ESSENTIAL READING - Steven Hassan "Combating Cult Mind Control"

by jwfacts 34 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Finally-Free

  As usual, Eduardo is the lone voice of reason on this thread.

  As usual, you didn't carefully read all the posts. Or don't you consider factual statements "reasonable"? W
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  peacefulpete

  The greatest value of the books and similar work done by the ICSA (formerly the AFF) is the review of techniques and methods of control. Everyone is aware that not all groups that utilize these techniques does so to the same degree or with the same motivation. However a person who is made alert to the techniques is much more sensitive to their use and able to protect themselves from even seemingly harmless controlling groups.
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  DannyHaszard

  http://www.ex-premie.org/pages/cultchecklst.htm...
  

  Cult checklist
  Does the group:
  
  (a) engage in deceptive recruitment practices? (recruiters typically disguise the true nature and aims of the group when seeking converts)
  
  (b) tend to target vulnerable individuals.
  
  (c) offer unconditional affirmation and support initially, but soon make its continuance contingent on obedience?
  
  (d) have a closed social system that makes a special effort to isolate acolytes from family, friends, etc.?
  
  (e) use constant bombardment with pro-group and pro-leader messages and exclusion of other messages?
  
  (f) have a rigid, authoritarian hierarchy?
  
  (g) have a leader and ruling clique that are perceived to possess infallible insight, supernatural powers, etc.? Do they claim to have been chosen by some higher authority to rule, and thus to be excused from the normal social restrictions on one's behavior?
  
  (h) have an eclectic, often muddled and internally contradictory, set of teachings - usually a magic-laden philosophy that claims to have infallible answers to those "big ticket" questions of existence?
  
  (i) have a strict behavior code that governs all aspects of how one should think, feel, and act? Are there strong penalties for deviation?
  
  (j) instill fear of outsiders (the "bunker mentality")? Does the group try to convince members they are powerless to act without the group's support and that the world "out there" is uncaring and hostile?
  
  (k) engage in major forms of exploitation (e.g., financial, occupational, or sexual - of self, spouse, or children)?
  
  (l) demand immoral, unethical, or illegal activity on the part of its members?
• 

  jwfacts

  Of course every organisation is different, and there are extremes far worse than the WTS. Jehovahs Witnesses are not an extreme cult, not a suicide cult, but any religion that teaches only they have TRUTH, only they will be SAVED and to SHUN former members (including family) is by definition a cult.
  The book needs to be read to determine what the similarites are with a cult, not looking to see if there are a couple of differences.
• 

  Check_Your_Premises

  not a suicide cult

  Well I don't know if I agree with you entirely there. The purpose of human sacrifice is that it is the ultimate expression of faith in a life beyond this one. I think that is the psychology and appeal to human sacrifice of all forms throughout all history.

  The simple fact is that the scriptural basis for refusal of blood in life threatening situations is extremely weak when subjected to any analysis beyond superficial.

  So what then makes this such a strong appeal, if the intellectual basis for it is so weak. I would submit that the appeal then is the same as for all human sacrifice, and therefore the jw are in fact a suicide cult.

  They just don't do it all flashy like Jonestown.

  CYP