Did you think Jehovah Witnesses are in a cult?

Question

I say this because when they ask you to join, they ask you to convert your family members. If you do not convert them you cannot have constant/daily contact with your family members? I only ask because I had a family friend say that this caused a problem with him and a brother who converted. The brother got their mother to convert. Well the mother got sick and died. Because she was not in contact with him, he did not get to say good-bye before she passed on. What do you think/know?

Answer 1

No, Jehovah's Witnesses certainly are not a cult.

Sadly, this question is based on a false premise or perhaps a misunderstanding.

True Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) are certainly not required to convert anyone; they cannot force anyone to listen or to act (nor would they want to)! Of course, Jesus does command Christians to preach.

(Matthew 10:7,11,14) As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’ ...Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving... Wherever anyone does not take you in or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off your feet.


Neither the bible nor Jehovah's Witnesses ever encourage a Christian to avoid his family simply because they have different beliefs; the idea is preposterous! Both materially and emotionally, every Christian has some obligation to his relatives regardless of their religion.

(1 Timothy 5:8) Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/t21/
http://watchtower.org/e/19990515/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19980401/article_01.htm

Answer 2

JR above is the only person here who has plainly stated the truth about the way Jehovah's Witnesses, or JWs, behave toward ex-members who have left the faith and speak out against the religion. He says, "You can have contact with your family members if you convert to a JWs.. but if they become a JWs and then reject the teachings and leave, then you cannot associate with them - which stated in the Bible"


JWs differ from other religions in the way they treat those people who leave their religion and speak out about their reasons for leaving. Once this person is identified by their leaders, the church members are told they can no longer have association of any sort with that former member (it's called "shunning"). this applies even within the family!

Can you imagine you and your mother being a baptized JW, then your mother decides against it, and because she disagrees aloud, you're unable to see her anymore and she can't be a part of your life? Can you imagine your mother never knowing your children, just because she chooses to no longer be a Jehovah's Witness?

this is a daily reality for many many Jehovah's Witnesses and their ex-JW family members. So many families have been destroyed through their policy of shunning. For this reason I cannot endorse it as another innocent way to serve God.

This is what I know as a person who was involved for over 20 years, and whose mother, grandmother and great grandmother were also involved. Also, my husband's entire family is involved.

Answer 3

Sounds like a specific family issue. I am a Witness, I have pretty much daily contact with my sister in law, not a Witness. I feel for the boy who didn't get in contact with his mom. Sounds like he is hurting and trying to find something or someone to blame. I hope he can find some comfort. If the funeral is at a Kingdom Hall, make sure to remind him ALL are welcome at the Kingdom Hall. I recently lost my Dad. I know it can be very hard, and that brothers don't always get along, and that can make things even worse.

Answer 4

I did alot of research before I became a Jehovah's Witness and please believe me they are not a cult. My Wife and I were baptized in Aug. 1996.
People are so quick to believe what other people tell them without looking into it for themselves. I would have to say Jehovah's Witnesses are so misunderstood.
People think we don't believe in Jesus because we don't celebrate Christmas, and that's not true. We love Jesus and know that God sent him to die for our sins.
Jesus is the King of God's Kingdom.
Our Kingdom Halls are open to anyone that want to come, we invite everyone.
We do not meet in secret locations in the dark some where. We have Conventions through out the summer that people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses really enjoy.
I would suggest asking for a free home bible study and then make an honest decision. https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm

Answer 5

No. Jehovah's Witnesses do not fit the definition of a cult. One main factor in a cult is that the leader is a human. David Koresh, Jim Jones... those were cult leaders. Jehovah's Witnesses are followers of Jesus Christ. In fact our summer conventions this year were themed "Follow the Christ"

As for our alienating family members, that is a gross misrepresentation, if I may say so. First of all it generally refers to alienation from the immediate family ... in the same household, such as when a teenager runs away from home and is recruited by someone like Charles Manson. Are we going to accuse anyone who isn't speaking to their mother who lives elsewhere or a brother or a sister of being a member of a cult? Wouldn't that mean both alienated parties are members of a cult? In contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses are known worldwide as having strong, loving families.

To the specific situation you outlined... that is absolutely NOT true. Quite the opposite. New ones are encouraged NOT TO ALIENATE or put off their relatives by being overly zealous in telling them the things they are learning from the Bible. They are encouraged to do so tactfully and in small doses. Sometimes the alienation occurs because the non-Witness relative refuses to accept the changes the Witness relative is making.

Whatever your friend's situation, there's more at play here than the mere fact that his relatives became JW's.

Thanks for allowing me my say.

Answer 6

A cult is a religion or group that follows a man. Jehovah's Witnesses follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I am sorry for your friend, that he did not get to say goodbye to his mother. However, it certainly was not solely because she was one of Jehovah's Witnesses and he was not. It is also not true that it is a requirement to convert family members. As Witnesses, we talk about Bible truth to anyone who wants to know, we don't force it down anyone's throat. Many families have members of differing religious views, and their level of contact may vary because of that, or other personal reasons.
In many families I know, it is the non-Witness family members who tend to distance themselves, under the false assumption that they will be constantly trying to convert them.. Of course, personalities differ too, and especially newer bible students are excited about what they are learning and want to talk about it frequently. It is also easier to get "carried away" when having discussions with family members. However, we are ALWAYS taught to respect others' views.

Answer 7

You can have contact with your family members if you convert to a JWs.. but if they become a JWs and then reject the teachings and leave, then you cannot associate with them - which stated in the Bible

Some of my family members aren't JWs, and I speak to them all the time.

Edit: I would also like to add is that if they are practicing bad things, then you cannot associate with them.

You also have to remember that many JWs are married to non believers - yet they do not disassociate themselves from them.

Answer 8

yeah, its a cult... the first thing a cult does is try to alienate you from your family memebers.....any time any kid of organized group says you cant have contact with your famly, except for under conditions, its a big red falg!! think about it for a minute......what would they hae to gain from not letting you contact your family?? they know that your fam will see the truth and take you out of it..... and when that happens, they lose members, then take the risk of more ppl realizing its a cult.

Answer 9

No I think it's what they believe and if someone chooses to believe that..then it's their own...

Answer 10

No, but they are annoying.