You don't need to trust us unbelievers; just read what the Watchtower organization say in their own publications. There is no doubt that they strongly condemn ties outside the organization. This quotation is from The Watchtower, June 15, 1980, page 8:
What It Takes to Keep Separate from the World
Without a doubt, our appreciating just how wicked and corrupt Satan's world is will help us to keep separate from the world. Such appreciation will make it easy for us to obey the command found at Psalm 97:10: "Oh you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad." No matter how pleasant, how enticing, wicked things are to the fallen flesh, we must abhor them, even as the apostle commands. (Rom. 12:9) More than that, we want to hate those who willfully show themselves haters of Jehovah, haters of what is good. As David of old expressed it: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, oh Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies." (Ps. 139:21,22) We hate them, not in the sense of wanting to do them harm but in the sense of avoiding them as we would poison or a poisonous snake, for they can poison us spiritually. That is why we are warned: "Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits."--1 Cor. 15:33
And let it be noted that this staying clean from wicked persons applies not just to persons whom we may happen to meet or be thrown together with in our everyday affairs of life but also to those whom we choose as associates when it comes to entertainment. Remember, we are commanded: "Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct." (Eph. 5:3, 4) This means we not only avoid making such things be mentioned in our presence, as by watching a TV program or attending a motion picture where such things are the subject of conversation. Instead, let us make it a point to cultivate associations with fully devoted fellow believers, not only at the congregation and in the field activities but also socially. Yes, to keep separate from the world we must watch our associations; on one hand, avoiding bad ones and, on the other hand, being diligent to associate with those who, like us, are no part of the world.
So, lets look at how the non-Witness world is portrayed here. Remember, use of emotionally strong words ("loaded language") and an us vs. them mentality denying any middle ground ("false dichotomy") are two logical fallacies often employed as emotional persuasion by high-control groups.
- "wicked and corrupt"
- "Satan's world"
- "we must abhor them"
- "haters of what is good"
- "we hate them"
- "a poisonous snake"
- "poison us spiritually"
- "bad associations" ("associations" is indeed what this article is about--they will try to talk their way around that!)
- "wicked persons...those whom we choose as associates" (see above)
- "shameful conduct"
- "cultivate associations with fully devoted fellow believers" (only Witnesses qualify)
- "and also socially" (in every part of your life, stick with the Witnesses)
- "keep separate from the world"
- "watch our associations"
- "avoiding the bad ones"
- "diligent to associate with those, who like us..."
- "no part of the world"
Also, please check the bible references in their full context, using the translation of your choice.
"Deceitfully they invoke your name; your foes swear faithless oaths." Psalm 139:20
