an exhaustive study has been done on the behavior of cult groups - in several books about "cults", they enumerated 21 major points where you can identify the traits of a cult-like organization.
bear in mind that the authors did not target jehovah's witnesses as a specific group at all, which made it all the more frightening!
but this dissertation generalized all cult-groups existing in the world.... 1. control-oriented, arrogantly assertive, power-posturing leadership.. 2. authoritarian and legalistic with dictatorial, dogmatic doctrines that are proclaimed to be "the truth".. 3. claims of being the channel of communication between god and humankind; having unique knowledge that makes them special.
Another Good Book that has made it out here to Lil' Ole New Zealand is Healing Spiritual Abuse By Ken Blue. (Published by Intervarsity Press) ISBN 0-8308-1660-7. Aimed mainly at the Lealalistic "Bible based" Pentecostals.
One other Trait common in these churches, ((Though not found in the wittnesses) is a very revetitive, Hypnotic beat to the Music - like African Drums.
Nice Post Ritchie. Know all they are like that in New Zealand to!
the memorial last night was nothing new.
the routine never changes.
two congregations joined together for the night in one building.
I have chosen to simply fade away, Memorial always bored me.
Prior to being Baptised I spent 20 years in Christendom. Only 1 Possibly 2 groupings (Roman Catholic and Anglican) use bread as the elders describe. EVERY other uses plain bread! = another Lie
one of my brothers in an elder in his congregation and the other is a co. they have both told me that they don't beieve that jehovah's witnesses have the truth and they are aware of the hypocrisy in the organization but they don't care.
they will never renounce their membership in this organization.
when asked why they say that they love the adulation given to them by the brothers.. the are always the first to be invited to the homes of the friends, they are sought out for advise and it makes them feel like big, important men.. the truth is that this organizaation does serve a purpose for some people.
All this is not new. Read Matthew 23.
The teachers of the law and The Pharasee's sit in Moses seat so you must obey them and do everything they tell you....for they do not practice what they preach! They tie up heave loads and tie them on mens shoulders but they them selves are not willing to lift a finger to move them
Woe to you (the pharisees) the teachers of the law, you shut the kingdom of heaven in mens faces
v 15 - You Hypocrites...
Etc etc, I wonder if Jesus was being Prophetic about our Elders, or they model them selves on the 1st centuary Pharasee's
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/singlewitnesses.
let the hilarity ensue... i've already started over there, i think you should too.. slipnslidemaster:"and now about the cauldron sing, like elves and fairies in a ring, enchanting all that you put in.".
- william shakespeare, macbeth
Heard it was run by the Society as a method of screwing a bit more out of the sheep!
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/singlewitnesses.
let the hilarity ensue... i've already started over there, i think you should too.. slipnslidemaster:"and now about the cauldron sing, like elves and fairies in a ring, enchanting all that you put in.".
- william shakespeare, macbeth
Is this the one at jwmatch.com? Costs about US$100 pa. did a post as a not very elligable male to see what happens. 10 replies, world wide. All bemoaning the way the Society treats them as shit. If you even think of looking at a member of the opposite sex you are bailed up by the elders and threatened with disfellowshipping! They seem to leave me alone but pick on the ladies, is this because they are so short of men or can make ladies cry more easily, boosts their ego!!
