Information on cults

by drwtsn32 2 Replies latest jw friends

  • drwtsn32
    drwtsn32

    I posted in another thread some info I found on a web site that discusses cults. There is so much good information on this site I thought I'd start a separate topic.

    Here is the web site:

    http://www.rickross.com

    On the page http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general431.html it discusses some of the "characteristics of thought reform" that cults use. I think the JW's are guilty of all of them! ("Thought reform" is simply a nice way to say "brainwashing"!)

    Thought some here would find it interesting.

  • onacruse
    onacruse

    Watson, thanks for that link...excellent info. The titles are not fully self-explanatory, but they give a good picture of the techniques:

    • Milieu Control
    • Mystical Manipulation
    • Demand for Purity
    • Cult of Confession
    • Sacred Science
    • Loaded Language
    • Doctrine over Person
    • Dispensing of Existence

    And you're right; every one of these is used by the WTS. I appreciate that the authors point out that very many other groups (even car salesmen who woulda thought?) use the same techniques.

    Craig

  • drwtsn32
    drwtsn32

    The "loaded language" one really stood out when I was looking through it. The JWs have their own vocabulary and yes, it does make them feel special.

    I don't remember if it was specifically mentioned on this site or not, but a lot of cults refer to their beliefs as "the truth." It's all part of the subtle mental conditioning.

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit