what kind of mind-control ?

by grace4u 31 Replies latest jw friends

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  Pork Chop

  I agree that many who post here would claim that they were under mind control. It's consistent in exiters from any group. However, the fact that they claim it doesn't mean that it's true. It's a mechanism for denying any responsibility for the actions of a group whose every action, or nearly so, they now decry. It's the classic, "It's not my fault!" deal. "The Devil made me do it."

  The idea of any kind of "mind control' has been pretty much discredited. There are no Manchurian Candidates.

  Yes, Valis, I agree that guilt, and shame, are very strong levers for influencing people. Not the same thing as mind control.
• 

  fluttergirl2

  grace4u,

  I think DJ and Valis are right on. Not sure what you know at this point, but you're sucked into this world that tells you that you and you alone are right AND that everyone else is out to get you because they are tools of Satan (by 'out to get you' I mean in the "bad association" sense of the phrase). You're told that your true family are your fellow JW's. That your biological family, your old friends, they are not your true friends and family. So they have you cut off most, if not all ties, with those who are not JW's. Now that you are surrounded by your TRUE friends you certainly wouldn't want to sin in some way that cause you to be disfellowshipped and lose all of your real friends and family. Because who would you turn to for support, comfort, friendship? Your old friends? Your old family? I don't think so, at least that's what they hope for. They "don't want to punish" you, they want to shock you into the reality of your sin so that you'll want to repent and come back into fellowship with them following approval from the local body of elders.

  You're told that once you're in the organization that that is when you are TRULY happy. That there is no real happiness outside the JW's. You hear it so much that you eventually believe it. OR, in my case you grow up being told that you cannot possibly be happy without this 'life'.

  I'd say, Pork Chop, that's a bit of mind control that's incredibly effective. It worked for Hitler and Manson. OH! and for Hanibal Lechter too.

  fluttergirl2

  Edited by - fluttergirl2 on 12 October 2002 19:52:37
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  Pork Chop

  Like I said, boring. Especially when you reference a fictional character as evidence. Oh, and I believe the Court found Manson's accomplices responsible, you can say the same thing about Hitler. When they hung those war criminals they didn't seem to think their minds had been controlled..

  Edited by - Pork Chop on 12 October 2002 19:44:54

  Edited by - Pork Chop on 12 October 2002 19:57:2
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  MikeMusto

  JWs dont use mind control. But Guilt is used, as outlined in the Bible...crazy
• 

  nilfun

  Check out this great post by Perry http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=38500&site=3
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  gumby

  Guilt is used, as outlined in the Bible

  You have a point there MM

  Believe or die.

  Thats hard to do when you have good reason to doubt many things.
• 

  refiners fire

  Actually I was just writing something about "mind Control" for the "Jonestown report," strange that it comes up again here. Anyway. "Mind control" is a bit of an overblown term in my opinion, people think its some complicated technology. But Its pretty basic stuff in fact .

  Seperate the membership into a controlled milieu.

  Pump them constantly with Orthodox information, orthodox association, generate orthodox behaviour and all members of the cult watch each other to maintain orthodoxy, spying on each other.Tell them the sealed milieu is "White" and "holy".

  Cut them off from all non orthodox influence and information. Tell them this is "Black" and "scary".

  Throw in some guilt manipulation. And there you have it!

  I dont think theres much more to it than that, unless you believe the government is using "implants" .
• 

  fluttergirl2

  Most all cults use mind control of some form. It's not blame shifting. It's a common thread.

  Although, I will say, that we do have choices. I made the choice to leave, suffered the consequences and started a whole new life.

  Guess I buy into both theories, if that's what you'd call them.

  But, Porky, it was the POINT in Hanibal and a failed attempt to lighten the conversation. chill out!

  fluttergirl2
• 

  fluttergirl2

  And with Refiners Fire, I rest my case.

  But I still admit we do make choices.

  fluttergirl2
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  Pork Chop

  If you want to lighten the conversation then drop the shrill litany of Wt evils that has been repeated here ad infinitum ad nauseum. There's no need to insert a lot of excess verbage.

  I am pleased that you, yourself, are living proof that minds are not being controlled.