Hi,
I was born in as a witness, left at the age of 28, and have been out for many years now. I'm a writer and am writing about Witnesses but from the perspective of how they control followers through the use of language. It's only after studying a lot of literary theory that I've realised a lot of their mechanisms of control are through using language in a particular way. For instance world doesn't mean the planet, it means everyone who's not a witness, which sets up a false binary in which witnesses fear everyone, or judge everyone who's not them. I've also been thinking how when we leave you've got to really relearn how to use language in the same way many others do. I'm working on a piece just now and would be really grateful if any of you could add to my thoughts with specific uses of language being used oddly in a witness setting.
Also, I got rid of all my 'literature' ages ago, and am now trying to research apostates, but can only find instances going back to 2012 - really?! - if any of you can find uses of the word in a derogatory way then please also let me know. I think many people who leave are so afraid of being labelled an apostate that they then don't speak out - again language being used to control.
Obviously any information is totally anonymous and is only being used as background research. Feel free to PM me too as I know this is on the public part of the forum, just wasn't too sure where to post it. Thanks in advance.