Jehovah’s Witnesses is a religious denomination with about eight million members from different countries around the globe. Â Its headquarters is located in New York, and many of its members are active in evangelism through home visits and the distribution of their publications. Their beliefs are said to unorthodox earning them a reputation of being a cult. Â Although much of the impression is based on opinion, there are several groups in present society that classify this denomination as a cult.
One reason for Jehovah’s Witnesses’ reputation as a cult is their non-Trinitarian belief. Â Although their teachings are based on the Bible, followers of this denomination emphasize that their belief is on God the Father and not on Jesus Christ. Â Jehovah’s Witnesses followers still consider themselves Christians and believe in Jesus Christ as supposedly God’s Son. Â But the fact that many of them emphasize that God is not Jesus makes some people consider their belief as odd and therefore cult-like. Â Part of the belief of this church is that Jesus may be the Archangel Michael which further confuses some people on how Jesus is perceived in their religion.
The cult reputation of Jehovah’s Witnesses may also be attributed to some of their practices. Â All members of the denomination are taught not to make any salute to the national flag. Â This practice has created some conflict with various governments and contributed to the impression that Jehovah’s Witnesses follow some bizarre or unusual practices. Another unusual practice is their stance against blood transfusions even during medical emergencies. Â Many people consider this belief odd since the followers of this denomination may also have loved ones who need a transfusion to save their lives from a medical concern. Â Some also point out that Jehovah’s Witnesses also forbid vaccinations and any form of organ transplant. Â All these seemingly unorthodox beliefs contribute to the impression that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult rather than a legitimate religious order.
October 27, 2012 4:59 pm
Jehovah Witnesses do not oppose vaccinations or organ transplants today. Yes, in the past, it was not allowed. Organ transplants are a bit tricky since all blood has to be drained from the organ before transplant and no blood other than from the patient can be used during the transplant. The group has changed it’s position on some of these things, but still remain opposed to blood transfusions. Using parts of blood is still not allowed, so far as I can tell. The not participating in government and the permitting no blood transfusions do cause people to dislike the group, as well as their not celebrating holidays. They do have some Biblical basis for these beliefs. This does not make them a cult, unless cults are any religious group you disagree with, which does seem to be the criteria at times.