Think before you write! A cult is a system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
JEHOVAH WITNESSES ARE NOT NON OF THESE DEFINITIONS. THEY DONT PRACTICE THESE DEFINITIONS. SO Y DO PEOPLE SAY THEY ARE A CULT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
2006-08-01 05:09:01 · 25 answers · asked by Bonita W 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Prove to me that they are a cult. Do you know what a cult is? I just gave the definiton. How can you say they are a cult? Other people say they are but y listen to them find out for your self!
2006-08-01 05:15:29 · update #1
Most are only going to think what they want my sister. Remember 2 Peter 3:3 "ridiculers with their ridicule proceeding according to their own desires." They want to stay in the darkness, that is why they hate us coming to their doors. Jesus said they would love the darkness more than the light. Remember Jesus words :
"Why is it you do not know what I am speaking? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father...Because I, on the other hand, tell the truth, you do not believe me. Who of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why is it you do not believe me? He that is from God listens to the sayings of God. This is why you do not listen, because you are not from God."
John 8 : 43, 44, 45-47
These people hate us because we are telling them the truth of God's word and that doesn't fit into their own personal belief system. They don't want to do Jehovah's will they want to do their own will. If they loved Jehovah and Jesus as much as they say they do they wouldn't be cutting other people down for what they believe. Their attitudes reflect the same disposition if the ones they are truly worshipping, and that certainly is not the attitude of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Look at how Jesus treated people who did not share his beliefs, and look at how so many of the person in this chat room treat other people. That is reflection of a much different spirit than the one that came from Jesus Christ. Yet they say we are the ones who are not Christian. I repeat Jesus words from above. Jehovah is the only true God and we are His witnesses, and we will stand firm!
2006-08-01 05:29:49 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel L 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think they are a cult.
Try this definition: A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
2006-08-01 05:15:59 · answer #2 · answered by crushinbutterfly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As one of Jehovah's Witnesses myself, let me set the record straight for you as to why Jehovah's Witnesses are called a cult.
The label originated in Christendom. According to them, any organized religion that denies "essential doctrines of Christianity" (two big ones are the immortality of the soul and the trinity) are considered a cult. One reference says, "In the context of Christianity [...] it [a cult] is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable." So we see that Christendom has not utilized the proper meaning of the word "cult" but has created its own definition. Why? Because by doing this, they now have an intellectual justification for saying, from their pulpits and in their literature, that Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult. The label then excites antagonism and hatred in the adherents of Christendom, who then go on to persecute Jehovah's people, sometimes subtlely, as with their speech and subversive conduct, and at other times violently, as has been experienced by God's people at the hands of Christendom all over the world.
These ones are joined by those who "went out from us, but [...] were not of our sort". Such ones never really wanted to serve Jehovah. Many didn't even believe that they were in the truth. None really had any relationship with Jehovah. Yet for a time they try to put up a pretense before God and men, many of them even lying about making a dedication to God by submitting to baptism. (!!!!!!!!) After a while, they heart comes out in their actions, and they are reproved. Some shrink away, others disassociate, still others are disfellowshipped. They then join the crowds of ignorami on the outside, saying, "Jehovah's Witnesses are evil people! The Society makes us do things we don't want to, and when we resist, we become disfellowshipped and shunned! Their religion is cruel and unloving!" Jehovah's Witnesses are certainly no place for someone who doesn't believe in the truth and hasn't developed a relationship with Jehovah.
At this point, the others show these ones their books about how Jehovah's Witnesses are a "cult of Christianity" (or, for stronger hatred, a "non-Christian cult" -- remember, this definition of a "cult" rests upon false religious doctrine). Then these former Witnesses become permanently estranged from the truth, and matters have played right into Satan's hands.
So the whole idea of Jehovah's Witnesses being a cult is nothing other than a device of Satan to lead people away from the truth. Why haven't you figured this out already?
Therefore, don't you worry about what the world is saying about Jehovah's people. Remember the exhortation given to Timothy:
"You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them, and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus."
2006-08-01 07:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by Ben-Bethdaathel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definiation can also be a group of people intensely devoted to a person or that folows ONE particular leader. Of course in that regard I guess the Pope would fall into that category. Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT a cult.
2006-08-01 07:19:24 · answer #4 · answered by Valerie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must realize there are three different definitions of the word cult. One would be from the Latin word Cultus (this is the definition you have used), one would be the classical Christian , and one is in the universal sense.
Latin definition: Yes, all religions are cults when looked at through this definition.
Classic: Yes, because JW's have added to the bible and have "special" translations of it, as well as differing from the apostles creed.
Universal: Maybe, I haven't looked to see if they separate you from family and friends, if they ask for too much of your financial resources, If they have one human leader who may not be questioned, if they have secret rituals...
2006-08-01 05:19:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I it is fair to say that Jehovahs witness are a cult, but as previous stated alot of people say most churches are cults,but the diffrence is the Jehovahs witnesses were founded and established by Charles Russel.
2006-08-01 05:35:05 · answer #6 · answered by holyghost130 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they are a cult.
People need to get their facts straight before making any judgements. How can you judge a book without reading it first? How can you judge the JW's without listening with an open mind of what they are all about?
If this religion is not for you, why bash it? Leave it and let it be.
Daniel L, I absolutley LOVE your answer!!! :)
2006-08-01 05:34:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I do not believe they are a cult but from what I do know about them I do agree with their beliefs. When I was growing up I was best friends with a boy that his stepdad was a Jehovah Witness and we always felt like when we got to do certain things that he was left out.
2006-08-01 05:17:03 · answer #8 · answered by miss giggles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are all of those things... most definitely a cult because if a person were to leave the Jehovah's Witnesses they would be shunned and it is believed that those who leave the JW will not enter heaven.
2006-08-01 05:14:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am A witness and i think that what you guys say is crap just because we are no the religion you practice, you think taht we are a cult...that is not true and we don't all go to heaven only 144,000 will go to heaven to reign with Jehovah don't ask me why a certain number i didn't make that choice Jehovah did....
2006-08-01 05:18:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋