newbie

Hi Suga, welcome

The Witness belief system is based on fear, shame, blame, & guilt. Don't give up your friends, you may need to turn to them one day. You will also be expected to distance yourself from your family. Family is everything and this religion is a family destroying cult. Please be careful. They will "love" you to death at the meetings to win you over. But this is a very spiritually abusive religion. Don't let them take your ability to think critically. When 9/11 happened it really occured to me that the leadership of the Watchtower are like Bin laden in that JW's believe everyone on earth deserves to be dead because they do not have the same beliefs as they do. Below is info on WT and it's cult behaviorA research report submitted to Tabor College, Adelaide, by NATHAN CHARLES BEEL as the Directed Study Project component for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling--- November, 1997.

-Introduction
-Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform -Milieu Control
-Mystical Manipulation
-Loading the Language
-Doctrine over Person
-The Sacred Science
-The Cult of Confession
-The Demand for Purity-The Dispensing of Existence -Hassan’s Criteria for Mind Control Behavior Control
-Information Control
-Thought Control
-Emotional Control -Conclusion
-Propaganda
-Cognitive Dissonance

Summary of Study

The Watchtower Society utilizes manipulative techniques and environment to recruit and maintain their membership. According to Robert Lifton (1961), a psychologist who examined American soldiers subjected to mind control techniques by the Communist Chinese, there are eight criteria that are used evaluate if the environment that people have been subject to has been a mind control totalist environment. The Watchtower was found to utilize each of his criteria to varying degrees in their indoctrination process. The cult identifying criteria set out by exit-counselor Steven Hassan (1990) also proved conclusively that the Watchtower (now abbreviated to ‘WT’) exerted behavior, information, thought and emotional control to maintain their membership. The study then proceeded to identify the persuasive techniques of the propagandists in selecting their messages to have maximum effect on their audiences. Various pieces of WT literature were analyzed and found to utilize similar techniques and thus could be appropriately classed as propaganda. Leon Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) was then examined to help explain the psychological reasons why both people become JW’s and why people remain JW’s even though there are more credible alternatives. Clinical hypnotic processes were also examined and compared with cultic applications. And again through their literature and social structures, Jehovah’s Witnesses were shown to employ these, especially in their recruitment processes. The conclusion affirmed that the WT applies a variety of powerful psycho-social techniques to recruit and maintain membership and summarized some different evangelism pointers and approaches when dealing with JW’s or those interested in becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Introduction

Over the last four months a young Jehovah Witness has been visiting me in the hope of converting me. He has shown me articles that have, at face value, been very impressive, and given persuasive, complicated, factual and philosophical arguments to justify his beliefs. After researching the material given more thoroughly I found it not so persuasive but concluded it was propaganda produced to mislead the uninformed. It was extraordinarily seductive and filled with half-truths and loaded language.

I also found it interesting how he argued over Greek grammatical rules even though he had never studied Greek outside of learned Watchtower arguments. He kept producing arguments followed by arguments, but when asked to prove them, could not, but nonetheless would use those same arguments again, almost indoctrinating me through repetition.

The Jehovah’s Witness (JW) went out of his way to criticize Church doctrine but when asked if he had ever studied any doctrines of the Church through sources other than Watchtower publications he admitted that he had not. He discussed church history pointing out all the negative things of the Church to prove it was not from God then proceeded to compare it with a specially prepared history of the JW’s to show their sincerity and faithfulness to God’s Word in direct contrast to the Christian Church. He spent most of his time criticizing the Church and comparing it with a heavenly picture of the JEW organization. I wondered if he could name any positive things the Church and its members had achieved, or produce information revealing the JW organization's own shortcomings. He talked on how much the JW’s are persecuted in other countries for their faith. The whole point of his talking seemed to discredit the Church in the light of a wonderful picture of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

One of the things that baffled me was his persistence to see reality only according to what had been defined by the WT. There seemed to be a magical spell preventing him from viewing things any other way. After reading some Christian literature designed to inform the reader about JW’s, I realised that there was a lot more than just arrogance and deceitfulness behind this young enthusiastic door-knocker. He was one of many caught up under the manipulative influence of the New World Society.

Some of the questions that arose in my mind (and in no doubt other’s minds as well) included 1. Why are the Jehovah’s Witnesses so successful at converting people and maintaining their membership? 2. Why are they so hard to win for Christ? 3. Why do they convert even the intelligent and God-fearing people? This study attempts to answer those questions by revealing their persuasion techniques, their propaganda, their conditioning, their beliefs and their fears; and by comparing it with other psycho-social research and conclusions.

This study will no doubt reflect both negative and positive biases in the conclusions drawn. The report involves interpretation and categorisation of large amounts of biased literature. Bearing this in mind, the reader will need to form his/her own conclusions based on the data here and their own research.

It is my desire that this study will promote understanding as to why people become Jehovah’s Witnesses and why they remain in the organization. I hope this study may help the reader to work out strategic and sensitive preventative approaches to be able to effectively hinder their friends or family members from becoming involved within the Watchtower religion. Also for those currently or planning on evangelising Jehovah’s Witnesses, or helping those who want to leave, that they may gain insight into what they are faced with, and thus plan and pray accordingly. Last but not least, I hope that this study may be used as a resource that is distributed to JW’s so that they may see that their religion is not everything it claims to be.

This directed study project aims to highlight the techniques and environment used by the JW’s to convert and maintain their membership. This will be done by contrasting and comparing information relating to the Watchtower with evaluative criteria taken from a range of relevant disciplines. This paper will seek to show the psychological dangers of getting involved with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Criteria for Cult Manipulation

The majority of people would know Jehovah’s Witnesses as nicely groomed people who come knocking at their doors on unpredictable occasions offering religious literature for sale or introducing their beliefs through carefully prepared conversations on issues that may be of concern to the householder. Very few people would understand the powerful manipulative techniques that their Organisation, the Watchtower (WT), exerts unknown to the Jehovah’s Witness or those they are trying to convert. More and more testimonies and articles are being written accusing the WT of being a mind control cult. The WT naturally denies this (The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] 15/2/1994:3-7) but the ever-growing evidence is stacking against the Society.

Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform

Robert Lifton’s book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961) is still a standard text in identifying the marks of cult mind control (Hassan & Das, n.d.). The book comes as a result of his studies of the techniques of ‘brainwashing’ or ‘thought reform’ used by the Red Chinese during the Korean war on American prisoners and now more and more researchers and psychologists have noted similar patterns within cultic groups (Gordon, n.d.). In chapter eight, Lifton lists eight criteria to judge whether mind control is being used.

These criteria consist of eight psychological themes which are predominant within the social field of the thought reform milieu. Each has a totalistic quality; each depends upon an equally absolute philosophical assumption; each mobilises certain individual emotional tendencies, mostly of a polarising nature. Psychological theme, philosophical rationale, and polarised individual tendencies are interdependent; they require, rather than directly cause, each other. In combination they create an atmosphere which may temporarily energise or exhilarate, but which at the same time poses the gravest of human threats. (Lifton, 1961:420 quoted by Groenveld, n.d.)

Below is a synthesis of Lifton’s ideas with general cultic application. Each description is followed with an evaluation of the JW’s in relation to the statement. Although the following information stresses environmental factors, manipulation of the environment is a technique used not only to implement and facilitate mind control techniques, but is a form of mind control technique in its own right. By manipulating the environment the cult group manipulates those within it to greater and lesser degrees. It would be almost impossible to identify the exact individual components of mind control within any given environment so for the purposes of this study those already identified mind control environments will be examined as a whole. Mind control is not achieved as a result of one stand alone element but a series of elements working together. Environmental manipulation is a technique used by those who attempt to exert mind control on their members.

Milieu Control

The organisation seeks to control the environment and human communication within the environment (Characteristics of a Destructive Cult, n.d.). The control of communication includes inter-personal control, informational control, and intra-personal thought control (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Reading critical literature or thinking critical thoughts is banned. The thought reform environment aims is to control “what the individual sees, hears, reads, writes, experiences and expresses” (Groenveld, n.d.). Truth is the sole possession of the organisation and reality is defined by its standards and interpretations (ibid). Independent judgement must be thwarted to maintain obedience to and dependence on the organisation.

The Watchtower Society exerts a comprehensive control over the information encountered externally and internally in the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower claims that it alone teaches truth and any other source should be viewed with suspicion (including one’s own thoughts that have not yet been officially sanctioned by the WT - this is seen as going beyond the truth (Groenveld, n.d.). JW’s cannot determine truth from the Bible; truth must be interpreted by the Governing Body . Members are not allowed to write apologetic material themselves and pass it around among the congregation. Only contemporary Watchtower publications are the truth, unless otherwise quoted by the WT. Kingdom Halls must follow exactly the order of service outline provided by the Brooklyn Headquarters. Congregations are forbidden to use musicians to play the assigned hymns, rather for conformity sake, accompanying music is provided on tape from Brooklyn. Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to hold any unauthorised (by Brooklyn Headquarters) congregational meetings.

Members are encouraged to spend time away from secular (worldly) activities, such as higher education and unnecessary extra employment, so as to spend more time pursuing ‘kingdom’ activities (Groenveld, n.d.). The JW’s are encouraged to fellowship with other JWs and to abstain as much as possible from ‘worldly’ relationships (Sherrill, n.d.; Pay Attention to Yourselves and the Flock [PAYF], 1991:22). Interaction with the world is only through business and witnessing. In proselytising they are often verbally abused and further alienated from outside contacts.

The Watchtower extends its control of the thoughts within the minds of their people. People are not allowed to think thoughts that are independent of Watchtower doctrine or policy. The Society writes: “To this day, it [independent thinking] has been Satan’s subtle design to infect God’s people with this type of thinking.—2 Timothy 3:1, 13. 21 How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” (WT 15.1.1983:22)

Jehovah’s Witnesses fill their lives and minds with Watchtower information, WT activities and Witness friends and family. The WT, in effect, has managed to isolate Jehovah’s Witnesses from society without physically removing them. They achieve this by emotionally, intellectually and relationally dislocating them within the communities in which they live.

Mystical Manipulation

People are manipulated towards specific patterns of behaviour and emotions in such a way that appears to have originated mystically (Characteristics of a Destructive Cult (CDC), n.d.). The totalist leaders claim to be sole agents of God (or another supernatural source), disclosing his requirements and truth, so the person must rely solely on them for divine guidance and salvation (CDC, n.d.). Stories of God’s providence over group members are relayed affirming that they are in the truth, while at the same time anything negative that happens to those who have left the group is attributed to “God’s punishment’ (Watters, n.d.[c]). Any criticisms encountered are ‘persecution’ and are a sign that Satan is reacting against ‘the truth’.

The WT claim that they are the only God-chosen organisation, having God as its manager and editor of its publications (Fred W. Franz-For Defts.-Direct, NY King’s County Clerk’s court record, 1940, Vol.II:795; WT 1/11/1956:666 quoted in Reed, 1995:93). People are told to respond to the Watchtower publications as they would the voice of God, and disobedience to WT directions is equated with disobedience to God (WT 15/6/1957:370; WT 15/2/1976:124). In their Yearbooks the WT publishes vivid accounts of how angels guarded Witnesses in dangerous situations and stories of how people remain loyal to ‘Jehovah’s organisation’ even under persecution for being God’s chosen people.

Jehovah’s Witnesses often warn their prospective convert that once they begin regular Bible studies with the Witnesses demons may attack them. When any negative event follows, such as a family member warning them to beware of the JW’s, this is seen as demonic attack and confirmation that this must then be the truth (Francis, 1985:64) .

Positive feelings towards the group are manipulated in such a way that it appears to have divine origin. By the use of clever questions designed for preconceived answers, recruits give logical answers on topics only to discover that the answers they gave align completely with the Jehovah’s Witnesses understanding, thus verifying the ‘Truth’ (Burrows, n.d.[d]). For people who visit the Kingdom Hall, members are encouraged to try and make them feel warm, inviting them to dinner or calling in on friendly visits. If the person has been visited by Witnesses, she/he will know most people already because the Witness will bring a different member of the congregation each visit to help orchestrate planned spontaneity (Groenveld, n.d.). The purpose of all this attention is to let “them see that genuine love exists among Jehovah’s people” (PAYF, 1991:22) and to help fill the “void created when they cut off former associations and worldly entertainment” (ibid). The positive feelings orchestrated by the individual and group serve to reinforce that they really are God’s people.

The JW’s repeatedly emphasise the spirit and biblical world and judge physical reality from their metaphysical mind-set. They believe with all their heart that God has truly chosen their organisation and that Satan is doing everything possible to disrupt God’s work through them. They are in the middle of a ‘spiritual battle’ with ever present dangers therefore they need to stay close to their mother organisation. New converts learn to view their everyday experiences and emotions as resulting from spiritual struggles with the Devil or spiritual blessings from Jehovah.

Loading the Language

By controlling language organisations can control thinking (Hassan & Das, n.d.). By using ‘conversation-stopping’ clichés and words such as ‘chauvinist’ or ‘upright citizen’, whole complicated ideas or movements can be compressed into a positive or negative connotative statement (ibid). Words are often given new meanings according to the organisation’s ideology either to separate the ‘in-group’ from the ‘outsiders’, or to make their message more acceptable to those they are trying to converted (CDC, n.d.). In the Moonies, all human relationships are described in two phrases. A ‘Cain-Abel’ relationship signified a superior/inferior relationship while ‘Chapter 2 problems’ related to sexuality, and any attraction felt between members (Hassan, 1990:176). Hassan comments that such simplification of complicated life issues into “a single set of principles that have an inner coherence” enables people to “claim the experience of truth and feel it.” (ibid.)

The WT literature is surprisingly appealing and psychologically powerful. It utilises simple, cliché-ridden language to attract and impress the imaginative and simple minded people (Gordon, n.d.). The WT uses totalistic value-laden words to separate its doctrines and people from outsiders. To illustrate this further, information from ‘apostates’ (ie. any of all former members of the WT - no exceptions) is ‘spiritual pornography’ from the ‘evil slave’ which dines at ‘the table of demons’ whereas official WT knowledge is from the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ (the WT Governing Body) who eat ‘true spiritual food’ (ie spiritual knowledge) at ‘Jehovah’s table’ (WT, 1/7/1994:11; Let Your Name Be Sanctified, 1961:302; WT 1/8/1980:20). To cope with the dissonance caused by past WT ‘truth’ becoming out-dated with new contradictory ‘truth’ metaphors are employed to subtly redefine the definition of truth. The light of truth becomes progressively brighter, revealing new truths clearer than ever before and supposedly adding to, but not contradicting, old truths (Zion’s Watch Tower, 2/1881:3). However the evidence at many points indicates doctrinal contradiction, so more recently the WT added another metaphor for ‘truth’:

At times explanations given by Jehovah’s organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous pints of view. But this has not actually been the case. This is compared to what is known in navigational circles as “tacking.” By manoeuvring the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. (WT, 1/12/1981:27)

The WT has subtly changed meanings of both contemporary terminology and biblical terminology. The Watchtower does not deny its alteration in language but rather proclaims that it uses ‘pure language’ taught by Jehovah (WT 15/8/1981:28-29). In Genesis 1:2 in their New World Translation, they translate ‘ruach’ ‘active force’ instead of ‘spirit’ to justify their doctrine that the Holy Spirit is a force, not a person of the Godhead. WT literature is full of examples of redefined terminology from biblical, Christian theology and modern day examples . By loading the language the WT are able to exert control over how their members think and manipulate the logic of unsuspecting householders, both Christian and non-Christian alike, to more readily arrive at WT conclusions. [Also see section titled The Substitution of Names on page 25].

Doctrine over Person

The belief of the group’s ideology is all-important, whether it aligns with reality and experience or not (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Anyone who questions the organisation’s beliefs is made to feel wrong for having done so, often having their questions used to judge their motives, character or integrity (CDC, n.d.). The person’s value to the group is dependent on their conformity to the group’s ideals (Watters, n.d.[c]). The organisation’s ultimate directive is to clone the members of the group, rather than encourage individual expressiveness, identity formation or independent thinking (ibid). The person’s thoughts or past and present experiences that do not align with doctrine must be reshaped, rewritten or denied (ibid).

In the WT doctrine takes precedence over people. For over thirty years JW’s were not allowed, on the threat of expulsion from the organisation and rejection of God, to receive vaccinations on the basis that it was “a direct violation of the everlasting covenant God made with Noah after the flood” (The Golden Age Magazine 4/2/1931:293). Furthermore until 1980 Jehovah’s Witnesses considered organ transplants as cannibalistic (WT 15/11/1967:702 cf. WT 15/3/1980:31). After changing its policy on both these issues, without apology or compensation to those whose lives are damaged as a result of loved ones dying, the WT still demands its followers unconditionally to abstain from blood transfusions. To this day the medical needs of thousands of their own members have been neglected causing preventable, untimely deaths by doctrines that may be (or have been) changed at the whim of the leaders. The following quote is a striking example of not only how the WT is able to maintain a cloning effect within its membership of members literally being ‘one in mind’, but how the WT blames people’s independent evaluations on less than desirable motive and implied rebellious character: “From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah’s people those who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude....they present a “stubborn shoulder” to Jehovah’s words...They try to sow doubts and to separate unsuspecting ones from the bounteous “table” of spiritual food spread at the Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where truly there is ‘nothing lacking.’ (Ps.23.1-6) They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago...” (WT 15/8/1981:28-29)

The Sacred Science

Here the organisation or group proclaims it alone has absolute truth, scientifically, psychologically and morally; and there are no valid alternatives (Hassan & Das, n.d.; Watters, n.d.[c]; CDC, n.d.). An aura of sacredness is maintained around its fundamental ideologies, originators of the doctrines and its present leaders. Criticising or questioning any of these is prohibited (CDC, n.d.).

The WT proclaims boldly that it is the only organisation today proclaiming the ‘Truth’, whether it be theological, psychological, medical and moral. The Watchtower asserts: “If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother.” (1/5/1957:274). It is taught that God is the head of the corporation, the divine One who directs the organisation (WT 1/6/1985:19). Russell, the sect’s founder boldly proclaimed “the truths I present as God’s mouthpiece” (WT 15/7/1906:3821 as quoted in Reed, 1995:77) continued similarly by the WT claiming that it is the sole channel of communication God is using today . No questioning or criticism of God’s visible organisation is allowed . To step out on their own by independently thinking, Jehovah’s Witnesses are reminded, is to be engaged in a battle against Satanic forces who will surely win without the support of the ‘worldwide association of brothers’ (WT 15/1/1983). Psychologically, those who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are promised happiness and joy by obeying the organisation while those who leave the organisation cannot possibly achieve happiness or success. The psychological results reported from the WT regarding those who received a blood transfusion are: “Moral insanity, sexual perversions, repression, inferiority complexes, petty crimes - these often follow in the wake of blood transfusion.” (WT 1/9/1961:564) . In their brochure, How can blood save your life the WT builds a case for blood transfusions, as if it is a medical authority on the matter, whether they be correct or not. Further pressure is exerted on their members in that by failing to fulfil the demands of the WT is an offence before the eyes of God (WT 15/2/1976:402), hence obedience is ensured.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that the Watchtower denies inspiration in its doctrines (to account for past prophetic mistakes and doctrinal changes) yet it: · demands its people follow its directions as if spoken by God (WT 15/6/1957:370) · claims that it is God’s channel of communication (WT 15/1/1969:51) · claims to be an organisation that Jehovah is directing and making His will known (WT 1/11/1956:666) · claims that Jehovah is providing guidance through the columns of the WatchTower (WT 1/5/1964:277-278) · identifies itself as prophets whom God is dispensing progressive revelations through and in its Bible dictionary claims that both Old Testament prophets and Christian prophets were inspired by God (WT 15/6/1964:365-366 cf Aid to Bible Understanding [WT CDROM, 1995: IT-2:694]) · claims to make decisions under the influence of the Holy Spirit (WT CDROM, 1995, pe 193 23).

The Watchtower, in its publications, gives more than an impression that it is inspired, and demands total obedience and support from its members, as if it were speaking the very words of God (thus infallible). Yet at the same time it proclaims it is not inspired. This is a contradiction that Jehovah’s Witnesses are able to maintain in their thinking. The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe strongly that their beliefs and organisation are not man-made but originated with God therefore all information deriving from the divine source must be ‘truth’.

The Cult of Confession

The organisation requires confession that goes beyond legal and therapeutic boundaries (Gordon, n.d.). Members are encouraged to confess nonconforming thoughts, feelings, and actions to the group as an act of self-surrender and a display of loyalty to the group’s ideals (Hassan & Das, n.d.). The confessions are accompanied with criticism and self-criticism to lead to change (CDC, n.d.).

As JW’s, individuals are expected to confess their sins to the elders even though through such confession they may be entitled to receive one of a number of punishments (Groenveld, n.d.). If they do not, others who are aware of the person’s injunction, whether friends or family, are expected to report them to the elders or live with the guilt (ibid.). It is the responsibility for the elders to judge what steps should be taken. If an individual is called up to the elders but “does not admit the wrong nature or see the need to repent, they may have to present convincing evidence concerning his sin and concerning his righteousness” (WT 1/9/1981:23). If it is a gross sin (ie. a sin that could bring the congregation into ill-repute, or a serious private sin), a judicial committee will be gathered (PAYAF, 1991:95).

Another way of confessing is that of putting in field reports. All publishers (those who go door-to-door selling WT publications) are required to fill in field reports of all kingdom activities for the month. This is to be assessed by their superiors (Groenveld, n.d.). The report includes the hours spent door-knocking, the amount of literature sold and the number of people doctrine was discussed with (ibid.).

The Demand for Purity

The absolute goal is purification according to the group’s criteria. The world is sharply polarised between that which is ‘pure’ and that which is ‘impure’ (CDC, n.d.). Only those thoughts and actions consistent with the group’s dogma and expectations are ‘good’ and morally right; everything else is stereotyped as ‘evil’. The individual conscience is unreliable and thus the individual must put absolute trust in the ‘true’ teachings of the group (Watters, n.d.[c]). The in-group propaganda, in comparing ‘outside’ ways to its own ‘perfect’ teachings of purity, often vehemently oppose all of the other impure ‘systems’ of immorality and injustice thus creating guilt and shame on members when failing to achieve the group’s perfectionist ideals (ibid). People who fail to live up to the group’s expectations are punished or taught to punish themselves. Natural urges and emotional sensitivity towards guilt and shame are used as levers for control (Gordon, n.d.).

The WT has divided the world into two groups: those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who are part of Satan’s. Every worldly thing emanates from Satan and is thus inherently evil and to be rejected (eg celebrating birthdays) (Groenveld, n.d.). Those who are part of God’s kingdom (i.e. the NWS) must devote absolute loyalty and obedience to it and its requirements. The individual’s conscience is not a reliable guide - only the WT can distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false, what is godly and what is worldly (ibid.). Members are encouraged to feel repulsed at any worldly thought or action. Those who do not obey the Society’s demands are made to feel guilty, or if found out and are not repentant are shunned, marked or disfellowshipped by the congregation (including immediate family, and close friends) .

The Dispensing of Existence

Within the group ideology, its members are part of the elect who are walking in the truth, while all others are in the dark and therefore are not worthy to exist (Gordon, n.d.; CDC, n.d.). In totalitarian states this may warrant executions (Hassan & Das, n.d.). The group decides the criteria for who will have eternal life and who will not (CDC, n.d.). By joining the group and submitting to its requirements one is given the right of eternal existence whereas one leaving the group forfeits this right (Dr. Robert J. Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform, n.d.).

The WT has sharply polarised its distinctiveness from all other people and organisations today. In the JW publication Revelation: It’s Grand Climax at Hand! (referred to as now as Grand Climax) people are categorised as either being revealed as Jehovah’s seed and belonging to his “wifelike celestial organization” (1988:11) or “Satan’s human seed” (ibid., 12) belonging to his “invisible organisation on earth.” (ibid., 11) . Those identifying themselves with the WT will be resurrected after death, to either live forever on earth or in heaven, depending on what class according to WT doctrine they belong (WT 15/2/1983:12; 15/11/1981:21; Grand Climax, 1988:12). “There is nowhere else to go for divine favor and life eternal.” (WT 15/11/1992:21). Those who are outsiders have a destiny of annihilation (cf. The New World, 1942:249). By becoming a member and following its prescribed beliefs and behaviours, outsiders may be included in the in-group and have life eternal granted. By voluntarily or involuntarily leaving the organisation one automatically forfeits the right to eternal existence.

Hassan’s Criteria for Mind Control

Steven Hassan is a leading American Exit Counsellor who authored Combatting Cult Mind Control (1990); now a standard text for understanding the tactics and influences of the cults (Hassan & Das, n.d.). He believes that cults try to suppress people’s distinct individual freedom by suppressing their free will, talents, creativity and ability to think for themselves. The ultimate goal of indoctrination and gradual disassociation is to make unique individuals into ‘clones’ that fit the cult’s mould or, theologically speaking, to re-mould people bearing God’s image to people reflecting the image of the cult leader/s (ibid.).

Hassan lists four main categories of mind control:

Behaviour Control

Behaviour control is about directing the individual’s behaviour and movements within his/her physical reality (Groenveld, n.d.). The cult may exert control over a person’s accommodation, interpersonal association, physical appearance, time of sleep, partner selection, speech, education, career, finance, leisure, sexual activities and children (Hassan, 1990:60; Groenveld, n.d.; Four Aspects of Mind Control (FAMC), n.d.). Each cult has its own specific schedules and behaviours that the members are expected to conform to. Often there are rigid rules and guidelines that members are expected to enact in accordance with displaying loyalty to the group’s philosophy. Absolute obedience and dependence to both the group and its leadership is demanded (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Cults often demand large time commitments for group related activities and indoctrination (ibid). Behavioural modification techniques, including the use of positive and negative reinforcements, and punishment, are actively used to encourage and maintain ‘correct’ behaviour (FAMC, n.d.). People are encouraged to report feelings, thoughts and activities to superiors for continual monitoring (Hassan & Das, n.d.). The leaders know that they cannot directly control the thoughts of people but if they can control people’s behaviour, then their minds and hearts will follow (Hassan, 1990:59; FAMC, n.d.; Groenveld, n.d.).

The WT exerts behavioural control over their members. Richard Francis, an ex-JW after thirty years of membership, comments: “Already there are millions of people who have given unqualified allegiance, at least in word, to this organization. They follow its advice in matters as important as sex, birth control, euthanasia, medical treatments, employment, education, career, business, marriage, divorce, child-training, interpersonal activities, social relationships, etc.” (Francis, 1985:32).

Members are told how not to dress and groom, who they may or may not associate with, to study WT literature rather than pursue higher education, to spend their time in Kingdom activities (proselytising, attending multiple congregational meetings each week, attending Bible study groups) rather than in unnecessary extra employment or leisure, and what they should say in answer to objections raised in door-to-door ministry (Groenveld, n.d.). Active witnesses are to report activities according to rank - publisher field service reports, congregation report cards, special pioneer reports, missionary home reports and circuit and district overseers’ reports monthly field service report, missionary home reports (Branch Procedures, n.d.:16). Required behaviour is linked with Scripture (and WT magazine articles) to ensure obedience.

Conformity is often misjudged by outsiders as either participants showing strength of character or displaying loving unity (FAMC, n.d.). The opposite is often true. Unless Witnesses behave according to WT ‘recommendations’ they may be punished by having privileges withdrawn, be rebuked by elders or a judicial meeting, being publicly shamed by having their name read out to the congregation for committing an offence, be marked (quasi-shunned), shunned or disfellowshipped (Burrows, n.d.[b]).

Information Control

By controlling information cults prevent people making informed judgements and critical evaluation to guide their thinking and decisions independently (Groenveld, n.d.). Cults often utilise deceptive techniques, such as distorting information, withholding information or outright lying, to recruit and maintain followers (Hassan & Das, n.d.; FAMC, n.d.). Accessing sources of information from outside of the cult is discouraged (ie TV, radio, magazines, books), and any media critical of the cult from any source but particularly if written by former members is forbidden and to be rejected outright (Hassan & Das, n.d.; Hassan, 1990:65).

In contrast to its censorship of outside information, the cult will generate its own information about its doctrines, practices, history and commentaries on contemporary and historical issues and organisations. These may take the form of journals, sacred writings (e.g. The Book of Mormon), newsletters, videos or any other useful media (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Misquotations and statements from non-cult sources are often used to justify the cult’s views (ibid.). The people are encouraged to live on a learning diet consisting of a sole intake of cultic propaganda to align their thinking with the cult’s views.

Even the cult’s own information is not always accessible (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Often there is a hierarchical structure with levels of information for people according to their rank . Those in the recruit stage often receive glamorous tokens of information but only as they become more entrenched in the group are they exposed to the more important and unpalatable doctrines (FAMC, n.d.). Who needs to know what is decided among the leadership (Hassan & Das, n.d.).

The WT is a classic organisation to study regarding its use of information control. Outside information, whether it contains religious or non-religious content, is censored to members . The need to avoid information from ex-members is particularly emphasised. The WT often uses graphic similes such as likening ‘apostate’ material to pornography or gangrene - resulting in spiritual death (WT 15/3/1986:14-15) .

The Watchtower generates enormous amounts of literature to be distributed all around the world, informing its people about it’s history, it’s beliefs and practices, and giving advice on personal issues of all varieties. The WT, in many ways stands as judge. It decides which history books are correct, which medical practices are moral, how to interpret the Bible, what beliefs and practices are God-honouring, when Christ has spiritually returned and when the world will end.

The average Witness intellectual diet consists of studying WT literature and discussing WT doctrine. Jehovah’s Witnesses are expected to read each fortnightly edition of the Watchtower magazine from cover to cover (approximately 30 pages) as well as to come prepared to discuss the articles at the meetings held each week (Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, 1971:36). They are also expected to be well read in all of the other contemporary WT literature. David Reed, an ex-JW comments that “the books, magazines, lessons, and so on, added up to over three thousand pages each year, compared with less than two hundred pages of Bible reading assigned” (1986:121). The articles and the discussions centre around a few pertinent WT doctrinal themes. The repetitiousness of the material and the intensity with which it is studied has a total indoctrination effect over the members.

WT literature is treated as sacred (but this would never be admitted). Although its contents are based on biblical analysis, members are taught that if they had a choice between reading the Bible or the WT, they should choose the WT . Although reporting that it is not inspired, it claims that “God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people; it does not consist of men’s opinions.” (WT 1/1/1942). Its people believe it as if it were infallible.

Information is limited according to who is requiring it. For the ‘enemies of God’, the JW is allowed to lie . Accessibility of information is limited. The higher the place one has in the organisation the more material will be available for accessing. Those who write the WT articles often quote from a wide variety of books including works written by Christians, spiritists, and secular authors. These books are not allowed to be read by the average JW. Books, such as Pay Attention to Yourselves and the Flock (1991) are not to be viewed by anybody of lesser position than elder. The further up the WT you go the more information available from other sources.

[See sections titled Selection on p.26 and Deception and Lying on p.29 for related analysis]

Thought Control

Cults employ thought controlling and thought-stopping techniques to maintain control of their people. Thought control is effected by conditioning members to internalise the cult’s ideology and world-view as ‘Truth’ (Hassan & Das, n.d.). This acts as a filter for all incoming information and regulates how information is processed (Groenveld, n.d.). The group adopts its own unique language made up of words from every-day use and Scripture with word meanings changed; from being subtly modified to grossly distorted. Changing the vocabulary has a twofold purpose. Its reductionist language serves to reduce the complexities of life and knowledge into simplistic, dualistic frameworks thus reducing and limiting the understanding of cult members and verifying the group’s rationale that it alone has the answer to life (Hassan & Das, n.d.). The second purpose of ‘loading’ the language is to create barriers between the insiders and outsiders (Hassan, 1990:62). In evangelism it serves to confuse the outsiders about their own religious beliefs contrasted with a more reasonable argument postulated by the recruiter. Apologetically, it may prevent discernment of the group’s more undesirable and unacceptable doctrines to the antagonistic outsider or interested parties. For the ingroup it serves to help members think only in terms of the ‘official’ thought patterns (Stevens, 1996:33).

Members are not only indoctrinated by the group but are also encouraged to indoctrinate themselves through thought-stopping techniques (Hassan, 1990:62). Since the members are taught not to critically evaluate the leaders or doctrines, they must stop discordant reasoning and encourage only ‘good’ and ‘proper’ thoughts (Hassan & Das, n.d.). By employing techniques such as denial, rationalising, justifying, wishful thinking, chanting, meditating, repetition of Bible-verses, singing, and speaking in tongues the people can drown out any destabilising cogitations (ibid, FAMC, n.d.).

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own unique language. Their language is simple, reductionist and many of their terms are borrowed from Scripture. The subtle changes of meanings of words help the WT doctrines become logically consistent while making any alternative interpretation untenable and dubious. For example, the WT has redefined the biblical understanding of the ‘soul’ from an ‘immaterial part of man that lives beyond the grave’ to another term for ‘person’ (Reed, 1996:215). This makes their doctrine of annihilation after death more tenable. Hence, a fundamental task a JW must employ in discussing doctrine with a Christian is to explicitly redefine Scriptural words, or implicitly redetermine their meanings within the arguments presented, according to WT definitions. It also helps them disguise their doctrine. An example of this is when Jehovah’s Witnesses tell people they are preaching the ‘good news’, they do not mean the news about Jesus imminent return as most people familiar with biblical terminology would understand it to mean, but the news that Jesus has returned (WT 1/10/1980:28-29; Reed, 1996:122).

The WT allows words no alternative shades of meaning (unless it supports WT doctrine). This further limits JW thought to colourless literalism and distorts the message of the original biblical languages with which the words often have numerous and varying meanings.

The Witness will also repeatedly discuss phrases and topics that he or she wants the recruit to become familiar with (eg emphasising the need to honour God’s name - Jehovah; emphasising the need to maintain correct knowledge and to shun anything with pagan origins). The Jehovah’s Witnesses continually fill their minds with the language and thinking of the WT and are taught to think and argue only according to WT training. They are not allowed to think independently. If they do start thinking independently they must quickly stabilise themselves by reading WT literature, speaking to their elders or spending more time in WT activities, lest they be found out, accused and punished. By redefining and controlling vocabulary and language both Jehovah’s Witnesses and their recruits are taught how to think. [For further details see sections titled Loading the Language on page 10 and The Substitution of Names on page 25]

Emotional Control

Cultic groups seek to manipulate members’ feelings to ensure control. Although they do encourage positive feelings (ie. people should be ever joyful because they live in the ‘Truth’), their most destructive power lies in their ability to initiate and manipulate people’s own negative feelings, such as fear and guilt, for the cult’s own ends (Groenveld, n.d.; Hassan, 1990:63).

The group places all blame (other than the blame projected onto other ‘enemy’ groups) for problems on their people. Their people learn to do likewise, blaming themselves for anything that goes wrong rather than examining the group, its teaching or its leadership (Hassan & Das, n.d.; FAMC, n.d.).

Manipulation of negative emotions comes in several forms. Guilt is used in many ways. People are made to feel guilty for thinking discordant thoughts, their past, family, affiliations and for failing to live up to the group’s expectations (Hassan & Das, n.d.). Fear is also a powerful motivator to maintain obedience. People are taught to fear the outside world and enemies, independent thinking, group punishment (humiliation, shunning, excommunication), and losing salvation (ibid). By systematically programming in irrational fears, the cult can indoctrinate phobias into their members. Examples of these are: there is no happiness outside of the group, the world together with all of the Satanic forces are out to persecute you, those who leave will have something disastrous happen to them (perhaps being punished by God or attacked by demons), and there is no justifiable way out of the group (to leave the group is evidence of a negative personal attribute such as rebellious or unspiritual) (ibid).

To understand WT obedience it is essential to examine its use of emotional manipulation. The WT manipulates both positive and negative emotions to maintain control. Its most effective control however, comes in its ability to condition and manipulate fear into its peoples minds. The Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to fear. The examples mentioned in the previous paragraph equally appear in Jehovah Witness psychology. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught to fear God, Armageddon, the Devil and his demons, apostates, the world, and WT and divine retributions (most notably for being disfellowshipped or leaving the Organisation; also for breaking any WT ‘suggestions’). (Watters, n.d.[f]). The WT creates phobias in the people’s minds by exaggerating small harmless activities or behaviours into major crimes. Those who celebrate Christmas and birthdays or salute a national flag are participating in an act of evil worship (Watters, n.d.[e]).

Guilt likewise is also used as a lever for manipulation. An example of this is shown in the May 15 edition of the 1990 WatchTower: Some who were at one time progressing toward dedication later may seem to be holding back. If they do not have enough love for God in their heart to make an unreserved dedication to him, they ought to ask themselves whether they still have the wonderful privilege of prayer. Apparently not, because those approaching God must be earnestly seeking him and also righteousness and meekness. (Zephaniah 2:3) Everyone who really fears Jehovah is a believer who makes a dedication to God and symbolizes it by getting baptized. (Acts 8:13; 18:8) And only baptized believers have an unrestricted privilege of approaching the King Eternal in prayer.” (12 quoted in Watters, n.d.[f]) .

Any problems that arise caused by the Organisation are promptly redirected to the members. A classic example of this happened in the wake of the failed 1975 prophecy of Armageddon. Although the WT in many implicit and explicit articles had pointed the people to the expectation of 1975 heralding Armageddon, the WT published an article putting the brunt of responsibility for the people’s disappointment back on themselves: “15 But it is not advisable for us to set our sights on a certain date, neglecting everyday things we would ordinarily care for as Christians, such as things that we and our families really need . We may be forgetting that, when the “day” comes, it will not change the principle that Christians must at all times take care of all their responsibilities. If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.” (WT 15/7/1976:441 - emphasis added) .

Conclusion

Is the Watchtower a mind control cult according to the criteria set forth by Robert Lifton and Steven Hassan? The evidence points conclusively to the affirmative. In all areas the Jehovah’s Witnesses have shown some degree of mind control. Much more could have been added to each section to further justify this conclusion but the evidence here is sufficient. To the cults, the end justifies the means, and with the WT, this equally applies. The techniques used to maintain “a controlled spiritual environment” (Francis, 1997:106) do not lead to the liberty Christ spoke of in Luke 4:18 but rather lead to unhealthy dependence, bordering on idolatry, of an authoritarian human institution that utilises deceptive techniques that are designed to undercut individual volitional autonomy. Testimonies of ex-members abound, describing liberty and freedom they have encountered when they managed to break free of the WT hold (Francis, 1997:106).

Propaganda

It would not be too presumptuous to presume that the bulk of what the average JW knows about religion, about their organisation and its work; the interpretation of world events, history and biblical passages, and their knowledge of ‘true’ doctrines is primarily through their literature. What the Watchtower proclaims, although it is admitted that the material is not inspired or infallible, is received unquestionably as ‘truth’. Thus the Watchtower is a primary source of influencing the minds and behaviour of its people. Can it be classed as propaganda and does it use propagandists’ techniques to influence those who read it?

Propaganda has been in existence ever since people have been seeking to influence others towards their ideas and goals. The word originates from the Latin word propagare which means the reproducing of new plants by planting freshly cut shoots from an established plant (Brown, 1963:10). The first recorded use of the word ‘propaganda’ was in 1633, where a renewed thrust in mission by the Catholic Church was named the Congegatio de Propaganda Fide. Here the central task was to convert the minds of foreign people to accept the Christian doctrines of Catholicism (Brown, 1963:10-11). In both World Wars, propaganda was extensively used with great effect by both sides to increase hatred for the enemy and motivate nationalistic loyalty (Brown, 1963:11). It has been used by the politicians, by advertisers, by health workers, and by religious groups. At its grass roots level of definition, propaganda is “...an organised dissemination of information and ideas...”, using any media that can convey ideas, “...to persuade the recipients of the truth of their propositions and beliefs” (Dean, 1995:695).

The propagandist differs from the educator in that the propagandist encourages people to reach his/her preconceived conclusions by offering no desirable alternative, and criticising any others that may exist; whereas the teacher helps the student make an informed decision based on an adequate understanding of the alternatives. The teacher shows people how to think, the propagandist tells people what to think (Brown, 1963:21). In practice no teaching is ever propaganda free however profitable teaching encourages thinking whereas teaching with heavy propaganda discourages thinking and independent value judgements.

The history of propaganda has shown that it has been abused by the propagandists. Some of the more unethical tactics commonly attributed to the propagandist are misleading people through the use of half-truths or lies presented as ‘truth’. Half-truths and lies have been used very effectively, particularly in the World Wars. Due to the many different uses and connotations of the word propaganda, the definition covers a broad spectrum of everyday experience. This report is not so concerned with whether the WT literature is propaganda or not, but whether the WT literature uses some of the more explicit and persuasive propagandists’ techniques in recruiting and maintaining membership.

Propaganda Techniques

The Use of Stereotypes

Propaganda utilises stereotyping to create fixed impressions about particular ‘types’ of people. These people are judged as a whole group rather than on an individual basis, and their actions are interpreted according to the expectations of the stereotyped image portrayed about them (Myers, 1996:510; Brown, 1963:26). Propaganda encourages stereotyping (either with positive or negative connotations) to establish loyalty to its message and hostility to other ideas. Examples of groups of people that have been stereotyped are the Jews, the Japanese, the Protestants, and the Communists.

The Watchtower’s most powerful psychological weapon for increasing prejudice is that of stereotyping itself and its rivals. Jehovah’s Witnesses love presenting the clergy, the Christian Church, and the worldly governments in the worst possible light, according to their own selective biblical interpretation, historical interpretation and reasoning. In creating stereotypes to downgrade Christianity, they highlight selective negative aspects of certain Christian groups throughout history (such as the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, or the Crusades) and generalise their conclusions to the whole of the Christian Church - present and past. By stereotyping Christianity with selected negative images it is not surprising that the JW will minimise any good that individual Christians and Christian groups may be doing. To the JW, each church or denomination is just as bad as the next and it is their job to present the ‘truth’ to those few Christians within ‘Babylon the Great’ (a name selected for the Christian Church cf Revelation 18:2 cited in Proclaimers, 1993:188-189 on WT CD-ROM, 1996) who love God. On the flip-side the WT has stereotyped the NWS and its members as people who sincerely want to do the will of God and are succeeding in this. The teaching and literature of the WT is true ‘spiritual food’ and all other sources of information are ‘philosophies of man’ and are to be treated accordingly. By stereotyping, the WT can implant powerful world-views on their people which then become filters to assess ‘truth’. The stereotypes formed are based solely on biased WT prepared information to justify their assumptions and conclusions. and give the impression that the ‘evidence’ points to the Jehovah’s Witnesses alone as the ‘bearers of the truth’.

The Substitution of Names

The substitution of names is a common practice of the propagandist. To get the message across, the propagandist will substitute words that give one impression for other words that either arouse or diminish emotions and enhance people’s acceptance of the message. For the pro-abortionist ‘baby’ becomes ‘foetus’, for the Westerner ‘Communist’ becomes ‘Red’ and ‘Capitalism’ becomes ‘Free Enterprise’ (Brown, 1963:27). The WT likewise litters its literature with value-laden substituted names to increase its popularity among members and recruits. The whole of the Christian Church is known as Christendom , while ‘the faithful and discreet Slave’ is a biblical phrase borrowed from Matthew 24:45 representing “the entire body of spirit-anointed Christians [an elite class of Jehovah Witness] on earth” (WT 1/2/1995:13). Any non-Witness is classed as a “worldling” and those who leave the Organisation wear the negative emotionally-charged label “apostate” . These terms are defined with descriptive language to create in-built emotional judgements every time the word or phrase is expressed. Thus the ideology becomes more easily accepted.

Selection and Card-Stacking

The propagandist carefully selects information that points to the conclusions that the readers are expected to reach. Information is carefully omitted that is not helpful in influencing the final conclusion (Brown, 1963:27). The reader is expected to make a judgement based on the narrow and biased data given. The reader is often unaware that any other data exists that might contradict the conclusion he/she is expected to make. Careful selection of evidence limits the reader from questioning the propagandist’s assertions and conclusions, and is deliberately designed to decrease the person’s independent thought and evaluation (Brown, 1963:28). Similar to this is the technique of card-stacking. Card-stacking is an argument where all the evidence (whether it be true or false) is stacked in order so that the only conclusion possible is the conclusion the propagandist wants to be accepted. This is often done through comparing the propagandist’s ideas with opposing ideas, but done in such a way that the propagandist’s point seems to be the correct idea. (Lee & Lee, 1971: as adapted in Robertson, 1987:551).

Jehovah’s Witness literature is highly selective in the material it presents it readers. Following is an excerpt from the WT CD ROM and also their article Transfusions_how_safe.htm downloaded on The WatchTower web site. Notice how information is carefully prepared using both selection and card-stacking to help the reader conclude that blood transfusions are not safe: “Before submitting to any serious medical procedure, a thinking person will learn the possible benefits and the risks. What about blood transfusions? They are now a prime tool in medicine. Many physicians who are genuinely interested in their patients may have little hesitation about giving blood. It has been called the gift of life. Millions have donated blood or have accepted it. For 1986-87 Canada had 1.3 million donors in a population of 25 million. “[In] the most recent year for which figures are available, between 12 million and 14 million units of blood were used in transfusions in the United States alone.”—The New York Times, February 18, 1990. “Blood has always enjoyed a ‘magical’ quality,” notes Dr. Louise J. Keating. “For its first 46 years, the blood supply was perceived as being safer than it actually was by both physicians and the public.” (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, May 1989) What was the situation then, and what is it now? Even 30 years ago, pathologists and blood-bank personnel were advised: “Blood is dynamite! It can do a great deal of good or a great deal of harm. The mortality from blood transfusion equals that from either anesthesia or appendectomy. There is said to be approximately one death in 1,000 to 3,000 or possibly 5,000 transfusions. In the London area there has been reported one death for every 13,000 bottles of blood transfused.”—New York State Journal of Medicine, January 15, 1960.

Have the dangers since been eliminated so that transfusions are now safe? Frankly, each year hundreds of thousands have adverse reactions to blood, and many die.” (HB pages 7-8 from WT CD ROM, 1996) Disease Free Or Fraught With Danger? Blood-borne disease worries conscientious physicians and many patients. Which disease? Frankly, you cannot limit it just to one; there are indeed many.

After discussing the more well-known diseases, Techniques of Blood Transfusion (1982) addresses “other transfusion-associated infectious diseases,” such as syphilis, cytomegalovirus infection, and malaria. It then says: “Several other diseases have also been reported to be transmitted by blood transfusion, including herpes virus infections, infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis [African sleeping sickness and Chagas’ disease], leishmaniasis, brucellosis [undulant fever], typhus, filariasis, measles, salmonellosis, and Colorado tick fever.”

The pope survived being shot. After leaving the hospital, he was taken back for two months, “suffering a great deal.” Why? A potentially fatal cytomegalovirus infection from the blood he received. Actually, the list of such diseases is growing. You may have read headlines such as “Lyme Disease From a Transfusion? It’s Unlikely, but Experts Are Wary.” How safe is blood from someone testing positive for Lyme disease? A panel of health officials were asked if they would accept such blood. “All of them answered no, although no one recommended discarding blood from such donors.” How should the public feel about banked blood that experts themselves would not accept?-The New York Times, July 18,1989.

A second reason for concern is that blood collected in one land where a certain disease abounds may be used far away, where neither the public nor the physicians are alert to the danger. With today’s increase in travel, including refugees and immigrants, the risk is growing that a strange disease may be in a blood product. Moreover, a specialist in infectious diseases warned: “The blood supply may have to be screened to prevent transmission of several disorders that were not previously considered infectious, including leukemia, lymphoma, and dementia [or Alzheimer’s disease].”-Transfusion Medicine Reviews, January 1989. Chilling as these risks are, others have created much wider fear. Chagas’ disease illustrates how blood carries disease to distant people. “The Medical Post” (January 16, 1990) reports that ‘10-12 million people in Latin America are chronically infected.’ It has been called “one of the most important transfusion hazards in South America.” An “assassin bug” bites a sleeping victim in the face, sucks blood, and defecates in the wound. The victim may carry Chagas’ disease for years (meanwhile possibly donating blood) before developing fatal heart complications.

Why should that concern people on distant continents? In “The New York Times” (May 23, 1989), Dr. L. K. Altman reported on patients with posttransfusion Chagas’ disease, one of whom died. Altman wrote: “Additional cases may have gone undetected because [doctors here] are not familiar with Chagas’ disease, nor do they realize that it could be spread by transfusions.” Yes, blood can be a vehicle by which diseases travel widely.

The uninformed person will most likely agree with the JW conclusion based on the evidence presented. However, as with all JW propaganda, there is always another side that is either absent, misrepresented or presented in such a way that the WT conclusions seem the only viable solution . One needs to be aware that the WT will use only the information (even if quoted out of context) that will point towards their conclusions and ignore or misuse any information that might lead to somewhat different conclusions .

Deception and Lying

Brown asserts that falsehood is a common method of the propagandist (1963:27). Fabricating, twisting, stretching or omitting the evidence have all been utilised in propaganda with effective results. False atrocity stories were used in the Crusades and both World Wars to evoke public response, and this it did with great efficacy.

The WT has a history of misquoting, misleading and deception. It’s articles often quote Scripture and other writings out of context to back up its doctrines. Misrepresentation, outright lying and subtle twisting of information using their loaded vocabulary are all techniques to maintain their credibility despite facts to the contrary. Listed are some examples found within their literature of WT deception.

“Pastor Russell held closely to the Scriptures. He believed that Christ had been present since 1874. He also admitted in private to being that “Faithful and Wise Servant” (WT 1/12/1916 as quoted in Reed, 1995:77) “the Lord’s faithful and wise steward, Pastor Russell” (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The Finished Mystery 1917:418 as quoted in Reed, 1995:77) “Russell never claimed to be the faithful and wise servant.” (God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached, 1973:346 as quoted in Reed, 1995:79). And... “...the common thought of Trinitarians, that the Son is the Father” (WT 1/2/1899 quoted in Reed, 1995:123). “The doctrine, in brief, is that there are three gods in one...” (Let God Be True, 1952:100 quoted in Reed, 1995:123). “Three Gods in one person, or as some have put it, one God in three persons.” (WT 7/1882:369 quoted in Reed, 1995:123). These are only two examples from many where the Watchtower has deceived or mislead.

Repetition

The propagandist uses repetition to etch his/her message into the minds of the audience. If the word or phrase is used enough it will soon be accepted whether it has meaning or not (Brown, 1963:27). The WT literature repeats many phrases, words and ideas repeatedly throughout its writings. Twenty-four times ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ was mentioned in the WT in 1995 (not to mention its further repetition in the WT discussions held in Kingdom Halls and home-groups). Through repetition JW’s and converts become conditioned to associate ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ with only positive and righteous connotations. On the flip-side, the words Christendom, trinity and religionist are repeated over and over and are associated with evil and ungodliness. When the JW hears these words mentioned, the hairs on the back of his head stand on end. The JW’s are not only indoctrinated with repeated use of WT words and doctrine, but are indoctrinated through the repeated stigma applied to each.

Glittering Generalities and Name-Calling

Glittering generalities is the technique for surrounding a product or political personality with favourable words or phrases (such as ‘freedom’, ‘a better future’) to increase the likelihood that the audience will receive their message (Lee, & Lee, 1971 adapted by Robertson, 1987:551). The JW’s use glittering generalities to explain their organisation, people and doctrine. Below is one of many examples of their use of glittering generalities: “A Blessed Brotherhood 13 Being a part of the only God-approved international brotherhood is also a source of great joy. Happily, we have the most desirable associates on earth. Jehovah God himself pointed to our day and said: “I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory.” (Haggai 2:7) True, all Christians are imperfect. However, Jehovah has drawn such individuals to himself through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) Since Jehovah has drawn to himself people he considers desirable, our joy will abound if we show them brotherly love, esteem them highly, cooperate with them in godly pursuits, uphold them in their trials, and pray in their behalf.” (WT 15/1/1995:13)

Name-calling is the opposite to the glittering generality technique. Here the propagandist attempts to associate unfavourable words and phrases to whatever / whoever the propagandist opposes. The anti-abortionists would use the word ‘murderer’ to describe a mother who has aborted her foetus (Lee & Lee, 1971 adapted by Brown, 1987:551). When referring to groups of people or particular beliefs that JW’s must recognise as being dangerous or ungodly, the WT often gives special terms (or may even use their common name), which are either naturally associated with unfavourable connotations, or are defined and expounded in such a way creates inimical associations. Below is an example of several typical words the WT uses to create unfavourable impressions in recruits and members minds. “Another lie made and told by Satan for the purpose of reproaching God’s name and turning men away from God is that of the ‘trinity.’ That doctrine is taught by the religionists of ‘Christendom’ and is in substance this: ‘that there are three gods in one...” (Riches, 1936:185 quoted in Reed, 1995:124 [italics mine]).

Pinpointing the Enemy

The propagandist will always have an enemy. The message “is not only for something but also against some real or imagined enemy who is supposedly frustrating the will of his audience” (Brown, 1963:28). Two effects are noticed: 1. Aggression is directed away from the propagandist’s cause and 2. It helps consolidate the loyalty of the ‘in-group’. The propagandist portrays stereotyped diabolical images of the perceived enemy. The stronger the perceived enemy, the stronger the unification to the cause - a unification that is based on fear and hatred.

The Watchtower has been successful in creating fearful images of ‘evil’ enemies to instil fear and suspicion into the members. Images of God protecting them through maintaining obedient WT membership are the only way of assuring a safe future in the after-life, but part of that loyalty includes being persecuted for the Kingdom’s sake with both the world, the Devil, earthly governments and religions against them in so-called violent opposition . Outside antagonism or criticism towards the WT and doctrines are exaggerated as persecution while its own criticisms directed at other groups are viewed as ‘exposing the evil’. Other groups, especially the Christian church , are represented as being the epitome of evil in comparison to a holy and stainless NWS. Here are some quotes to demonstrate the WT pinpointing the enemy. “Haters of God and His people are to be hated, but this does not mean that we will take any opportunity of bringing physical hurt to them in the spirit of malice or spite, for both malice and spite belong to the devil, whereas pure hatred does not.

“We must hate in the truest sense which is to regard with extreme and active aversion, to consider as loathsome, odious, filthy, to detest. Surely any haters of God are not fit to live on His beautiful earth.... “Jehovah’s enemies are recognized by their intense dislike for His people and the work these are doing. For they would break it down and have all of Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to jail or concentration camps if they could. Not because they have anything against the Witnesses personally but on account of their work. They publish blasphemous lies and reproach the holy name of Jehovah. Do we not hate those who hate God? We cannot love those hateful enemies for they are fit only for destruction.... “We pray with intensity and cry out this prayer for Jehovah to delay no longer and plead that His anger be made manifest, oh Jehovah of hosts... be not merciful to any wicked transgressors... Consume them in wrath, consume them so that they shall be no more (Psalm 59:4-6, 11-13).... “When this happens what a tremendous change will take place, the tables will be turned! Brought down will be the lofty from dwelling on high as great, high influential ones of this world to the lowest possible place imaginable, so low and degraded they can only be compared to being trampled under foot by the poor like straw in a manure heap. Christendom’s lofty looks, boastful words, bragging tongue and superior attitude toward the holy Word of God, her trust in idols, men and riches such as belong to this world will not provide her with security or any safety from Jehovah’s storm and blast...” (WT 1/12/1951:734 cited in Martin, 1985:31-32) .

The Appeal to Authority and Testimonial

The propagandists will appeal to authority to authenticate their message. The authority may be religious, scientific, a famous personality or any source that will in some way legitimate the conclusion of the propagandist (Brown, 1963:28). Another related technique is the testimonial, whereby the propagandist uses the testimony of people, usually well-known celebrities, to ‘sell’ their product or criticise the opposition. (Lee & Lee, 1971 as adapted in Robertson, 1987:551). The WT will use anybody’s authority who appears to give credence to their argument. Their apologetic works are filled with references from Scripture, from scholars and pseudo-scholars, from mainstream to fringe, from religious to medical, to help credit their arguments. Publishers carry a book entitled Reasoning which gives them ready quotes from various sources which they can assert when the need arises to validate their conclusion. A scattering of quotes from a wide variety of sources give people the general impression that the sources agree with the JW conclusions, whether this is the case or not .

Transfer

Transfer is used to gain a favourable impression by associating its message with something that the audience views favourably. Advertisers use this technique to sell their product by associating it with attractive models even though there may not be any link whatsoever between the two (Lee & Lee, 1971 as adapted in Robertson, 1987:551). WatchTower literature aims to create positive transference regarding its religion. The articles continually boast how JW’s are obedient to God, are happily building his kingdom and are collectively the most loving and virtuous people on earth. The picture the WT is trying to create is that the evidence points towards the JW’s being the sole group in the world to be truly called God’s people. “24 Let us enumerate some of the many fine works of the faithful slave class. First, the slave class has been appointed over all the Master’s belongings—his Kingdom interests on earth—and these belongings keep on increasing. Second, that class is feeding not only the anointed domestics but an ever-expanding great crowd of other sheep with spiritual food. Third, the slave class is taking the lead in spreading the Kingdom light. Fourth, its greatest expansion of activities is in the gathering of the great crowd of other sheep, bringing them to Jehovah’s spiritual temple. Fifth, the slave class, with the wholehearted support of sheeplike ones, is providing enlarged facilities for branch organizations around the globe, as well as at the headquarters in the United States. Such loving labors have made the slave class the happiest people on earth today, and they have made millions of other people happy too. All of these give thanks to Jehovah God and to Jesus Christ, who have directed the expanded activities of the discreet slave! 25 The slave class is now working harder than ever at its God-assigned duties. The time left before the outbreak of the “great tribulation” is almost gone! (Matthew 24:21) How vital it is that these who are God’s sheep stay on the right side of favor of his Shepherd-King! So, then, let all continue zealously to support the faithful and discreet slave. It is only by doing this that someday very soon all sheeplike ones will be able to hear those happy words: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (WT 1/5/1993:20-21)

The pictures add to the appeal of the message. Righteous biblical characters are given characteristics that portray sincerity, happiness and a trust in God, and likewise the pictures of Jehovah’s Witnesses are comparably given similar qualities. The JW’s are portrayed in multi-racial, family, work, friendship, or evangelism environments. Jehovah’s Witnesses are always drawn as modestly and neatly dressed and well-groomed. The pictures emphasise unity, sincerity, diligent Bible study and happiness. The literature is specially designed to attract the audiences favourable attention. Below are some examples copied from WT literature.

Plain Folks

Here the propagandist associates his/her ideas with the average person on the street. The politician might be photographed with children in a nursery in an attempt to create an image of being one with the people (Lee & Lee, 1971 as adapted in Robertson, 1987:551). The pictures in the WT literature also feature pictures of average normal-looking folk being in familiar looking surroundings or doing familiar activities (as portrayed on previous page). The message is: They are normal people like us!

Bandwagon

This technique encourages people to believe that ‘everybody’s doing it’ therefore to remain in the ‘in-group’ the recipient must do likewise (Brown, 1963:28). This method tries to create the impression in people’s mind that ‘everybody’s doing it’. People are often influenced most by the reactions of others. Those who have not made a firm decision will tend to change their minds according to what is popular. (Lee & Lee, 1971 as adapted in Robertson, 1987:551). The WT utilises this by explicitly and implicitly stressing that all of God’s people are members of the NWS, are actively proselytising and are making it a habit to study WT literature. This leaves the impression that everybody in God’s Organisation is doing it, therefore it is likely that people reading the literature will also be more inclined to join in the activities. Millions of Bible readers worldwide use the New World Translation because it is a modern-language translation that renders Bible terms with accuracy...... it will help many more to get a better understanding of “the word of life.” (Philippians 2:16) Because it has already helped millions to do so, it is truly worthy of recommendation. (WT 1/3/1991:30)

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance theory was first proposed by Leon Festinger in his book entitled A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957). His basic hypothesis is that people who experience psychological contradiction resulting from conflict between information, group opinion, beliefs, feelings, or behaviour, will be caused discomfiture and consequently become motivated to correct it by creating consonance (1957:3; Groenveld, n.d.). The higher the magnitude of dissonance, the more pressure the person experiences to reduce or eliminate it (Festinger, 1957:18).

Dissonance and Information. When people are exposed to information that causes dissonance they are placed into a position of either making a decision to accept the new information (thereby altering their perceptual reality and behaviour) or reject it. Information that is easily verified scientifically or experientially causes smaller dissonance than information with lesser verifiability (ibid., 179). There are several responses a person may make after receiving dissonance-increasing information. She/he may accept it or avoid it, misperceive it, deny its validity, forget it, disbelieve it or seek out consonant information (ibid.,138-176). Following the decision the person will then seek out information to justify his/her conclusions - strengthening consonance (ibid.,83). Once a decision has been made the person will be less likely to change to another opinion.

When JW’s present their information to the householder who maintains differing views, cognitive dissonance is the result. The JW’s will put forward facts, arguments and questions that will challenge or disprove the unprepared householder’s own views. The householder may try arguing, only to find themselves coming up against opponents with superior sounding arguments and counter-arguments, or they may use evasive techniques such as misperceiving what the JW has said. These reactions have probably been caused by the discomfiture caused by the cognitive dissonance. If the potential convert is not able to find convincing counter-arguments, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses sustain their presentation of information, to reduce dissidence, he/she will likely alter her/his thinking to align with the Witnesses.

r Cognitive dissonance theory also explains why when presented with arguments that are convincing and contradicting WT teaching, the JW will maintain his WT convictions. There are several evasive techniques the Witness will use when presented with cognitive dissonance creating information. They will most likely try to seek out consonant information by searching their literature or asking their elders. They may ignore it or play down its significance, and they will probably go back to their social support network (JW friends and families) for confirmation of the ‘truth’. Festinger also said that if one has made a decision, which has a cost involved, about what to believe, they will fight all the more to maintain their decision. The Jehovah Witness who has given up all of his/her former social networks, who has divorced unbelieving partner, who has sacrificed wages to do field ministry - who has paid a significant price for his/her beliefs, is not going to want to admit they are wrong due to the cognitive dissonance aroused between new beliefs and past behaviours (Gleitman, 1983).

Dissonance and Behaviour.

It is difficult to persuade people on information alone but social psychologists agree that if you can change a person’s behaviour, often their thoughts will follow (Myers, 1996:484). Festinger’s theory proposes that behaviour, thoughts and emotions are all interlinked components within the individual’s identity (Groenveld, n.d.). If one component is changed and sustained in a position of conflict between the other components, the others will tend to follow to effect consonance (ibid). If behaviour changes, then thoughts and feelings will most likely follow. A priest, who for theological reasons disagrees with baptising infants, yet baptises a baby for a friend will experience dissonance and will probably alter his/her views and feelings about infant baptism to conform with his/her behaviour.

Cognitive dissonance often begins in the initial meetings with the Jehovah’s Witnesses when the person purchases their publications and following soon after, becomes engaged in a book study. The person may have serious doubts at the back of their minds, or may have friends or family warning them about the becoming involved, yet reasons that it seems harmless enough to engage in a personally presented book study. The person will go through the book and will give the ‘correct’ implied answers (even if the person may not totally agree), to which the Witness will be continually praising the person’s ‘wise judgements’ and ‘desire to discover the truth’. The inconsistencies between the person’s behaviour (buying the literature, engaging in a book study, giving the WT answers) and his/her beliefs about the JW’s will cause discomfort and the person will find themselves needing to make a decision whether to continue in the socially rewarding book study and align beliefs with the Witness, or to stop the study (or begin to argue about one’s own convictions) and face the discomfiture that will likely cause. The course of action usually pursued is “the one that offers the least resistance” (Boyden, 1987).

One of the WT policies is to try and get all of the congregation to prepare and present speeches to the congregation about current WT articles. Even if the article produces doubts in the presenting person’s mind, the very fact that he/she is supporting it by presenting it to the congregation would increase the chance of the speaker altering or suppressing their thoughts to minimise dissonance (cf Festinger, 1957:231). By encouraging people to enter into WT prescribed behaviour that aligns with WT beliefs increases the chances dramatically of the people accepting WT doctrine.

Dissonance and Groups

Cognitive dissonance theory explains that when people are involved with a group holding unanimous ideas, they will often experience cognitive dissonance if their ideas do not align with the group’s. The larger the group, the more pressure to conform. To reduce dissonance in a group the people can align their thinking with those of the group, influence others to change their views, or differentiate themselves from the group (Festinger, 1957:182).

For the JW’s, group pressure to conform their beliefs and behaviour with WT ideology and standards is great. Most will not argue with the group, but rather avoid cognitive dissonance by just agreeing with the ‘party line’. For the recruit, less dissonance results if they just believe whatever the group teaches. The WT endeavours to make its group seem large and authoritative and seeks to show the appearance of like-mindedness within all members. The perceived size of the group, made apparent by fellowshipping only with JW’s, reading only JW literature and attending major conventions with thousands of Witnesses, makes it more likely that group opinion will over-ride dissonance creating thoughts.

Hypnotism

Myers defines hypnosis as “a state of apparent heightened suggestibility that enables a hypnotist’s coaxings and directions to trigger specific behaviors and perceptions” (1996:175). Miller (1986) comments that there are links between hypnosis and cult conversion. Hypnosis has often been understood to occur within the confines of clinical practice or research, and in the hypnotic stage shows. Miller postulates that the definition of hypnosis must be broadened so that hypnosis can be understood to occur in everyday life (1986:244). She proceeds to comment on the techniques of hypnotism utilised by Milton Erickson in his clinical research and then compares these with the techniques used to recruit cult members.

Erickson believed hypnotism involved intercourse “between two people in which 1) the hypnotist must gain the subject’s cooperation, 2) deal with the subject’s resistant behavior, and 3) receive some acknowledgment that something is happening” (Haley, 1967 cited in Miller, 1986:244). Through the use of specialised techniques, Erickson often did not induce trances to produce hypnotic behavior. It is these techniques that Miller comments on regarding cult hypnosis (Miller, 1986:244).

Expectation

Expectation has a lot to do with the results of hypnotism. If a person volunteers to be hypnotised on stage, she/he will already have some idea of the behaviour that is expected, and therefore is more likely to obey the suggestions. Cults use people’s own expectations by tapping into universally held virtues of the recipient (such as love, happiness, security). By promoting the person’s own goals accompanied by the answers of how to accomplish these, the recruit is more receptive to the desired response. The results are not seen instantaneously but often through a slow and carefully paced process. (Miller, 1986:245)

The Jehovah’s Witnesses have utilised this concept effectively. In their Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook (TMSG) they are encouraged to “Appeal to the person’s love of righteousness, to his reason and to his desire for better things” (1971:70). Concepts that are continually focused on are people’s desire for happiness, for everlasting life, to please Jehovah, to know God’s truth and to live accordingly. These goals weave themselves continually throughout JW literature and are answered using carefully constructed arguments that are backed up with Scripture references, and religious and secular quotations, in order to guide the person towards JW thinking and behaviour.

Pacing and Leading

In trance induction, the hypnotherapist reflects verifiable reality back to the patient in much the same manner as a biofeedback machine does. The hypnotherapist continues this to align him/herself with the patient’s reality. As the gap between the therapist’s reality and the patient’s reality become blurred, the therapist gradually can subtly direct the reality of the patient. Miller comments that cult recruiters are taught to find common ground with the beliefs and attitudes of the beginner (1986:245). In finding common ground the cult recruiter is able to move into sync with the recruit’s beliefs and values. By carefully pacing him/herself with the recruit, the recruiter will lead the person to a deeper level of suggestibility. The recruiter will thus use the recruit’s own reality to gradually deviate him/her towards the desired outcome.

In proselytising, the JW’s are taught to align themselves with the householder’s reality so as to be able to speak into the situation. They are taught to understand the person’s circumstances, beliefs, actions and thinking in order to tactfully channel these towards the Watchtower beliefs (TMSG, 1971:70-71).

Common ground maintained.

What you say as well as how you say it is vital in establishing a common ground at the outset of your talk. But this common ground must not be lost as the talk progresses or else you will lose your audience as well. You must continue to express your points in such a way that they will appeal to the mind of those in your audience. This requires that you keep in mind their viewpoint on the subject being discussed and use this knowledge to help them to see the reasonableness of your arguments. (TMSG, 1995:156-157)

As you go from door to door during the month of January, look for a common ground to establish discussions. We are faced with the same problems as the householders. These include concern for the safety of our children and for their future, the lack of real peace, increasing crime, and drug abuse. God’s Kingdom is the answer, so our Topic for Conversation highlights some of the blessings of the Kingdom. (OKM = Our Kingdom Ministry, 1989:1)

Correct pacing is stressed for effective witnessing. The Witnesses are warned not to cover too much material in a visit (OKM 2/94:2), but must convey enough information to keep the potential householders interest. The information is carefully selected according to what the householder expresses interest in.

The Positive Transference

The work of the hypnotherapist attempts to create positive transference by creating an environment where positive attitudes and emotions will be directed towards the group. In the context of cult involvement, the members may ‘shower’ the person with love and attention, show pseudo-unconditional acceptance or compliment the person on their desire for truth, thus appealing to their ego. Positive experiences and feelings are thus associated with the group. This continues carefully paced, with the group gradually using more “verbal and nonverbal indirect suggestion... to further mold the recruit’s attitudes so that they conform to the group’s norm” (Miller, 1986:246)

Positive transference is of all importance to the JW’s proselytising and member maintenance. Their physical attractiveness encourages positive transference as well as the attractiveness of their literature and other media that show pictures of smiling or sincere looking JW’s with happy friends or family. In their evangelistic presentations, they focus solely on the good in their organisation and people often contrasting themselves with other religious and secular organisations. The Watchtower comments that newcomers “need to be welcomed warmly into our homes and hearts, thus making new friends and new family relationships” (OKM 9/75:7). On return visits to householders, they bring someone new each time so that when the person finally comes to the Kingdom Hall there is already a familiarity present (Groenveld, n.d.). Contained in their writings they attempt to show their group as possessing universal virtues and superior knowledge more than any other group possesses. The end result is that everything that the recruit or member considers regarding the organisation is positive. This is one of the reasons why the JW is so convinced his religion is right. They are not trained to see the flaws but to see the affirmations that this is truly God’s representative organisation here on earth.

Indirect Suggestion

Erickson (1954 cited in Miller, 1986:246) used indirect suggestions which were more effective in manipulating people’s behaviour than were direct suggestions. The suggested reason for this is that when people sense greater personal control regarding their new behavioural choices they freely comply, whereas a direct suggestion is more likely to result in increased resistance due to a sense of coercion placed on the person’s free will. Miller notes that most recruits choose the cult’s desired behaviours without ever being explicitly told to do so (1986:246). One tactic of indirect non-verbal suggestions is by utilising the phenomenon of group conformity to lead the recruit towards acceptable behaviour. Another tactic using verbal indirect suggestions is by advising that by believing or engaging in desired behaviors, people get closer to their original desirable goals (eg. after-life, love). By utilising the foot-in-the-door phenomenon the recruits are gradually paced to accept larger indirect suggestions until the cult gains more and more control over their minds and behaviour and the recruit knows only obedience to the leader. Miller comments that indirect suggestions are not only used for potential recruits but for maintenance of those already existing members (1986:247).

The JW’s are particularly successful in gaining obedience using indirect suggestion. Their meetings are specially designed to show that conformity to the party line will be positively reinforced. Their literature is filled with indirect suggestions. The language is simple and non-threatening, and is designed to have the recruit come to their own conclusions. Here is an example of indirect suggestion taken from their literature: “8 Meetings serve another vital purpose. Paul wrote: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:24, 25) The Greek word translated “to incite” can also mean “to sharpen.” A Bible proverb states: “By iron, iron itself is sharpened. So one man sharpens the face of another.” (Proverbs 27:17) All of us need continual ‘sharpening.’ Daily pressures from the world can dull our faith. When we attend Christian meetings, there is an interchange of encouragement. (Romans 1:11, 12) Members of the congregation follow the apostle Paul’s admonition to “keep comforting one another and building one another up,” and such things sharpen our faith. (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Regular presence at Christian meetings also indicates that we love God and affords us opportunities to praise him.—Psalm 35:18.” (Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, 1995:163)

The ‘Yes Set’ Technique, the confusion technique, and the use of Interspersal

An effective technique Erickson used to induce a trance was to pose a series of statements and questions which will find agreement in the mind of the patient. After a number of these ‘yes’ answered questions are posed, the patients critical faculties will be lessoned and the hypnotist (or recruiter) will be able to lead the patient to agreeing with statements or questions that she / he would not have agreed to previously (Miller, 1986:248).

Once people are confused, they are more suggestible to beliefs that make sense. Confusion is caused either by creating doubts in people’s minds about their own inadequate beliefs (that is beliefs that appear to be based on illogical premises), or is a result of studying lengthy nonrational arguments (such as the upcoming Watchtower paragraphs) (Miller, 1986:248). The effectiveness of this technique, Erickson believed (1964 as cited in Miller, 1986:248), is that people have a need to understand the world in a way that makes sense.

Other ways of indirect suggestion can be achieved is by interspersing messages between messages (Miller, 1986:249). This is the technique that helps people accept a true statement mixed with a half-truth. Cults are very good at introducing half-truths in this way. The use of metaphors can produce indirect suggestions that will be more likely accepted than if they were said forthright.

The JW’s use these techniques with great efficiency. They aim to guide the potential convert through a series of logical statements and questions, mixed with interspersal messages, to eventually bring them to their own conclusion, which is the conclusion the JW’s were leading them to. The particular section of text quoted here has been designed not so much to present the Watchtower conclusions, but to get the reader to reach those conclusions themselves in agreement with the Watchtower logic. Comments in the brackets are mine. This text directly follows on from a discussion leading the person to conclude that eternal happiness is God’s desire for people.

“8 What the Bible says about the future of the earth and mankind might be summed up in one word—Paradise! {yes} Jesus Christ spoke of it when he told a dying man: “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) [Here there is a link between mankind’s future on earth with Paradise. This could create confusion in a Christian’s mind] The mention of Paradise no doubt brought to that man’s mind the happy state of our first parents, Adam and Eve. When God created them, they were perfect and lived in a gardenlike park that the Creator had designed and planted {yes}. It was fittingly called the garden of Eden, which name denotes pleasure {yes}. 9 How delightful that garden was! It was a real paradise {yes}. Among its beautiful trees were those bearing delicious fruit {yes}. As Adam and Eve explored their domain, drank from its sweet waters, and gathered fruit from its trees, they had no reason to be anxious or fearful {yes}. Even animals posed no threat, for God had placed the man and his wife in loving dominion over all of them {yes}. In addition, the first human pair had vibrant health {yes}. As long as they remained obedient to God, an eternal, happy future lay before them {yes}. They were given the satisfying work of caring for their wonderful Paradise home {yes}. Further, God gave Adam and Eve the mandate to “fill the earth and subdue it.” {yes} They and their offspring were to extend the borders of Paradise until our entire planet became a place of beauty and delight.—Genesis 1:28 {yes}. 10 When Jesus mentioned Paradise, however, he was not asking a dying man to think about the distant past {yes}. No, Jesus was speaking about the future! {yes} He knew that our entire earthly home would become a paradise [Notice the shift.]. God would thus fulfill his original purpose for mankind and our earth [Dispersal]. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Yes, Paradise will be restored! And what will it be like? Let God’s Word, the Holy Bible, answer.” (Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, 1995:8-9) “8. What does the Bible say about the future of mankind? 9. What was it like to live in the original Paradise? 10. When Jesus spoke of Paradise, what did he have in mind?” (Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, 1995:9)

Each paragraph is numbered and has questions that are asked after the person has read the paragraph. It is more than likely that the person will answer with the material she / he has just read. The reason for this is that their mind’s focus of attention is narrowed to the text being read and has not had a chance to think through a thoroughly formed response.

The use of metaphors in guiding the thoughts of members is common in Watchtower persuasion. One classic example of this is displayed through the Watchtower’s attempt to justify itself in the light of its doctrinal errors and prophetic failures. Observe how the metaphors of light and tacking are used in the following quotes to justify itself that it was not wrong but had not quite arrived at the ‘full’ truth: The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter When one ruling over mankind is righteous, . . . then it is as the light of morning, when the sun shines forth.”—2 Sam. 23:3, 4. THE light on the pathway of Jehovah’s servants from earliest times to the present has kept on increasing. This has been even more so since that notable year 1914 when, as developments here on earth showed, “the kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord [Jehovah] and of his Christ.” (Rev. 11:15) Light from God’s Word has flashed forth, like the sunshine on “a morning without clouds” to illuminate ever more clearly the pathway that Jehovah’s servants must tread.—2 Sam. 23:3, 4. 2 However, it may have seemed to some as though that path has not always gone straight forward. At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as “tacking.” By manoeuvring the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. And that goal in view for Jehovah’s servants is the “new heavens and a new earth” of God’s promise.—2 Pet. 3:13. (WT 1/12/1981:26)

As can be noticed, these pieces of writing are very persuasive utilising methods similar to those specified hypnotic techniques to increase the suggestibility of the person it is used on. The JW’s literature, Bible-studies and meetings are designed to have the person agree with Watchtower conclusions whether they want to or not. Their Bible-studies do not encourage people to reach their own conclusions regarding doctrine but rather they are gently coerced towards JW doctrine from cleverly prepared ‘Guided Tour of the Bible’ packages designed to bypass the person’s own critical evaluation. Techniques similar to those practiced in hypnosis are readily used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in an effort to convert the loyalties of the unsuspecting householder.

Conclusion

It has been demonstrated in this DSP, as well as in other publications, that the WT utilises a variety of powerful psychological and sociological techniques to maintain influence over its members, and to draw new members in. Whether it be through their publications or via their specially trained members unsuspecting people will mostly respond positively to the mind control tactics that are used, and themselves will become perpetrators and train others to do likewise. The Organisation is easy to become involved with, costly to remain in and devastating to leave.

The purpose of this DSP has not been to judge the WT ethically but to expose the reader to the methods and intensity to which its methods are applied to influence recruits and members of the WT. Society, churches and family all use varying degrees of influence to, rightly or wrongly, guide people’s behaviour. Psychologist Philip Zimbardo wrote: “Cult methods of recruiting, indoctrinating and influencing their members are not exotic forms of mind control, but only more intensely applied mundane tactics of social influence practiced daily by all compliance professionals and societal agents of influence” (1997:1). The ethical questions that inevitably arise have to do with the extent to which people’s free will and critical thinking have been suppressed or bypassed by the manipulative techniques (ibid).

A natural issue that this essay prompts is how does one evangelise effectively to the JW? Evangelism is not easy. As a close friend of mine warned me “JW’s are hard nuts to crack!”. Cult experts, pastors, Christian apologists and ex-members all suggest different techniques for evangelising the JW. The general rule of thumb is that the longer the people are associated with the WT the harder it is to be converted, or to leave. The message is prevention rather than cure. But nevertheless long-term members do leave and one never knows whether they are speaking to a member who is secretly having their doubts. If members do decide to confide their doubts to a Christian they will need plenty of emotional support and confidentiality .

When confronted with Witness doctrine most Christians immediately enter into complicated theological arguments with them. This is commonly ineffective for conversion. There are three reasons for this. Firstly, the JW’s have had extensive training in rhetoric and know their arguments, counter-arguments and evasive techniques thoroughly. Secondly, the Christians are often unprepared, either lacking firm knowledge of Christian doctrine, of JW doctrine and arguments, or apologetic counter-arguments. Thirdly, even if they win the argument, the JW is still not likely to change his mind. They may have won the battle but lost the war. Some authors, such as David Reed (1996), suggest that the best method for evangelising Jehovah’s Witnesses is by showing them contradictions throughout their literature. This can be time-consuming tracking down the resources. This method is most effective with new JW’s. Randall Watters (n.d.[d]) suggests that an effective approach for evangelism is by initiating ‘chance’ conversations with the JW’s about mind control techniques used by other cults, such as the Moonies or Mormons, and letting the JW see for himself/herself the similar cultic traits that the WT possesses . With whatever strategy one may use it is particularly important to pray for the JW. The Spirit is the One who ultimately converts. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts people’s hearts, enlightens people’s minds and influences people’s circumstances. Unfortunately, many JW’s will never come to Christ. However, unless Christians attempt to reach out to Jehovah’s Witnesses, many more will perish.

Bibliography

Books

1. Bowman, R.M. Jehovah’s Witnesses (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995)
2. Brown, J.A.C. Techniques of Persuasion: From Propaganda to Brainwashing (Middlesex, UK: Penguin Books, 1963)
3. Dean, T. Propaganda. In New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Edited by David J. Atkinson & David H. Field. (Leicester: IVP, 1995). Ps. 965-966
4. Festinger, L. A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (London: Tavistock Publications, 1957)
5. Francis, R. The Psychology of the Jehovah’s Witnesses: Reflections of Thirty-Five Years. Edited by T. Scharrer, 1997. (Worthwhile, KENTUCKY: Love Agape Ministries Press, 1985)
6. Gleitman, H. Basic Psychology (Norton, 1983) cited in http://student.uq.edu.au/~py101663/general/cogdiss.htm [Online, accessed 24 May 1997]
7. Hassan, S., Combatting Cult Mind Control (Rochester, VT: Park Street Press, 1988, 1990)
8. Jeeves, M.A. Brainwashing. In New Dictionary of Christian Ethics and Pastoral Theology. Edited by David J. Atkinson & David H. Field. (Leicester: IVP, 1995) p. 200-201
9. Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc, 1995)
10. Lifton, R.J. Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (New York and London, 1961)
11. Martin, W. The Kingdom of the Cults (Minneapolis, MIN: Bethany House Publishers, 1985)
12. Myers, D.G. Exploring Psychology Third Edition (New York, NY: Worth Publishers, 1996)
13. Reed, D.A. (Ed.) Index of Watchtower Errors 1879-1989 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995)
14. Reed, D.A. Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses: Subject by Subject (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1996)
15. Reed, D.A. How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watchtower (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1989) 16. Reed, D.A. Jehovah’s Witnesses: Answered Verse by Verse (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1986)
17. Revelation: Its Grand Climax at Hand! (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. International Bible Students Association, 1988)
18. Robertson, I. Sociology (New York, NY: Worth Publishers, 1987)
19. Stevens, S. The Watchtower: Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses (Sunnybank Hills, QLD: Jubilee Publishers, 1996)
20. The New World (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc, 1942) cited in Sherrill, D. Quick Quotes from the Watchtower http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/quotes.htm [Online, accessed 10 June 1997]
21. Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc, 1971)
22. Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc, 1995)
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Periodical, articles etc.

24. Awake (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 22 November, 1993)
25. Baron, C.H. Blood, Sin, and Death: Jehovah’s Witnesses and the American Patients’ Rights Movement (Presented at the Colloquium “Sang et Droit.” at the University of Paris X (Nanterre); 24 June, 1993) reproduced in ‘Watchtower Falsifies Blood Death Numbers’. Watchtower Falsifies Blood Death Numbers. Available WWW: http://www.ultranet.com/%7Ecomments/blood/index.html [Online, accessed 9 August, 1997]
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29. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 January, 1942)
30. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 December, 1951) cited in Martin, W. The Kingdom of the Cults (Minneapolis, MIN: Bethany House Publishers, 1985) p. 31-32
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36. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 June, 1957)
37. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 October, 1958)
38. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 June, 1960)
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51. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 August, 1981)
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55. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 December, 1981)
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58. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 May, 1984) cited in Reed, D.A. (Ed.) Index of Watchtower Errors 1879-1989 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995) p. 58
59. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 June, 1985)
60. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 November, 1987) cited in Watters, R. [d] ‘Mind Control or Brainwashing? Understanding Mind Control Among Jehovah’s Witnesses’. Watchtower World. Available WWW: http://www.freeminds.org/psych/mindcont.htm [Online, accessed 23 May 1997] {A reprint of the May/June 1989 Bethel Ministries Newsletter.}
61. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 March, 1986)
62. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 March, 1991)
63. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 February, 1992)
64. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 November, 1992)
65. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 April, 1993)
66. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 May, 1993)
67. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 October, 1993)
68. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 February, 1994)
69. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 March, 1994)
70. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 July, 1994)
71. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 January, 1995)
72. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 February, 1995)
73. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 January, 1995)
74. Zimbardo, P. What messages are behind today’s cults? (APA Monitor, May 1997 28, 5) p: 1-3
75. Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., July, 1882) cited in Reed, D.A. (Ed.) Index of Watchtower Errors 1879-1989 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995) p. 123
76. Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1 February, 1899) cited in Reed, D.A. (Ed.) Index of Watchtower Errors 1879-1989 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995) p. 123
77. Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence [WT] (Brooklyn, NY: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 15 July, 1906) cited in Reed, D.A. (Ed.) Index of Watchtower Errors 1879-1989 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995) p. 77

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78. Boyden, J. ‘The Watchtower Indoctrination Process A Psychological and Sociological Examination (or How and Why Someone Becomes a Jehovah’s Witness)’. Watchtower World. Available WWW: http://www.freeminds.org/psych/howbecom.htm [Online, accessed 23 May 1997] {A reprint of the Jul/Aug. 1987 Bethel Ministries Newsletter.}
79. ‘Brainwashing, Thought Control and the Cults’. Cult Awareness & Information Centre - Australia. Available WWW: http://student.uq.edu.au/~py101663/general/brainwash.htm. [Online. Accessed 24 May 1997]
80. Branch Procedures. The Watchtower Observer. Available WWW: http//www.geocities.com/heartland/2919/branch.zip [Online, accessed 31 May 1997]
81. Burrows, J.R. [d] ‘Are the JW’s brainwashed? If so, how?’ WatchTower Observer. Available WWW: http://home.sol.no/jansh/wteng/jwfaq5.htm. [Online, accessed 24 May 1997]
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Appendix 1 Dissonance and prophetic failure.

The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses remain loyal to their Organisation even though time and again history has proved their prophecies undeniably false, has baffled many an outsider. Studying similar millenarian groups, Leon Festinger attempted to answer the question of why people remain loyal to their religious group’s and beliefs even when they experience massive cognitive dissonance due to prophetic failure. He notes that people with firm convictions are extremely difficult to convert: “Show him facts of figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.” (Festinger, Riecken and Schachter, When Prophecies Fail, 1956 quoted by Watters, n.d. [a]) People often go to extreme measures to protect their beliefs. There have often been large sacrifices (ie financial commitment, time commitment, philosophical commitment etc.) that have reinforced the validity of the people’s beliefs; thus to abandon the beliefs would cause further cognitive dissonance between the people’s past beliefs and their present scepticism (Gleitman, 1983 quoted in Cognitive Dissonance, n.d.). The people become trapped with a life and mind-set shaped around their ‘unshakeable’ beliefs and contradictory evidence. Festinger notes that to reduce dissonance the members do two things: [1] they turn to each other for support, [2] they increase proselytising (by converting others to their beliefs they add consonance) (Festinger, 1957:200, 247). Prophetic groups often do not deny the prophetic mistake but rationalise or reinterpret it (ibid). Festinger’s reasons help explain why the vast majority of Witnesses remained loyal to the WT even though their predicted 1975 date for Armageddon failed to eventuate (Bowman, 1995:12). 1997 Nathan Beel
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Summary of Study

Introduction

Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform

Milieu Control

Mystical Manipulation

Loading the Language

Doctrine over Person

The Sacred Science

The Cult of Confession

The Demand for Purity

The Dispensing of Existence

Hassan’s Criteria for Mind Control

Behaviour Control

Information Control

Thought Control

Emotional Control

Conclusion

Propaganda

The Use of Stereotypes

The Substitution of Names

Selection and Card-Stacking

Deception and Lying

Repetition

Glittering Generalities and Name-Calling

Pinpointing the Enemy

The Appeal to Authority and Testimonial

Transfer

Plain Folks

Bandwagon

Cognitive Dissonance

Dissonance and Behaviour.

Dissonance and Groups

Hypnotism

Expectation

Pacing and Leading

Common ground maintained.

The Positive Transference

Indirect Suggestion

The ‘Yes Set’ Technique, the confusion technique, and the use of Interspersal

Conclusion

Bibliography

Books

Periodical, articles etc.

Internet Articles

Appendix 1

Dissonance and prophetic failure.

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