Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?

by digderidoo 29 Replies latest watchtower scandals

White Dove

After teaching my paternal unit to think critically, I plan on asking him these questions one by one.
milliemootoo

Never thought I would say it but YES it certainly is a cult!!!
stillajwexelder

It is a bit like asking "Is the Pope Catholic ? "
Hope4Others

This also has similar thoughts as the Combating Cult mind control, I found it interesting that
most of cult leaders also belonged to a cult themselves previously. The more points you pick up in
comparison with Jw's is kind of scary...but the tactics sure are there.
Also and interesting read this book you mention...
hope4others
av8orntexas

Now in fade, and able to step outside the JW thinking, I realize if they are nnot, they in fact exhibit strong cult-like actions. The way my mother refers to non-jw's as "worldly" as if somehow speaking to such a person will surely lead one off into a path of destruction and certain death.
The way an old friend of mine, whom at one point I thought was no doubt someone who'd be ripe for fading or leaving altogether, is quick to make up EXCUSE after EXCUSE for the things and people, refusing to SEE things for what they really are.
I've flipped-flopped between 03' and this year with this site,but this past May really began to read the many threads hear and can say JW's are a cult......or close to it.
I like many JW's I'm sure now, had no idea about child molestors,of course no one talks of it. I'm in the midst of reading crisis of conscience and wel.......had no idea the book was out there. I consider myself an logical and independant thinker,yet I realize was just a drone, ate up the WT ~~garbage~~ food like it was going out of style.
Unfortunatly, I feel like it takes something to happen to an JW on a personal level ( df'd, slighted by someone, their eyes opend to certain doctrines,be it on their own or indirect ) before a JW' will actually wake up. It seems reasoning with one is to no avail.
Which is why i agree with with 1. Most swear total allegiance to the WT. How else do you explain a sane and supposedly logical person willing to cut TOTAL ties with their blood family for men whom they have just come into association with ? Is that not cultic ?
How else do you explain being able to show an JW OBVIOUS ~~faults~~ lies with the WT, and this person, again as you know them to be...smart,sane, LOGICAL, yet....willing to lie to themselves,deny or simply deny a FACT. As I brought to A JW brother I know, if he or I were to step outside the present line of thought, would we not be told to "adjust our thinking " ? if that is not mind control....but again, when you're IN......REALLY IN ( this brother is in the RBC, and methinks he has had a a nice taste of power. ) and it's amaing how your eyes can be blinded to the obvious. Thats why I feel it sometimes takes something on a personal level before a person starts to THINK. Otherwise you're likely to wonder how a peron could leave such blessing provided by the FDS.
How else do you explain people willing to forgo education, great careers, time with family, vactions, in order to work a FULL/PART-TIME JOB as a maazine sales rep ( no pay ) If you were like myself, that meant working SEVEN DAYS week,because naturally the friends would find a way to ~~guilt~~ encourage you into using those two day to JAH
It's like the elephant in the room that people speak of. Yet, so frustrating !!!
This site has opened my eyes to so many things I had NO CLUE as to how things really work in the ~~organization~~ corporation. It's scary,because the WT is good.I hate to give them credit,but they are SLICK, and they know how to carck that whip.
Sorry for the rant,but in the last three months I've poured over numerous threads here, and wow..many hit the nail on the head of what i know or suspected, others have pretty much widely opened my eyes.
LockedChaos

Ummmmmmmmmmm
YES!!
VM44

What were the reasons that The Watchtower gave for their NOT being a cult?
(I think it was in a 91 or 92 Watchtower they had a cover article on the topic)
blondie

***w942/15pp.3-4Cults—WhatAreThey?***

Cults—What Are They?FEBRUARY 28, 1993—more than a hundred law-enforcement agents raided a compound of buildings housing dozens of men, women, and children. The object was to search for illegal weapons and to arrest a suspected criminal. The agents, however, were caught by surprise when a hail of bullets came flying toward them from inside the buildings. They returned the fire.
This confrontation left ten dead and several wounded. During the following 50 days, hundreds of government agents laid siege to the compound with enough guns to wage a small war. The standoff ended in a showdown that left 86 dead, including at least 17 children.
But who was the enemy? An army of drug-dealing mobsters? A guerrilla faction? No. As you may know, the "enemy" was a group of religious devotees, members of a cult. Their tragedy made an inconspicuous community on the plains of central Texas, U.S.A., the focus of international attention. The news media flooded the airwaves and the printed page with a barrage of reports, analyses, and comments on the dangers of fanatical cults.
The public was reminded of previous instances in which cult members were led to death by their leaders: the 1969 Manson murders in California; the 1978 mass suicide of cult members in Jonestown, Guyana; the 1987 murder-suicide pact engineered by cult leader Park Soon-ja of Korea, which resulted in the death of 32 members. Significantly, most of these people claimed to be Christians and professed belief in the Bible.
Understandably, many who respect the Bible as the Word of God are appalled at the brazen misuse of the Scriptures by these cults. As a result, over the years hundreds of organizations have been established for the purpose of monitoring cults and exposing their dangerous practices. Experts on cult behavior predict that the coming of a new millennium in a few years may trigger the proliferation of cults. One news magazine noted that according to anticult groups, there are thousands of cults "out there poised to snatch your body, control your mind, corrupt your soul. . . . Few are armed but most are considered dangerous. They’ll seduce you and fleece you, marry and bury you."What Is a Cult?The term "cult" is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its connotations. To prevent confusion, some theologians actually avoid using the term.
The World Book Encyclopedia explains that "traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance." By that criterion, all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in general usage today, the word "cult" has a different meaning. The same encyclopedia notes that "since the mid-1900’s, publicity about cults has altered the meaning of the term. Today, the term is applied to groups that follow a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices."
Endorsing the popular usage of the term, Newsweek magazine explains that cults "are normally small, fringe groups whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual." Similarly, Asiaweek magazine notes that "the term [cult] itself is vague, but it usually denotes a new religious creed built around a charismatic leader, who often proclaims himself to be the personification of God."
The language used in a joint resolution of the 100th Congress of the State of Maryland, U.S.A., also conveys the derogatory connotation of the term cult. The resolution states that "a cult is a group or movement exhibiting excessive devotion to a person or idea and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control to advance the goals of its leaders."
Clearly, cults are generally understood to be religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior. Usually they conduct their religious activities in secrecy. Many of these cultic groups actually isolate themselves in communes. Their devotion to a self-proclaimed human leader is likely to be unconditional and exclusive. Often these leaders boast of having been divinely chosen or even of being themselves divine in nature.
Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a small fringe religious group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? Are the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?
Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses do this? Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?[Picture Credit Line on page 3]Jerry Hoefer/Fort Worth Star Telegram/Sipa Press

*** w94 2/15 pp. 5-7 Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult? ***
JESUS CHRIST was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive.—Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: ‘These men have overturned the inhabited earth.’ (Acts 17:6) On another occasion the apostle Paul and his companion Silas were taken to the authorities and charged with greatly disturbing the city of Philippi.—Acts 16:20.
Paul was later accused of being a "pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth" and of trying "to profane the temple." (Acts 24:5, 6) The principal men of the Jews in Rome accurately described the situation of Jesus’ followers when they acknowledged: "For truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."—Acts 28:22.
Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. The accusers were often prominent and respected members of the community, and this seems to have added weight to the allegations. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.
What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?
What
theEvidenceShows
A government official of the city of St. Petersburg, Russia, explained: "Jehovah’s Witnesses were presented to us as some kind of underground sect sitting in the darkness and slaughtering children and killing themselves." However, the people of Russia have recently become better acquainted with the true nature of the Witnesses. After working with Jehovah’s Witnesses in connection with an international convention, the same official observed: "Now I see normal, smiling people, even better than many people I know. They are peaceful and calm, and they love one another very much." He added: "I really do not understand why people tell such lies about them."
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Non-Witness author Julia Mitchell Corbett notes: "When they meet, usually more than once a week, in Kingdom Halls (their meeting sites are not called churches), most of their time is spent in Bible study and discussion." Their meeting places are clearly marked with a sign. The meetings are open, and the general public is invited to attend. Unannounced guests are more than welcome.
The "Witnesses have earned the reputation of being honest, courteous, and industrious," adds Corbett in her book ReligioninAmerica. Many who are not Witnesses readily acknowledge that there is nothing freakish or bizarre about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their conduct does not clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior. TheNewEncyclopædiaBritannica accurately states that the Witnesses "insist upon a high moral code in personal conduct."
The director of news and special projects for a television station in the United States wrote to Jehovah’s Witnesses in response to a biased report about the Witnesses on the TV news show 60Minutes. He said: "If more people lived the way your faith does, this nation wouldn’t be in the shape it is in. I am one newsman who knows that your organization is founded on love and a strong faith in the Creator. I want you to know that not all News people are as biased."
A
Well-KnownReligion
Is it fair to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a small fringe religious group? In a sense, Jehovah’s Witnesses are few in number compared to some religions. However, recall what Jesus said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."—Matthew 7:13, 14.
At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion.
Outstanding is a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It declared that the Witnesses should enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and that they have the right to speak about their faith and teach it to others. This would hardly be the case if Jehovah’s Witnesses were known to use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members or if they used manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.
Multitudes around the world are well acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? "No" would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
"Absorbed
inHumanity"
Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? "I do not belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses," wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: "It is obvious that they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God’s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it—they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity."
And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.
More important, they are engaged in an educational program that has no comparison. How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah’s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages! Clearly, Jehovah’s Witnesses are "absorbed in humanity."
Strict
AdherencetotheBible
Admittedly, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are different from those provided by the churches. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the almighty God and that Jesus is his Son, not part of a triune deity. Their faith is anchored in the belief that God’s Kingdom alone can bring relief to suffering humanity. They warn people of the imminent destruction of this corrupt system of things. They preach about God’s promise of an earthly paradise for obedient mankind. They do not venerate the cross. They do not celebrate Christmas. They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire. They will not eat blood, nor will they accept blood transfusions. They abstain from involvement in politics and participation in warfare. Have you ever asked yourself why the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are so different?
A Massachusetts newspaper, the DailyHampshireGazette, explains that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ "strict interpretation of the Bible forbids many activities others take for granted . . . , all in an effort to follow the example of first-century Christians and the word of the Bible." TheEncyclopediaofReligion agrees that "all that they believe is based on the Bible. They ‘proof text’ (that is, supply a biblical citation to support) almost every statement of faith, taking for granted the authority of the Bible, which entirely supplants tradition." The book ReligioninAmerica states: "The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture."
Who
IsTheirLeader?
It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. TheEncyclopediaofReligion aptly states about Jehovah’s Witnesses: "A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited."
They follow Jesus Christ as their Leader and as Head of the Christian congregation. It was Jesus who said: "Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ."—Matthew 23:8-12.
It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. Admittedly, not everyone who was influenced by the false reports about Jesus and his disciples fell into the trap of slandering him. Some may simply have been misinformed. If you have questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their beliefs, why not get to know them better? The doors to their Kingdom Halls are wide open to all who seek truth.
You can also benefit from their careful search for accurate Bible knowledge and learn how to worship God in harmony with Jesus’ words: "The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him."—John 4:23.
VM44

Thanks Blondie for posting those Watchtower quotes.
All I can say is that most of them are "half-truths" at best.
"Strict Adherence to the Bible"
Ha! What about all the speculation they have published that they called "Bible Based"?
"Bible study and Discussion" at their meetings?
Ha! It's not the Bible they study, it is Watchtower publications....and as for "Discussion", can they say there really is free and open discussion at their meetings? No! Everything is under tight control.
The Watchtower is writing propaganda...as usual.
Texman55

I've pondered this question a few times in the 30 years I've been free of WT slavery. Of course I remember how offended I felt when I was in it, and other people would call it a cult. But if it wasn't a cult, why did I feel so damn good inside when I left?
The problem is that "cult" is a very slippery word, once you sit down and try to define it. Go to dictionary.com and look at the various definitions. I think when we talk about religious groups today, we mostly use "cult" to mean excessive and bizarre beliefs/practices, with blind, unquestioning allegiance to the leader/s thereof, who are to some degree dishonest and manipulative.
But what's excessive, what's bizarre? On the other side of the coin, what's "normal," how would you define that? A little reflection will reveal that all our ideas of what's normal and what's bizarre really come down to majority vote at any place and point in history.
In America in 2008, we think face veils or burkahs for women are bizarre; but lots of folks, men and women, in some countries think they are not only just dandy but a Good Thing. Sikh men never cut their hair, which seems pretty bizarre to us but not to them. So where exactly do you draw the line and say okay this is too fucking weird but this is just okay. This is a religion, and this is a cult. Not so easy once you really think about it.
With the internet, it's relatively easy to look up and read what the pagan Romans thought about the early Christians - I dont know the Latin for "cult" but I think they all agreed, yep these folks are crazy as shit! But eventually Constantine, who's mom was a ~~theocratic JW~~ faithful Christian lady, got to be Emperor - and then guess what, the ~~Organization~~ Christian hierarchy that had been saying how evil ~~This Old System~~ the Roman Empire was, got handed political power and just ate it up. In less than a hundred years, not only was all pagan worship forbidden on pain of death, but so were all ~~JW apostates~~ "heretical" sects that disagreed with the ~~Governing Body~~ Bishop of Rome, who after all was God's personal direct representative on earth. The rest is history, natch.
Back to the original question, are JW's a cult? It helps me to think of it not as a Yes/No question, but to see it as a sliding scale, say 1 to 10 with 1 being minimal/agnostic belief in God/s (atheist being 0). On my scale then, "mainstream" churches would be somewhere around 5. Jim Jones, David Koresh, the Heaven's Gate crew (sure, take my testicles, wasnt using them anyway) would all be 10's.
JW's? I'd rate them 8.8 or 9.0. Not quite at the drink-the-koolaid point. But real damn close.
Because really, was there anything you wouldn't have done, if the WT Borg said you had to?
At the height of the insanity, I'm afraid I just might have drunk the koolaid. Wearing a 3-piece polyester suit and a conservative tie with my shiny wingtip shoes, clutching a NWT to my chest (deluxe edition, brown leather cover). God knows we wouldnt have wanted to stumble anyone who found the bodies!
Much less bring reproach on Jehovah's organization. Right.
Is it a fucking cult? Hell yeah it is. Not the worst possible. But definitely excessive and definitely dishonest and most definitely dangerous, whatever you call it. The word you call it doesn't really matter, it's the nasty beliefs and operation that counts.
Here's a quote I found on another exjw site that sums it up real well:
Some religions are merely corporations started by alpha males who desire power. Such males are charismatic and have learned the art of using fear, coercion and guilt to get you to do their bidding. Herding people with such high-level weapons is obscene.
(http://dogpatchmb.blogspot.com/)
Russel and Rutherford were the charismatic alpha males who started this whole slimy snake-oil shebang; their successors may not encourage the personality worship they did, but they have kept it all firmly in the same groove. And it's definitely a corporation, a business, NOT a religion.
A religion is something you can question or doubt or even leave without being shunned out of existence or guilt-tripped into suicidal despair, is how i'd put it. Religion makes you feel that God loves you.
Which is exactly what Watchtowerism doesn't do.
Also, check out the National Geographic documentary on cults: They are masters of manipulating the broken, the weak, gullible, psychologically damaged and feeble-minded around them in their zeal for what they purport as their rightful leadership as the anointed God-human deity in the presence of their flocks. (http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/reviews/article_1403383.php)
Nuff said.

Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?

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