Free home bible study....

https://www.jw.org/en/

Give it a try......

Readers should first follow this link:

The Watchtower fails in desperate attempt to dodge child sexual abuse bullet.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526749/jehovah-s-witnesses-must-pay-48k-in-court-costs-for-failed-bid-to-be-excluded-from-abuse-inquiry

@galveston75

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/guided-bible-study-course/

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 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.

@Ghost-of-a-Duke 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 ...[text shortened]... ing a cult is - try to leave. Do they treat you differently afterwards?

If Yes, you’re in a cult.

@galveston75 said
https://www.jw.org/en/

Give it a try......

@Rajk999

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a cult. Rather, we are Christians who do our best to follow the example set by Jesus Christ and to live by his teachings.

"What is a cult?
The term “cult” means different things to different people. However, consider two common perceptions regarding cults and why those perceptions don’t apply to us.

Some think of a cult as being a new or unorthodox religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses have not invented a new religion. On the contrary, we pattern our worship after that of the first-century.
Christians, whose example and teachings were recorded in the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:​16, 17) We believe that the Holy Scriptures should be the authority on what is orthodox in matters of worship.

Some think of a cult as being a dangerous religious sect with a human leader. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not look to any human as their leader. Rather, we adhere to the standard that Jesus set for his followers when he stated: “Your Leader is one, the Christ.”​—Matthew 23:10.

Far from being a dangerous cult, Jehovah’s Witnesses practice a religion that benefits themselves and others in the community. For example, our ministry has helped many people to overcome harmful addictions, such as the abuse of drugs and alcohol. In addition, we conduct literacy classes around the world, helping thousands learn to read and write. And we are actively involved in disaster relief. We work hard to have a positive impact on others, just as Jesus commanded his followers to do.​—Matthew 5:​13-​16.

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............

Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision.....
“WHEN I listened to the announcement that my son had been disfellowshipped, my whole world seemed to come to an end,” recalls Julian. “He was my oldest child, and we were very close; we did lots of things together. He had always been an exemplary son, and then suddenly he began behaving in a way that was unacceptable. My wife wept repeatedly, and I did not know how to console her. We kept asking ourselves if we had somehow failed as parents.”

How can it be said that disfellowshipping a Christian is a loving provision if it causes so much pain? What reasons do the Scriptures give for taking such drastic measures? And what exactly leads to a person’s being disfellowshipped?

TWO FACTORS THAT LEAD TO DISFELLOWSHIPPING
Two factors​—which must coincide—​result in the disfellowshipping of one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. First, a baptized Witness commits a serious sin. Second, he does not repent of his sin.

Although Jehovah does not demand perfection from us, he does have a standard of holiness that he expects his servants to meet. For example, Jehovah insists that we avoid such serious sins as sexual immorality, idolatry, thievery, extortion, murder, and spiritism.​—1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Rev. 21:8.

Would you not agree that Jehovah’s clean standards are reasonable and that they serve to protect us? Who does not prefer to live among peaceful, decent people who can be trusted? We find such an environment among our spiritual brothers and sisters, thanks to the promise we make at the time of our dedication to God to live in harmony with the guidelines found in his Word.

But what if a baptized Christian commits a serious sin because of human weakness? Faithful servants of Jehovah in the past made such mistakes, yet God did not reject them outright. King David is a prime example. David committed adultery and murder; yet, the prophet Nathan informed him: “Jehovah . . . forgives your sin.”​—2 Sam. 12:13.

God pardoned David’s sin because of David’s sincere repentance. (Ps. 32:1-5) Likewise, a servant of Jehovah today will be disfellowshipped only if he is unrepentant or continues to practice what is bad. (Acts 3:19; 26:20) If genuine repentance is not manifest to the elders who serve on a judicial committee, they must disfellowship the person.

At first, we may feel that the decision to disfellowship the wrongdoer is drastic or even unkind, especially if we have close ties to that person. Nevertheless, Jehovah’s Word gives us sound reasons for believing that such a decision is a loving one.

DISFELLOWSHIPPING CAN BENEFIT EVERYONE CONCERNED
Jesus pointed out that “wisdom is proved righteous by its results.” (Matt. 11:19, ftn.) A wise decision to disfellowship an unrepentant wrongdoer produces righteous results. Consider these three:

Disfellowshipping wrongdoers honors Jehovah’s name. Since we bear the name of Jehovah, our behavior inevitably reflects on his name. (Isa. 43:10) Just as a son’s conduct can bring either honor or reproach on his parents, so people’s feelings toward Jehovah will depend to some extent on the good or bad example they observe in his name people. God’s good name is upheld if the people who bear that name make Jehovah’s moral standard their own. The situation was somewhat similar in Ezekiel’s time when people of the nations closely associated the name of Jehovah with the Jews.​—Ezek. 36:19-23.

We would bring reproach on God’s holy name if we practiced immorality. The apostle Peter counseled Christians: “As obedient children, stop being molded by the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all your conduct, for it is written: ‘You must be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Pet. 1:14-16) Clean, holy conduct brings honor to God’s name.

If one of Jehovah’s Witnesses practices what is bad, however, it is likely that friends and acquaintances will become aware of this. The disfellowshipping act shows that Jehovah has a clean people who adhere to Scriptural guidelines in order to maintain that holiness. A stranger once came to a meeting at a Kingdom Hall in Switzerland and said that he wanted to become a member of the congregation. His sister had been disfellowshipped for immorality. He said that he wanted to join an organization that “does not tolerate bad conduct.”

Disfellowshipping protects the clean, Christian congregation. The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians of the danger of allowing willful sinners to remain in their midst. He compared the bad influence of such ones to that of leaven that causes a whole lump of dough to rise. “A little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough,” he noted. He then counseled them: “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”​—1 Cor. 5:6, 11-13.

Apparently, “the wicked person” mentioned by Paul blatantly practiced immorality. And other congregation members had even begun to justify his conduct. (1 Cor. 5:1, 2) If such a gross sin had been condoned, other Christians might have felt inclined to follow the immoral customs of the licentious city in which they lived. Overlooking willful sins encourages a lax attitude toward divine standards. (Eccl. 8:11) Furthermore, unrepentant sinners could become “rocks hidden below water” and shipwreck the faith of others in the congregation.​—Jude 4, 12.

Disfellowshipping may bring the wrongdoer to his senses. Jesus once spoke of a young man who left his father’s home and squandered his inheritance on a life of debauchery. The prodigal son learned the hard way that life outside his father’s home was empty and heartless. The son finally came to his senses, repented, and took the initiative to return to his family. (Luke 15:11-24) Jesus’ description of the loving father who rejoiced at his son’s change of heart helps us understand Jehovah’s feelings. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that someone wicked changes his way and keeps living,” he assures us.​—Ezek. 33:11.

Likewise, disfellowshipped ones who are no longer members of the Christian congregation​—their spiritual family—​may come to realize what they have lost. The bitter fruits of their sinful course, together with the memories of happier days when they enjoyed a good relationship with Jehovah and his people, could bring them to their senses.

Love and firmness are needed to produce the desired result. “Should the righteous one strike me, it would be an act of loyal love,” said the psalmist David, and “should he reprove me, it would be like oil on my head.” (Ps. 141:5) To illustrate: Imagine a hiker who succumbs to exhaustion on a cold winter day. He begins to suffer from hypothermia, and he feels drowsy. If he falls asleep in the snow, he will die. While waiting for a rescue party, his companion occasionally slaps him in the face to keep him awake. The slap may sting, but it could well save his life. Similarly, David recognized that a righteous person might need to give him painful correction for his own good.

In many cases, disfellowshipping provides the discipline the erring one needs. After some ten years, Julian’s son, mentioned at the outset, cleaned up his life, returned to the congregation, and now serves as an elder. “Being disfellowshipped brought me face-to-face with the consequences of my lifestyle,” he admits. “I needed that sort of discipline.”​—Heb. 12:7-11.

THE LOVING WAY TO DEAL WITH DISFELLOWSHIPPED ONES
True, disfellowshipping is a spiritual tragedy, but the tragedy need not become an unmitigated disaster. All of us play a role in making sure that the disfellowshipping serves its purpose.

Two elders meet with a disfellowshipped woman
Efforts are made to help repentant ones return to Jehovah

Elders who have the sad task of communicating a disfellowshipping decision strive to reflect Jehovah’s love. When informing the person of their decision, they kindly and clearly explain the steps he needs to take to be reinstated in the congregation. For the sake of reminding disfellowshipped ones of how they can return to Jehovah, elders may periodically visit those who have given some evidence of changing their ways.a

Family members can show love for the congregation and the erring one by respecting the disfellowshipping decision. “He was still my son,” explains Julian, “but his lifestyle had put up a barrier between us.”

All in the congregation can show principled love by avoiding contact and conversation with the disfellowshipped person. (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 John 10, 11) They thus reinforce the discipline that Jehovah has given him through the elders. Furthermore, they can give extra love and support to the family of the disfellowshipped one, who suffer considerably and who should not be made to feel that they too are excluded from association with fellow believers.​—Rom. 12:13, 15.

“Disfellowshipping is an arrangement that we need, one that helps us live according to Jehovah’s standards,” Julian concludes. “In the long run, despite the pain, it brings good results. Had I been tolerant of my son’s bad conduct, he would never have recovered.”

Jesus COMMANDED that his congregation be kept clean........ Any concept of that? I can guarantee your church does not. They now welcome all who practice any kind of sexual lifestyles. What ever goes as long as they put their share of money in the plate as it's passed before them.

@galveston75 said
@Rajk999

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a cult. Rather, we are Christians who do our best to follow the example set by Jesus Christ and to live by his teachings.

"What is a cult?
The term “cult” means different things to different people. However, consider two common perceptions regarding cults and why those perceptions don’t apply to us.

Some think of a cult as ...[text shortened]... o have a positive impact on others, just as Jesus commanded his followers to do.​—Matthew 5:​13-​16.

@galveston75 said
Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision.....
“WHEN I listened to the announcement that my son had been disfellowshipped, my whole world seemed to come to an end,” recalls Julian. “He was my oldest child, and we were very close; we did lots of things together. He had always been an exemplary son, and then suddenly he began behaving in a way that was unacceptable. My ...[text shortened]... es. What ever goes as long as they put their share of money in the plate as it's passed before them.

@Ghost-of-a-Duke said
Cough cough, brainless cut and paste alert.

I guess some people need to be spoon-fed what to believe.

@galveston75 said

Do you not understand that Jehovah God has given very clear laws in the bible, yes even your bible, on ones who "practice sin" ?

@galveston75 said

Now not that you'll get that little example as to why one could be removed from associating from the congregation, but if you actually knew the Bible and Jehovah's command about removing one who continually comments gross sins, you would see it is for the good of the congregations spiritual health.

Would you let a grown child live in your house who continually breaks the law??????????

@Ghost-of-a-Duke said
Did you not read this part?

'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 ...[text shortened]... while still attending meetings being ignored before the elders allow you to have your family back.'