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JW Terms's definitions

Home But Hiding

A phrase used by Jehovah’s Witnesses conducting door-to-door ministry to jokingly refer to the occurrence when a householder is obviously home but pretending not to be.

This phrase is a play-on-words based on the official phrase “Not at Home.” Jehovah’s Witnesses preach methodically and keep lists of every home they visit where no one answered the door, so that they can go back at another time in the hopes that someone will eventually answer. The list is referred to as “the not at homes” and the house itself is referred to as “a not at home.”

“Home-but-hiding” is not an official category and those houses are recorded as “not-at-homes” so that someone can return at another time.
JW 1: “Was that last house a not at home?”
JW 2: “No, it was a home but hiding.”
JW 1: “Ha! At least it wasn’t a do not call.”
by JW Terms September 26, 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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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.
by JW Terms October 21, 2018
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Out

The state of no longer being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Short for the phrase “out of The Truth.”

The phrase could refer to someone that has been disfellowshipped, has been reproved, has been branded an apostate, or has publically disassociated themselves; however, it could also refer to someone that is technically still one of Jehovah’s Witnesses but was able to fade from the religion with receiving any official punishment for doing so.
I can’t believe you’re out. You’re the last person I thought would leave The Truth.
by JW Terms November 17, 2018
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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.
by JW Terms December 8, 2018
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Worldly

When used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, refers to any person, thing, or practice NOT associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
You’ll never find happiness if you marry a worldly person.
by JW Terms December 8, 2018
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