The dictionary definition of apostate is someone who has abandoned a previously-held belief, usually religious though it can be something else, like political.That makes over 60% of the congregation I used to belong to apoatate, as so many of them had come to the watchtower from other religions, a fact I have on occasion pointed out to them.
While I agree with dedpoet, virtually all of JW's are apostates to start with, and their definition brands us as apostates-
I am not satisfied with leaving it at that.
SO- I have decided that I have not abandoned a previously-held belief. The belief was lacking information, the information
was supplied, the belief changed. Just like "new light." If I didn't just "abandon" my beliefs (a former JW really can't just
abandon them, they are like embedded tumors) then I am not an "apostate" by their definition.
Does this mean anything? NO. I know what they would think of me, if they knew what I thought. It just goes to show you
that the label is meaningless.