by Critical Thinker » Fri May 22, 2009 9:42 am
pg. 103, "Life in a destructive cult can vary a great deal. Some people may live with other members in an "ashram," center, or house, while other members may have their own arrangements. Some members may have quite menial jobs, demanding little or no thinking (as janitors, maintenance men, cooks, cleaners), while others are engaged in quite demanding work (e.g., recruiting, public relaitons, operating cult business).
pg. 83, "The Giambalvos, like many others, had mistakenly assumed that people must live together in a closed community to be adversely affected by a group involvement."
If you were to ask a Jehovah's Witness if they were in a cult, their answer would be, "No!" Why? Because that is what they are told to believe:
*** rs p. 202 Jehovah’s Witnesses ***
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a sect or a cult?
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.
*** w94 2/15 pp. 5-7 Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Cult? ***
What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behavior? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?...
At any rate, the Witnesses are far from being a small fringe cult. In the spring of 1993, more than 11 million people attended the Witnesses’ Memorial of Christ’s death. But more important than their number are their moral character and exemplary behavior, which have brought them worldwide commendation. Undoubtedly this has been a factor in countries that have given them official recognition as a known, bona fide religion...
Of the millions of non-Witnesses who are studying the Bible with the Witnesses or who have studied with them at one time or another, we ask, Were there any attempts to brainwash you? Did the Witnesses employ mind-control techniques on you? “No” would doubtless be your frank response. Obviously, if these methods had been used, there would be an overwhelming number of victims in contradiction to any argument in favor of Jehovah’s Witnesses.“Absorbed in Humanity”
Cult members often isolate themselves from family, friends, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? “I do not belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses,” wrote a newsman in the Czech Republic. Yet he added: “It is obvious that they [Jehovah’s Witnesses] have tremendous moral strength. . . . They recognize governmental authorities but believe that only God’s Kingdom is capable of solving all human problems. But watch it—they are not fanatics. They are people who are absorbed in humanity.”
And they do not live in communes, isolating themselves from relatives and others. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that it is their Scriptural responsibility to love and care for their families. They live and work with people of all races and religions. ...It is clear that Jehovah’s Witnesses are as far from being a cult as Jesus was from being a glutton and a drunkard.
*** w94 6/15 pp. 28-30 Looking With Appreciation Upon the “House of God” ***
“Bethel” is a most appropriate name, as the Hebrew word Behth-’El′ means “House of God.” (Genesis 28:19, footnote) Yes, Bethel resembles a well-organized house, or ‘a household built up by wisdom,’ with God and his will holding center stage. (Proverbs 24:3) “It is like living in a family. We have a well-organized daily routine,” says Herta appreciatively. She has been serving at the same Bethel as Helga for over 45 years. Each member of this large family has his function and his place, allowing him to feel happy and secure. Consistent with the name Bethel, good arrangement and organization characterize each of the departments. This promotes peace, makes effective preaching of the good news possible, and gives the congregations sound reason to hold the “House of God” in the highest esteem.—1 Corinthians 14:33, 40.
Why are such facilities necessary? This magazine, for example, was produced in a Bethel printery. The preaching of the Kingdom message and the distribution of spiritual food, both foreseen by Jesus Christ, make organizational arrangements like Bethel indispensable—supported by willing workers and held in great regard by all worshipers of Jehovah.—Matthew 24:14, 45.
Would you like to learn more about the workday routine here? Where Helga and Herta live, a melodious chime sounds a call in all residence buildings at 6:30 a.m., though many of the over 800 regular workers get up even earlier to prepare for the day. By 7:00 a.m., Monday to Saturday, the family is assembled in the dining halls for a discussion of the daily text, or morning worship. A nourishing breakfast follows. Each workday begins at 8:00 a.m. and lasts eight hours, interrupted only by a lunch break. (The family normally works half a day on Saturday.) Be it in the kitchen, printery, laundry, offices, workshops, bookbindery, or any other department, there is much to do.
During evenings and on weekends, members of the family associate with local congregations at meetings and in public preaching. Many Bethel brothers are elders or ministerial servants in these congregations. The local Witnesses truly appreciate this cooperation, both groups working together harmoniously as one body, with mutual respect and understanding. (Colossians 2:19) Each Bethel worker knows that his assignment in the “House of God” takes priority over other activities. However, enthusiasm for preaching and involvement with the congregation, coupled with a balanced attitude, strengthen the Bethel worker’s spirituality, increase his joy, and make him a more productive member of the family. How crucial these qualities are when working in a “house” whose name is linked with whole-souled devotion!
High Regard for Sacred Service in Bethel
“Where do you work?” is a query commonly put to members at Bethel. Work assignments are diverse, but each deserves to be held in high esteem by everyone. Why? Because each assignment—whether operating a machine printing spiritual food, washing clothes, cooking and cleaning for the family, or performing office work—constitutes sacred service. As mentioned above, Christians make no partial distinctions. Bear in mind that all necessary duties carried out by priests and Levites at the temple, in its courtyards and dining halls, were all considered sacred service to Jehovah. That included slaughtering and preparing animals for sacrifice, refilling oil lamps, even cleaning up and performing watchmen’s duties. Likewise, each assignment at Bethel is a satisfying and worthwhile activity “in the work of the Lord,” hence an exceptional privilege.—1 Corinthians 15:58.
*** w07 4/15 p. 32 Adryana’s Wish ***
She expressed her appreciation for being considered but told them that she would rather visit Bethel, the center of the worldwide activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York
*** w98 8/1 pp. 22-23 ‘We Have Done What We Ought to Have Done’ ***
I believe that there are a lot of lessons that families can learn from how Bethel operates. We wake up early in the morning and start off our day on a spiritual note by considering a daily Bible text. We are expected to work hard and live a balanced but busy life. Bethel is not like a monastery, as some may think. We accomplish much because of our scheduled way of life. Many have said that the training they received here later helped them to accept responsibilities in their families and in the Christian congregation.
Young men and women who come to Bethel may be assigned to do cleaning, laundry, or work in the factory. The world may have us believe that such physical work is demeaning and beneath us. Yet, young ones at Bethel come to appreciate that such work assignments are necessary for our family to function properly and happily.
The world may also promote the thought that you need position and prestige to be truly happy. That is wrong. When we do what we are assigned to do, we are ‘doing what we ought to be doing,’ and we receive Jehovah’s blessing. (Luke 17:10) We can have real contentment and happiness only if we remember the purpose of our work—to do Jehovah’s will and advance Kingdom interests. If we keep that in mind, any assignment can be enjoyable and satisfying.
*** w71 6/1 pp. 337-338 pars. 13-15 How to Succeed in the Pioneer Service ***
13 Those in school who are planning to pioneer do well to learn a practical trade such as stenography or carpentry—something that will provide part-time work, perhaps some skill that is needed in the area where they live. Some pioneer ministers do cleaning, painting, gardening, washing windows, selling, and so forth. Sisters may do typing, ironing, sewing, washing, baby-sitting. As one brother said, “You can usually find something, if you are willing to do anything.” And he was willing because he wanted to continue as a pioneer. Of course, a pioneer needs to consider not just his income, but also his outgo. This is just as important. If a car costs more than the pioneer can afford, why be forced to stop the pioneer ministry just to have a car? Many find it possible to pioneer even in rural territory without a car by traveling with others or using public transportation or riding a bicycle or just by walking. After all, Jesus did not have a car or even a bicycle to get around the territory where he preached, and much of it was rural territory. All in the full-time ministry, whether congregation publishers or pioneers, do well to cultivate the attitude of the apostle Paul, who said, “So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be content with these things.” (1 Tim. 6:8) Paul did not worry about getting a racing chariot to help him in his travels.
I was told a lot of things, too. That I was chosen, that I was special. I end up with a tumor on my spine and my daughter's blood all over my hands. -Benjamin Linus
Don't give up your education, your hopes and ambitions, to follow a rainbow.-Jeanne Mills
