A recently published eBook, Jehovah’s Witnesses Exposed - What Really Goes On Inside the Kingdom Hall Walls has started raising an uproar inside the Jehovah’s Witness community. In his new book, bestselling author Eugene Walker exposes the shocking secrets that have been hidden from Jehovah’s Witnesses for decades.
Jehovah's Witnesses have been known to have the highest turnover of any other religion. And the dramatic decline in growth coincides with mental illness, suicides, child abuse, changes in doctrine, disfellowshipping, shunning, and lost of families within the group.
According to Mr. Walker, Most people reading this book will not realize the heavy power that cult leaders have over their members.
Eugene Walker (born April 22, 1973) is an American author, family counselor, and psychologist. His works range from destructive cults, interpersonal relationships, marriage, family therapy, non-fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. His books have sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.
Most people reading this book will not realize the heavy power that cult leaders have over their members. Cult members are taught to put down and denigrate anything from the outside world (including this book). They brainwash their members into believing that if they leave the group, something disastrous is going to happen to them.
Book Excerpt
Jehovah’s Witnesses Exposed!
Identifying a Toxic Faith System
1 Peter 5:3 Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.
Anytime people in leadership become overwhelmed with power, prestige, profit, or even pleasure; then that institution can become a toxic faith system. Members are viewed as something to keep the system going rather than people with real feelings. It’s nothing new for people to be placed in a secondary position. But any religion that makes someone feel like a second-class person in kingdom of God is toxic faith system. The saddest thing about toxic faith systems is some members leave and never turn back to God.
One way to know if a religion is toxic is by looking at it’s leaders. You have to ask yourself this question. Are the leaders serving the people or are the people serving the ministers? When you see a big system in place with a hierarchy, you should be suspicious. Usually in these systems you have coconspirators deceiving people and enablers that are cheering them on. Then you have those that deliberately put on blindfolds and ignore all the warning signs.
Most religions start off really wanting to help people. But the problem arises when the religious leaders become detached from reality. As popularity of the religion spreads, most leaders lose sight of accountability to others. They take the bible and use scripture as a way to enforce unrealistic demands, rules, schedules and structure. And they do all this in the name of God.
Matthew 23:4 says: They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Religions of this nature tend to think that they’re the only ones that got it together. So they gradually start to manipulate members in the name of God. Jehovah’s Witnesses especially are taught to control their own minds, yet to never question the authority of their leaders. As a result some members go their whole life not being able to have an intimate relationship with God. Their view of God becomes distorted because of the hierarchy in the middle.
1 Timothy 2:5 says: For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
The 3 Stages of Attraction
Stage 1 The first stage of a person becoming attracted to Jehovah’s Witnesses is where they feel real good about the message they’re hearing. Some were excited about learning the holy name of God. While others were comforted by the resurrection hope taught by Jesus. Still others were drawn by the hope of living in paradise on earth. While others were drawn to the chance of living forever with Jesus in heaven. So they gradually started going to meetings, learning more and started developing a deep love for God and the religion. They studied the necessary publications, got baptized and decided to dedicate their life to serving God.
Stage 2 The second stage is when disillusionment starts to set in. At this stage, some people come to grips with reality and start to question their beliefs. Those who are intuitive begin to research the religion and line up the facts. Unfortunately, those brave enough to confront the church were expelled or silenced.
Stage 3 The third stage is when it hits rock bottom and all falls apart. At this stage members wake up to the cruel reality that all their works, faith, rules, and rituals have gotten them nowhere. They’ve served faithfully for many years only to discover they’ve been deceived by lies, deception, and manipulation. Many don’t look back at this stage because they’ve gotten over the fear and their eyes are now wide open.
The Signs that Someone is Addicted to Religion
• That person feels alienated from people
• That person would rather quote a scripture than have a real conversation
• Outside people tell them they’re too preachy
• Others start to distance themselves from them
• They shut off anyone who disagrees with their faith
How to Get Over Religious Addiction
Step 1 - Get Real One of the best ways to get over religious addiction is to get real. Get real with yourself and who you are. Never underestimate that inner voice that tells you something just isn’t right. As the saying goes, “If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck…it’s a duck”
Step 2 - Deprogram yourself Researchers say it takes 3 weeks to start a new habit or break an old one. By all means start a new habit. Remove old ideas by replacing them with new ones. Coming out of “The Watchtower” can take time to heal, but start the journey now. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn new things without supervision, guilt, or fear of expulsion.
Step 3 - Join a support group There are many Ex JW support groups online. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. Speaking with others that have left can be a real advantage to you. Make new friends and get their numbers. Many support groups have come together to help cult victims get their life back on track.
Step 4 - Get a new life If the harder you’ve tried to serve God, the worse you feel; you’ve been trying the wrong things. Once you let go of the need for approval from others, that’s when life really begins. Whatever dreams you’ve had, go make them your reality. Life is made to be experienced and enjoyed. You can still serve God and be happy without religion.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
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