Doubting Bro

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Posts by Doubting Bro

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  3

  The BITE model of mind control: "E" is for "Emotional control"

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  iv.

  emotional control1.

  manipulate and narrow the range of a person's feelings.. 2. make the person feel like if there are ever any problems it is always their fault, never the leader's or the group's.. 3. excessive use of guilt.

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  Doubting Bro

  I'm on a roll!! Great posts Jimmy Page. When you take a honest look at these cult identifiers, its difficult to argue that the WTS doesn't qualify. It was hard for me to admit but that's the reality.

  1. How else can you get people to shun family or friends they've known for decades because the leaders tell you to?

  2. See the WT explaination for the 1975 debacle.

  3. See any assembly for numerous examples. Also the WT articles telling us about how a brother in Africa swam across croc infested waters and walked 10 miles each way to get to the meeting on time.

  4. Shunning, persecution and of course the big A

  5. People crying over the new song book at the DC.

  6. No public confession until the elders wives gossip about it ( that doesn't apply to everyone but it happens)

  7. They took that right out of the WT playbook.

  If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.....
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  4

  The BITE model of mind control: "T" is for "Thought control"

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  iii.

  thought control1.

  need to internalize the group's doctrine as "truth".

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  Doubting Bro

  Again a 100% WTS match.

  1. The "truth"... black & white thinking... us vs them (true christians vs the world)

  2. Too many buzz words to mention. Gathering instead of party always irrated me. Also, Brother So & So being used like a formal title also annoys me.

  3. Yeah, but that could apply to most religion.

  4. Rejection of rational analysis, JWs??? No chanting or speaking in tongues but you're told to shut the conversation down.

  5. Try asking a question and see what happens if its not dropped quickly.

  6. True christians = only JWs
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  4

  The BITE method of mind control: "I" is for "Information control"

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ii.

  information control1.

  use of deception.

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  Doubting Bro

  This is by far the most applicable to the WTS:

  1. Theocractic warfare! Misquoting outside publications. Old light/new light

  2. a not so much as long as it isn't news about the WTS then yes. b & c. Apostate material d. Just look at those worthless tract campaigns and convention invitations.

  3. Shepard the Flock book not readily available to non-elders. COs keep stuff from elders, DOs keep stuff from COs. Dead on accurate.

  4. So many examples!

  5. Whoa, did the writer read the WT and KM? The "Congregation Bible Study" that consists of reviewing paragraphs in a WTS book and never actually cracking open the Bible? Or if you do open it, its to read one or two out of context scriptures to support a particular WT take.

  6. We recommended a person to be a MS once that was divorced 20 years ago from his first wife. He was df'ed because of adulty back then. Remarried for a long time, yet the letter came back referencing this man's divorce from that far back.

  2nd identifier = 100% applicable to the WTS
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  8

  The BITE model for mind control groups: "B" is for "Behavior control"

  by JimmyPage in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i. behavior control1.

  regulation of individual's physical reality.

  a. where, how and with whom the member lives and associates with.

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  Doubting Bro

  Let's see:

  1 a. Not so much where but with whom (if not married and want a roommate should be with a JW of good standing of the same sex). Associates? Should only associate with JWs in good standing

  b. See the Bethel guide to attire & grooming. See the KM convention insert where members are discouraged from wearing shorts & jeans after teh convention and encouraged to wear the name badge. Lots of individual congo rules regarding dress. Attendants & those giving PTs MUST wear suits. etc.

  c. Not really

  d. Not really

  e. No

  f. Absolutely! Lots of written "counsel regarding keeping entertainment in "its proper place".

  2. - 10 hours per month in service and attendance at both meetings + family study or your not good association.

  3 - Must consult WT pubs when making major decisions. Don't have time to dig up references but in addition to written, there are the talks which say the same thing.

  4 - Yup - confess your sins and those of others.

  5 - Rewards - privileges, status... Punishment - loss of status, shunning

  6 - yup

  7 - yup

  8 - yup

  So, step 1 of identifying a cult = Yes to JWs
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  55

  Why Jehovah's Witnesses Are Discouraged From Using the Internet

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  at a recent series of circuit assemblies, the governing body put out warnings on what in their view is the latest danger from satan, designed to break the faith of jehovah's witnesses everywhere.. facebook.. yes, thats right, apparantly, the gb is concerned because a lot of people are having "facebook sex".

  they are meeting old friends who aren't jehovah's witnesses and getting it on with whomever would willingly sleep with them.

  evidentally, the gb would like their flock to believe that when jw's get on facebook and other social networking sites, fornication happens.. now, this is news.

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  Doubting Bro

  Jeff - I couldn't agree more with your take. Funny, it's usually a combination of factors that leads ones to doubt the borg. For example, I had seen many "apostate" sites and it never really phased me. But, the actions I saw by elders & COs coupled with the UN thing really got me to take a serious look at doctrine. And when you look objectively at the JW faith, it just can't withstand the facts and falls like a house of cards.
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  27

  Cult expert S.Hassan speaks out on witnesses in Russia.

  by koolaid-man in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  http://www.goddiscussion.com/18765/russia-to-drafts-law-to-ban-religious-cults-mormons-moonies-jehovah-witnesses-and-others-fear-persecution/.

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  Doubting Bro

  Here's the definition of a not-profit organization from the IRS:

  The exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) are charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, and preventing cruelty to children or animals. The term charitable is used in its generally accepted legal sense and includes relief of the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged; advancement of religion; advancement of education or science; erecting or maintaining public buildings, monuments, or works; lessening the burdens of government; lessening neighborhood tensions; eliminating prejudice and discrimination; defending human and civil rights secured by law; and combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency.

  The purpose of granting this status is because these organizations are supposed to be working for the good of the community with NO profit motive. I simply disgree with the IRS in their definition of charitable when it includes organizations that advance religion. I think its a direct violation of the 1st amendment because the State has no business advancing any religion. Freedom of religion is an important right but I fail to see how allowing religious organizations amass large amounts of wealth (cash, property, whatever) without paying for the burden they place on the government can be deemed charitable. If they're actually engaged in real charitable activity such as running a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, etc. then fine. Make those funds deductible and tax whatever profit they make.

  I realize religious organizations are very powerful and that's the real reason why they are considered charitable. It doesn't make it constitutional or right.
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  27

  Cult expert S.Hassan speaks out on witnesses in Russia.

  by koolaid-man in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  http://www.goddiscussion.com/18765/russia-to-drafts-law-to-ban-religious-cults-mormons-moonies-jehovah-witnesses-and-others-fear-persecution/.

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  Doubting Bro

  Although I disagree with banning any religion per se, I do think they are given special unfair treatment and would like to see 2 things happen:

  1 - Any tax exemptions should be revoked. I don't see how paying property taxes and income taxes on profits restricts or prohibits the free exercise of religion any more than saying my paying property taxes or income taxes restricts my freedom of speech. In my opinion, the freedom FROM religion is just as protected under the first amendment as freedom OF religion. By religion not paying its fair share for various services provided by the government, they force those not affiliated to pick up the tab. Tax exemptions give religion preferential treatment. Their profits should be taxed at the corporate tax rate on profits because that's what they are. I would say they should be able to deduct monies used for charitable services but the problem is the tax code says religious instruction is charitable services. That's why the WTS can avoid taxes although they use very little funds toward true charity work. The inherent bias in the US legal system is towards religion. Not necessarily to promote any one religion or a state religion, but they do go out of their way to give religion protection that no other type of corporate is afforded. Putting a tax on a particular religion or establishing a religious tax is unconstitutional. Making them pay property taxes and income taxes that everyone else pays? I can't see how that would be unconstitutional.

  2 - The WTS, Amish, Scientologist, etc hide behind the 1st amendement when they treat former members poorly and slander them. The WTS & Christian Scientists hide behind the 1st amendment when they coerce people into dangerous behavior regarding medical care. I think individuals shoudl be allowed to sue for damages in these cases and religions be held responsible when their teachings cause harm. Sure, they can teach what they want, but they shouldn't be given protection from their own teachings.

  People should have the freedom to believe what they want. But religious organizations should be held responsible for their bad behavior.
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  15

  Did you start out as a "Reformer"?

  by lepermessiah in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  how many of you started out down this road as someone who knew there were lots of problems and holes in the doctrine of the religion but wanted to be "part of the solution" as what i would call a "reformer"?.

  for a long time, i wanted to be an outstanding elder since i thought so many of them were @$$holes, but i found out after a while the majority of the good ones are chewed up and spitten out in the organization.the others who start out with the right motives either fall in line or get run over.. unfortunately, i kept that delusion up for many years - and just about killed myself doing it.

  thats when the light went on and i finally figured out why i was so miserable doing it - it was all for naught - you cant change it.

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  Doubting Bro

  I remember when I was first appointed an elder. I actually believed that I could make a difference and change things (at least locally). I thought COs would listen to my ideas (hahahaha - I was naive and in my late 20s so I thought anything was possible). At first, I picked my battles but after a while I realized that I may be able to be a "force for good" in some rare instances locally, that wasn't the real problem. The real problem is the organization. It really has a life of its own and while I think it will continue to morph it will never truly reform. To reform would mean letting go of the reigns and losing control. Yet, control is the lifeblood of the organization. Without it, the org really doesn't have a purpose.

  Interestingly, my dad & I had a conversation recently in which he tried the whole "if you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem" line of reasoning. It bothers him that I "stepped aside". I haven't been completely honest for my reasons other than "burnout". I know he sees through that because he knows that I can handle a pretty large amount of stress and be fine. I believe he realizes that I don't fully believe because when you get right down to it, I don't think he fully believes either.

  I think it speaks volumes when every elder that I'm close to has a list of complaints yet still believes it's "God's Organization". If that's the case, I argue, then God will fix the problems without my involvement. If not, then why bother.
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  12

  Does the leadership/GB of WBTS really believe what they teach, or is it all about business?

  by african GB Member in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  surely it does'nt take a rocket scientist to see that this is just another church,.

  one wonders if they deliberately ignore the facts and continue to control and dictate their way of thinking onto the rf jw's while they know this is not as true a religion as they make it to be..

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  Doubting Bro

  I also agree with Ynot. If they were all about the business, they would mainstream to some extent like the LDS. Of course, many (myself included) still consider the LDS a cult but they are more a part of the mainstream than JWs. And, I get the sense they are wealthier as an organization and as individuals.

  I think from the GB right on down, they may not believe every doctrine, but they do believe they are being used by God. If you think God is using the organization, it doesn't matter what the doctrines are because if they're wrong, its because God wants them to be wrong for some reason. It's only when you really question if God is behind the organization that all the bricks fall.
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  68

  Watchtower cleans out Kingdom Hall Library's ...

  by RR in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  last night i got a call from a chap in the uk, who recently left the jw's.

  he wanted to compare notes with his us counterparts.. he said that a few years ago, (i think about 2 years ago) the society cleaned out all the literature from every kingdom hall, particularly russell and rutherford books and anything prior to 1950. giving each hall a computer with the watchtower cd rom for them to use for research.

  he wanted to know if the same was done in the states.

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  Doubting Bro

  I agree with TOH on this one. It must have been localized because in several congregations spanning multiple states in the US, I have seen KH library's with at the very least some of the Rutherford era stuff and usually the Russell era pubs like old WTs & Study in the Scriptures.

  I know some KH's have limited library space (they one I currently attend fits into that category) and in that case usually the newer stuff is displayed.

  If they were smart, they would purge all the old stuff because I've read some of it and it makes the new stuff look sane.