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JW Terms's definitions

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.
by JW Terms November 17, 2018
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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.”
by JW Terms October 13, 2018
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Society Literature

When used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, refers to anything published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (or, “The Society” for short).

Antonym: Apostate Literature
Wouldn’t you prefer to read some society literature instead of that worldly novel?
by JW Terms December 8, 2018
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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.
by JW Terms January 12, 2019
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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.
by JW Terms November 17, 2018
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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.
by JW Terms December 8, 2018
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DF’ed

When used by Jehovah’s Witnesses:

Short for “disfellowshipped” (see disfellowshipping).

Frequently used as a code word because the speaker does not want non-Jehovah’s Witnesses to understand what they are talking about. This reflects the fact that many JWs are ashamed of or embarasssed by the practice.

However, it is sometimes used purely out of laziness as the word “disfellowshipped” is very long.
Jeremy can’t come with us to Europe anymore because he got DF’ed.
by JW Terms October 20, 2018
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