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Physically In, Mentally Out: Navigating Your Exit From Watchtower
Many Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide are desperate to leave the Watchtower organization. If they leave, however, their devout Jehovah’s Witness family will be required to sever ties. Physically In, Mentally Navigating Your Exit from Watchtower explores the dilemma of the PIMO, an acronym for the secret non-believer who is physically in the organization, but has mentally checked out. These individuals have formed an underground community that is unprecedented in the age of social media, and are growing in their resistance to Watchtower tyranny. Written by a former Jehovah's Witness of 30 years and now certified life coach, Physically In, Mentally Out is a practical, no-nonsense guide filled with questions and exercises to help the reader gain clarity and increase their confidence amid the pain of leaving Watchtower.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2020
34 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 12, 2021
Good, brief read. 4/5.
"Shunning is a bomb that a child can’t possibly comprehend until it’s dropped long after their ill-advised baptism, when the impact tremor rips through their adult life. By exploiting a child’s need for love and security, coupled with the threat of being murdered at Armageddon if you’re not a Jehovah’s Witness, Watchtower convinced us to get baptized through undue influence. End of story."
"When you understand that Watchtower’s modus operandi is identical to that of an abusive relationship, you can recognize the signs and protect yourself."
"Remember, you’re not a good person because you’re a Jehovah’s Witness—you’re just a good person."
"I didn’t speak negatively about the organization out of fear of 'bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name,' essentially defending the thing that was making me sick."
"'The world' was nothing but a construct created by Watchtower to control its members and prevent critical thinking."
"The use of fear tactics and promotion of hate are prevalent…what makes this even more emotionally hazardous to the recipient of these ideas is that they are presented alongside love—and the barely concealed threat of the loss of that love for the most minor of offenses. This threat is applied to thoughts and feelings, so that questioning the doctrines or acknowledging feelings contrary to them becomes synonymous with the loss of morality, love, family, god’s approval, and eternal life." - Dr. Meredith L. Friedson
"In the name of 'remaining faithful,' Jehovah’s Witnesses have forsaken their disfellowshipped family to the point of driving them to suicide. These individuals lacked the emotional and physical support to navigate the abuse, and I hold Watchtower responsible for their deaths."
"Your family forfeits the right to have an opinion about your life the moment they choose to shun you. Therefore, if you feel called to engage in activism, either online or through some other form of peaceful protest, do it. Your family has the right to live by their conscience, but so do you, and your courage to speak up may very well save someone’s life."
"Shunning is a bomb that a child can’t possibly comprehend until it’s dropped long after their ill-advised baptism, when the impact tremor rips through their adult life. By exploiting a child’s need for love and security, coupled with the threat of being murdered at Armageddon if you’re not a Jehovah’s Witness, Watchtower convinced us to get baptized through undue influence. End of story."
"When you understand that Watchtower’s modus operandi is identical to that of an abusive relationship, you can recognize the signs and protect yourself."
"Remember, you’re not a good person because you’re a Jehovah’s Witness—you’re just a good person."
"I didn’t speak negatively about the organization out of fear of 'bringing reproach on Jehovah’s name,' essentially defending the thing that was making me sick."
"'The world' was nothing but a construct created by Watchtower to control its members and prevent critical thinking."
"The use of fear tactics and promotion of hate are prevalent…what makes this even more emotionally hazardous to the recipient of these ideas is that they are presented alongside love—and the barely concealed threat of the loss of that love for the most minor of offenses. This threat is applied to thoughts and feelings, so that questioning the doctrines or acknowledging feelings contrary to them becomes synonymous with the loss of morality, love, family, god’s approval, and eternal life." - Dr. Meredith L. Friedson
"In the name of 'remaining faithful,' Jehovah’s Witnesses have forsaken their disfellowshipped family to the point of driving them to suicide. These individuals lacked the emotional and physical support to navigate the abuse, and I hold Watchtower responsible for their deaths."
"Your family forfeits the right to have an opinion about your life the moment they choose to shun you. Therefore, if you feel called to engage in activism, either online or through some other form of peaceful protest, do it. Your family has the right to live by their conscience, but so do you, and your courage to speak up may very well save someone’s life."
July 12, 2020
Brief and concise guide for Jehovah's Witnesses who are thinking about leaving the cult
As a former Jehovah's Witness, I felt I could relate to the topics Bethany addressed. It's extremely difficult to break free from the insulated yet demanding world of certainty and security, but a steep price is paid for staying. If you've thought about leaving but have yet to find the courage to do so, this book may just be the key to help you unlock the door to the wonderful future that awaits you on the other side.
As a former Jehovah's Witness, I felt I could relate to the topics Bethany addressed. It's extremely difficult to break free from the insulated yet demanding world of certainty and security, but a steep price is paid for staying. If you've thought about leaving but have yet to find the courage to do so, this book may just be the key to help you unlock the door to the wonderful future that awaits you on the other side.
June 6, 2025
Good Read!
I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. I was adopted into a family where my father was a malignant narcissist. He was way up there on the spectrum. I see alot of similarities in Jehovah’s Witness Organization and narcissism. I finally woke up to what was happening to me my entire life. That’s when the healing began. I had to peel back the layers and walk thru the pain. I didn’t realize how much damage was done until I started my healing journey. I decided I wanted to find my biological family. Not because I thought the family would better but more so to find my bloodline and learn a bit about my origin. Well I found them alright. I found my biological father first. The second word out of his mouth was.. “I am a Jehovah’s Witness. I am an Elder. I have a reputation to uphold” Well I guess you can see why I ended up watching your YouTube channel and getting your book.
I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. I was adopted into a family where my father was a malignant narcissist. He was way up there on the spectrum. I see alot of similarities in Jehovah’s Witness Organization and narcissism. I finally woke up to what was happening to me my entire life. That’s when the healing began. I had to peel back the layers and walk thru the pain. I didn’t realize how much damage was done until I started my healing journey. I decided I wanted to find my biological family. Not because I thought the family would better but more so to find my bloodline and learn a bit about my origin. Well I found them alright. I found my biological father first. The second word out of his mouth was.. “I am a Jehovah’s Witness. I am an Elder. I have a reputation to uphold” Well I guess you can see why I ended up watching your YouTube channel and getting your book.
August 16, 2025
A road map out & help to those looking for life outside JW.org
Bethany gives a well constructed narrative of her own personal struggles and empathetic counseling to those who have doubts humming away in their mind. It's tough love from her but it's clear that no one gets out unscathed. That said she gives clear guidance of how to navigate your heart. For those who have JW family members or friends, and you want to help them... read this...Bethany gives you an inside view of thier hearts.
Bethany gives a well constructed narrative of her own personal struggles and empathetic counseling to those who have doubts humming away in their mind. It's tough love from her but it's clear that no one gets out unscathed. That said she gives clear guidance of how to navigate your heart. For those who have JW family members or friends, and you want to help them... read this...Bethany gives you an inside view of thier hearts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews