Many of you here have had experience with the unwritten "privilege system." Some of you had the privilege of going to the "Ministerial Training School." Others of you had to wait 6 months after reinstatement for the "privilege" of commenting at the meetings. What is this system of reward and punishment?
It's a good idea to find out what the word "privilege" actually means.
priv·i·lege ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr
n.
- A special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by an individual, class, or caste. See Synonyms at right.
- Such an advantage, immunity, or right held as a prerogative of status or rank, and exercised to the exclusion or detriment of others.
Consider some of these buzz phrases....
The cleaning of the Kingdom Hall is the "privilege" of the Drone Bookstudy.
He lost his "privileges" as an elder.
Don't do that, or we'll take away some of your "privileges."
She may lose some of her "privileges" for dating an inactive witness.
We'll have to take some of your "privileges" for a while until you become stronger spiritually.
The Society does not elaborate on the privielge system in its study aids - The Require Brochure and the Knowledge Book. When a new member is baptized, he or she quickly learns the privilege system of reward and punishment. This is another effective attempt to control the Witnesses. When a brother receives a privilege, such as a ministerial servant appointment, he is made to feel special because he has advanced to a higher stage in the organization. The same brother can just as easily lose his "privilege" if he dates an unbaptized publisher.
This system of reward and punishement is very effective. It can make you even more determined to serve Jehovah or it can make you feel humiliated.
An article on cults has this to say about behavior modifications...
(http://ncafe.com/northkorea/totalism.html)
"[B]ehaviour modification...[as it is] described, is "reward or punishment for actions" association.
It was used on you as a child whenever you were being commended or
otherwise for your behaviour.
Taking away a privilege is usually a sure-fire method to persuading
a child to change its behaviour when that child is old enough to under-
stand the process. Praising a child for doing good is another method of
changing behaviour, especially in the child who is anxious toplease.
The rod of education applied to the seat of learning is another method
of bringing about a desired behaviour change.
When behaviour modification techniques such as these are applied in
a loving, caring and consistent way, the child changes their behaviour
without holding feelings of resentment. However, if these techniques
are perverted in any way, damage is done to the child's psyche, their
emotions. e.g.. the abused child syndrome.
Cults use a sophisticated and perverted form of behaviour modification which damages an individuals
emotions.
The "privilege" system works just the same way. It is an effective tool to make a member feel
good about themselves or feel guilty about themselves. You will not find any articles on this
practice, but you will soon fall victim to them - especially if you are a brother and are
constantly encouraged to reach out for "more privileges of service."