Expert: Brenda Martin - 2/8/2006

Question
As a Jehovah's Witness for more than 13 years I still don't usnderstand why so many people persecute us. In middle school it helps to have supportive friends. But it still has not helped alot. I didn't want to go to an apostate web site.

Answer
Hi Krystal,you said--" JEHOVAH'S WITNESS FOR MORE THAN 13 YEARS, IN MIDDLE SCHOOL."

So I assume since you are still at school, you have been brought up in the truth? Teenage years are difficult for all of us, even more so for Witness teenagers.

WHY SO MANY PEOPLE PERSECUTE US.

The basic reason why Jehovah's people are persecuted is that they are no part of the present wicked system of things. Jesus told his disciples: “If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” (John 15:19) Similarly, the apostle Peter stated: “Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.”—1 Peter 4:4.

You will have seen for yourself that people in general don't like anything that is different, for instance if a person has glasses they are teased, if they are overweight they are teased, if a person doesn't look and act the same as the rest he is singled out for abuse, it is human nature I'm afraid.

When my daughter was at school she had a learning difficulty and so they had 2 reasons to persecute her, if they weren't calling her “Mongal” they were calling her “spastic Jehovah's” ,one lad even sprayed her in the face with paint spray and was expelled for it.

You have to take a long hard look at the people in your school, do you seriously want to be like them? No future, no hope, they may look like they are enjoying themselves, but really are they? You have 2 choices, one is to stand out as different and be proud you are, the other is to follow the crowd and be like all the rest, a bunch of sheep heading nowhere.

I DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO AN APOSTATE WEB SITE.

I hope you never go to an apostate website, there is nothing to be gained from that and you have everything to lose. These people are a bunch of moaners who want to find fault with the organization, forgetting it is God who is directing the organization.

It is up to you Krystal, but I hope you make the correct choice and decide to stand out as different and be proud of it.

All the best
Brenda (Scotland)