Mormon Stories Podcast is excited to interview Lloyd Evans—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.
In this portion of our time with Lloyd, we focus on the history of the Jehovah Witness movement to provide a foundation for our future discussion on what it is like to be a Jehovah’s Witness as well as his experience leaving the religion behind.
1085: What It’s Like to be a Jehovah’s Witness – Lloyd Evans
1086-1087: Lloyd Evans – How I Became an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness Activist
Audio
6 Responses
I’m so glad you interviewed Lloyd. I’ve watched several of his videos and he’s a real likable guy. It has been great to learn about the commonalities that high control religions have such as JW and Mormons. I remember watching the video of when his father decided that he had to shun Lloyd. Heartbreaking what many ex members of the JW have to go through.
Amazing parallels to Mormonism except that JWs are quite a bit worse. At least the LDS church encourages higher education and doesnt take a stand against evolution. JWs can be disfellowshiped for working for the federal government? Does that include the post office? The LDS church seems much more adept at marketing and presenting a positive public image. On the other hand I think we have way more skeletons in our closet and more dirt to dig up. I am happy to see that there are post JW activists too.
Amazing podcast. Love this approach John. Eccentric religious movements is completely correct. Enjoyed seeing Lloyd on Scientology programme. Love hearing a Northener on your Podcast, we need more Brits. I’d love to see you interview, “Apostasy” Film Director,Daniel Kokotajlo.
So interesting! Loved this, and would love to hear stories of other non-LDS faith journeys/histories.
I’ve always wanted to know more about Jehovah Witnesses.
This seemed to jump all over the place and was difficult to follow just by listening.
If we could interview high profile Muslims and Mason’s that would be interesting as well.
IV been listening to this for at least 12 years
I’m so proud of all of us exposing these faulse religions
I lived in a home of j
W
And Roman Catholic
The elders would come over and drink withy dad and telly mom that she couldn’t leave him because she was there to save him
This went on till I was 11 years old when he finally shot her to death
The elders were fully involved in the defending of my dad and telling us kids that unless we were jws we would never see our mom again. For the next three years we were forced to endure the prison of kws. Ore dad got out of prison and the elders disfellowshiped my brother and I because we were forced to move back with him. Left to a crazy person a no net. I escaped at age 15 became amancinated minor in Kingston NY. But all these years I watched a family torn to shreds by this religion. I’m talking 12 children hurt. Not to mention the elders family. My dad shot himself in the face in 1999 after he tearizied my brothers and sisters. I’m one story among millions who didn’t know the language to explain what they had gone through, that’s why Floyd will always have a special place with.