from historical record of other cults, how do the majority of them end?.
is it usually with great fanfare?
(like jonestown).
The Kool Aid Cults like the Jones one and the Heaven's Gate one, obviously drink too many sweets to stay healthy.
Actually Jones still has followers who went underground.
Heaven's Gate's website is still active, so someone is keeping it alive - http://www.heavensgate.com/
i recently came across this bible student forum about evolution: http://www.biblestudents.net/forum/index.php?board=58.0.
for those who don't know, the bible students are the result off a schism sometime before 1930 that broke the religion into two parts.. after reading that forum i'm pretty sure that they're just jw's without the governing body.. .
so what's your opinion of them?.
Are there any Bible Students in Scotland? - slimboyfat
They all died out. We've had some interest the past few years from former JW's, but I personally don't know what came of them. The DAWN might know.
RR
i recently came across this bible student forum about evolution: http://www.biblestudents.net/forum/index.php?board=58.0.
for those who don't know, the bible students are the result off a schism sometime before 1930 that broke the religion into two parts.. after reading that forum i'm pretty sure that they're just jw's without the governing body.. .
so what's your opinion of them?.
I think the most unique feature is their greatest downfall. They remain frozen in time. Russells books were written for his time. To continue to derive belief from them is simply awkward.
One could say the same about the Bible,
RR
a Bible Student
how long does the society or christians say, "man has been on earth?
" according to the bible.. how long does scientist say, "man has existed on earth?
" which can be reasonably proven.. how does the neanderthals fit into the picture of the bible?.
Interestingly, chronology points to man (Adam and Eve) about 6 to 7,000 years. While Scvience claims man has been on earth for 10s of millions of years, they admit that "civilized" man has been on earth for about 6, 7 thousand years.
RR
from historical record of other cults, how do the majority of them end?.
is it usually with great fanfare?
(like jonestown).
It just seems to me that "cults" never really go away. When the founder(s) die, the organization moves forwards and progresses with changes. Often times splits occur, and the offshoots attempt to carry the torch of the founder outside of the organization he founded.
Since most cults believe they have the TRUTH, and believe that only a few make up the true church, growth is not an issue with them, as they believe they must decrease.
Christadelphians are splintered up into over a dozen schisms.
The Worldwide Church of God (Arnstrong) was never big to begin with (less than 100,000), they went mainstrean and lost about 80% of their followers, who splintered off into over 300 different groups, all claiming to pick up the torch of Armstrong. Just recently the original Church changes it's name from Worldwide COG to Grace Communion International.
The Mormons are the fastest growing religion today. They are splintered off into hundreds of smaller groups, today there are two main sects, the Church of Jesus Christ, and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ.
Even the Watchtower has splintered off. A few during Russell's time, a major split after his death, some during Rutherford's, and there continue to be some since 1931, continuing today.
Quite often, there are offshoots of offshoots of offshoots.
The only time a "cult" disappears completely is when someone is no longer able to pick up the torch and carry on. Even then there is always someone who has been influenced by them to continue another similiar group.
Sometimes a group dies off and a hundred years later someone finds his writings, accepts them and begins to restart the group.
RR
okay, someone explain this one to me:.
"the new bbc documentarybritney spears saved my lifeprofiles a bunch of wackjobs across the pond who put the razorblade down and said yes to life after listening to not a girl, not yet a woman.
ok, maybe its not that dramatic.. one fan was inspired to leave the jehovahs witnesses.
Okay, someone explain this one to me:
"The new BBC documentary Britney Spears Saved my Life profiles a bunch of wackjobs across the pond who put the razorblade down and said ‘yes’ to life after listening to “Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman.”
OK, maybe it’s not that dramatic.
One fan was inspired to leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Another, to battle her eating disorder."
The rest can be read here: http://www.longislandpress.com/2009/07/07/britney-spears-saved-my-life/
now that reexamine.org and watchtowerobserver aren't working, i'm wondering if someone has a zip of all the public talk outlines that they could post on sendspace or email to me?
if so please pm me and i will give my email address.. thanks.
Okay, but don't hold your breath, I do have a life
http://www.archive.org/details/1878heraldofthemorning.
http://www.archive.org/details/1879heraldofthemorning.
http://www.archive.org/details/1874-1876heraldofthemorning.
When I get home, I'll see if I can dig up the CD, I'm on vacation!
RR
howdy!.
every now and again, i get anxious.
to help with the anxiousness, i will unintentionally develop a habit.
nail biting, now there's a bad habit I have.
http://www.archive.org/details/1878heraldofthemorning.
http://www.archive.org/details/1879heraldofthemorning.
http://www.archive.org/details/1874-1876heraldofthemorning.
Actually, they have ALL been scanned.
