Question: "What's the difference between a cult. . . and my church, my service club, or, say, Alcoholics Anonymous?"
There are lots of differences, but the major difference is that of ultimate goal. Established religions and altruistic movements are focused outward--they attempt to better the lives of members and often, nonmembers. They make altruistic contributions. Cults serve their own purposes, which are the purposes of the cult leader; their energies are focused inward rather than outward (Singer, 1995). Also, religions and altruistic movements typically lack the distinguishing characteristics of overbearing authoritarian control, the use of deception in recruitment, the use of coercive influence techniques, and the replacement of one identity with another which would not have been freely chosen by the individual before joining the group (Hassan, 1990).
http://www.workingpsychology.com/cult.html
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Lies on the JW.org FAQ section
by EndofMysteries 32 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Gentledawn
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DATA-DOG
Question:
"Do you feel you are the only people that will be saved?"
No. Many millions who lived in centuries past and who weren’t Jehovah’s Witnesses will have an opportunity for salvation. The Bible explains that in God’s promised new world, “ there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. ” ( Acts 24:15 ) Additionally, many now living may yet begin to serve God [ BECOME JWs ], and they too will gain salvation. In any case, it’s not our job to judge who will or won’t be saved. That assignment rests squarely in Jesus’ hands.— John 5:22,27 .
Answer: YES. We really believe that any who do not become baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses have no scriptural hope of salvation. In actuality we should not be judging, but we do it anyway. We realize that giving a truthful answer would discourage many from becoming associated with Jehovah's Witnesses. We cannot afford that, so we give a convoluted answer. Oh yeah, we also believe that Jehovah is King and does the judging, but we can't say that on this website, so we say Jesus. We save the Jehovah talk for our meetings, where most of the public is not present.
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Gentledawn
If you miss attending meetings as a baptized member, they WILL begin to shun you. They (the elders) will tell anyone who wonders aloud about you to leave it to them to call on you. Don't call or go to your house.
How do I know? Because I was one of those "wonderers", who asked about a sis who was missing meetings after separating from her abusive husband. "Don't call or go to her house anymore. Leave it to the brothers to check on her", said the PO at the time. We were out in service when the conversation happened. Still strikes me as odd that a regular JW is not supposed to call on a person who is missing meetings. Only elders.
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wasblind
" Are Jehovah's Witnesses a sect or a cult ?
A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox. " ( Which breaks from convention and tradition )_____Reasoning from the Scriptures Book page 202
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" They do not look to any human, but rather Jesus Christ as thier leader."_____Reasoning from the scriptures book page 202
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Act 1:8 Jesus said " You will be witnesses of me "
" But then, in 1931, we embraced the truly distinctive name Jehovah's Witnesses. Author Chandler W. Sterling refers to this as " The greatest stroke of genius " on the part of J.F. Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society "_______Proclaimers of God's Kingdom Book page 151-152
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LOL " All of our teachings are based on the Bible , not on the writings of some religious leader in the United States."_____JW.ORG
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" Any food to which whole blood or even some blood fraction has been added should not be eaten ."____Reasoning from the Scriptures book page 71
" Is a transfusion really the same as eating blood ? " YES ______Reasoning from the Scriptures book page 73
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" As for the various fraction derived from those components___and products that contain such fractions, the Bible does not comment on these." ( Prohibition on fractions were Complements from the GB in The good ol' U.S.of A. )____August Awake 2006 pages 11-12
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" Do you feel you are the only people that will be saved ? " ____JW.ORG
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" Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe that thier religion is the only right one ?
The Bible does not agree with the modern view that there are many acceptable ways to worship God. " ( Join us or die )___Reasoning from the Scriptures Book page 203
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piztjw
And of course there is this one:
At these meetings, which are open to the public, we examine what the Bible says and how we can apply its teachings in our life.
The main picture shows them holding, not Bibles, but watchtower mags as they wait to parrot the writiing commitees provided "correct" answers. Only a few pre-ordered scriptures are read, and then only to try to make the point that the WT article is about. In many years I have never been at any JW meeting that actually and realistically examined THE BIBLE on it's own merit.
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Faithful Witness
Are You Christians?
Yes. We are Christians for the following reasons:We try to follow closely the teachings and behavior of Jesus Christ.—1 Peter 2:21.
We believe that Jesus is the key to salvation, that “ there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved. ”—Acts 4:12.
When people become Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are baptized in the name of Jesus.—Matthew 28:18, 19.
We offer our prayers in Jesus’ name.—John 15:16.
We believe that Jesus is the Head, or the one appointed to have authority, over every man.—1 Corinthians 11:3.
However, in a number of ways, we are different from other religious groups that are called Christian. For example, we believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, not part of a Trinity. (Mark 12:29) We do not believe that the soul is immortal, that there is any basis in Scripture for saying that God tortures people in an everlasting hell, or thatthose who take the lead in religious activities should have titles that elevate them above others.—Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 23:8-10.
I'm not so convinced about this "we follow Jesus" statement. Oh wait, it says "We try to..."
Also curious... aren't there different levels within the group? Bible student, unbaptized publisher, publisher, ministerial servant, elder, overseers of various levels, Governing Body... Some of those could definitely be considered titles. Do any of these titles elevate one man above another within the organization?
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bruh2012
"Those who were" baptised??? should it be those who ARE baptised ??? Amazing how one lose their"baptise-ness" when they get disfellowshipped or become inactive! Try finding that scriptural backup!
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wasblind
Stupidity at its finest
Jehovah's Witnesses
Definition : " The worldwide Christian society of people who actively bear witness regaurding Jehovah."_____Reasoning from the Scriptures Book page 199
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Why are Jehovah' Witnesses persecuted and spoken against ?
" Jesus told his disciples " You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name. " ( Mark 13:13 ) ____Reasoning from the Scriptures Book page 107
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If Someone Says_____
' Christians are supposed to be witnesses for Jesus not Jehovah '
You might reply :
" But here is something that may be a new thought to you.... Of whom was Jesus the " Faithful Witness " ? " _____Reasoning from the Scriptures book page 208
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LOL. they are not persecuted on account of Jesus name, it's because they are a cult run by false prophets
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KiddingMe
Who Was Your Founder?
The modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses began at the end of the 19th century. At that time, a small group of Bible students who lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States, began a systematic analysis of the Bible. They compared the doctrines taught by the churches with what the Bible really teaches. They began publishing what they learned in books, newspapers, and the journal that is now called The Watchtower—Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.
Among that group of sincere Bible students was a man named Charles Taze Russell. While Russell took the lead in the Bible education work at that time and was the first editor of The Watchtower, he was not the founder of a new religion. The goal of Russell and the other Bible Students, as the group was then known, was to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ and to follow the practices of the first-century Christian congregation. Since Jesus is the Founder of Christianity, we view him as the founder of our organization.—Colossians 1:18-20.
So it appears that the short answer is "Jesus Christ". But hold up, it actually says that Jesus is the founder of Christianity, so we view him as the founder of our organization. Therefore, does that mean that we can conclude that Jesus Christ is the founder of all religions based on Christianity ??
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Newly Enlightened
Shyla & I have been doing these on Youtube videos if anyone is interested in our humorous commentary on this BS!!!