Some people that were Jehovah’s Witnesses simply hated every second of it. Jael is one such person. From an early age she knew that it wasn’t for her, but her mother let her know that she would never help her out if she wasn’t a JW later in life and that pressure was intense. Because of that Jael would find herself going in and out of the cult. In the end she finds that continued exposure to the cult only leads to drama as couple from the local Kingdom Hall tries to steal her uncle’s estate from the family. Sometimes it is okay not to fit in with the people that you’ve been exposed to in life.
The song that Jael chose to represent her story is How To Disappear Completely by Radiohead.
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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.
Music provided by Jane and the Boy, entitled Save Myself.
I’m a misfit too! Stumbled upon the podcast you were on. I was so happy to hear it. I feel like I am not alone.
I’m in my 50s, 3rd generation, and I remember 1975 very well. I was 8 years old and terrified that I would not survive Armageddon.
I’m not disfellowshipped. I faded out in 1996. It took about a year for me to get out. Half of my family is still active, so they can still talk to me. I suffer from anxiety and depression. I still have guilt about breaking away. Some members of my family try to get me back in, but there is no way I would go back. Thank you for your story. I wish I were brave, like you, to talk about my experience growing up JW
Misfits unite! You are brave for the simple fact that you chose to break away!! Don’t ever let anyone make you feel differently. Leaving is the hardest part and you did it. Think of the strength it took to get out whenever you get down. You are strong. You ARE brave. -Jael
Jael, Another misfit here , I can’t Thank you enough for sharing your story . I really related & still relate in so many ways to your story , I found myself saying out loud “Yes exactly” so many times!
I 30 years later still struggle with being marked but never disfellowshiped. My whole family is very active. My goal is to one day speak up & out!
Listening to others stories are very helpful & give me courage.