Posts by drwtsn32

the national alliance for the mentally ill website defines mental illness as: mental illnesses are disorders of the brain that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others.

they further define schizophrenia as:schizophrenia is a brain disorder that interferes with a persons ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.

many people with schizophrenia have hallucinations and delusions, meaning they hear and see things that arent there and believe things that are not real or true.. doesn't this sound like some of the "faith"ful?

drwtsn32

Yeah, it sounds like most JW's have Schizophrenia.

Of course there is a big difference between the mental disorder and the way JW's or any other cult members behave. True schizophrenia is probably caused by a problem with someone's brain chemistry and is treated with medication (I'm guessing). The behavior of the latter is simply a result of a controlling cult and can be unlearned without medication.

2

Information on cults

by drwtsn32 in

jw
friends

i posted in another thread some info i found on a web site that discusses cults.

there is so much good information on this site i thought i'd start a separate topic.. here is the web site:.

http://www.rickross.com.

drwtsn32

The "loaded language" one really stood out when I was looking through it. The JWs have their own vocabulary and yes, it does make them feel special.

I don't remember if it was specifically mentioned on this site or not, but a lot of cults refer to their beliefs as "the truth." It's all part of the subtle mental conditioning.

15

JW Disfellowshipping Is a SIN Against God!

by minimus in

jw
friends

one of the signs of the "last days" is that there would be "no natural affection" shown.

people would be "self-assuming, haughty, disloyal, without love of goodness, headstrong, puffed up with pride, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power,(and from these turn away).

"......does this not describe jehovah's witnesses today???

drwtsn32

This could mean that the JW's are a cult! Oh oh.

lol Yeah, I'm stating the obvious again. Cult is a term that's thrown around quite a bit. I just thought it was nice to see the stuff in writing. It was also surprising to me that the JW's have so many characteristics that indicate they are a cult. Not just one or two, but almost all of the warning signs.

As a JW you are taught that a cult is simply a group that follows some human leader. So obviously that isn't the JWs! Well, actually the JW's do follow human leaders, but of course they don't think they do.

2

Information on cults

by drwtsn32 in

jw
friends

i posted in another thread some info i found on a web site that discusses cults.

there is so much good information on this site i thought i'd start a separate topic.. here is the web site:.

http://www.rickross.com.

drwtsn32

I posted in another thread some info I found on a web site that discusses cults. There is so much good information on this site I thought I'd start a separate topic.

Here is the web site:

http://www.rickross.com

On the page http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general431.html it discusses some of the "characteristics of thought reform" that cults use. I think the JW's are guilty of all of them! ("Thought reform" is simply a nice way to say "brainwashing"!)

Thought some here would find it interesting.

15

JW Disfellowshipping Is a SIN Against God!

by minimus in

jw
friends

one of the signs of the "last days" is that there would be "no natural affection" shown.

people would be "self-assuming, haughty, disloyal, without love of goodness, headstrong, puffed up with pride, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power,(and from these turn away).

"......does this not describe jehovah's witnesses today???

drwtsn32

In case anyone's interested, I got those 3 lists off of this site:

http://www.rickross.com

Specifically:

http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html

15

JW Disfellowshipping Is a SIN Against God!

by minimus in

jw
friends

one of the signs of the "last days" is that there would be "no natural affection" shown.

people would be "self-assuming, haughty, disloyal, without love of goodness, headstrong, puffed up with pride, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power,(and from these turn away).

"......does this not describe jehovah's witnesses today???

drwtsn32

It is my opinion that the Bible actually promotes some cult-like behavior. Yes, cutting off those that do not agree with the group can be supported by scripture. Fortunately, most religions do not take those scriptures so literally. But the JWs are on the fundamentalist side, and like other cults they will definitely use DF'ing to their advantage to help control information. One of the very reasons I do not believe the Bible is inspired is because of the very fact that it supports cultish behaviors when interpreted literally.

I love these... They are "warning signs" that indicate a cult. It seems that the cult expert that wrote this is talking about JWs, but he actually isn't. However, it is clear that almost every one of these apply directly to the JWs:

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader:

Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
The group/leader is always right.
The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader:

Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Ten signs of a safe group/leader:

A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.
A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.
A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.
A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.
A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.
A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.
A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

20

Love Letter from a Jehovah's Witness

by Lee Elder in

here is an email we received the other day.

it illustrates the extent of the mind control the wts has over many of its members: .

"you must have been one of jehovah's witnesses in the past, and are now .

drwtsn32

hehehe... youre page is "full of slander" and then (s)he proceeds to say you are demonized and a bad person.

40

It's Arrived!

by Wolfgirl in

jw
friends

.

my copy of crisis of conscience arrived today.

i can barely put it down.

drwtsn32

This book is amazing. We purchased it at a local book store soon after we stopped attending meetings. A real eye opener!

My wife is reading "Christian Freedom" right now, but it looks WAY too thick for me to mess with.