change of religion

Change of religion in the 1930s

Intolerance
Cover of a brochure published by the Watchtower Society in 1933.

Even though his mother was a strict Catholic, Engleitner rarely went to church, since his father took a rather liberal stand on this matter. He found the worship of images, which was common in the area, particularly incomprehensible. His work in the 1920s brought him into contact with atheists as well as Protestants, but their views could not satisfy his thirst for religious knowledge. In the end, a friend persuaded him to attend a meeting of Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known as. He immediately liked what he heard there.

At last questions were answered directly from the Bible. They were talking about God as one who does not approve of the wars that were fought in his name. He was fascinated by their spirit and attitude. The only theological authority they accepted was the Bible. They were accusing the traditional churches of betraying the common people by telling them that the Bible was something only well educated Theologians could understand and of not trusting in God and the Scriptures but in human leaders and philosophies that had nothing to do with genuine Christianity.

Leopold Engleitner (center) on a mountain hike with two friends in 1928 or 1929.

In 1932, a time of great religious intolerance, Leopold Engleitner left the Catholic church and was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. His parents were shocked, and even more so was the priest, who announced Leopold Engleitner’s withdrawal from the pulpit. His neighbors spit at his feet.

His spinal curvature presented many challenges in his youth such as, being considered as inferior person. The situation became worse when he decided to become a Bible Student. Now he was definitely labeled as an outcast. However, his new belief helped him to deal with the situation. Now, his suffering gained a new meaning. He could relate to the example of the early Christians whom Jesus had told "the world will hate you".