I, Witness: The Shocking Insider Story of Jehovah's Witnesses

by Gopher 7 Replies latest jw friends

  • Gopher
    Gopher

    This new book by author Daniel Clark is coming out July 25 on amazon.com. It's 160 pages and in paperback.

    The link is here

    Here's their description:

    Product Description
    JEHOVAH S WITNESSES: THE ONE TRUE FAITH, OR CULT? For Daniel Clark a family man, devout member of the Watchtower Society and bringer of The Good News life had lost all meaning. Disillusioned with church teachings, he decided to leave the faith but had to find the strength to throw off the teachings programmed into him since birth and rebuild his life. In a harrowing account of growing up as a Witness in a filthy flea-infested house, visiting his mother in a hellish mental institution and handing out Jehovah s Witness pamphlets door-to-door, Daniel shares the story of his journey from an abusive childhood to his escape from the religious cult that held him and his entire family prisoner. I, Witness: The Shocking Insider's Story of the Jehovah's Witnesses reveals the truth about what it s like to grow up in a world where brainwashing, violence and religious, emotional and mental abuse are rampant.

    About the Author
    Daniel Clark is a former Jehovah s Witness and current internationally-renowned woodfinishing specialist. He and his wife are actively involved in prison ministry and educating people about the dangers of religious cults.

    Here's the review from Kirkus reviews --- link: here

    A page-turning glimpse into the lifestyle of a Jehovah’s Witness.

    In sharing his memoir, Clark seeks catharsis and closure. Born and raised a Jehovah’s Witness in a particularly dysfunctional family, he describes his upbringing in a filthy, sometimes violent home with a mentally ill mother and an often-absent father. His early experiences ranged from shameful visits to Kingdom Hall, where his family sat at the periphery of the faith due to neglect, to visiting his mother in a mental hospital, a scarring experience. Reaching adulthood ill-equipped for the world, Clark entered a brief, failed marriage, turned back to Kingdom Hall, married again, then began a spiritual and emotional roller-coaster ride. After a lengthy struggle with the hypocrisy he perceived in the leadership and doctrine of his faith, Clark’s family finally left the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a jarring change that was part of the cause of the breakup of his second marriage. More ups and downs followed as he suffered through depression, financial ruin and another failed —an obviously painful and raw period, only briefly explored here. At last, Clark discovers peace in a new faith tradition and comfort through a third marriage. The story is engrossing, and the writing solid. Clark’s portrayal of the life of a Jehovah’s Witness is necessarily subjective, but it’s grounded in a lifelong experience with this often-mysterious faith; anyone who has received a Witness at their door will find his perspective intriguing. The tradition Clark presents is troubling at best, frightening at worst. Though an imperfect character in many respects, his ability to change course and seek out a truer relationship with God is inspiring.

    One man’s successful return from a spiritual hell.
  • jimbo
    jimbo

    Gopher!!

    Thanks for the info about this book.

    jimbo

  • sspo
    sspo

    Thanks for the information.

    I will definetely look into it.

  • brinjen
    brinjen

    Sounds like a good read. I might look into getting it. After I've read CoC...

  • Quandry
    Quandry

    There seem to be so many books being written by former witnesses that pretty soon there may be talks at the conventions about the dangers of visiting book stores!!!

  • Tara
    Tara

    Thanks for the info. It looks like a good read. I love happy endings.

  • Gopher
    Gopher

    Quandry,

    You're right. There's a lot of books with the same theme. The authors are doing well to bring their story to the general public.

    Right here on this forum we have several people with compelling stories who have found an outlet by sharing them online. Many of them could also write a book if they so chose.

  • richard

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