On the May 13 radio show, we discussed cults, attempting to address the question: what is a cult? As we mentioned, the word "cult" often brings to mind groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Moonies, Mormons, and others. However, I suggested that "cult" is an almost meaningless term, due to its frequent use in rhetoric as a label slapped onto any religious group we don't understand or don't like. On the other hand, there are also groups that I believe are harmful, more specifically destructive, doomsday groups like Heaven's Gate and the Solar Temple. (For a more detailed, well-researched discussion on cults, see http://www.religioustolerance.org/cultmenu.htm.)
In the end, I claimed that any group that expects you to suspend individual thought or suppress questions should be regarded with suspicion.
What do you think of this definition and warning?
Have you ever had any experience with so-called "cults"?
Do you think the word is useful in describing different religious groups?
How would you define "cult"?
Until next time, this is Pastor Chris signing off.
5 comments:
I heard about a scary cult that was based in Italy. It's pretty old. They are very active in trying to attract new people. I heard they practice Cannibalism. they eat flesh and drink blood. Yuch!
I think I see where you're going with this...
Try reading these, and then believing JWs are not a cult:
SUMMARIES OF NEARLY 500 JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES LAWSUITS & COURT CASES
The following website summarizes over 165 lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against their Employers, and/or incidents involving problem JW Employees:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
http://jwemployees.bravehost.com
The following website summarizes 300 U.S. court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 100+ cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children:
DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com
There's not much on those sites that I haven't been exposed to before regarding the Jehovah's Witnesses. But, I think you're missing my point and illustrating exactly the problem with the word "cult"--instead of defining some kind of objective criteria, we like to throw the word around making it nothing more than a religious slur.
Whether the Jehovah's Witnesses are a positive religious group or a negative one is beside the point (although they certainly hold some interesting ideas), I'm simply claiming that without a clear-cut and widely acceptable definition, the cult label is meaningless.
So, in other words, in your opinion, what makes the Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
I'm not sure what the previous guy has against Jehovah's Witnesses but.... I think as a society we tend to be fradie cats when it comes to people, cultures, customes, etc.. that we don't understand. Insted of embracing and appreciating our diffrences we tend to blacklist or try to disolve them. There is a world of learning and opprtunity that we as Americans shun and disreguard as "unchristian", "clut" or just plain "not right". We label alot of good folks and groups as cults because thay are deemed "not christian" and by what standards are they they using who knows. Those who are doing the name calling are the ones you should be afraid of. When are we going to start opening up and embrace diversity? My guess is never.
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