What do you think about JW's?

Question

There beleifs?

Answer 1

The term “cult” is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its connotations.

The World Book Encyclopedia explains that “traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance.” By that criterion, all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in general usage today, the word “cult” has a different meaning. The same encyclopedia notes that “since the mid-1900’s, publicity about cults has altered the meaning of the term. Today, the term is applied to groups that follow a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices.”

Endorsing the popular usage of the term, Newsweek magazine explains that cults “are normally small, fringe groups whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual.” Similarly, Asiaweek magazine notes that “the term [cult] itself is vague, but it usually denotes a new religious creed built around a charismatic leader, who often proclaims himself to be the personification of God.”

Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a small fringe religious group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? Are the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?

Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses do this? Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult? Definitively not.

Answer 2

People tend to think of them in the same manner that the ancient Jews thought Christian Jews, that they are a cult. I asked a Rabbi once what the Jews at the time thought of their brethren who were no longer following the teachings from the Holy Torah?

He said they viewed them as following an uneducated ex-carpenter of the Jewish Lower Class who was executed for cause by the governing authority. His only education came from his own uneducated lower class parents, Mary and Joseph.

These followers were also uneducated individuals from the lower class, such as a failed fisherman (Peter) and a hated tax collector (Matthew).

Lacking any formal education, they were easy to manipulate into believing that the Messiah had come, something that was impossible, as he did not bring about the destruction (Armageddon) of the false religion and enemies of the Truly Blessed People of God, the Israelites, as was PROPHESIED.

After his lawful execution, these clearly brainwashed followers began going door to door telling their brethren that the traditional beliefs, rituals, and observances (holidays), dating back hundreds of years, were no longer valid.

They began creating their one scriptures, to support their false beliefs, instead of relying on the Holy Torah, which had sustained God’s People for hundreds of years.

Finally, there were highly educated individuals, especially in the religious arts, such as Saul of Tarsus, who could clearly prove that they were a false cult, bent on leading God’s People down a false path to destruction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_of_Tarsus

What happened to them, as a result of their false teachings, and their door to door work, was only to be expected of people who have lost their way.

Clearly, what you may or may not think of JWs is reliant on your point of view, just as it was in those first years. Having an advanced education in religion does not mean that you are right, only that you sound that way.

JWs may have come from a simple, and some times, erratic beginnings, but at least they are making a valid effort to do better. You cannot say that for other religions who:

Continue to get involved in politics;

Lie to the IRS about not doing so in order to get their non-profit status;

Avoids paying taxes on retail sales within the church;

Allows immorality to creep into the church;

Immortalizes their founders through the observance of a birthday, death, and/or anniversary of the founding of the church;

Places a pictures of the founders in all their churches, so that all can see and pay obeisance;

Gives tacit approval to the Theory of Evolution; and

Doesn’t teach their followers to preach and teach the Bible, as Christ instructed.

Answer 3

I know many Witnesses and I studied with them for about a year. I respect their beliefs even if I don't agree with all of them. They are (mostly) good, honest, hard working, pious, wonderful people who will do anything to help others.

Answer 4

I love them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are my brothers and sisters!

Jesus gave us (his followers) this bit of encouragement...

John 15: 17-19: "“These things I command YOU, that YOU love one another. 18 If the world hates YOU, YOU know that it has hated me before it hated YOU. 19 If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU."

Matthew 5: 10-12: " “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.

11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU."

So the world may hate us, but we still go out and try to help everyone come to accurate knowledge...

John 17:3: "(John 17:3) . . .This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."

1 Timothy 2:3-7: "This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—[this is] what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times. 7 For the purpose of this witness I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—a teacher of nations in the matter of faith and truth."

Answer 5

Most people have a misconception about our beliefs.

Before being too critical perhaps they should consider the information in the links below, using their Bibles to so they can see for themselves that our beliefs are Scriptural:

Answer 6

Other than mennonites and Amish, they are the only who follows the Bible when Jesus commanded to love your enemies. None of the three go to war.

They also believe in Jesus who claimed that he was the Son of God and not God himself.

Answer 7

They take the absurdities in christianity to a whole new level. I would like to say that I at least think they are nice, but the JW's I have dealt with are very snobbish and rude.

Answer 8

They're a Sunday-morning annoyance that I manage to keep at bay by means of a well-trained Rottweiller.

(But some JW babes are HOT)

Answer 9

It's an odd but perfectly valid faith. A little too stringent for my tastes.

Answer 10

Oh, it's Jehovah's Witnesses, huh?

Kept thinking the Jews had lost their vowels!

What with the G-d thing!?

Cheers!

ST