Cults - Steven Hassan's BITE model.

by ithinkisee 30 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Mad Sweeney
    Mad Sweeney

    To help beef up the Information Control section, off the top of my head, Information control includes shunning of "apostate" literature and any other possible mode of information from former JWs.

    Keep Yourself in God's Love, chapter 5, paragraph 9, page 54:

    "9 Can the spirit of the world take root in your mind and heart? Yes, but only if you let it do so by lowering your guard. (Proverbs 4:23) Its influence often begins subtly, perhaps by way of associates who may appear to be good people but, in fact, have no love for Jehovah. (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33) You can also absorb that evil spirit through objectionable literature, pornographic or apostate Internet sites, unwholesome entertainment, and highly competitive sports—really, through anyone or anything that conveys the thinking of Satan or his system."

    The Watchtower, Do Not Be Quickly Shaken From Your Reason, March 15, 1986, paragraph 7, 10, :

    7Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate teaching—subtle reasonings—claiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not the truth? For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: ‘It won’t affect me; I’m too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.’ In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt. (Compare James 1:5-8.) So remember the warning at 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.”

    Watchtower, May 1, 1984, Questions From Readers article: "Why do Jehovah's Witnesses decline to exchange their Bible study aids for the religious literature of people they meet?" (too much to quote...the entire article encourages avoidance of non-JW information...Information Control)

    10 When a fellow human tells us, ‘Do not read this’ or, ‘Do not listen to that,’ we may be tempted to ignore his advice. But remember, in this case Jehovah is the One who tells us in his Word what to do. And what does he say about apostates? “Avoid them” (Romans 16:17, 18); “quit mixing in company with” them (1 Corinthians 5:11); and “never receive [them] into your homes or say a greeting to [them]” (2 John 9, 10). These are emphatic words, clear directions. If, out of curiosity, we were to read the literature of a known apostate, would that not be the same as inviting this enemy of true worship right into our home to sit down with us and relate his apostate ideas?

    Watchtower, May 1, 1984, Questions From Readers article: "Why do Jehovah's Witnesses decline to exchange their Bible study aids for the religious literature of people they meet?" (too much to quote...the entire article encourages avoidance of non-JW information...Information Control)

    10 When a fellow human tells us, ‘Do not read this’ or, ‘Do not listen to that,’ we may be tempted to ignore his advice. But remember, in this case Jehovah is the One who tells us in his Word what to do. And what does he say about apostates? “Avoid them” (Romans 16:17, 18); “quit mixing in company with” them (1 Corinthians 5:11); and “never receive [them] into your homes or say a greeting to [them]” (2 John 9, 10). These are emphatic words, clear directions. If, out of curiosity, we were to read the literature of a known apostate, would that not be the same as inviting this enemy of true worship right into our home to sit down with us and relate his apostate ideas?

  • Mad Sweeney
    Mad Sweeney

    sorry about the wacky formatting...

  • skeeter1
    skeeter1

    Basic Bible-Based Cult Philosophy:

    1. (Convince the convert) The leadership speaks for God.

    2. (Command the convert) Sit down, shut up, or else (the leadership will destroy your life)

  • jay88
    jay88

    btt

  • 3Mozzies
    3Mozzies

    Excellent thread

    [Marking]

    3Mozzies

  • Aaron Eldridge
    Aaron Eldridge

    back to the top

  • cha ching
    cha ching

    This is worth absorbing and adding onto, thx!

  • Dismissing servant
    Dismissing servant

    Bumping...for "Bearded man"! This is excellent!

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    Thanks for the bump DS

  • konceptual99
    konceptual99

    Would it be possible for Simon to implement pinned threads? I've not seen this thread after >2 years on the board and it is one of the best threads I have read. It is not easy for everyone to read Steven Hassans' books so this focus on how the BITE model is implemented in the WTS is essential reading.

    BTTT every week I say!

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