Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
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Here are some opinions on why some people consider JWs to be a cult or not.

  • Whether the Jehovah's Witnesses are actually a cult will depend on who you ask, and how they define the word "cult."

  • What is a cult? According to one definition, it is a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies. By that definition, any organized religious system is a cult. The World Book Encyclopedia says that "traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance." By that definition ALL religions are "cults."

  • FROM A JW - Jehovah's Witnesses have no rites or ceremonies that we practice as most people would consider rites or ceremonies. Our meetings are very simple, open with a song and prayer, then there is a classroom like atmosphere with discussion, very often involving the audience members raising their hands to be called on to make comments about the subject that is being discussed, just like you would find in a school classroom. Some of the Bible based discussions could include subjects like how we can use the Bible's counsel in making our family's stronger, the fulfilling of Bible prophecy, Jesus' role in our salvation, how God views honesty, and many more. Some of the meetings are a Bible-based talk, or sermon without the audience participation, but it's never done in a preachy, overly dramatic way as most would expect a church sermon to be. All meetings are carried out in a dignified discussion like manner. There is no chanting or candle lighting or dressing in special garb by priests, or anything else that most people would consider ceremonial, or any show. It's just calm Bible discussion. Of further interest is that, in the first century Christian congregation, Jesus first disciples were considered a cult by most people at that time.

  • The first definition is somewhat vague and does not give true light to what a cult is. A more complete definition of a cult would be, a religion or sect bound together by veneration of a god, or ideal, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of an authoritarian, and charismatic leader, group of leaders. Veneration being: the act of adoring, especially reverently: adoration, idolization, reverence, and worship.

  • Another definition is obsessive devotion to or veneration for a god, principle, or thing. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric knowledge or belief. Esoteric being of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people.Based on these definitions, many consider the faith of Jehovah Witnesses to at least cult-like. I am not a JW's, but I am very familiar in their faith and practices. JW's are taught to be of the world, but not part of it. That is to say, they are to live in the world, but not to associate with it, or people not in "The Truth". It is seen as non-compliant and unchristian for JW's to befriend those not in their faith, especially for them to date others not in their faith. If a JW is discovered dating an individual not in their faith, they may be dis fellowshipped. This is much like excommunication. When a member is dis fellowshipped it is for the purpose of keeping the congregation clean, and those that sin, and are non repentant must be separated from the congregation. However, this includes no communication with other baptized members, including family and friends. This is so that person does not influence the others negatively. So the person is virtually alone, and is driven to either repentance, so they may rejoin after some time, or they are driven to leave the faith.Much like a cult the Faith of Jehovah Witnesses is based on a system of absolutes, and is aimed at keeping members in and obedient. If they do not comply they push them to either comply or leave. They use the fear of Jehovah, and the fear of loss of family and friends to manipulate the members. Many JW's would say that it is a choice of action by the individual, and they would be right. However, the influence of the faith, and the teachings of the elders can not be over looked when judging the actions of those in "The Truth".The Faith of Jehovah Witnesses is aimed at creating a group of individuals that are believed by the group to follow Jehovah's will, and to serve him purely. Because of this goal, they are exclusive, strict, and use whatever means necessary to ensure that the group does not become contaminated by the outside world. I can not say for certain one way or another that Jehovah Witnesses are a cult because there are so many different definitions. But the presented material here is truth and from it, based on whatever definition of a cult you are using, you can conclude an answer. But no matter what the definition, it is clear that the faith at the very least has many cult-like qualities.

  • Which is all very interesting, and goes back to the original answer, that all organized religions are a cult by the definition of a cult. Also all organized religions share similar traits as listed above.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses differ from most organized Christianity in many distinct ways.

  • They do not claim to be be a cult, or that any of their characteristics are cult-like. They do this to avoid negative stigmas associated with the word cult. However, by definition, most would be inclined to classify them as a cult based on certain characteristics of their faith, of which are outlined above.

  • As it stands today Christendom in general does not accept the Jehovah's Witnesses as a Christian religion. Jehovah's Witnesses are staunchly neutral of politics and military conflicts. The Witnesses refuse to take up arms against other Jehovah's Witnesses in military conflicts. Whereas main stream Christian faiths are heavily involved in politics and the military and have no problem killing members of the same faith for God and country.Members of the Jehovah's Witness organization keep clear of holidays and religious rites that are of pagan origin. They use the Old Testament name for God (Jehovah YHWH, JHWH) 7000 times in their Bibles, which most other Bibles omit.

  • Christian religions as a whole reject the Jehovah's Witnesses for the disbelief in the Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses hold to the teaching that Jehovah is the Creator, Jesus is his created Son, and the Holy Spirit (Ghost) is God's active force or power.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses are persecuted worldwide for their unrelenting and steadfast adherence to scriptural principles and bible based morality.

  • I am a Protestant Christian, and I am not a Jehovah's Witness, but over many years have discussed religion when they visited our neighborhood, and have read much of their literature. It is my opinion that they are not a cult, although their extremely conservative religious position may seem so to many observers. To my observation, they are simply a very strict Christian organization.

  • Using the accepted definition of cult JW's cannot be defined as such. The best way to understand any religion is to be educated about its specific ideology/theology and then make an intelligent assessment.

  • My first hand experience with the Jehovah's Witnesses lead me to no other intelligent and informed assessment that they are cult-like and have controling practices. One of the reasons they have this stigma is because they use "scare tactics" on potential recruits and mind control on members.

  • Definition of Cult: A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian. ... Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.

  • Every individual has personal experiences that causes them to be biased to certain degrees. This is why it is necessary to keep personal views separate from factual data. There are no "watchdog groups" such as America United that list JW's as being a cult.

  • Q: What is a cult? A: A cult is any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith. It is very important that we recognize cults and avoid any involvement with them. Cults often teach some Christian truth mixed with error, which may be difficult to detect. There are some features common to most cults: They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their "special revelations" to the Bible as equally authoritative. They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality "by grace through faith" alone, but practice instead a salvation by works. They do not give Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, full recognition as the second Person of the Trinity, composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Some of these groups are Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, Scientologists, and others.

  • The above explanation of a cult is as defined by some of the Christian faith. However, please note that Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines a cult as simply "an unorthodox or spurious religion."

  • The JWs are a cult because they try to cut you off from others who do not have the same beliefs, including family.

  • No. Unlike the churches, JWs don't have a minister or priest telling them what to do and not to do, they make their own decisions, based on their own study of the scriptures. If a Witness changes his friends after studying the bible, it has been his choice.

  • Jehovah's Witnesses do not hold ritualistic meetings, nor is their worship cloaked in secrecy. Non-Witness author Julia Mitchell Corbett notes: "When they meet, usually more than once a week, in Kingdom Halls (their meeting sites are not called churches), most of their time is spent in Bible study and discussion." Their meeting places are clearly marked with a sign. The meetings are open, and the general public is invited to attend. Unannounced guests are more than welcome.

  • A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual. Many cults follow a living human leader, and often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society. The standard for what is orthodox, however, should be God's Word, and Jehovah's Witnesses strictly adhere to the Bible. Their worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion. They neither follow a human nor isolate themselves from the rest of society. They live and work in the midst of other people.

  • They are cult-like because they are not allowed to read any kind of religious material (any books on God or religion in general that is not published by the Watchtower Tract Association)because they believe you will be 'brainwashed'. They also do not encourage spending time or making 'friends' with non-witnesses. And, they usually end up cutting themselves and their children away from family members.

  • It's less about their church's religious ideas, and more about the fact that they do not allow their members to read books that the church hierarchy haven't approved. It shouldn't matter what religion you are a member of, you should be allowed to read the books you want to. Also, if a member decides to leave the church, other members, including family and friends are expected to break off contact with them.

  • I think that the only reason Jehovah's Witnesses are considered "cult-like" is because their beliefs differ from orthodox Christianity. That in itself should not be a reason as they use biblical support for every belief they hold. In my experience with friends who are JW's they haven't been isolated from outsiders or family that have left. My friend's father was disfellowshipped (kicked out for cheating on his wife and not being repentant) and none of his family were told to ignore him. Maybe the halls around here are more liberal though. But I think that it is the duty of all Christians no matter what they believe to "love one another" as Christ taught-that is the most important thing.

  • I see many definitions of a "cult". Most lists of cult like behaviour include: Strong control from a central authority whose pronouncements are not open to question, Strict control over members lives including family matters and within the marriage, the insistence on dedication to the cause as being more important than family ties. Despite their insistence that all the beliefs are taken from the Bible, The JW's do match all the above points. The "Governing Body" act as the "Faithful Slave" of Jesus Christ on Earth, dispensing knowlege which is "Spiritual Food" directed by the Holy Spirit. The primary vehicle for this is the Watchtower magazine which is studied in depth every week at the meetings with only passing references to carefully selected scriptures. Members must live according to the rules of the faith. These include abstaining from premarital sex, recreational drugs and smoking tobacco all of which are punishable by disfellowshipping. You may also be disfellowshipped if you openly disagree with the teaching of the Governing Body. Disfellowshipped ones have to be shunned by fellow Witnesses even close family unless they live together and then with some withdrawal of association. Members attend 3 Meetings a week and also spend time in "House to House Ministry" Failure to attend is frowned upon unless you are ill. there are rules on dress, personal appearance , the choice of entertainment and suitable music to listen to. They also teach that this world is about to be destroyed by God, that they only will survive and the rest of us will be slaughtered with our bodies left to be food for the carrion eating vultures. This is the "Good news" they preach so enthusiastically.

  • I was raised in the JWs. My parents were JWs. Parts of my family are JWs. I can assure you all that they are a cult, and a pretty bad one, too. There are to many examples to mention, to go into detail I'd have to write a whole book (which many have done, btw), but basically, the reason why the JWs should be considered a cult, can be summed up by this: WHATEVER THE GB (the self-proclaimed "wise and faithful servant"), OF THE WTS SAYS IS TRUE, IS TRUE! The GB could tell the JWs that God was a white pitbullterrier, living on Mars, and the JWs would be obligated to believe it, or face disfellowshipping, shunning by family, the (internal) fear of death at Armageddon (for not being a JW any longer), etc.

  • I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I am also a very open minded and a strong individualist. If anyone were to ask me about another culture or belief system I would always tell them to learn about it from someone who practices said system and then make up your mind. I have heard the Mormons called a cult, are they? I have talked to members and I do not agree with their teachings, but that does not mean I would ever label them as a cult. The word "cult" brings bad thoughts to most peoples minds and to call something "cult like" is really just a way to slander someone or something. There are few real cults out there. Just different people with different ways of being.

  • The organization is considered cult-like because 1.) the organization discourages individual interpretation of Scripture, relying instead on the teachings of the elders; 2.) the organization goes against the teachings of other churches & denominations quite explicitly, claiming its teaching is the only correct interpretation; 3) the organization disowns those who leave the organization, and discourages those still within the organization from having any contact with those who have left. ... Some may feel that these criteria apply to various denominations and churches that are not considered to be cult-like. I cannot disagree with them. I will say, though, that there are denominations & churches which do not meet these criteria.



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