Mi experiencia como Testigo de Jehová (testimonio completo) RE: YellowMellow & Mildred Lyons

Introduction and Background

In this section, the speaker introduces herself and explains her motivation for discussing her experience as a Jehovah's Witness. She mentions that she has received comments and emails from others who have also been Jehovah's Witnesses, which has inspired her to share more about this topic.

Experience as a Jehovah's Witness

• The speaker expresses that talking about this topic is difficult for her because it stirs up strong emotions.

• She feels a responsibility to speak out against the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses due to what she perceives as unethical practices and violations of human rights.

• The speaker provides some background information about herself, including her age (25 years old) and being born into a Jehovah's Witness family in Málaga, Spain.

• While her parents were not fanatical believers, they still raised their children as Jehovah's Witnesses.

• The speaker recalls feeling uncomfortable and fearful from a young age within the religion.

Reunions and Meetings

This section focuses on the meetings and gatherings held by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Meetings at Kingdom Halls

• The speaker explains that Jehovah's Witnesses gather at Kingdom Halls for meetings twice a week.

• These meetings involve studying publications produced by the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.

• Attendees are expected to prepare beforehand by reading assigned chapters or texts.

• During the meeting, participants are encouraged to raise their hands and provide answers based solely on what is written in the text, rather than expressing personal opinions or considering other religious sources.

Assignments and Public Speaking

• The speaker shares that she felt embarrassed by assignments given during meetings, such as participating in role plays or giving prepared responses to objections encountered during door-to-door preaching.

• These assignments were part of the "School of Ministry" or "Theocratic Ministry School," where Jehovah's Witnesses were taught how to respond to objections and promote their beliefs during preaching activities.

Preaching and Convincing

This section discusses the practice of preaching and attempting to convince others of Jehovah's Witness beliefs.

Door-to-Door Preaching

• The speaker describes door-to-door preaching as a common activity among Jehovah's Witnesses.

• They approach people in their homes or on the street, aiming to engage in conversations about their beliefs.

• The goal is to convince others that Jehovah's Witnesses have the only true religion.

Responding to Objections

• In the "School of Ministry," Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to provide responses to objections or criticisms raised by individuals they encounter during preaching.

• The speaker mentions that she was taught specific answers for various objections, allowing her to address them confidently.

Conclusion

The provided transcript covers the introduction, background, meetings, and preaching aspects of the speaker's experience as a Jehovah's Witness. It provides insights into the emotional impact and practices within this religious organization.

Overcoming Challenges as a Former Jehovah's Witness

In this section, the speaker discusses their experience as a former Jehovah's Witness and the challenges they faced when leaving the religion.

Difficulties in Preaching and Social Interactions

• The speaker initially felt extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable when going door-to-door to preach.

• Meeting acquaintances from school or other social settings during preaching activities was particularly challenging for them.

Ways to Leave the Jehovah's Witness Religion

• There are two main ways to leave the religion:

• Renouncing membership by writing a letter expressing the desire to no longer be part of the organization.

• Being expelled through a judicial committee process if one is deemed unrepentant for committing a sin.

Consequences of Leaving

• Leaving the religion results in rejection from family, friends, and all other Jehovah's Witnesses.

• While some Witnesses may still maintain limited contact, it is common for individuals who leave to be completely shunned by their former community.

Inactive Status as an Alternative

• Another option is becoming inactive, which involves ceasing attendance at meetings, preaching activities, and socializing with fellow Witnesses.

• This status does not result in expulsion but still leads to isolation within the community.

Coping with Rejection and Isolation

In this section, the speaker shares their personal experiences dealing with rejection and isolation after their parents left Jehovah's Witnesses.

Attending Meetings Alone

• After their parents left the religion, the speaker continued attending meetings with their older sister or a trusted family friend acting as a surrogate guardian.

Supportive Figures

• The speaker had someone they considered as an aunt figure who provided emotional support during this time. She encouraged them to continue attending meetings and not lose faith.

Divorce as a Central Topic

• The speaker's parents' divorce became a central topic of discussion among Jehovah's Witnesses they encountered.

• People constantly asked about the divorce, their parents' well-being, and how it affected the speaker.

Perceived as a Negative Influence

• Being the child of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses led others to view the speaker as a negative influence on their children.

• They noticed a decrease in invitations to social events and felt that people treated them differently within the congregation.

Feeling Isolated and Misunderstood

• The speaker experienced rejection both within the congregation and outside of it.

• They felt like they didn't fit in with their classmates at school or with their former friends who were still Jehovah's Witnesses.

Struggles with Identity and Exclusion from Celebrations

In this section, the speaker discusses their struggles with identity and exclusion from celebrations due to being raised as a Jehovah's Witness.

Dual Sense of Belonging

• The speaker felt caught between two worlds - not fully belonging to either their school community or the Jehovah's Witness community.

Inability to Participate in Celebrations

• Unlike their peers, the speaker was unable to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, or any other non-religious holidays due to religious beliefs.

Escalating Rejection Within Congregation

• As they grew older, rejection intensified within the congregation itself.

• Parents of friends and even close friends saw them as a bad influence because they lived with their mother who had left Jehovah's Witnesses.

Stigmatization as an Apostate

• Leaving the religion made others perceive them as an apostate - someone who speaks against Jehovah's Witnesses.

• Apostates are seen as dangerous because they can potentially change people's thinking and lead them away from the religion.

Fear of Losing Followers and Controlling Information

In this section, the speaker discusses the fear Jehovah's Witnesses have of losing followers and their efforts to control information.

Fear of Losing Followers

• Jehovah's Witnesses are afraid of losing followers, which explains their strict measures against those who leave or speak negatively about the organization.

Labeling Apostates as Dangerous

• Apostates, individuals who leave and criticize Jehovah's Witnesses, are labeled as dangerous because they can influence others to question their beliefs.

Controlling Information Flow

• The organization tries to control information by discouraging members from reading material critical of Jehovah's Witnesses.

• They emphasize that only information provided by the organization is reliable and should be trusted.

The transcript has been summarized into four sections based on the timestamps provided. Each section provides an overview followed by key points discussed in that particular timeframe.

Description and Perception

The speaker discusses how they were perceived as a negative influence by others, especially their peers' parents, due to not conforming to all the rules of their religion. They mention being seen as the "black sheep" and feeling like an outsider.

Being Seen as a Mala Influencia

• The speaker's peers viewed them as a bad influence because their parents told them so.

• Despite having friends, the speaker felt like the "black sheep" of their group.

Not Following All the Rules

• The speaker admits to not following all the rules of their religion, which was evident to some people.

• They mention that within their religious community, non-believers are referred to as "mundanos" (worldly people) and are seen in a negative light.

Relationships and Religious Beliefs

The speaker talks about their experiences with relationships and how it conflicted with the beliefs of their religion. They also touch upon the concept of baptism within their religious community.

Having Relationships Outside and Inside Religion

• The speaker had boyfriends both outside and inside their religious community.

• Relationships within the religion were considered worse than those outside because they were expected to lead towards marriage.

Differences in Baptism

• In contrast to other religions, Jehovah's Witnesses baptize individuals when they are certain about dedicating themselves to serving Jehovah for life.

• Many children get baptized at a young age without fully understanding what it means, leading some to eventually leave the religion.

Pressure and Control

The speaker discusses how pressure is exerted within their religious community, particularly regarding personal choices such as relationships and sexuality. They highlight instances where they faced scrutiny and control from the elders.

Pressure to Get Married

• According to Jehovah's Witness beliefs, relationships should lead to marriage within a year or two of knowing someone.

• The speaker faced interference and monitoring from the community when they had a serious relationship at the age of 15.

Taboo around Sexuality

• Sex is considered taboo within the religion, with strict rules that limit sexual activity to married couples only.

• Being alone with someone of the opposite sex is discouraged as it may lead to "fornication" (premarital sex).

Personal Experiences and Conformity

The speaker shares personal experiences related to their relationships and how they were treated by their religious community. They also mention instances where they were pressured to conform and suppress their individuality.

Relationships Beyond Religious Boundaries

• The speaker reflects on their past relationships with Jehovah's Witness partners, stating that these partners were more sexually explicit than those outside the religion.

• They acknowledge engaging in activities that went against religious teachings but were kept hidden.

Suppression of Individuality

• The speaker recalls being called into meetings with elders multiple times, including instances where they were taken without parental supervision.

• These meetings aimed to control and suppress individuality, as Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to conform completely without having personal opinions or styles.

Restrictions on Expression

The speaker discusses restrictions placed on women within their religious community, particularly regarding personal expression through clothing, music choices, and appearance. They also mention being reprimanded for these choices by the elders.

Control over Appearance

• Women in the religion are heavily restricted in terms of clothing choices, such as not wearing black or painting nails black.

• The speaker was told that their appearance did not align with the image of a Jehovah's Witness.

Interference and Reproval

• The speaker recalls instances where they were reprimanded by elders for their music choices, including bands like "Tokio Hotel."

• They mention being brought into meetings with elders to discuss these issues and feeling controlled and invalidated as individuals.

The transcript has been summarized in a clear and concise manner, using timestamps when available to help others study the transcript.

Lack of Important Positions for Women in the Congregation

The speaker discusses how women in the congregation do not hold any significant positions. They are limited to participating in assignments related to preaching.

Women's Roles in the Congregation

• Women are only allowed to participate in assignments related to preaching, such as theatrical presentations.

• They do not have access to important positions within the congregation.

Pressure to Get Baptized

The speaker talks about the pressure they felt from their friends who were getting baptized and following all the rules set by the organization.

Friends Getting Baptized

• The speaker's friends started getting baptized, while they had not even become a publisher yet.

• Being a publisher means committing to go preaching every month and submitting a monthly report on hours spent preaching.

• Feeling left out, the speaker decided that they also wanted to get baptized.

Feeling Marginalized and Controlled

The speaker shares how they started feeling marginalized when their friends became more serious about being Jehovah's Witnesses and closely monitored their actions and words.

Marginalization by Friends

• As their friends became more dedicated Jehovah's Witnesses, they started scrutinizing everything the speaker said or did.

• The speaker's best friend advised them against engaging in activities like dating non-Witnesses, partying, or drinking alcohol.

• This made the speaker feel frustrated and obligated to conform.

Hidden Feelings and Frustration

The speaker reveals that during their teenage years, they realized they had feelings for both genders but kept it hidden due to fear of judgment from others.

Hidden Feelings

• The speaker discovered their attraction to both genders but never disclosed it to anyone.

• They were afraid that if they shared this with their best friend, she might report it to the elders and they would be reprimanded.

• The speaker's first experience of having feelings for someone was for a girl who visited them.

Striving to Meet Baptism Requirements

The speaker shares their efforts to meet the conditions required for baptism, even though they knew they wouldn't be able to fulfill all the expectations.

Conditions for Baptism

• There are several conditions one must meet in order to get baptized as a Jehovah's Witness.

• Some of these conditions include abstaining from masturbation and being heterosexual.

• Despite knowing they couldn't fulfill all the requirements, the speaker pretended to be a devout Witness.

Trying to Add Humor

The speaker adds some humor by sharing a funny anecdote about trying to lighten up the video before discussing more serious topics.

Adding Humor

• The speaker shares a lighthearted story about their interest in learning Italian during their teenage years.

• They mention that later on, they had an opportunity to work as an au pair in Italy due to their fascination with the language and country.

Hidden Feelings Towards Same-Sex Attraction

The speaker reveals that during their time in Italy, they realized they were not exclusively heterosexual but kept these feelings hidden from others.

Hidden Feelings Towards Same-Sex Attraction

• While staying in Italy, the speaker met someone who made them realize that they were not entirely heterosexual.

• However, they never expressed these feelings or discussed them with anyone until now.

• The speaker acknowledges that this is the first time they are sharing this information.

Baptism for Social Acceptance

The speaker admits that they got baptized to gain acceptance from their friends in the congregation and to stop feeling judged by others.

Motivation for Baptism

• The speaker got baptized to be accepted by their friends in the congregation and to avoid being constantly criticized.

• They wanted people to stop looking down on them because their parents had left the religion.

• However, getting baptized did not bring them genuine happiness.

Changes in Social Circle

The speaker shares how their social circle changed after getting baptized, leading them to feel isolated and lonely.

Changes in Social Circle

• After getting baptized, the speaker distanced themselves from non-Witness friends from school.

• As a result, they ended up feeling quite alone as most of their friends were now Jehovah's Witnesses.

• This change in social dynamics affected their overall social life negatively.

Interest in Italian Language and Culture

The speaker discusses their interest in the Italian language and culture, which eventually led them to spend time in Italy as an au pair.

Interest in Italian Language

• During a visit to Italy with family, the speaker developed a strong interest in learning Italian.

• This interest grew over time, leading them to seek opportunities like working as an au pair in Italy during summer break at 18 years old.

Meeting a Boy and Becoming a Couple

The speaker talks about meeting a boy during the summer and becoming a couple. They mention that they don't remember exactly how long they were together, but it was at least a year.

Relationship with the Boy

• The speaker met a boy who was younger than them and they became a couple.

• They spent time together, visiting each other in Italy and Spain.

• The speaker mentions that they didn't follow all the rules of Jehovah's Witnesses, like spending less time with their parents who were not part of the religion.

Moving to Germany with Mother

The speaker discusses their mother asking them to move to Germany. They mention feeling conflicted because of their religious beliefs and their relationship with their parents.

Moving to Germany

• The speaker's mother asked them to move to Germany where she had married their stepfather.

• Initially, the speaker was hesitant due to conflicting beliefs about spending time with non-Witness family members.

• However, they eventually decided to move as they wanted to escape the gossip and judgmental behavior of people in their hometown.

Living in Germany and Challenging Beliefs

The speaker reflects on living in Germany and how it challenged their beliefs as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Challenging Beliefs

• Living alone improved the relationship between the speaker and their parents.

• They disliked living in Benalmádena, Spain due to nosy people, especially within the Jehovah's Witness community.

• Despite preaching love for others, Jehovah's Witnesses viewed non-heterosexual individuals as mentally ill. This caused internal conflict for the speaker.

Considering a Move to Germany

The speaker discusses their decision to move to Germany and the concerns raised by fellow Jehovah's Witnesses.

Decision to Move

• Despite warnings from Jehovah's Witness friends about the negative influence of living with their mother, the speaker decided to move to Germany.

• They felt that moving would be a significant change and an opportunity to distance themselves from the Jehovah's Witness community.

Negative Experiences in the Italian Congregation

The speaker shares their negative experiences in an Italian congregation after moving to Germany.

Negative Experiences

• The speaker joined an Italian-speaking congregation near their mother's house.

• They tried making friends but were ignored or talked about behind their back.

• People judged them without knowing them well, assuming they were involved romantically with their stepbrother.

Hypocrisy within Jehovah's Witnesses

The speaker reflects on the hypocrisy they observed within the Jehovah's Witness community.

Hypocrisy

• Despite preaching love for others, Jehovah's Witnesses engaged in gossiping and criticizing each other.

• The speaker felt judged by those around them, which reinforced their desire for a fresh start in Germany.

Internal Struggles and Moving Forward

The speaker discusses internal struggles related to their faith as a Jehovah's Witness and how they saw moving to Germany as an opportunity for change.

Internal Struggles

• The speaker acknowledges feeling conflicted about leaving the Jehovah's Witness community but also wanting distance from it.

• They believed that coming to Germany would bring significant changes, even though they initially resisted accepting this truth.

Escaping Toxic Relationships and Seeking Change

The speaker talks about their toxic relationship with an Italian boyfriend and the negative impact it had on their life.

Toxic Relationship

• The speaker's Italian boyfriend became controlling and jealous, accusing them of being involved with their stepbrother.

• The boyfriend's behavior escalated to the point where the speaker felt scared.

• They eventually ended the relationship due to lack of feelings and fear for their safety.

Judgment from Jehovah's Witnesses

The speaker shares how Jehovah's Witnesses judged them for their actions and relationships.

Judgment from Jehovah's Witnesses

• Fellow Jehovah's Witnesses criticized the speaker for their choices, believing they were straying from God.

• Some members even believed that the speaker was romantically involved with their stepbrother.

• This judgmental behavior caused distress and further reinforced the desire to distance themselves from the community.

Moving Forward Alone

The speaker discusses feeling alone after moving to Germany and not having a strong support system within the Jehovah's Witness community.

Feeling Alone

• Despite having family in Germany, the speaker felt isolated as they didn't have many friends or a close-knit community.

• They spent time with their stepbrother, who was also a Jehovah's Witness, but faced criticism for it.

• The lack of acceptance and support led to a sense of loneliness.

The Impact of Joining a German Course

The speaker discusses how joining a German course had a significant impact on their life, leading to new friendships and increased social activities.

Joining a German Course

• Joined a German course and started meeting new people from different countries.

• Started making friends and going out more, especially for parties.

• As the speaker became more involved in social activities, they attended fewer meetings with Jehovah's Witnesses.

Feeling Guilty and Confessing

The speaker shares their feelings of guilt and the decision to confess their actions to the elders of the congregation.

Feeling Guilty

• Started feeling guilty for engaging in activities that were considered inappropriate according to Jehovah's Witness beliefs.

• Felt uncomfortable attending meetings due to personal experiences within the community.

Confession to Elders

• Approached one of the elders privately to confess their actions.

• Met with three elders in an empty Kingdom Hall.

• Shared intimate details about their relationship with an ex-boyfriend, feeling immense guilt and shame.

Intense Questioning by Elders

The speaker describes the intense questioning they faced from the elders during their confession.

Detailed Interrogation

• Elders asked explicit questions about physical intimacy, including touching, orgasms, sexual acts, exchanging photos or messages.

• Required to provide every possible detail as part of the elders' decision-making process.

Consequences and Loss of Privileges

The speaker discusses the consequences they faced after confessing and how it affected their involvement within the congregation.

Loss of Privileges

• As a result of the confession, the speaker's privileges within the congregation were revoked.

• Privileges included participating in discussions during meetings and socializing with other members.

Restricted Activities

• Prohibited from associating with others outside of the congregation to prevent potential influence.

• Limited to attending meetings and engaging in preaching activities.

Struggling with Shame and Double Life

The speaker shares their struggle with shame, feeling marginalized within the congregation, and eventually leading a double life.

Overwhelming Shame

• Felt immense shame attending meetings where people knew about their wrongdoing.

• Experienced embarrassment and judgment from others.

Leading a Double Life

• Started enjoying the freedom of living a double life outside of Jehovah's Witnesses' expectations.

• Attended meetings under the influence of alcohol or drugs, no longer actively participating.

Resignation and Fear of Judgment

The speaker discusses their decision to resign from Jehovah's Witnesses and fear of judgment from those who knew them within the community.

Resignation Process

• Constant calls and messages from elders urging attendance at meetings.

• Reached a breaking point and decided to write a resignation letter.

Fear of Judgment

• Feared judgment from friends who were still part of Jehovah's Witnesses.

• Worried about how they would be perceived by those they cared about most.

Relationship with Family and Fear of Rejection

The speaker discusses their close relationship with their mother's side of the family and the fear they had of being rejected by them after leaving the Jehovah's Witness religion.

Close Relationship with Family

• The speaker had a close relationship with their extended family, including cousins in Málaga and Barcelona.

• They were aware that once they left the Jehovah's Witness religion, their family would stop talking to them.

• Despite this, the speaker still maintained a good relationship with their cousins.

Fear of Rejection

• The speaker felt immense fear, frustration, anxiety, and sadness because they knew what was coming after revealing that they were no longer a Jehovah's Witness.

• They were afraid of being judged, ignored, and treated as if they didn't exist by their family members.

• This fear prevented them from confessing the truth about why they left the religion to anyone.

Not Revealing the Truth

• The speaker never disclosed that they wrote a resignation letter to leave the Jehovah's Witnesses.

• They informed some important people in their life that they would be expelled from the religion but did not reveal the actual reason behind it.

• Some people took it well while others did not understand or accept it.

Loss of Contact with Family and Friends

The speaker shares how their relationships drastically changed after being announced as no longer belonging to the Jehovah's Witnesses. They lost contact with Casey and other friends, and have little information about their family.

Loss of Contact

• After being announced as no longer belonging to the Jehovah's Witnesses during a meeting, Casey and others stopped contacting the speaker.

• The speaker only had one or two more conversations with their former best friend but was eventually told that she couldn't talk to them anymore due to religious reasons.

• The speaker has no information about their family, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, or what happened to them.

Lack of Communication

• The speaker expresses their surprise at how little communication there is within the Jehovah's Witness community when someone dies.

• They were not informed about any deaths in the family and were completely cut off from that aspect of their former life.

Leaving the Sect and Finding Freedom

The speaker reflects on leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses as one of the worst but also one of the best periods of their life. They discuss considering returning initially but ultimately finding freedom outside of any religion.

Leaving the Sect

• Initially, the speaker considered returning to the Jehovah's Witnesses and repenting for leaving.

• This would have meant attending meetings for six months to a year without having any contact with others until they deemed the speaker repentant enough.

• Fortunately, they never went back and consider leaving as being born again.

Finding Freedom

• Although they lost many years of their life (around 19 or 20 years), leaving allowed them to gain freedom and discover their own beliefs.

• The speaker no longer belongs to any religion but has personal beliefs that they share on Instagram.

• They emphasize that true family and friends will accept and love you regardless of religious differences.

Reflection on Personal Growth

The speaker reflects on personal growth after leaving the sect. They discuss how people outside of the Jehovah's Witnesses community respect each other's beliefs and how leaving opened up new paths in life.

Surprising Discoveries

• After leaving the sect, the speaker was surprised by how respectful people outside of Jehovah's Witnesses are towards each other.

• They were amazed by how individuals could have different opinions, beliefs, and thoughts without being judged or cast aside.

New Paths

• Leaving the sect opened up many paths for personal growth and development.

• The speaker no longer belongs to any religion but has their own beliefs and practices.

• They encourage viewers to reach out with questions or share their experiences through comments, email, or Instagram.

Understanding Others' Experiences

The speaker reflects on how they used to respond to questions about their religion in the past and encourages understanding and empathy towards others who may be going through similar experiences.

Past Responses

• In the past, when asked about their religion, the speaker would give rehearsed answers that did not reflect their true beliefs.

• They did this out of fear of punishment and lack of information.

Empathy and Understanding

• The speaker hopes that those who knew them before, such as classmates from school, can understand the person they truly are now.

• They encourage viewers to be empathetic towards others because one never knows what someone else might be going through.

Conclusion

The transcript covers various aspects of the speaker's experience leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses. It includes discussions about their relationship with family, fear of rejection, loss of contact with friends and family members after leaving, finding freedom outside of any religion, personal growth after leaving the sect, and understanding others' experiences.

Thank You and Invitation to Join the Community

The speaker expresses gratitude for the viewers and invites them to join their community.

Gratitude and Invitation

• The speaker thanks the viewers for watching the video.

• They invite the viewers to check out their channel and join their mini community.

• If the viewers are interested in the content, they are encouraged to follow the speaker to not miss future videos.

• The speaker mentions that they will continue discussing personal growth and spirituality in future videos.

Conclusion and Farewell

The speaker concludes the video and says goodbye to the viewers.

Conclusion and Farewell

• The speaker thanks the viewers again for watching.

• They express hope of seeing them soon in a future video.

• A warm hug is sent to the viewers.

• The speaker signs off by saying goodbye and taking care.

The language used in this section is Spanish.