How cults elicit unquestioning obedience

by Mickey mouse 8 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Mickey mouse

  I was just looking through some old threads and thought this is worth revisiting for newbies, especially after recently reading Seductive Poison by Deborah Layton (a Jonestown survivor). I'm not suggesting that Brooklyn are about to crack open the koolaid but it makes for sobering reading. This is from the December 15th 2007 WT (the comments in red are mine):

  15 What else can we learn from Israel’s Exodus from Egypt? That we must obey Jehovah (read faithful and discreet slave) no matter what he asks us to do. The Israelites were obedient in carrying out the detailed preparations for the Passover. They obediently stayed indoors during the night of Nisan 14. When they finally left Egypt, they had to go “in battle formation.” (Exodus 13:18) Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through “the faithful and discreet slave”! (Matthew 24:45) We have to listen very carefully to God’s word behind us, saying: “‘This is the way. Walk in it, you people,’ in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21) As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions. Our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.
  
  16 Remember, too, that Jehovah diverted the Israelites into a position where they appeared to be trapped between the mountains on the one side and the Red Sea on the other. (training JWs to ignore apparent danger to their person). It just did not seem to be the right move. But Jehovah had everything in hand, and all worked out to his praise and to the salvation of his people. Today, we may not clearly see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah’s guidance through his faithful channel of communication (disengage brain!). At times, our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand. From our limited perspective, we may not be able to see the whole picture. Still, Jehovah is capable of maneuvering matters at the right moment, just as he did back there for the sons of Israel.—Proverbs 3:5.
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  bluecanary

  Reading stuff like this is scary. What "detailed instructions" might they give the R&F?
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  WTWizard

  What details might they give to the witlesses? Short of death instructions, they might make them go out continuously in field circus, no excuses unless a boasting session pre-empts (and there is no excuse to miss a boasting session or not be fully attentive at one), from 5:30 in the morning until 1:30 the next morning. Children are required to be out as soon as they can walk (and to be carried out until then), and school and work are both banned. All money goes to the Worldwide Plunge-the-World-Into-The-Second-Dark-Ages and Pedophile Defense Fund.

  At least the Kool-Aid with real cyanide does the job quicker.
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  leavingwt

  I was really helped to see the light when I admitted to myself that JWs (myself included, at the time) were BLIND followers. The quote above proves it, "no matter what he asks us to do". Jehovah never asked me to do anything. Some strangers anonymously writing magazines and an elders book had been asking me to do things.

  This scared me BAD, and it helped me to give myself permission to explore my doubts.
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  White Dove

  They do it the same way an abusive husband or wife keeps control of their mate. "You can't live without me. No one else loves you like I do. No one else will want you. WHERE ELSE WILL YOU GO?"
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  cameo-d

  Blue Canary: "What "detailed instructions" might they give the R&F?"

  Here is a story illustration. Stay tuned. There's lots more to come.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/social/entertainment/178888/1/Armageddon-The-Aftermath-Chronicles-1
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  BorgHater

  White Dove - that is a fantasic analogy, i'll have to remember that one
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  Mary

  Here's another excellent quote from Seductive Poison that I think hits home with all of us:

  "When our own thoughts are forbidden, when our questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts and friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused.
  
  When our heart aches knowing we have made friendships and secret attachments that will be forbidden if we leave, we are in danger.
  
  When we consider staying in the group because we cannot bear the loss, disappointment,and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we have come to love. WE ARE IN A CULT!"
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  BabaYaga

  "When our own thoughts are forbidden, when our questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts and friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused.
  
  When our heart aches knowing we have made friendships and secret attachments that will be forbidden if we leave, we are in danger.
  
  When we consider staying in the group because we cannot bear the loss, disappointment,and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we have come to love. WE ARE IN A CULT!"

  Wow... great quote, Mary. Thank you.