Concluding our interview with Lloyd Evans, we focus on his journey from devout Witness youth to outspoken ex-Witness activist and atheist. Lloyd shares the circumstances leading to his “awakening” with startling honesty and reveals how the heartbreaking loss of his mother played a profound role in keeping long-held doubts suppressed.
Lloyd is the founder and senior editor of JWsurvey.org—a website that promotes freeness of thought among Jehovah’s Witnesses. He is also author of “The Reluctant Apostate,” a book that chronicles his experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness and his journey to freedom from Watchtower indoctrination. His wildly popular Youtube channel “John Cedars” hosts a range of videos aimed at dissecting the various teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as new developments in the religion.
1084: Lloyd Evans on The History of the Jehovah Witness Movement
1085: What It’s Like to be a Jehovah’s Witness – Lloyd Evans
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8 Responses
Really interesting to hear this from a Mormon perspective. So many similarities. I live in Indianapolis, IN and the Jehovah’s Witness are very active here. They were also very active in Uruguay where I served my LDS mission. As an aside, the name of the church is so much more fun to pronounce in Spanish; Testigos de Jehovah! Fascinating to hear some of the inside scoop and general beliefs of this group.
Thanks for interviewing Lloyd.
Absolutely absorbing. I have listened to all of these I have learned a lot these past few hours. Thanks for doing this interview. Lots of similarities
Loved this interview with Lloyd Evans! I had seen one or two of his YouTube videos, I thought they were very compelling, I have also watched TellTale, and he does an excellent job. John your interview skills, humor, and honesty are always top notch. Please know how much you are appreciated from the post Mormon world. When my husband and I went out 6 years ago, after a lifetime of devotion and contributions to the church, you (your personality that comes through in your interviews) and Mormon Stories were the only thing we had to hold onto. We were all alone as we walked away from the only community we had ever known, and our entire social world. We would never have been able to see through the fraud of the church without all the work you had done. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for being you, and being out there. And Lloyd is right when he said…our minds have been messed with. They have, and the untangling, the hurt, and the anger is very real…as you know. When you did MS in Boise, I held the luncheon at my house and the after party, if you recall. I told you than that you and Margi have friends in Idaho. I know you have friends every where, but you have them here too. And we look forward to your returning here sometime. On a side note…I loved the way Lloyd summed up his beliefs, thanks for asking him that question. Good Job, both of you!!!
Lloyd, Thanks for taking the time to do such a fascinating interview. I couldn’t stop listening. When I started to have my faith crisis about 13 years ago, we had just moved to Utah. I was in so much turmoil. The jw’s came to the door and I let them in. I had a lot of questions since I knew very little about other religions. I think they thought they had hit the jack pot with me! I was so desperate. After hearing about their teaching and studying up the best I could until their next visit, it became very clear to me that not only was the Jw religion made up but the mormon religion as well! They had an answer for everything. Even things that didn’t made sense. This gave me a chance to see what I was involved in but from a safe distance. There are so many similarities! It’s people like you who speak out so other’s are less afraid to question and to free themselves. Thank You!!
About 2/3 the way through Lloyd highly recommended a specific video. Which one was it? Link?
I think it’s this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em2s2nsQr98
Wow, I love these interviews with Lloyd! He’s very articulate and well spoken. I found the pinnacle of these interviews to be when Lloyd was talking about the “shunning” experience with his Dad. (Roughly minute 17 in Part 2 of #1087). And the response of “robot” and “hypocrite”. WOW!!! Very sad what religious convictions can do to families.
I’m very fortunate that my Dad, although sad about my decision to leave Mormonism, was respectful and if anything, I feel his genuine love for me even stronger. Very interesting perspectives that Lloyd has!
I would like an email for Lloyd Evans..I will appreciate texting or emailing him about a several religious questions. I have been surrounded by relatives who are jw for years. I am not a jW but I studied for 12 yrs. With them. I would like to say you have wonderful sets of videos I can’t stop watching they are so informative, so far as far as I’m concern you have been the hot top#1. Wonderful. Keep up ur good work. Blessings. To you and and ur family. Warmly,
HONEY mx.