Greyeyes,
Jgnat provided some proofs to start, (thanksJgnat I only just logged on again)
Then, who is the most oppressed religious group? I remember being at Bethel, and remembering the constant reports at morning worship about the brothers in Greece, Different African countries, etc that were under constant percecution. So that was false? Show me proof.
Here are some more
1998 IDOP evaluation of persecution of Christians:
The IDOP estimates that about 200 million Christians around the world face actual persecution, and another 350 million face discrimination and restrictions. Their web site cites a number of countries as particular offenders:
China: The two state-sanctioned churches (Catholic Patriotic Assoc., Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement) are tightly controlled by the Religious Affairs Bureau of the Chinese government. Members of unregistered house churches are being prosecuted. Hundreds of Chinese Christians are in "re-education through labor" camps. Egypt: Attacks by Muslim fundamentalists against Coptic Christian are common and not being effectively countered by the government. The government restricts expansion and even repair of Christian facilities by withholding building permits. Iran: To convert from Islam to another faith is a criminal offense in this country. Christians are routinely threatened, arrested, imprisoned and tortured because of their faith. Nigeria: This is a religiously divided country; Christians are mainly located in the south; the north is largely Muslim. The government appears to be conducting a campaign to eradicate all evidence of Christianity in the northern part of the country. Church burning is common. North Korea: The entire country is suffering from a devastating famine; starvation and near starvation is common. Christians are persecuted and imprisoned. Pakistan: Christians have been the target of trumped up charges of blasphemy. They are often the target of mobs and fundamentalist Muslims. A high court judge who had the courage to acquit Christians in a blasphemy case was assassinated. Saudi Arabia: All Christian worship is forbidden in the country - even within the U.S. embassy. Saudi Muslim citizens who convert to Christianity are subject to the death penalty. Sudan: This country probably has the worse human rights record in the world. It is another religiously divided country, with many Muslims in the north and many Christians in the south. Horrendous civil rights violations are conducted against the Christians. Crucifixion and slavery have been reported from reliable sources. Vietnam: The government requires all religious groups to register. But since the civil war ended in the mid 1970's, no Protestant group has been granted official recognition. The government rigidly controls the Catholic church by reductions in the numbers of seminary entrants, restricting the number of ordinations, etc.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_pers.htm
and
The Baha'i are possibly the most persecuted religious group in the world http://www.ishr.org/activities/religiousfreedom/fundamentalright.htmAnd why, may I ask, are you restricting the "persecuted" groups to Christian groups? What about Jews? What about other religious groups who have been persecuted? .
Please show me another Christian group, that as a whole, dont fight in wars or assist in any way.
So we're still on Christian groups? http://www.episcopalchurch.org/50917_51107_ENG_Print.html and http://www.homelandministries.org/CO/
http://www.episcopalpeacefellowship.org/3-Activities/CO.htm
Not to get bombarded with all thereasons people feel that JW's are the Anti-Christ.
MMM very interesting. Did anyone say that?
I've in my travels, and searches,still never found a group of people that were more devoted to bible standards (even if they are flawed) but still normal people as I have with the JWs.
With respect, if you think that JWs are "normal people" then you're still under the influence of their indoctrination. I have met lots of people more well versed in the bible and who have more faith and more respect than JWs. Despite the JW drivel, not all other Christians are led by "satan".
I personally dont feel that they are a Cult. A cult to me are folks that want to off themselves to catch a comet to another planet. Or Drink Kool-aid for a mass suicide. Or the leader of the group marrying every female 12 and up in the bunch. To me JW's are just devout. I dont consider the Amish a cult. They Isolate themselves fromt he world. Refuse technology to a large degree. But no one talks abotu them being a cult. So explain to me why JW's are? Because they hold strick to the Bible? ANd let face facts. Even if they did change some things around. The basics hold true. Love you neighbor, dont get drunk, dont have sex outside of marrige, dont lie, dont cheat, dont steal, dont gamble, dont kill, dont partake of blood. Whats so hard about that? How is sticking to those principles make you a cult? Just becuase other Christian based faiths are lax about it? Again, not trying to debate, just want to know why so many of you hate them so much.....
Some EXJWs don't think they're a cult. I do.
From http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult my comments in RED
Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics:
1.
It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members JWs do this with their methods of study with new recruits, then by using fear to retain members (fear of armageddon, fear of shunning by friends and family)
2.
It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (Society...interesting word. They have their own community who are elitist)
3.
Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. MMM Charles Taze Russell. Not accountable because OH YES there is new light! Now the Governing body have taken his place as the man-made ruler of the JWs "society"
4.
It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds / recruit people. Dragging children out knocking on doors, having no career so you can knock on doors more, having less education so you can knock on doors more, change your doctrines to the detriment of the JW rank and file so that you can recruit better.... etc.
5.
Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. Millions tied up in property, Gov body members private flights, blah blah blah
From http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult my comments in RED
Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics:
1. | It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members JWs do this with their methods of study with new recruits, then by using fear to retain members (fear of armageddon, fear of shunning by friends and family) |
2. | It forms an elitist totalitarian society. (Society...interesting word. They have their own community who are elitist) |
3. | Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. MMM Charles Taze Russell. Not accountable because OH YES there is new light! Now the Governing body have taken his place as the man-made ruler of the JWs "society" |
4. | It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds / recruit people. Dragging children out knocking on doors, having no career so you can knock on doors more, having less education so you can knock on doors more, change your doctrines to the detriment of the JW rank and file so that you can recruit better.... etc. |
5. | Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. Millions tied up in property, Gov body members private flights, blah blah blah |
Check out the rest of that cult evaluation site, it might just open your eyes.
I just spent 10 minutes and found all that!
Sirona