I was just skimming a book by Max Eastman, a disputer against Stalinism in the 30s and 40s. Some interesting things are listed in his book "Stalins Russia" identifying the hallmarks of the Cult of Stalin....
pages 82 through 86:
Sign 1 ) " Nationalistic emotion is hysterically exalted. Patriotism is the supreme law of life"
Doesnt reaaly apply to the dubs does it? But then , the dubs dont run the state. If they did maybe it would apply.
Sign 2) "A single party, disciplined, centrally controlled, having a monopoly of the field"
Well the dubs only recognize one religion dont they? Its centrally controlled, It strives to monopoloize control over the members.
sign 3) "Dissenting opinion is coerced by means of intimidation".
Well the dubbies certainly dont allow dissent do they?
Sign 4) "The church is allowed to exist but even its God must recognize the superiority of the party"
Well just invert this one brothers, the state is allowed to exist but must recognize the superior authority of the Watchtower God.
Sign 5) "The new state religion finds its focus in the leader who becomes to all intents and purposes, a God".
Well the Watchtower "channel" isnt God, but they certainly SPEAK for Him!
Sign 6) "Anti intellectualism becomes a public policy" The writer says " Stalin didnt exile his intellectuals. He had them SHOT"
Odd thing about anti intellectualism, cults, very often when starting out,seek to recruit intellectuals and university students, but once the cult is established the trend usually reverses.
Sign 7) "The physical detruction of books, records, and a rewriting of history to make it fit the needs of the moment." He says "Stalinist history falsification makes Hitlers public book burnings look like an independence day celebration"
Nothing to be said on that one I think.
Sign 8) "An attack upon Science"
Well what do you know? The dubbies are anti science too. Something funny going on here brothers....
Sign 9) "The manipulation of public opinion is substituted for its enlightenment."
Hmmmm.
Sign 10 ) "Cultural Isolation"
Yes. The Witnesses Isolate and "Seperate" themselves.
Sign 11) "Control of creative art". Art, Music, theatre.....Everything for public consumption must confirm to party dogma.
The dubs dont control the Arts, if they controlled the State, doubtless they would! So they have to be content to "discourage" them.
Sign 12) " Immoralism in two forms, Political lying and Hypocricy" on the part of the ruling elite.
Well the dubbies say one thing and do another under concealment dont they? So I guess the criteria applies.
Sign 13 doesnt apply. Im not aware the Watchtower sanctions assassination of opponents!
Sign 14) " The state incites the population to bait and destroy some public enemy"
Well, the witnesses dont seek to destroy their enemies. Gods gonna do that for them. But they certainly view all outside the safe boundaries of the organization as "enemy territory".
Hmmmm. Skip a few cause im getting tired..
Sign 19) "Woman is relegated to a subordinate position".
Sign 21) "Endless use of Slogans...Proletarian, revolutionary socialist, Capitalist world, workers, peasants" etc.
Well BROTHERS and SISTERS I think the ORGANIZATION led by the REMNANT of the FAITHFULL and DISCREET SLAVE CLASS certainly engages in that activity too!
Interesting.
Edited by - refiners fire on 27 November 2002 2:20:30