Sunday, August 14 2022 Are Jehovah’s Witnesses part of a cult?

PJ54

Well-known member

Sunday, August 14 2022​

Make me know your ways, O Jehovah; teach me your paths.—Ps. 25:4.

What a student learns on a Bible study should appeal not just to his mind but also to his heart. Why? Our heart—which includes our desires, emotions, and feelings—motivates us to action. Jesus used logical reasoning that appealed to the mind. But people followed him because he also stirred their heart. (Luke 24:15, 27, 32) Your student needs to see Jehovah as a real Person, someone with whom he can develop a relationship, and to see Him as his Father, his God, and his Friend. (Ps. 25:5) During the Bible study, make our God’s personality come alive. (Ex. 34:5, 6; 1 Pet. 5:6, 7) Regardless of the topic you are discussing, focus attention on the kind of Person Jehovah is. Help the student to appreciate Jehovah’s beautiful qualities—his love, kindness, and compassion. Jesus said that “the greatest and first commandment” is to “love Jehovah your God.” (Matt. 22:37, 38) Try to instill deep love for God in your student’s heart. w20.10 10 ¶12
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses part of a cult? Part 1​

March 7th, 2013​


In recent years, especially since the advent of the Internet, the Watchtower Society has been increasingly cast as a secretive and dangerous cult. Various outreach groups have as their goal rescuing Jehovah’s Witnesses from the clutches of the Watchtower. Some of those who accuse Jehovah’s Witnesses of being members of a cult do so for the reason that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity. But that is simply ridiculous. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity because it’s not a biblical teaching. For example, the “Christian answers” website lists the Watchtower Society as the second most dangerous cult in America, supposedly because “they deny the essentials of Christian faith,” which is to say Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the Babylonish claptrap that churches consider to be Christian essentials.

However, other more credible sources of the same accusation come from ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, who claim to have “escaped.” These do not necessarily believe the Trinity either. But what is a cult? And are Jehovah’s Witnesses similar to the destructive cults such as Scientology or the infamous David Koresh or the Jonestown cult? To establish what is a cult I have referenced the criteria established, not by Trinitarians or ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, but by psychologists. An organization known as the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) describes itself as “a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups.” It has worked up a checklist that they describe as an analytic tool to help one discern the characteristics of an abusive cult. Over the course of the next two weeks I will consider one point each day. Here is the checklist
1)The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader (whether he is alive or dead) and regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

True Christians are “unquestioningly committed” to their leader, Jesus Christ. Although some suppose that Jesus died long ago and he no longer has any influence, Christians believe he is alive. The very fact that churches all over the world celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus could be construed as having a commitment to a dead leader. But why would anyone commit themselves to following Jesus?

When Jesus Christ was upon the earth he claimed to be the sole pathway to God, the very truth and the source of life for all humanity. And Jesus clearly state that those who do not obey him will not see life. Those are pretty bold claims that could be considered by some to be the ravings of a cult leader. In fact, the Jewish clergy said as much, claiming that Jesus was under the power of Beelzebub and that he was possessed by a demon and that he was misleading the people. So, the accusations that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a satanic cult and that they are out to deceive people is nothing new. Jesus even forewarned his followers to expect to be persecuted and maligned.

When Jesus began his ministry he invited people to become his followers. There are several recorded instances when Jesus said “Come, be my follower”; and many of those invited immediately dropped what they were doing and literally followed Jesus as he went through the countryside and villages preaching about the kingdom of God. In a short while those followers were convinced that he was the promised Messiah and they became zealous preachers too – completely committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Without question the apostle Paul was the most zealous first century Christian. When some in the Corinthian congregation questioned his authority as an apostle Paul replied and gave a summary of how his zeal for Christ brought upon him all manner of persecution. He recounted how he had been stoned, beaten, lashed with the whip, suffered shipwreck, thirst and hunger. And Paul made it clear that he was willing to die for Jesus Christ. Was Paul “excessively zealous” for Christ? Absolutely! In his letter to Titus Paul wrote that Jesus “gave himself for us that he might deliver us from every sort of lawlessness and cleanse for himself a people peculiarly his own, zealous for fine works.”

Like those original disciples Jehovah’s Witnesses take their message to the public. Wherever people are, in their homes, on the streets, in the marketplace, the Internet, wherever; Jehovah’s Witnesses endeavor to engage people in order to share with them the Bible’s message. Hundreds of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses have devoted their whole life to a public ministry, becoming pioneer ministers and missionaries. And all of Jehovah’s Witnesses, even young children whose parents are ministers, share in some form of the public ministry according to their circumstances. Even people with disabilities. For example, it is not at all uncommon for hearing-impaired persons or those bound to a wheelchair to engage in some form of preaching. Those who may be housebound may use the telephone or write letters as an expression of their ministry. Although many people may feel that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a nuisance, no one can deny that they are zealous in their ministry. In that respect they are peculiar. After all, what other Christian religion is known for their public ministry? (Mormon youths only go on a two-year stint, as if doing military service, and then they are done.) So, according to the first criteria, both the first century Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses belong to a cult.
 

PJ54

Well-known member

Part 2​

2) Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
The Watchtower Society does not have some secret, sinister agenda. When Jehovah’s Witnesses contact people obviously their intent and wish is to convert them. After all, Jesus commanded his followers to go make disciples. To that end a free home Bible study is conducted with individuals or families. Typically studies are held on a weekly basis for maybe an hour or two each week. In about six months time a person should have a basic understanding of the Bible’s teaching. And during the course of those studies it is made clear to the student what will be expected of them if they decide to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is during these study sessions when students are encouraged to ask questions and if things are unclear the minister conducting the study will try to explain things more thoroughly.

If, after completing the course the student wishes to commit to baptism they are required to meet with the elders in the congregation and they consider with them some 100 questions to determine whether the student has a basic grasp of things. If not, it may be that the elders suggest that the person put off baptism and continue to study. So it is not like prospective converts are pushed into anything. It is just the opposite. In fact, some people criticize Jehovah’s Witnesses for not allowing persons to simply walk in off the street and to become baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

They may point to instances in the Bible when persons who accepted Jesus were immediately baptized. But in those instances the Jews and people of the nations who were Jewish proselytes already knew much about God and likely they were familiar with many of the messianic prophecies. So, for them it was an easy transition. But people today have their minds filled with so many erroneous ideas or they may not have any Bible background, whatsoever. So there may be an unlearning process involved. Or it may take many hours of reading and study for a person to comprehend the basic truth contained in the Bible.

But what if a person commits to becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and at some point he or she begins to have doubts, what then?

Typically, they are encouraged to talk with an elder. It may be that an elder can clear up some questions that they may have or help them with some problem. In a case where one of Jehovah’s Witnesses becomes spiritually weak the elders may arrange for them to have private Bible study sessions. Doubts are definitely discouraged. Jesus once rebuked the so-called doubting Thomas, saying to him ‘stop being unbelieving but become believing.’ The letter of James is even more straightforward, saying that he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven about by the wind. The doubter should not suppose that he will receive anything from God.

But what about dissension? Does the Watchtower Society allow dissenters to have a free voice?

No, definitely not. Those who do not continue to hold in common the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses they once embraced are not allowed to remain in the congregation to try to persuade others to their view. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have the true faith, and the elders have an obligation before God to serve as protective shepherds of God’s sheep. So that is why no dissension is allowed.

Ultimately, though, if Jehovah’s Witnesses are the true faith then they may expect Jehovah to be the ultimate judge. In the first century congregation there were dissenters. And they were not tolerated either. For example, Paul spoke of two men by name. In his second letter to Timothy the apostle wrote: “But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness, and their word will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of that number. These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some.”

The apostle made it clear that those who insist on teaching their own doctrine have no place in the congregation. Also, in his letter to Titus Paul spoke about the men of Crete who spoke of things they ought not, and the apostle said that it was necessary to shut the mouths of these men because they were overturning entire households. And in his same letter to Titus Paul commanded Christians to turn down foolish questionings and to reject anyone who promotes a sect, writing: “But shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition; knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and is sinning, he being self-condemned.” Again, according to the criteria, the first century congregation, after which Jehovah’s Witnesses have patterned themselves, was a cult.

3) Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
None of these characteristics of a cult are evident among Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower, in fact, has warned Jehovah’s Witnesses of the potential dangers of transcendental meditation and hypnotism. There is no chanting, tongue speaking, or “denunciation sessions” at meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Debilitating work routines”? Except for those considered full-time ministers the average Jehovah’s Witness spends a couple hours a week knocking on doors or some other facet of preaching work – hardly debilitating.
 

PJ54

Well-known member

Part 3​

4) The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
The Bible gives general guidelines and advice on a wide range of issues. For example, the Christian apostle Paul exhorted believers not to get married at all for the reason that single persons could devote their full attention to the service of the Lord. It is not that marriage was forbidden; Paul said he was simply trying to spare them the many troubles that usually occur in a marriage. But for those who felt the need to have a partner believers were explicitly forbidden to marry unbelievers. “Marry only in the Lord” is an injunction laid upon all true believers. Surely, that is the way it is generally among all religions. Catholics marry Catholics. Practicing Jews marry other practicing Jews. Muslims marry other Muslims and so forth. The apostle Peter also gave counsel to women, advising them not to put so much emphasis upon their appearance, in extravagant hairstyles on clothing, but to focus upon the inner person, the spiritual person. As regards the Watchtower Jehovah’s Witnesses are not required to wear a uniform as such, but certainly men are expected to wear a suit and tie at meetings and women nor expected to wear women’s clothing, not pants etc. Certainly they are not alone in that respect. Certain establishments have dress codes, do they not? The Watchtower, though, does exert itself excessively in this area of dress and grooming, but that is not necessarily indicative of a cult. Perhaps it’s better likened to an overbearing parent who tries to control a teenaged son or daughter.

5) The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
This criteria certainly describes Christianity. Jesus was so audacious he declared himself to be the savior of the world – actually, others who were acquainted with him declared him to be such. And Jesus enlightened his followers in order for them to serve as “the light of the world.” Those who are anointed are the very chosen ones of God whom the Father has called to enter into heaven itself in order to serve as an elite establishment of kings and priests in order to save humanity from sin and death. But also, Jesus warned that there would be many false messiahs and false prophets and that they would mislead many. So, the existence of destructive cults actually confirms that Jesus is a true prophet. It should not come as any surprise that the demonic forces of darkness wish to cast the sons of light as an evil cult.

6) The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
This is definitely the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jesus said that his followers are no part of this world and for that reason they would be persecuted. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the bogus truth passed off by Christendom. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take part in politics. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate holidays. And for these and many other reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses may come into conflict with authorities or employers or even their own family members. After all, Jesus warned that his message would divide families.

7) The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
This does not apply to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Back before they adopted the name of Jehovah’s Witnesses, back in 1918, the president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, J. F. Rutherford, and seven other officers were sent to prison for a short-term on trumped up charges of sedition. I’m sorry. Just fill in the rest by yourself….
 

kirmmy

Well-known member
For example, the “Christian answers” website lists the Watchtower Society as the second most dangerous cult in America, supposedly because “they deny the essentials of Christian faith,” which is to say Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the Babylonish claptrap that churches consider to be Christian essentials.
Well they did get one thing right about the WBTS:
"...the control exercised over the membership is highly destructive."

It certainly is now. They have never struck me as a cult as much as they have now. It scares me to be honest.

ETA: I should probably clarify the above comment. I view it as a cult because they have all but replaced Jesus with the GB.

Here is the checklist
Checklist hyperlink is toast. RK might want to update it with the new link


www.csj.org doesn't seem to work for anything anymore.
 

kirmmy

Well-known member
But what about dissension? Does the Watchtower Society allow dissenters to have a free voice?

No, definitely not. Those who do not continue to hold in common the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses they once embraced are not allowed to remain in the congregation to try to persuade others to their view. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have the true faith, and the elders have an obligation before God to serve as protective shepherds of God’s sheep. So that is why no dissension is allowed.
And yet...here we are. Hanging out with a world class dissenter. Sorry Robert but without your dissension I wouldn't know the "truth about the truth". In fact, I am so happy that you decided to dissent. To the praise of Jehovah and his Son, as you always do.

ETA: BTW, this goes for my Brother and many others here that could see what was happening with God's org and tried to point it out.

To quote Sean Connery's character in The Hunt for Red October: "A little revolution, now and then, is a healthy thing"

All of Christianity could be classified as a cult. IMO, that is Satan's aim. He'd prefer you be independent than follow Christ. There is a stigma to the term cult but look at each of the points and tell me they don't align with Christ and his teachings. So yeah, I'm in a cult. But my leader is Christ Jesus and I do what he taught. The problem comes when men try to take Christ's leadership and mantle.

Here's the list:
  • The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law. Yes, I am unquestioningly committed to Christ and show "excess zeal"...or at least I try to.
  • Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. I'm not going against the Christ and his teaching so yes.
  • Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s). Speaking in tongues was done in the 1st Century...just saying...
  • The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). Yes Christ does to a certain extent. Marry without a proper divorce and what are you? I don't want to make light of the "freedom of the Christ" though so it's a matter of degree.
  • The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). The leader IS the Messiah. :LOL: No need to comment on the special part. The Bible speaks of a new creation and things into which Angels are desiring to peer.
  • The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. Again, as Christians you know this and why.
  • The leader is not accountable to any authorities. Christ is accountable to no one but Jehovah.
  • The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before they joined the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities). Theocratic warfare anyone? Am I going to lie to a jackbooted thug who asks where our group meets? Your damned right I will and with a clean conscience. It's a matter of degrees, I guess.
  • The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion. I get enough shame when I read the Bible and see how far from perfection I am. If others want to pile on, so be it. :) There is nothing wrong with reading Christ's words, realizing you failed, feeling shame and putting forth more effort to do better.
  • Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and to radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before they joined the group. Come on! Jesus himself said this would happen. Separate yourselves from the world.
  • The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. You know what Jesus said about disciples...
  • The group is preoccupied with making money. This one is the only one that doesn't fit but it's stupid. IBM, Microsoft and all companies are preoccupied with making money. Are they a cult?
  • Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. Pick up your torture stake... Would you say Paul spent "inordinate amounts of time" preaching the Good News?
  • Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. Love among yourselves. Bad associations spoil good habits. You all know this...
  • The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group. YES! Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. John 4:16 Duh...

Am I nuts here? Rebut away.
 
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Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
I can't believe this CO said this. CSA isn't about one case.
I can’t believe it! When I heard this CO‘s voice, right away I recognized it!! Back in the 1980’s he was an elder in the congregation we attended. Then years after he was sent to other congregations in the nearby area to serve.
We knew the whole family. I loved his wife and his daughter who used work in service with us.
After some years they moved to Connecticut and I think that’s when he started serving as a CO.

But he would still come down this way to visit his family and would give public talks in our congregation as well as surrounding Congregations! I always loved brother Johnson…he was a very friendly brother who would take the time to stop and talk with you.
In fact he even came down to give the talk for our Memorial in 2018.

Being a CO, I’m sure he knows about what’s going on with the CSA. So, this would mean that he must stand behind supporting this cover up. (sigh) I guess we’ll probably be shocked more and more on learning who‘s knowingly in support of these cover ups. It really hurts to know this. I feel very sorry for those JW’s who don’t know and continue to follow their lead. So sad.
 
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