Sarah D: A Life Broken by Mandated Ostracism

I was born to Jehovah’s Witness parents, and from a very young age, religion controlled every aspect of my life. My parents made enormous sacrifices to remain loyal to their faith: no demanding or well-paid jobs, no credit for buying a house, and above all, a life entirely dedicated to religious activities. We attended three meetings a week, and every weekend was devoted to preaching, no matter the weather.

Early on, I realized that pursuing education beyond high school was strongly discouraged. Like many others, I stopped my studies and became a full-time pioneer, which meant spending 90 hours a month preaching. I worked part-time in a poorly paid, unsatisfying job because that was all I could do while fulfilling my religious obligations.

We were also discouraged from marrying or having children, so we could fully devote ourselves to “spiritual matters.” As a result, I never started a family.

When I decided to expose the wrongdoings I had suffered, I was ostracized and defamed, accused of being a liar. That was when I finally opened my eyes. I lost everything: my friends, my family, and the little stability I had built.

Since then, I have lived in isolation, enduring cruel ostracism. Former members of my congregation go so far as to cross the street to avoid greeting me. I have no children or solid career, and now I face a meager retirement, despite having worked since I was 18 years old.

The hardest part is being defamed by those who accuse me of lying, simply because I had the courage to speak out. It’s deeply destructive, especially when you hold yourself to high moral standards. It feels like being walled in alive. Like many others, I find myself alone, with a broken life, unable to turn back time.

I am sharing my story today to show that mandated ostracism is an inhumane practice that destroys lives. I hope that by speaking out, I can help expose this reality and convince decision-makers that it’s time to take action.