by Think About It 184 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
On page 202 in the Reasoning Book
They describe a cult as being:
1) Unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual
If you disagree with their teachings you will be shunned
2) Many cults follow a human leader
Whether it's one man or a group of men it can be a cult
3) often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society
JW's teach the mindset of being separate from the world and forbid outside association unless it's to preach.
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When did I realize the JW's are a cult? When I took the time to educate myself about what cults are and how they work. It's that simple. To any lurkers out there still doubtful that JW’s are a cult, all I can say is look into the claims. Read about cults, psychology, the power of group conformity and then see if any of the warning signs of a cult can be applied to the JW’s. The quote below always gets me emotional, in particular the part about the pain that is felt by leaving a cult.
“When our own thoughts are forbidden, when our questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts and friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused for an end that never justifies its means. When our heart aches knowing we have made friendships that will be forever forbidden if we leave, we are in danger. When we consider staying in a group because we cannot bear the loss, disappointment and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we have come to love, we are in a cult.”
Deborah Layton- Jonestown Survivor
Steven Hansons book and learning to think! When you think of what a "cult" is when the light comes on you just can't ignore that it is a CULT! good people- well some of them- but those good people are IN A CULT
miseryloveselders said:
but I still hesitate to call it a cult. Call it my upbringing or background, but I just can't call it that.
When I first stopped going to meetings in 2007 I felt the same way but by 2009 I can now freely refer to the WTBTS as a CULT.
IT IS A CULT!
LD
To me it was at a DC when we were told to follow the Faith Full slave no matter what. Even if we disagree or do not understand we are still to follow them no questions asked. That is when I turned to my husband and said this is a cult.
I didn't like it when I was "in." I'd squirm and count the minutes until the end of each meeting. I left because I held different goals. This was mid-1980s.
I didn't think at all about the WTS for many years.
I found out about the changing Generation teaching in 2003, that it was no longer the "Generation of 1914". The person explaining it to me was a JW, and explained the two different changes that occured since the mid-80s. I was in disbelief that a core teaching could change. I laughed at the person who was trying to convert me back. I kept saying, "I can't believe the GEneration teaching was WRONG." At this point, I was aware of 1975 . . . but not of the previous failed predictions. I pretty much thought the WTS was full of shit, but not a cult.
In 2004, I started uncovering false statements in the literature and seeing the sociological control of the group. I read a few things about cults, but it was sinking in about 1 inch into my brain that the JWs might be a cult.
In 2005, I learned of this site and others, and started to read cult psychology books.
Now, I've read other materials about other cults, and see how much they all work the same. Today, in my heart and mind I know that the Watchtower is a cult.
************************It was a slow process for me to realize that it was a cult, perhaps because I wasn't "in it" every day and at every convention like others. Perhaps because I was raised in it, and had not other reference point from which to develop an opinion of what was "normal religion" verses a cult.********************************
I realized it when I read chapter 3 of the KS 2010.. and learned that elders are not allowed to step down
God's sole channel on earth claim. Blood fractions, but no blood transfusions. WT bedroom laws. Shunning. Having to turn in time tickets. 1975. Organization translated member bible. Cover up pedophilia to protect the organization. All these things scream cult, cult, cult. Have you anymore to add to the list?
Think About It
Oh, and hell if the new KS book isn't set up in chapter and vers formatt LIKE THE BIBLE!!!!!!!!! this is NOT a random happining people!!! it will be refered to JUST LIKE A BIBLE!!!! CULT ALERT!!!!!!
EE... "elders are not allowed to step down"...
Can you elaborate? Is this new?
