What comes first, family or God?

[nobspeople]

The below link is lengthy (about 60 minutes), but speaks, in part, about how one's religious beliefs in a religion can cause families to fracture. We see this happen in families of no religion, Scientologists, Mormons, Catholics, JWs (as in this example) etc.
While this doesn't always happen, at what point does one (or should one) put their belief system before their family?
Does God command such a thing, or is it something the religion dictates only?

[nobspeople]

A religion is a cult.

Incorrect. A religion is as unto a cult as a child is unto an adult. Calling a religion a cult is simply a way in which to be offensive, since the word is generally regarded today as being derogative.

So it doesn't matter how you claim to be using the word.

Let's see. Is a religion a cult?
a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious
Check
great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book)
Check (in most cases)
the object of such devotion
Yup
a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
Sometimes, yes sir
system of religious beliefs and ritual
Yuppers
formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
Yes
a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator (ne who promulgates laws (announces a law as a way of putting it into execution) law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Yup

Religion is a cult. You seem to be offended by the word 'cult' (which is fine and immaterial to anyone other than you) and are doing gymnastics to defend it when there's no reason beyond your own biasness.
Visiting ones' biasness on others isn't productive and, from my experience at least, disruptive to the one having biasness. You can be offended how ever you want (or not), but that doesn't change the fact that religions fit this definition and thus, are cults.

[William]

[Replying to nobspeople in post #102]

You seem to be offended by the word 'cult'

Rather, I am in agreement with the forum rules regarding using the word...

[2ndRateMind]

So, here are two reasons I consider JWs a cult.

I don't want to get this thread too side-tracked, but I'll throw in a few comments.

A general principle when dealing with other religions is to avoid calling a group that they would not call themselves...

Thanks for that, my friend. I will try to be more careful with my wording in future.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[2ndRateMind]

Yes, I'm not a great fan of the Old Testament. Or indeed, some aspects of the New. Seems to me that the way to go is with Jesus' conception of a loving father of all mankind.

As for JW's, they are clearly a ****. But I tend to the view that any Christian faith at all is better than no faith at all.

Best wishes, 2RM.

I agree totally. That said, most, if not all, religions are cults by the definition of the word 'cult': a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
While I'm no fan of JWs, Mormons or Scientologists specifically....six of one, ½ a dozen of the other in many regards.

Interesting. I was on a JW site a few years ago, but they deregistered me out. The Latter Day Saints, however, have humoured my eccentricities and heresies, and seem keen to discuss them rationally. As for scientologists, well, one way to get rich is to start a religion, and so they seem to me to be a business, rather than a faith, which does not charge at the point of need. As indeed were various Christian denominations, if one travels back through history. Cynically expressed, one needs to follow the money if one is to reach a complete understanding.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[nobspeople]

Yes, I'm not a great fan of the Old Testament. Or indeed, some aspects of the New. Seems to me that the way to go is with Jesus' conception of a loving father of all mankind.

As for JW's, they are clearly a ****. But I tend to the view that any Christian faith at all is better than no faith at all.

Best wishes, 2RM.

I agree totally. That said, most, if not all, religions are cults by the definition of the word 'cult': a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
While I'm no fan of JWs, Mormons or Scientologists specifically....six of one, ½ a dozen of the other in many regards.

Interesting. I was on a JW site a few years ago, but they deregistered me out. The Latter Day Saints, however, have humoured my eccentricities and heresies, and seem keen to discuss them rationally. As for scientologists, well, one way to get rich is to start a religion, and so they seem to me to be a business, rather than a faith, which does not charge at the point of need. As indeed were various Christian denominations, if one travels back through history. Cynically expressed, one needs to follow the money if one is to reach a complete understanding.

Best wishes, 2RM.

From my experience, between JWs, Mormons and Scientologists, JWs were by far the 'nastiest' people, just about all the time. They were like the angry kid at school: always confrontational with deep emotional issues that they didn't address.
Mormons were super great until you disagreed with them - then they had nothing nice to say to or about you.
Scientologists were mostly fine, but I never bought into their religion (literally or figuratively), but I've seen what happens when you do, then want to leave.
All were more than happy to discuss their beliefs with you - too happy to discuss them it would seem.

[2ndRateMind]

Yes, I'm not a great fan of the Old Testament. Or indeed, some aspects of the New. Seems to me that the way to go is with Jesus' conception of a loving father of all mankind.

As for JW's, they are clearly a ****. But I tend to the view that any Christian faith at all is better than no faith at all.

Best wishes, 2RM.

I agree totally. That said, most, if not all, religions are cults by the definition of the word 'cult': a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
While I'm no fan of JWs, Mormons or Scientologists specifically....six of one, ½ a dozen of the other in many regards.

Interesting. I was on a JW site a few years ago, but they deregistered me out. The Latter Day Saints, however, have humoured my eccentricities and heresies, and seem keen to discuss them rationally. As for scientologists, well, one way to get rich is to start a religion, and so they seem to me to be a business, rather than a faith, which does not charge at the point of need. As indeed were various Christian denominations, if one travels back through history. Cynically expressed, one needs to follow the money if one is to reach a complete understanding.

Best wishes, 2RM.

From my experience, between JWs, Mormons and Scientologists, JWs were by far the 'nastiest' people, just about all the time. They were like the angry kid at school: always confrontational with deep emotional issues that they didn't address.
Mormons were super great until you disagreed with them - then they had nothing nice to say to or about you.
Scientologists were mostly fine, but I never bought into their religion (literally or figuratively), but I've seen what happens when you do, then want to leave.
All were more than happy to discuss their beliefs with you - too happy to discuss them it would seem.

As regards the Latter Day Saints, my only two issues with them are these:

1) they are politically right wing, and do not seem to be able to distinguish their politics from their faith
2) they think that the book of Mormon is literally true, rather than metaphorically so.

Best wishes, 2RM.

[nobspeople]

Yes, I'm not a great fan of the Old Testament. Or indeed, some aspects of the New. Seems to me that the way to go is with Jesus' conception of a loving father of all mankind.

As for JW's, they are clearly a ****. But I tend to the view that any Christian faith at all is better than no faith at all.

Best wishes, 2RM.

I agree totally. That said, most, if not all, religions are cults by the definition of the word 'cult': a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
While I'm no fan of JWs, Mormons or Scientologists specifically....six of one, ½ a dozen of the other in many regards.

Interesting. I was on a JW site a few years ago, but they deregistered me out. The Latter Day Saints, however, have humoured my eccentricities and heresies, and seem keen to discuss them rationally. As for scientologists, well, one way to get rich is to start a religion, and so they seem to me to be a business, rather than a faith, which does not charge at the point of need. As indeed were various Christian denominations, if one travels back through history. Cynically expressed, one needs to follow the money if one is to reach a complete understanding.

Best wishes, 2RM.

From my experience, between JWs, Mormons and Scientologists, JWs were by far the 'nastiest' people, just about all the time. They were like the angry kid at school: always confrontational with deep emotional issues that they didn't address.
Mormons were super great until you disagreed with them - then they had nothing nice to say to or about you.
Scientologists were mostly fine, but I never bought into their religion (literally or figuratively), but I've seen what happens when you do, then want to leave.
All were more than happy to discuss their beliefs with you - too happy to discuss them it would seem.

As regards the Latter Day Saints, my only two issues with them are these:

1) they are politically right wing, and do not seem to be able to distinguish their politics from their faith
2) they think that the book of Mormon is literally true, rather than metaphorically so.

Best wishes, 2RM.

Seems to me, both of those line items could be justifiably said about most, if not all, other religious groups.
But I understand your personal POV - thanks for contributing to the thread