No, 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 its members 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.
I want to break this answer down little by little.
- No, 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.
It's possible to be both a cult and a Christian organization. I'm sure David Koresh considered himself Christian and we all know the outcome of his cult. Koresh was the leader of the Branch Davidians, a grandchild sect of the 7th Day Adventists. Interestingly, Jehovah's Witness is related to 7th Day Adventists. More on that later. You can check out this list of 10 infamous cults at How Stuff Works. At least 3 have Christian origins.
- The term “cult” means different things to different people.
Yes, this is true. That's why sociologists prefer the term new religious movement. However, not all cults are religious. The JW site goes on to cherry-pick 2 definitions that are applied to cults:
- Some think of a cult as being a new or unorthodox religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses have not invented a new religion.
The religion known as Jehovah's Witnesses, formerly known as the International Bible Students, had its beginning in 1870. Charles Taze Russell met with Adventist preachers and they started having bible discussions. Eventually Russell had disagreements with them over doctrine and formed his own group. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but forming one's own group in response to disagreeing with one's current group's doctrine is inventing a new religion. There have been several splits / disagreements after Russell. Since each one has different doctrines, they can be said to be different religions.
- 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.
The head of the Jehovah Witnesses is a group of 8 men called the Governing Body. They are responsible for making and changing doctrine similar to the Pope for Catholics. For a long time, the names of these members weren't even known by the rank-and-file, Witnesses at the bottom of the totem pole. The Governing Body approves all literature including written interpretation of scriptures. Changes in doctrine is referred to as new light.
Let's start with the positive things that the Witnesses claim they do.
- Far from being a dangerous cult, Jehovah’s Witnesses practice a religion that benefits its members 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.
I remember asking my mother once why we don't have bake sales and such like other churches. I don't recall the answer. Unless things have changed, JWs don't have pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, crab feasts, or any other social gatherings or events designed to help the community. They don't participate in interfaith groups or discussions with the goal of sharing ideas.
I could not find any drug or alcohol program sponsored by JWs. If you know of such, please comment. As far as I know, Jehovah's Witnesses do not rent out or donate space to 12-step programs. True, one may find hope in the bible and be moved to discontinue adverse habits.
- In addition, we conduct literacy classes around the world, helping thousands learn to read and write.
The only thing that came up when I searched for Jehovah's Witness literacy programs was information concerning Nigeria, Burundi, and other African countries. Again, if you are familiar with literacy programs in other counties including America, please comment. During my actives years, I was not aware of any such programs.
- And we are actively involved in disaster relief.
That's another whole question. What I can tell you is from my active years which ended officially in 1995. Yes JWs rush to assist their brethren when there is a disaster. However, they won't take up a collection to send to an organization known for disaster relief. And don't forget, JWs do not donate blood. As an organization, Jehovah's Witnesses may assist non-JWs in the immediate area of one of their own, say, a next door neighbor. If anyone has any experience with JWs and recent disasters, again, comment below.
Mmkay, let's go to the negative, what isn't mentioned in the JW answer. Like I said before, cult is hard to define. Check out Steven Hassan's BITE model of mind control. BITE stands for control of Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional. There are many characteristics listed but I'll just pick 2 like the Witnesses.
- Major time spent with group indoctrination and rituals and/or self indoctrination including the Internet
Jehovah's Witnesses are required to attend 2 2-hr meetings a week. In addition, they are to have a 1-hr weekly family study and go door-to-door for an average of 10 hrs a month. The meetings are to be prepared for in advance. Watching TV, engaging in hobbies, surfing the 'net (unless it's JW.org) are all considered to be time-wasters. Higher education is frowned upon as well.
- Compartmentalize information into Outsider vs. Insider doctrines; Allow only leadership to decide who needs to know what and when
Recently the Watchtower started being printed in 2 different versions, the study version for the Witnesses and the public one. The elders, men who are in charge at the congregational level, have a special book that is not supposed to be available to the general public. Letters written to the congregation by the branch office may or may not be read to the entire congregation.
Ok, I lied, here are 2 more:
- Require members to internalize the group’s doctrine as truth
As any Witness and they will say they have "The Truth." Instead of asking each other, "When did you become a Witness?" they will say, "When did you come into The Truth?"
- Shunning of those who leave; fear of being rejected by friends, peers, and family
Ah, my favorite! Again this is another answer in the FAQ. Shunning is strictly enforced. Members aren't allowed to contact shunned ones for any reason lest they themselves be shunned. I have been shunned since 1996. I haven't seen my mother for at least 10 yrs but I have communicated by email with her until about a couple years ago. Shunning isn't hereditary as my mother still contacts both of kids periodically.
Whew! If you got to the end, congrats! I know I didn't give sufficient proof to call Jehovah's Witnesses a cult but I mentioned just 4 criteria of the BITE model that this religion fits. If I went down the line, this blog post would be way long. I did promise to show you how the Branch Davidians and Jehovah's Witnesses are from the same family tree. This graphic comes from the Wikipedia article on Adventism. Branch Davidian is not mentioned but 7th Day Adventist is as well as Russell's Bible Students.
Nicely written. (Danmera)
ReplyDeleteWell Done!
ReplyDeleteI just shared these very same points during a discussion this morning. The amount of psychological control, especially for a child raised in the JW group, is very much in line with the definition of a cult and has lifelong damaging effects when the child/person leaves the group, especially if the child's father is a leader in the church. The fact that the JW's have 8 men leaders at the top vs. one leader, does not make the group any less dangerous. My father and brothers who are lower-level "leaders" in the group, "elders" at the congregational level, do not speak to me because I left and have different beliefs now. My mother does not speak to me. They also choose not to have contact with my children. It is very sad. The JW's don't tell the full truth about their practice of shunning and lead their followers to believe that shunning is the loving thing to do to "win the person back into God's good favor." They also teach their followers to the avoid "close association" with people who are not part of the group for fear they will be led astray. This is a very isolating and myopic existence for individuals in the group. If a JW follower decides to go against the mandate and "closely" associate with non-JW's, the disfellowshipped, the inactive, or the disassociated, they are considered "spiritually weak" and in some cases are reprimanded and do risk being shunned themselves.
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