To that extent, then yes, JWs - along with most of the world's population - are brainwashed.
JWs are subject to the colloquial form of brainwashing rather than the original usage, but the comparison to advertising is misleading. I can’t be bothered elaborating as I have limited time so GPT will do…
Equating the undue influence Jehovah’s Witnesses experience with the effects of advertising oversimplifies the concept of “brainwashing” and fails to account for significant differences in scale, intent, and impact. While both involve efforts to shape beliefs or behaviours, they operate in fundamentally different ways and have distinct implications.
Key Differences:
1. Intensity and Control:
Jehovah’s Witnesses are subject to a highly structured system that governs their thoughts, behaviors, and social interactions. This includes strict doctrines, regular meetings, and social consequences for noncompliance, such as shunning. These methods can create significant psychological dependency and emotional control.
Advertising, while pervasive, generally operates as a more diffuse and impersonal influence, aiming to shape consumer preferences rather than enforce total allegiance or comprehensive lifestyle changes.
2. Scope of Influence:
The influence within Jehovah’s Witnesses extends beyond consumer choices to dictate moral, social, and spiritual aspects of life. Members are expected to conform to specific beliefs, avoid external influences, and adhere to strict rules.
Advertising is typically limited to influencing purchasing decisions or brand loyalty. While it can affect broader societal norms, it does not exert the same level of control over an individual’s identity or social relationships.
3. Voluntary Participation vs. Dependency:
Jehovah’s Witnesses often face strong social or familial pressures to remain within the group, making it difficult to leave without significant personal loss. This creates a system of dependency that goes beyond mere persuasion.
Advertising, while pervasive, does not create the same level of dependency. Individuals can generally resist or ignore ads without suffering severe personal or social consequences.
4. Consequences of Influence:
The undue influence on Jehovah’s Witnesses can result in lasting psychological harm, estrangement from non-conforming family members, and significant restrictions on personal freedom.
The consequences of advertising are generally less severe, though it can contribute to consumerism and societal pressures related to materialism or body image.
Conclusion: While both Jehovah’s Witnesses and advertising may involve forms of influence, they operate on different levels and with different goals. The structured, comprehensive control Jehovah’s Witnesses experience cannot be equated to the diffuse and commercially driven influence of advertising. Labeling both as “brainwashing” under the colloquial definition risks conflating undue influence with ordinary persuasion, obscuring the profound differences in their impact on individuals’ lives.