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

Daniel Clark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097946370X ISBN 13: 9780979463709

Publisher: Villa Press, 2007

Synopsis

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 this title

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.

Review

Kirkus Discoveries Review " 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 often absent father. His early exerpiences range from shameful visits to the 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 illequipped for the world, Clark entered a brief, failed marriage, turned back to the Kingdom Hall, married again, and then a spiritual and emotional rollercoaster 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 - and 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. hough an imperfect character in many re-pects, his ability to change course and seek out a truer relationship with God is inspiring. One man's successful return from a spiritual hell." Arbor Books (160 pp.) 2007 --Kirkus Discoveries Review - 2007

The New York Times Book Review: The Author is to be commended for coming forward with his tale of abuse, violence and insanity. This chilling and disquieting account should be read by anyone who has left a cult or knows of someone in a cult, as well as there families and loved ones. --New York Times Book Review 2007

Midwest Book Review: Written by former Jehovah's Witness Daniel Clark, I, Witness: The Shocking Insider's Story of Jehovah's Witnesses is the shocking true-life story of a devout member of the Watchtower Society who became disillusioned with the church teachings after observing corruption, dysfunctional manipulation, and cultlike abuse of powe throughout his entire life. He and his family were virtually held prisoner by the demands of the organization. A true tale of growing up in a world of brainwashing, violence and ruthless religious indoctrination, I, Witness is a sovering revelation of the darkness within corrupted religion. --Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)

About this edition

• Publisher: Villa Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 097946370X
• ISBN 13: 9780979463709
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 191