Who believes that the J.W.s are a cult and why?

Question

It's Jehovahs Witnesses.

Answer 1

Many people consider the JWs a cult based on various models.

Here is one:

BITE model

1. Behaviour modification/control
2. Information Control
3. Thought Control
4. Emotional Control

Behaviour modification/control -

A. Do the JWs try to control or modify where, how and with whom the member lives and associates with?

B Do the JWs try to control or modify what clothes, colors, hairstyles the person wears? Are people castigated or shunned for not following certain rules in this area?

C. Do the JWs try to control or modify time spent on leisure, entertainment, vacations? Is your time with family even children limited by doctrinal sessions?

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I will state this; JWs will tell you to ask them and not a non JW about the JWs. Is this is the first move toward info control?

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Interestingly the apologists for the main leaders are often quite blind to information control.

Information Control - second in the BITE cult model.

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Do the JW's under the Guidance of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society use deception about various doctrines and events such as how they deal with child abusers and frequency or the use of blood when teaching a person the dogma?

Is this:
Deliberately holding back information?
or
Distorting information to make it acceptable?
or
Outright lying?

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Do the JW's under the Guidance of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society limit access to non-cult sources of information? Is this minimized or discouraged?

Such as:

Books, articles, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio?
or
Critical information - information that shows errors or a pattern of errors or mistakes? Are these excused and minimized?
or
c. Discourage information from former members that they deem detrimental to adhesiveness or continued existance?
or
d. Keep members so busy they don’t have time to think such as meetings, studies, door-to-door work and other activities centered only on the group.

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Do the JW's under the Guidance of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society use the compartmentalization of information; Outsider vs. Insider doctrines?

Such as:

Information is not freely accessible such as guides for elders, overseers, and headquater reps? What books or guides are released to a select few?
or
Does this Information vary at different levels and missions within the leadership pyramid?
or
Does the Leadership decides who "needs to know" what and questions are staunched and discouraged?

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Do the JW's under the Guidance of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society encourage spying on other members and to report any activities from a list of acceptable actions or conversation?
or
Is there pairing up with "buddy" system to monitor and control people and certify actions? Is there a two or more witness doctrine?
or
Is reporting deviant thoughts, feelings, and actions to leadership

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Do the JW's under the Guidance of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society suggest extensive use of cult generated information and propaganda?

What is the information limited to...?

Are these Newsletters, magazines, journals, audio tapes, videotapes, etc.?
or
Are there misquotations, statements taken out of context from non-cult sources?
or
Are past "sins" used to manipulate and control; no forgiveness or absolution and always judged by prior actions?
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The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publishes the doctrinal material followed by Jehovah's Witnesses. Within these you will find the answers to each of the above Questions.
I am pretty sure that from among nonJWS, exJWs, and antiJWS they can paste an article or a paragraph from Watchtower Bible and Tract Society publication that verifies "yes" or "no" to the above Questions.

The info above is based on (a couple of comments added):

Answer 2

I don't believe JWs are a cult. I see a cult as as a cohesive social group with beliefs rules and practices considered to be ‘problematic’or outside the currently accepted democratic culture of the country.

Answer 3

I do because they are not of the mainstream form of Christianity. They are focused on the "tribulation", make up many of their own rules and beliefs, have unconventional understanding of many of the scriptures, leading to what most consider as strange beliefs as to medical procedures like blood transfusions. They do not believe in celebrating birthdays or many holidays like Christmas.

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Answer 4

I believe all religions are cults because they are.

Answer 5

we are located in 238 countries around the world and our meeting are open to the public.....

and if you want to talk with them they are willing to do it specially about the bible...

saying Hi to everybody from Dominican Republic (caribbean)

Answer 6

once j.w. came to my house not in the name of christ rather in the name of a person needles to say they were not allowed to enter.

anyone who comes to my door in the name of the master gets in.

Answer 7

"ALL" religions are cults!

Answer 8

what are the J.Ws?