Comments on Ambassador Watch: Cult or Sect ? (Part 1)

OVER 450 JEHOVAH'S WITNESS LAWSUITS, COURT CASES, ...

2007-04-20T08:19:00.000+12:00

OVER 450 JEHOVAH'S WITNESS LAWSUITS, COURT CASES, ETC SUMMARIZED

This website summarizes 300 United States court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witnesses, including dozens of cases where the Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions:

DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com/

This website summarizes 160 United States court cases and lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against Employers:

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES

http://jwemployees.bravehost.com

So did the NT apostles lead a cult or a sect?

2006-06-15T13:57:00.000+12:00

So did the NT apostles lead a cult or a sect?

It appears that there are efforts under way by an ...

2006-06-06T04:32:00.000+12:00

It appears that there are efforts under way by an anti cult group to remove CoG radio programs, such as "Born to Win"(Ron Dart) and "The Wonderful World Tomorrow" (Steve LeBlanc), from Orthodox based Christian radio stations.

They have apparently been very sucessful thus far in pressuring many radio stations to cancel these (and other CoG progams) from their lineup.

See here for more info:

http://www.macgregorministries.org
/cult_groups/kieferdorf.html

The terms "cult" and "sect" both have a sociologic...

2006-06-06T03:31:00.000+12:00

The terms "cult" and "sect" both have a sociological dimension and a theological dimension. In the sociological dimension, we may draw a distinction between these two from the way they interact with society as a whole, as you point out.

In the theological dimension, this problem becomes considerably more complex. But after thinking about this problem for some time, it simplifies to the issue of "How much of orthodox Christianity do you have to incorporate into your practice and belief to be a Christian?"

For example, what is Armstrongism? It is popularly defined as a Jesus Plus cult. I believe it meets the sociological criteria for a cult but, theologically, how would we define it. Armstrongism has no systematic theology for us to examine (remember the war over the STP back in the Seventies). It has only a collection of brief booklets that have no real theological depth. The periodicals dwell on current events and their prophetic significance. We can only speak to some of its ministers and they may have different views on the role of works in Christian salvation. Some may believe that works are required for salvation and others may believe they are not. Some may have never entertained the topic.

If an Armstrongite pastor believes that works are required for salvation is that de facto evidence that the pastor is a Jesus Plus heretic. Or is he just an immature Christian who has a weak understanding of the Bible.

My belief is that it is not so much what you believe but how one responds to new understanding. For most Armstrongites, then, the pivotal period was around 1995 when the Worldwide News published exhaustive articles focused on the flaws of Armstrongism. Those people who examined these articles and rejected this enlightenment, at that point, made manifest that they were and are cultic heretics. And this, I believe, is the condition of the Armstrongite congregations today.