My hats off to Richard for helping us to clarify, quantify and understand what a cult is. We have seen a classic textbook case of cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias from our friend Richard who didn't want to look at the facts that we kindly put before him on a silver platter. People like Richard deserve to be in a cult. They have to learn the hard way. Sometimes you can't convince someone that the fire is hot. They have to touch it and be blistered by it in order to understand. Oh well, at least other lurkers can benefit from the "resonings" (sic) on this thread.
Bonsai
JoinedPosts by Bonsai
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225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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65
Introducing...ME
by Heartsafire inlong time lurker here.
i'm a fifth gen born-in baptized jw.
to say i've been struggling with doubts is an understatement.
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Bonsai
Welcome Heartsafire. Sorry you're in such a tough situation. Hopefully you can blow off stress and join our rantathons on here. Looking forward to reading your opinions on stuff.
Bonsai
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225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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Bonsai
Sorry for being defensive Richard. I guess we'll just have to agree that we see things differently. I wish the religion was harmless. There are positive sides to most things. I'm sure Jim Jones brought comfort to many people. Too bad 304 people had to die, though. -
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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Bonsai
You really know nothing about JW's do you? Charismatic figures? I can give you three off the top of my head: Charles Taze Russell, "Judge" Rutherford and our personal favorite, Freddy Franz. It's really hard to take seriously someone who doesn't know what a BOE is or that the religion was dominated by charismatic figures for most of its history. Try again. -
225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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Bonsai
I'm not sure you know what your point is. Do more research and you'll come around. Are you aware of the common understood definition of what a cult is?
Merriam Webster Dictionary: a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous.
Pretty simple and straightforward in my mind. Is it dangerous? Is it extreme? You can answer those questions for yourself without someone on here filling in the gaps for you.
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225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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Bonsai
but it says in the new testament to abstain from blood and laws where giving to Noah after the flood on proper use of blood.
So what? If I write a law that i conceive on a piece of toilet paper, and it survives 2,000 years, does that make it legally binding in the future? Just because someone wrote it doesn't make it right or relevant or legally binding to modern society. The laws on blood were written for a desert tribe that has been extinct for 2,000 years. And, not to get off track, but you have researched that a global flood is indeed impossible right?
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225
Cult or Religion
by Richard C B inwhat 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?
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Bonsai
My "religion" taught me to deny my loved ones medical treatment that may save their lives. I refused to sign papers that gave doctors permission to perform a blood transfusion in the event it was necessary during child birth. As a result, I was denied the use of hospitals during a time when my wife was in dire straits for medical care and could have died at anytime. I was happy at the time to do whatever was in my power to deny them life. I'd say that makes me a member of a cult. I would sacrifice the life of the visible to satisfy the whims of the invisible. If JWism isn't a cult, then goddamn, I don't know what is. -
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My Mother Died Two Weeks Ago
by Perry innone of my jehovah's witness relatives called to tell me or my family.
just found out this morning.
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Bonsai
I'm sorry for your loss Perry. They really know how to strike below the belt don't they? Cowards. -
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Bartender - Update 3
by Garrett insorry for long delay for update.. short story shorter - walked in way too late, she walked by, didn't say hi, i didn't say hi, she left to work, i left the bar.
4 friends got into a huge fight and were kicked out.
now i'll be going there alone.. to be honest, though, i think i'm just gonna pass on relationships all together.
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Bonsai
Could you post the whole story on this thread for those of us who have no idea what the hell you are talking about? Thanks. Love bar brawl stories. -
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Just recovering from a 'Mormon Mind Melt' ...
by LoveUniHateExams ini was in town centre about an hour ago to buy a shirt and tie for an upcoming job interview when i was stopped by a youngish, clean cut american young man (20-ish) in a cheap suit.
my heart sank as i thought it was local jws.
to my slight relief, it was mormons!
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Bonsai
Good review of Mormons Fisherman! Now it's time to remove that blind spot and start examining your own religion.