Apostate - Not What You Think

Apostate—it’s a word that can strike fear into the hearts of most Jehovah’s Witnesses.  They view apostates as being under the direct influence of Satan the Devil.  As a matter of fact, in the July 15, 2011 issue of The Watchtower (a Watchtower Bible & Tract Society publication) they go so far as to call apostates “mentally diseased.”  That’s pretty strong language, don’t you think?  The study article goes on to say, “Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease. You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are “mentally diseased,” and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. Jehovah, the Great Physician, tells us to avoid contact with them.”

Let’s take a look at this step-by-step.  First of all, what is the commonly accepted definition of the word “apostate?”  Most dictionaries have a similar rendering of this word as a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle. The term is used in religious and political settings.  Not scary so far, is it?  I would posit that anyone who converts from another religion to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is an apostate, because they renounced their former religion and/or belief system.  So, it’s ok for converts in, but not converts out?  I smell a bit of hypocrisy here, don’t you?

In the article referenced above, which was studied worldwide by Jehovah’s Witnesses, those who no longer share their beliefs are compared to someone who is mentally diseased; encouraging current members to “avoid contact” with them.  It has long been their practice to shun any member who has been booted out of the congregation (disfellowshipping), as well as those who choose to leave (disassociation).  This single doctrine has split up more families than you can imagine.

However, in this direction from religious headquarters, they seem to be missing a very key example of how to view those who are “diseased.”  For instance, in Mark 1:40-45, we read about the leper who appealed to Jesus’ sense of compassion.  Now anyone knows that leprosy was one of the most feared diseases of Jesus’ time.  Lepers were outcasts and completely avoided at all costs.  Yet what did Jesus do?  Let’s see:

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go,  show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Wow, Jesus did not avoid this diseased man; he actually reached out his hand and touched him and healed him.  Jehovah’s Witnesses clearly do not follow Jesus' example in this matter.  Instead, they teach the very opposite, evoking hatred and pain in their path.  What kind of organization preaches a message to their masses to shun those who choose not to believe their doctrine any longer, and treat them as “mentally diseased”…as if that is the worst thing in the world?

Their teachings promote intolerance and hate.  Their teachings break families apart, sewing suspicion and distrust. Their teachings promote abuse and emotional blackmail.  Why would anyone want to be part of an organization like this?