Why is it even ex JW's run scared when they hear the word apostate?

by happehanna 35 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  itsallgoodnow

  Of course, JWs will define "apostate" any way they want to; it becomes a label that scares many from pursuing freedom of thought.

  Webster's defines it as One who has forsaken the faith, principles or party, to which he before adhered, esp. one who has forsaken his religion for another; a pervert, a renegade. Or, as one who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.

  JWs would do well to consider if their current course is, in fact apostacy (many came from other faiths they once adhered to, right?) and if they are prepared for the responsibility that includes. (I'm not one bit serious here!)

  They've got it all worked out, huh. No wonder some people actually go back and get reinstated.
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  blacksheep

  They run scared due to mind control.
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  XQsThaiPoes

  I believe alot of Ex JW's still believe in The Society, but they want to get out there and have a little fun-partying,drinking,and smoking and eventually hope to return after experiencing all of these things. As long as they dont join up with apostates they can someday rejoin the congregation with a clean conscience. The definition of an Apostate is an opposer, and that describes me to a "T", because i have actively started exposing people, at work,to the false doctrines of the WT society. I can call myself an apostate and it doesnt bother my conscience one bit, as I never plan on returning to the kingdom hall ever again. BTW- does the King James Bible or the NWT even mention the word apostate?

  Amen Also this is a false dichotomy. There is no spoon. The watchtower is a book comapny and jehovah's witnesses are a relegion. There are only about 20 things you need to believe to be a Jehovah's WItness. Leaving the truth to some means considering the watchtoer a priah and false religion. Many just leave the kindom hall or stop believing BS. This is part of watchtower propaganda to assume inactive, DFed, or DAed JWs are all apostate or have "left Jehovah". They know in real life it is peer pruser alone that allows them to have control. If you change peers ie bad association then they loose control of you. If more JWs woke up and just changed peers JWs would become "normal" over night. There would be nobody to "stumble". The watchtower has retracted anything that made them a "cult" on paper. It is taboo and peer pressure that keeps them eccentric. I say we should make some type of international internet congration. That would be cool. Make these people act normal.
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  Markfromcali

  I view this a little differently, in that both exJW's who still believe and those who don't can still be under mind control, but in a slightly different sense. If you read between the lines, it is evident that some who are no longer JWs still define themselves based on the JW mindset - it's just the opposite of the JW mindset. They even have a new name instead of Jehovah's Witness - apostate. So while they may not run scared, they go to the other extreme of identifying with that mindset instead of being free from it. Basically, this would just be a knee jerk reaction. You can end up being preoccupied with being an apostate, not that there's anything wrong with that. But in terms of living a free life, this isn't it.

  However, let me be clear that the activity of exposing JWs does not determine whether someone is free from it, in fact you can probably do a better job of it by having a clear head so you can tell it like it is, instead of just countering the JW stuff. The process is kind of like this: You start by being attached to your JW identity, and then you go to the opposite of being attached to an ex or anti JW identity, and then it's neither. The last position doesn't mean you don't tell the truth about the JWs, but frankly it's a more objective point of view, and a better place to live.
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  itsallgoodnow

  The watchtower has retracted anything that made them a "cult" on paper.

  ? Yeah, right.
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  truthseeker1

  I feel sorry for the guy. He probably has some bad depression, thinking he is going to die soon.

  Btw, Hi Honey!
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  XQsThaiPoes

  Name some "law" unique to JWs and I can show you they mostly use legal speak and stilted dialog to discourage it but never say it is forbiden. Where as before they would just ban it explicitly.
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  A Paduan

  'cause they still don't trust jerhova - he requires a trade that they are concerned about maintaining, or even remaining in a position to take up
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  freedom96

  I don't think anyone wants to think of themselves in a cult, therefore it is a hard word to accept.

  Apostate for so long had such a negative vibe to it, it too is sometimes hard to hear. But, as mentioned before, that is a label the witnesses put on others, and I don't accept it.
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  Corvin

  He told me not to believe stuff on apostate websites etc. etc. but he left over 7 years ago, it still has a hold on him.

  I was out of the org for nearly 14 years, and yes, I was definitely still under its influence for most of that time. I defended it and ran like hell when and if anyone said the word, "apostate". To understand and be free, you really must look objectively at the evidence that exists. You have to wash the sand from your eyes.

  Corvin