Now this is interesting...

[John Reynolds]

Those links alone provide myriads of completely paradoxical beliefs that rest outside of the bounds of christianity.

There's a ton of practices and doctrine in modern Christianity that are not Biblical, yet almost 100% of Christianity claims the Bible to be the foundation for their belief systems. Moreover, if interpretation isn't an issue why are there so many denominations with wildly varying beliefs?

Just thought I'd chime in because I really hate the use of the word cult. It's one of those media flash words that immediately conjure negative images (mindless zealots drinking Kool-Aid). Of course as a Christian who doesn't believe the dead are alive or in the trinity, I've been branded a cultist on a number of occasions.

 

[Humus]

Just like a scientologist would say about scientology. Its not a cult...take my word for it.

I'm agnostic thank you very much. But just because I don't share their faith doesn't mean I don't find it offending when people throw out arbitrary shit at them. I got most of my family and relatives in there. You can take your pesky links and shove them up where the sun don't shine. I can also do a google search on "bad things about catolics" or whoever I want to and find all kinds of crap. Doesn't mean it's anywhere near the truth. The fact that the difference between the general consensus on JWs and the actual truth is so huge makes me very careful on judging other's beliefs.

Cult most certainly applies to the JWs. They are completely mislead wrt to their doctrine. Those links alone provide myriads of completely paradoxical beliefs that rest outside of the bounds of christianity.

Cult: A small group of people who have extreme religious beliefs and who are not part of any established religion.

Does not apply to JWs. It's not small (well over 6 million), it's not extreme and it's part of an established religion.

What's a christian doctrine or not is entirely subjective. Paradoxal, wtf? You mean you just didn't understand the doctrine. Read up better then, or ask an actual JW instead of reading biased crap googled up.

There are over 20,000 different sects within christianity. Who's faith is the most correct? Everyone agrees that the bible has the truth, but people disagree with what the bible says. Just because you don't interpret it the same as JW doesn't make JWs misled, it could be you who's misled.

 

[MfA]

They don't claim their opinions to be the truth. They claim the truth is the bible.

They also claim that part of that truth places a select few above others, the church leadership just happens to be the governing body of those select few ... how convenient.

Their publications are just aids to your own bible studies.

Well as long as you agree anyway, if you stray too far then you are an apostate.

The doctrines have indeed changed many times, which would be impossible if you claimed your interpretations to be the final truth.

My point is that at any given time truth is determined by hierarchy, not by your individual conscience. Believing that the governing body is the "Faithfull and Discreet Slave" is what makes JW different from the grand bible study groups most protestant religions are ... and if you were to believe the apostates who were part of the governing body, bible study isnt that big a part of the decision making process.

 

[Legion]

I'm agnostic thank you very much.

Whoa really?

have a cookie

Its on me...

But just because I don't share their faith doesn't mean I don't find it offending when people throw out arbitrary shit at them. I got most of my family and relatives in there. You can take your pesky links and shove them up where the sun don't shine. I can also do a google search on "bad things about catolics" or whoever I want to and find all kinds of crap. Doesn't mean it's anywhere near the truth. The fact that the difference between the general consensus on JWs and the actual truth is so huge makes me very careful on judging other's beliefs.

Humus, can i just consider you are going to deny every argument against the JW cult? It would save us a lot of time if i just labeled you in a state of denial right now and avoided further discourse.

Does not apply to JWs. It's not small (well over 6 million), it's not extreme and it's part of an established religion.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cult

cult ( P ) Pronunciation Key (klt)
n.

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

What's a christian doctrine or not is entirely subjective. Paradoxal, wtf? You mean you just didn't understand the doctrine. Read up better then, or ask an actual JW instead of reading biased crap googled up.

No, i mean it is self contradictory to earlier christian doctrine. The JW doctrine is completely conculted nonsense no different from the kind of bs the mormons and 7th day adventists spew.

There are over 20,000 different sects within christianity. Who's faith is the most correct? Everyone agrees that the bible has the truth, but people disagree with what the bible says. Just because you don't interpret it the same as JW doesn't make JWs misled, it could be you who's misled.

I would say those who adhere closely to the teachings from the Tanak wrt to messianic teachings would be the most correct.

 

[Humus]

They also claim that part of that truth places a select few above others, the church leadership just happens to be the governing body of those select few ... how convenient.

Well as long as you agree anyway, if you stray too far then you are an apostate.

My point is that at any given time truth is determined by hierarchy, not by your individual conscience. Believing that the governing body is the "Faithfull and Discreet Slave" is what makes JW different from the grand bible study groups most protestant religions are ... and if you were to believe the apostates who were part of the governing body, bible study isnt that big a part of the decision making process.

Noone is placed above anyone else. The "hierarchy" is purely organisatory. It has absolutely nothing to do with power over anyone else's conscience. At any point the truth is in the bible. The rest is interpretations that are subject to change.
Yes, you can be expelled if you practice something very far from the doctrines, but that's hardly something that's unique for JWs. You cannot be expelled purely on the ground of having a different interpretation.

 

[Humus]

Humus, can i just consider you are going to deny every argument against the JW cult? It would save us a lot of time if i just labeled you in a state of denial right now and avoided further discourse.

Yes, let's go to the personal attacks when arguments run dry. Good move.

cult ( P ) Pronunciation Key (klt)
n.

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

Good, you found another definition. Too bad it still doesn't apply.

No, i mean it is self contradictory to earlier christian doctrine. The JW doctrine is completely conculted nonsense no different from the kind of bs the mormons and 7th day adventists spew.

Such as ... ? No, I don't want a "it's in the links I posted" reply.

Look, I can make a claim that bisexuals are a misled cult. Yes, I can search through google and find links that backs up my prejudice. When I post them here, I'm sure you're going to accept it, I mean, the internet so must be a better source of information than people that actually are bisexual, no?

I would say those who adhere closely to the teachings from the Tanak wrt to messianic teachings would be the most correct.

And that's your interpretation. Allow me the freedom to call your interpretation misled just for the heck of it. Probably a cult too.

 

[L233]

I was going to post something similar. Yeah JW, are pretty cool people, very friendly.

later,
epic

Not when they knock on my door at 5 in the morning dammit!

The JWs make a good excuse when you're late for work though.

 

[MfA]

Humus, so you are basically denying the existance of doctrine proclaiming the governing body as the Faithfull and Discreet slave foretold in their bible?

BTW, I am curious ... do you still know anyone higher up in the hierarchy of the church? How did you get along with them after you left the Jehova's witnesses?

 

[Humus]

No, but I don't agree there's a whole lot of real world significance to that.

The "highest" guys I know personally are a couple of current and previous so called "circuit overseers". They travel around and visit all the local congregations twice every year, hold a couple of speeches and so on. My father is also one of the elders in the congregation in my home town. I've also had som brief contact with some people higher up. I'm getting along with these people just fine.