Posts by James2300

31

Anyone been assaulted by a Jw?

by avishai in

jw
friends

not including immediate family or sex abuse.

James2300

Twice,

The first time I provoked this other Bethelite and he took a swing at me. I ducked and he missed.

The other time a Bethel elder got in my face and starting shoving me. I just walked away.

14

My bethel application

by Elsewhere in

jw
friends

i only did the two week temp thing, but i still had to fill out a long application and send it back.

one of the questions that stands out in my mind was something to the effect of: "do you believe that the organization of jehovah's witnesses is god's sole spirit directed organization on earth?

when i read that, i felt a strange sensation.

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Pathofhorns,

Hey, thanks for the compliment. I think in many ways we have barely scratched the surface.

Waiting,

Hey thanks for the compliments. My story is similar to many people. I was extremely zealous and one day opened my eyes and began to think for myself. I started pioneering at 16, a ministerial servant at 17, big service meeting parts, pioneer seminar interviews, circuit assembly parts at 18, first public talk at 19, bethel at 19, switched to spanish at 20. I was super zealous at service--one August I got 128 hours to meet my yearly quota pioneering. At bethel I auxiliary pioneered twice. Although I worked in a servile department (the Laundry) I got a lot of responsibility fast. I spent so much time trying to discern the "hidden order" behind the way Bethel was run, I finally realized it wasn't inconsistent with the way a worldly corporation was run.

I spent my last year researching everything about the jw's and especially bethel. I read memos and looked for patterns, I listened to people talk at the tables, I asked overseers why things were done this way or that and I asked older ones about historical stuff. Although I knew the publications pretty well, I delved into the older publications for the first time, and looked at current publications more closely. I even got a book on logical fallacies and looked for errors during the wt study. I moved to a room a floor from the main library so that I could spend all my free time there. I used vacation days, overtime comp time, and even ditched work (cheating on paperwork) to study. I went to the main branch of the New York public library and read every book they had on JW's.

I was very careful not to tell anyone what I was thinking. Although I read info from a lot of "apostate" site, I never posted anything. I left Bethel a year ago and slowly, carefully faded away. I'm settled and don't care anymore whether I get "caught" or not. So, that is why I only started visiting this site and posting here recently.

I really appreciate the kindness and friendship that exists on this board. It is very different than what I expected ex-jw's to be like.

Thanks,

James

22

ex-Brooklyn Bethelites on this site

by James2300 in

jw
friends

hey everyone,.

i've never posted on any of these site before but i thought this might be worthwhile.

i was at brooklyn bethel from 1998-2001. i worked in the laundry.

James2300

Cyberguy,

Hey, thanks for the words of welcome. As for what opened my eyes, I'm not really sure what prompted me to start viewing things critically. I suppose it was a confluence of a lot of things--hypocracy, problems at Bethel, harshness of Bethel elders, switching to a Spanish congregation and "starving spiritually" from the adjustment period, dissatisfaction with Bethel life, buying a book on logic, outside reading, etc. Whatever started it, I began researching the "truth" anew about 9 months before I left Bethel. I wanted to prove it to myself over again. After some serious study about the reasons for my faith, I found that there were a lot of inconsistencies in Society doctrine. Then, I began to read from "apostate" sites and was shocked about a lot of things regarding JW history and operations. At Bethel, I could see that a lot of observations about the "work" were true. I was also able to research JW history through the publications at the Bethel library as well as by talking to older ones at Bethel. Most of the accusations by "apostates" that I read were true. By then, it went all out the window.

James

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Structure of the Watchtower magazine

The Watchtower is presented with a somber font and a boxy article layout to give the impression of authority, seriousness of purpose, and reliability. Page 2 begins with a "statistics" page that presents the impressive circulation and language translation figures. Those figures enhance the image of seriousness and importance. The matter-of-fact dullness of this page presents the magazine as some kind of serious journal unconcerned with flashy marketing.

Like the Awake! magazine, the magazine begins with a cover article following the same basic layout as the Awake! cover article. (See my earlier post for that.) The heaviest articles--that is, the study articles--are in the middle of the magazine. They follow a predictable pattern. The first article concerns itself with a historical/biblical/scholarly study of the subject at hand. The second article focuses on the practical application after the reader is thoroughly convinced of the WTS's view of the subject.

Each article follows a predictable internal pattern. For example, this is how the first article usually proceeds: The first paragraph opens with an experience, story, or illustration that everyone can relate to. Several indisputably true facts are usually placed in the paragraph. (For example, the sun shines, lightening is impressive, we need light to live, etc.) Often, the second or third paragraph contains an assertion of authority. Usually this takes the form of simply mentioning the "faithful and discreet slave" and referencing the quote from Matthew 24:45 in parenthesis.

At this point, the reader is relatively complacent. The subject matter is then dealt with, progressing in complexity until the middle of the article. Some exhortations and commands are imbedded throughout but most frequently in the latter third of the article. Then it concludes by asking a question and introducing the second study article.

The second article focuses on what the WTS actually wants the reader to do (like meetings, field service, etc.). It's pattern is pretty similar to that of the first article.

Then the magazine introduces lighter articles about specific doctrinal issues, policies, etc. They usually become progressively shorter as the reader nears the end of the magazine.

I'm sure there is more to say on this. Unfortunately, I don't have any magazines anymore to reference from.

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Structure of the Awake! magazine

The first 8 pages or so consititute the cover article. First, a problem is identified (pollution, crime, etc.). Second, the reader is convinced of the gravity of the problem by quotes from authorities and dire predictions of the future (if the current trends continue, the world will run out of energy, etc.). Third, the possible solutions to the problem are identified and dismissed. Each solution is presented along with criticism of the solution (because it won't completely solve the problem, it's only a stopgap measure, etc.). At this point, the reader is convinced that there is no solution. Then, the JW solution is presented by quoting the Bible. No criticism or limitation of this solution is mentioned. The article ends with every human solution discredited and the JW solution presented as the only alternative.

In the middle of the magazine are the longest and most complex articles. Topics like "What is the Bible's Viewpoint," and "Questions Young People Ask," are presented. At this point, the reader is at his/her most vulnerable and the most likely to accept the view presented. As the reader begins to fatigue and attention drops off, the articles are shortened, becoming progressively shorter until you reach the end of the magazine. Also, the articles contain more frivolous subjects like the natural world, travel experiences, letters from readers, and the back page advertisement. The reader is left with a good impression and in a good mood after reading the cheerful articles at the end.

Of course, not everyone reads the magazine straight through, although many do.

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Predicting to Bible Studies that they will hear criticism of the Witnesses

This "prediction" is made early on in most study publications. In the Knowledge book it is mentioned at the end of the first chapter (I believe), at the end of the of the first "chapter" of the Require brochure, and in chapter two of the Live Forever book. Also, pioneers are trained to orally communicate this to Bible studies. Generally, the student tells someone of their newfound interest in JW's and then they hear criticism. This gives credibilty to the teacher because they made a true prediction. It also sets the stage for an "us vs. them" mentality that will be critical in the future.

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Dress code

Hey, Rebel, thanks for your posts. This one is not so subtle. You mentioned the wearing of jackets to go on stage, handle a microphone, etc. despite the temperature. The whole point of that is conformity. By wearing "uniforms" you decrease individuality and identify with the group. This one, of course, is used by the military (uniforms and short hair), the Nazis (brown shirts and armbands), and Foot Locker (pin striped shirts and athletic shoes). Interestingly, the witnesses don't use this as a marketing ploy--that is, it doesn't help "sell" the religion or give the public an image the way uniforms at Foot Locker do. It is primarily an internal form of control.

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

No Sunday school

Why do Witnesses avoid any kind of sunday school program? Well, several reasons. First, the witness arrangement emphasizes the family power structure. Sitting as a family enables the parents to control the children. (In fact, they are encouraged to do so.) Children are not able to have a direct relationship with the congregation. Rather that relationship proceeds through the parents. Second, it prevents the kind of spontaneous responses children have. They are not free to ask questions to a Sunday school teacher. Third, it allows for the dumbing down of the meetings. Since the meetings must be simple enough for even children to comprehend, difficult concepts can be glossed over in the meetings. Fourth, the limited role children can have in a meeting is actually a great way to indoctrinate them. Since they often can't answer the questions is their own words, they are told to read an answer from the paragraph. If they are even younger, they may simply read a subheading or a few words. This is great preparation for the parroting of information from the literature they will do as adults.

33

Subtle Control Methods

by James2300 in

there have been a few threads on the subject of whether witnesses are a high control group or a cult.

some of the more overt methods of control have been mentioned, such as direct statements in the watchtower, the practice of disfellowshipping, the power elders have, and so on.

the results of these control techniques have also been mentioned; for example, many mention the intimidation, humiliation, fear, and powerlessness they felt either as a witness or while trying to leave.

James2300

Hello waiting,

Yes, excellent point. That is a very intimidating situation especially for a woman. Really, there is no reason for 3 elders--they seek strength in numbers.

James