all shareable, but the real question is:
what does the Bible really say about apostasy? how and where does talk about it?
because for example in the Hebrew Scriptures the original term that the WT translates as "apostate" literally means godless
Jehovah's Witnesses and Apostates
by tfjw 25 Replies latest watchtower bible
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joao
because for example in the Hebrew Scriptures the original term that the WT translates as "apostate" literally means godless
They do that on purpose. They should call us "heretics" but, instead, they distort the meaning of "apostate" and call us that to avoid having to explain the JWs with which of their many lies we don't agree!
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Phizzy
Apostasy as used in N.T Greek refers not to a person merely "standing apart" from her or his former Christian Faith, just ceasing activity with the congregation, it is the idea of withdrawing from communion with the church deliberately, and is more often associated with going to a new or former pagan belief in preference to the Christian one, including Idolatry of course.
I think the Org does in words, in its literature, draw a distinction between an inactive person, and someone embracing opposing beliefs to the Org. The problem is that in practice, even the merely inactive are treated by the Rank and File J.W's as though they are out and out Apostates. And the org. wants this to be so, even if the reasons for inactivity have nothing to do with Doctrine, but, as is more than likely, to do with the way the Org and its members work, "mistreating the flock" in many ways, that individual is as dangerous from the Org's point of view as someone like me who can demolish their house of cards that is their teaching, in a heartbeat.
So the Org. uses "apostate" as a demonising word, aimed at all who no longer actively support the org, to trigger certain behaviour in the faithful, that will ensure they remain entrapped in the Cult.
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Vanderhoven7
About 1925, try this PDF
"The present work is an English translation of the book published in Poland in 2015. The book is the unique and thorough study on history of the Watchtower's prophecy focused on the year 1925 and its "Millions Campaign". It shows how Joseph F. Rutherford raised great hopes in minds of his followers and how dogmatic were his statements in the "Millions" book. The book is a must reading for all seriously interested in the history, methods and doctrinal development of Jehovah's Witnesses."
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Vanderhoven7
Thanks Earnest!