I answered the doorbell today, and a pair of cute girls handed me a leaflet from JWs. It's an invite to an event several hours away (lol), but it got me thinking. I'm a 26-year-old KHHV who could use love and a sense of belonging. And they just so happen to have cute girls my age who, if they're the same as in the US, like to breed like rabbits. Should I join them? I have no existing religious convictions.

>Joining a cult to get a girlfriend
Anon, this is the worst idea possible.

>>33301342
anon's a man in a pussy drought, you can't fathom how many worse idea's he's considered aside from joining a cult.

>>33301323 (OP)
I knew a cute JW girl at work. I wonder if some of them are actually sluts and fuck guys without trying to talk about the bible with them afterwards. They always are nice and wait for any slight moment to tell you how great the bible is. I'm sure they would let you flirt with them. Joining is a bit shitty, as you have to have a regular job and do all the JWs business during your free time.

>>33301323 (OP)
Look up "Flirt to Convert".

>>33301323 (OP)
they already have jehovah's witness chad boyfriends.

>>33301397
They didn't flirt with me. I expected their usual schtick, but they just handed me the leaflet and left. Usually, they send some faggy loser, so I was surprised to see attractive girls there and made the thread.
>>33301388
I don't know any JWs. How does it work? I imagine that if it were a proper cult, they would encourage relationships between members, no? Do you think JW girls make good girlfriends?
>>33301408
Well, I was wondering if maybe you could get a GF, but would have to let her cuck you with someone higher in the hierarchy or something.

>>33301478
>Well, I was wondering if maybe you could get a GF, but would have to let her cuck you with someone higher in the hierarchy or something.
Infidelity is discouraged. I grew up one and they still had it happen but it was not a church thing, just women being women. They are basically just like any other church and the cult shit people say is just as stupid. Any religion is the same and the people that use the cult smear are just signaling that JWs are not a part of their in group. They have a lot of good teachings on morals but a lot of their beliefs are pulled out of nowhere to control their flock just like catholics or baptists do. Most women in the church though will probably be taken and not be open to a new convert. Yes, they can be hoes that you can sleep with but again it is just women being women.

>>33301323 (OP)
You have to find one who's dissilusioned by the religion. You're not going to get through to somebody who is a faithful worshiper without converting yourself, and most of the women have been raped by their dads, anyway.

>>33301323 (OP)
If you want a sense of belonging I would recommend mormons. They have more events. In JW witness it's more lonely. Trust me

> t. Mormon

>>33301663
Yes, I did some reading, and it looks like a regular church, nothing that would scream cult to me. There's also an FSSPX branch nearby which has the most appealing aesthetic to me, though I don't know their demographics.
>>33301712
Oh yeah, those are the ones that breed like rabbits, I had them mixed up. Their population pyramid looks promising (a lot of girls coming of age right now), but they are twice as rare as JWs here... wait, now I'm mixing up LDS with SDA. LDS breed like rabbits, but there are fewer than 1,000 of them in my country.

TO BOTH ANONS:
And what do they (both JW and LDS) even do? I'm familiar with regular catholicism, you go to the church on Sunday, and that's pretty much it. There are some extra activities for kids, but almost none for adults. What do these two do that there is, as I perceive it, a tighter community?

>>33301792
Well I live in a city that has a lot of mormons and for adults they have events like every week. And major events like going to a temple, dance, or volunteering or a cookout like twice a month. Not to mention the events that members just put together like a get together at someone's house to chill or someone's ranch or to a park. Its always nice. I just wish they preached the actual Bible more often than the book of mormon I'm still a bit iffy on it. Its also fun talking to missionaries.

>>33301323 (OP)
These organisations usually prey on lonely people with litte human contact, they corrup the theology of actual religions and exploit you for their own goals. The founders of JW specifically redacted the bible to fit their cult organisation so that they could enrich themselves.
Trinitarian Christianity is the true way, it's historical, true, and liberates you from the evil of this world by accepting Christ for who he really is, not making him a symbolic figure by which we can get inspired by.

>>33301861
But let's be honest. Even christ agreed that congregations need to have unity which is something that catholic churches lack. Specially in day and age where there are lonely adults. In my opinion they have failed. Thought they are other churches like baptist churches that are very close too. You just have to look for them but Catholics ones usually sucks. Specially if you are an single adult.

>>33301792
>it looks like a regular church, nothing that would scream cult to me.
Historically they have acted cult-like by exploiting their members into giving them money and shunning those who leave by forcing their families to do so, today they have gotten rid of these elements to attract more followers, although the fact that they use a Bible which was changed so much that it only fits to them is basically what Islam and LDS did aswell - "It's true becuase this UNCORRUPTED book i found says it's true.
Anyways, even South Park made fun of Mormons and how ridicilous their beliefs are, so take that like you will.
>I'm familiar with regular catholicism, you go to the church on Sunday, and that's pretty much it.
Much more than than, the Catholic Church is the most charitable organisation in the world, and they believe that they are the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, hence why they founded so many hospitals, universities and missionary organisations, to glorify God.
Unlike cults, Catholicism actually has intellectual backing behind it, and recognises truth as it incoorporates every type plausible philosophy and science into he pursiut of truth, recognising that other beliefs have a degree of truth to them, but no ability to uncover the fullness of truth since they lack tradition and magisterium - that is why they recognise Orthodox sacraments, refer to Protestants as departed brethren and accept Baptism from any denomination.
Like traditional Christians, and unlike cults they do not claim that you will burn in hell if you're outside of their organisation, so don't fall for these false prophets, stay true to truth.

>>33301905
Do they act as a family tho? Have you ever actually been to a catholic church?

>>33301905
Also mormons donate and help in catastrophic accidents. They just don't announce.

>>33301323 (OP)
Bro making you think exactly that was literally the entire point of them being cute girls, you dope

>>33301905
Islam, LDS, they act more as family in their churches. It is not like catholic ones that just go on Sundays and boom that's it i am not going to hell. Heck even LDS encourages good behavior through missionaries who serve as examples for other members to follow. And the church local leaders always visit you if you stop going asking how you are doing. Fact of the matter, they act more as a family than catholic churches.

>>33301953
The LDS further encourages good works.

>>33301886
The church is not a social club, you are there for Christ, not women, you should not live for the world.
It's a hard reality and many of church-goers don't see the difference, but ask yourself why parishes, nuns and monks exist, they live for the mother Church, not potential women, becuase they have rejected lust and they know that those who are of pure heart will see God.
The unity of which you speak is in structure, God's grace is unique to every person, it is up to us to search for it. It does not mean that people should jump up to you and be hyper-enthusiastic about your presence there, this life is a battle, and one should persist in belief in the Saviour despite no one supporting you - all but 1 of the 12 Apostles died a grusome death in their Belief in Christ, all were rejected like Christ. Doesn't mean that you should be asocial, just humble about your belief, and if no one inspired you, be different!
Godspeed and good luck, don't join a cult please.

>>33301927
You are not entitled to being praised in the church by your presence alone, it's not a social club. If you ask for help, it'll most proably be given to you, but humility is emphasized as everyone is carrying their own cross. If you're so angry about the lack of acting like family, then be different, nothing prevents you from being so, just don't grift.

>>33301968
Who said i was interested in women? Churches should absolutely serve as social clubs since God said he is love and christ said to be a family which is something that catholic churches fail. He also said to reproduce and be numerous which means find a girl. Again i am right and you are wrong. Who said you can't do both at the same time. Seeking a girl isn't naturally lustful, it's love.

>>33301990
>Specially in day and age where there are lonely adults
>Specially if you are an single adult
You implied it.

>>33301985
Who said I was entitled? Everyone knows you say hi to people and make them feel welcome as if they were family which is something we always do in LDS churches. In a catholic church the people are forced to say hi by the priest. The priest literally says " say hi to the person next to you" and like NPCs they do. They have no initiative.

>>33302003
Ignore "who said i was entitled" it doesn't make sense in hindsight

You retard, missionary religious groups always put the hot girls to preach to attract young men like you. Girls like them are a minority

>>33302001
There is nothing wrong with seeking a woman from church anyway.

>>33301990
>Seeking a girl isn't naturally lustful, it's love.
It's lustful if you're seeing her as something missing from you. It's also scandalous if you fantasize about it, since it can lead to sin, especially if you see it as a neccessity rather than a suppliment - meaning lack of humility.
It's also hard to define love here, since there is a difference between what humans love and what God loves, but i think that the Christian perspective is that they ought to love God, and even if they don't get their desires fulfilled (like seeking a girl), or even if destruction and suffering fall on them, they can still rejoice in the fact that God loves them (unconditional love). Don't mix lsut for love though.

>>33301792
Orthodox Christian here, we have some JW converts at my church. It's a cult. They're not allowed to celebrate holidays, even the 4th of July. Their parents aren't supposed to talk to them anymore. They are controlled via some HQ in New York that livestreams their services to them on Sundays. They're considered heretics by most Christians due to their embrace of the ancient Arian heresy. Mormons are a cult as well, founded by a Masonic obsessed polygamist. The polygamy is gone now, but the gay Masonic dealings still go on. They are also considered heretical due to their odd prophecies placing Mt. Zion in Missouri among other things.
If you care about the Truth then come to the church Christ founded. Drop in for a Saturday evening Vespers service and talk to the Priest about your issues.

>>33302061
> talk to catholic priest
> the priest absolutely doesn't give a fuck and just says pray to God
This fuckers get pay free housing and food and for what?

>>33302061
If you care about family and being loved go to any church that isn't catholic. From experience baptism churches are good

>>33302071
And from what I hear even Protestant churches are good but please for the love of God, don't go to a catholic church

>>33302061
How's the fellowship in an orthodox christianity?

>>33302066
A catholic priest might say that. An Orthodox priest won't.

>>33302027
There is, as it become scandalous, since you're potentially goating them away from virtue into sin. You exploit the place which venerates purity to fulfil your own desires.
>>33302003
Well in catholic churches everyone is also refered to as brothers and sisters, and everyone must make peace with eachother by shaking hands during service. However considering christian belief, nobody is therefore entitled to anything in life, everything in said life is a present by God. I am not saying that Christaisn should not act humble and helpful, just that one shouldn't expect it as Christians put an emphasis on how Christ was rejected.

>>33302097
After the service on Sunday, Orthodox services typically have a potluck meal alongside coffee and donuts.The parishioners can hang there for hours. My church has prayer services on Mondys and Fridays, Vespers on Wednesday and Saturday. Classes and choir practice all the time. The younger guys at my church have a gaming discord they are all a part of. It's still a small community in the West and more tightknit than what you might expect.

>>33302109
> trying to marry a women is a sin
> post marital sex is a sin
We don't share the same believes. You might be right about no one being entitled to anything but God also says to enjoy life and enjoy being with your brethren which is something that is only possible through fellowship. If a church lacks fellowship than that church just sucks.

>>33302124
I can say this with confident since all the catholic churches I have been too just suck so much, it's unbelievable. I have been to the ones in the usa and in mexico.

>>33302061
The Orthobro is right, these orgaisations steal from christian teaching to furtheir their own agendas, either entrapping someone in financial ruins or polygamy, withering as time passes since they can't compete with the truth of the Apostolic churches.
>>33302066
How could anyone know what you've erred in if you yourself don't know?

When you do confession, your priest will give you advice and will give you according pennance, but you must confess it, you must confess everything which is sinful.
>>33302080
The more you study the history of the Church, the more you will realise that the Catholic theological position is the most correct one, from Scotus to Aquinas, from Augustine to Pius V. Even Orthobros have to concede that the church in Rome has primary magisterial authority over all others.

>>33302124
Marriage is a special case.
You marry a woman becuase you love her and you do what is best for her by making her good, not becuase she fulfils your (sexual desires).
Post marital sex for the purpose of procreation is not sinful, if you just have sex with her becuase you feel horny, you are a sexual degenerate and you married her for the purpose of restricting her freedom so you can exploit her more.

>>33302142
We do not recognize Roman authority post-Schism. St. Maximos the Confessor, St. John of Damascus, and St. Gregory Palamas are probably the most read for theological studies.

>>33302156
The passions in general are to be guarded against, but natural affections with a wife because you are horny is not necessarily sinful. Have you read the Song of Solomon?

>>33302191
I'd take the explicit warning in the Gospel of Matthew as an Argument.
Matthew 5:28
>But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
But there is a nuance on what "woman" refers to in this case. Can you give me the specific verse in the Song of Solomon?

>>33302221
You can commit adultery with your wife?

>>33302225
Sounds retarded but yes, you can cheat on your wife with your wife by showing disloyalty. I'd say putting your own sinful desires over making her good, but i'm inclined to bite the bullet if you have a better argument.

>>33302221
>>33302237
Your meds, take them. And "woman" in that terms refers to a woman that isn't marry to you. It got lost in translation

>>33302237
The song of Solomon is literally about pure passion and liking the looks of someone.

>>33301323 (OP)
A large majority of my family are Jehovas witnesses, and I'm going to save you some time. This is not an organization that you can just randomly become a part of. There is a shitton of stuff you have to do before you can get formally baptized. If you're not interested in learning about God and you're only looking to get laid, you are essentially devoting potentially years of your time, to a lie.

Don't do it op.

>>33301323 (OP)
Good God, no, there are far more interesting religions to fake your way into. JWs are as boring as you could possibly get.

>>33301323 (OP)
You don't want anything to do with Jehovah's Witnesses, trust me. They are a branch of Christianity, but much more fanatical and puritanical than most. You have to believe that EVERYTHING in their bible is literal truth; you're not allowed to have a blood transfusion, even if that kills you; you're not allowed to celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays; you have to keep socialising with non-JWs to a minimum; you are expected to spend most of your free time spreading the word of God; you must blindly accept EVERYTHING the governing body says; you have to believe that Armageddon is going to happen any day now; and so on. They really are nutters.

>>33301792
>What do these two do that there is, as I perceive it, a tighter community?
You can see how the ortho and catholic bros are acting. They shun people too.
The JWs have regular meetings, hold events for people, go door to door, bible studies, help each other out. They do expect effort. They are exclusionary for people that are living in sin though. It is worth going to see if it is something you can believe in but you do have to at the very least put up that facade and save face. It has been 20 years since I went. They don't celebrate holidays because they view it as idol worship but it does not mean they don't give gifts or celebrate milestones like a graduation or baptism. It only cost you a bit of time and effort to see for yourself. Some congregations are decent but some are shitty, just like any religious group.

>>33301323 (OP)
Don't ever ask a JW "aren't they out of room in heaven" the lore in clip notes is there's only room for 140,000ish souls in heaven.
Then I really started to ponder on it, like it's a 2 enter 3 leave deal or something along the lines of that.

>>33304299
Their theology is that 144k will go to heaven to serve along jesus christ while the people that do not go are resurrected to a paradise on earth with everlasting peace and their loved ones.

>>33301323 (OP)
They're a literal cult. They operate just like the Church of Scientology. Don't get involved.
>>33302670
Seconding this. I have exJW friends and this is accurate.
>>33304013
Why are you still glazing them if you say you've been out for 20 years?

>>33301323 (OP)
Jesus is God. Even from the Jehovah's (false) Witnesses' corrupt "bible" it can be proven. They've had to keep changing their corrupt "bible" every time it's proven from their own corrupt "bible" that Jesus is God.

Also, the "sense of belonging" with the JW cult isn't the sort of sense of belonging that you want.

>>33301712
Mormonism is another cult, and started by a Freemason creep, which teaches some really stupid and absurd things. Not everyone is a child of God, you become a child of God by faith in Christ.
>John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

>>33301905
Mary worship is an abomination to God. Only Jesus is the mediator, only Jesus is the savior, only Jesus is the way to the Father. Stop your effeminate simp idolatry and why don't you do what Mary said to do: obey Jesus.
>John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

>>33301968
>but ask yourself why parishes, nuns and monks exist
Because Catholicism adopted so many of its unbiblical practices from Hindus, like forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats; which the Bible calls doctrines of devils.

>>33302003
Catholicism is peak NPC religion, their lay people are told to "trust the experts", even their priests are told to "trust the experts" of the bishops, who the Bible commands must be married but they teach the exact opposite because they don't care what the Bible says. There's a reason they used to burn Bibles too and burn anyone who'd translate it, since their cult teaches the exact opposite of almost everything the Bible teaches; and they were making a large profit from their indulgences too. They even teach it's a sin to know you have eternal life as 1st John 5 teaches if you've believed on the name of the Son of God (verse 13 specifically, and read the context). They call it the "sin of presumption" to "presume" you know you have eternal life, but Jesus plainly said you'd be passed from death to life if you believe.
>I. John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
>John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

The Bible says if you're saved, you have no need that any man teach you since you're anointed, indwelt, and sealed with the holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption; and Jesus taught you'd be guided into all truth by him.
>I. John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
>John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

>>33304361
Stop smoking crack and actually research catholicism.
Nobody worships Mary, she is venerated as the Mother of God and the most virtuous woman in christendom.
>unbiblical practices
It is only because of this temptation to immorality” (Corinthians 7:2) that Paul gives the teaching about each man and woman having a spouse and giving each other their “conjugal rights” (7:3); he specifically clarifies, “I say this by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am” (7:6-7, emphasis added).
You also seem to ignore that it is not a doctrina, but a practice, and it is allowed since in Matthew 19:10, Matt. 19:11–12 it's both expressed that one can get married to the mother Church, and to abstain from marriage if the alternative is degeneracy. The theory that Church leaders must be married also contradicts the obvious fact that Paul himself, an eminent Church leader, was single. Unless Paul was a hypocrite, he could hardly have imposed a requirement on bishops that he did not himself meet. Consider, too, the implications regarding Paul’s positive attitude toward celibacy in 1 Corinthians 7: the married have worldly anxieties and divided interests, yet only they are qualified to be bishops; whereas the unmarried have single-minded devotion to the Lord, yet are barred from ministry...
Furthermore from Catholic.com
>The Acts of the Apostles give evidence of a tendency on the part of the Church, as an organized body, to prepare the way for important events by abstinence and fasting (Acts 8, 3; 14, 22). In fine, St. Paul sets forth the necessity of abstinence when he says that “everyone striving for the mastery must abstain from all things” (1 Cor., 9, 25); and “let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of Christ in labors, watchings, and fastings” (2 Cor., 6, 5), which he had often practiced (2 Cor., 9, 27).
So no, you cannot claim it's unbiblical just because you haven't read the Bible.

>>33304369
>who the Bible commands must be married but they teach the exact opposite because they don't care what the Bible says.
Paul, the writer of letters to the Corinthians, in which this is expressed, also remained unmarried and expressed positive attitude towards celibacy, also, read Matthew 19:11-12.
Even in these cases, it's not a doctrine nor a dogma, but just a practice.
>and they were making a large profit from their indulgences too.
The sale of indulgences was banned in the Council of Trent lil bro. Also, presumption does not mean conviction, you are not supposed to expect salvation, as you are condemned to the life of repentance and serving the Lord, read Matthew 7:21-23 - not everyone who encounters Jesus will believe in him, and even so, not everyone who does believe in him will do the will of the Father.
>The Bible says if you're saved, you have no need that any man teach you since you're anointed, indwelt, and sealed with the holy Spirit of God unto the day of redemption; and Jesus taught you'd be guided into all truth by him.
Only assuming you have a definitive guarantee of salvation, as teaching is emphasized in Romans 12:6-7. Only God can judge you and proclaim if you are saved. It makes no logical sense as a sinner who keeps erring in his life could claim salvation becuase he believes in Jesus refer to this in Galatians 6:7-9.
Also wrong, since each member of the laity can dispute the doctrine of the church, and bring the issues under the light. The problem occurs when the dogmas established to be biblical, traditional and under supervision of the magisterium (ecumenical councils, early church fathers, disciples of Christ) contraidct what the person claims, in which case heresy occurs if the persist in false teachings. Even classical protestants agree that excommunication is justified in the vast majority of cases for this reason, difference being the claim that specific cases like for Calvin or Luther was unjustified.

>>33304325
>Why are you still glazing them if you say you've been out for 20 years?
>Seconding this. I have exJW friends and this is accurate.
Muh cUlT
How are they your friends? Are they good people? This is what you stupid faggots never get. All religion is a hierarchal cult but JWs tend to have decent morals and values which make most of them good people overall. They mostly try to practice what they preach, they shun the whole LGBT agenda and try to "save" people according to their theology through works. They don't enable sinners. Read some philosophy like Kierkegaard.

>>33301323 (OP)
yes, go

i was approached by them a while ago when i was younger. i didnt go. later i fell into a depression and didnt leave the home for like 5 years. idk what was wrong with me, it's like i entered a mental loop and didn't consciously notice how wrong that was. i even abandoned my hygiene, and lived alone and worked from home so...

i fixed my life now after going on a trip with internet friends. but i really wish i had listened to those guys. my life would be different. who cares if god is real or not. they can give you a sense of belonging, friends and a wife. i grew up in a similar cult and its basically like a very close circle of friends

most people will say "noo don't go it's a cult, you can't join a cult to get a girlfriend". the definition of a "cult" is a construct. the fact is they can give you what you want.

>>33305882

based

the women are also better than the average christian slut

>>33304726
>>33304812
Catholicism is a Mary worship cult for effeminate men and feminists. It's literally an NPC cult where laypeople are told to "trust the experts" of the priests who are also NPCs who are told to "trust the experts" of the bishops. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a pit. You fools will twist any scripture to justify ungodly traditions, but ignore the plethora of Scripture rebuking your ungodly traditions and false gospel which doesn't save.

And all you fools ever have is lies, partial truths, misdirection, and railing slanders and false witness accusations.
>So no, you cannot claim it's unbiblical just because you haven't read the Bible.
Fucking kill yourself Cathokike. And Catholics are kikes because kike means someone who hates Christ, and Cathokikes hate the Jesus of the Bible but love their false Jesus of Catholicism.

The Bible LITERALLY SAYS a bishop must be married, you're part of a cult that teaches the exact opposite. Do the world a favor and kill yourself and wake up in hell. You fools are probably reprobate anyway.

>>33304812
Self-righteous pharisee thinks his works have anything to do with getting into heaven and will hear "I never knew you" from Jesus on judgment day.

>It makes no logical sense as a sinner who keeps erring in his life could claim salvation becuase he believes in Jesus
Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Your cult literally teaches it's a sin to believe the Bible, to believe God's promise of eternal life; because if it did, then the whole thing would be seen as completely unnecessary.

Utterly dependent upon BLIND GUIDES who are NPCs themselves and "trust the experts" of the bishops.

1/2
>>33306711
A yes, telling a person who is willing to believe in God and his only begotten Son Christ to kill themselves and burn in hell is a sure way to get God's Grace. Btw, reiterating what you said does not make your argument stronger...
>>33306718
You are not listening, i pointed out Matthew 7:21-23 for you there. You cannot be sinful your whole life and then expect salvation at the very last moment becuase you remembered Jesus existed.
>Jonah 3:10
Nothing to do with Catholicsm
>Ephesians 2:8-9
Your argument only works if you have no understanding of grace. It is the strength that God gives us to act according to his will. Sanctifying grace is a state in which God allows us to share in his life and love. When we speak of being in the state of grace, we mean the state of sanctifying grace. And sancifying Grace comes to us first in baptism and then in other sacraments. And despite the fact that we cannot earn santifying grace, as it is a gift from the Lord (heresy known as Pelagianism), Christians are called to endure in their faith until the end as Matthew 24:13 promises. Furthermore Hebrews 10 23 and 26-27 states that this faith must be professed continiously...
> If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Lastly even (serious)) protestant scholars agree that Catholics err in practice, not that they forbid access to truth, as no redaction of the Bible took place, with Biblical texts being identical in all denominations (different cannons) and the fact that the Catholic church recognises baptisms ecumentically and even agrees on the validity of sacraments in other churches... So no, with what's essentially encouraging ecumenism with other churches it cannot be a cult.

>>33306718
2/2
I do not know why you make claims that it teaches that it's a sin to believe the Bible, your claim is either intentionally malicious or you yourself believe that it is a lie, in which case your own doctrine would (very probably) disagree with you, so you err before both man and God here. Lastly if you want to condemn catholc practices, you must do so for Eastern Orthodox, Oriental orthodox and Many Protestant ones to assert what you see as truth, since Apostolic Churches all draw from the same source and have almost the same institutionalism. 1 Timothy 2, response to men debating religion instead of uniting in belief:
>For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Furthermore... 1 Corinthians 1-16: But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].
Historically speaking, Churches split from the Catholics', so fractionalism is a heresy, and seince the Catholic church is still representative of the largest proportion of Christians, it would make other, more-closed in institutions heretical...
Lastly i URGE you to study what you're talking about and stop reiterating, it won't make your argument stronger. Celibacy in the church is not a doctrine, it is not a dogma, it's a practice, even so the one being approved in 19:11-12, there are differences between all 3 of those please learn them.

>>33306723
Baptism can be commited by person who's not even a christian, as long as it's by the trinitarian formula...
Priest does not absolve sin, God does, the priest administers pennance as they are supposed to act In Persona Christi
>As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (John 20:21)
Sacraments - administered by the priest do not work becuase of the priest but God. Donatism (a heresy in the 4th century) sought to make every priest who was not seen as pure as illegitimate. The validity of the sacraments (Last rites, Eucharist, Conformation) does not depend on the priest, the layity can even distribute them. Where priests are needed is the concecration of these Sacraments, as 1 Corinthians 11:17-33 writes of the abuses which take place upon the people consuming it under sin. Therefore the proper consecration and administration by a successor of the aposles is neccessary to prevent this.
Purgatory is also a state between death and complete sanctification. Nothing which is evil or sinful can see God, so one's soul must be rid of sin if it is to come to God. Even Protestants believe this to an extent, despite the fact that they claim that sin washes away after death, there must be a hypostasis between being in sin and being free of sin...
In short, strawmaning catholicism becuase you're lazy to actually come up with real arguments is very cringe, sloth is a sin.

>>33306660
The thing is JWs is the worst denomination for young single adults. Baptist and Protestant are better

>>33307441
Be honest little bro catholic is only big because it was forced on the colonists.

>>33310164
Even if you argue it that way, splitting away and forming your own church instead of addressing the issue is bad. Christianity is constrained by definitions, and if these definitions aren't agrees upon, one can't claim being Christian. Likewise reviving ancient heresies and in case of protestants, disregarding practices of the early Church because of a non-established interpretation causes fractionalism.

>>33301323 (OP)
OP I left that shithole, and broke two girls' hearts in the process. its not worth it. but truth be told, they're too rigorous for (You) to ever get a date on a whim, expect to be there for years, get baptized, burn hours of your life; etc

>>33301323 (OP)
Maybe it's because i'm in a big city but the fellow witnesses at my kingdom hall are nothing like the stories I hear online.

>>33304325
>They're a literal cult.
false

>>33301323 (OP)
>could use love and a sense of belonging
>should I join them
I'd recommend a normal church.

There's usually a group of "activists" at any congregation that volunteer to do work at the church, at soup kitchen, at religious festivals, etc. They are usually happy and welcoming when more people join. Or try to join a choir. Just go to a mass or whatever, find the choirmaster and ask what you have to do to join. Singing is fun and there are singing workshops organized by the church that people can go to. Usually these are more female and if you can sing well it's hot.

>>33301712
Mormons definitely have more things going on. The wards in my area are always throwing young adult events that are lowkey for dating

>>33301388
Only thing I remember is that I had one classmate from JW in elementary school. And she was the first one to bring a porn magazine to school which caused some commotion because one of the other girls would take it from her and not give it back. When i saw her years later doing the door ringing, she lokked pretty good and nicely dressed 8as they usually are). I suspect (in my pervy mind) that whole religious Frömmelei and hypocrisy produces some nice repressed sexuality that might be pretty kinky. So, Idk might be worth a shot. Not for me, because I am cheap and I wouldn't pay for the membership.

>>33304361
Why did you put that timothy verse in pic rel? Doesn't make any sense with what you said.

Luke 1:28 – The angel Gabriel greets her: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:42 – Elizabeth calls her “blessed among women.”

Luke 1:48 – Mary herself says: “For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Ι'm Orthodox btw if you need any help let me know

>>33301365
SPBP

>>33301323 (OP)
Don't though

>>33315263
>wouldn't pay for the membership
huh? you don't need to pay to be a brother at a kingdom hall

>>33316904
Ok, they have no obligatory membership fee but you get bullied into donating on the regular. At the end of the day, they want my money and I don't want to part with it.