How do you categorise the Society - Cult or High control religion

by UnshackleTheChains 49 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  slimboyfat

  In sociological terms JWs are often described as an "established sect". I think that description has merit. From a psychological perspective the term "high control group" might have merit too. I don't have much use for the term "cult", as it tends to be either a lazy media pejorative, or a term used by the state to suppress groups they don't like.
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  Phizzy

  If you use the Term "Cult" to a JW about their religion you will get in to a pointless discussion about the definition of the word. it also seems to confuse non JW's too.

  If you say it is a "High Control, Mind Control Group" they cannot really argue.
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  nonjwspouse

  The word cult has socially taken on a "politically incorrect" meaning. Like dumb , which originally meant unable to speak, and is also used to describe a stupid person in a derogatory way.Or queer, which originally meant odd, but has taken on a derogatory meaning of describing a gay person.

  Cult took on a politically incorrect way to describe a high mind control group. It doesn't change the fact the JW's religion/ WTBTS organization is indeed a cult by any definition of the word.
  
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  TheFadingAlbatros

  I prefer the following categorization: " Highly Luminous Organization ".

  
  
  
• 

  JWdaughter

  High control religion, colloquially known as a cult.

  Or highly ludicrous religion😆
• 

  tepidpoultry

  Well they haven't brought out the Kool-aid yet

  On the other hand,

  How many have let their children die because their faith forbids some

  Medical treatments

  You know the Jim Jones people were probably not that stupid

  :0)
• 

  tepidpoultry

  Last statement did nor come out right

  I did not mean to imply that anyone was stupid

  I meant to say that probably the people that committed mass suicide in

  Guyana

  were smart enough,

  But that did not prevent them from doing very harmful "faith inspired "

  things

  :0)
• 

  LisaRose

  If it walks like a duck.......

  CULT
• 

  never a jw

  There's no difference, cult or high control organization. One maybe slightly more euphemistic, but they mean the same thing. Same can be said of "God's prophet" and "God's mouthpiece". Same shit.
  
• 

  Finkelstein

  Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

  1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
  2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
  3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
  4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
  5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
  6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
  7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
  8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
  9. The group/leader is always right.
  10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

  Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.

  1. Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
  2. Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
  3. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
  4. Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
  5. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
  6. Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supersede any personal goals or individual interests.
  7. A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
  8. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
  9. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
  10. Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.