a) Secret knowledge of am impending disaster - This doesn't fit the JW's. They have been printing loads of literature about this and the Armaggedon has been part of the teaching of the JW's since very early. It's not a "secret knowledge".
I would call it "special Knowledge", not secret for the JWs. They have their own event timeline from the destruction of false religion, to the Great Trib, to Armageddon. And only they know how to interpret Revelation, Ezekiel, Daniel...etc
b) Their survival if they follow the messages from a higher source that their leader receives - The first part is true. Salvation depends from following instructions from a higher source. However these aren't conveyed in secrecy to the "leader" (the GB) because they find base their doctrine in the Bible, a very public book.
Fits JWs perfectly, only if you are in the org and "doing enough" according to the FDS will you survive.
c) Insulation from the outside world (either mentally and/or physically). Partially true (mentally), not true (phisically).
Very insulated, while the physically can be debated, they avoid friendships with worldlies and call them down all the time, so it does the job
d) A charismatic leader that appeals to the desires of the followers - Completely untrue with the JW's. Their leadership since Russell and Rutherford became much less leader-centered. Instead or appealing to the desires of the followers, the GB seems determined to supress the desires of the followers. Unless you may consider "living forever on a paradise on earth" one such desire. In that case, I would agree in principle. But I think the author didn't have that in mind.
The one leader is replaced by committee. While they have the personalities of a rock, they are still fawned over at DCs, treated like rock stars. I'm still amazed at some of the lines I saw after conventions to meet/take a picture with an old man.
e) Proclaiming the death of all or most outside of their group. True. Although it has been toned down recently, it is still the official doctrine.
Toned down? Example please.
f) A sense of tension due to the impending doom (that never seems to happen). The hype around 1914, 1925 and 1975 momentarily corresponds to this, but without a given date-target, the JW's are much more relaxed about "the end".
Another lie, relaxed about the "end"? Thats all they talk about! Though it is pretty stupid to have an end date of "soon"
g) Lack of a sense of history (this has happened before); Yes, and no. They constantly give past examples (the Deluge, the two destructions of Jerusalem) as examples of "end of systems of things". On the other hand, they claim thatArmageddom will be unlike any other event in past history.
JWs are idiots when it comes to history. I know because I was one. No clue as to how bad things have really been on this earth in times past. And when you think Cedar Point conventions are an important part of world history....well I rest my case...
h) Lack of critical thinking. hmmmm ... There IS critical thinking inside the JW's. But it is often supressed. Doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
That doesn't even make sense. Its like telling the ladies that there is a 12 inch penis supressed inside my body, but it still exists!
i) - Merging of pseudo science with religious dogma. True. I cringe when I read things like "TRUE science agrees with the Bible". Huh?
Ok, you got that one right.
