Raised in the Truth

To be raised in the Jehovah’s Witness religion. (See definition for In the Truth).

Both my parents are Witnesses, I was raised in the Truth.

Apostate

In the Jehovah’s Witness (JW) religion:

Any baptized JW who openly disagrees with or speaks out against either the JW religion or the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS).

Apostates are considered dangerous “followers of Satan” and are therefore shunned.

JW1: I haven’t seen Kyle recently. Where has he been?
JW2: You haven’t heard?! He’s an apostate!
JW1: Too bad. I liked him.

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Leave The Truth

To leave or to be ejected from the Jehovah’s Witness religion (see in The Truth).

Although the word “leave” implies purposeful action, the phrase “leave the truth” most commonly refers to people whom were disfellowshipped against their will (see disfellowshipping). This reflects the attitude that when a person is disfellowshipped, it is their own fault.

If you leave the Truth, we can’t be friends anymore.

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The Society

When used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, refers either to their religion as a whole or specifically to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

The Society has published new direction about proper dress and grooming.

New in the Truth

Used to describe a new convert of the Jehovah’s Witness religion (see definition for “in the Truth”).

Witnesses will often use the phrase to alert each other of a new member so that everyone knows they need to be on their best behavior.

This is my friend Jason. He’s new in the Truth.

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Worldly People

A phrase used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to refer to persons that are not and have never been Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs). It is sometimes derogatory, but not always.

The phrase stems from the pervasive JW teaching that because the JW faith is the only one truth, it’s memebers are the only truly spiritual and moral people on earth. All other humans (including memebers of other closely-related Christian faiths), are amoral and “of the world.”

Synonyms: Non-believer, goyim, shiksa
Antonyms: Baptized, in the truth, one of us, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses

JW 1: “Did you hear, Racheal’s son is on drugs?”
JW 2: “That’s what she gets for letting her kids hang out with worldly people.”

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COBE

In the Jehovah’s Witness religion, basically the boss elder of an individual congregation.

Stands for “Coordinator of Body of Elders.” Formerly called “Presiding Overseer” or “PO.”

My COBE says we’re not allowed to wear skirts above the knee.

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