grab yourself a coffee and sit down for 30 minutes of high quality research material covering all the bases
you may even want to respond to JW apologist 'Martin' who has left a comment on there......
One definitive article covering Lifton, Hassan, propaganda and cognitive dissonance
by besty 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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leavingwt
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.
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besty
wondered if you would show up :-))
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leavingwt
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.
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leavingwt
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. 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. 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).
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sd-7
This reminds me of my family intervention. When I mention Lifton's study of thought reform, I was asked by my brother, "Are you a Communist?" Apparently his government clearance doesn't permit him to be associated with Communists. But wait--I was talking about a doctor's evaluation of a thought reform program USED by Communists.
The apologist there, Martin--wow. He makes some valid points, but his mention of the "President" of the Society is a total dodging of the issues. The Governing Body is where the real power lies, not in the President of the Society. And surely he and all JWs have to face it: if the Governing Body teaches something, they have to believe it. Their alternatives are to (1) leave, "Where will you go?" (2) "wait on Jehovah" to fix the error (ie. wait for the GB to fix the error). The only possibility presented to them is that they're just not smart enough to understand it and they just need to go out in FS more and not worry about it. Click Start menu on Brain, then click Shut Down.
I also can't help asking, why would a JW in good standing who believes in the doctrine be visiting FreeMinds.org? He's got some explaining to do for that alone.
I find it hard to imagine, after considering how thought reform and propaganda works, that you could still somehow be unable to recognize it when you see it in the Watchtower. Who could deny it? Well, I guess we know who, those who simply choose to believe what the Society tells 'em. It's not a matter of stupidity, though--it is a matter of ignorance, be it willful or accidental. It happened to all of us.
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leavingwt
you may even want to respond to JW apologist 'Martin' who has left a comment on there......
'Martin' lost me at "JWs are not a cult". If he ever attempts to leave, he'll discover how wrong he is.
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dgp
Marked for later.
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thetrueone
JWS do have in place a cult structure, perhaps not necessary the strongest idealistically
but there are certain characteristics within the organization that one could compare and evaluate.
Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups - Revised
Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.
? The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
? Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
? Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
? The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
? The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
? The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
? The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
? The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
? The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
? Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
? The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
? The group is preoccupied with making money.
? Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
? Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
? The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
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leavingwt
bttt