I just noticed this thread and must must must comment on the WT article that Blondie put
up for us.
*** w94 2/15 pp. 5-7 Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult? ***
What
the Evidence Shows 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 meetings could be defined as ritualistic by outsiders. Certainly, the Memorial could be so.
The songs, prayers, repetitive study methods seem very ritualistic. The absolute refusal to take
comments during the studies that might not agree with the material- that's borderline ritualistic.
Cloaked in secrecy- there's a "members only" mag. now. You must attend the meetings to get
better understanding for your questions if you are a literature student of their preachers.
Virtually none of their time is spent in "Bible" study, but in a study of what the Watchtower says
about the Bible. Discussion is not allowed. Just give the correct answer (CORRECT as defined
by the material being studied.).
The "Witnesses have earned the reputation of being honest, courteous, and industrious," adds Corbett in her book Religion in America. 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. The New Encyclopædia Britannica accurately states that the Witnesses "insist upon a high moral code in personal conduct."
But ask a former Witness if they are freakish or bizarre. "Many" are the ones who don't know
the real truths. They don't know about disfellowshipping and shunning of grandchildren/children.
They don't know about Judicial Committees for petting among teens. They don't know about
protecting the organization ahead of pedophile victims. Their doctrine alone can be defined as
freakish and bizarre. Their practices certainly are.
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.
So they are a large cult, not a small one.
Can they update this to include countries that now don't recognize them as a bona fide religion?
...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.
There is an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction. The members and those that study
are told not to read anything from them, not to talk to them. Those in contradiction are
branded as APOSTATE and are demonized by them.
Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
YES. They just don't move to a compound. But YES, they isolate themselves in association
by limiting contact with outside family and having virtually no social contact with others.
When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.
Yes, there are wonderful individuals in the cult. Even there, the mother organization abuses them.
They are ready to help each other out, but the organization screens them and only allows "approved"
ones to go to disaster relief zones. Members are asked to stop sending food and supplies and to
only send money to the organization, not to earmark it for the disaster relief, let Mother decide how
to best use their funds.
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."
There are many religious schools, colleges, universities. They act as if those don't exist. Do they really
pay personal visits to every individual in the community? NO, only those they hope to convert or to
sell magazines to. They could not care less about humanity. They will not help anyone who doesn't
study with them. Their education program encourages them not to think for themselves and to skip
reading anything they don't print and to get a basic education without higher learning.
Strict Adherence to the Bible
...."The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture."
Their Bible is a warped translation. It takes an elaborate system to balance their beliefs.
Who Is Their Leader?
...They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. The Encyclopedia of Religion aptly states about Jehovah’s Witnesses: "A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited."
Well, California rejected their attempt to have clergy-liaty distinction when it comes to
privileged information to their clergy. The distinctive titles exist but are not used with the
names. Don't they always announce the speakers at the DC as "an elder with the XYZ
congregation" now or "an elder and pioneer with" that congregation?
To avoid saying they have A LEADER, they have a group of leaders. How is that better?
