I’m sure the question has been brought up before on this board and I imagine that for many of us the answer is patent. However, I recently saw a documentary on PBS regarding the Mormons and it stated categorically that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not a cult. Given that it has its own set of strangeness and history of revision as has the WTBTS, could it also (the JW) be considered a “main stream”, although minor religion?
To make a determination, I looked around a bit and found that “cult” carries varying degrees of cargo. Originally it simply meant a system of ritualistic practices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult). The negative connotation is an affectation of the 20th century. This has led to diverging characterizations between religious studies academics and sociologists. For the former, there is no dark meaning and the practicing group is simply another new religion. For the latter, given the “recent” historical perspective beginning in the 70’s (The Moonies, Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate, etc), the “weirdness” factor is quite relevant in its classification.
However, if weirdness alone is the determining characteristic of a cult, the Catholic Church could be considered a cult, given some of their strange rituals and beliefs. Does tenancy or how long it’s been around factor into how we classify a religious group? It’s obvious that from a political perspective, the JWs are not considered a cult and are accorded the same rights as any other major religion. I don’t think this would have been the case with the Heaven’s Gate people, for example. Nevertheless, some sociologists will identify certain behavior (the negative aspects) with a “cult” label for a group. These are somewhat different from behaviors that characterize secular cults, such as The Flat Earth Society (http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/) (talk about weird!) For religious groups, it’s the damaging effects that stand out, such as: Intolerance to dissent, strict top-down rule without questioning, elite-ism by having a special class or group within, promoting an us-vs-them mentality (in order to isolate), bringing shame to those who stray, obsession with recruiting new members, etc. (http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm). There are other traits, but I particularly mentioned those that I feel are associated with the JWs. In my mind, it’s important to know who or what it is that I fight about. So, I wondered if we have a more informed understanding of what it is to be a cult, maybe we could simply say that some groups have cult-like practices (given the sociological definitions) or that whatever they are and however unacceptable, such and such is the outcome of what they do (as we might well say about the United States Congress). I suppose that some individuals want to ascribe to the JWs and other groups like them the same stigma as they ascribe to use by calling us apostates (a term that carries a lot of negative connotation). I have been one of those. But, does that work and does any of this discussion change anyone’s mind just slightly? I'm curious.
Etude.
Is the Jehovahs Witnesses organization really a cult?
by Etude 56 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Etude
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gubberningbody
The 'C' word is the 'N' word to some in the same way as the 'R' word has become to others.
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minimus
I used to hate hearing the C word but it's the most accurate word for JWs.
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cantleave
Stephen Hassan's books define cults quite clearly and JW's display many of the characteristics he describes.
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sabastious
a RESOUNDING yes.
They fit under virtually every category to a tee.
-Sab
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sabastious
The Catholic church IS a cult. Just not as bad as Witnesses, they have a lot less control over the minds of their members.
-Sab
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BackRoomBilly
How is the catholic church a cult?
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jookbeard
for those in any doubt yes the WTS is a fully paid up member of religious organizations that are abusive and deceptive ,the sad thing is that the word CULT is a word that belongs to them, but a word that is far more extreme and worse should be used.
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Champion
ABSOULUTELY!!!!!!
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leavingwt
Is the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization really a cult?
Do they still encourage people to refuse modern, lifesaving medical treatment? Yes?
OK, then they're murderers. Non-cult murderers.