Cults

by darth frosty 24 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  OnTheWayOut

  ***

  w942/15pp.5-7AreJehovah’s WitnessesaCult?***

  Are

  Jehovah’sWitnesses a Cult?

  JESUS CHRIST was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive.—Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12.

  After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: ‘These men have overturned the inhabited earth.’ (Acts 17:6) On another occasion the apostle Paul and his companion Silas were taken to the authorities and charged with greatly disturbing the city of Philippi.—Acts 16:20.

  Paul was later accused of being a "pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth" and of trying "to profane the temple." (Acts 24:5, 6) The principal men of the Jews in Rome accurately described the situation of Jesus’ followers when they acknowledged: "For truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."—Acts 28:22.

  Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. The accusers were often prominent and respected members of the community, and this seems to have added weight to the allegations. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.

  What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?

  What

  theEvidenceShows

  A government official of the city of St. Petersburg, Russia, explained: "Jehovah’s Witnesses were presented to us as some kind of underground sect sitting in the darkness and slaughtering children and killing themselves." However, the people of Russia have recently become better acquainted with the true nature of the Witnesses. After working with Jehovah’s Witnesses in connection with an international convention, the same official observed: "Now I see normal, smiling people, even better than many people I know. They are peaceful and calm, and they love one another very much." He added: "I really do not understand why people tell such lies about them."

  Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Non-Witness author Julia Mitchell Corbett notes: "When they meet, usually more than once a week, in Kingdom Halls (their meeting sites are not called churches), most of their time is spent in Bible study and discussion." Their meeting places are clearly marked with a sign. The meetings are open, and the general public is invited to attend. Unannounced guests are more than welcome.

  The "Witnesses have earned the reputation of being honest, courteous, and industrious," adds Corbett in her book ReligioninAmerica. Many who are not Witnesses readily acknowledge that there is nothing freakish or bizarre about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their conduct does not clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior. TheNewEncyclopædiaBritannica accurately states that the Witnesses "insist upon a high moral code in personal conduct."

  The director of news and special projects for a television station in the United States wrote to Jehovah’s Witnesses in response to a biased report about the Witnesses on the TV news show 60Minutes. He said: "If more people lived the way your faith does, this nation wouldn’t be in the shape it is in. I am one newsman who knows that your organization is founded on love and a strong faith in the Creator. I want you to know that not all News people are as biased."

  A

  Well-KnownReligion

  Is it fair to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a small fringe religious group? In a sense, Jehovah’s Witnesses are few in number compared to some religions. However, recall what Jesus said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."—Matthew 7:13, 14.

  At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion.

  Outstanding is a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It declared that the Witnesses should enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and that they have the right to speak about their faith and teach it to others. This would hardly be the case if Jehovah’s Witnesses were known to use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members or if they used manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.

  Multitudes around the world are well acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? "No" would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  "Absorbed

  inHumanity"

  Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? "I do not belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses," wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: "It is obvious that they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God’s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it—they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity."

  And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.

  More important, they are engaged in an educational program that has no comparison. How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah’s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages! Clearly, Jehovah’s Witnesses are "absorbed in humanity."

  Strict

  AdherencetotheBible

  Admittedly, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are different from those provided by the churches. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the almighty God and that Jesus is his Son, not part of a triune deity. Their faith is anchored in the belief that God’s Kingdom alone can bring relief to suffering humanity. They warn people of the imminent destruction of this corrupt system of things. They preach about God’s promise of an earthly paradise for obedient mankind. They do not venerate the cross. They do not celebrate Christmas. They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire. They will not eat blood, nor will they accept blood transfusions. They abstain from involvement in politics and participation in warfare. Have you ever asked yourself why the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are so different?

  A Massachusetts newspaper, the DailyHampshireGazette, explains that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ "strict interpretation of the Bible forbids many activities others take for granted . . . , all in an effort to follow the example of first-century Christians and the word of the Bible." TheEncyclopediaofReligion agrees that "all that they believe is based on the Bible. They ‘proof text’ (that is, supply a biblical citation to support) almost every statement of faith, taking for granted the authority of the Bible, which entirely supplants tradition." The book ReligioninAmerica states: "The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture."

  Who

  Is TheirLeader?

  It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. TheEncyclopediaofReligion aptly states about Jehovah’s Witnesses: "A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited."

  They follow Jesus Christ as their Leader and as Head of the Christian congregation. It was Jesus who said: "Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ."—Matthew 23:8-12.

  It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. Admittedly, not everyone who was influenced by the false reports about Jesus and his disciples fell into the trap of slandering him. Some may simply have been misinformed. If you have questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their beliefs, why not get to know them better? The doors to their Kingdom Halls are wide open to all who seek truth.

  You can also benefit from their careful search for accurate Bible knowledge and learn how to worship God in harmony with Jesus’ words: "The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him."—John 4:23.

  There are many straw men in the article, and many misleading conclusions.

  Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. Unless those family members
  stop believing the BS of the WTS.
  
  Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
  
  And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others.
  "Isolate" means different things. They are too busy to waste time with "worldly" family, but they don't move to a compound, yet.

  Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Governing Body sessions and
  elder's meetings and judicial committees don't count. The things Bible students aren't told before baptism were available if they
  knew how to ask "What would happen if I quit? Have JW's ever made false prophecies?"

  Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have
  studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? "No" would doubtless be your frank response. They don't want you to ask former members, though.
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  nvrgnbk

  Thanks OTWO. After examining what the org. itself has to say on the matter, my viewpoint has changed somewhat.

  If they say they're not a cult, then they're not a cult. That's enough for me. I'm convinced.

  Nvr
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  nvrgnbk

  Great synopsis OTWO:

  And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others.
  "Isolate" means different things. They are too busy to waste time with "worldly" family, but they don't move to a compound, yet.

  I consider my parents somewhat reasonable and open-minded, all things considered. Yet, I have lost all contact with my extended family, none of whom are Witnesses. I wouldn't even know how to contact any of them.

  I asked my mother for my uncle's #(he left the org. many,many moons ago when he was a teenager) and she will not give it to me(she tells my brother, another ex-elder, that I'm a goner). I think it's laughable.

  Nvr
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  rebel8

  All of them don't live in a commune, but some of them do:
  
  *wt Farms
  *Bethels in many countries
  *There are places where jws purposely all live on the same street so as to not have to interact with non-jws.
  
  And some (many?) of them work in culty isolationist businesses. I can't even count how many jw-owned businesses there are here, who only hire jws and prefer to work nights and weekends so as to avoid contact with non-jws (for example, janitorial services that clean offices at night).
  
  As you said there are other ways of isolating. In college I wrote a paper about how jws use what I termed a "mental commune" to separate themselves. As a child I was taught we had to "meditate" constantly on "spiritual matters" so as not to let Satan take control of our idle minds. We were directed to do this by reading literature during lunch breaks and on the school bus, and whenever we found ourselves with free time to think, we were supposed to control our minds by thinking about "spiritual" stuff constantly. I tried it for a while; it was horrid but effective in keeping yourself oblivious and insulated from the universe around you.
  
  I remember when the Jonestown murders happened. Although I was a young teen I recall thinking how easily "normal" people can be pursuaded to believe things that aren't true and to take extreme action based on false beliefs. I secretly compared the wt to Jonestown.
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  *jeremiah*

  I also watched the History Channel program.

  What I found interesting is this:

  Many of the cults that they profiled thought that it was their job to begin armageddon.

  Charles Manson's cult- believed he had to start a race war and that would begin armageddon. Afterwards he would rule the nations.

  Aum Supreme Truth cult-(Japanese death cult) they released a deadly nerve agent in the Japanese subway systems inorder to frame the West. They wanted Japan to bomb the West and vice versa. They thought thought their actions would begin armageddon.

  The Branch Davidians- David Koresh believed he was the Lamb of God and had the power to open the seven seals,...thus beginning armageddon.

  The History Channel program didn't mention JW's,...but let's look at them:

  JW's- growing up,...i was told that when the JW's preached the "good news" to every single person on earth then armageddon would come.

  I guess this is old light now,...but when the last of the the 144,000 dies then the end will come.

  I don't know if this was rumor or not but,...the tract, The End of False Religion is Near, was supposed to bring about the beginning of the end.

  I'm sure there are many more that i'm leaving out, but the point is that the JW religion, too, believes that it is their job to begin armageddon.
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  *jeremiah*

  Another snippet I found interesting was when one of the interviewee's mentioned 'thought reform'.

  This is what wikipedia has to say about 'thought reform':

  In the book, Lifton outlines the "Eight Criteria for Thought Reform":

  Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

  Mystical Manipulation. There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.

  Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

  Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

  Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

  Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.

  Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

  Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also [1] .
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  rebel8

  "I don't know if this was rumor or not but,...the tract, The End of False Religion is Near, was supposed to bring about the beginning of the end."
  
  I have heard jws say that too.
  
  Isn't it funny how jws pretend that rumors don't matter? IMO when a big number of members (not even the majority, just many of them) believe something, it is a belief of their group, even if Mother Borg didn't put it in writing.
  
  They like to say 1975 wasn't a belief just because the wt never said it (well even that's debatable).
  
  It's also funny that they focus on aspects of familiar cults that don't apply to them, as if that somehow means they are not a cult. According to the dictionary, they are....but that's not the issue. The real issue is whether or not they are destructive.
  
  HOW TO DETERMINE IF A GROUP IS A DESTRUCTIVE CULT: http://www.factnet.org/rancho5.htm (very good article)
  
  
  http://jwinfo.8m.com/cult_comparison.htm
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Relying upon them for the answer to the question, "Are you a (dangerous mind-control) cult?"

  could be likened to asking a political candidate, "Isn't there a reason we shouldn't vote for you?"
  "If we put you in office, are you going to enact tax hikes or laws that we would object to?"
• 

  nvrgnbk

  Relying upon them for the answer to the question, "Are you a (dangerous mind-control) cult?"

  could be likened to asking a political candidate, "Isn't there a reason we shouldn't vote for you?"
  "If we put you in office, are you going to enact tax hikes or laws that we would object to?"

  Beautiful, OTWO. Well done.

  Nvr
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  darth frosty

  Thanx for all the input. I believe that the main thing that keeps the dubs from following the path of most cults, is the money. As terry wrote after the dynamic leaders were gone, in the form of russell and rutherford, the buisness aspect was set up to go on without a figure head. The money and prestige are so sweet, that those in the upper eschelons do not want to kill the goose laying the golden egg.