by Think About It 7 Replies latest jw friends
When I was in the org. you heard occasional talk about apostates. I would think now with so many X-JW's and people who have left or fading, that there is probably alot of talk about this subject now. Is there a lot of gossip about people in the KH and whether they might be apostates? You know, like psssss.....I think Eddie Elder, or Irma Inactive might be an apostate. What do you think? Got to be alot of paranoia inside. Do you know of any?
Think About It
No.... not in mine.
However the fear of apostates on the internet luring away the faithful with lies and distortions is talked about directly from the podium or through Elder commentary weekly
By the rank and file? Not too much around here.
By the elders? A fair amount depending on the elder.
About a year ago the BOE was discussing the telephone conference line account and one Barney Fife-type elder was adamant that the PIN number to access the line must be VERY carefully guarded.
OM: Why?
Barney Fife: Because the apostates might get hold of it.
OM: Isn't the line set up with automatic muting of everyone dialing in?
Barney Fife: (Eyes begin to cross)
OM: I mean, aren't "apostates" allowed to attend the meetings as long as they don't create a disturbance?
Barney Fife: (Beginning to look irritated that his paranoia is being called out in front of the other ill-doers.)
OM: I would think they would create LESS of a disturbance by listening at home on the phone, but that's just me.
End result? The PIN number is carefully guarded. Not only might apostates listen in, but JWs who aren't "really" sick might use it as well.
om
Apostacy is a concern for Elders and CO's. The R&F just shun them (us).
Apostates and apostacy is never mentioned in my congregation. The internet is only mentioned in conection with pornography. Most cannot understand why the society even has a web site. Then again, I am mid 60's and one of the younger ones.
George
Let's see, I would have guessed the phone Pin Number was 1914 at one time. But now.........I'm not sure!
Outaservice (Maybe 144,000?)
Usually only talk about it when an apostate is campaigning in front of the Assembly Hall ("those crazy apostates"), or someone got disfellowshipped locally for apostasy (he became spiritually weak by listening to lies on the internet or that book printed in the 80's by the apostate governing body member).
Day to day not very usual.
They have articles about it in the Kingdumb Misery occasionally, mostly from going online. You hear talks at the a$$emblies about apostates. But, usually I wouldn't hear too much discussion in the Kingdumb Hell about apostates. Occasionally, you might hear it mentioned about possibly running into an apostate while out in field circus, but that was minimal (people that were strong in other religions were more their problem).
Of course, now that discussion boards are popping up, and it only takes one bad mouse click to accidentally land on one, it is probably getting worse.
