Hi and welcome to this forum greendawn,
In reply to your question, I like to also point out that there is a social aspect to when people first meet up with Jehovah witnesses. The first calling at the door by those well-dressed and groomed individuals
is the start of the introduction of this organization. This leaves an impression with the person that these are nice and honest people. So a book study starts with an interested one and so does the selling of the WTS. The JW that started the book study has been well trained and versed on how to sell to the newly interested one that the Jehovah's witnesses are god’s one and only true religion on earth they typically use bad world events which are troublesome and not good. Then they say this was all foretold and prophesied in the Bible and we can prove it, blab blah blah. Then the person thinks no really I didn’t know that, I'm very impressed, I think these people have got something here. So the invitation to go to a talk that following Sunday morning is introduced and the person attends it. And wouldn't you know it the person gets introduced to other JW's with greetings and smiles which again leaves the impression that these people are really nice and friendly. For the person who just witnessed his or her first contact with the Jehovah's Witnesses all seems good.
Then over time if the person stays with the organization he or she too goes through the mental manipulation in that everything that is said and written by the WTS. is the honest and the undeniable truth of all that is happening on the earth today and yesterday. So therefore they demand all followers or slaves as are called to kneel and succumb to their power with unquestionable devotion.
It is common knowledge that where there is power and control and maybe even money that men will strive toward that attainable goal for the betterment of themselves. If for example you were to do a background study on the people that started this religion like C. T. Russell and big judge Rutherford. You would clearly see that these men were great power seekers to the extreme. But they obtained that power from false pretences and conjecture.
The king keeps control of his slaves and the power that he has obtained, by the virtue of information given.
Unfortunately many of the stated doctrines and ideas were devised primarily and structured on increasing the circulation of the magazines and whatever else they were selling and yes they did have profits in mind.
Now in the kingdom halls there is a state of fear that is established between the elders, ministerial servants and congregation overseers, the eyes are upon you so to speak at all times to make sure everyone falls in line, all in the disguise that this is God's will and purpose which it is obviously not.
Unfortunately the reason why it takes so many Jehovah's Witnesses so long to wake up and realize that this is not God's organization and that they have perjured the truth is because the Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to question, analyze or debate any policies or instructions from headquarters. There is a mental mindset that when you walk into the Kingdom hall doors you leave any self observational thinking at the door or at least it's very frowned on. Remember too that at the book studies and watchtower studies the questions on the material is given by them they tell you what to think and how to think about their written material. This in essence is mind manipulation and control its not too hard to understand that.
So it kind of seems that the WTS. really started a psychosis of fear to the public by using world events and the imminent Armageddon in a venture to power themselves and power they certainly did receive. Having said that I can honestly say that I've gained some things from the organization perhaps some communication skills and some knowledge of other religions to my benefit and I did meet some very good people there, but I’m glad I’m out and probably will never return.
I guess I rambled long enough now so I'll let someone else have a chance.
All the best .....
