Jehovas Witnesses, Cults or Christians?

[The Doc]

CLearly cults in my oppinion

 

[Johnfromokc]

All religions are cults.

 

[The Doc]

The modern definition of a cult is any group which employs mind control and deceptive recruiting techniques. In other words , tricks people into joining and coerce them into staying. This is the definition that most people would agree with.

 

[Tim]

As he said, all religions are cults

 

[The Doc]

As he said, all religions are cults

If all religeons were cults then they would have the same definition wouldent they?

 

[Tim]

cultNoun/kəlt/


1. A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

I guess you can define it any way you want.

 

[Minor Axis]

If all religeons were cults then they would have the same definition wouldent they?

Based on this wiki definition, it appears the primary difference between a cult and a religion is that the cult is practiced by few, religion by many:

The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre.[SUP][1][/SUP] The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices. The narrower, derogatory sense of the word is a product of the 20th century, especially since the 1980s, and is considered subjective.[SUP][by whom?][/SUP] It is also a result of the anti-cult movement which uses the word in reference to groups seen as authoritarian, exploitative and that are believed to use dangerous rituals or mind control. The word implies a group which is a minority in a given society. The word was first used in the early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and derived from French culte or Latin cultus ‘worship,’ from cult- ‘inhabited, cultivated, worshiped,’ from the verb colere 'care, cultivation'.[SUP][citation needed][/SUP]
The popular, derogatory sense of the word has no currency in academic studies of religions, where "cults" are subsumed under the neutral label of the "new religious movement", while academic sociology has partly adopted the popular meaning of the word.

However, I believe some cults are more dangerous than others, especially the ones that use coercive methods to keep you within the fold.

 

[Dana]

You're gonna hate my reply but all religion is pretty much a cult...

 

[BornReady]

However, I believe some cults are more dangerous than others, especially the ones that use coercive methods to keep you within the fold.

I agree. I've heard that Jehovah's Witness leaders use coercion to silence dissent on church doctrines and to make members proselytize door-to-door. There are worse groups out there though. I prefer a typical Jehovah's Witness to a WBC member.

Btw, I think the thread title "Cults or Christians?" is funny. Like there are no Christian cults.

 

[The Doc]

Christianity is a definition. You must believe in certain concepts to be a christian. Though Jehovas Witness claim to follow the bible, they change their doctrine monthly and discourage their members from reading older church documents because they change their beliefs so often. Also, they have their own version of the bible which is doctored, they alter things which have no basis to be altered when compared to Aramaic, greek, and hebrew texts. Also, they dont believe the trinity concept which is one key thing that doesnt make them christians. Similiar to how mormons are not christians because the doubt the entirety of the bible.

 

[Minor Axis]

Christianity is a definition. You must believe in certain concepts to be a christian. Though Jehovas Witness claim to follow the bible, they change their doctrine monthly and discourage their members from reading older church documents because they change their beliefs so often. Also, they have their own version of the bible which is doctored, they alter things which have no basis to be altered when compared to Aramaic, greek, and hebrew texts. Also, they dont believe the trinity concept which is one key thing that doesnt make them christians. Similiar to how mormons are not christians because the doubt the entirety of the bible.

But I think the negativity surrounding the term "cult" is based on actions to control members, more than doctrine. I think if Jehovas Witness were more consistant, you'd still call them a cult?

 

[itsmeJonB]

Religions = Cults

 

[itsmeJonB]

If all religeons were cults then they would have the same definition wouldent they?

no because Cults aren't tax exempted

 

[Tim]

Also, they dont believe the trinity concept which is one key thing that doesnt make them christians.

:24: So does that mean that there weren't any Christians before the 4th century? That's when the whole trinity concept was established...

 

[The Doc]

:24: So does that mean that there weren't any Christians before the 4th century? That's when the whole trinity concept was established...

http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/trinity.html

 

[Tim]

Oh ok, I see the light now. I can throw away ALL other references to this because a christian website says it ain't so... :24:

 

[BornReady]

Something like 30% of the world's population are Christians. Unless you ask Christians. Most Christians will tell you most Christians are not really Christians. They probably estimate the percentage of Christians around 10% worldwide. Which means Muslims are actually the most populous religious group in the world.

 

[Demonicpixie]

All religions are cults.

I agree with this statement.
Also, my fiance was raised a Jehovah's Witness and he agrees that it's a cult.

 

[Peter Parka]

It's both, a Christian cult. Oh, and you don't have to believe in the trinity to be a Christian. All being a Christian means is believing in and following the teachings of Christ.

 

[Zorak]

It's both, a Christian cult. Oh, and you don't have to believe in the trinity to be a Christian. All being a Christian means is believing in and following the teachings of Christ.

I'd argue that being Christian means you believe that Christ is the son of God. Although I could understand the view that you merely just have to follow the teachings and life of Christ. That's different from Islam where he is merely a prophet, and Judaism where he is a fraud.

So being a Jehova's witness probably means you are indeed not a Christian, because they worship Jehova, or God. Not Christ in any form.