Posts by jp1692

for a research project i am doing, i am looking for direct quotes from wt publications that seem to be specifically designed to manipulate the readers into feeling: unworthy, unlovable, inadequate and/or helpless.

jp1692

Thanks to all for your replies!

JW_Rogue: Thanks for the tip. I actually have done that. I was hoping in asking the JWN community that perhaps individuals would share WT comments which personally struck them as manipulative. My thought was that some, maybe all of these, would be quotes which I did not find.

OUTLAW: As always, good pointed commentary concisely stated!

Pete Zahut: I'll try that. Thanks for the suggestion. (Also see my response to JW Rogue above).

Tor1500: Interesting comments. Thanks for sharing. You raise an interesting question: do cults attract mentally ill people or create them. From my research the answer is unequivocally that they do both.

Drearyweather: I agree that the Bible itself is filled with manipulative language designed to control. However, I am looking specifically for quotes from WT literature that deliberately cultivate dysfunctional beliefs among its members. Many "Christian" religions have become very mainstream and effectively only use the parts of the Bible which are socially acceptable. Cults like to use the scriptures to reinforce their controlling agenda.

44

I appreciate "our" free speech.

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

i had given serious consideration too leaving the board.

i rationalised my views on " muslims" we're not held by the majority so i should leave.

but this would have been wrong thinking, instead i should appreciate the platform i was given to debate with free speech.

jp1692

DOC: The WTS required us to all "think in unity as one". You don't have to do that here!

And aren't we grateful for that!

44

I appreciate "our" free speech.

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

i had given serious consideration too leaving the board.

i rationalised my views on " muslims" we're not held by the majority so i should leave.

but this would have been wrong thinking, instead i should appreciate the platform i was given to debate with free speech.

jp1692

The Rebel: I truly appreciate having that voice, having come from an organisation that denied free speech.

Good for you. Often people that leave a cult have a hard time listening to views that differ from their own. Sometimes it interferes with their ability to even hear or understand what the other person is actually saying because they (unknowing to themselves) filter everything through the lens of their own biases and misperceptions.

I can't tell you how many times I've been accused of holding ideas and beliefs which I have never even thought let alone expressed.

Glad you are sticking around!

24

Do WT Publications Make Us Feel Unworthy, Unlovable and Helpless?

by jp1692 in

it is my contention that the wtbts, (as do all high-control, authoritarian cults), deliberately cultivates dysfunctional beliefs among its members.

in particular, the most destructive of these beliefs are those that undermine one's feelings of self-worth.

for a research project i am doing, i am looking for direct quotes from wt publications that seem to be specifically designed to manipulate the readers into feeling: unworthy, unlovable, inadequate and/or helpless.

jp1692

It is my contention that the WTBTS, (as do all high-control, authoritarian cults), deliberately cultivates dysfunctional beliefs among its members. In particular, the most destructive of these beliefs are those that undermine one's feelings of self-worth.

For a research project I am doing, I am looking for direct quotes from WT publications that seem to be specifically designed to manipulate the readers into feeling: unworthy, unlovable, inadequate and/or helpless.

Please paste your quotes into this thread. Be sure to include references to the publication including page number(s) and dates for magazines.

Thanks in advance!

9

Family dynamics and cult influence

by longgone in

the following incident is nothing unusual to any jw, but i wanted to add on to the list of reasons to never join, and sympathize with those stuck in it, and again a reminder that you can never get away from the mayhem when you have family still in.

in a recent conversation with my jw sister who i love very much, i was reminded how complex and abnormal relationships can become within a jehovah's witness family.families relationships can be difficult with any religion or none, but once we throw in the various labels and restrictions within the jw family it becomes really cultish.

no one outside it could begin to understand.

jp1692

You're welcome, LG. We want to read your posts!

9

Family dynamics and cult influence

by longgone in

the following incident is nothing unusual to any jw, but i wanted to add on to the list of reasons to never join, and sympathize with those stuck in it, and again a reminder that you can never get away from the mayhem when you have family still in.

in a recent conversation with my jw sister who i love very much, i was reminded how complex and abnormal relationships can become within a jehovah's witness family.families relationships can be difficult with any religion or none, but once we throw in the various labels and restrictions within the jw family it becomes really cultish.

no one outside it could begin to understand.

jp1692

Jehovah-land be crazy, LG. The lunatics are running the asylum.

Suggestion: paragraph breaks would make your post easier to read.

26

Disfellowshipped Brother Gives Public Talk in Kingdom Hall

by The Searcher in

jw
friends

absolutely beautiful!.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vbmfx4isku.

jp1692

How did that even happen?