In this section we will examine some of the stories that illustrate the impact the policy has had on those indoctrinated, unduly influenced and in some cases coerced by Watchtower leaders.
Silenced – The Rado Vleugel Story
My name is Rado Vleugel. I was born on January 1, 1973 in the city of Amsterdam while fire crackers where making a lot of noise. The January 15, 1994 Watchtower page 22 tells something about my history as a Witness of Jehovah: "Rado, mentioned earlier, was six years...
Stories That Break Hearts
The Watchtower's blood, organ transplant and vaccine bans have had a devastating impact on the lives of many people. Statistics are difficult to come by, but it is likely that thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses have been disabled or lost their lives as a result of these...
Debbie Shard’s Story
I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness in a family with a long history as members, going back to 1910. And I grew up truly believing it was the truth. However, there were many issues, as I grew older that disturbed my conscience and so I want to tell my story. My dad was...
My Child is Dead
My son was theocratic - bright and promising and a true servant of Jehovah. He dreamed of going to Bethel to serve Jehovah more fully. He prepared for meetings on his own, pioneered during summer breaks, handled the microphones at the Kingdom Hall, and timed the...
Control and Repression – The Ray Hemming Story
If there’s one thing that people identify Jehovah's Witnesses with, it’s their refusal of blood transfusions. I know it was a doctrine that I once believed was right for me and my family. If a medical emergency had arisen, a blood transfusion would not have been an...