Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Jehovah's Witnesses Call Quitters 'Mentally Diseased'

Official magazine's statement prompts police inquiry

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 27, 2011 4:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Former Jehovah’s Witnesses—as well as some current ones—are protesting after the religion’s official magazine called those who quit the religion mentally ill. “Apostates are 'mentally diseased', and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings,” said an article in the July issue of Watchtower. Critics say the comment may break British laws on religious hatred, and police are investigating their complaints, the Independent reports.

The newspaper spoke to a member who fears retribution if his disillusionment with church doctrine is discovered. “Many like me remain associated with the Witnesses out of fear of being uncovered as an 'apostate' and ousted, not just from the organization, but from their own friends and families,” he says. A rep for the church says members are free to question the religion’s teachings. “If a person changes their mind about Bible-based teachings they once held dear, we recognize their right to leave."

People sing as they attend a Jehovah's Witnesses assembly.
People sing as they attend a Jehovah's Witnesses assembly.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
47%
2%
11%
3%
17%
21%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 63 comments
SamThorne
Jan 27, 2013 2:29 AM CST
The headline, and many of the arguments among these comments are misleading.  To Jehovah's Witnesses, there is a big difference between apostates and people who simply disagree or quit.  Apostates are fomenters of religious hatred! Calling the Watchtower article's commentary on their religious hatred, a violation of Britain's law concerning religious hatred, is typical hate speech from the apostate propaganda mill.  The fact that so many different news sources carried exactly the same wording in articles about this at the same time shows that it was a press release, rather than anything that news writers researched.
AnneMarieDeSoto
Oct 15, 2011 2:52 PM CDT
All Watchtower members deep down know that they are always being monitored by every other member that they know, whether personally, congregationally, or, by the simple gossip that keeps the lines of communication open; everyone is always on their best behavior lest they be judged as "weak" in "The Truth," (What they call their religion), or as "bad association," hence, all wear a bright "Theocratic Smile" on their faces, making sure that they always project a positive and uplifting attitude so that others will not see them as "discouraging" and therefore "mark" them as being one that is not "upbuilding" to be around...it is a lot of pressure to carry. While the Watchtower drums it into the minds of the rank and file that they are "living in a Spiritual Paradise," and that they are "The Happiest People on the Earth," behind those agreeing, smiling faces often lies a heart and mind that is deeply troubled, unsure of God's love and approval, and depression.  And while the Watchtower has promoted "Praying more," "Study of  Watchtower Literature More," and more participation in the Watchtower's door-to-door recruiting activity more as the panacea for all troubles...frowning upon any who deem going to a Mental Health Professional necessary...they feel confident in diagnosing those who finally have "had enough" and decide to leave as being somehow, now, mentally deficient...
MADMARY1
Oct 2, 2011 5:06 PM CDT
In The “REPORT” Book, on page 201 it PREDICTS: “...And so, the Watchtower magazine under the present-day Governing Body arrangement, is placed on the same level, given parity and equal status, with God’s Word. Jehovah’s Witnesses are subtly encouraged to view it as such. With the Governing Body controlling the contents of the Watchtower magazine, one needs no imagination to see how this tool could be easily used to capture and manipulate the “minds and hearts of sincere persons” earth-wide and eventually exact unquestioned obedience as would a “god.” Thus, we see the stage set for this Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, since the decision was made to empower this special “body of elders” on December 4, 1975 and which became fully operational January 1, 1976, to become “a god” or the “man of lawlessness” spoken of at 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 which wickedly dominates God’s Name People, mystery “Israel.” Yes, and this would be according to the “operation” of Satan or the “working within” the organization by Satan.(See 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Kingdom Interlinear Translation under “operation”) Crafty, insidious and diabolical indeed!” For more information see: http://www.thereportbook.com/acult.htm MADMARY1

 
religion • Jehovah's Witness

 
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne