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.
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Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.
I’m sorry to hear your story. I wish you all the best and hope you’ll find the life you’re looking for. Glad that you have the strength in you and didn’t let anybody crush you. I’m really impressed of your world view and your ability to reflect on yourself and your situation.
Wow, it’s like listning to my own story. I was shunned 5 years ago en wrote my parents and sister a letter 6 months ago that im not coming back to the truth. No response at all and it hurts so much. We have to find our own way with self love and self respect. But its difficult. Im married now to an amazing man and feeling happy. But he is not my family. Listning to your story makes me feel less lonely. Sending you love and huggs from the Netherlands! We can do this!
Rebecca,
Your story reminds me so much of my husband. He was disfellowshipped at 16 and kicked out of his parents home with no one and no where to go. He never got back in and there were many attempts. He was a tortured soul from his upbringing, molested by an elder, denied any justice and told he was a liar. Even at 47 yrs old he tried talking to his father and again called a liar. He tried so hard to please his father over the years but inside the torment was bubbling up. He died in 2017 knowing no justice from the assault or love from his father. We gave them 2 beautiful grandchildren, who mean nothing to them. My husband became a terrible alcoholic and died homeless. His father still wanted nothing to do with him in death. Please don’t waste your life trying so hard to win their approval. I was never a JW and not raised with any religion, so therefore meant even less than nothing to them. I could care less. Your revenge is living the best happiest, beautiful life you can and let them come to you. They might or might not, be at peace and love yourself.