I wanted to take stock of how things are going here in Italy, crossing the actual data collected among the users of the blog Proclamatore Consapevole with the psychological temperature of the publishers that emerges from the discussions on the same site.

Looking at the reports regarding the latest assemblies held throughout the country, the numbers indicate a clear trend. In Roseto, there was 1 baptism out of 1,434 attendees in one session and 4 baptisms out of 1,431 in another. In Imola, there were 3 baptisms out of 1,384 attendees and 4 baptisms out of 973 attendees. In Naples, there were 6 baptisms out of 1,500 attendees, in Francavilla 3 out of 757, in Forchia 2 out of 1,180, in Syracuse 4 out of 1,700, and in Cameri 4 out of 1,400 attendees. Overall, we are talking about a total of 11,759 attendees against 31 baptisms, putting the exact baptism percentage at 0.26%. It should also be noted that the vast majority of these few baptized individuals consists of adolescents or pre-adolescents raised by parents inside the religion.

This data numerically quantifies a situation that is reflected in the discontent openly expressed by members in online discussions. To try to boost the troops' morale, the leadership devised the recent special preaching campaigns in Rome and Milan. However, those observing the situation from the inside describe a reality where the spiritual aspect has become marginal, and the only focus is on keeping up appearances with banners, little gifts, and cakes.

This focus on image has turned the congregation into a social club. WhatsApp groups are flooded with sappy selfies, bordering on obnoxious, worthy of the most worldly influencers. Preaching has been degraded to a mere pretext and field service has become a side dish, a convenient fiction just to have breakfast together on Saturday mornings. In the publishers' reflections, it is pointed out how the Creator has been irreverently downgraded to the rank of a tour operator organizing sightseeing trips, reducing the Truth to an eternal picnic with St. Peter's Dome in the background for group photos.

The contrast with the local reality is described as painful, as these city walks are maniacally organized for socializing and parading around, while in the congregations the elderly, the hospitalized, or the sick are forgotten.

Adding to this superficiality is a deep doctrinal collapse. Among the blog commenters, a former elder openly admits that fewer and fewer people believe in the Governing Body's prophecies anymore. The more people study, the more things do not add up, and many continue to attend out of pure inertia in a moment of total bewilderment.

The commenters are well aware that the leadership will ignore this data and that the propaganda machine is already poised to craft inflated reports and experiences to demonstrate at meetings what an extraordinary success these special campaigns have been. But the reality of the facts, both in the numbers and in the spirit of the people, tells a completely different story.

I remember sitting through meetings that didn't end until around 9:30 at night, with two tired children who had school the next morning.

At the time, I genuinely believed I was doing the right thing as a mother. Missing a meeting just didn't feel like an option.

Looking back, I sometimes wish I'd simply said, "We're staying home tonight."

I made a short video about that experience, and I'm curious how many others remember those nights.

Were you one of those tired children, or one of the parents trying to do what you thought was right?

Here is a short I made on it - https://youtube.com/shorts/Cb0dr-Vt7RU

Was looking at some people talk about how some of the world-ending illustrations always seem so unbelievable.

And I cringed 😭😭😭😭😭 As a kid/teen I used to believe in thoseeeeeee AAAAAAAAAAA IMCRYIN

SHIT SO CRINGE, I'D RATHER BELIEVE IN CINDERELLA AND TINKER BELL 😭😭😭 AT LEAST THAT'S NORMAL CHILDHOOD RATHER THAN ARMAGEDDON.

It feels so fucking embarrassing, I can't even tell my close friend, I feel like she's just gonna stare in confusion with an "r u ok" face.

I remember one about a family going into hiding during the great tribulation one and remember it used to give me chills. Now all I can think of is how goddamn stupid it was, the fear mongering. The real horror is out there and JW decided they should artificially create something for people to be scared of.

Is the sect Russell warned us about now sitting on the Governing Body?

I have had enough.

I do not want to see Jehovah’s Witnesses collapse. I cherish this faith, the brothers and sisters in our congregations, and the memory of those who suffered—and even gave their lives—for their beliefs under Nazi persecution.

And precisely because I care, I have to ask: What the hell have you done to this organization?

How many years has the problem with 607 BCE been sitting in front of us? The calculation leading to 1914 starts with 607. The organization then connects 1914 to the claim that the “faithful and discreet slave” was appointed in 1919, and to the authority of the Governing Body.

The foundation of that whole argument is now under serious challenge. And what have you given Witnesses in response to the historical evidence?

Keep defending 607. Keep teaching 1914. Keep asking Witnesses to trust the Governing Body. Meanwhile, Witnesses are warned to stay away from outside criticism and from questions raised by former members.

And then what? Keep waiting? Wait for the evidence to disappear? Wait for the people asking questions to grow old and die? Or wait until a new generation has learned to repeat the conclusion without knowing what challenges it faces?

I cannot claim to know what every member of the Governing Body thinks in his heart. But I can see the result: decades have passed, serious objections to 607 remain unanswered to my satisfaction, and the newer material I have seen continues to defend the same interpretation.

You have the resources to organize a worldwide preaching work, publish and translate enormous amounts of material, and teach a unified message to Witnesses around the world. Why can’t we see that same determination to examine this fundamental issue openly, allow it to be discussed, and correct it if necessary?

You have words enough to dress up an error and power enough to shut out criticism.

You have a vast collection of publications and explanations to defend your existing conclusions. You also have enough organizational authority that someone raising questions may worry about being seen as “disloyal,” or about losing relationships they hold dear. You can publish defense after defense—but if a Witness finds those defenses inadequate, where can they turn for a genuinely open discussion?

My expectations for reform are already as low as they can possibly be. You don’t want to admit an error immediately? You’re afraid that changing too many teachings at once would shake the organization? I am even willing to understand that.

Then stop reinforcing 1914 as an untouchable conclusion! Acknowledge that 607 is seriously disputed. Allow Witnesses to study and discuss the issue. Gradually reconsider the teachings that depend on it. Even if the process is slow and roundabout, even if it involves internal politics, I would accept it—so long as you were ultimately willing to face the problem.

Instead, this is what it feels like: the brakes have been removed, the accelerator has been welded to the floor, and while passengers shout that there is danger ahead, the people at the wheel keep telling them to trust the driver.

And then you ask me to go out and preach.

How am I supposed to do that?

How can I look someone who is willing to trust me in the eye and teach them, as certain truth, a chronological calculation that I believe has been disproved by historical evidence? If I can no longer accept the argument myself, how can I ask someone else to accept it?

I will not betray another person’s trust to demonstrate my loyalty. And I will not betray my conscience to protect the organization’s reputation.

Recently I read a passage in Russell’s Studies in the Scriptures. He warned that when a person joins a sect and accepts its creed, they may be expected to believe exactly what that creed says—neither more nor less. If they think for themselves and gain new understanding from other sources, they may have to choose between their conscience and loyalty to the sect. He understood that such a person could lose cherished relationships and be called a “traitor” or a “turncoat.”

He even said that someone who gives their mind over to a sect is expected to accept its decisions “future as well as past,” disregard their own thinking, and avoid personal investigation.

When I read that, I can only ask:

Mr. Russell, have we become the very sect you warned us not to become?

When someone cannot comfortably investigate the organization’s core chronological interpretation, cannot openly express their doubts, and has to worry about being seen as dangerous or disloyal—was Russell describing other religions, or was he describing what we have become?

If those words are only allowed to be used against other churches, and never to examine ourselves, what are they worth?

I am not claiming that Russell was right about everything. His research had serious problems, and his chronological calculations contained major errors. The early Bible Students did not live in some golden age free of authority or mistakes.

But I am not inclined to condemn a young movement simply for making mistakes. People make mistakes. Interpretations can be wrong. Chronological calculations can be wrong. Errors can be corrected and research can improve—but the ability to discover and correct those errors must be preserved.

In Russell’s writing, I saw a spirit of inquiry: a willingness to research, challenge tradition, and question even one’s own religious community in the search for truth. That ideal may not have been perfectly practiced in his own time, but at least it was clearly expressed and held up as something worth defending.

Where has it gone?

We have more information and better research tools than people had over a century ago. Yet when it comes to an issue that has been raised for decades, a Witness may worry about what will happen if they study too much, ask too many questions, or speak too openly.

How the hell is that progress?

Then there is the organization’s long-standing suspicion and discouragement of higher education, and its warnings about so-called “apostate” speech. Witnesses are taught to be wary of information that might challenge the organization’s conclusions, while being asked to trust that the organization has already done the research for them.

So who is supposed to study history and ancient languages? Who is supposed to examine the evidence? Who is supposed to develop the expertise to respond seriously to criticism? And if someone finds a problem with the organization’s interpretation, where can they raise it without being treated as a threat?

If the truth can withstand examination, then let it be examined.

If you believe the evidence supports 607, lay it out and allow qualified people to study, criticize, and respond to it openly. If 607 cannot withstand examination, admit it—and then deal honestly with the teachings built upon it.

Stop making generation after generation of Witnesses carry this burden: expected to defend a claim they cannot be sure of, yet afraid to speak openly about their doubts.

I do not hate the brothers and sisters in the congregations. I do not think every Witness is blindly obedient, and I do not deny that many sincerely love God and their neighbors. It is precisely because I care about them that I do not want to see their trust betrayed.

And please do not casually tell me, “If you don’t like it, just leave.” A person cannot shed their faith, memories, congregation, and relationships as easily as taking off a coat. There are people here whom I cherish, predecessors whom I respect, and a hope I once saw in this community.

I have the right to ask: Where are you taking all of this?

I am not asking later generations to treat every word Russell wrote as truth. I am asking for the opposite: preserve the spirit that refuses to stop thinking because someone claims authority. Preserve the courage to admit error. Preserve a Witness’s freedom to study, ask questions, and speak according to their conscience.

I do not want to see Jehovah’s Witnesses disappear. I want to see us turn back.

But if those in power keep putting the defense of their authority before an honest examination of the problems, and keep shutting out questions, how can they expect those of us who still care not to feel despair?

Russell once warned against the enslavement of conscience to a sect.

Today, I want to say this to the Governing Body:

Give Witnesses their consciences back.

I was had snooping on the JW Reddit sub. (They banned me from commenting lol).
This kid is actually asking if it’s okay for him to have longer hair because he has severe anxiety and he feels more comfortable with longer hair.
Reading thru the responses there is a mix… some saying get to the root of your anxiety problem… ummm wtf the poor kid probably has anxiety because of these ridiculous rules! Maybe he wouldn’t have so much anxiety if you weren’t all so JUDGMENTAL! Another person (sounds like another young person) tells him not to worry about it but he may not be able to do sound and mics. Someone quoted a scripture to shame him about men shouldn’t have long hair.
Omg I want to scream and hug the kid.
For someone who had teenage boys (both with severe anxiety) I’m so upset. And I also realize the damage I did to my kids when I was in. It’s so hard and awful being a teenager any way. Let the kid go to the hall, have longer hair, AND be GRATEFUL if he WANTS to do sound and mics. Why the heck is sound and mics even a privilege?!? It’s a FAVOR. Be glad the kid is there if you all have so much “LOVE”! 🙄 Omg. Ty for listening. I went from sad to MAD. 😡

Sometimes I can't stop and ask myself.

If people really left the JW inside them when they left the cult.

Some people are absolutely annoying,toxic and abusive.

I don't know if JW chooses people are naturally toxic of so much JW slop turned into piles of toxicity

But some people who left the religion never left the bad manners.

I have often wondered whether it is better to just leave those who have devoted decades of their lives to this cult alone; let them just live out the rest of their lives without having to make peace with the reality that it was not The Truth at all. Perhaps, in some cases, that is for the best...

However, for those who are strong enough to face that reality, this video may be helpful. 🩷

I let my family and my body know about the way I feel about the bible and how I have been feeling about this religion. I am actually very surprised how well it all went. Everyone I have talked to has actually really heard me out.

I am no longer serving and people on this sub prob won’t like this but I really am going to try to give the bible a honest go. Feels good to not be lying to people anymore though. Right now I am just a normal publisher and I am going to do a lot of work on myself. I also have someone I am going to try and see if I can have my questions answered and then we will see how things go!

I will be leaving this sub at this point. A lot of people have reached out to me but this is my way of putting my thoughts out to the void so I would not chicken out. Whether you are still believing, pimo, or completely out, I really hope all of you have a great life. Holy cow it is complicated and confusing but it feels nice to have the need for this space behind me. Take care everyone!

video of special meeting from Romania

"Love never fails!" - title of the talk

"We should be eager to believe!" says the member of the GB. He then proceeds to compare adjustments with learning algebra.

Jody Jedele’s talk reminds us, among other things, that adjustments are a natural part of understanding the Bible. However, sincere faith should allow room for questions, critical thinking, and honest examination of evidence. Being open to new information is valuable, but so is evaluating every claim carefully.

I’ve experienced the religion in different countries, and I’ll tell you that the religion is suffocatingly culty in the United States and Canada. I know that the religion is a bit more chill in Europe. They have more presence in Africa, population wise, but it’s different, the people are not “JW drunk”, if you know what I mean.
They are just more prone to spirituality and think anything North American is cool (in sub-Saharan Africa, at least).

In Canada and the United States however, I find that 80 to 90% of people in each congregation you visit seem “JW drunk” or are just better actors.(I don’t know)
I’ll put it this way: it’s easier to miss the culty aspect of the religion outside of North America.

The countless examples of this I witnessed during my 40-plus years inside the movement beggar belief. They leave you feeling incredulous.

As a younger man, I was making "progress" in the movement, where assembly "privileges" were highly sought after. Older elders would spend years faithfully serving in the same departments, getting their families to the venue early, setting everything up, and staying long after most people had toodled off home. If you served in lost and found, you took home everyone's trash, tried to find a home for it, and carted it to the next assembly.

Then came the pre-assembly meeting. They’d receive no invitation, probably sense something was amiss, and turn up on assembly day, early, only to discover they’d been replaced. No explanation, no “How’s your father?”, no thanks for years of service. Just a younger go-getter occupying their old slot.

Apparently, after years of faithful service, even a good-for-nothing slave can find himself promoted to the department of absolutely bloody nothing.

Ask me, I know. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than watching an older elder trying to work out what’s happened, surveying an entirely new structure in the department he’d cared for over so many years. The embarrassment, the uneasiness, the palpable feeling of having been short-changed, and the realisation that he no longer had a place there were difficult to witness and be around

These men had given years of their lives to the movement, yet apparently weren’t even worth a quiet word of explanation or a simple thank you. They were simply expected to turn up, smile, and carry on as though nothing had happened.

I’m sure you can all supply your own examples of Jehovah’s loving-kindness manifesting itself within the movement. This, however, remains one of my shittiest recollections of life inside the cult.

For context I am 17 years old and have always questioned the organization. I got baptized a couple years ago because I was being peer pressured by the same people who have agonized me for my whole teenage years. I talked to the judicial committee, and they were loving and understood that it’s ultimately my choice. However my parents are taking it to heart, which I was prepared for. Now that’s it’s happening and they are making the announcement tomorrow and I wonder if it’s worth it. I have been talking about this very moment for years with my brother, and now I’m thinking if this is what I want. My parents are saying I am abandoning people who have always been there for me and that I am selfish. I don’t want to think I’m selfish for simply not believing what they believe in. I want to live my life without judgement from any congregations and live to the fullest. I just need help for dealing with all of these emotions. :,)

-English isn’t my first language, so I used AI to help me write this post-
This weekend, we went on a wellness getaway, and on our last evening, I finally brought up the topic. I was honest with him about how I’ve been feeling.
He didn’t say much at first, and I was afraid he might be disappointed in me. I told him that he could be completely honest about his feelings and that I wouldn’t get angry or anything like that. He said he needed some time to process everything, but that he understood where I was coming from.
After that, we started talking more openly about the subject. I showed him some of the characteristics of cults, and he raised his eyebrows quite a bit. He then told me that there are things he disagrees with, too, and that he finds certain things strange, especially when it comes to blood.
He also admitted that he hates going out in the ministry (same lol) and that he only does it because he feels like he has to.
He told me that he has a good friend in the congregation who he has already talked to about these things. His friend has looked into quite a lot of stuff himself, so my husband wants to invite him over to our place so we can talk to him. Maybe I’ll be able to show him something new as well.
Towards the end of our conversation, I reassured my husband that he doesn’t need to be afraid. We met and got married through this religion, but I trust him 100%, I love him, and he is the person I want to spend my life with.
However, I don’t want us to build a life where we are controlled, taken advantage of, and emotionally hurt. He told me that he feels the same way.
The thing is, we both grew up in this religion. It’s all we’ve ever known, and it’s the only path we’ve ever been taught to follow. He still needs time to think everything through, but he loves me, he isn’t angry with me, and he also feels that something isn’t right. He just needs time.

I thought I’d share this uplifting experience with you all. I was so scared to bring everything up, but in the end, we managed to find common ground on such a difficult and sensitive topic.
For the first time, I feel like we’re able to talk about these things openly, and that means so much to me.

(Gal 1:6-7) I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ.

The speed with which the flock abandons long-held understandings and principles in obedience to the word of today's self-proclaimed faithful and discreet slave ("small group of men") is remarkable when you consider how often reasoning soundly rejected in the past suddenly becomes reasoning readily accepted in the present. Without reservation. Without condition. And all under the assumption of "new light."

That assumption is key to such immediate acceptance. Reasoning from the Scriptures and proving with references? Passé. Test out "inspired" expressions? Have the noble-minded Beroean attitude to search the scriptures and confirm?? To let it be known that you test out and search is to invite suspicions of apostasy; a lack of support for God's chosen vessel. Everything is now to be automatically accepted as food at the proper time served by Jehovah.

It was not like this before.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspects of today's sort of good news pertain to

1. Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?

2. Types/Antitypes

3. Not ingesting one's own stored blood. Not ingesting others' blood, whole or otherwise.

Acceptance of these former linchpins was the result of an educated exercise. Dismissal of these former linchpins has proven a no-brainer. Revised understandings to numbers 1 & 2 required setting aside what had been set forth and accepted, based on many scriptural references, for over a hundred years. Things understood to be key ingredients in the recipe to solidify the restoration of true Christian worship.

A hundred years. The same goes for certain illustrations of Jesus. Explanations condemned as favorable to false Christianity are now praised and accepted as welcome positive explanations befitting new light. "Adjustments" to previous understandings.

This is why admonition to accept what is decreed "even if it doesn't make sense" whether during or before The Great Tribulation—or under any other circumstance—is noteworthy in particular. And inexcusable. Dangerous. We are warned about putting trust in men to the same extent as trust placed in Jehovah. See Psalms 40:4, Psalms 118:8-9, Psalms 146:3-4, Isa 2:22, Jeremiah 17:5. Not to be outdone by Psalms 108:12.

(2 Timothy 3:14) You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from whom you learned them

Spectre IV is PIMI and convinced faithful slave and evil slave coexist today.

I'll keep it simple. My girlfriend recently confessed to me that she's currently JW, and far as I can tell she's quite devout and very happy to be in the community. She says the best people she knows is in it. I never knew this about her at ALL in the decade+ I've known her, but we only started dating recently, and the issue came up when I offhandedly asked if she'd voted yet (since they don't vote.)

Anyway, one thing led to another, and we had a few talks about her beliefs and mine, and how they don't align, but we would respect each other's. She knew my beliefs prior, I just didn't know hers (I kinda assumed she was atheist, with how she never really spoke of religion whatsoever, so color me surprised!)

But I guess after it was all in the open, she emphasized that she had no plans to impose those beliefs upon me, not ask me to join or convert or any of that, and as long as I didn't make her participate in holidays and I was fine with her going to her meetings and door to doors, there wouldn't be any problems. Discussions were resolved and we watched stuff together as we always did. Things felt fine.

But I did feel uneasy about it later in the day. I knew a lot about JWs and she was nothing like that, and very, very lenient compared to what I usually heard about them. I was worried about her. I also wondered if it's not all bad, depending on where she was. I figured she was from a less strict area. But that night, she messaged me and said it was best if we went separate ways, but still remained friends, and that she still treasured and valued our friendship (as do I--she's still genuinely a good person to everyone I know, her beliefs don't change this.) but that she realized we weren't on the same page with expectations from a relationship.

I'm feeling okay about the breakup, but for some reason I can't shake this uneasy feeling about her wellbeing. I guess I'm particularly unsettled at how she used "we" a lot when talking about JW stuff, even historical matters. But at the same time, she's very happy with her life, even if there are of course the usual hardships, but never with her faith. At least, none I'm aware of.

I don't know. Am I overthinking this? Is this typical of a JW to be so tolerant, and yet feel a mismatch once it's in the open? Sorry if this is rambling, I'm just lost in how I should feel.

This is my letter to the governing body/branch.

Note: I will attach the photos that are referenced in this letter in the comments.

If you are a personal friend or a family member and you’ve made it here, know that I love you and am so proud of you for coming here to read this letter.

To the Governing body of Jehovahs Witnesses:

I am writing you because I am deeply troubled and completely broken by your September 18th 2026 announcement concerning the change in YOUR blood doctrine. Please allow me to explain why this has affected me personally in such a profoundly negative way:

In October of 2020 my mother was scheduled for open heart surgery. My mother was severely anemic, therefore in order to prep for this surgery she had iron infusions for a couple months to build up her blood. One day I was talking to her about these infusions and simply asked her why she didn’t just take some of her own blood every week and store it for her surgery. She said “oh Kinsey we can’t do that as Jehovahs witnesses.” At the time I didn’t think anything about it. I was a regular pioneer and fully invested and succumbed to the ways of a Jehovahs Witness. Months later her surgeon reluctantly proceeded with her surgery. As to be expected my mother ended up fighting for her life due to blood loss and being anemic and was placed in a medically induced coma. (See picture #1 for reference) My mother made my oldest sister her POA and I was the back up. Since this was in the height of covid, the hospital only allowed one person there per day to be there with mom in the ICU. On a day that I was there my mom was on the ventilator in the coma, her surgeon brought me into a small conference room and began pointing his finger in my face saying “your mother is going to die if you don’t give her blood. You need to give her blood” I was balling and my mom was dying. All I could say was “its what she wants” Moms blood count had dropped so low that her body was fighting so hard and all they could do was put her in that medically induce coma to help. While mom, by the grace of God, survived this, I was left with a massive trauma I couldn’t explain to my family so I just didn’t speak of it. After all, I was being loyal right? Fast-forward to march of 2026 when the announcement was made that we could, after all those years, in-fact store and save our own blood for future transfusions. Up until this point I had just kept telling myself that I was being loyal and the trauma I experienced was for Jehovah. Jehovah God woke me up with this announcement. So I do thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. Because that is the only good thing that came from a “the governing body has decided” announcement. Im sure many people can agree with me on this. When Mr. Losch said “we’re not under the mosaic law anymore” so nonchalantly, I took it like he implied that “we’ve always been under the assumption that its a conscious decision” which absolutely floored me and my gut Said “Ummm we’ve not been under the mosaic law since Jesus walked the earth. What do you mean we’re not under the mosaic law anymore??” When I asked a friend what she thought of the change her response was what you were probably hoping for people to take away from that nonchalant announcement. “It’s always been a conscious decision”. Yet when I went home I looked at my advanced directive and low and behold it stated under point #2 “I refuse to predate and store my blood for later transfusions” proving that this life altering announcement was not a nonchalant, carefree, happy announcement. At least not to me and all the lives lost due to mans doctrine/laws. Since this announcement in march I’ve continued to uncover many transgressions in connection with you, the Governing Body of Jehovahs witnesses. Australia royal commission ring any bells? What about the many Failed prophesies you have predicted? (1878,1881,1914,1918,1925,1975,1995) How bout all the individual court cases related to and directly linked to each “new light” that has been announced by you? How about the over $100 million dollars paid out as hush money to victims of Child sexual abuse so they don’t sue? You say that each court case you lose is a direct attack from satan the devil yet the ones you win are a blessing from Jehovah. To me personally that just sounds like sore loser talk.

Now I want to talk about the recent September 18, 2026 announcement and the direct affect it had on me personally, or the way it felt to me:

As mentioned before, my mother suffered from severe anemia. Because of this, combined with mans rules with the blood doctrine, my mother refused to take blood thinners as a preventative to having strokes as she was afraid she would bleed out in the event of Injury. In 2011 she had had a massive stroke that left her paralyzed from the waist down. With rehabilitation and time, she was able to walk with assistance from a walker. She had various health issues, including diabetes that had gone unchecked for a while due to not having access to affordable health issuance. From then on, after her stroke in 2011, the doctors wanted her on blood thinners to prevent another stroke from happening. As I stated earlier, She refused for fear of bleeding out and dying due to not being able to have a blood transfusion via the blood doctrine. I’m 2023 my mother suffered from another massive stroke leaving her paralyzed on the left side. While I can not say for certain what could have been avoided or done to save my mother or prolong her life, I believe her being on blood thinners could have possibly prevented the stroke that she would succumb to and given her more time with us. (See picture #2 for reference). It’s worth mentioning here that my mother was also on dialysis for her kidney failure and this is why I can’t say for a certain what could have or couldn’t have helped her. I am not a doctor nor a fortune teller, but I am a broken daughter without her mother and I am left to speculate and cope with the loss.

Regardless of the possibility of whether my mom could have been saved or not by taking blood thinners or a blood transfusion, many countless lives have been saved. While your nonchalant announcing techniques may have gone unnoticed by most of your robotic adherents, there were ones like me who began to wake up and question the Governing Body’s true authority over us. I began to deeply study Gods word for once for myself and I asked Jehovah to show me the truth even if it was painful to see. I studied Jesus’ Gospels over and over again and began to realize exactly what was expected of his true followers. With this knowledge and seeing your transgressions directly and the misleadings from you (the Governing Body and all its associates) and with Holy Spirit and direct Guidance by Jehovah God, I have clearly seen that you, the Governing Body, are in-fact not inspired nor directed by Jesus Christ or Jehovah God. The fact that you have mislead millions of people and are DIRECTLY responsible for countless deaths and have not shown one ounce of accountability or remorse or given any apology to the ones who were affected by your complete lack of understanding into Gods NEVER CHANGING word, shows me that you are not Gods people like you think you are.

What I am asking for:
The separate attached Blood addendum beautifully written by my Sister in-law shares some points and scriptures that I couldn’t have written better if I tried. Since there was no actual scriptural basis for this MASSIVE, LIFE CHANGING announcement to prove why you were making this change, I implore you to please read through this addendum along with my letter and respond with scripture in explanation as to why this change was made. If there is in fact an actually scriptural basis for the change you made that murdered innocent lives. The questions asked in this addendum, I ask as well for a direct and clear response from you. I ask that you take accountability for the lives you took, apologize to the ones who lost someone to your taking it upon yourselves to “go beyond the things written” for decades, and get on your knees and pray that the God of mercy and Jesus take pity on you and show you mercy when the time comes for judgment.

My prayer is that he shows you that mercy and wakes more people up like he has me. I pray that he also shows my family that even though I don’t agree with or worship a group of men in New York, the Governing Body of Jehovahs Witnesses, its okay to continue to have a meaningful relationship with me. Because as of now, though up until now, I have not resigned or been disfellowshipped, yet my family has not spoken to me (with the exception of one sister who doesn’t attend inperson meetings but maintains her connection with JWs). I’ve been shunned, slandered and treated like the plague. I’ve lost business due to harmful gossip, I’ve been called a demon summoner by someone who hasn’t even spoken to me to confirm or deny. I’ve lost countless hours of sleep.

What have I gained? Freedom. Simply put, I’ve gained freedom. Freedom to have a direct connection to God without having to go through a group of mediators (1 Timothy 2:5; Matthew 15:9; Matthew 23:9; John 4:24) Freedom to be friends with all walks of life with different thoughts and feelings. (Matthew 22:39; Revelation 3:20) Freedom to love people for who they are even if we don’t agree on everything. (Luke 5:27-32) Freedom from the harsh judgements of your adherents. (Matthew 7:1-5) Freedom to not have to jump through countless hoops or ding bells for the “chance” of gaining everlasting life. No ding of bells needed to feel Gods presence in my life. The requirements he gives us to serve him are simple and clear and are not dictated or made up by a group of men who go “beyond the things written” all the time resulting in innocent lives lost. FREEEDOM. And just so there’s no confusion, I WILL be serving JEHOVAH GOD and following JESUS’ footsteps. That is something no group of men can lay claim to or assume that only through them can they serve Jehovah God.

If this is even being read directly by a Governing Body member or not, please relay this message to them directly:

You have NO Power over me.
Hebrews 13:6 “the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”

May Jehovah God, the God of love and mercy, show you mercy for the pain and suffering you have directly bestowed unto many humans for decades. (Ephesians 2:4,5)

WITH TRUE CHRIST LIKE LOVE,
KC

All JW couples, i have heard about the idea of three chord thread in marriage. Big J is always the 3rd chord. That we should always keep God first.

When you are active, how does the idea sound, that the most important thing in the universe is God, then Jesus and only spouse, children and parents.

PIMO mates, how does it feel to hear your spouse answer in the meetings that the most important thing is God and God's service.

Around 2011, my brother in law elder was conducting WT and asked a straight question. Who is the most important person in your life?

Many answered, my husband, children, parents.

My sister proudly said, "Jehovah". He is the foremost.

Today I’d like to draw attention to the topic of disassociation, defined by the Watchtower organization as actions that clearly indicate a person has chosen to stop being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Although the elders are supposed to try to talk to the individual involved to clear things up in these cases, in reality, all it takes is two elders attesting to any of the actions categorized as disassociation. Without the need for further clarification, a public announcement of disfellowshipping can be made—leaving the person with no right to reply or appeal. Some of these actions include:

• Joining a political party
• Joining another religious denomination

The absurdity of this is that there is one action that, in theory, would imply disassociation much more clearly: apostasy.

What greater proof of not wanting to be a Jehovah’s Witness is there than openly repudiating the Governing Body and the entire structural apparatus of the Watchtower Society? And yet, the procedure in these cases is to form a judicial committee. What sense does that make?

According to their logic, participating in a Catholic ceremony automatically implies disassociation, but openly criticizing Stephen Lett requires a judicial committee.

So, in my opinion, the true objective of a judicial committee for apostasy is to attempt to humiliate the person and reinforce the organization's illusion of power… As macabre as the Spanish Inquisition.

If a maths teacher keeps solving an algebra equation and keeps getting the wrong answer repeatedly. Would you say he is imperfect or incompetent?

Jody Jedele’s illustration is just stupid. Almost dug a hole for himself there.

What is the track record to believe in the organization? What is the proof that Jehovah chose the organization?

Prophets in the Bible were imperfect, but the message was perfect! If the prophet was unable to deliver the message perfectly, like in the case of stuttering Moses, Jehovah sent Aaron to help him. The message is perfect. The messenger isn’t. Except Jesus

If your imperfect nature corrupts or ruins the message, then why did Jehovah choose you? What did he see in you that you can’t even teach the truth accurately

Oh well. JWs Dont know any better.

Let's be honest. It's now easier than ever to check actual news or do research in seconds. In fact, it was easier for me to declare JW as non reliable. In seconds Gemini told me all the websites, data and where to find proof that they were in the wrong.

Do you think the same way? Especially for the young people there.

PSA: I did use AI to clean up my writing a bit 🙂

I’ve been following this community for a while now, and today I felt compelled to share a story. Not one of anger or resentment, but one of courage, love, and, most importantly, hope.

I’m a 33-year-old woman who has fallen deeply in love with a former Jehovah’s Witness. When we met, I knew very little about the religion, but as I began learning about his past, I found myself wanting to understand everything I could. Not to change him, not to judge his experiences, but to become a better partner to the man I love.

I’m a spiritual person. I believe in God, in love, in the existence of good and evil, and in being the change I wish to see in the world. I believe there are truths to be found in many religions, but I also believe that no person or organization is immune to the corrupting influence of power.

The Bible itself warns us of this. In 2 Chronicles 26:16, we see how even a once-righteous man can become corrupted by his own power and pride. And 1 Timothy 6:10 warns of the dangers of the love of money.

I believe faith and goodness are measured not simply by what we profess to believe, but by how we live, how we love, and how we treat others.

And that brings me to him.

In my 33 years, I have never met a man with such extraordinary character, integrity, compassion, and moral conviction.

A man who spent nearly his entire life devoted to Jehovah’s Witnesses. He pioneered, served as an elder, and gave so much of himself to his congregation. He genuinely believed in what he was doing and cared deeply about the people he served.

But when he became an elder, gained access to information he hadn’t previously seen, and began witnessing firsthand the influence and authority he held over people’s lives, something began to change.
He started asking questions.

And rather than dismissing those questions, he spent nearly two years researching, reading old publications, examining teachings, and searching for answers.
Eventually, he came to a conclusion that would change the course of his life.

He could no longer stand behind what he had once believed to be the truth.

But here’s the part of his story that moves me most.
He could have quietly faded away. He could have protected his relationships, avoided confrontation, and simply walked away.

But that wasn’t who he was.

His conscience wouldn’t allow him to remain silent about something he believed was hurting people he loved.

So he openly shared his decision with his congregation, fully aware of what it would cost him.

His family. His friends. His community. The only world he had ever known.

Imagine having the courage to walk away from everything you’ve built your life around, not because you’ve stopped caring, but because you care too much to live contrary to your conscience.

That, to me, is integrity.

The first year was incredibly difficult. He had to grieve relationships with people who were still very much alive. He had to rebuild an identity outside the only community he’d ever known.

But he kept going.

He pursued his dream career, began building a new life, and found freedom in making his own decisions.

He also came to believe that his future would probably be one of solitude. He had made peace with the possibility that romantic love, marriage, and the kind of companionship so many of us hope for might never be part of his story.

And then, two years after he left, we met. ❤️
I wish I could adequately describe the love we’ve found together.

It’s a love rooted in respect, friendship, curiosity, laughter, honesty, and the freedom to be exactly who we are.

We don’t have to believe the same things about everything. We can ask difficult questions, challenge one another’s perspectives, and still feel completely safe and loved.

Our love doesn’t require us to surrender our individuality. It gives us room to grow into it.

Sometimes I look at this man and feel grateful for every experience that shaped him into the person I know today.

But I would be lying if I said I didn’t also feel anger and sadness for what he endured.

For the people he loved who no longer speak to him. For the family moments he misses. For the pain of being treated as though his worth or goodness changed the moment his beliefs did.

Because I know his heart.

I know the kind of man he is when nobody is watching.

And I know that leaving an organization did not take away his goodness, his integrity, or his ability to love.
If anything, his willingness to lose everything rather than betray his conscience showed me just how deeply those qualities run.

He has told me that our relationship has helped him heal.

And while I know love cannot erase everything he’s been through, I hope to spend the rest of my life showing him that love does not have to be conditional.
That disagreements don’t have to mean abandonment.
That asking questions isn’t a betrayal.

That he can be loved without having to earn it through obedience, conformity, or sacrifice.

I hope to marry this man one day. And what touches my heart most is knowing that the future we’re dreaming of together is a future he once believed he might never have.

So why am I telling all of you this?

Because I’ve spent time reading your stories.
I’ve seen the fear, the heartbreak, the confusion, the loneliness, and the extraordinary courage it takes to question everything you’ve ever known.

Some of you have already left. Some are quietly planning your exit. Some are still trying to figure out what you believe. And some are grieving families and friendships you never imagined you could lose.
I came to this community hoping to better understand the man I love, and in doing so, you’ve helped me more than you know.

Today, I wanted to give something back.
A reminder that your story does not end when you leave.

You may lose people you never thought you could live without. You may have to rediscover who you are without the identity you’ve carried your entire life. You may have days when the loneliness feels unbearable.
But there is a whole world of people you haven’t met yet.

People who will love you without requiring you to think exactly as they do.

People who will admire your courage rather than condemn your questions.

People who will see your character, not your religious label.

People who will choose you, simply because of who you are.

And perhaps, somewhere out there, someone is waiting to meet you who will look at everything you’ve survived and see not a broken person, but an extraordinary one.
I believe there is goodness and wrongdoing both inside and outside religious organizations. Being a Jehovah’s Witness doesn’t automatically make someone good, and being labeled an apostate doesn’t make someone bad.

No organization has a monopoly on truth, goodness, or love.

Your conscience matters. Your questions matter. Your life belongs to you.

And whether you still believe in God, are finding your own spiritual path, or no longer believe at all, I hope you never forget that your worth is not something an elder, a congregation, or an organization gets to determine.

Your future is still yours to create.

And it may turn out more beautiful than you can possibly imagine right now.

To anyone who needs to hear it today:

You are worthy of love. You are worthy of belonging. You are worthy of happiness. And you do not have to sacrifice your authentic self to deserve any of those things.

It may not be easy, but there is so much life waiting for you on the other side of fear.

Sending love, hope, and a big Montana hug to every one of you. ❤️🌞

I’m a 28-year-old brother, and I’ve been baptized for about two years. I was born in the Truth, and I resumed a Bible study when I was 20.
Today, I feel a little lost because I committed a “serious sin” about two months ago.
First of all, I’ve struggled a lot with pornography addiction. I had even spoken to the elders about it before getting baptized. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stop, and I eventually gave in to temptation and acted on my desires.
The elders had warned me that if I continued watching pornography, I might eventually act on those desires. Deep down, I knew they were right. Looking back, I realize that I knew where this could lead, but I still couldn’t seem to break free from it.
Recently, I discovered the swinging lifestyle and ended up acting on it with a couple. At first, I told myself that I would repent afterward, but deep down, I feel like I might do it again, which makes me wonder whether my repentance would even be genuine. That’s what scares me because I honestly don’t know if I’m ready to give all of this up. I really enjoy sex, and I’m struggling to reconcile my desires with my faith.
Another thing that worries me is that my only friends in life are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m afraid of what might happen if they found out. I don’t want to lose the people closest to me, but at the same time, I feel like I’m living a double life, and I don’t know how to deal with it anymore. I’m ashamed of myself!
Are there any brothers or sisters here who have been through a similar situation? How do you deal with it? Do you genuinely regret what you’ve done and try to change, or have you eventually come to terms with living a double life?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar. I feel lost, and I honestly don’t know what to do anymore.

Did Ray Franz ever talk about the concept of being anointed? He is such a high profile figure in this community but I think he has questions to answer himself

He played along in this charade and realized it was fake. So was your anointing fake? Did you believe Jehovah anointed you? How did the spirit bear witness with your spirit?

You once believed youd rule with Jesus. How did he lose that connection. When he woke up or when he was disfellowshipped