My 'Burning Down the House' Story: Leaving the Jehovah's Witnesses

#JehovahsWitnesses #shunning #estrangement #certifiedlifecoach

Follow me on social media!

Instagram: @bethanylegerwriter
Twitter: @blegerwriter
Website: https://www.bethanyleger.com

Note: I want to sincerely thank all the subscribers/viewers who have welcomed me back after following my previous channel, Stop the Shunning. I am forever grateful to the EXJW community for their courage, strength, and camaraderie, and will continue to support those who sacrifice the comfort of their anonymity to PUBLICLY speak out against Watchtower’s many abuses.

In the spirit of setting boundaries and practicing self-care, I’m establishing a few community guidelines for current and future viewers, specifically, regarding contacting me through email.

(1) Do NOT contact me if you are suicidal. Please call 911.

(2) I am NOT a licensed therapist or family counselor, and this channel is not a substitute for clinical care. Some matters are out of my scope of practice and it would be negligent for me to offer suggestions that I’m in no position to give.

(3) The purpose of this new channel, Burning Down the House, is NOT activism, though I may collaborate with other content creators and activists whom I respect and admire. This channel is an extension of my work as a certified life coach and writer, as I already explicitly stated in my video, “My Burning Down the House Story: Leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses”. I simply no longer have the time to field hundreds of emails.

Therefore, I cannot respond to emails that include the following:

(1) asking me for advice about how to “wake up” your family or friend from the Jehovah’s Witnesses
(2) asking me for advice about how to fade from the organization or deal with Jehovah’s Witness family
(3) emails that look like novels
(4) requesting I call you when we’ve never met IRL, or demanding I call or write back
(5) asking for relationship advice if your partner is a JW
(6) otherwise abusive, misogynistic, or passive-aggressive language

However, I always appreciate a shout out or success story! I love to support those who are taking constructive steps to manage their trauma and reach their life goals. Therefore, if you are 21+ and have been estranged or disowned by family for

(a) your sexual orientation
(b) difference in religious beliefs, or political stance
(c) choice of career or spouse

and would like to submit your story FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES REGARDING MY UPCOMING BOOK, please submit a synopsis of your story by considering the following guidelines:

(a) submit your story in 800 words or less
(b) use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
(c) include the steps or actions you have taken to build a new life since being estranged/disowned

Note: Your submission does NOT guarantee publication, nor am I obligated to respond to every submission. However, your submission will remain confidential, and if you’re excessively worried about remaining anonymous, I suggest you submit your story from an anonymous email account.

Thank you for respecting these community guidelines and for supporting the channel as I continue striving to provide quality content for all.

Happy New Year!
Bethany