Thanks for all the great responses ! So many I'll respond to page 1 first .
DGP- Thanks. Yes suggestions are turned into commands and rank and file witnesses are expected to follow them. It is total mind control.
OTWO- Good point. Yes others in the congregation, elders or pioneers may influence publishers to feel guilty about their dress and grooming and of course they will be coerced to fall in line.
OUTLAW- The WT society doesn't mention Jesus - because THEY feel THEY are Jesus ! LOL!
LOVELYLIL- Yep. Jesus is small potatoes to the witnesses.
CANTLEAVE- I agree with you it is frightening how much control the leaders of the WT society and the GB has over the witnesses . I think the control is increasing. Being a witness means adopting a herd or gang mentality. And it involves allowing oneself to be controlled, manipulated, and herded by the WT society. And yes, I agree- if the witnesses were asked to jump off of a cliff for the WT society - I think many would. It is immoral how much control the WT society has.
HAPPY GUY- Of course, yes, it's not new. I agree. However as with many mind control cults when they feel they are losing members as the JW's are- most cults become MORE controlling and take assertive measures to stop people from leaving. We are seeing that now in the JW cult . More stringent views on associations and guilt and fear constantly used in their WT articles to manipulate members.
SIRNOSE 586- Exactly. The WT society IS getting desperate to control, control, control even more ! So I hope they tighten the screws even more. It might motivate even more JW's to exit to freedom !
IN BETWEEN- I too get goose bumps reading controlling info like this because I fear the overly zealous witnesses will try controlling those witnesses sitting on the fence and prevent them from using their authentic minds. I hope some get the courage to leave.
THE ALMIGHTY HOMER- It is definitely an " obey us or else " type article. The WT society has too much to lose to NOT print articles like this. They'll do anything to control their members. And I mean anything.
AUSSIE OZ- I do hope your teenagers get out of the cult in time. And answering your question - No - the public Watchtower placed with the public door to door does NOT have the study articles that only witnesses study. THAT is what's scary.
NUGGET- Good points you make. The real difference between the WT society and loving parents is this : Parents love their children , the WT society DOES NOT love the rank and file Jehovah's Witness. They don't love them , they control them for their own purposes which involve - power, control, and money. THAT is the reason they keep printing these articles for witnesses.
DOZY- Thanks for writing that in the first person. It REALLY emphasizes the EXTENT of the control by the WT society. It was really creepy reading your post. Just as creepy as what Charles Manson, David Koresh, or Jim Jones would write in my opinion.
YESIDID- Yes, the control is flabbergasting.
LEPERMESSIAH- I agree with you that the WT society puts itself in the place of Jesus and yes, they are power mongers - precisely.
CHALAM- Yeah , I just thought that " apostatitis " off the top of my head ! LOL! Didn't even realize I was coining a word ! LOL!
SNOWBIRD- It is total mind control which I agree with you is masked as " we care about your spirituality ". I feel ya sis.
WT WIZARD- I'm glad you use your own mind bro. Don't let the GB dictate anything to you.
LONG HAIR GAL- I hear you. I think the WT society wants to keep not only single women, but ALL members in poverty and needy from a material way. Easier to control that way. I'm glad you kept your independence AND your distance from the elders. That was smart on your part. I'm glad you've moved on from the cult.
FINALLY FREE- I can only say- some of us like myself were privileged to be $hit on for 44 years by the cult. So FF - I had to clean more $hit off of me than you did my friend. I'm still spraying deodorizer on myself to get rid of the stench ! LOL! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
