It was hard enough to explain all this stuff (about birthdays, holidays, etc.) when we BELILEVED it. It's nearly impossible now. Therefore, I like this simple explanation. It saves a lot of time and it cuts to the chase.
"Because They're A Cult"........
by minimus 25 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
Sassy
I've argued with my bf on whether they are a cult.. he says they are controlling YES.. but he doesn't think they are a cult..
well to me they are ..
but no matter.. we sure missed out on a lot of good things for such stupid reasons.. when I look back now I can't believe I gave it all up w/o a thought of how ludicrous it was..
-
OHappyDay
My present thinking agrees with itsallgoodnow's, that "Jehovah's Witnesses are typical of disappointed millenarians still expecting the end of the world, desperately clinging to their beliefs despite a long history of failed prophecies." So much can be traced back to that.
But there is also the leaders' hubris of refusing to change, refusing to admit mistakes, and refusing go a more Christian route. It's like their heads are brick walls that cannot be breached with any sense or sympathy for the rank and file.
All the time pointing to Jesus' words, while refusing to heed them.
-
XQsThaiPoes
Yeah but in general cult followers are like metaphysical venture capitalist, and leaders cutting edge R&D firms. Every now and then the investment on both sides pays off. Imagine if you were an apostle, heck imagine if you were Jesus! Who?s laughing now *****? So who cares if it is a cult now it will die, isolate, or grow painfully into an actual ?religion?. BTW I think the watchtower is catching up to the depravity of its adherents I mean look at the article on ?sodomy?, a term they used to brandish around wildly, now people have no idea what married people ?should? do an effective don?t ask don?t tell for parties involved.
I think JWs are not a cult anymore IMO. Too many people! The "code of conduct" has been broken since the 90's for this generation of JWs. If they stopped DFing people the numbers would swell insanely. Sam Herd made a Joke at an assembly I remember well about how GB could make several changes if they wanted more money or members. He read off a laundry list of at least five of the top ten grievances against the WTS/JWs, but said if they did that they would just be another church (interesting psychology).
I think another thread was on about how fast you could get reinstated if you wanted to. I think people that use spiritual lay-away. Love the "cultishness" especially young women because they have no "privileges" to loose, and the statistical lack of young males(who flee the nest as soon as the get a job at Mcdonnald?s). They come in devote a few paltry years of their lives being a pioneer then leave for college (or a warm bed) **** around and drag a string of kids, boozer husband, or both into the hall 3 to 5 years later because "their lives were better as a witness so it must be the truth". Rinse Wash Repeat. You guys know what I am talking about.
SO if you say its a cult say its a cult for people that feel self denial, and subservience will balance out past or future transgressions, sort of like the Catholics used to be before they got all forgiving. They'll get a better idea, and you wont feel like they think you are a victim more like you grew up.
-
undercover
Depends on which definition of cult you use. In the strictest sense of the word, all religions are cults. Gangs and MC clubs are cults. Trekkies are a cult. But, most people think of Jim Jones, the Moonies and David Koresh when they think of cults. Using the strict definition, JWs are a cult, but going by how most people think of cults, then no, JWs are not a cult.
I've never called JWs a cult to anyone. I just tell people it was a strict, sectarian religion with weird beliefs that I grew up with and didn't question until much later. I do not defend them. I also do not try to drag them through the mud anymore than necessary. I state the facts and explain that I have moved on and do not follow their beliefs anymore, though I do have family and friends still involved with it.
-
zen nudist
while I was a JW, I took comfort from the fact that by most cult definitions used by psychologists and others, Jesus and his band of merry men were also a cult... most people refuse to see this. now as a non JW and non christian, I do not put blinders on just because Jesus was supposedly involved.
assuming Jesus was a real person [which I no longer do], he seems no different from any other cult leader....
he demanded absolute obediance, above all family and friends [luke 14:26]
he claimed that he was the ONE and ONLY way to GOD
he warned that anyone not wanting him as King would be killed [luke 19:27]
there was no middle ground, you were either one of his sheep [to be fleeced and slaughtered?] or a goat.
you were wheat or weeds....
-
kls
The one's that claim they are not a cult are in fact the classic cult. The more they have to explain they are not proves they are. MINI, you explained it for exactly what it is.
-
minimus
I can thank all of you here for reinforcing me with the view that JWS ARE a CULT!
-
kls
MINI, you are so welcome
-
Elsewhere
The one's that claim they are not a cult are in fact the classic cult. The more they have to explain they are not proves they are. MINI, you explained it for exactly what it is.
[Quack]
How many times do I [Quack] have to tell you [Quack] that I am NOT [Quack] a duck?!?!