Is the Jehovah Witness faith a cult???

Question

Not trying to offend anyone but I'm curious why many people say that jehovah witnesses are in a cult.

Answer 1

No we are not a cult. We don't do anything wierd or jump around in strange getups. We are fairly normal, some would add dull, people. We have a good time on many levels, we just keep control of ourselves. Nothing wrong with moderate use of alcohol, though drunkedness is not, as with any who value dignity.

People say we are to have something nasty to say about us. We know Jesus said his people would be persecuted and revialed. It has been true for years. They dream up things when they don't have any idea what we believe. Religious leaders don't dare tell their people truthfully what we believe or more might see the truth.

Oddly, our persecution in the US has led to all Americans having liberties established for them to rail against us. Do you seriously think the last few leaders would have permitted free speech if they could stop it? JWs have been to the Supreme Court over 50 times to establish the country obeying the laws on the books for freedom.

What we do is obey what Jesus ordered his followers to do. The difference is we do not allow beliefs of man to interfere with our worship. Most would be surprised how much of so-called Christian beliefs are not from the Bible at all. Not surprisingly, most Christians can not defend their faith from the Bible. Only remember what a relative or priest told them. We can. We study the Bible in meetings, personal study, teaching. Someone once figured out our normal study gives us the equivalent of a 4 year degree. I don't know, but I accept that we know more than any other group.

Personally, I think passing collection plates or those bags on poles is cult-like. We never pass or beg for any money for our ministry. Jesus nor the apostles ever did. They had contribution boxes for people to put in what they would, but no pressure. We offer free home Bible studies for anyone. Within six months, you get a basic understanding of the Bible and can explain it in your own words AND show it from the Bible.

We value reason and logic as Jehovah shows in all His creations. Everything works logically and orderly. I wish I did all the time but, I am human.

To me, this doesn't sound anything like a cult.

Answer 2

No. It's pretty simple.

The thing is that most people in mainstream religions (Catholic, Baptist, Muslim, etc.) are not used to seeing the unity that is displayed by Jehovah's Witnesses in their own faith. This kind of love and devotion which Jesus said his followers would have (John 13:35) is seen as weird and cult-like. We know each other by name in our congregations. We can go anywhere in the world and receive the same loving fellowship and message as we would at home. We love our neighbors and appreciate the value of life and blood - never taking either for granted. Most importantly, our teachings and practices are based on the Bible. We don't follow one man or pay money for our services.

This is how dictionary.com defines cult:

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.

Answer 3

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."
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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.
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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 4

this is something. when people know nothing about Jehovah Witnesses, right away we are called a cult. which we are not. a cult worships man. jim jones or charles manson. we worship Jehovah God and we follow Jesus Christ command at Matthew 28 verse 19 and 20. people say we are hiding something in the Kingdom hall because there is no windows. my kingdom hall does. we are not hiding anything. if we where a cult, we would not invite people to see what is inside the kingdom hall. we follow the bible. because we don't celebrate holidays because the are pagan, man made. we are different. we do celebrate Jesus Christ memorial each year in 236 lands worldwide. every year at Nisan 14, the last supper or passover. learn what Jehovah Witnesses are all about at www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

cult...follows man like Jim Jones

Jehovah's Witnesses follow Jesus footsteps in worshiping Jehovah God, the Sovereign of the Universe.

Answer 6

No Jehovah’s witnesses are not a "cult" We are Christians, and we follow what the bible says not what men tell us to do. Acts 5:29 “We must obey God as ruler rather than men”

This is the definition of a cult

Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders. 1
"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of [consequences of] leaving it, etc) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community."


Nothing that was in this definition is what we do or practice. I am not financially exploited. I am not psychologically exploited, no one demands me to do anything, no even Jehovah. I don’t devote to any Man or person. There is neither Pressure nor Fear of any kind. I enjoy spending time with my former friends and family!!!!

Nothing that was defined here is something that Jehovah’s witnesses do or follow. I Love spending time at the kingdom halls and my meetings because I learn about our great Father Jehovah, his wonderful works and about Jesus Christ, also because I forget my outside problems. I go to my meetings to refresh my mind and because there is LOVE in the congregation.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses are used to the negative things people say about them. People said many hateful things about Jesus too. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who are complying with the instructions Jesus gave his early followers to do. (Matt. 28:19) Most people do not want to hear what e have to say. They accuse us of forcing our beliefs on them, which is not true. I can just imagine what awful things people said about Noah when he tried to warn them of the upcoming flood.

If people would only examine why we believe what we do, it may cause them to think about what they have been taught in their church. For instance:

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses refrain from celebrating holidays like most professed Christians? Is it because they just don't want to have fun and enjoy themselves? Or is there another reason?

Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the trinity when most other religions do? Are they just trying to be different? Or is there another reason?

Many people lash out at things they do not understand. So it is not surprising that they call us names like "cult."

Answer 8

The vast majority of claims to be Christians are the very ones that have adopted the pagan Babylon trinity into their worship. Taking the cross of Baal and wearing it around their necks. Raising Mary to be the "mother of God." All are pagan doctrines that have been taken in by the Churches when they tried to rid the world of pagans ended up adopting the same Cult practices themselves.

JWs reject all that is of the world. The Baal trinity rename to Jesus at the Nicea Creed. Christmas the birthday of the Roman God Mithras. Tammuz/Baal Sun Gods that are shaped as a cross.

JWs are not a cult. Just the opposite, they are the only Christians to adhere to Jesus instructions to preach about the kingdom. (Mat 10:7)

Answer 9

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
We are not a cult.
Cult is defined here as: 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.
You can always check our beliefs & how we function at our ONLY official website: http://www.watchtower.org
You don't have to listen to ones who are not JW's.

We do not follow any one man's teachings, except the former man, JESUS CHRIST.
We talk to all kinds of people, associate with them, & will answer any questions they have about us. We do not operate secretly to any degree. We do not seclude ourselves. Everyone is welcome at all times.
We are not dangerous at all. We are not planning anything you cannot know about. We are not plannig ANYTHING actually. We are just spreading the Good News & minding world events, to watch for things talked about in the Bible.

Answer 10

Anti-Witnesses try to use the term "cult" like a sledgehammer to obliterate any thinking analysis of what the supposed "cultist" actually believes. Trinitarians especially 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/20000622/
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_04.htm