Jehovah's Witnesses are accused of being a cult but what exactly is a cult?

Question

Here on Yahoo! there have been many questions and answers saying JW's are a cult. But what, exactly, is a cult? It seems to me that "cult" is misunderstood and misapplied.

JW's do not hide themselves away in mountain retreats, hold women and children hostage, stockpile weapons and then commit mass suicide. JW's are not held in thrall to a charismatic leader. JW's do not have to give hundreds of thousands of dollars/pounds in order to progress up some mystical ladder to "perfection". They are law abiding, honest and decent people. Why then, the accusation?

Please check out the definition of cult and then provide evidence to support the idea that it applies to JW's. If it turns out that they are not a cult, then is there another description that should be applied? I mean something POLITE and ACCURATE. If you claim to be a Christian, please display some true Christian love while you think about the answer to this question.

I inadvertently sent this q 3 times - problems with my laptop / internet. Still, this means 3 people will get a BA and because I was brought up from birth as a JW, be assured I am not coming from a position of ignorance.

The early Christians were thought of as a SECT by the Jews (Paul, the mind of the apostle by A.N. Wilson), and there is a big difference between a sect and a cult.

Choosing BA is going to be so hard! Loads of good answers, including those from JW's (whom I have given thumbs up to). I especially liked LineDancer and Achtung's answers and, yes, I can do polite when I put my mind to it!

My thanks to everyone, but especially to:
Geezah
Rose
Crisstoiglesia
Stakekawa
Mairzydoatz
Full Gospel Shirley
Anna
theBerean
Carol D
Bryan N
Godsindigobutterfly

I used to say JW's were a cult, till I did some research. I have now repented. Check out the answers I gave BA to on the previous two same questions - you will find them most interesting!

Oh, by the way, I have not given a thumbs down to anyone - so if you've got one, it wasn't me!

Answer 1

To understand the difference between a cult and a religion, one must first understand the connotation of both words.

If we use the first definition the word "cult" as found on dictionary.com, we find that "cult" and a "religion" are synonyms . Dictionary.com defines "cult" merely as "a particular system of religious worth, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies." This would seem to fit every religion in existence.

The true difference between the words "cult" and "religion" is one of connotation. Whereas the word "religion" has a positive or at least neutral connotation, "cult" has a decidedly negative connotation. It's not until the sixth definition of "cult" that we discover why: "a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader."

This definition immediately conjures up images of Jim Jones style cults committing atrocities. Yet, even this definition isn't necessarily meant to be negative. For example, Jesus was a charismatic leader that started a little group, later called "Christians," that were considered by the Jewish orthodoxy they sprang from to be false, unorthodox, extremist, and with members living outside of conventional Jewish society. Thus technically all of Christianity is a "cult" from a Jewish point of view. Likewise, Islam and Judaism both have charismatic founders (Mohammed and Moses) and must have seemed unorthodox and extremist to non-believers. All religions started out as "cults" depending on your personal point of view.

So what does it mean when a religion calls another a cult? To use a modern example, when a modern Christian group calls a member of a Christian religious sect that they disagree with - such as Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses - a "cult" presumably they are using the term as a pejorative meant to say "we see that other religion as being a false, unorthodox, extremist version of Christianity." This is undoubtedly a true statement and not necessarily offensive, in and of itself.

However, this begs the question: why bother with an ill-defined term like "cult" at all? Why not be more specific and just say "I disagree with your religion and belief something different"? Again, the answer lies in the connotation of "cult." As has been pointed out, people generally associate "cult" with images of Jim Jones, mind control, brain washing, and other socially unacceptable behaviors. Because the word sounds so much like "occult" many people also associate the term with practicing black magic or satanic rituals. Thus the difference between a religion and a cult is one of connotation and point of view. A cult is a religion that one person wants others, rightly or wrongly, to fear.

Answer 2

I do not call Jehovah's Witnesses a cultl; however, I do not call them Christians either because it is NOT the same faith. The Bible that JW's use has been rewritten by the Watchtower organization. The words are dramatically different so that it supports beliefs for them. I do not think they are horrible people, but I don't agree with their faith. A cult is something that will do their best to isolate themselves from family and society. A JW doesn't do this; however, I have heard situations where they have danced on this thin line very carefully. I have heard of JW's that suggested that someone separates from a family because they choose not to be JW. That is cult-like behavior. A person can obey all the laws that exist, but still be a member of a cult faith. The people that were in Heaven's Gate were not breaking any laws; however, by every way of looking at it, that was a cult and still exists today actually. The JW beliefs are dramatically different from other Christian faiths. Example, there is no celebrations of birthdays or anniversaries when others churches have no problem with this. There are other beliefs that do not match with Biblical doctrines. I hope this helps to see where someone is coming from. However, many times someone calls something a cult because they do NOT understand. If they do not get what someone is saying or believing, then they are automatically a cult in their eyes. This isn't Christian behavior and isn't something that I support.

Answer 3

This question seems surprisingly polite, so it will receive a surprisingly polite response...!

The vast majority of English-speaking people viscerally recognize that "cult" is an insult, even if some continue to pretend that it is merely a word with a definition. Its use might be compared with a grumpster who insists on calling his neighbors "animals", disingenuously scurrying for a dictionary to show that "homosapiens" is neither vegetable nor mineral. Who cares about the technical definition? The grumpster is still an insulting jerk (and perhaps a bigot if his insults repeatedly target the same group of "animals").

Regulars on R&S will recall that atheists insist that "every religion is a cult"; their argument is easily defensible etymologically. Do you happily accept that term as a simple word with a simple definition? Or do you recognize that the term is intended to insult and demean, rather than to describe objectively?

Here are some things for anti-Witnesses to consider:

1. Is an insult likely to
...a) discourage a JW; or
...b) energize a JW?
2. Is an insult likely to
...a) add to the credibility of the insulter; or
...b) diminish the credibility of the insulter?
3. Does the use of insults
...a) bring reason to a disagreement; or
...b) bring emotion to a disagreement?
4. Does the use of insults seem Christlike?


Jehovah's Witnesses are unique, that is certainly a fact. But they are not a cult, and reasonable people roll their eyes at the insistence that they are. Much has been commented upon regarding the recent documentary film "Knocking"; Beliefnet.com asked the filmmaker outright "Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?". Here is his brief response, quite sensible it would seem.
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/218/story_21887_1.html

Ironically, it is probably in the best interests of Jehovah's Witnesses for their critics to continue to act like unreasonable bigots. The Witnesses become more unified against obvious persecution, persons of interest are intrigued by the virulence against 'peaceniks', and the few truly godly (but misdirected) persons among the anti-Witness community are forced to admit that their accomplices are not truly interested in being Christlike or allowing for any good within the Jehovah's Witness religion.

Fifty years ago and more, Jehovah's Witnesses changed some of their practices because they alienated people. Witnesses used to have Saturday meetings so that they could spend Sundays picketing in front of churches! It's about time that anti-Witnesses also change their outrageous practices. There seems little doubt, however, that anti-Witnesses will continue to besmirch and belittle and demean and disparage Jehovah's Witnesses.

John 8:44

Perhaps they cannot help themselves.

Ephesians 4:19

Answer 4

A cult has it's definition, but the definition is not really a good definition. A cult should be any false religion, or any religion that abuses the members, or harms them in any way. They JW's try to do good and help others. I know a church that made people have a nervous breakdown from the fears of what they taught and the preacher sometimes would beat the children of parents in the congregation with a board or stick, maybe the size of a broom handle, not only their own children. One group told a person in the congregation that she was not saved if she got angry, so she was always trying to get saved over again. I have not seen a JW to do any of this. I have seen these things happen in another church.

Answer 5

What is a Cult?

There are many good answers already posted. Some of them quite excellent. Some of them quite long and excellent.lol

Lets keep it simple.

A CHRISTIAN cult is quite simply: A group of people gathered around a particular Persons' or Groups' interpetation of the Bible.
It is ALWAYS accompanied with at least two inviolate Rules.

1) At least one or more of the Essiential Doctrines of the Historic Christian Faith is denied.

2) Dissent is not only discouraged, but ABSOLUTLY not allowed.

So, by that simplest definition, yes, the Jehovah Witnesses are a christian cult. (Or more accuratly, a NON-Christian, Christian professing cult )

Now using this definition, one can conclude that certain other fringe groups are also cultic.
Such as some factions of 7th day Adventism (Ellen White, Worshiping on Sunday being the "mark of the beast") and some factions of Penecostalism (the Oneness Movement-One God who wears "three hats", which denies the Trinity)

Now by the same evaluation, one could argue that in spite of what some Fundamental Evangelical Groups say, (which I consider myself) the Roman Catholic Church is NOT a cult. There is much dissent within the RCC.

So, thats my take on it. Keep it Simple. (The more complicated the definition, the more and more groups that folks want to include as a "cult")

....theBerean

Answer 6

I agree with you. But mostly I agree with the person who posted the first answer. I heard that JWs shun people after they leave the religion, but then do other religions aswell. I think to call something a cult that claims to be a religion is repectless, I think we all should respect people's believes, as long as they don't blow us up, preach hatred, etc. and in this I am not talking about one particular religion, but about my own experiences with people who treated me badly because I am not a member of their faith.

Answer 7

I do not believe the JWs are an actual cult in the full definition of the word.... As I continue to state, they are generally well meaning, law abiding people that would not harm a fly.

HOWEVER, it becomes cult-like when someone puts the authority of an organization, such as the Watchtower.... over the authority of our God. This is found in several "religions" not just JWs.

Since the question is about JWs, I will give specific examples of what I am referring to:

**Their baptism is only permitted after successfully passing the quizzing of Elders. This is a Watchtower Commandment, not God's... On top of this instead of being baptized as a follower of Jesus, they are baptized as a committed member of the Watchtower Society by having to agree to the following terms:

(1) On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

(2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?

**They have to count their hours of door to door service. Again, this is putting the Watchtower's order ahead of Jesus. Jesus did not say to count hours, but the Watchtower said so, so they do.

**The Watchtower advises against celebrating holidays and birthdays. This was NOT one of God's Ten Commandments, but IS one of the Watchtower Commandments. Even if a JW wants to celebrate a holiday, they have to worry about being looked down on, and possibly even scolded. They do NOT like to be looked down on and will avoid events just because they feel they have to even if they don't feel that it is a wrong "conscious" decision.

**They believe the Watchtower is infallible. They accept the "new light" and doctrinal changes as being that God's information is getting "brighter". They fail to see that the new light is not because God made an error, but rather because they are relying on MEN to tell them what the bible says. God specifically sends us the Holy Spirit to help us interpret His word...The Watchtower feels that they know the Bible better than it's own author, the HS, and even claims that if one reads the Bible without the Watchtower, that they are in darkness.

- Are the JW's a cult by definition? No, not exactly.

- Do they have cult-like attributes? Yes, absolutely.

Answer 8

I thought officially they were a sect or denomination. I've never regarded them as threatening or disruptive. Personal experience has shown me that they are not very open and also that they are one of the most homophobic faiths I have ever come across but in many ways they are no worse or better than other organized religions.

You can thumbs down me as much as you want, I'm just trying to be open and honest. A JW once told me that AIDS was a plague sent from God to kill homosexuals. If that isn't Homophobic, I don't know what is

Answer 9

Usually I see the word "cult" applied to mean "a religion we [the status quo] do not like".

More constructively though, I know that JWs actively proselytize, have a strong belief that they're a very special group of people separate from the rest, have a strong rule against not reading "apostate literature", rules that strangely isolate themselves from many social and cultural activities (holidays, birthday parties), and I also hear that they make it very difficult for somebody to leave the group. Some of those things honestly come off as very "cult"-like to me, in that they make strange demands for one's personal life that don't directly relate to, say, day-to-day moral guidelines.

So that's why I suspect many other people view JWs, rightly or wrongly, as a "cult". But again, I think we have to be careful before throwing this label on anybody who comes off as a bit strange and unconventional. I doubt there are big black vans screeching up to the sidewalk to snatch ex-members away.

Answer 10

Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses are legitimate religions but are not Christian . The fact that they claim some relationship with Christianity is what makes them a cult to Christians. The Jehovah witnesses are actually believers in the Christian heresy of Arianism. The Christian faith believes in one Trinitarian God and that Christ had two natures , fully human and fully God.

In Christ
fr. Joseph