I believe it is because that the doctrine of JW's seems to put up more walls than it tears down-meaning it makes Prince more close minded than ever.

skywalker said:

***

That's a very 'close minded' comment

We're bugged cuz Prince looks like a slave to a faith that was given to him by Larry "The Scam Man" Graham. It doesn't help that his music sucks even worse now too.

skywalker said:

I totally agree with you. You can tell by the Witnesses on this site that their minds are not open to anything except what they believe and what they want you to believe.

stymie said:

Uh-Huh! I personally think Larry and co preyed on his vulnerability when his boy died, people in crisis are more likely to fall under the spell.

bugs "us" thats kinda of bold to answer for people... it may bug some people but if you take a really good thought and listen all religions are based around one "The Creator" now how you praise and give back to the creator may differ on how others do.so before you make a statement like "why prince and the JW thing bugs us" why cant you simply say how come it bugs "you" ya dig??

Just my 2 cents
[This message was edited Mon Apr 14 10:20:33 PDT 2003 by Finess]

stymie said:

***

I strongly disagree. Most people here want Jehovah's Witnesses to believe they are in a cult and they know they are not. What is there to discuss?

Have you noticed the amount of threads and posts that are critical of Jehovah's Witnesses on this board? Would you like to answer that? Is there any point responding when the majority of these individuals have already made up their minds?

I'm always willing to discuss matters constructively and reasonably. However, I have not chosen to associate with Jehovah's Witnesses because I believe they are 'wrong'. I studied and visited numerous other faiths and Churches. I am an intelligent, educated individual not a brainless zealot.

I will not and should not be put in the position where I am pressured to defend and justify my own beliefs on this site.

If there were this many negative threads regarding Jewish or Muslim people and their faith there would have been uproar by now.

i'm not "us", man. speak 4 yourself.

did I accidentally get trapped in the politics and religion forum???

endorphin74 said:

oh lawd, not another takeover like last nite...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

it's looking like it...

what will we ever do?!!!

endorphin74 said:

(mock ricki lake hand-on-face-and-look-of-disbelief) oh dear...

i know, we could just jack this thread, 2!!!

Mr7 said:[quote]stymie said:[quote]

skywalker said:

JW is NOT a religion. They actually have serious problems here in Europe with Justice (the financial side of the organization is far from being clear). Many ex-members are put under an untolerable amount of pressure when they talk about JW.

And stop using the BOLD option for Christ sake !
roll:

Mr7 said:

Dude, are you serious? I have not ever started any negative JW thread or any JW thread for that matter. I also don't believe JWs are in a cult. I just believe that if I ask an honest question, I should be given an honest answer. Most of the time I don't get an answer at all. No one should have to defend their beliefs. I just want to understand. at least I ask. Some people just draw their own conclusions.

Prince can be whatever he wants 2 be... because he's a grown ass man ...I dont have a problem w/ him converting...I mean, its his choice...I miss the old Prince but we all change ...who knows maybe he will change back But even if he doesnt & still continues 2 bring the funk (which he does...even if its talking about something else than sex), I will him & support him no matter what...it summarizes it all up N my signature:...

In France JW are considered as being a sect.

jn2 said:

Yeah but is a sect the same thing as a cult?

As a former JW, I can tell you that I was in a bad place
emotionally, my brother had been murdered, family fell
apart, when I began studying. It offered me in a purely
fragile state, the vision of world peace and no more
death in the immediate future, it was then 1978. As I
began to heal after much counseling and came into consciousness spititually, I became more open and nonjudgemental. I was told I wasn't studying enough and
becoming unsheep like. Noone with the orginazatin could
answer my questions or could appreciate my individual
thoughts. You definitely have to be willing to follow
the " faithful and discreet class' who will tell you
what your perception should be of world events, future
past and present. I couldn't grow in that enviroment and
left. Assoociates and one family member are encouraged to
leave anyone alone who doesn't believe as they do especially
if you once did. Sounds just like most gang and mob practices. It would make God very small if you beilive that.

sect - noun 1 a religious or other group whose views and practices differ from those of an established body or from those of a body from which it has separated, used sometimes as an expression of disapproval by non-members. 2 a subdivision of one of the main religious divisions of mankind. 3 a body of followers of any doctrine, especially of an extreme political movement.

cult - noun 1 a a system of religious belief; b the sect of people following such a system. 2 a an unorthodox or false religion; b the people adhering to such a system. 3 an especially extravagant admiration for a person, idea, etc. 4 something which is popular and regarded as particularly significant by a certain group of people: a fashion, craze or fad. cultic or cultish

Really, both are applicable.

ConsciousContact said:

yes

jn2 said:

D'accord

Finess said:

I have to agree with ya' on all points you made! To me all religions are based on the same entity/being or however you so chose to say it. The only true difference is how you chose to worship and the name of which you call YOUR GOD or Hiher power. I could go even further with examples but I think this says enough.

Light1 said:

The same could be said of most organized religions or any group that seeks to grow or retain membership. You can't very well let everyone come up with their own way of doing things or you lose the cohesiveness and strength of the group. It's simply a matter of the degree to which that control is wielded and the consequences of non-conformity.

I don't know much about the JW faith, so I'm not qualified to comment on it. And Prince is certainly entitled to follow whatever path he chooses. My only hope for him (and for anyone in any group), is that he does not lose his ability to think freely without fear of repercussions or sensorship of his art that is imposed on him rather than self-governed. Art cannot flourish in an environment the discourages free thought.

Hmm..the only thing that bothers me about him being a JW is his fans. I mean, damn, the man is free to do whatever he wants.
I know some JWs and they don't go round preaching every damn second of the day. and you know what? They get long just fine with gays(if that's what you mean by the 'close-minded comment).
I've talked to many about the religion, and you know what? It's pretty facinating. Don't automaticly assume that Prince has become this bible-toting, preaching day and night, gay-hating man.
'Cause that's really not what the Jehova Religion is about.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 14 11:48:56 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]
[This message was edited Mon Apr 14 11:50:29 PDT 2003 by lovebizzare]

jn2 said:

***

Considered by whom? Who is doing the judging here and what difference does it make?

Besides a sect is not the same as a Cult. There are marked differences in terms of definition.

Do Sects normally have a baptised membership of over six and a half million?

Criticise all you want, but Jehovah's Witnesses do not qualify as either a sect or a cult. The terms are over-used and over-applied.

If Jehovah's Witnesses are a 'cult' then so is every other religion on the planet.

jn2 said:

From what I understand, France is not currently an example of a place that welcomes religious variety. I read that there are some very strong feelings against Jews there. If this is true, then your statement goes further to support Mr7's point of view than to dispell it (if that was your intention).

EvilWhiteMale said:

What's Larry's scam? Spreading the word and gaining coverts is pretty standard fare in all religions...

In France JW are officially considered as being a sect + by scientifics (historians of religions, sociologists...) too

Oh, okay, so now Prince is in a cult