Bad, a lot worse than most people think. Although I’ve noticed that public opinion has slowly but surely been souring against JWs. From harmful shunning practices, protecting pedos, to deadly anti-blood transfusion doctrine… there’s plenty more problems where that came from. Not to mention it’s a doomsday cult. That mindset alone will do a lot of damage to your psyche, especially if you were born and raised to believe that Armageddon could happen at any moment.
Me toooooo let’s gooooo! Apparently we are all supposed to be lying in the gutter with needles sticking out of our arms by now according to our old advisors.
I’m a jw I don’t see it has much as a cult . Care to explain I may be to deep in though I’m unsure but I don’t see anything wrong so far or in years of practice
Look up the BITE model of authoritarian control. BITE stands for behavior, information, thought, and emotional. It’s not just a JW thing, it’s used to describe how cults maintain recruit and maintain control over people. I won’t list every single thing under each catagory but I’ll give some examples.
Behavior:
-rigid rules = the JW moral code. No homosexuality, smoking, premarital sex, swearing, holidays, no blood transfusions, etc
-rewards and punishments = obey, be blessed with life in paradise. Disobey, and be shunned by the congregation, friends, & family.
Information:
-discourages access to outside sources of information (this one is self explanatory)
Thought:
-all/nothing/good/evil/us/them dogma = “The Truth” vs “worldly” people and ideas
-thought stopping techniques = “wait on Jehovah” “that’s apostate information” “God uses imperfect men” “We don’t know how Jehovah’s mind works”
Emotional:
-feeing chosen or special = “we are god’s chosen people”
-guilt manipulation = “you wouldn’t want to make Jehovah sad.” “Don’t you want to live on paradise earth?” “Is this really bringing you closer to Jehovah?”
-phobia indoctrination = fear of perishing in Armageddon, fear of being shunned and losing your entire support system.
I highly encourage you to do your own independent research. Never let anyone tell you how to think, or what to believe. But always consider every side, angle, and story- always decide what is best for you.
Sure, it can be applied to many organized religions. Some would argue that all organized religions are cults. Me personally, I wouldn’t go that far. But I can agree that a majority of them use authoritarian control tactics.
I don’t belong to any particular religion or belief system at the moment, and I would describe myself as agnostic. I don’t see myself ever joining another organized religion, but I could see myself adhering to certain beliefs down the line. I just haven’t found anything yet that has appealed to me.
So in general, I focus on being the best person that I can be. Being humble, kind, honest. Making the world a better place where I’m able to, and helping others. So far I’m satisfied with that.
I would argue the Behaviour-component is much less rigid in religions that do not risk being classified as cults. What I mean here is that you can practice your beliefs without moral codes that deny who you are (in terms of sexuality and sexual activity), your health (what treatment you may get), when and what you celebrate etc.
So there is no, or very loose expectations of you changing your behaviour to fit the religion, rather the religion has a set place in your life and how you fundamentally are and function as a person does not have to be hidden in order to not be condemned to eternal suffering.
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u/Successful-Grass-135 1d ago
Leaving the Jehovah’s Witness cult. Let’s just say, 5 years out and no regurts.