- The apocalyptic doctrine of the "last days" is extremely
prevalent with all cults. Cult leaders constantly embed warnings
of the impending arrival of Armageddon to recruit and retain
loyal followers and their financial contributions. Out of fear,
members are trapped into believing that their own salvation is
based upon their membership with the organization of which
they associate. The Watchtower Society is known for this
apocalyptic doctrine, and has been utilizing it for financial gain
for over a hundred years.
- "We have the truth" is an outstanding claim made by all members of cults. Cults
cleverly equate the term "truth" in reference to their own organization. Through such
conceited claims of being the "only true religion", cult leaders manipulate their
followers and their wallets into staying. To Jehovah's Witnesses, the Watchtower
Society is the only place for truth seekers. Watchtower followers coin the word
"truth" in contrast to "Christendom", believing that all other forms of Christianity
have been corrupted, and that they are the only ones who have restored it to its truest
form. This claim to "truth" is a red flag characteristic utilized by all cult leaders to
instill an exclusiveness within their followers. Watchtower leaders are masterful at
instilling elitism, tricking loyal followers into the false reasoning that it is a privilege
to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses in God's chosen organization.
- Another sure sign of a cult is their unique vocabulary. Double talk is a fabricated
language which redefines ordinary words into something that only cult members
would understand. This is a red-flag in the identifying of cults. By redefining
common words and fabricating expressions, cults deviate themselves from the
ability to hold a normal conversation with those outside of the cult. The
Watchtower organization is a shining example of this double-talk or twisted
vocabulary. Watchtower leaders design this language to limit the conversations
between loyal followers and "unbelievers". For instance, when a Jehovah's Witness
refers to a "publisher", one would assume that it is in reference to a writer of a
book. In actuality, the Witness is referring to one who reports their field service
time at the end of the month.
- Religious cults are known for fabricating their own
translations of the Bible to support their own
doctrines. Jehovah's Witness are perhaps the most
prime example of this cult characteristic. Through the
Watchtower publication "The New World
Translation", loyal followers are tricked into believing
this uneducated fabrication is scholarly and accurate,
restoring Jehovah's name where the rest of
"Christendom" has changed it to Lord.
When misinformed people think of Jehovah's Witnesses, the first thing that comes
to mind are clean cut people knocking on doors wanting to start Bible studies.
Sadly, this surface image is masterfully created by their leaders to conceal the
dangerous and destructive aspects of this bona fide religious cult. Religious cults
are groups of people involved with unorthodox practices that are disguised as
Christianity. Like Jehovah's Witnesses, cult members belong to an elite structure
(organization) dictated by leaders (faithful and discreet slave) who profess to be the
only ones communicating through God. By keeping the lives of their members
compartmentalized, cult leaders allow no time for their followers to reflect or
think. Between five meetings a week, preaching in field service, attending
assemblies, and studying for Sunday's Watchtower lesson, Jehovah's Witnesses are
consumed with activities designed by Watchtower leaders to keep their followers
preoccupied with the only world they know. As we compare a selected few of the
most outstanding characteristics of religious cults, one can clearly see that the
Watchtower Society is nothing more than a powerful and carefully crafted cult
masquerading as a religion.
to mind are clean cut people knocking on doors wanting to start Bible studies.
Sadly, this surface image is masterfully created by their leaders to conceal the
dangerous and destructive aspects of this bona fide religious cult. Religious cults
are groups of people involved with unorthodox practices that are disguised as
Christianity. Like Jehovah's Witnesses, cult members belong to an elite structure
(organization) dictated by leaders (faithful and discreet slave) who profess to be the
only ones communicating through God. By keeping the lives of their members
compartmentalized, cult leaders allow no time for their followers to reflect or
think. Between five meetings a week, preaching in field service, attending
assemblies, and studying for Sunday's Watchtower lesson, Jehovah's Witnesses are
consumed with activities designed by Watchtower leaders to keep their followers
preoccupied with the only world they know. As we compare a selected few of the
most outstanding characteristics of religious cults, one can clearly see that the
Watchtower Society is nothing more than a powerful and carefully crafted cult
masquerading as a religion.
- Continuous communication through God to receive new understandings is a
prominent feature in most cults. Although the actual process of "new light" is
not specifically taught, it is of utmost importance for cult members to just
accept it, regardless if they understand it or not. The intention of Watchtower
leaders to utilize this trick is to reiterate the necessity of themselves to their loyal
followers. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only through the faithful and discreet
slave can one "progressively understand" Jehovah and His truth from the Bible,
and without them one is left in spiritual darkness. Watchtower followers equate
spiritual growth with "progressive understanding", tricked into believing that the
verse at Proverbs 4:18 "the light gets brighter" is in reference to the Watchtower
organization. This so-called "new light" is nothing more than a band aid used to
conceal previous teachings and outright error. (See: New Light)
Jehovah's Witnesses deny that their leaders have ever
predicted dates as to when Armageddon would occur,
for the sheer fact that their leaders are masterful at
concealing the evidence. The Watchtower Society's
predictions for the date of Armageddon have proven
false and they masterfully disguise these predictions as
never having existence, blaming their followers for
"getting swept up by dates".
(See Screen 1: Armageddon and False Prophesy)
predicted dates as to when Armageddon would occur,
for the sheer fact that their leaders are masterful at
concealing the evidence. The Watchtower Society's
predictions for the date of Armageddon have proven
false and they masterfully disguise these predictions as
never having existence, blaming their followers for
"getting swept up by dates".
(See Screen 1: Armageddon and False Prophesy)
Jehovah's Witnesses are notorious
for their numerous false
predictions of the end. Far beyond
the specified dates, the Watchtower
Society continually maintains the
idea that Armageddon is just right
around the corner, be on the watch
for Jehovah's day is upon us.
for their numerous false
predictions of the end. Far beyond
the specified dates, the Watchtower
Society continually maintains the
idea that Armageddon is just right
around the corner, be on the watch
for Jehovah's day is upon us.
- Proselytizing and preaching the
good news to recruit new
members is a common
characteristic of religious cults.
Elitist and inaccurate claims are
made by Jehovah's Witnesses
regarding their belief that they
are the only organization doing
the preaching work that Jesus
foretold in Matthew 24:14.
Technically this is true, but only
through Watchtower trickery.
This supposed good news that
Jehovah's Witnesses refer to is
that Jesus already came invisibly
in 1914, unlike true Christians
who proselytize that Christ has
still yet to come. This
evangelistic feature is perhaps
most prominent with Jehovah's
Witnesses because they live for
outward evidence to further
support their claims of having
the "truth".
Cult leaders teach that effective preaching work along with collecting donations is the
mark of dedicated and faithful members; those who are proud to stand up for the
so-called "truth". Through such false claims that "unlike Christendom we do not
solicit for donations in the preaching work", this is the very tricky tactic used by
Watchtower leaders to receive more financial contributions. There is no real
difference between a collection plate from the churches of "Christendom" to a
contribution box hung on the wall of a Kingdom Hall or asking for donations at the
door. The only difference is the leaders recognize this humble approach is far more
effective in the mass consumption of finances. (See Screen 6: Business?)
mark of dedicated and faithful members; those who are proud to stand up for the
so-called "truth". Through such false claims that "unlike Christendom we do not
solicit for donations in the preaching work", this is the very tricky tactic used by
Watchtower leaders to receive more financial contributions. There is no real
difference between a collection plate from the churches of "Christendom" to a
contribution box hung on the wall of a Kingdom Hall or asking for donations at the
door. The only difference is the leaders recognize this humble approach is far more
effective in the mass consumption of finances. (See Screen 6: Business?)
Another example of this twisted
vocabulary is the Watchtower
Society's definition of the word
Christendom. Although the word
Christendom actually means
"those who walk with Christ",
Watchtower leaders intentionally
alter the meaning to any religions
outside of the Watchtower
organization.
vocabulary is the Watchtower
Society's definition of the word
Christendom. Although the word
Christendom actually means
"those who walk with Christ",
Watchtower leaders intentionally
alter the meaning to any religions
outside of the Watchtower
organization.
The Watchtower.6/15/87.pg.31
The Watchtower. 2/15/55.pg.124
Although it appears as though Jehovah's Witnesses are knowledgeable Bible
students, behind the smoke and mirrors lies manipulated followers with highly
selective use of scriptures. Watchtower leaders intentionally train their followers to
recite flag mark scriptures which pertain only to their own doctrines. All religious
cult leaders utilize this trick as a preventative measure, in fear of losing loyal
followers to real Christianity, a place where no human liaison is required.
students, behind the smoke and mirrors lies manipulated followers with highly
selective use of scriptures. Watchtower leaders intentionally train their followers to
recite flag mark scriptures which pertain only to their own doctrines. All religious
cult leaders utilize this trick as a preventative measure, in fear of losing loyal
followers to real Christianity, a place where no human liaison is required.
The Watchtower.8/1/81.pg.31.
The Watchtower.2/15/81.pg.19.
The Watchtower.8/15/94.pg.11.
Image taken from "Learn from the Great Teacher".
A Watchtower publication for children.pg.243.
A Watchtower publication for children.pg.243.
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained
- Emphasis on the leaders instead of God is another outstanding cult characteristic.
All cult leaders manipulate their followers into believing their faith is in God,
when it is actually within the leaders themselves. Watchtower leaders are
masterful at this tactic, convincing their members that their loyalty is to Jehovah,
when in fact their loyalty is to the "faithful and discreet slave". The Watchtower
Society emphatically claims the importance of the "faithful and discreet slave",
and that only through them can true followers come to God. Although Jehovah's
Witnesses refute this fact, they unknowingly prove it through their actions.
Regardless as to how firmly a Jehovah's Witness believes in a certain teaching
given by their leaders, their entire belief system can change through just one
Watchtower article, viewing it as "proper food at the proper time". An outsider
may ask, "If their loyalty was strictly to Jehovah and not men, why would they
use the Society as a liaison in their relationship with God?" Because the
Watchtower Society convinces their followers that they will never be able to
understand the Bible or have a relationship with God, unless it is through them.
Watchtower leaders instill the mentality that their members' salvation has little to
do with the right relationship with Jehovah. It means membership and
participation with the Watchtower organization itself.
www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com.© 2008.