So what exactly IS an apostate?

somebodylovesme

I was under the impression that an apostate was anyone who left the Witnesses, was DF'ed/DA'ed, or was just actively opposed to them. But I was reading in my hubby's old "Reasoning Book" that an apostate is one who professes to believe in Christ (but not the JWs), claims to serve God (but is not a JW), tries to pull away current JWs or attack them.

So, by that definition, would someone who fades away and professes no religion still be considered an apostate if he or she didn't try to take anyone with them and did not attack the religion?

(I have my husband in mind, of course, as in the back of my mind there will always be that his fading will explode in our faces and we will lose the whole darn family.)

But then... I guess holidays would be considered "professing to believe in Christ"? I don't think so, personally, as we do a quiet (very small) Christmas with no religious acts/symbols. We are happily unreligious.

Just thinking out loud here... Thanks.

SLM

little witch

Somebody,

The question of who is an "apostate" as considered by the wt society is in constant flux. There have been many threads on the subject in depth in the past, and I would point you to the search feature on jwd.

Go to search and type in apostate, because your question deserves a really good input, and you will find it there.

somebodylovesme

Thanks, Little Witch!

Valis

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/33274/1.ashx

Please have a look...this is how the WTBTS has distorted the term to meet thier needs. Also compare your dictionay definition and see what it says.

Sincerely,

District Overbeer

little witch

You are most welcome dear. If you still have questions, let us know, k?

Corvin

You will know you are an apostate when you ask the Society or an elder a common sense question about their doctrines.

Mark

SLM,

Typically, somebody is considered an apostate if they disagree publicly with WT doctrine, join a new church or take part in any of its activities (or even work for them!), or challenge the elders, CO, etc. publicly over some congregational policy. Your chances of being branded an apostate while doing any of these things greatly increase if you're disliked by the body of elders or the congregation.

M.

somebodylovesme

Yeah, leave it to them to change the stupid definition. Thanks for the link, Valis -- although it looks like that page is no longer there (the one imbedded in the post).

I love this place.... no matter what the question, someone always has an answer!

somebodylovesme

P.S. -- Welcome, Mark!

Valis

somebody...I bet if you sent Englishman a PM he would find that again...you would be amazed at how many times they chaned the reference. Or you could take the KJV and the NWT and go looking for yourself,which I'm sure will just pii you off more...LOL*

Sinceely,

District Overbeer

So what exactly IS an apostate?

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