This thread is for people that do not really understand the control mechanisms of the Watchtower Society (page 2)

talesin

I am liking this thread, and learning from y'all.

This is *the* issue, and we can't explore it enough. Good one, Cool.

tal

Edit: okay, I have a lot of Texan friends, so I've picked up the expressions ... yay, lurvs mah Texans!

snare&racket, good points. One of the things I would say to any loyal JWs is that it is imperative that any one who truly wants to know the truth about any matter must never be a dependant thinker. This also applies for those who wish to be truth seekers outside of the organization. Don't rely on one source or one community for your info. I sense that some people jump from the 'frying pan' into the 'fire' by simply exchanging one belief system for another (and this does not have to be what we might call religious) because it appears to have more believers, 'experts' etc. I take my hat off to all truly independent thinkers for having the courage to stand alone if needs be rather than take the easy option of joining some group with a ready-made solution to the questions of life and the universe.

JeffJ

"This is *the* issue, and we can't explore it enough."

I think that is key Tal. You can explain how JW's are wrong and you will get no where. Start explaining to someone how they are being controlled, especially with no scriptural backing, and they get angry. First at the one telling them that and eventually with the control itself.

Mad Sweeney

Brief explanation of FOG here: http://outofthefog.net/CommonNonBehaviors/FOG.html

I also like Steve Hassan's BITE formula for mind control. It's a modern take on Robert Lifton's work.
Behavior control

Information control

Thought control

Emotion control

Controllers harp on one or more of these to create cognitive dissonance in the victim, who then will change the other three (or two or whatever) so that all four are in harmony. Creating cognitive dissonance can also be used to break the control in much the same way.

flipper

IAMALLCOOL- Very great thread. Thanks for posting it. Sometimes I don't even think some ex-JW's understand about the workings of mind control or how they were manipulated by the WT Society when they still WERE JW's. Fear and guilt keep hanging on in some ex-JW's to the extent that some end up returning to the WT organization because they have NOT educated themselves of how they were controlled by the WT Society. So yes, it's a great discussion here. Perhaps some will reconsider and NOT try to get reinstated in the Witnesses when they see what a scam it all is

TotallyADD

You are right Mad Sweeney on emotional control. Like fipper said some keep hanging on in hopes the cult will change. While others out of a emotional need try to get reinstated so they feel good again even though they know it's all a scam. Both my wife and I have been out for over 2 years now and there are those times the emotional thinking tries to take over but after thinking it out I get over it. It shows how controling this cult is. Even though you know it's a cult and destorys everthing around it. The control it has had on our lifes still effects us to some degree. If it didn't we would not be talking about it. Totally ADD

through mandatory study questions makes you say it in your OWN words, then

makes you LISTEN as your best and only allowed friends REPEAT it ad nauseum.

then you will fight tooth and nail to defend that mindset and --THEM, FADS and all, because

deep down you do not want to admit that you have been conned.

Tater-T

The 3rd grad level readings of the WT plus the repetition of the questions .. is meant to put you in a trance.. in place if the chanting that other cults use

This thread is for people that do not really understand the control mechanisms of the Watchtower Society

talesin

JWB

JeffJ

Mad Sweeney

flipper

TotallyADD

GLTirebiter

flipper

prologos

Tater-T

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