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-Jehovah’s Witnesses: Apostates are “Mentally Diseased” and Should be Avoided
by Dr. D ~ October 2nd, 2011
(Image by slazgrc via Flickr)
First of all, an ‘apostate’ from the Witnesses’ point of view is someone who leaves their movement or departs from the official teaching of the Watchtower leadership. The leaders have made it plain to their followers that ‘apostates’ should be avoided or shunned even if they happen to be friends or close family members.
At least they don’t support killing those who leave like radical Muslims do. However, leaving can literally ruin families and lives. Many who have long since stopped believing and actively participating in their religion do not dare speak against it, or officially leave but continue to maintain false ties with the Witnesses in order not to lose their friends and family.
The leaders affirmed this ‘shunning’ approach to apostates in a recent article in The Watchtower, 15 July 2011: ‘Will you heed Jehovah’s warnings?’. Here’s a quote from it:
"Jehovah, the Great Physician, tells us to avoid contact with them. We know what he means, but are we determined to heed his warning in all respects? What is involved in avoiding false teachers? We do not receive them into our homes or greet them. We also refuse to read their literature, watch television programmes that feature them, examine their websites, or add our comments to their blogs. Why do we take such a firm stand?
"Because of love. We love ‘the God of truth’, so we are not interested in twisted teachings that contradict his Word of truth."
Even more stunning, those who leave are referred to in the article as “mentally diseased” and further they are to be avoided like “someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease."
Jesus told his followers: “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). However, it is obvious that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are not free and not trusted by their leaders to know the difference. The teaching that the Witnesses support and recognize actually end up enslaving instead and even ruining family relationships for those who reject their views.
It reminds me of the famous movie line: “The Truth? You can’t handle the truth”. That is exactly what the Watchtower leaders are telling their followers. *Top
