Posts by Richard C B

posted

225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

one sentance or two the point is the same. If you know about fishing it can be a very lucrative business even back then so i read between the lines.
As for an agenda ill be honest with you im at a loss as to what to think. im just trying to process as much info as i can. I would rather not expose my true feelings on this but lets just say im having some difficulties.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@viviane i supose this is just a platform for attack then not to be reasonable.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@cofty you cant summarize the life of Jesus in 2 sentences. A bit harsh. Im sure when Jesus filled there nets with fish the families had enough money while they where away preaching
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@stuffwyt peace to you also
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@stuffwyt,, ok ill try to make my point more clearer for you, but firstly i dont know enough about the GB to make an educated opinion so i will have to put that to one side.
The point when applied to an organised religion is ppl misinterpret what they are taught and put themselves under inmence pressure which could lead one to become depressed etc. which I agree is dangerous. hence the misinterpretation of the religion upon leaving the religion the weight of oppression they have put on themslves is gradually removed and they become more balanced in there life on later reflection they then start to resent there time in the religion and believe they where mentally conditioned which caused them harm thus they believe it to be a cult.
so my point is that it is sometimes self inflicted
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@stuffwif, I think what im trying to say is many have misinterpreted the religion which has caused them harm. Because they are meant to be educated by the bible and that conflicts with a cultlike mind control. No one here could say jesus was a charismatic cult leader if they studied his life. That is the contradiction
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@oneeyedjoe about the wife beater example i used, it would be someone that is not looking for help just on learning the bible, say like a spiritual awakening, that would be his only motive. This would be a positive outcome for him and his family. so what im saying is that not everyone feels its detrimental to them. yes its not all black and white thats why i used that example and im sure that is a senario that has benefited many families. Im trying to be balanced joe, its easy to jump on the band wagon and look at everything from a biased negative point of view im expressing independent thought. I THOUGHT THATS WHAT YOU GUYS WHERE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE HERE but i feel like im being slammed for this.
@stuffwhatifink I dont think you have read my earlier posts, ive explained wht i meant by that
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@one the wayout,, Thanks for your post very well summarized. I get what your saying as many who follow the Watchtower put themselves under immense pressure and try to be perfect 24-7. This is impossible to achieve and can cause depression and other forms of anguish. And really that brings me to my initial findings and theories regarding it being considered or applied to cult or cultlike qualities. But I am still of the opinion that a person would actually bring this on themselves down to false interpretation of the religion they follow. Because it clearly states in one of Jesus teachings that one is not under pressure to achieve the impossible as the example of the widow who contributed 2 small coins as a temple gift. Yes i understand why some are stating the dangers but do you not think these are sometimes self inflicted?
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

@cofty your out of line there calling me a waste of time ive just accepted joe had a strong argument he put forward. ive said in an earlier post your posts where valued to me and you had some good arguments also.
@bonsai,, yes its ok we may have had our wires crossed i am trying to process the different point of view and you input is valued to me also.
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
what is a cult and what is a religion?

its open to debate.

who has the authority to say for certain what is a cult and what is a religion?
Richard C B

yes just seen your new post,, point taken about the charismatic leader arguement. You have a strong arguement there Joe.