s my two cents. Let me know what you think.

1. On the one hand Geoffrey Jackson stated that they were removing the prohibitions on components because "since the Scriptures do not comment on the various products that may be derived from blood, the Governing Body recognizes that, in harmony with 1 Corinthians 4:6, it is not authorized to 'go beyond the things that are written.'" https://www.jw.borg/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=501100139&par=9 (Remove b from borg)

... which implies that those prohibitions were in error, unauthorized and went beyond what is written.

2. Then Jody Jedele comes along and says in his Morning Worship talk that Jehovah reveals new light at a time when his people are able to “absorb, understand and follow through on it", which seems to imply that if the prohibition on blood components had been lifted one year, ten years, thirty years or fifty years earlier, Jehovah’s people would have been unable to understand or accept it. Yes Christians really would have been incapable of understanding the simple principle: “The Bible does not specifically prohibit this, so it is a matter of individual Christian conscience.”

See post about this here https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/s/oSGDdXjg1p

3. And now Jeff Winder gives an illustration implying that Jehovah was the one who imposed those prohibitions because he did not have confidence in his people, although his Word the Bible never prohibited them! If this is not pure gaslighting and blaming Jehovah, I don't know what it is!

https://reddit.com/link/1wxekdj/video/aew00p3h2gth1/player

Dear David Splane,

What the hell is the point of extrapolating on unborn babies if you don't know? Do you have ANY IDEA how this might land with a woman who has just had to deliver a stillborn child?!?! Do you have ANY IDEA of the trauma? The grief? The hurt? Do you have ANY IDEA how it would then feel to hear your trusted religious leader say that child only MIGHT be resurrected? WHERE is your EMPATHY? WHERE is your COMPASSION?

WHAT is wrong with you?

It's POINTLESS. SHUT. UP.

Stick to the teaching of JESUS, and SHUT. THE. HELL. UP. about things you don't know SHIT about.

Has anyone seen the workbook for January 2027?
In the third week there’s a part titled “Rely on Jehovah When Facing Health Challenges”

Even though in the announcement #6 they said not to come after anyone who decides on receiving a transfusion, in this part they write: “(HLC) are trained to offer timely assistance. They can help us find a cooperative doctor and provide him with information on strategies to avoid a blood transfusion”

If that’s not quietly shaming those who are ok with receiving blood, then I don’t know what is.

(ss in the comments)

Hi all.
PIMO here, have been for years, although *very* soon to be POMO.
Me and my husband have already stopped attending meetings probably about 7 months ago, for various reasons here and there, but right before the blood update dropped, we decided we were probably officially done. We researched a lot, talked about the things that don’t hold up, and did some soul searching about it all.
Then the blood update happened, and it was the final nail in the coffin. We decided to stop 100%, and even went ahead and decorated our house for Halloween last week.

At first I felt complete peace with this decision. Determination even. A new sense of freedom and newfound hope to be able to figure out me and what I truly believe and view important in life.
We can raise our daughter without guilt or shame with religion. She can trick or treat and be a normal kid. We’re free of changing doctrine that harms people or just doesn’t even make sense. We’re not policed by people in the congregation watching our every move to make sure we stay in line.

But now.. it’s time to tell our family and friends. Especially since we’ve decorated for a holiday. It will be an obvious statement to whoever drives by, and eventually someone will and we will be questioned.
And I’m really stressing about it. I know my family will be devastated. So will my husbands. My friends. So many of them I’m going to lose. Our relationships will never be the same and we will always be held at arms length, never to be invited to be part of family events again. And I’ve been grieving it so hard. My heart breaks for my daughter as I know the relationship with both sets of her grandparents is about to change and she won’t understand why.
And it makes me question if I should even do this. As a third generation born in, I’m leaving the life I’ve ever known and foundation for everything. It’s terrifying. And what if it really is the truth? There’s parts that don’t hold up for sure, and have been completely wrong, with dire consequences for some even... no denying that. But is that worth leaving the parts that DO seem true? As they say all the time, it’s an imperfect religion with imperfect men trying to do the best they can with what they know.
And it seems logical like that.

I still believe in Jehovah and a paradise earth with resurrection. I believe majority of the beliefs they teach. We still say a prayer to Jehovah every night with our daughter. Is it worth leaving the only way I know, the way I know to please Jehovah, leaving the people and system who share beliefs and morals like I do, for things I don’t agree with or don’t make sense? For freedom to do things that are technically “pagan” and displeasing to god?

The cold feet I’m getting about all of this is ridiculous and maddening honestly. I’ve been sick about it every day. My husband seems more resolved in his determination to leave and is happily ready to talk to his family about it all. But even he agrees there’s things that feel like the truth, especially when compared to other religions. And he tells me he doesn’t know what the right answer is. I don’t either. And I’m terrified of making a mistake and mostly, damning my child for something I was wrong about.
As witnesses love to say all the time, “what else is there out in the world? Nothing.”
And that’s how I’m feeling.
How do you cope with this fear and guilt and grief from lost relationships? Genuinely struggling with it all.

Sincerely,
Struggling to Leave It All

Once the September 2026 JWB was back up, I had a go at seeing what was changed. Others have noticed that the original music video had been removed, but nobody apparently noticed the very creepy way in which they had removed it.

Next up is a two part series built around the September 2026 JW Broadcasting, hopefully by the end of the month.

Take care, Charlie

Did anyone else notice how excited Winder was when he explained what a CHRISTIAN IS? Apparently the governing body has JUST discovered that Jesus summed up the greatest commandment which was to love God and to love your neighbor. NO MORE LAWS because they are written in our hearts!

The mainstream Christianizing of Jehovah's Witnesses has begun!

Just curious cause I got some teenagers in my Kingdom Hall and a sister tells me her tea sometimes cause she knows I won't tell anyone lol.

I will give mine that happened recently. A sister was exposed reading smut on her kindle cause another sister borrowed it… nothing happened but it got a bit awkward cause she was always preaching about not listening to demonic music and stuff…

Picture this: I’m in 8th grade, and we’re about to take the hardest test of the term. Enter our invigilator for the day—the holy grail of teachers. She was nice, patient, funny, and understanding. Basically, the cool teacher everyone fucked with.

She was also famously lenient. She used to tell us how school was a traumatic time for her, and she didn't want any of her students to suffer. So, seeing how stressed we were... she straight-up let the entire class cheat. 😭

The exam ended, and the vibe was immaculate. A massive weight was off everyone's chest. We were all celebrating.

Until... I entered the chat. 🤦‍♂️

I went straight to the principal’s office and reported every single detail. I completely blew the whistle. The situation blew up so fast that this poor woman almost got fired.

When word got out that I was the snitch, the entire class was bewildered. People were demanding to know why I would do something so unbelievably stupid.

I looked them dead in the eye, with the most bold, straight face, and said: "Because that’s what Jehovah would have wanted."

Y'all, I was so proud of myself. I genuinely felt like I was having one of those Caleb and Sophia cartoon moments where they do some bold shit for the truth. I thought angels in heaven were giving me a standing ovation and Jehovah was looking down smiling. I was 100% convinced my spot in Paradise was locked in.

Naturally, I became the most hated kid in school overnight. But luckily that didn't last very long lmao and I still had friends

The teasing hurt a bit, but my brain just processed it as, "Ah yes, I am being persecuted for faith🌟🤲🙌," just like the branch told me.

Looking back, I feel so bad because she was just trying to shield us from a stupidly difficult test. Religious guilt really had me by the throat lmao.

My parents became witnesses in 1944. They believed the lie. I came along in 1958 and young Joel loved the idea of a world filled with friends. I stopped believing at 15 but played the part for my parents and many friends. I went to Bethel. I got kicked out. I was a changed man. I think the org ended with overlapping generations. If not it certainly ended with the blood reversal. Anyone who stays now is just acting. The truth drifted away forever that day.

I've lived the last 40 years living life with my husband. Now my end is near and im here in my home cozy and happy. I urge you to live your life. You only get one. Leave the lie behind.

PIMO, I streamed it live and don’t have any notes, this is just a list of some things that stuck out to me and questions i’m wondering if anyone else has as well. This probably won’t be in order either, sorry.

To start, I’m disgusted by them bringing up Jared and his family. They certainly saw people mentioning how his chances of survival were SEVERELY limited by the blood doctrine which has since been almost entirely reversed. They brought it up only to reiterate his faith and final words to his parents. No apologies whatsoever. I was legitimately appalled.

The Caleb and Sophia video genuinely made me so sad. The fear mongering starts so early and it breaks my heart so much since waking up. I’m thankful I was in my teens by the time they started making those videos, but god, I hope the kids having to watch these now can overcome the indoctrination. I really do.

Sam Herd’s talk was prerecorded, but did anyone else notice that his body did not move a centimeter the entire time?? Was it AI? I don’t know, but I found it odd. Also couldn’t help but notice Stephen Lett’s hairpiece. Do we think he’s trying to look younger for his alleged fiancée in her 40’s? Lol.

The “symposium” was laughably bad. David Splaine why bring up stillborn babies??? Imagine anyone who just lost a baby like this. Why say we don’t know if they’ll be in the new system? Aren’t they alive to god from the moment of conception? If they aren’t, why is abortion wrong in his eyes? Make up your minds. Geoffrey Jackson saying what everyone was thinking, “What does this matter? I’m more confused than I was before?” and then saying “That’s the point!” Yeah, it is lol. Everyone I watched with is laughing along with him and saying “yeah who cares when the first resurrection is it doesn’t matter to me!” And I have to bite my tongue because the purpose of saying this IS to confuse people. And potentially to set the groundwork for changing something surrounding this on the future.

They know they’re running out of time with the whole 1914/overlapping generations thing. My guess is that they are making small changes so that when the big change comes, people will be confused and primed to accept it.

All my family and most of my friends are hardcore PIMIs. This is getting harder everyday I wish I was in a position to leave and at least try to slowly wake them up. I just can’t risk it now. I’m curious to know if anyone else has thoughts on these points and what else you noticed.

So my husband and I were going to go to the meeting today, we haven’t gone in a while. But when we pulled up in the parking lot, there was tons of cars and attendants outside like there was an event.

We pulled over, thought about it, then ended up not going. We didn’t know how long the meeting would be, I was not wanting to sit there for 4 hours. Did they stream the annual meeting at the meetings this weekend?

I’m also asking because I can tell my parents that we went, but don’t want to tell them that if no other congregation was doing that.

The rest of the day we felt torn. We had gotten ready. We drove there. But we just couldn’t get ourselves to go in. There was anxiety on the way there, and not going in relieved the anxiety but also pushed the guilt? Ugh being a witness is the worst thing ever. So much unnecessary pressure.

Ok this could go very wrong. But it might be the perfect opportunity for me to lose my "privleges".

At the shepherding call, I plan to mention the blood changes and how they've really stumbled me. Then I say how I can't in good conscience keep doing all these parts in the meeting because I don't feel like someone the congregation should look up to.

"I've done my research (on the website), but I just can't seem to accept it right now."

I even have a Health Care Directive (that I "forgot" to sign) so I can say it wasn't always a conscience matter.

I know arguing with the elders never goes well, but I'm not trying to argue. Just explain that I am stumbled and would like to step down until further notice.

What do you guys think?

Hi there. I am in Manitoba Canada. Being an ex jw is extremely isolating here. I am sure I am not the only one in my city who has left/been df'ed. However, it seems like leaving means hiding, basically going underground. I am looking to make new friends who I can at least go for coffee with. Depressing to have escaped but not only shunned by every single person in the cult, but also have no one outside either.

Please dm me if you are local. Even if you just want to start at least with getting to know each other over text/calls/online. I will be seeking out a church to try to make friends that way, but as we know, coming out of the cult is a very unique situation which others can't comprehend.

For a long time, I thought that getting a tattoo was just not for me, but not too long ago, I was able to heal another part in my brain: It's actually not that I never wanted to get a tattoo, I was just trained to think they're not for me. So it was a big and empowering moment for me when I finally got one. When I told my pimi mother in advance that I'm getting one, she quickly changed the subject because she wasn't happy, but knew that she won't have a say in it.

Now, after the fact, I told her, sent her photos, and her reply was "Oh you even got it with the red color, it's actually the worst kind, the most toxic" "Ok mom, where did you read this?" "Nowhere, I just know. Did it hurt?" - "Yes, a little. But it's pretty, isn't it, mom???" "Yes, but I worry about my children's bodies being altered". I was hoping for her to ask why I got it, what the meaning of it is, or to use this to get to know me better, but I guess that won't happen. She just can't help herself.

The mods took down my prior post because I disclosed I used some A-I to help format and organize my thoughts. Womp Womp! So, i'm reposting this non-AI assisted version because I think it's important to counter the nonsensical dogma being dished out by the GB. I hope this gets past the censors and can stay up.

Stephen Lett's seven "facts" were not facts at all but logical fallacy's and theologic assertions.

Fact 1: "At Pentecost 33 CE, 120 were chosen, then 3,000 added."

This is a literal reading of Acts 2, which is fine, but Stephen fails to include the the 5,000 mentioned as being baptized in Acts 4:4. By Acts 21:20, James is tell Paul that the number of believing Jews numbers in the thousands, which could mean tens of thousands. The biblical account itself describes explosive growth. That is conveniently left out.

Fact 2: Fact 2: "Thereafter, growth was steady but modest because they met in private homes."

Just because they met in homes, does not necessarily mean the movement's growth was modest. There could have been 50,000 Christians by the end of the first century scattered throughout the Roman empire in house churches of 30-50 people. Some historians estimate the early church grew at a 40% rate per decade, eventually reaching millions by the 3rd and 4th century.

Fact 3: "Some wicked men and imposters slipped in, who undoubtedly never received the heavenly calling."

Who's the judge of who was an "imposter" verses a genuine Christian? Letts says they "undoubtedly" weren't anointed? Based on what? How does he know this "undoubtedly"?

Fact 4: Fact 4: "Some first-century Christians proved unfaithful."

Like with any movement or sect, some people would not stick around. But what was the rate of depature? 1%? 5%? 50%? There is no data provided to backup this claim because no data exists. Lett is just trying to make sure the numbers of 1st century Christians feels as small as possible.

Fact 5: "During the many centuries following the death of the apostles, the number chosen must have been very limited."

This is just begging the question and assuming the conclusion. He says "must have been", but this is not a fact, it is merely an assumption, again based on no data. It also relies on the 19th century restorationist movement fallacy of the "Great Apostasy", the erroneous claim that "true" Christianity went completely extinct for the 1,800 years until the Millerites and later C.T. Russell showed up.

Fact 6: "Some who received the calling in modern times did not remain faithful."

If people in the 20th century fell away, it contradicts his argument. Why is apostasy reduced the number in the 1st century then logically it reduced the number in the 20th century. Why does this prove that more of the 144,000 were chosen in later times?

Fact 7: "In modern times, many who served alongside the anointed were never called, e.g., my grandfather in 1935."

The bit about his grandfather is an anecdote, not evidence. Could it be that people suddenly thought they had an earthly hope because it was invented by Rutherford in 1935 to deal with the increase in numbers and the fact that the 144,000 seats were at capacity?

Stephen concludes his talk by seeing it is both "possible" and "plausible" that "the vast majority of 144,000 have been selected during the last days since 1914." But also "we can't be dogmatic". So in the end it what it amounts to is a whole lot of nothing.

At some point, they'll have to confront the "fact" that like the rest of the book of Revelation, the 144,000 is a symbolic number and they'll have to issue some more "clarifications".