W - Worldly

Recognizable questions What do Jehovah’s Witnesses mean by ‘the world’? Who are ‘worldly people’? Why is Satan called the ruler of this world? What does it do to a child when it hears that the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour? Why can you feel guilty if you actually really like something ‘worldly’? Who decides whether music, clothing, hair, jewelry, or entertainment is worldly? Why can something be accepted in one congregation and condemned in another? How free is a personal choice when you know others may see that choice as worldly? And why can that feeling still linger when you later are no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? ‘The truth’ and ‘the world’ Within Jehovah’s Witness language, there is a striking contrast. On the one hand there is ‘the truth’ , and on the other ‘the world’ . Someone can be in the truth . Someone who is not a Jehovah’s Witness can, in everyday speech, be called worldly . People talk about worldly friends, worldly music, a worldly appearance, or worldly behavior. For someone who did not grow up as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, such expressions can sound strange. Within the congregation, almost everyone immediately understands what is meant. At the same time, the words make a boundary visible: inside and outside, spiritual and worldly, Jehovah’s standards and the world’s standards. What does ‘the world’ mean in the Bible? The Bible does not always use the word world in the same way. Sometimes it refers to humankind. For example, John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that he gave his Son. In other places, the world takes on a negative religious meaning. According to 1 John 5:19, ‘the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.’ James 4:4 says that ‘friendship with the world is enmity with God’ . Jehovah’s Witnesses therefore teach that Christians may live among other people and love them, but must not become part of the world . In this teaching, ‘the world’ does not simply mean that every individual person outside the congregation is bad. Rather, it refers to a human system that is alienated from God and under Satan’s influence. For a child, however, that distinction can be more complicated. Satan and the world Within Jehovah’s Witness teaching, Satan is a real spiritual being. In the Bible he is, among other things, described as ‘the ruler of this world’ and ‘the god of this world’ . One of the strongest images is found at 1 Peter 5:8: ‘Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.’ For an adult believer, it is clear that devour here is a figure of speech for spiritual danger. A young child can experience such images much more concretely. A roaring lion is something to be afraid of. Being devoured brings to mind danger, pain, and destruction. When a child also learns that Satan influences the world outside the congregation, worldly and danger can become emotionally linked. Not every child experiences that in the same way. One child shrugs it off, while another is deeply affected by it. But that same world can be very attractive That creates a particular tension for some children. Because outside the congregation there is not only an abstract ‘world.’ There is also that nice girl from school. There is music that makes you happy. A birthday party everyone is invited to. A movie that seems exciting. Fashion you think is beautiful. A sports club you would love to join. Later, maybe someone you fall in love with. And those people turn out not to be bad at all. They can be kind, honest, helpful, and loving. As a result, a child can learn at the same time: ‘The world is spiritually dangerous.’ and experience: ‘But I like a lot of things and people from that world.’ ‘So why do I like this?’ Then something can happen to the conscience. A child no longer thinks only: ‘I like this song.’ A second thought may immediately follow: ‘But isn’t this worldly?’ Or: ‘What does Jehovah think about me liking this?’ That suddenly gives an ordinary preference a moral meaning. You are not only judging what you do , but sometimes even what you like . For some children and adults, that can lead to guilt: If I like this while it is worldly, does that say something about me? Am I still spiritual? Do I love Jehovah enough? Feeling guilty does not automatically mean you are doing something wrong That distinction matters. Our conscience does not develop in a vacuum. It is shaped in part by our parents, culture, religion, experiences, and the reactions of people who matter to us. As a result, someone can sincerely feel guilty about something that another person sees as completely normal. That guilt is real. But: “I feel guilty” does not automatically mean: “So what I’m doing is wrong.” The reverse is also true. Not feeling guilty does not automatically prove that something is right. A feeling tells you that something in you has been touched. After that, you can examine why . Who actually decides what is “worldly”? For some subjects, the boundaries among Jehovah’s Witnesses are clear. For other everyday choices, it is much more complicated. For example, there is no Bible text that says how many holes a woman may have in her ears. There is no verse stating which hairstyle is worldly or which music genre a Christian may or may not listen to. In those cases, broader Bible principles are applied. One may look at modesty, reputation, local culture, associations, and the question of whether someone is conforming too much to the world. And that is where room for human interpretation arises. Two holes in your ears This can become visible in something as small as earrings. In one congregation, for example, multiple holes in an ear may be seen as giving a too-worldly appearance. In another congregation, region, or generation, hardly anyone may have a problem with it. Meanwhile, the Bible has not changed. What has changed is the cultural meaning people attach to appearance . That makes an important question possible: If something is considered worldly in one congregation and accepted in another, which part comes directly from the Bible and which part from culture and human interpretation? “Worldly” changes with the environment Fashion and culture are constantly changing. An appearance that was once seen as rebellious or striking may be completely ordinary twenty years later. Differences can also exist between regions. What stands out immediately in a conservative environment may barely be noticed elsewhere. As a result, the practical boundary between appropriate and worldly can also shift without any Bible text having changed. That does not mean Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot have standards. It does mean it is useful to distinguish between an explicit Bible rule and a human application of a Bible principle . What about tattoos? Leviticus 19:28 contains a prohibition on tattoo marks for ancient Israel. According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. Therefore, the statement “the Bible directly forbids every Christian from getting a tattoo” is too simple. Biblical principles can still be applied to the choice of a tattoo. The design, motivation, local culture, and the way others view a tattoo can all play a role. Here too, the question is relevant: Does my specific choice appear literally in the Bible, or is a Bible principle being applied to my choice? Worldly music, worldly hair, worldly clothes The same happens with expressions such as worldly music, worldly clothes, worldly friends, worldly speech, worldly hair or a worldly mindset . Sometimes it is clear what someone means by it. In the case of music, for example, one may look at violence, sexuality, drugs, occultism, or another message that someone sees as conflicting with their Christian values. But the word worldly alone still does not tell you why something would be wrong. That is why a simple follow-up question can make a lot clear: “What exactly is worldly about it?” Is it the content? The appearance? The association? The local culture? A Bible principle? Or mainly the fact that something is popular outside the congregation? “Worldly” as a framing word That is why you can also view worldly as a framing word . A framing word does not just describe something; it also places it within a particular interpretive framework. When someone says: “That’s a popular hairstyle” , you still do not know whether the speaker likes it or dislikes it. When someone in a religious setting says: “That’s very worldly” , the same choice immediately takes on a moral or spiritual tone. The word can therefore already trigger a judgment before it has been discussed exactly what is actually wrong with it . That does not mean the person using it is consciously trying to influence someone. It may simply be the language they themselves learned to use when looking at such choices. “Worldly people” It gets even more sensitive with people. A classmate, coworker, neighbor, or family member may be referred to in everyday language as worldly because he is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But worldly tells you nothing about his character. Someone outside the congregation can be honest, loyal, loving, and helpful. A Jehovah’s Witness can, of course, see and appreciate that as well. That is why it is important to distinguish between a religious category and a judgment about a person’s quality . For children, that distinction may be even more important. Otherwise, a child can easily start thinking: ‘If we have the truth and they are of the world, are we better people?’ When that is not necessarily what parents or the organization mean by it. How free is a personal choice? Jehovah’s Witnesses talk a lot about the personal conscience. On all kinds of matters, a Christian ultimately has to make a decision for himself. But a decision is never made completely apart from the environment. Suppose nobody literally forbids you to wear a certain hairstyle. You just know that elders or other congregation members will probably consider that style worldly . Maybe you expect people will see you as less spiritual. Maybe you’ll get counsel. Maybe you wonder whether certain responsibilities in the congregation will become harder because of it. Formally, you can still choose. But psychologically, the choice has now come with a price. That is why there is a difference between formal freedom of choice and experienced freedom of choice . Who do you become through the choices you make? That is where the concept of worldly touches on identity. Who you are is partly visible in the choices you make: what music you like, what clothes you wear, who you associate with, how you wear your hair, where you go, and which values you consider important. But nobody makes those choices completely without influence from others. Even outside a religious community, people are influenced by parents, friends, social media, culture, and fashion. Being fully uninfluenced and just “being yourself” probably doesn’t exist. A more interesting question is: ‘Do I understand what influences my choices, and do I have enough room to then decide for myself what truly fits me?’ When you actually do like something worldly For someone who grows up as a Jehovah’s Witness, that can create an inner conflict. You like certain music, but feel guilty about it. You want to go somewhere, but hear in your head that it is worldly. You think a certain style is beautiful, but don’t dare wear it. Eventually, you may start not only controlling your behavior, but also your desires: Why do I want this? What does this say about my spirituality? Would Jehovah be disappointed in me? If such thoughts are repeated for years, the judgment can increasingly come from within. When nobody needs to say “worldly” anymore In psychology, internalization is spoken of when standards from your environment become part of your own thinking and self-regulation. That is a normal part of growing up. As adults, we do not need to hear from our parents every morning that we should not lie or steal. Many standards have become part of us. The same can happen with religious standards. At some point, nobody needs to say anymore: ‘That’s worldly.’ You say it to yourself in your thoughts. That can be positive when it concerns values you fully stand behind yourself. It becomes more complicated when your conviction later changes, but the old emotional reaction remains. You’re out — but the feeling is still there That happens to some former Jehovah’s Witnesses. Intellectually, you may now think: ‘I no longer believe there is anything wrong with this.’ And yet you still feel tension, shame, or guilt when you do it. That can be confusing: ‘Why does this still feel wrong if I no longer believe it is wrong?’ Because thoughts sometimes change faster than learned emotional reactions. When something has for years been linked to Jehovah, Satan, the world, good and evil, approval, and your identity , that emotional connection cannot always disappear the moment your belief changes. How do you get that out of your system? Not by forcing yourself to suddenly like everything that was once not allowed. It can help to separate three things: What do I feel? I feel guilty when I do this. What was I taught in the past? I was taught that this was worldly and Jehovah would not approve of it. What do I think of it now myself? Do I really find this wrong according to my current values? Why or why not? That distinction alone can make a big difference. You do not have to get rid of the old feeling right away. You can learn to recognize: ‘This feeling belongs to what I was taught for years. I am allowed to reassess whether the rule behind it still fits me.’ Your conscience can change Through new experiences, old associations can gradually weaken. For example, you do something that used to feel worldly and notice: I am not harming anyone. This does not go against my current values. I am still the same caring person. The first time may feel uncomfortable. The tenth time perhaps less so. That does not mean you should switch off your conscience. Rather, you are examining your conscience again: Which standards do I want to keep because I value them myself? Which ones do I want to change? And about which choice am I still not really sure? When old fear, guilt, or shame remains very strong or interferes with daily functioning, professional psychological help can be useful in exploring such learned reactions. Freedom does not mean doing the opposite When someone leaves Jehovah’s Witnesses, a new trap can also arise: the feeling that freedom now means you should do everything that used to be forbidden. But that, too, still lets the old rules determine what you do — only in the opposite direction. You do not have to get a tattoo, listen to certain music, celebrate birthdays, or dress differently just because those things may once have been seen as ‘worldly.’ Freedom does not mean you automatically have to do the opposite of what you were taught before. Freedom means you can once again examine what truly fits you. You may keep many values from your upbringing. You may change a lot. You may discover that you do not miss some things at all. Then the decision no longer comes only from: ‘This is not allowed, because it is worldly.’ But more and more from: ‘This does or does not fit the person I want to be.’ Questions to think about What exactly do I mean when I call something ‘worldly’? Is it really in conflict with a Bible verse, or is a principle being applied? Would the same choice be judged differently in another congregation or culture? If so, which part comes from the Bible and which part from the environment? Do I feel guilty because I am going against my own values, or because I was taught that something is worldly? If no one in the congregation were ever to see my choice, would I decide the same way? Am I afraid of what Jehovah thinks, of what other people think, or are those two hard for me to separate? Which values from my upbringing do I want to consciously keep? Which rules do I want to examine again? And which choices truly fit who I want to be? In closing ‘Worldly’ within Jehovah’s Witnesses is much more than a word for something that exists outside the congregation. It belongs to a religious worldview in which Jehovah represents truth, Satan influences the present world, and Christians are warned not to become part of that world. For a believer, that can provide clear moral direction. For a child, the same contrast can become deeply linked to right and wrong, safe and dangerous, inside and outside . At the same time, not everything experienced as worldly in everyday congregation life is directly forbidden in the Bible. Culture, time, local views, and human application of Bible principles can also determine where the line is drawn. That is why it can be valuable not to stop at the word worldly , but to go one question further: ‘What exactly is wrong with this — and what am I basing that on?’ And for someone who later no longer lives as a Jehovah’s Witness, another question can become important. The word worldly may disappear from your everyday language while the associated guilt remains. Then you do not have to automatically reject everything you were taught before. Nor do you have to automatically do the opposite. You are allowed to rediscover which values are truly your own. ‘Do I really think this is wrong — or have I learned that I’m supposed to feel wrong about it?’ Sources New World Translation - John 3:16; John 12:31; John 17:14-16; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:19; 1 Peter 5:8 JW.org - publications about “the world,” not being part of the world, associations, appearance and entertainment Watchtower Online Library - publications about worldly influence, conscience and personal decisions JW.org - publications about tattoos and Bible principles American Psychological Association - information about development, socialization, guilt and learned behavior Albert Bandura - Social Learning Theory See also in the A-Z Glossary of Jehovah’s Witnesses D - The Truth - What does the contrast between “the truth” and “the world” mean? G - Religious Upbringing - How are religious norms taught and reinforced from childhood? G - Conscience - Why can something still feel wrong when your belief has changed? O - Associations - What is the significance of choosing friends among Jehovah’s Witnesses? S - Satan - What place does Satan have in the worldview of Jehovah’s Witnesses? V - Free Will - How free does a choice feel when social and religious expectations are attached to it?