When did the watchtower become a cult? (page 2)

Elsewhere

The instant they claimed to be gawd's channel of communication.

Thanks for the links matty, I must have missed that one! I liked the analogy with animal farm, starting out with the best of intentions but getting messed up along the way. I don't think it was always a cult, because at first it was just a religous newspaper.

And spice asked an interesting question on the end of her post, did this all just happen as a natural developement, or do you think someone was manouvering the situation?

heathen

Gerard--- Just because some religion has been around longer and has more members because they tell people they want to hear , does not exclude them from being a cult . The catholic church is the biggest cult on the planet . I think people just like to make their own meaning of the word . The word was really thought up by a church that wanted to defame other religions as heretics when in fact they were only using mind control themselves .

czarofmischief

They believe that either Jesus Christ is not diety and lower Him to the level of man or they raise man to the level of Christ.

I'm sorry, what? A cult refuses to believe that a possibly non-existent individual was NOT God? Sorry, biased source, try again.

JESUS WAS NOT GOD! Am I a cult of one?

CZAR

willyloman

About two months ago, for me.

stillajwexelder

I would argue it reached Cult Status when it truly became "organizationally minded". Now I know that Rutherford was a prick of the highest order, but the "organization" mentality really took off during Knorr tenure with Freddie the power behind the throne -- so 1942 onwards

ScoobySnax

I know its a cliche, but JWs only become a cult to those outside of the group. The very word "CULT" has so many connatations, and mostly them being negative. Its heard rarely from mainstream media, and increasingly less so thesedays, the preferred buzz word is "Sect" as in the "JW sect" The only times I hear of the JWs being called a cult is on the internet, it has sort of Branch Davidians word appeal to it, and that rings alot of peoples bells, usually though only for those who are ex or opposed. The same applies for other minority faiths. I think on a personal note its unfair. But then I'm me.

Scoob

jgnat

From www.cultfaq.org

It should be noted that a primary reason why the term "cult" has taken on a negative image is the behavior of various groups identified as "cults." Mass murder and/or suicide (e.g. the Peoples Temple, Solar Temple, Branch Davidians, and Heaven's Gate), collection of weapons (e.g. Church Universal and Triumphant), murder (e.g. the murders and gas attacks committed by Aum Shinrikyo), unethical behavior (such as the hate and harassments activities promoted and committed by the Scientology organization), coercive tactics such as those known as "brainwashing" (for which the Unification Church, among others, became known), etcetera, all have contributed to the negative image the term "cult" conveys.

Amazing

It became a cult the minute C. T. Russell started wearing a toga, fondling Rose Ball, and thinking he had the answers to everything.

Euphemism

ScoobySnax... I agree with you that the term 'cult' is sometimes thrown about pejoratively. And I also agree that it's wise for the media to avoid using the term in cases that are not clear-cut.

However, I think that the term is used here in its meaning of 'high-control religion'. Specifically, a cult is a religion that tries to take over its members' identity and will and replace them with those of the cult.

I do agree with this point here, however, from the same site linked to by jgnat:

Given the fact that there's currently no universal definition of a cult, it seems best to ask one simple question whenever someone talks about cults: "Just what do you mean by the term 'cult'?" You may not agree with the way the person uses the term, but at least you'll know where he or she is coming from.

You may also want to ask yourself the same question before referring to any group as a cult. It may not be such as bad idea to begin by explaining what you mean by the term "cult" in order to avoid any potential misunderstanding. You never know. All the while you're talking about cults, the person listening may have a different concept altogether.

When did the watchtower become a cult?