@Russ…I get what you’re saying, Russ. And I agree that there are such groups, Mansons and Heaven’s Gate people come to mind, but the definition of a cult is varied and not everyone agrees. In fact there are people who say all religions are cults because they say they are the one true way and followers must adhere to the beliefs of that religion or something bad will happen to them.

I thought this was a good reference for the different ways cult can be defined. http://www.religio.de/cudef.html

If you’re talking about beliefs here, what is a cult? By definition it is basically a group whose views are abnormal or bizarre…religious groups would be people following ideas outside the norm (mainstream Christianity in this instant).

So in essence, they are people who believe what most don’t. Sounds a little like what you’re trying to get people to do…think outside what they’ve been told.

Looking at your list, of course some of the items seem extreme, but I felt that many of the items if you were to switch the word “witness” with Christian (or most other religions or philosophies) many would still be applicable. And many such as not having sex before marriage, would apply to lots of religious groups.

I find it interesting that one group is targeted here, when many groups, even mainstream groups do much of the same. And to use the word cult, is to play into the belief system of the Christian church who defines cults. A cult is categorized based on the fact that they don’t follow the basic tenets of Christianity (many of which were begun long before Jesus was around, by the way).

I think an interesting article, might be the looking into why people who believe something different are viewed so negatively. If we’re talking dysfunctional beliefs, how about believing that a list would define individuals, that a strong belief that is different from others is too extreme, that what is “normal” is right, and that for some reason, no matter what the topic (JW, abortion, gay marriage, Islam), someone who has a strong belief system (even if it’s wrong in our eyes) is to be judged and found wanting. Who are we to judge? And if you do believe we have the right to judge, what gives us the right to condemn them?

I think we all have to be very careful how we view others and be aware of the blinders we have that affect our view of them. You come from a non-religious background, so much of this sounds extreme. I on the other hand am what one would call very religious (although I hate the term religion because of what it has come to mean), and I find much of it to be common with those who are very religious.

I often tell my students (I’m a middle school U.S. history teacher by the way), to be very careful who you condemn and expect laws to be made against groups of people. Because you never know who in the future will be targeted. Yes you may believe they are a cult and that they should be banished, but what happens if mainstream Christianity takes over? Sure they’d banish them, but they’d banish this blog too, much too subversive. And the idea that “self-love” is the basis of relationships…goes totally against what the Bible teaches. So you would definitely be on the “trying to brainwash people into wrong thoughts” list. But you’re not, right? Neither do the Witnesses think that’s what they are doing. But, obviously, your way is the right way…they think theirs is too.

It’s a very tricky thing balancing beliefs and the world around us. I applaud your mindfulness and hope that it brings you much balance in your life.

They built a prison for me which I did not escape when I escaped the organization: the prison was my own mind, as programmed by them.

It should be illegal.