July 26 is the Memorial Day for Victims of the Watchtower, that is, people harmed by the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This year, former Jehovah’s Witnesses in Poland want to tell members of their families who have cut off contact with them that they love them. They cannot do so in person because Jehovah’s Witnesses do not speak to people who have left their congregation. These people are therefore reaching out to them via the website KochamyWas.pl.
“You cannot talk to us, you cannot shake our hands, you cannot hug us, but we want to tell you that we love you, we miss you and we are waiting for you!”
Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a religious organization registered in Poland. They are known for going door to door with magazines and preaching about the approaching end of the world. The religion was founded by Charles T. Russell in 1870 in the United States. There are currently more than 8.7 million active Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide, including more than 114,000 in Poland. Unfortunately, we are often unaware that they face specific problems.
The religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses defines conduct in many areas in great detail. They live in a fairly closed community, devoting their free time to studying the Bible, reading religious magazines and attending meetings together. They limit contact with people who are not part of this community. This often includes family members who belong to a different religion. Restrictions also concern education, entertainment, music, hobbies and even medical treatment—for example, they are not allowed to receive blood transfusions.
What Happens When Someone Stops Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Ania has not seen her grandmother and grandfather for three years. Tomek cannot attend his daughter’s wedding. Marta and Zbyszek have lost contact with their children. Wojtek has to move out of his home. These are just some of the stories experienced by people who stop being Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to maintain contact with people who have been expelled or who have left their religion of their own accord. Former congregation members are often ignored by their friends, blocked on social media and treated as invisible in the street. Witnesses are encouraged to cut themselves off even from relatives if they stop believing in their doctrines.
What Are Jehovah’s Witnesses Taught?
The following quotations come from publications by Jehovah’s Witnesses:
“What contact with expelled people may we not maintain? […] God’s Word tells us not even to eat with such people. Therefore, we will also avoid their company. This rules out joint picnics, parties, playing ball, shopping or having a meal at home or in a restaurant.”
“Although it may not be easy, we must avoid contact with expelled relatives—by telephone, text messages, letters, email or social media.”
“What will help relatives control their feelings in such cases? Understandably, because of family feelings—for example, grandparents’ love for their grandchildren—this may not be easy. However, it is a test of loyalty to God.”
“Avoiding the company of someone we were friends with or who is our relative may cost us dearly. Will we take a firm stand, thereby showing that we place loyalty to Jehovah and His righteous laws above everything else? As we remember, Jehovah places great value on loyalty and obedience.”
July 26 – Memorial Day for Victims of the Watchtower
Observed on July 26, the Memorial Day for Victims of the Watchtower is an event intended to draw attention to the problems faced by members and former members of this religious organization. Many people stop believing what Jehovah’s Witnesses preach but do not decide to formally leave because of the threat of losing contact with their families. Raising public awareness of what happens within the Jehovah’s Witnesses community may help such people start a new life and show them that they are not completely alone.
