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.
~The Last Days
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.
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.
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".
~Preach The Good News
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.
~We Have The Truth
"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.
~New Light
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.
~Cult Vocabulary
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.
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.
~Watchtower Leaders
Another sure sign of a cult is their unique vocabulary. 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.
~New World Translation
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.
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.