We are Danny & Maya, and we believe in true religious freedom, including the freedom to NOT worship. Each individual had the right to their own perspectives and access to information. High control groups who use coercive control lead their members to greater mental health risk and risk of suicide. We will continue to fight against these organizations and for the people who they abuse.

Danny was born into the extreme religious group the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was taught as a young child to look forward to the “end times”, and the death and destruction of everyone who wasn’t part of the group. He was told horrific stories of violence as if it was something to celebrate. He was forced to cut ties with family and friends who didn’t adhere to the religions strict requirements. He was coerced and pressured into spending immense amount of time as a free laborer, whether it be spreading propaganda or doing construction work for the organization. He was told his life didn’t matter unless he was working for the church.

No one group should be able to control their members, force them to shun loved ones and hold dangerous beliefs that harm children and the community at large.