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My older brother Jerry defied the JW credo. He remained friendly to me until his death. Another brother Mike had nothing to do with me except when he was relocating from Tennessee to northern Washington and needed a place to stay. He stayed the night, and I never saw or heard from him again. I also have two sisters, one is kind of friendly while the other one wanted nothing to do with me except when I visited my dying father and they took the opportunity to preach at me for over 7 hours. This happened in 2008 and I haven't heard a word from them since. I've survived just fine, and I give all credit to my wonderful wife and her wonderful family.
I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness for 18 years. I was disfellowshipped as an apostate, due to my talking to my girl friend about why JW's were so down on rock music, which I loved, and still love to this day. Her little brother was in the next room, out of site, but he overheard my conversation. On that basis, I was labeled an Apostate and kicked out. A few weeks later I was kicked out of my home and told not to come back.
Wow! Thank you for telling us. I went to a JW service about 3 months ago as an invite from an artist that was a very nice guy...
I don't want to break any rules here...but my goodness....I was appalled by what I heard ...like parrots
being taught to put down gays and something else, I forget....not thieves or
gossip or adultery or lust or greed....
nope gays.
Oh boy.
I think #1 defines Jehovah's Witnesses pretty well.
Q. What is a cult? And how does someone know if the faith they are following is harmful? A. The word cult has three definitions. First of all, it can simply be a group that loves something. When people refer to an "Elvis cult" or "The O.C. cult," they mean really devoted fans.
The second definition is that of a religion whose beliefs differ from the majority around them. In the Roman Empire, Christians were sometimes considered a cult because they worshiped Jesus rather than the Roman gods.
The third, and most commonly used definition, refers to a religious group that is:
1) Exclusive. They may say, "We're the only ones with the truth; everyone else is wrong; and if you leave our group your salvation is in danger."
2) Secretive. Certain teachings are not available to outsiders or they're presented only to certain members, sometimes after taking vows of confidentiality.
3) Authoritarian. A human leader expects total loyalty and unquestioned obedience.
For the most part, this third definition of cult is being used less and less today. Experts who watch for dangerous or harmful religious groups now use the term new religious movements. The word cult can hurt people because it carries so much negative meaning. My sister was accused of being in a cult just because she preferred hanging out with Christian friends rather than going out drinking with other friends. She might have been in with a group of people that was unlike the norm (because they devotedly followed Christ), but she certainly wasn't following a harmful faith.
I think #1 defines Jehovah's Witnesses pretty well.
Q. What is a cult? And how does someone know if the faith they are following is harmful? A. The word cult has three definitions. First of all, it can simply be a group that loves something. When people refer to an "Elvis cult" or "The O.C. cult," they mean really devoted fans.
The second definition is that of a religion whose beliefs differ from the majority around them. In the Roman Empire, Christians were sometimes considered a cult because they worshiped Jesus rather than the Roman gods.
The third, and most commonly used definition, refers to a religious group that is:
1) Exclusive. They may say, "We're the only ones with the truth; everyone else is wrong; and if you leave our group your salvation is in danger."
2) Secretive. Certain teachings are not available to outsiders or they're presented only to certain members, sometimes after taking vows of confidentiality.
3) Authoritarian. A human leader expects total loyalty and unquestioned obedience.
For the most part, this third definition of cult is being used less and less today. Experts who watch for dangerous or harmful religious groups now use the term new religious movements. The word cult can hurt people because it carries so much negative meaning. My sister was accused of being in a cult just because she preferred hanging out with Christian friends rather than going out drinking with other friends. She might have been in with a group of people that was unlike the norm (because they devotedly followed Christ), but she certainly wasn't following a harmful faith.
We're not calling churches cults. Period.
You would feel insulted if we called YOUR church a cult. So does everybody else.
Wow! Thank you for telling us. I went to a JW service about 3 months ago as an invite from an artist that was a very nice guy...
I don't want to break any rules here...but my goodness....I was appalled by what I heard ...like parrots
being taught to put down gays and something else, I forget....not thieves or
gossip or adultery or lust or greed....
nope gays.
Oh boy.
JW.ORG has a video out where a woman young girl is at a shopping mall and they are giving out free rubber bracelets supporting gay rights. The young girl refuses and some girl next to her gets up in her face. Like that would happen. It could but I doubt it. She says she stands for what god teaches and he is against Gays. Not in those words but, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r7PPAB-048
They also have videos for kids featuring a young girl named Sophia and boy named cabal. In one video Sophia sees a picture at school a fellow student drew with her two mommies. The mother tells the girl that Jehovah does not approve and she can witness to the student. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP2VffLez9k
JW.ORG has a video out where a woman young girl is at a shopping mall and they are giving out free rubber bracelets supporting gay rights. The young girl refuses and some girl next to her gets up in her face. Like that would happen. It could but I doubt it. She says she stands for what god teaches and he is against Gays. Not in those words but, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r7PPAB-048
They also have videos for kids featuring a young girl named Sophia and boy named cabal. In one video Sophia sees a picture at school a fellow student drew with her two mommies. The mother tells the girl that Jehovah does not approve and she can witness to the student. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP2VffLez9k
I've seen a few Christian vids showing up gays and atheists in a bad light. Some I suspected might have been Set up. The others, I was sure of it.
But I just watched the first one. well, it's blatant propaganda, and could backfire when those they persuade Not to pick up their gay Support bracelet Don't get treated that way. Maybe as I told the ones at my door.."There are museums full of transitional Forms. Your Elders have lied to you".
The second...well he leaves me with nothing more to say. Well, not that would be considered appropriate, even for atheists, like "These people need to be eradicated for the public good". Because what I Mean is: 'This doctrine and preaching needs to be eradicated for the good of everyone in it as well as everyone else".
Last edited by TRANSPONDER; 11-09-2018 at 03:33 PM..
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