a·pos·tate (-pstt, -tt)
n.
One who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin apostata, from Greek apostats, from aphistanai, to revolt.]
a·pos·ta·sy (-pst-s)
n. pl. a·pos·ta·sies
Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.
[Middle English apostasie, from Old French, from Late Latin apostasia, defection, from Late Greek apostasi, from Greek apostasis, revolt, from aphistanai, aposta-, to revolt : apo-, apo- + histanai, to stand, place; see st- in Indo-European Roots.]
Hmmmm..these dictionary definitions do not seem to agree at all with your definition. By the official, standard dictionary definition, if you were catholic befroe you became a JW you are an apostate. Plain and simple. If you were 'worldy' with no religion, you fit under the definition of apostate.
The definition of an apostate is one who falls away from devotion to Jehovah.
Are you sure all who left the Watchtower also left God? THis is a principal problem with the society. YOu equate being in a club as being faithful to God. Leaving the club is the same as leaving god to you. This is clearly contrary to bible teaching.
Matthew 23
8 "But you are not to be called `Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.
9 And do not call anyone on earth `father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
10 Nor are you to be called `teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ
The watchtower says it is apostacy to claim that you need only the bible to be in good standing with god. That you must be in the organization to be saved. That is true herecy.
-Dan
