Why become a Jehovah's Witness?

Originally posted by Suzianne
No, no, no.

I read Dianetics also in my last year of college, and I was a psychology major well on my way to my BS. In fact, I was close to writing a paper on it, when other events in my life took precedence.

Dianetics, as a theory, is not wholly bad. There are many in psychology who agree with the basics of the idea today. Because of the rise of s ...[text shortened]... ng in common. Scientology was simply L. Ron whoring out Dianetics to make some tax-free money.

why no? i wasnt in anyway defending scientology. just saying that the claims robbie was making about j.w's being special are the same sort of claims used by scientologists.

Originally posted by stellspalfie
why no? i wasnt in anyway defending scientology. just saying that the claims robbie was making about j.w's being special are the same sort of claims used by scientologists.

You said:

with dianetics scientology believes they have revolutionized the way we look at mental health. they believe that it is the cutting edge of psychology.

Scientologists don't 'believe' any of that. Dianetics is simply a tool for them to make money. Maybe some of the more naive ones develop a 'belief' like this, I dunno, but all I'm saying is Scientology and Dianetics are two totally separate things.

Dianetics first, then came Scientology. Scientology did not beget Dianetics.

Originally posted by Suzianne
You said:

with dianetics scientology believes they have revolutionized the way we look at mental health. they believe that it is the cutting edge of psychology.

Scientologists don't 'believe' any of that. Dianetics is simply a tool for them to make money. Maybe some of the more naive ones develop a 'belief' like this, I dunno, but all I'm saying is Scientology and Dianetics are two totally separate things.

i agree that many (especially those at the top) see it for what it is, but the rank and file member believes what they are fed and they believe that their cult is something special.
i remember an interview with little tommy cruise a few years back where he spoke about scientology and he was talking excitedly about all the great areas and programs ran by the church/cult how they were helping at the fore front of science, education, sociology and so on. i was reminded of this with the language robbie was using to describe the witnesses.

Originally posted by stellspalfie
i agree that many (especially those at the top) see it for what it is, but the rank and file member believes what they are fed and they believe that their cult is something special.
i remember an interview with little tommy cruise a few years back where he spoke about scientology and he was talking excitedly about all the great areas and programs ran ...[text shortened]... and so on. i was reminded of this with the language robbie was using to describe the witnesses.

hmmmm, actually now that I think about it, you might be right after all.

Regardless why Scientology was invented, you might suppose that it now has its loyal adherents, believing what they're told to believe.

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I'm doubting it.

This is how they get around Christ's command to "love their Christian brothers". To them, this means JWs and no one else.

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No these are my spiritual brothers and sisters and are special. If you knew Pauls words to be doing good towards all but especially to those related to you in the faith you would not be asking these questions, as a loner Christian its a pity you have no sense of brother and sister hood, you are truly missing out on one of the most profoundly beautiful aspects of Christianity, 'you will know you are my disciples by the love you have among yourselves', pretty hard for a loner Christian.

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No dont be silly, how are they related to me in the Faith?

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You have to include 'Christian' in your question, else they just dance around it. I mean they also dance around it without the word 'Christian' but why make it easier?

Edit: see?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
No these are my spiritual brothers and sisters and are special. If you knew Pauls words to be doing good towards all but especially to those related to you in the faith you would not be asking these questions, as a loner Christian its a pity you have no sense of brother and sister hood, you are truly missing out on one of the most profoundly beautif ou are my disciples by the love you have among yourselves', pretty hard for a loner Christian.

Because God knows the JW won't even be considering them a Christian at all.

Edit: pretty gutsy to quote one of Christ's commandments that you blatantly disregard.

Originally posted by Suzianne
Because God knows the JW won't even be considering them a Christian at all.

Edit: pretty gutsy to quote one of Christ's commandments that you blatantly disregard.

Ironic really considering that nominal Christians do not consider Jehovah Witnesses as Christians, yah think! we are the ones doing the work of teaching and preaching, when you start that then you can call yourselves Christians, for a Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ!

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perhaps he will explain how a loner Christian can feel 'love among yourselves' ?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Ironic really considering that nominal Christians do not consider Jehovah Witnesses as Christians, yah think! we are the ones doing the work of teaching and preaching, when you start that then you can call yourselves Christians, for a Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ!

Precisely.

Doesn't answer the question of why JWs don't acknowledge other Christians as Christian. Seems rather UN-brotherly to me. I'd call that "not following the teachings of Christ".