I was scared of apostates.....

terafera

The only experience I've had with 'apostates' was when I was 7 years old. I was visiting family across the States and we went to a District Assembly. I remember a group of people outside with signs and billboards. They would chanting things from the sidewalk. Some brothers were telling us not to mind them. Then I saw the tv van come up...and a newswoman talking in front of us. One lady with a sign talked to the camera about the Witness beliefs. We had to eat lunch outside during the lunch break, and all the while these people were chanting and saying things (I think passing out pamphlets) right next to us. I was really scared at the time... my mom told me that they were 'apostates' , people that used to be JW's and how bad they were. Ever since then, throughout my life as a JW, I remember the fatal word 'apostate'.. dont talk to them, dont look at them, like they had a disease!! It has always scared me...

What did you think of them when you were a Witness?

refiners fire

I have a seared image in my memory of apostates outside a convention,when I was about 15 years old.
Everyone exiting put up a great pantomime display of not even letting their eyes fall upon such evil, lest they be turned to a pillar of salt.
Hands shot up, shielding faces from the utterances of the servants of the sulpherous one.

Later, when I sought information regardings the Witnesses History, it was a great leap for me to purchase..no, even touch an "apostate " book, many years before I was ready to open the Satanic pages of such a publication.When I finally did...of course, nothing happened.

Satanus

I felt revulsion and fear, like they had leprosey. Never thought i would become one. Niether did anyone else, i was such an earnest young jw.

So tera, how did you overcome your fear of 'em, by becoming one, or did you take leave by other means?

SS

LB

I wasn't so scared of them as I was angry. My first experience with apostates was outside of a convention. I was talking to my son when a man carrying a sign wedged himself right between us and started shouting in my face about "new light or old light or flickering light today?".

It was stupid and he made an ass out of himself as far as I'm concerned.

Never Squat With Yer Spurs On

terafera

SS, actually I never was baptized, so couldnt have action taken against me.. I was raised in it from birth, however. I have always thought it was the 'truth', even up to a few years ago. I couldnt live with the hypocrisy and unloving actions that I encountered, so I 'drifted' away. All the while I was sure I was going to die in the Tribulation.... it was only until I stumbled this site that I have started to have doubts about the JW's in general.

I think the biggest thing was that being raised a Witness, I always had a feeling of God's love being conditional.. and since I didnt like preaching in service, I always was made to feel that God disproved of me. After I stopped going to meetings, I saw how so many 'worldly' people had God working in their lives and were truly blessed. I could see how they didnt have that fear of dying, or self loathing that I was raised with. They seemed so peaceful and genuinely happy... so now I am opening my eyes and mind and trying to reprogram my thinking. It's hard though... to this day, I will tell my family members (who are still active JW's) how I prayed over something and they will reply with a huff and 'do you really think Jehovah listens to your prayers?? You dont even go to meetings!!'

After talking to people here, I dont see what a Witness calls 'apostate' as being a hater of Good.. but more an exposer of the WTS's wrongdoing. The sad thing is, though, that it's hard to start good debate with a Witness because you automatically get the ole' 'WOAH! That sounds like you are saying apostate stuff!' answer.

I even ordered CoC today, and told my DF'd mother. She said, 'oh I'm not sure thats good. I heard Franz was an apostate.'

It never ends!

Focus

terafera wrote:

The only experience I've had with 'apostates' was when I was 7 years old.

No worry. We can soon change that.

By the way, the Watchtower's uses the term "apostate" to refer to anyone who opposes their filthy mind-control cult.

--
Focus
(Imminent Class)

refiners fire

LB

he made an ass out of himself

You sure that was an Apostate brother?
Sure it wasnt Judge Joe with that sandwich board screaming:
"Millions now living will never.."

terafera

"new light or old light or
flickering light today?".

LB, I'm sure that guy handled himself badly, but you gotta admit, thats a funny line!

Ranchette

Tera,

Yes,I was very afraid of them for several reasons.
Like what the organization taught about them,
how my mother would overreact out in service when someone would try to give us apostate literature
and also experiences kinda like the one LB described sure didn't help either.
I thought they were demon possessed!
When ex Jws let their emotions take over they reinforce these fears.

Ranchette

LB

It's a good line,and I have since used it. I think I've perfected the delivery a bit though.

Of course these days I get his anger. But I have a feeling this guy was a jerk regardless of his past. He was venting and I looked fairly safe I guess.

Never Squat With Yer Spurs On

I was scared of apostates.....

Share this