Joshua Hanson: Growing Up in a Box

Growing up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses was like growing up in a box. I grew up believing that everything I could ever need, physically, emotionally and spiritually, was inside that box. I also grew up living in fear that everything outside of it was dangerous and sinful. At 28 years of age, after seeking guidance from congregation elders, I was disfellowshipped. The mandated shunning I experienced led to profound losses: my family, my support network, my sense of identity, and my desire to live. Now, as a Life Coach and Wellbeing Educator, I draw from the depths of my own story, committed to offering empathetic, informed, and effective support to others in similar situations. I hope to support Stop Mandated Shunning to bring an end to the devastating effects that mandated shunning has on the lives and families of those involved.