Why do pepole feel jehovahs witnesses are a cult?

Question

They do not follow one leader they have diffrent speakers teaching the bible just like a catholic church does not have one preist but several...So Y do you feel jw's Are a cult?.....just a question

Answer 1

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.
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 Religion in America. Many who are not Witnesses readily acknowledge that there is nothing freakish or bizarre about Jehovah’s Witnesses. The New Encyclopædia Britannica 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 60 Minutes. 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."

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 2005, more than 16 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.

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." 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.

A Massachusetts newspaper, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, 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." The Encyclopedia of Religion 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 Religion in America 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."

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. The Encyclopedia of Religion 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. 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.

Answer 2

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. As usual, there are many untruths posted about us in response to this question. I'll respond to only three here, neither of them have anything to do with being a cult. Our leader is Jesus Christ - not any man.

There are almost 7 million of us...and that's just the active, baptized members. About 17 million attend a Kingdom Hall and our publications are read by millions more.

We do believe that Jesus' blood is the only thing that can atone for our sins. He is the Son of God and the only means of our salvation.

The John 1:1 question has been raised here on YA before. Our translation is correct.

Answer 3

Really then how come the JW's changed the bible does the Gospel of John ring any bells? Cult! Teaching the bible wrong! Do ya really think out of all the good people in the world only 144,000 JW are going to heaven? Paradise on earth? Wrong !!!! At end times heaven and earth as we know it will be destroyed the new heaven will then be brought down to earth where we will live with God the Father.PS kind of a funny picture you have for JW's don't ya think?

Answer 4

I think it's because people really dont understand the religion and because they are not allowed to celebrate holidays like other religions. Holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, I could probably go on but those are the ones that I know of. They also, from my understanding can't drink and cant attend any kind of Christmas parties like others would. My father used to work with a Jehovahs Witness and he had said that the only way he could attend his works Christmas Party is if the invitation that was sent to him said that it was a "Shop Party" (he worked in HVAC) and held at the place of employment. Which it was held in the businesses shop! Weird I know but I still don't understand why the Jehovah's Witnesses still have to go door to door on Christmas Day. Just because they don't celebrate Christmas like we do does not mean that they have the right to bug us on our holiday.

Answer 5

The usual definition for a "Christian" church is that they
1) accept the deity of Jesus
2) teach atonement through the cross and resurrection of Jesus
3) teach salvation through faith in Jesus

On all three issues, the JW fail.
1) They believe that Jesus was a created being (an angel named Michael) who was given human form
2) His death did not atone for sins, and his body was "disolved" and only his spirit appeared to his disciples
3) That faith in Jesus does not save, but rather faith in God - since Jesus is not God.

However, you are right about them not having a single leader, not isolating their people in a commune, etc. that are the most common marks of a cult. A better word from them would be a "sect". A sect is a group that teachs different then the mainstream on major issues.

Answer 6

Cults have a pacesetter, so which you will say in that appreciate we are, our chief is Jesus Christ. we don't stay in communes, we've extensive-unfold jobs, are every day human beings, we pay our taxes. we are no area of the worldwide as Jesus suggested to no longer be. in the event that they are exterior of your college grounds, they are allowed to be there, no longer by your director's say so yet they are on public sources, no longer the universities. What they are ''advertising'' is the solid information of God's Kingdom in accordance to Jesus Christ. in the event that they are quoting from the Bible why do you have a difficulty with that? you may get yours and notice if it says a similar factor you realize. Our Bibles have the call of God, that's Jehovah, in it the place it initially exchange into. in case you utilize the KJV study Psalm 80 3:18 and it assist you to understand His call. No, we don't pledge our allegiance to a rustic or government, purely to Jehovah God. we are no longer forbidden to get a blood transfusion, our decision. confident, our youngsters have a large variety of say so in our literature, how else would it not help different youngsters to work out how God sees issues? do you realize the Scripture that proclaims undesirable affiliation spoils functional behavior? it particularly is the reason our toddlers have acquaintances that are different Witnesses. Do you besides mght understand that Jews have been to purely affiliate with different Jews? that isn't a man made theory. we don't use the be conscious church for it being linked with worldly homes used for worship. it particularly is Jehovah's Kingdom we are telling human beings approximately, subsequently, the dominion hall. @ sunshine, that fluctuate into spectacular. Jehovah is smiling.

Answer 7

I don't but I have spoken with people who feel that way and they say it's because of not following any holidays, not associating much with non-jw's, and only a certain number of people going to heaven. When I was in highschool there was a guy in my math class that was a j/w and even though I was episcopalian at the time he spent everyday in that class telling me I was going to go to hell. Thought he was odd but not a cult member.

Answer 8

It is primarily namecallers who do not understand the definition of the term before using the epithet "cult".

Sadly, trinitarians also use the term "cult" like a sledgehammer to obliterate any thinking analysis of what the supposed "cultist" actually believes. Trinitarians embrace a bizarre, non-etymological, quite arbitrary definition of the term "cult" which includes anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God Himself, rather than the Son of God. Interestingly, pagans in the first century slandered Christ's followers with the insulting term "Atheist" (!) because the Christians had a somewhat different idea from the pagans about the nature of God.

Jehovah's Witnesses teach that no salvation occurs without Christ, that accepting Christ's sacrifice is a requirement for true worship, that every prayer must acknowledge Christ, that Christ is the King of God's Kingdom, that Christ is the head of the Christian congregation, that Christ is immortal and above every creature, even that Christ was the 'master worker' in creating the universe! Secular authorities in academia and government routinely acknowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religion. With more than 16 million associating with Jehovah's Witnesses, the term "cult" seems very out of place in a fair discussion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.

Sadly, Trinitarians seem more interested in perpetuating their human traditions, Greek philosophy, and Babylonish fetishes rather than reasonably examining the Scriptural definition of "Christian". In fact, the bible most closely associates being "Christian" with preaching about Christ and Christ's teachings. Review all the times the bible uses the term "Christian" and note that the context connects the term with:
"declaring the good news"
'teaching quite a crowd'
'open eyes, turn from dark to light'
"uttering sayings of truth"
"persuade"
"keep on glorifying"

(Acts 11:20-26) [The early disciples of Jesus] began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus... and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.

(Acts 26:17-28) [Jesus said to Paul] I am sending you, to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God... Paul said: “I am not going mad, Your Excellency Festus, but I am uttering sayings of truth and of soundness of mind. ...Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” But Agrippa said to Paul: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.”

(1 Peter 4:14-16) If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy... But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name


So why do anti-Witnesses try to hijack the term "Christian" and hide its Scriptural implications? Because anti-Witnesses recognize that it is the preaching work that makes it clear that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are by far the most prominent followers of Christ:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/
http://watchtower.org/e/20050422/article_02.htm

Answer 9

I've worked for several years as youth worker and witnessed how youth were taking to the shelter because their refusal to go out preaching. What kind of parent will put his/her child in a street shelter exposed to other kids who were in drugs and prostitution just because. These parents were informed of the risk their children were in and they still refuse to take their children back in the name of Jehovah. My own aunt became one of them and she was no allowed to associated with us because we were no J/W. My child had a classmate in elementary who was no allow to mingle with other children because these children were sinner and he was not. I am talking about an eight years old child. There was a good friend of my husband who will talk about J/W being the only ones scheduled to live in heaven. If 144,000 are going to heaven what is the rest of J/W doing to increase the number. So far, they have probe to be a cult. My answer is based on years of personal experience with this cult/sect therefore these are facts. Off course they are going to defend themselves by using the bible passages by I can use bible passages as well. However, I am chosing facts instead of bible passages that can be misinterpreted as well. My answer focuses on helping others making informed choices rather then saving them. I am not a saviour.

Answer 10

They are following man invented doctrin. They are not following the teaching of Jesus The Christ... they do not accept the Diety of Christ.... there is quite a lot of divergance from God's Word and Will in their teaching... They are not of The True Christian Faith... those who only know and follow the JW teaching will not be alowed into Heaven... Only those who come to God as He proscribes will receive His free gift of salvation and will enter Heaven...

Answer 11

Some people think it meets the criteria for a cult
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/
this site has allot of fair and ballanced reporting
on all kinds of problems.
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/j00.html#jehovahw
there is also a yahoo group for Ex-JWs that you might want to investigate if you want to chat online about it.
freedom of mind is another yahoo group.
yahoo groups are things you join and when people post on the topic of the group all members get a copy of the post.
you can get digest format of 25 instead of individual mails for the more chatty groups.
check them out and search your interests. I doubt Yahoo would be annoied at my advert. for another service they have.