Having studied the characteristics of destructive sects at the beginning of this book, it is not difficult to answer the initial question of this work: Is the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses a destructive sect? Let’s review its ethical characteristics:
Are you a group united by a demagogic (religious or socio-religious) doctrine?:
– Absolutely.
Is it headed by a charismatic leader who is the divinity itself or one chosen by it, or a possessor of “absolute truth” in any realm?:
“Yes, this role was first exercised by the presidents of the society, and then now it is exercised by the” governing body “.”
Is its structure theocratic, vertical and totalitarian, where the word of the leaders is dogma of faith and the leaders intervene even in the most intimate and personal details of their followers and demand that their orders be executed without the slightest criticism?.
-They have never been able to be described more accurately, and it is verified in the treatment they give to dissidents in any matter, or the attitude they take with any of the followers if they see him participate in a social celebration as innocuous as a birthday.
Do they demand total adherence to the group and force (under psychological pressure) to break with all previous social ties with the entrance to the cult, parents, partner, friends, work, studies, etc.
-It is verified in their distancing from non-Jehovah’s Witness friends, or in their refusal to take part in any type of activity that leads them to fraternize with non-adepts. They not only break with social ties but civil ones, refusing even to salute the flag, and present military service.
Do they control the information that reaches their followers, manipulating it at their convenience?
-It is precisely what they do through the unilateral bombardment of information with which they cram the followers, while motivating them and almost prohibiting them from seeking information from sources outside the organization, which they describe as apostates.
Do they advocate a total rejection of society and its institutions? Outside of worship, are we all enemies (polarization between good-sect and bad-society)? Is society garbage and are the people who live in it only of interest insofar as they can serve the group?
“Certainly few religious sects have taken a position similar to Jehovah’s Witnesses, where everyone who does not belong to the organization is an integral part of the antichrist, a member of the Great Whore of Babylon, and destined to be destroyed in the battle of Armageddon.
Are their doctrines harmful and destructive to their members?
– Absolutely, it is enough to check how many have died for refusing blood transfusions (some estimate that the number far exceeds 40,000), how many have been imprisoned or died in prison for refusing to present even substitute service, how many infants at the time suffered diseases and epidemics, because vaccines were considered diabolical, or even how many refused to resort to a transplant thatcould save their lives, because at the time they considered it cannibalism.
Not to mention all those who sold their properties, stopped studying, getting married, having children, postponing surgical operations, all thinking that the end of the world was just around the corner, and that they could wait, while they were instrumentalized by the organization to achieve their ends.
Do they negatively and destructively affect the doctrine of the witnesses to the adepts?
– Definitely.
What should I do if I am visited by a Jehovah’s Witness?
Not all Catholics have sufficient biblical and theological training to explain their errors to Jehovah’s Witnesses, and it is often very difficult for a person under the influence of a sect to recognize them. If that is your case, we recommend that you simply tell them politely that you are Catholic and that you do not admit any teaching against your faith.
But if you are one of those who like apologetics and want to help them get out of their mistakes, we invite you to first study all the topics related to apologetics. Even so, it is important that you understand that a Jehovah’s Witness is indoctrinated not to consider the arguments that you intend to use, no matter how convincing, and in case you detect that your position is doctrinally firm, simplythey will move on to the next house and will be careful not to visit you again in a good time. I know, because I have almost a decade that I do not receive the visits of any Jehovah’s Witness, except my dear mother-in-law, but for absolutely different reasons.
In particular, I am not moved by any rejection of Jehovah’s Witnesses as people, I consider them honest seekers of spiritual truth, full of love for God. It is precisely because I appreciate them and want the best for them, that I wrote this book, and I pray that God will one day allow me to return to the Catholic Church, the only one that Christ founded.
