We all believed that Armageddon was coming in 1975. Everyone was speculating as to when it might arrive. Some even speculated that it might be 1974 instead of 1975. I remember the District Overseer, Brother Sales, (I believe it was him, not entirely sure) giving a talk at the International Assembly in Oakland in 1973. His words were, When an alarm clock is ready to ring, just before it rings, there is a click and just a split second before the alarm actually rings. Well we are in that time period between the click and the actual ringing of the alarm clock. That's how much time we have left before Armageddon! All everyone ever talked about was how little time we had left before Armageddon.

Because there was so little time left many young teenagers began to get married quite young. It is traditional and typical for a Jehovah's Witness to marry young. Since one is not allowed to date unless you intend to be married, anyone who dates is expected that they get married. However, since Armageddon was so close, it just seemed like there was a frenzy of young teens getting married. We had been told that since we didn't know whether there would be marriage in the new system. Since it wasn't for sure that we might be able to get married in the new system, many decided that they would be married before Armageddon, rather than have to remain single for eternity. When young hormones are raging, this thinking is dangerous. Many young people ended up in very unhappy marriages, including me. I was married to another young Jehovah's Witness in 1974 at the age of 18. It was the worst mistake of my life.

This guy was a wife beater and got away with it. He began to hit me exactly one week after we were married. When I approached the elders with the fact that he beat me, their response was of disinterest and said there was no WT policy on this and it wasn't a disfellowshipping offense. It was to be considered a family problem and they could not get involved. Well this family problem translated into a lot of physical and mental abuse. I always carried bruises all over my body and no one cared. I was told to not to discuss this with anyone and to quit nagging. Apparently they thought that I nagged my husband too much and that was the reason for the beatings. He was disfellowshipped eventually in 1976 for smoking. So I began to think, is smoking a worse sin than beating up your wife? I knew something was wrong with this picture! When he was disfellowshipped, I was pregnant with my son at the time.

In 1976, after my son was born, I decided I could no longer take the abuse, so I left my husband, moved out and went back to live with my parents. I subsequently divorced him after a year went by. The elders told me that I wasn't "scripturally divorced" and was not allowed to date. I was 20 years old at the time.

A year later, I enrolled in community college and decided I liked going to college, after all I hadn't studied as well as I should have in high school. What for ??? Armageddon was just around the corner. So here I was and I had no means to get a job, and I certainly didn't want to be a cleaning woman or do janitorial work, as I am not cut out for that type of work and prefer working at a desk. I knew I had a brain up there and it was time to put it to use by going to college. It was already 1977 and Armageddon still hadn't arrived.

After a while, it began to seem to me that those in the KH were not as intellectual as I was becoming. I was learning to do critical thinking and believed in asking questions at a time when independent thinking was starting to be frowned upon. I remember talking to an elderette (an elder's wife) one day and telling her that I was taking a psychology class and that I was enjoying it. Do you know what her response was??? She actually had the audacity to tell me that I was studying "doctrines of demons" and that I should get out of my psychology class immediately. I didn't listen to her; I did my own thing.

By 1979, I had all but quit going to the meetings. I think I went to one day of the district convention that year in Tucson, and I did not go out in field service at all by that time. I had it by then! In February 1980, I wrote a handwritten letter to the elders letting them know I wasn't going to any more meetings and not to consider me a Jehovah's Witness any longer. I gave the letter to my brother to hand deliver to the elders.

I always had a few doubts about the Watchtower Organization and that made it easier to leave, I think. For example, I never truly believed that it was wrong to get a blood transfusion, so I never carried one of those "No Blood Transfusion" cards. I always knew that if I were looking death in the face, I would accept a blood transfusion to save my life. Another thing that always bothered me was that the Watchtower made an issue out of whether or not a woman screamed if she were being raped. The Watchtower rule was if a woman did not scream, then she must have enjoyed it, and therefore was committing adultery or fornication and would be disfellowshipped. How could any woman in her right mind agree with that kind of thinking and that policy?

I never looked back, although I did attend the memorial that year in 1980 and I made the decision then to never set foot in Kingdom Hall ever again. In 1982, a good friend invited me to his church and I accepted the invitation. (You know nothing in life is ever a coincidence, it's a "God Incidence") I went to his church and discovered that Christians were warm and caring people who loved Jesus Christ. But I was still scared. Did I really do the right thing, by going to this church? Would something bad happen to me because I dared go into what the WT calls "Babylon"? As Jehovah's Witnesses, we were always taught that demons were present in the churches of Babylon.

Then I received my answer: After the church service was over, I looked around at the faces and saw a familiar face, I thought. No, it couldn't be, I'm thinking. But I think it was---it was another Ex Jehovah's Witness! I did a double take and yes, I did recognize this lady. I went up to her and asked her, Didn't I used to see you at the assemblies? Her eyes were wide open as she asked me, Did you just leave the Jehovah's Witnesses? I said yes, I left 2 years prior and this was my first time in the church since leaving the JW's. It turned out that this lady, her name is Mary Kling, well her husband is the first cousin of M. James Penton, author of the book, Apocalypse Delayed! I was just so thrilled to know that I wasn't the only person who left the JW's who decided to go to church!

Mary took me under her wing and began showing me what was wrong with the Watchtower organization. See, at that time I knew that there was something wrong, I just didn't know how to prove it! She showed me old literature and how the WT taught that Jesus was the mediator for only 144,000! When I read that, then I knew that the WT was a false organization and that the truth could only be found in Jesus Christ. Shortly thereafter, I gave my life over to Jesus Christ in May, 1982.

It was no coincidence that out of all the churches in Tucson, Arizona, I happened to visit the one that Mary had been attending. I knew that God had His hand in this the whole time. However, it was not without a price. I told my father, who was not yet a baptized JW about my experience. He told my mother and my mother and I had the biggest, most awful blowout. It ended by her telling me that I was not welcome in her home ever again! She shunned me for 17 years.

At the end of the year, I moved to Los Angeles, CA and began a new life away from my old friends and family who were shunning me. I met Randy Watters of Free Minds and began attending his quarterly potlucks and eventually volunteering to help him in his home/office for his ministry, which was called Bethel Ministries at the time. (If I refer to Randy's Free Minds site frequently in my posts, it's because I used to type a lot of those articles that he wrote). I learned so much from Randy Watters and I will be forever grateful that he was my friend and teacher.

In the summer of 1998 I found that one of my JW cousins, Andy Burns, had leukemia at the age of 39. I had heard through the family "grapevine" that he had not been feeling well and suffering from some migraine headaches. After some tests and a diagnosis of acute leukemia, he was hospitalized for some intense chemotherapy. He lived another six weeks before he died. Of course, he being a JW elder, refused all blood transfusions. His blood count became so dangerously low that the chemotherapy treatments had to be discontinued. He is now memorialized on AJWRB's Watchtower Victims Memorial.

Fast forward to 1999: For some reason, my mother decides she is speaking to me again. In 2000, she and my father come to my house and visit. They even go out to dinner with my husband and I. I don't know what's happening there, but I think they are tired of not knowing their grandchildren. You see, my brother is the only one of us kids in the family who remained a JW and of course, he had been an elder. But he and his wife never had children!

Recently, I found out that my brother has stepped down from being an elder and has separated from his wife. (hmmmm) My sister and I both have children and my parents never have gotten to know them until recently. Sad isn't it? My two younger children were 10 and 13 when they first met my parents, their grandparents. I haven't seen my parents for months now and I know that the August 2002 Kingdom Ministry had once again instructed the JW's to shun the former members. I know longer know where I stand with my parents, except that I know my mother is very angry with me, as she did find out about this website. She also refused to acknowledge the recent issues regarding Silent Lambs concerning child sexual abuse in the Watchtower and claims it is all just "baloney". I feel sorry for her because she does not know the real Jesus. After all Jesus did say at John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me". My mother's life is tied up with an organization that will NEVER show her Jesus Christ. It is an empty organization with false promises and false prophesies. The Bible never talks about joining an organization for salvation.

Some people, after leaving the Watchtower Organization ask, "Where else can we go?" This comes up, inevitably because the Watchtower has so effectively indoctrinated their followers that there is no place to go except the Watchtower Organization.

For those of you who are at that point, I invite you to read this article: Where Else Can We Go?

I've been a Christian now for more 20 years and Jesus has been Lord of my life. So here we are, in 2003 and I'm all over the internet doing as much ministry as I can. I'm just thrilled that the internet and all the ministries here has been able to educate and inform so many of the falsities of the Watchtower organization. Praise God!

Cynthia Hampton
http://www.exjwslosangeles.org

Click here to read Cynthia's experience of her Aunt's Kingdom Hall funeral

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written by bernie , October 03, 2009

I'm curious about something...this law about not using blood came from the Jews. Why haven't Jewish people refused blood transfusions? They of all people, especially an Hasidic Jew or Conservative Jew should know the answer to this. If there be any Jewish scholars out there reading this, could you respond why Jewish people don't refuse blood transfusions from a scriptural standpoint due to laws that were given in the Bible.

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written by Alan , October 31, 2009

The above story by cynthia just goes to show whose world we are living in, when it is run by none other than satan himself, as 1 John 5:19 shows, as well as misleading and being misled by this ungodly system. Jews don't follow the true teachings and they refuse to accept Jesus Christ as already having come to the earth, they are allegedly still waiting for the messiah to arrive, who taught the truth to those who teach and are teachable but if you do things God's that is Jehovah's way then you can't go far wrong. Jesus only taught what his father had taught him.And who are we to question that, there are many coincidences that are leading man back to Jehovah where they can be safe in the knowledge that doing the right thing is better for us, as only he knows best.

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written by David Adams , November 26, 2009

Do elders have a superior brain to a publisher.?

If you believe in a creator then we all have a brain created in which to think RATIONALLY.Handing it over to someone else to do our thinking in some hierachial "they know better than me" leads to all sorts of trouble.Did not the chistian Apostle Paul not say make sure of all things.If the JWs have the truth it should be able to withstand scrutiny.
If those propounding JW doctrine fear it being tested then it is not truth.What is stronger, truth or falsehood?...If truth then it will stand.We all have that gift and responsibilty to test it.If we are led by others then in a way we are culpable for feeling let down when we find out that it wasnt what it proported to be.

I see that christianity is so divided today.Yet we look at the Pauline Letters and we are contantly reminded of the encouragement NOT TO BE sectarian., "what is Paul,what is Apollos...fellow ministers in Christ".I like many aspects of the Christian theology yet am extremely turned off at the dogmatism that I see.
I was brought up as a Jehovah's Witness since childbirth and left when I was thirty...on the verge of being appointed an elder(Not that means anything)...Ive got the badge seen it all...nothing surprises me..and the faces change but the stories are still the same.
Is this need to be right and certain just vanity?,"I must be right so you are wrong."
Jehovah's Witnesses employ their fair amount of ad hominen in their literature at former members.
Its sadly a human trait and so we shouldnt expect anything different...yet there is much scholarly work quoting right from Jehovahs Witnesses publications through the years of the doctrinal changes,reversals ,inaccuracies and doctrinal retractions BY THEIR OWN HAND..that gives one FACTUAL evidence that they are hardly a secure foundation to build upon.Question? what kind of friend would I be to you if I told you that something was definitely going to happen and warn you,yet time after time It proved to not come true hence inaccurate information?..Wouldnt it be wise of me to say "thankyou" and give you a wide berth.?

There are many sincere people within that faith...I have family remaining in it and know of many others who I formerly associated with but in REALITY they are just another religon expressing the human desire to connect with a higher being and to find out what is the purpose of life.
Spirituality for me is important.I dont claim to have the answers,yet I am more open minded than ever when I was in the JWS.Spirituality is between you and a higher being and not bound by some creed or organization claiming to be a mouthpiece and clearly having a record that shows to the contrary.

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written by Sor Juana de la Cruz , December 04, 2009

Religion is a Snare and a Racket.
I had almost the same experience. However, I gave up on religion completely. You should have too. The scare tactics from the the other commentors is hilarious.

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written by Felisha , December 05, 2009

Hi, I am one of JW. Haven't been for long but I have been studying a long time before I chose to get baptized. I am not trying to sway anyone's mind just putting in my experience in these matters. I have been to a number of different churches and seen that they all, including the JWS are field will human beings. We as human being are not perfect at all and do fall. You will see awful things that humans do in every society whether it be Catholic, Baptist, JW, and so and so. Humans will be humans. That doesn't change the fact that as people we should strive to do the right thing. Yes we will see some do something wrong, that doesn't neccessarily make their whole family bad. For instance, I someone is stealing in a company does that make the whole company bad? No! Fire the person stealing and the company is back on track. We can look at matters all sorts of ways to see what we want to see. Cynthia had a bad experience when speaking to her elders but does that me everyone will. No! I spoke to mine and got wonderful feedback!!!!! Now I know how to handle myself in my situation and I know that if I choose to do the right thing everything will work out for the best as it already is. Does that mean every day will be just fine and dandy? No! I will have stuggles that I will continue on have to approach Jehovah for help. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he, God, will continue on giving me the strength to do his will!!! Whatever situation I am in at the time. Will there be perfect humans in Jehovah's organization? No! But there are no perfect humans are there? So I guess we need to stop looking for them or we will be looking forever. That is why Jesus paid the ransom because there was no other perfect human to pay it. Well this is some of how I feel. I do not know if this will do any good for anyone other than myself because having sat here typing this has reminded me why I stopped looking at humans for guidance and turned to Jehovah God himself to lead me through his son Christ Jesus. No human is perfect but Jehovah and his son, Jesus Christ, are. Look around and see the beauty they created and stop looking at men's faults that were inherited from sin and passed down to and through each of us. Hope this has helped someone! With Love and Understanding for you all!

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written by Felisha , December 05, 2009

Some of my words in my comment are misspelled and I am sorry for that. I hope none of that changes the meaning of my comment. Guess that just shows I am not perfect either.

wink

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written by judy schimdt , December 25, 2009

After reading this, I don't buy the religon bullshit. I am an atheiest and goddamn proud of it! You people are sick and need help. Religon offers only an escape and not a solution.

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written by judy schimdt , December 25, 2009

I celebrated Christmas today! Hell, I even ate pinapples and cherries on my ham that I baked. You don't know what you're missing! Jesus Christ! Wake up!

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written by judy schimdt , December 26, 2009

If there is a God and when I die I will ask him "why did you go to such extreme lengths to hide yourself from us?" And you know what he will say?!?! "I don't exist, fools!"

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written by judy schimdt , January 01, 2010

JW's have their head up their ass and need a reality check.

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written by judy schimidt , January 16, 2010

JW's are out of touch with reality...just with any religon...people need to wake up and realize their problems instead escaping from them.

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