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Worldly People

Any person that is not a Jehovah's Witnesses is described by the Watchtower as a "worldly person" that is alienated from God and hence controlled by the devil. This is common with high control groups, such as Exclusive Brethern, who discourage members from associating with "worldly" non-members.The following quotes show the disparaging ways in which worldly people are described.

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Watchtower 2024 March Study Edition Avoid the Darkness—Remain in the Light p.23 para. 12
"We must fight against the world’s thinking that immoral conduct is acceptable. We know better. (Eph. 4:19, 20) We do well to ask ourselves: ‘Do I make it a point to avoid all unnecessary association with workmates, classmates, or others who do not respect Jehovah’s righteous standards? Do I courageously uphold Jehovah’s standards even though some may call me intolerant for doing so?’ As indicated at 2 Timothy 2:20-22, we may also need to be careful when choosing our close associates within the Christian congregation. We bear in mind that some may not help us to remain faithful in our service to Jehovah."

Instructions for Temporary Special Pioneer Candidates S-225-E 11/23 p.2
"The attitude you display is far different from that of the majority of mankind today. In these “critical times hard to deal with,” we live in the midst of a selfish and morally corrupt world."

Watchtower 2021 Jan Study Article 1 p.2
"We may have little or no control over some things that could cause us to feel anxious. For example, we cannot regulate how much the cost of food, clothing, and shelter will rise each year; nor can we control how frequently our workmates or schoolmates will try to tempt us to be dishonest or immoral."

Direction Related to COVID-19 Pandemic for Bodies of Elders June 4, 2020 section 5
"5. Easing of Governmental COVID-19 Restrictions: When the authorities remove re- strictions on certain activities, you will need to consider prayerfully how this will affect your daily life. Generally, we should be more cautious than the secular authorities and our neighbours, who are often eager to resume activities for economic reasons."

Watchtower 2013 Feb study ed. p.24
"Our choice of associates. Of course, some contact with unbelievers — such as at school, at work, and when sharing in the ministry — is unavoidable. It is quite another matter, though, to socialize with them, even cultivating close friendships with them. Do we justify such association by saying that they have many good qualities? “Do not be misled,” warns the Bible. “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Just as a small amount of pollution can contaminate clean water, friendship with those who do not practice godly devotion can contaminate our spirituality and lead us into adopting worldly viewpoints, dress, speech, and conduct."

Watchtower 2010 Sep 15 p.14
"The spirit of companionship that unites those who work together in God's service is far stronger than the spirit that unites others in the world who merely socialize together."

Awake 1996 October 22 p.15
Since worldly people are existing as slaves of corruption, their company cannot bring you true happiness.

Watchtower 1994 Feb 15 p.24
"We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. We may reason, 'He respects the Witnesses, he leads a clean life, and we do talk about the truth occasionally.' Yet, the experience of others proves that in time we may even find ourselves preferring such worldly company to that of a spiritual brother or sister. What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?"

Watchtower 1995 Mar 15 p.11
"The majority of people have no interest in God and his purposes."

Watchtower 1986 7/1 p.26
"True, the majority of people disdain pure worship."

Watchtower 1987 September 15 p.12 Breathing This World's "Air" Is Death-Dealing!
"While some contact with worldly people is unavoidable-at work, at school, and otherwise-we must be vigilant so as to keep from being sucked back into the death-dealing atmosphere of this world. ... Let the world go along in its way, reaping its bad fruitage in the form of broken homes, illegitimate births, sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, and countless other emotional and physical woes."

Watchtower 1984 October 1 pp.15, 19 Remain "Without Spot From the World"
"We must avoid the speech, conduct and attitudes that are so common among worldly individuals, but that are out of harmony with God's Word. For instance, hatred, greediness, shameful conduct and obscene jesting have no proper place in our life. We must 'put up with one another and be forgiving, even as Jehovah has freely forgiven us.' (Colossians 3:13) That is not the common worldly way of dealing with others, but it is the godly way."

True Peace and Security - How Can You Find It? pp.122,126 Survivors Must Be "No Part of the World"
"Only a minority has ever stayed free from the control of this invisible ruler and his forces. Thus the "world," that is, the mass of mankind alienated from God, "is lying in the power of the wicked one . This may sound hard to believe. Yet, do not most people of this world clearly manifest the attitude and works of God's Adversary? ... Worldly people, for example, heap honor and glory on those whose ambitious drive leads them to great wealth, power, or fame""

Watchtower 1970 March 1 p.148
"He will want to watch how he walks so he does not unintentionally begin acting like worldly youths."

Watchtower 1966 June 1 p.341
"If you are one of those rare persons that wants to serve the Creator today, that wants to give him exclusive devotion, that wants to do work that is pleasing in his eyes, that wants to receive his approval and his gift of life, then let Jehovah, by means of his spirit, cultivate in you the good condition of heart that is a mark of his people."

Watchtower 1954 December 15 p.759
"By giving the Kingdom message instead of giving mere money or material things they reach those who are really "poor in spirit," "conscious of their spiritual need," rather than just the self-seeking poor of this world who do not care to belong to Jehovah. Thus the unappreciative worldly poor who prefer to belong to Satan the "god of this system of things" are screened out."