Are the Jehovah Witnesses a cult? What proof do you have?

Question

An atheist in World Relgion gave an expalination, but can't rely on his opinions for obvious reasons. Thanks.

Answer 1

Boy you ask a tough one.

The Straight forward answer absolutely, yes.

The proof you are asking for would take more time than I can fill here in this answer box.

There are several very good sites to visit. John Ankerburg is a very well known Christian Apologist and Theologian who can answer your questiopn in depth. http://www.ankerberg.com/

Jehovah's Witnesses were started in the late 1700's by a former Baptist minister who began predicting when the world would come to an end. Lots of strange predicitions were made and finally in the early 1980's they quit.

Their belief system is built on a non-belief in hell or condemnation. Well, the one thing they have to do to eliminate the consequences of hell is to change the nature or doctrine of who Jesus Christ is, the one who holds the keys to death and hell in his hands. We will all stand before Jesus someday and answer for what we have done in this life.

Around 1950 the Watchtower Society, (JW ruling body), finally put together their own bible called the New World Translation and since 1950 have consistantly and conviently kept changing scriptures to fit what they want to present about Christ.

The most notable change is the beginning of the Gospel of John where they have changed the wording.
John Chap 1 v.1
In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

New World Translation reads
In the beginning there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

The Greek word for "God" is "Theos" and it is spoken twice in the scripture here in verse 1 of John.

They have conveniently changed it to "a god" which does not fit the translation of Theos. There is no word for "a" or "an" in Greek. And by saying this, they demote Jesus to one of many gods.

Taking it even farther, they state that God did not actually come down and make Mary pregnant for the Virgin brith. None of that can be easily explained in there point of view. They simply want to say that Michael the ArchAngel came down and took on a kind of "cloak" in human forn and when Jesus would have gone back up to heaven Michael simply shed that existence and became Michael again.

Read more and study more at the website I gave you.

Hope that helps

Jesus Loves You

Answer 2

There is no proof that Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult (in the negative definition of that word). There are only the opinions and the theologies of non-Witnesses, or the distorted rants of ex-Witnesses, which are proof of nothing. The opinion of an ex-Witness who had been a Witness for 40 years but then turned apostate, means no more than the testimony of Satan, who had been a faithful angel for thousands (maybe millions) of years, but then turned apostate. But there is plenty of proof that Jehovah's Witnesses believe what the Bible teaches, and follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ in belief and practice. That would mean that Jehovah's Witnesses are true Christians, not members of a "cult."

Answer 3

Believe it or not, by definition any religion is a cult. We have begun to use the word cult to describe small groups devoted to a religous cause. The negative connotation came from groups such as David Karesh followers and groups claiming to worship aliens and such. The Mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses are technically Christian but have much more strict social beliefs which the rest of the world sees as being odd or over zealous therefore they are considered cults.

Answer 4

If you consider that even the first congregations were consider to be a cult, than everything that follows must also be cults, since they do not follow the universal belief of the Jews.

Since the JWs are more like the first congregations than the churches of Christendom, and those first congregations were considered a cult, than the answer would also be yes. But than, would you rather be like those first congregations or like everyone else?

A cult is a group lead by an individual who places him or herself above everyone else in the church, claiming to be an authority. That sounds like the churches of Christendom, since they have elite leaders who hoard all the knowledge and grant their followers the privilege of hearing their sermons and Bible stories.

Some of the above answers talk about how JWs are a cult because they don't follow universal beliefs. What beliefs are those? Being able to kill their fellow Christians in wars? Being free to have sexual activity outside marriage believing that they will be forgiven so it doesn't matter? Not paying taxes, though Christ said to? Getting involved in politics, though Christ said his Father's Kingdom was not a part of this world?

Is believing in the Trinity so important as to ignore so much of the other teachings of the Bible, and to ignore the little things from the Bible as being less important, such as a true telling of the Nativity.

Imagine if you had been a Jew and believed the stories that the first Christians were just a cult? You would have lived your life happy and passed away in old age, blissfully in ignorance of those cultish teachings.

Answer 5

A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual. Many cults follow a living human leader, and often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society. The standard for what is orthodox, however, should be God’s Word, and Jehovah’s Witnesses strictly adhere to the Bible. Their worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion. They neither follow a human nor isolate themselves from the rest of society. They live and work in the midst of other people.

Answer 6

The definition of a cult is broken down into 5 characteristics
1. It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members

2. It forms an elitist totalitarian society

3. Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma

4. It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds
recruit people

5. Its wealth does not benefit its members or society

Jehovah's Witnesses fit into the definition because:

1 they use the promise of paradise earth as a coercion means to recruit members. they go door to door and use God to impose their way of believing on others who might believe them Once a member you can only associate with other members. If you are disfellowshipped you are shunned and the members will not speak to you. Coersion is used to keep you in line. 5 meetings each week to keep a firm grip on the Watchtower.

2.they believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are the only true religion therefore it fits as an elitist society

3 The Watchtower was founded by a self-appointed spiritual leader who used his carisma to get his first followers. today the Watchtower is led by a governing body. a self-appointed group who decides what path the group follows. The Watchtower teached that they are the line of communication from God, They commonly predict the end of the world will happen at a particular date. When the date passes they claim their imperfection caused the error. Non-accountablily.

4 they believe that by following the organization their reward is eternal life. therefor they sell their literature to proclaim theiir news in order to gain the life in paradise. Going door to door is seen as a necessary task to enter the kingdom of God. the ends justifies the means.

5. the money the Watchtower Society makes from "contributions" from it's members and through the sale of thier literature does not benfit the individual member because the Watchtower Society demands conformation and devote members, they get the joy of spreading the news and making sales, little else. the community does not benefit from the money made by Watchtower Society, they only make more convention centers and Kingdom Halls. How does that benefit anyone?

Draw your own conclusions but Jehovah's Witnesses, despite their denials ARE a cult.

Answer 7

I grew up as a witness. I asked myself these questions:

Do you feel that no matter how hard you try, the "good deeds" you perform for your group are never quite enough? As a result of this do you often feel plagued with feelings of guilt? My answer, yes. NO matter how much you study for meetings, answer, go out in service you always have people telling you you are not doing enough.
What are you motivated by? Is it genuine love for God and the group etc., or is it fear of not meeting the desired standards? I was motivated by fear of being expelled from the congregation and disappointing family.
Is questioning the group, or the group leaders, discouraged or frowned upon? Yes, you can be expelled from congregation for it.
Does the group you belong to believe that it is an elite and exclusive organization which alone has the truth and answers to lifes questions? Definitely yes.
Does the group pour scorn upon, attack, and mock other Christian churches and their interpretation of the Bible? Yes.
Is reading any literature critical of the group discouraged? Many cults will warn members not to read anything critical of the group, especially if written by an ex-member. This is a well known control technique to stop the member from discovering the clear and documented errors of the cult. Members abilities to think for themselves is effectively disarmed in this way. Instead, they will think more and more as the rest of the group thinks. You can be disfellowshipped for reading material critical of the group.
Take a look at the way the group looks and acts. Does everyone dress, act, and talk more or less the same? Yes they look like cookie cutter christians. The woman are not to have skirts above the knee, to do so is immodest. The men are to have short hair. Mustaches are okay but beards are not.
Does the group discourage association with non-members (except, maybe, for the possibility of converting them to the group)? Yes, association with non-members is considered "bad" association.
Does the group give you "black and white" answers--what the group agrees with is right and what the group disagrees with is wrong? Yes, this is why so many people who leave Jehovah's Witnesses become atheist. They were taught that it was the only alternative because they had the "true" religion.
Does everyone in the group believe exactly the same things (i.e. what the group leaders tell them to believe)? Is there no room for individual belief, or opinion in minor areas. If you have different views you are considered proud, not humble or meek. Can result in being counseled. Can be expelled from congregation.
Does the group wear "two faces"? On the one hand, does it attempt to present itself to potential converts and the public at large as a group of people who are like one large family, full of love and equality? But in actuality, does the group have many members that inwardly feel unfulfilled and emotionally exhausted? The organization wants the public to think it is very loving, but when members are around ex-members or talking about them, they are extremely nasty and condescending. I felt unfulfilled and emotionally exhausted, pretending the be happy with the religion.
Have you attempted to disable your own God given critical thinking abilities by "shelving" various doubts about the group or groups teachings? You don't have to have critical thinking in this religion. Everything is done for you. Told what you can think, believe, etc.
Are those in the group who do not conform to the requirement of the movements teaching treated with suspicion, as if they are second class members? They are not given any privileges in the congregation, they might corrupt it.
Does the group tend to withhold certain information from the potential convert? Are the more unusual doctrines of the group not discussed until an individual is more deeply involved in the movement? They save the blood issue for last.
Do you feel fearful of leaving the group? Many cults use subtle fear tactics to stop members from leaving. For example, the group may imply that those who leave will be attacked by the Devil, have a nasty accident, or at least not prosper because they have left "the truth". Totally afraid to leave the group. Your family will disown you and the friends you made, that by the way you had no choice because they were the ones in the congregation.
Hope this helped.

Answer 8

Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT a cult and anyone who has actually done any kind of research concerning Jehovah's Witnesses knows this. People who oppose Jehovah's Witnesses like to use the word 'cult' because this word has a general negative connotation. They are counting on people who are not familiar with Jehovah's Witnesses to simply accept this false label and then ignorantly repeat what they have been told.

The following shows how this label is completely untrue:

Cults are regarded as being small, local groups. In contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses currently number over 7,ooo,ooo and can be found in almost every country of the world.
http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/

The World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses is in New York. Located there is the Governing Body, a central group of experienced elders who oversee the worldwide congregation.

Jehovah's Witnesses - Their Worldwide Organization and Work
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/good-news-from-god/jehovahs-witnesses-organization/
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Cults are also regarded as encouraging their adherents to live in groups apart from the rest of society. Many also think of cults as being secretive about their activities or having something to hide.

In contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses live and work in the midst of other people. They have nothing to hide. In fact, they desire to tell anyone who is willing to listen about everything that they believe.

Their book Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom correctly notes: "Jehovah's Witnesses are in no sense a secret society. Their Bible-based beliefs are fully explained in publications that are available to anyone. Additionally, they put forth special effort to invite the public to attend meetings to see and hear for themselves what takes place."
--------------------------------------.…

Cult members are also associated with following living human leaders.

Yet Jehovah's Witnesses do not look to any human, but rather to Jesus Christ, as their leader. Jehovah’s Witnesses follow what Jesus taught and put it into practice:

See: "Who is Jesus Christ?"
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/good-news-from-god/who-is-jesus-christ/

That is what it means to be a Christian. Accordingly, Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to adhere strictly to the precepts established by the first Christians.

Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs, their standards for conduct, and organizational procedures on the Bible. Their worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion.
--------------------------------------.…

Rather than relying solely on hearsay and running the risk of parroting bad information, Jehovah's Witnesses encourage people to investigate this further FOR THEMSELVES. This way, one will be in a position to be properly informed as to the true faith and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The best way to find out more about Jehovah's Witnesses via the Internet is through the pages of their official website:

Jehovah’s Witnesses—What Do They Believe?
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201008/what-do-jehovahs-witnesses-believe/

Recommended Related Articles:

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult?
http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/are-jehovahs-witnesses-a-cult/

Are Jehovah's Witnesses Really a Cult? - Showing How This Label is Incorrect
http://defendingjehovahswitnesses.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-jehovahs-witnesses-really-cult.html

Answer 9

The jews called the disciples of Jesus a cult, and since Jehovah's Witnesses follow the teachings of Jesus, and are his diciples,

Then in this sense of the word I guess they are a cult.

--edit--

So according to one answer above every time you see "a or an" in your english bible it should not be there?

Theos means God or god, 2 Cor 4:4 refers to Satan as "The Theos" the same phrase as John 1:1,2 (at Theos(1) (3) in that verses. Theos (2) does not have 'the' in front of it.) so according to that same answer is Satan God equal to God the Father?

Ask yourself which is proper english?

Snoopy was dog. or Snoopy was a dog.

Proper english requires "a god"(2) at John 1:1, 2.

Answer 10

Here is an interesting anecdote:
Until fairly recently, it was the official position of Greece that Jehovah's Witnesses were not a "known religion", and so could not enjoy the same freedoms as (for example) the Greek Orthodox Church. At a hearing in Greece on the matter, non-Witness governmental envoys from Japan, Korea, and several Latin American countries were asked to testify. It turns out that in EVERY COUNTRY ON EARTH, except a handful, there are more (typically many multiples more) adherents of Jehovah's Witnesses than Greek Orthodox. The Japanese and Koreans and others were asked if their governments had considered restricting the activities of the Greek Orthodox Church in their countries, and the point was made.


Sadly, Trinitarians try to 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://jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/