Jehovah Witness Church - A dangerous cult that has destroyed people

The experiences of an ex-JW :

https://qr.ae/psnBSe
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I can tell you why I believe the Jehovah’s Witness “religion” is a cult.

And bear in mind this is coming from someone who really didn't want it to be a cult and looked for loopholes to explain away the evidence identifying it as a cult.

When evidence was presented to me I’d say “It has “cult tendencies”, but it isn't a cult”. Or the way to deflect the accusation was always to ask “What do you think a cult is?” or “What’s the difference between a religion and a cult?” because most people don't know.

So, the reasons why I believe the Jehovah’s Witness “religion” to be a cult are:

You cant leave with your reputation intact. Find me any quote from any of the literature that speaks of someone leaving the Jehovah’s Witnesses with good intentions. You won’t find one. People who leave are labelled as “weak”, “sinful”, “selfish” or “dangerous”. Right now, there are thousands (likely millions) of active Jehovah’s Witnesses trying to leave. A lot of them are on exJW Reddit asking for help and advice from former members. My personal estimate is that if shunning former members was removed that at least a third would walk away from the “religion”.

Sincere inquiry results in you being silenced. Sure you can ask questions, but you’re to accept the answer you’re given. If you’re not satisfied with the answer or point out glaring inconsistencies you’re told to keep quiet about it or wind up being disfellowshipped for “causing divisions”. Only the Watchtowers interpretation of scripture matters. When it changes (and it does frequently) you’re to accept the new belief immediately.

No tolerance for open debate. When a Jehovah’s Witness is bested on scripture (which is very easy to do) rather than respectfully conceding or be willing to study the matter objectively they instead rely on name-calling or simply refusing to provide an explanation like active Jehovah’s Witness Edward Smith does:

“The truth” keeps changing. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus himself chose the Watchtower society as his one channel of communication on earth in 1919 and declared it “clean” from false doctrine. But if you were to believe and practice what the Watchtower was publishing back then today you’d be disfellowshipped as an apostate. Jehovah’s Witnesses are told that the changes in doctrine are “new light” from god - but often this “new light” reverts back to old beliefs that were previously declared false.

Talent and creativity are stifled. Are you a gifted soccer player? A talented artist? Do you have a natural aptitude for the sciences? Too bad you’ll never get to use them. You have to put door knocking and meeting attendance before anything - including your own family.

Causing family breakups. When I was a kid there was a man who was shunning his own daughters. He never met his grandchildren. Why? His daughters went to a nightclub and so were disfellowshipped. When I was 8 we were told to shun my uncle. Why? He was suffering from alcoholism and so was disfellowshipped. My mother tells people I’m dead. Why? I refused to recant my belief that Jesus is the mediator for all men and not just 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses so I was disfellowshipped. Parents shun their children, children shun their parents, brothers shun their sisters. This shunning last forever unless the person returns to the cult. But even that takes about a year (minimum) of shunning while still attending meetings being ignored before the elders allow you to have your family back.

The façade of “unity”. Jehovah’s Witnesses have worldwide conformity, not unity. Anyone who disagrees is removed. North Korea has the same procedure. It’s very creepy reading JW literature as an awakened former member because you can see that the literature tells you what to believe, think and feel.

“Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!” Those words describe Jehovah’s Witnesses as the happiest people on earth. There is no greater joy than that which comes from serving the only true and living God, Jehovah. Since he is “the happy God,” those who worship him reflect his delight. What are some aspects of our worship that contribute to our being so happy? Jesus assured us that happiness comes from being “conscious of [our] spiritual need.” Continually studying the Bible and attending all our Christian meetings satisfies that need. Learning the truth of God’s Word has set us free from religious falsehood and error. The Scriptures have also taught us the best way of living. Because of that, we enjoy wholesome Christian fellowship within our happy association of brothers. - Our Kingdom Ministry, Feb 2002.[3]

The irony is that Jehovah’s Witnesses have a higher than average number of sufferers of depression and mental illness. In my last congregation, 25 out of 80 members were on medication for depression. And they’re only the ones I know of. Self-harm is also common as is suicidal ideation.

Following men. Jehovah’s Witnesses follow the governing body. They deny it and, from personal experience, you don't even realise you’re doing it. But they do. They claim that Jesus is the head of their religion - but conveniently it’s the governing body that tell them what Jesus is saying and what Jesus wants. When the governing body say one thing but the bible says another they go with the governing body. Recently, the governing body commanded them to “trust the governing body as you would trust god himself”.[4] [5]

Fear of “the world”. “The world” is a Jehovah’s Witness term which means the world outside of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The world is evil, satanic, dangerous and soon to be destroyed. And “worldly people” (that’s what they call you) are not to be trusted, selfish, angry, immoral, unreasonable and dangerous. Something which even active Jehovah’s Witness Sergio Semer Betyashan admits in his answer is a form of bullying. (The double standard appears to be lost on him).

Salvation only to be found within the group. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Watchtower org is “the ark of protection”[6] and liken it to Noah’s ark in which only a few survived the flood of Noah’s day. Everyone else, regardless of how good they are or even if they’re Christians of another denomination, are set to be destroyed.

Now, of course, you could pick any religion and find cult-like tendencies in it. But very few religions out there have that amount of hold on its members that it could command them to disown their own children or parents, decide who their friends should be or tarnish your name simply for respectfully leaving.

You’ll get some JWs on here claiming that you can leave at any time by simply not attending meetings anymore. What they’re not telling you is that’s not leaving. That’s simply becoming “an inactive Jehovah’s Witness”. You’re still a JW and still expected to follow all of the petty JW rules or you will be disfellowshipped and shunned.

You’ll get some JWs on here claiming that they left in the past and were not shunned at all. What they’re not telling you is that they were never baptized and therefore were never JWs in the first place. Therefore shunning wouldn't happen because they’re still regarded as a potential convert.

You’ll get some JWs on here claiming that exJWs are bitter. What they’re not telling you is that these exJWs are upset that their family have been taken away from them for simply wishing to leave the group.

An easy way of spotting a cult is - try to leave. Do they treat you differently afterwards?

If Yes, you’re in a cult.

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Good post.

Note: Galveston75 has conceded (a long time back) that a person does NOT have to a member of the JW organisation in order to enter eternal life.

@rajk999 said
The experiences of an ex-JW :

https://qr.ae/psnBSe
************************************
I can tell you why I believe the Jehovah’s Witness “religion” is a cult.

And bear in mind this is coming from someone who really didn't want it to be a cult and looked for loopholes to explain away the evidence identifying it as a cult.

When evidence was presented to me I’d s ...[text shortened]... u differently afterwards?

If Yes, you’re in a cult.

*************************************

A cult if ever I saw one.

@divegeester said
Good post.

Note: Galveston75 has conceded (a long time back) that a person does NOT have to a member of the JW organisation in order to enter eternal life.

I think what he meant is that the righteous people from the bible were not JWs, and they will enter eternal life. I can bet if he was cross-questioned he would say that there is no church now in these times who have the truth and therefore they cannot get eternal life... only JWs will be saved and get eeternal life.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
A cult if ever I saw one.

Yes indeed and that is not even a full list of cult characteristics; thats just one man's opinion based on his limited experience.

@Rajk999

So do you feel better? You know so little but then Satan can fool anyone in to believing anything,

Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult?

JESUS CHRIST was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, a blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive.​—Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: ‘These men have overturned the inhabited earth.’ (Acts 17:6) On another occasion the apostle Paul and his companion Silas were taken to the authorities and charged with greatly disturbing the city of Philippi.​—Acts 16:20.

Paul was later accused of being a “pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth” and of trying “to profane the temple.” (Acts 24:5, 6) The principal men of the Jews in Rome accurately described the situation of Jesus’ followers when they acknowledged: “For truly as regards this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”​—Acts 28:22.

Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behavior. Undoubtedly, many today would have considered the Christians a destructive cult. The accusers were often prominent and respected members of the community, and this seems to have added weight to the allegations. Many believed the accusations against Jesus and his disciples. Yet, as you probably know, every one of these charges was false! The fact that people said these things did not make them true.

What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?

What the Evidence Shows

A government official of the city of St. Petersburg, Russia, explained: “Jehovah’s Witnesses were presented to us as some kind of underground sect sitting in the darkness and slaughtering children and killing themselves.” However, the people of Russia have recently become better acquainted with the true nature of the Witnesses. After working with Jehovah’s Witnesses in connection with an international convention, the same official observed: “Now I see normal, smiling people, even better than many people I know. They are peaceful and calm, and they love one another very much.” He added: “I really do not understand why people tell such lies about them.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Non-Witness author Julia Mitchell Corbett notes: “When they meet, usually more than once a week, in Kingdom Halls (their meeting sites are not called churches), most of their time is spent in Bible study and discussion.” Their meeting places are clearly marked with a sign. The meetings are open, and the general public is invited to attend. Unannounced guests are more than welcome.

The “Witnesses have earned the reputation of being honest, courteous, and industrious,” adds Corbett in her book Religion in America. Many who are not Witnesses readily acknowledge that there is nothing freakish or bizarre about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their conduct does not clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior. The New Encyclopædia Britannica accurately states that the Witnesses “insist upon a high moral code in personal conduct.”

The director of news and special projects for a television station in the United States wrote to Jehovah’s Witnesses in response to a biased report about the Witnesses on the TV news show 60 Minutes. He said: “If more people lived the way your faith does, this nation wouldn’t be in the shape it is in. I am one newsman who knows that your organization is founded on love and a strong faith in the Creator. I want you to know that not all News people are as biased.”

A Well-Known Religion

Is it fair to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a small fringe religious group? In a sense, Jehovah’s Witnesses are few in number compared to some religions. However, recall what Jesus said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.”​—Matthew 7:13, 14.

At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion.

Outstanding is a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. It declared that the Witnesses should enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and that they have the right to speak about their faith and teach it to others. This would hardly be the case if Jehovah’s Witnesses were known to use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members or if they used manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers.

Multitudes around the world are well acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? “No” would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“Absorbed in Humanity”

Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? “I do not belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses,” wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: “It is obvious that they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God’s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it​—they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity.”

And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. When disasters strike, they are quick to respond with relief supplies and other humanitarian assistance.

More important, they are engaged in an educational program that has no comparison. How many religions have an organized system to pay personal visits to every individual in their community? Jehovah’s Witnesses do this in more than 200 lands and in more than 200 languages! Clearly, Jehovah’s Witnesses are “absorbed in humanity.”

Strict Adherence to the Bible

Admittedly, the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are different from those provided by the churches. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jehovah is the almighty God and that Jesus is his Son, not part of a triune deity. Their faith is anchored in the belief that God’s Kingdom alone can bring relief to suffering humanity. They warn people of the imminent destruction of this corrupt system of things. They preach about God’s promise of an earthly paradise for obedient mankind. They do not venerate the cross. They do not celebrate Christmas. They believe that the soul is mortal and that there is no hellfire. They will not eat blood, nor will they accept blood transfusions. They abstain from involvement in politics and participation in warfare. Have you ever asked yourself why the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses are so different?

A Massachusetts newspaper, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, explains that Jehovah’s Witnesses’ “strict interpretation of the Bible forbids many activities others take for granted . . . , all in an effort to follow the example of first-century Christians and the word of the Bible.” The Encyclopedia of Religion agrees that “all that they believe is based on the Bible. They ‘proof text’ (that is, supply a biblical citation to support) almost every statement of faith, taking for granted the authority of the Bible, which entirely supplants tradition.” The book Religion in America states: “The group has never wavered from its focus on Bible study, and its teachings are supported by an elaborate system of references to scripture.”

Who Is Their Leader?

It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah’s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. The Encyclopedia of Religion aptly states about Jehovah’s Witnesses: “A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited.”

They follow Jesus Christ as their Leader and as Head of the Christian congregation. It was Jesus who said: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ.”​—Matthew 23:8-12.

It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard. Admittedly, not everyone who was influenced by the false reports about Jesus and his disciples fell into the trap of slandering him. Some may simply have been misinformed. If you have questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses and their beliefs, why not get to know them better? The doors to their Kingdom Halls are wide open to all who seek truth.

You can also benefit from their careful sea...

@galveston75

How can you claim your church has never worshiped Jesus when the founder of your church, Charles Russell, taught that it was proper to worship Jesus and pray to him?

@ghost-of-a-duke said
@galveston75

How can you claim your church has never worshiped Jesus when the founder of your church, Charles Russell, taught that it was proper to worship Jesus and pray to him?

The article in the opening post highlights that very same thing about their "truth" always changing. First they claim to be Gods people and guided by God but the truth and prophesies vary from year to year. Those people are delusional.

“The truth” keeps changing. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus himself chose the Watchtower society as his one channel of communication on earth in 1919 and declared it “clean” from false doctrine. But if you were to believe and practice what the Watchtower was publishing back then today you’d be disfellowshipped as an apostate. Jehovah’s Witnesses are told that the changes in doctrine are “new light” from god - but often this “new light” reverts back to old beliefs that were previously declared false.

@Rajk999
I can't believe or even understand why I'm taking the time to do this. You have so much hate and so much misunderstanding about Jehovah and how he works. Once someone has let hatred fill their hearts it would seem this could never possibly touch your heart,,,,,, but one never knows. I hope this video comes over here. You can do what you want with it. And who knows you might have a light go off in your head and heart and actually learn something.....

JW.ORG

Once you get here, go to "How does the light get brighter"....

@galveston75 said
@Rajk999
I can't believe or even understand why I'm taking the time to do this. You have so much hate and so much misunderstanding about Jehovah and how he works. Once someone has let hatred fill their hearts it would seem this could never possibly touch your heart,,,,,, but one never knows. I hope this video comes over here. You can do what you want with it. And who kn ...[text shortened]... ly learn something.....

JW.ORG

Once you get here, go to "How does the light get brighter"....

I see you’ve already resorted to blanking out Ghost of a Duke.

How very ‘KellyJay’ of you.

@galveston75 said
@Rajk999
I can't believe or even understand why I'm taking the time to do this. You have so much hate and so much misunderstanding about Jehovah and how he works. Once someone has let hatred fill their hearts it would seem this could never possibly touch your heart,,,,,, but one never knows. I hope this video comes over here. You can do what you want with it. And who kn ...[text shortened]... ly learn something.....

JW.ORG

Once you get here, go to "How does the light get brighter"....

Resorting to claiming that other people hate you or persecuting you is just avoidance tactics. I posted a commentary from a man who was a JW for several decades. There are thousands of testimonies like these. Claiming 'hate' just shows you have no substance and no defence.

@galveston75 said
@Rajk999

You know so little but then Satan can fool anyone in to believing anything

This is such a lazy comment Galveston75.

Claiming that the reason people don’t like your religious organisation because they are “fooled by Satan” rather than you acknowledging they don’t like it because of cultish tendencies, bullying, ostracisation, elitism, prophetic errors, covering up of child sex abuse, strange doctrines etc etc …. Is just you having your head in the sand frankly.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
@galveston75

How can you claim your church has never worshiped Jesus when the founder of your church, Charles Russell, taught that it was proper to worship Jesus and pray to him?

Bump for @galveston75

When you're caught in a lie it's not easy to slip the hook.

@ghost-of-a-duke said
Bump for @galveston75

When you're caught in a lie it's not easy to slip the hook.

“..but the shootings…”

@rajk999 said
The experiences of an ex-JW :

https://qr.ae/psnBSe
************************************
I can tell you why I believe the Jehovah’s Witness “religion” is a cult.

And bear in mind this is coming from someone who really didn't want it to be a cult and looked for loopholes to explain away the evidence identifying it as a cult.

When evidence was presented to me I’d s ...[text shortened]... u differently afterwards?

If Yes, you’re in a cult.

*************************************

Good post. Also fits Scientology, which also denies it is a cult.