Do YOU Regard Yourself As An "Apostate"? (page 2)

Kojack57

I agree with minimus. Started reading the book "captive to a concept" by Don Cameroon, on chapter 13 now. Knowledge is power, I love it. The true APOSTATES are the G.B. and they know it too.

Kojack

ShirleyW

Well, according to their rules and regulations, I think that technically I'm not since I was never baptized, but I think as an apostate does.

00DAD

I agree with the OP. They are the apostates. They do NOT and longer teach what I signed for!

flipper

No. I regard myself as a loving, caring , authentic human being trying to free people's minds away from WT society manipulation & mind control

shopaholic

No, I'm a shopaholic. *ba-dum-dum* But no, I don't.

cedars

When I first joined this forum, this was an issue that troubled me, which led to me starting this post:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/214463/1/Are-you-an-apostate

The term "apostate" has been well and truly demonized by Jehovah's Witnesses over the decades. It now carries the worst possible connotations in the minds of JWs, and arguably those who are recently out of the religion themselves. This was certainly my attitude when I was fresh out of the organization. I felt that I had not "apostatized" from anything to do with Jesus, and if anyone could be genuinely accused of apostasy from the teachings of Christ, it was the Governing Body.

I've now become far more relaxed about the word. According to my dictionary, "apostasy" merely means "abandonment of one's former (esp. religious) belief." This is certainly true of me, so in the strictest sense, I am an "apostate" because I have apostatized from the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.

That said, I still treat the word a little gingerly, which is no doubt a legacy of my upbringing. When I'm in conversation with like-minded ones over the phone etc, I will refer to myself as a "so-called apostate". Really, though, I'm an apostate from Jehovah's Witnesses, and I might as well drop the "so called" part of the explanation. I suppose that will come in time.

I suppose nobody enjoys being "pidgeon holed" by a term that is looked down upon, especially by many relatives and former friends.

Cedars

Band on the Run

No. I ran away in the early 1970s. When I stumbled upon this site, I saw "apostate" as a great designation of honor and integrity. I had an incident with Witnesses yesterday. There was no contact for the Writing Dept or GB that I could see so I stupidly asked for a visit. I wanted to vent. I realized they had no say in anything. All they tried to do was have me admit that I visit apostate sites. I refused to do b/c my views were formed long ago by myself. Their fear of me increased. I refused to admit it b/c it is none of their business and not applicable to anything in the conversation. I don't need this website or a weatherman to know that condoning violence and admiring Nazi criminals is wrong.

I offered to show them Koine Greek. They ran from my books. My precious books. After they left, I gazed at my apartment which is a Beatles shrine with some Egyptian worship items from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. William, the Nile blue hippomatus statue, must have scared them. Hours later, I noticed that I have a large Russian icon by my door. The God Bearer and Baby Jesus. They prob. thought she was just Mary, but she is the God Bearer. I had angels from the Met and friends' travels out. Also, a cross by the TV set. My St. Francis of Assisi blessing of the animals in Greenwich Village with a cat priest with a prayer book was turned away from them.

Yes, I think proudly using the ."Apostate" is more of a statement than saying they are apostate. Not to go scriptural but Paul wrote of "fools for Christ" in one of his most famous passages. If I am apostate to them, it means I am on the correct side. I have Christ and the world. My family knew two "translators" of the NWT. When you grow up hearing these names in common conversation, they don't seem so magical. So it is a great compliment to be called an "apostate."

Ucantnome

No. I still believe in Christ.

I haven't changed in this belief. I have changed in some of my viewpoints regarding the preaching.

breakfast of champions

I like the term 'heretic.' It has a more old-world flavor to it, and none of the thought-terminating power of 'apostate.'

MC RubberMallet

The nation of Israel turned apostate. Biblically, they were God's chosen nation because of covenant with Abraham.

JW's are NOT in a covenant relationship with God, but the whole 'organization' can still turn apostate, just like Israel. So in that case, following the leaders will led the followers into apostasy.

Therefore, since apostasy is against Jehovah, not a group, men, nation, or organization even if they are proven to represent God, those that still strive to serve God are not apostates, scripturally speaking.

But we all have proof, GB does not represent Jehovah, so no harm done.

Do YOU Regard Yourself As An "Apostate"?

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