Do the Witnesses "manipulate" recruits? (page 2)

Amazing

Hi RF:

People who join the dubs join under "intellectual conviction". Do you agree with this view or not??"

Intellectual conviction is the hook, the mantra by which a new recruit believes that they have made an open and thorough examination, and armed with 'knowledge' make a personal choice.

To some degree, they do. Yet, the whole JW system is set-up to be one-sided, accompanied with both subtle and open peer pressure. They use love bombing(constant approval, attention, and freindship) of recruits, making them feel a part of the team.

Genuine, critical, open intellectual discussion and examination is not permitted. If a Bible Study turns up with ex-JW literature, or literature of non-JW critiques, or makes arguments about the JW history, and asks to look at older literature, the Elders will be asked to get involved, and they will make every attempt to move the Study back into an exclusive review of current JW literature ... if this fails, a non-baptized recruit can be shunned as an apostate. I personally know of cases like this.

Justin

The method of indoctrination is the key. A JW study consists of answering the questions at the bottom of the page by finding the answers in the text. Usually specific words in the text match the words in the question, and the "answers" are highlighted with a marker and repeated verbatim. The student is giving the WT's answers to the WT's questions. They may begin their study by giving their own opinions, but then they get "rewarded" by giving the correct answers. This very method is continued as they attend meetings and prepare for those meetings. It takes longer to pull off than an emotional conversion, but once they're hooked, they are thoroughly indoctrinated.

It's like an old horse-and-buggy method compared to more sophisticated techniques, but it works.

refiners fire

Genuine, critical, open intellectual discussion and examination is not permitted.

Completely agreed.
And Justin, well said!!
Of course, I was never myself "recruited" into the Witnesses. Being virtually born into it.
I am curious to know what kinds of manipulation people think were inflicted upon them while joining as adults.
The Witnesses dont rely on the popular method of generating emotion within people they are studying with. The Mormons do, they seek to make you teary eyed at any opportunity. Other groups play "good cop/ Bad cop" games with recruits.
Others sing happy songs, then have teary testimonies followed by soulfull confession sessions and group hugs.
All blattant emotional manipulation technoques.

Bona Dea

Genuine, critical, open intellectual discussion and examination is not permitted. If a Bible Study turns up with ex-JW literature, or literature of non-JW critiques, or makes arguments about the JW history, and asks to look at older literature, the Elders will be asked to get involved, and they will make every attempt to move the Study back into an exclusive review of current JW literature ...

I never had this problem during our bible studys. However, I never printed out x or non jw material but rather rattled off things I had read (such as the pyramid thing, the miracle wheat, numerous predictions) and they never backed down. These things were, of course, explained by the "new light" and "imperfect men" speeches (and in reality, ANYTHING can be explained away by using those two explanations). I think that is what drew me in; is the fact that they "seemed" to have an explanation for everything.

But I do agree with the comments...they do slowly and subtly draw you in. You don't even really realize it is happening until it has already happened.

I can remember reading an article that they had brought to me about saying "bless you" and "good luck". I had never thought of things the way the articles had presented them. Over a period of time, I began to feel guilty when I said these things...like I might actually be offending God or something. Eventually, I made a conscious effort to quit saying them altogether.

I also had a picture of Christ nailed to the cross (an antique) hanging on my wall. Even after we had covered the whole cross/stake thing...and I had became convinced through our thorough research of scripture (of course, with the aide of their bible based publications ), that Jesus had indeed died on a stake and not a cross...the picture remained on my wall. One day while studying, a subtle comment was dropped. The conversation went something like...

jw's: "if I have some candles with snowmen and snowflakes on them, decorating my home in the winter...granted it doesn't really mean I believe in celebrating Christmas...BUT what would someone else think if they came into my home and saw them?"

Their eyes then moved to my picture on the wall. I laughed and said,

me: "Well I suppose I should take that down. I'm just so attached to it. I never really thought about it that way..."

Then some little remark was made like..."we're not telling you what to do...just something to think about." Then the seed was planted. The picture, of course, came down. I mean, if I was really a good christian I definitely wouldn't want to stumble someone by keeping this picture on my wall...

While I don't believe they force anything on anyone, I think it would be naive to say that they aren't "at the very least" manipulative.

just my 2 cents

...edited because I'm a doofus

Undecided

Hi Refiners Fire,

I agree somewhat, but the results are the same as any cult, mind control and seperation from all others, if not physically, mentally at all times. If it was really the TRUTH then it would be beneficial but since it is based on lies and causes many problems with families I have grown to dislike the borg. It seems no one has the answers to bring peace to mankind that is workable, so I just live in my little world and try to enjoy my little slice of life the best I can. I appreciate what the ones did that created my ability to enjoy life as well as I do and I fell bad for those who don't have this opportunity but I'm too old to start a crusade to change the world, even if I knew how.

Ken P.

plmkrzy

This is funny.
I never really saw them as a "control group" per sa' Andthen about three years ago one of my kids told me he wanted to have a bible study of his own. I said fine. So I arranged for him to have his own study. I was pretty surpprised to say the least! Especially since he was approaching the teen years.

I dropped him off and picked him up after. Then the following week the same. This time after his study was over the brother who was studying with him came outside to talk to me.

I asked him how it was going and he was very negitive towards me. I didn't personally know him prior to this, he was transfered from another congergation and was a pioneer.
One of those that get recruited or farmed out to other congs. that are marked as "spirtually weak"

Anyway in his opinion my son was not interested in learning the "Truth" and if he was to continue with his bible studies in a progressive way then he sugested he learn more about the value of doing things in an orderly way rather then what ever grabs him at the moment.
Meaning I needed to teach him more about being constructive. Right!
He expressed to me an opinion that he felt I was pressuring him to have a bible study rather then believe that it was his idea.

I was pretty offended by his remarks and near-sighted-ness. I didn't say anything other then I was a bit surprised by his coments.

After we left I asked my son what he thought of his bible studies so far.
He said they were alright but not realy what he was expecting.
He said he thought they were going to study about the bible but every time he wanted to ask a question about something he was told his questions were not being asked at the proper time and in order for him to understand whats in the bible they must do things in an orderly fassion.

Before he would be prepared to go on to other things they must start first with the first assignment. That being the "Knowledge book"

All studies begin with the Knowledge book and once that is completed then they can go on to the next step.

He looked pretty depressed about it and said "Mom i don't know if I can make it through this first step"

He didn't realy want to go back for another study and I wasn't about to make him so I just canceled it. Said maybe someother time.
I couldn't get over the fact that he wasn't able to have his questions addressed. So rediculis! and this from a "Spirtually Strong" member? What an idiot.

I pictured in my mind Jesus saying to a bunch of kids running up to him asking questions and Jesus saying to them "Now isn't the time to be asking questions" You must wait and read this first.

I don't remember it being like that when i was a kid at all. Things have realy changed a lot over the years.

http://ourworld.cs.com/pwmkwzy/home.html

refiners fire

well there ya go Bona dea.You taught me something.
Okay, you were manipulated. However subtly, you were maneuvered.
Lol

every time he wanted to ask a question about something he was told his questions were not being asked at the proper time and in order for him to understand whats in the bible they must do things in an orderly fashion

One wonders, when IS the 'proper time'?
Does the 'proper time' ever arrive??

Bona Dea

Gee, RF....thanks for the kind "welcome to our forum".

I'm sorry...are you a psychologist? I didn't realize that I was dealing with a gen-U-ine "expert" here. So, you have diagnosed me as having been "manuevered"??? This is YOUR expert opinion???? Wow, I feel so much better now. Now, I KNOW for sure that I was manipulated...because YOU said so![8>]

I'm glad that I could actually teach you something and you got a good laugh from my experience.

refiners fire

!!!!!!!
???????

SHEESH

moman

The Borg is subtle in their brain-washing sessions & this serves to disarm the newbee, but the end result is a life of servitude

Do the Witnesses "manipulate" recruits?

Share this