On this episode of Bad Associations Podcast Brian speaks to Annie who is physically out, mentally out and has been for about 3 years now.
Throughout our conversation, Annie shares her experiences growing up in a household where her mother took the spiritual "lead" since her father was not a Witness. Due to their achievements in the congregation--pioneering, the ministry school--her family was often held up as a shining example within the congregation.
From an early age, Annie realized she was not attracted to men. In addition to that, she didn't see herself continuing as a Jehovah's Witness, and at just 13 years old, she presented a formal case--an actual written list--to her mother, explaining why she needed to leave.
Annie also opens up about the pressure she faced when her grandfather's death pushed her towards baptism, but at the age of eighteen, she saw the future that awaited her as a Witness and made the decision to pursue higher education as her first step out of the cult. When her grandmother left the country to pursue missionary work, she moved into the vacated apartment to house-sit. It was at this point, she began truly living a double life.
We talk about the strict view of disfellowshipping within her family and the profound impact it had on her relationships with non-JW relatives.
As Annie adjusted to "worldly" customs and traditions like holidays, birthdays, and even gambling, she discovered the toll that her upbringing had taken on her mental health.
***Trigger Warnings: We briefly discuss a 2-year-old child she used to babysit who was murdered. We talk about JW memorial service awfulness and don't go into detail about the actual murder.
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The views expressed on the Bad Associations Podcast are solely from the recollections of the guest themselves.