Actually, if you take the thread that Lady Lee just did on this subject, combine it with the WTS's own words, it's pretty obvious as to whether or not they're a cult:
The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment;
"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the “slave” as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision." (Quote from The Watchtower, June 15th, 1957, Page 370)
The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act and feel.
*** w83 1/15 p. 27 Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits ***Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: "Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling."
The group is preoccupied with making money. The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify means that members would have considered unethical before joining the group (for example, collecting money for bogus charities)
*** km 1/04 p. 3 Announcements *** For those who wish to make donations to the worldwide work electronically, a set of instructions is available to explain this arrangement. For further information, call 718-560-5000 or write to Watch Tower, Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483.
*** km 5/04 p. 3 Announcements *** Donations made by check and put in the local Kingdom Hall contribution boxes for the worldwide work and the Kingdom Hall Fund should be made payable to "Jehovah’s Witnesses." Donations made by check at district conventions and those sent to the branch office should be made payable to "Watch Tower."
*** km 10/03 p. 7 Theocratic Ministry School Review *** As followers of Jesus, we should be moved to give generously of ourselves and our resources to do Jehovah’s will and help others gain life.
The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities;
*** km 6/98 p. 3 Caring for the Master’s Belongings *** As fine stewards, they feel accountable to Jehovah God for the way they use these things (not to any "worldly authorities)
Members' subservience to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group;
*** w52 11/15 p. 703 Questions from Readers *** We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in.
*** w88 4/15 p. 28 Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit *** The situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home. It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum
Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members;
*** w03 1/1 p. 11 Now More Than Ever, Stay Awake! *** A regular study of God’s Word and regular association with our brothers at the meetings will help us to follow Paul’s counsel and to keep our sense of urgency.
*** w02 5/15 p. 8 Phenomenal Increase Necessitates Quick Expansion *** we cannot fail to appreciate a vital source of refreshment—association with our spiritual brothers and sisters at Christian meetings.
*** w97 8/1 p. 11 Serving Loyally With Jehovah’s Organization *** Heed the warnings from the Watchtower and Awake! magazines on such matters as worldly association
*** w94 2/15 p. 24 Keep Your Distance When Danger Threatens *** even when a business is booming, it will likely absorb much time and mental energy, and it may require considerable worldly association
Questioning, doubt and dissent are discouraged or even punished. Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, debilitating work routines) are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
*** w72 8/15 p. 505 Do You Tend to Be Stumbled? *** We should adjust our thinking to these revelations new to us.—1 Cor. 2:9, 10. If you have a tendency to stumble because you do not thoroughly grasp some explanation of Scripture or some organizational or procedural matter coming through the "faithful and discreet slave" class, remember your position before God. Think: Have I oriented myself properly? Have I progressively made my mind over? Am I going to stop doing so at this point?—Matt. 24:45-47.
This includes being loyal to “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own.We would not have discovered the truth regarding Jehovah, his purposes and attributes, the meaning and importance of his name, the Kingdom, Jesus’ ransom, the difference between God’s organization and Satan’s, nor why God has permitted wickedness. (Quote from The Watchtower, December 1st, 1990 Issue, Page19)
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Nope.....I can't see any resemblence between the Watchtower Society and a cult. Can you?
