Norway: “The Price We Pay” Jehovah’s Witnesses Appeal – Day 6

Jan Frode Nilsen, 47, grew up in a Jehovah’s Witness family, with his parents and siblings practicing the faith, though no extended relatives were involved. His childhood was dominated by religious activities—attending meetings, studying, and engaging in field ministry. He had no time for sports or other extracurriculars. His social interactions were strictly limited to fellow Witnesses, making him increasingly isolated as he grew older.

At 12 or 13, he became an unbaptized publisher, adhering to rigid rules. He recalled that disfellowshipping was an accepted part of life; losing friends to disfellowshipping was familiar but not something he dwelled on until it became personal. Judicial committees were taught as part of regular instruction, yet they seemed distant until he was directly affected.

 At 17, Jan was baptized and became highly active in the faith, serving as an auxiliary pioneer. However, at 20, he faced a crisis, leading to depression. He married at 23 and had three children, which made him question his faith. He struggled with the idea of indoctrinating his children and found it morally wrong. His last Kingdom Hall meeting was in 2012 or 2013 when his youngest child was two. He told his wife he would never return. Though he remained inactive for years, he followed the rules to avoid repercussions. In 2012, at 34 years old, he participated in a judicial committee, which he found shocking. He expected a compassionate discussion but instead encountered a rigid, rule-driven process. He lacked access to procedural materials like the Shepherd the Flock book, leaving him unprepared for what he experienced.

Struggles with Leaving and Mental Health

Jan attempted to distance himself quietly, hoping to maintain a connection between his children and their JW family. However, the stress of this balancing act severely impacted his health. He fell seriously ill, requiring hospitalization and three years of intensive therapy. He received no support from the JW community, which treated his struggles with indifference.

The final break came in 2019 when he publicly spoke out against the JW organization. Initially, he remained anonymous, behind the name “Fredrik,” but when he revealed his identity, he was labeled an apostate and wholly shunned. In an interview with Vårt Land, he discussed the organization’s stance on voting, showing that he had never participated in elections due to the faith’s strict rules. His mother responded to his public revelation with a text: “I cannot and will not have contact with an apostate.” His entire family cut ties.

Disfellowshipping and Consequences

In January 2020, two JW elders confronted him at his home. They asked him to attend a judicial committee as he was about to take his dog for a walk. He refused. They then asked if he still identified as a Jehovah’s Witness. The following day, his disfellowshipping was officially announced.

He expressed sadness over his parents’ rejection, believing they view him as a “useless son.” He never intended to hurt them and hoped for some level of contact. Since 2019, he has spoken to his mother only once. His father called him once, two years ago, after his grandmother’s passing. He was invited to the funeral but felt unable to attend. When he finally saw his mother in 2022 or 2023, she clung to him, expressing deep sorrow and telling him she thought about him daily. However, despite their love, they continue to follow JW doctrine and maintain distance.

Becoming a Whistleblower

Jan Frode emphasized that his decision to speak out was not about opposing JW beliefs but exposing organizational misconduct. He noted that Jehovah’s Witnesses frequently misrepresent their policies in the media, prompting him to correct misinformation. “What does the literature say about this?” was a phrase he heard constantly growing up—rules always precede personal judgment.

He recounted a case where parents stepped down as elders and pioneers simply because their child was disfellowshipped, illustrating the severe social consequences of maintaining contact with former members. JW doctrine dictates that only “necessary contact”—such as during funerals or severe illness—is permissible. Since leaving, Jan Frode has faced increased scrutiny from the JW organization. He explained that those who quietly leave may still receive polite acknowledgment on the street, but those who speak out, like him, are met with hostility. He became a local politician, channeling his energy into advocacy and community service. He believes his treatment has been harsher because he refuses to stay silent.

Watchtower Lawyer Ryssdal attempted to link Jan’s mental health struggles to his divorce, an argument he strongly refuted. “Being Disfellowshipped -not personal relationships, is the root cause of my suffering.” He goes into how he required years of therapy to recover from the institutionalized mentality imposed by the JW organization. In 2018, he was referenced anonymously as “Fredrik” in an article about Jehovah’s Witnesses. When Russia cited this article, it reinforced his fear that his children might grow up, get baptized, and be forced to shun him in the future.

This is Jan Nilsens third time testifying against the Jehovah’s Witness Organization. As before, his testimony highlights the emotional and psychological toll of being raised in a high-control religious environment. His story exemplifies the consequences of disfellowshipping and the struggles of those who leave the faith, particularly when they choose to challenge its practices publicly.