Notos 666

[Midareyukki]

False. Jehovah’s Witnesses have none of the characteristics of being a cult. There is no ‘charismatic leader’ with no accountability. No one is paid for any work and there is clear openness when it comes to anything pertaining to money. All meetings are open to the public. Nothing secret or hidden. If a person wants to leave the religion, it is very easy for them to do so and no one will bother them again. No ‘exit’ or support organization is needed.
(...)
So to conclude:
Jehovah’s Witnesses are most certainly not a cult. That is a falsehood spread by those who are either misinformed or who wish to slander the religion for whatever reason. If it is something that is not for you personally, that is all well and good. I hope you find what is right for you. But please only state true facts when talking about JWs. There is too much wrong information around that makes people have a groundless negative viewpoint. Thanks and take care.

Yeah, there's a very specific set of rules for something to be considered a cult. And even within that, you still have people who disagree (Branch Davidians :x). Jehova's Witnesses are no different a religion than Mormonism or Catholicism. It is a religion, through and through.

They do have some behaviours which can provide a negative viewpoint though, but "uncomfortable behaviours" don't translate to cult. And this isn't just my experience with Jehova's Witnesses (my best friend in middle school was one and her parents were ridiculously strict), but the experience of many that have come forward about it, including also some core beliefs which get in the way of basic modern survivability and health. The one I tend to see thrown around the most is being against vaccines because they're injecting stuff into their blood. But they aren't the only ones, and a lot of other religions have such experiences as well. My overall outlook on them is the same as my outlook toward all religions: common sense, personal and community wellbeing, and science above superstition and dogma. Because so many people forego those, and they not only harm themselves, they harm their loved ones. Religious Trauma exists, and while, again, it happens in every religion, Jehovah's Witnesses tend to be the ones I see suffering from it the most where I come from. And I do mean "all" religions. Not just those that stem from the Abrahamic ones. So if you're Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, whatever, I'd say the same to you.

I will say though, that I don't know enough about JH to know whether such behaviours mare a local thing or if they're widespread and a part of the community. I just know what I see and hear from people around me. And I wouldn't tell them to stop their worship, I'd just tell them to really consider their life choices a bit as to not endanger themselves and others. I'm sure their God would understand.

[NekoHina]

*snip* Your cartoonish depiction of what you think a cult is is irrelevant. Please stop trying to drag others into this cult if you cant leave yourself.

My cartoonish depiction? I simply explained the facts why the faith itself cannot meet that the definition of a cult as set forth in secular sources (not my own). Anyone can leave the religion when they want and will not be bothered anymore about it. And I am not trying to drag anyone into anything. I just do not like misinformation spread. There is too much of it already and one of the reasons for the hate.

Yeah, there's a very specific set of rules for something to be considered a cult. And even within that, you still have people who disagree (Branch Davidians :x). Jehova's Witnesses are no different a religion than Mormonism or Catholicism. It is a religion, through and through.

They do have some behaviours which can provide a negative viewpoint though, but "uncomfortable behaviours" don't translate to cult. And this isn't just my experience with Jehova's Witnesses (my best friend in middle school was one and her parents were ridiculously strict), but the experience of many that have come forward about it, including also some core beliefs which get in the way of basic modern survivability and health. The one I tend to see thrown around the most is being against vaccines because they're injecting stuff into their blood. But they aren't the only ones, and a lot of other religions have such experiences as well. *snip*.

You are correct about the set criteria of a cult and then there are religions. I am sure that many see JWs as being strict. Living fully by Bible principles is not easy in this world today. But there are misunderstandings about health and such. No, JWs will not take any whole blood products, but will accept many non whole blood alternatives and things like cell salvage machines. JWs will also take vaccines. I just had my flu shot and am about to go get my COVID booster. Regarding blood and JWs, it is because of this that so many breakthroughs in non-blood surgeries for everyone have become so successful.

I apologize to anyone if I have offended them with my posts. I agree it has been a strange thread, but it began as a weird one. I started out explaining the number 666 as it is in the Biblical sense (which is what the topic began on), but then misinformation about JWs was posted and I just corrected it. I think anyone would defend something they cared about if incorrect information was being given out about it. Thanks for your responses.

[Saraide]

My cartoonish depiction? I simply explained the facts why the faith itself cannot meet that the definition of a cult as set forth in secular sources (not my own). Anyone can leave the religion when they want and will not be bothered anymore about it. And I am not trying to drag anyone into anything. I just do not like misinformation spread. There is too much of it already and one of the reasons for the hate.



You are correct about the set criteria of a cult and then there are religions. I am sure that many see JWs as being strict. Living fully by Bible principles is not easy in this world today. But there are misunderstandings about health and such. No, JWs will not take any whole blood products, but will accept many non whole blood alternatives and things like cell salvage machines. JWs will also take vaccines. I just had my flu shot and am about to go get my COVID booster. Regarding blood and JWs, it is because of this that so many breakthroughs in non-blood surgeries for everyone have become so successful.

I apologize to anyone if I have offended them with my posts. I agree it has been a strange thread, but it began as a weird one. I started out explaining the number 666 as it is in the Biblical sense (which is what the topic began on), but then misinformation about JWs was posted and I just corrected it. I think anyone would defend something they cared about if incorrect information was being given out about it. Thanks for your responses.

The important part about cultish behaviour is not any specific kind of ritual or believe, it's how they get people back in line. Cults and sects do this by systematic stalking and isolation and it has been proven that JW does aswell, even going so far to push parents to isolate their own children. The exact believes are and have always been irrelevant. The only thing that matters for people is having a community they belong to. This is why conspiracy theorists with completely contradicting theories can harmonize together without problem because the important part is that they are part of the community. The same is true for cults like JW and scientology.

[Midareyukki]

My cartoonish depiction? I simply explained the facts why the faith itself cannot meet that the definition of a cult as set forth in secular sources (not my own). Anyone can leave the religion when they want and will not be bothered anymore about it. And I am not trying to drag anyone into anything. I just do not like misinformation spread. There is too much of it already and one of the reasons for the hate.

You are correct about the set criteria of a cult and then there are religions. I am sure that many see JWs as being strict. Living fully by Bible principles is not easy in this world today. But there are misunderstandings about health and such. No, JWs will not take any whole blood products, but will accept many non whole blood alternatives and things like cell salvage machines. JWs will also take vaccines. I just had my flu shot and am about to go get my COVID booster. Regarding blood and JWs, it is because of this that so many breakthroughs in non-blood surgeries for everyone have become so successful.

I apologize to anyone if I have offended them with my posts. I agree it has been a strange thread, but it began as a weird one. I started out explaining the number 666 as it is in the Biblical sense (which is what the topic began on), but then misinformation about JWs was posted and I just corrected it. I think anyone would defend something they cared about if incorrect information was being given out about it. Thanks for your responses.

Alright. And honestly, thank you for your information. My friend was not allowed to take a vaccine after a meningitis outbreak due to her religious upbringing, and my overall view of it after so long is that her parents were "special". Even within these religions, you obviously will have people who do understand the importance of personal health and safety. But some really don't, and when information is hazy about them, you start to see some stereotypes forming up because of people who either misinterpret things or take them too far.

And the people who "have come forward"? That's nuanced as well; you'll hear a lot of bad experiences... but that will go for any religion. Not every family is the same. Nor are every pastor, every parish nor every community. Religious trauma exists everywhere. My theory for why I see JH's being vocal about their negative experiences is because where I'm from, especially given I'm from a deeply catholic West European country, people here do take it too far. And I know for a fact JHs are rather isolated because of their "queer" customs. And in communities that are so uptight, yeah, they tend to form some uptight groups in turn. That's a sociological phenomenon, not something inherent to a singular religion.

As for what you said about cults, I can corroborate what you said. There ARE very strict guidelines for what classifies as a cult, and yes, a charismatic leader IS one of them. It definitely isn't a cartoonish depiction of things at all. Stuff like:
- Charismatic Leader with a cult and zeal centered around them
- Constant preocupation with amassing members
- Discouraging personal thoughts, criticism and doubts about the group
- Control over their personal lives (what to drink, what to eat, what to wear, who to marry, when to go out, what route to take, who they can interact with)
- Devotion placed into the group's core beliefs is unhealthy
on and on. The list is actually big.
Which Jehovah's Witnesses do not do. No, "spreading the word of God" by going door to door isn't a preoccupation with gaining numbers xD all religions have this, and it's why it's so fuzzy to identify a cult until they've stepped a certain slippery slope. Most religions want more members. But there's a specific motivation for it. Cults want members to gain power and control. Religions want members to gain money and status within a community. They sound similar, but guess who's more willing to jump off a slippery slope?
If you guys want more information on cults, I suggest looking up stuff by Janja Lalich and Michael D. Langone.

As for 666 xD it really is a Western superstition. Don't worry though, it's just a number, and when used you will not summon the Devil even if you happen to be religious about it. It's no different to us than the number 4 in East Asian cultures. Intention is the keyword here. Otherwise maths would need to be banned.

Also cool eyepatch bro.

Is mine good too? ; ;

[Renalt]

Is mine good too? ; ;

It blends with your skin so well it was hard to see but yeah it fits your character well.