Definition of a cult

Originally posted by Proper Knob
If i am a quiet, considerate person who losses his temper say once every 3 years, would that make me an aggressive/angry person?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
hardly

Originally posted by Proper Knob
Well then one act of humility after all the name calling and ad hominems that have come from you of late doesn't suddenly make you a humble person.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I think it does, for I continue to be apologetic. Its hardly a one off scenario.

Originally posted by Proper Knob
You can of course continue to believe what you wish, but i'm telling you from my perspective; and no doubt many other posters on this forum, you come across as anything but humble and self-effacing.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Its probably due to the fact that many of my posts are overflowing with unassailable logic, hordes of references based upon the scientific method and an Aladdins cave of incontrovertible proofs yet I retain a certain egalitarianism.

Originally posted by galveston75
I guess I'm missing the lies you keep saying Robbie has told.

Could you just very simply show me just 1 and what he said was a lie in that 1 statement he has said?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I have noticed that in religious discussion that there has been the indiscriminate use of the term cult. For example i was listening to a radio program in which a rather right wing American evangelist termed Islam as not a religion but as a cult. On these very forums, Christianity has also been termed a cult, usually without much regard for what t ...[text shortened]... term actually means. So what are the definitive characteristics of a cult, this is my question.

Any authoritarian group that uses thought reform, coercive persuasion, deception and fear to manipulate and control its members.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Its probably due to the fact that many of my posts are overflowing with
unassailable logic, hordes of references based upon the scientific method and
an Aladdins cave of incontrovertible proofs yet I retain a certain egalitarianism.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
LOL
Nice one Robbie!

Let me see if I can help here by listing some of the posts.

Originally posted by Galveston79 in 'Guns' thread.

"But the second a person picks up a weapon to kill another human and actually does kill, God "WILL" ask back the blood of that dead one. A serious fact that most do not understand"

Second thread created by divegeester

Thread Title: @ JWs on [your] Jehovah and killing

The above statement by Galveston79 in the 'Guns' thread is quoted by divegeestar followed by this question.

How do you as Jehovah's Witnesses reconcile not only that God has killed, but that he states that he does not change, with your pontification on pacifism and pious statements such as this one at the top of the OP?

Eventually after receiving no adequate answer devegeester posts the following:

Are you in any way at all going to address the point in the OP, or shall we dance the dance of deflection once again?

Response by robbie carrobie:

You stated that Jehovahs Witnesses are a cult, i am addressing your last post. It is a term you have used consistently in your criticism, therefore, what is your definition of a cult.

A new thread was created by robbie carrobie that asks the definition of a cult.

Thread Title: Definition of a cult

ThinkOfOne Responds:

Here's a definition of 'cult' that seems to work pretty well:

In the West, the term has come to be used for groups that are perceived to have deviated from normative religions in belief and practice. They typically have a charismatic leader and attract followers who are in some way disenfranchised from the mainstream of society. Cults as thus defined are often viewed as foreign or dangerous.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult

The Jehovah's Witnesses would seem to fit this definition.

Response by robbie carrobie:

all denominations that depart from what is considered mainstream would then fit that description. Are Jehovahs Witnesses the only group that has departed from mainstream, if not, then why are you signalling them out? thank you in advance?

ThinkOfOne Answer 1:

From what I can tell, this thread was borne from a discussion you were having with DG on the "@ JWs on [your] Jehovah and killing" thread which you capped off on page 2 with the following post:

"You stated that Jehovahs Witnesses are a cult, i am addressing your last post. It is a term you have used consistently in your criticism, therefore, what is your definition of a cult."

If you can be honest with yourself, you'll acknowledge that the JWs have "deviated from normative religions in belief and practice" much more than most.

Posted by robbie carrobie:

Will you please answer the question, if the definition of a cult is that one leaves the mainstream then why have you signalled Jehovahs witnesses out. I am not asking you what promoted any threads, I am asking you why you have signalled Jehovahs witnesses out. I fully acknowledge that we have deviated from what is considered the norm.

ThinkOfOne Answer 2:

For one, the definition I quoted is not simply "[one that] leaves the mainstream". I suggest that you reread it so that you can fully understand it.

For another, I already explained that I was getting to the "heart of the matter" which is whether or not the JWs fit the definition of a cult per the discussion that prompted this thread. Not sure what you don't understand about this.

Is anyone else having as much difficulty following what I've posted as RC seems to be?

Posted by robbie carrobie

I am uninterested in anything else you have to say, simply please tell the forum why you have singled Jehovahs witnesses out.

ThinkOfOne Answer 3:

I already explained that I was getting to the "heart of the matter" which is whether or not the JWs fit the definition of a cult per the discussion that prompted this thread. Not sure what you don't understand about this.

Posted by robbie carrobie:

all you have to do is provide the answer, if you have stated it clearly, it should be easy. I have singled out Jehovahs witness because . . . . . . .

ThinkOfOne responded:

RC seemingly continues to believe that the way to cover up his lies is by using yet more deceit. Perhaps RC believes that if he doesn't acknowledge what is plainly displayed in front of him, it doesn't exist.

It's not like RC hasn't tried this tack many times before and always with the same result. He embarrasses himself and he embarrasses the Watch Tower Society as a representative of that organization.

RJHinds responds:

Let me help him explain. He has singled out Jehovah's Witnesses because we have two such deceived individuals on this forum and he wishes to help you understand the mind-control that this cult has over you.

ThinkOfOne responded:

Do the elders in the Watchtower Society cast a blind eye towards the use of deceit and the telling of lies?

If not, why haven't they been able to help you get a grip on your reprehensible behavior?

Posted by robbie carrobie:

Again, let me repeat the question you are having trouble with, I (thinkofone) have singled out Jehoavs Witnesses because . . . . . (you fill in the blanks), it should not be very difficult.

ThinkOfOne responded:

I've already answered the question more than one and have repeatedly reposted my answers. I know it, everyone else knows it and you know it as well.

What do you think you gain by pretending that I have not answered your question?

Why do you continue to reinforce your reputation as a liar?

Do you really have so little regard for truth?

If "God is truth", then what does your chronic and habitual lying say about how you view God?

Then galveston75 posts:

As suspected you are nothing if not predictable, you were not asked if Jehovahs witnesses fit the definition of a cult, you were asked, why you singled Jehovahs witness out, to which you have failed to give any answer.

ThinkOfOne responded:

Given that I have provided two answers, I clearly have not "failed to give any answer". That makes his statement a lie. That he continues to pretend that I have "failed to given any answer" in the face of my repeatedly posting those answers shows him to be a chronic and habitual liar.


Posted by galveston75
I guess I'm missing the lies you keep saying Robbie has told.

Could you just very simply show me just 1 and what he said was a lie in that 1 statement he has said?

ThinkOfOne responded:

I showed you a lie as requested (on page 16), but haven't seen a response from you - though I may have missed it amongst all the flotsam.

So shouldn't you give your fellow JW correction? Or is chronic and habitual lying acceptable to the Watchtower Society?

Originally posted by LemonJello
How about the definition given by Brenda Lee in her article to which a link is provided below:

Any authoritarian group that uses thought reform, coercive persuasion, deception and fear to manipulate and control its members.

Sounds reasonable to me. I am very happy to hear that Brenda has been able to "recover" and get her life back.

http://jwrecovery.org/2009/09/are-jehovahs-witnesses-a-cult/

Originally posted by LemonJello
Robbie, you asked for a definition of the term 'cult'. What do you think about Lee's offering here? To me, it seems to align well with how persons typically use the term in the context being explored here. The JWs certainly do qualify as a 'cult' under this definition, fo' shizzle.