115. Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?

Dr. Norman Geisler returns again and gives his knowledge to the question "Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?"

Recommended Book "Conviction Without Compromise" by Norman Geisler & Ron Rhodes:

[morielrorschach]

Also, I'd like to say, I'm glad to see so many rational comments, rather than the hate I see on most anti-JW videos. Very refreshing to see people not jump from "They're not mainstream" to "They're an evil cult."

One valid point is that technically any denomination can be considered a "cult" by another... otherwise the denominations would be one. The majority of Christians reject the idea that a pope is infallible... yet "cult" is considered too derogatory of a word for catholics.

[exjwlaura]

I grew up in Jehovah's Witness religion I was 6th generation my great-grandfather and great great grandfather were both anointed I suffered a horrible abuse as a child and when I told on my parents I was pulled out of school in the 6th grade, I got married at 16 to survive after several suicide attempts and running away twice I became much like my father a drug addict and a constant disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witness even though I tried really hard to Pioneer I went to the meetings throughout all of my being disfellowshipped my parents love was always conditional, even though I got clean and worked hard for everything I had and put myself through 7 years of college even though I was just 12 the last time I had left school nothing was ever good enough for my parents long story short about 3 years ago I started reading the King James Bible and I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and my savior I saw the deity of Jesus as clear as I could see the sun, my life goal is to help people come out of this cult, and it is a cult because they separate families and children they also abuse manipulate and molest many children and kids we have two Elders in our current Kingdom Hall here in Longview that are still being accused of molestation even though they have never been brought to Justice they're molesters are in their 30s and are starting to tell their stories it is very sad to see what Russell and Rutherford has built turn into a child sex cult and a Haven for abusive family, this is nothing of Christ Jesus did not anoint this religion in 19 00s, Deuteronomy says that the test of a false prophet is when they come in the name of Jehovah and it does not come true, it says if anyone does that they should be killed, but the Watchtower calls it new light as if God changes his mind, we know the Bible says that God never changes but he is the same yesterday today and forever, I feel bad for all of the people stuck listening to doctrines of men and Devils instead of the word of God and I pray for their souls every day.

[boltrooktwo]

The definition in the video is not the definition of a cult. What it boils down to is people who resort to supremacist ethics will use negative labels like cult to define anyone who disagrees with them on essential doctrine as if they are the chosen, elect, infallible speakers of truth even if they have no real scriptural justification to be the source of that claim, like Luther, Baptists, or Calvin.

[Danmera]

@SpecialPioneerSmerf Was typing that myself when I saw your post. All I can say now what they said"

[morielrorschach]

@exjwlaura5258 Let's try this again since the previous conversation got tangled, and involved my personal account, which I prefer to keep separate from more important conversations.

What topic would you like to discuss? Let's pick one and have a productive conversation. The identity of Jesus? The significance of the phrase "I am?" John chapter 14? Please take your pick.

[Cadzie]

Yes they are... I was one, when I left they said they could not talk to me anymore

[AlfAllton]

To be a Christian is to follow in the path, teachings and ways of Jesus Christ. Last time I looked We did and STILL DO follow Jesus Christ.

[brofun]

People are people..we all have different ablitiys and limits of temper. I personally enjoy discussion.

[brofun]

Also, I know not everyone hates JWs..but, most show hatred for us and our work. You don't have to be malicious to hate something. But, for the sake of conversation..who do you think it teaching the truth about God?

[watcher]

When Jehovah's Witnesses tell everyone they are wrong it's called "Preaching."
When you tell Jehovah's Witnesses they are wrong they call this "Persecution."
Isn't it funny that they can challenge your view and it's loving, but if you challenge their view it's an attack? ..Hmmm ;)

[REWAKAAA]

Jesus did not teach that God would maliciously torture the wicked forever. Rather, Jesus said: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NAB) Why would Jesus imply that those who did not believe in him would die? If he really meant that they would live forever, suffering misery in a fiery hell, would he not have said so?

[banjo]

2 easy questions for any group: What do you have that I do not? and Why be one of you?

[Killermuffin]

@CommodoreWog Actually, the symbolism of the "disc" behind the heads of Christ and of Saints in images derived from earlier images and icons that depicted a hole in the clouds above the depicted person, symbolizing either their ascendence into heaven, their acceptance into heaven after their death (hence a symbolism of Sainthood) or in some images there would be angels and Saints looking down upon the depicted person, symbolizing heaven's guidance. The halo and the disc are evolved forms of this

[Danmera]

@jimmmmie They actually missed quite a few. The same message is there, just different names are used. The WTS literature is was adds to the distortion. Many ex-jws. who just put down the literature and picked up and read the NWT ONLY, have woke up. I personally have stopped using the NWT.

[TheButtascotchbro]

Further, turn down foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing they produce fights. 24 But a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, keeping himself restrained under evil

[MrStevekehl]

@77musica What about this verse, Matt 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. And also Matt13:50, Matt 24:51, Matt 25:30, Luke13:28, Luke 16:20-31, Mark 9:43-48, Revelations 14:10-11. Have you read tge Bible?

[lasttransmissions]

What he is talking about is the definition of a sect. It does not speak for him that he cannot stick to the true definitions.

Moreover, the deity of Christ is disputed among many "Christians" to be a Christian doctrine. As a matter of fact, by just reading the Bible NOBODY would get that idea, but a person that comes from a mystical background, which the emperors of Rome were.

There are many fallacies that Geisler talks about, but this comment does not offer enough space to reply to them.

[Lekozza]

Edward Fudge rejects the "essential" orthodox view/doctrine of hell. Is he a false Christian?

[dsh]

Luke 12:5 KJV

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

[SuperMIKKI]

They are not a cult we believe that Jesus died for our sins, the reason we do not celebrate holidays is because of the paganism background of it. If you have questions ask a real Jehovah's witness, ask me and ill answer all your questions if you please.