@pale.emperor
Sexist? Again, many religions and a male only clergy etc. and have their reasons.
It isn't just the clergy aspect, that is only part of it, the entire JW society is patriarchal.
It also depends on how you define sexist.
Let's assume for now you are a man.
Please imagine: You are told that you cannot carry a microphone, lead a group in field service, give a public talk, or conduct a Bible study with a JW woman present unless you wear a head covering. If there are no hats available nearby, a towel or napkin placed on your head will suffice.
You cannot make any decisions on how a congregation is ran, how serious incidents of sin are dealt with, how child abuse is dealt with... You must follow the orders of women, you can have no position of responsibility whatsoever.
It doesn't matter how competent, intelligent or reliable you are compared to the sisters in the congregation, you are to do as you are directed by the women at all times.. during meetings and field service, as well as at home with your wife.
But don't worry, we will counsel your wife to not beat or mistreat you, and suggest that it would be a good idea to ask your opinion before making the final decision.
All because you are a man.
Do you think that would be sexist?...
By the way, 'other religions do it' is not much of a defence. See this link:
www.patheos.com/blogs/scienceonreligion/2012/03/180/
Let me guess what you might reply... The Bible says the man is the head of the woman, right?
Who wrote the Bible? Men. Men who lived in a patriarchal society.
Claiming sexism is okay if it is a command in the Bible, or that it's not discrimination if it is something sanctioned within the Bible, is pretty slippery ground to walk on.. Especially when slavery, and rape victims being sold to their rapists, was also an acceptable way to treat people during that time period.
If you are not allowed to do something, purely because of your gender and nothing else, that is discrimination.
www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/quotes/women-submission.php
Homophobic? It certainly calls homosexuality a sin, but then so do many other religions.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that homosexuality is an abhorrent act and a perversion.
www.religioustolerance.org/hom_jeh.htm
www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/quotes/homosexuality.php
Is that hateful? What do you think?...
I think that whether they promote hate fuelled against homosexual people, or express hatred of homosexual people, is irrelevant. It is avoiding the issue.
Young homosexual people grow up in this religion being taught that their natural feelings are unnatural and obscene, and that if they act on them, God will judge them and destroy them at Armageddon. They are told repeatedly that God hates the practicing of homosexuality.
This teaching may extend to many other religions, but that is because the Bible itself promotes discrimination against people who are homosexual.
Arguing over the exact meaning of homophobia and whether JW's hate homosexuals is pointless. (Many people use the word 'homophobic' interchangeably with 'anti-homosexuality')
Their teachings express God's hatred of it. Their children are taught it is a vile sin:
"All unrepentant homosexuals must die, to cleanse the earth. And we can't wait until that happens... But it's okay, because it will be God doing the killing, not us. So, that isn't technically homophobic (!)."
There's a homosexual baptized member in my hall and he's treated the same as everyone else.
That is only because he is not acting on his natural feelings.
Try considering things from the other side of the fence.
www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/gay-jw-hardship.php
www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/m0nk3y.php
