Religious Mind Control.

How do cults and some religious sects get large groups of people to believe exactly the same things? Critics say they use mind control techniques such as propaganda, fear, false assumptions, hypnotic suggestions, repetition, symbolism, brainwashing, negative labels, ... and so on. Let's take a look at the religion of the Jehovah's Witnesses to see if we can spot signs of mind control.

Seven million active JW's in 236 countries with exactly the same mind, - the mind of a few men in New York. Totally amazing. Yet zealous Jehovah's Witnesses will strongly disagree that mind control exists in the organization.

They will argue that they are free. They'll say that they agree with everything their religious leaders say, - not because of mind control, but because they are the only true religion and 'the truth'. They don't know why they call it 'the truth' because they may secretly disagree with some things, yet they will publicly defend all viewpoints of the Watchtower, - even the ones they're uncertain about.

Mind Control Basics.

The Mind ON Switch.

In the truth

The phrase 'in the truth' is used to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses. These three little words turn minds on. JW's are eager to learn and accept everything that is said by someone who is a faithful Jehovah's Witness. Why? Because that person is 'in the truth' like them. They are programmed to say 'in the truth', whenever they are referring to a Jehovah's Witness. The first thing a JW needs to know is, are they 'in the truth'? Are they a Jehovah's Witness? If they are, it's safe to consider what they have to say. Brothers and sisters inside the organization are trusted because they are 'in the truth'. Mind ON.

The Mind OFF Switch.

Out of the truth

Apostate

Now let's take a look at the 'mind off switch'. Those words are 'out of the truth'. Anyone who isn't a JW, is 'out of the truth'. Why bother listening to people who are wrong and don't have the truth? Exactly. Therefore the viewpoints of everyone outside of their religion is rejected, not based on what they have to say, but based on their negative label. Mind OFF.

Critics say that the same mind control technique is being used to program Jehovah's Witnesses to reject apostates, - not based on what they have to say, but based on the negative 'label' attached to the entire group. See the Apostates. Who Are They?

Hypnotic Suggestions and Mind Control.

The Watchtower says that 'Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid techniques that involve hypnosis or self-hypnosis' (Awake magazine, July 8, 2003, Article: 'The Bible’s Viewpoint, Is Hypnotism for Christians?'), and critics say it's for good reasons.



If JW's understood hypnosis, some might notice evidence of mind control within their organization.

How Mind Control Works.

Anyone who understands hypnosis and how our unconscious mind is easily programmed through the use of simple suggestions, will appreciate the brilliance of using innocent looking mind control techniques to command loyalty.

Innocent looking, but powerful hypnotic suggestions have been perpetuated from generation to generation of loyal Witnesses to the point where their unique 'theocratic language' and beliefs are never questioned. It's 'normal' in their society to be united and have the same mind. Anything contrary to what the Watchtower says is thought to be lies, 'twisted things', Satanic, false, and 'apostate'. In fact the organization says that apostates (people who leave their religion,) are 'mentally diseased'. (Watchtower magazine, Sept 15, 2002, Article: 'Keep Practicing the Things You Have Learned', par 7)

It Must Be True If 'Everyone' Believes It.

Mind control works by being exposed to the same repetitious hypnotic words, mental pictures, ideas, and suggestions over and over again from many different sources such as literature, meetings, music, family, friends, other JW's, etc.

The idea is that if 'everyone' believes the same way and I'm hearing the same thing everywhere, it must be true. If I'm the only one who disagrees then it means there's something wrong with me, - not them.

Thus a victim of mind control will continue to put on a good show and pretend to be a loyal supporter even when they personally have serious doubts.

Isolation and Distrust. Powerful Mind Control Techniques.

A powerful way to control minds is to make people believe you are like God, a protector, and the only source of information that is 'the truth'. You convince people that everyone who disagrees with you is a 'false teacher'. Then you isolate people. You create a society where people trust no one except you.

In Jehovah's organization, JW's have been led to believe that they must be 'separate from the world' in order to please God and resist Satan. They must not have close friendships outside the organization.

JW's are also isolated from other JW's. If a JW has nagging doubts about Watchtower, they cannot discuss their concerns with anyone, - even family members and closest friends. No one can be trusted because they will report you to the Elders. The punishment for 'apostate' thinking or questioning without being repentant is the loss of your family and dearest friends forever. They won't even attend your funeral decades from now.

It's not safe to say anything negative about the Watchtower. Any hint that you don't believe everything the Watchtower says raises suspicion. Those who dare express their doubts become a target for judicial committee investigations, disfellowshipping, and shunning.

Thus all JW's speak in agreement, - even if they don't agree. They are 'like minded'. They believe everything the Watchtower says, - even if they secretly have their doubts.

The Watchtower also censors information. Here's what they say.

'What must we do to avoid false teachers? We do not speak to them or invite them into our houses. We also do not read their books, watch them on television, read what they write on the Internet, or add our own comments about what they write on the Internet. Why are we so determined to avoid them? First of all, it is because we love “the God of truth.” So we do not want to listen to false teachings ...' [Watchtower magazine, July 15, 2011, Article: "Will You Pay Attention to Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", p 11; par 7]

The Watchtower also says JW's must not come in contact with former JW's (apostates) because mental disease is contagious and they could die! The Watchtower says, ''Apostates “quietly” bring their ideas into the congregation, like criminals who secretly bring things into a country. ... If we follow them, we will leave the road to everlasting life. ... The warning from the Bible is like a warning from a doctor who tells you to avoid a person who has a disease that may spread to others. The doctor knows that if you get this disease, you will die. The Bible says that apostates are mentally diseased.' [Watchtower magazine, July 15, 2011, Article: "Will You Pay Attention to Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", p 11-16; par 5-13]

'No matter what false teachers say, we will not follow them! Those who listen to them will be disappointed. We are determined to be loyal to Jehovah and to his organization.' [Watchtower magazine, July 15, 2011, Article: "Will You Pay Attention to Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", p 12; par 8]

Watchtower Quotes: The Lies of Apostates

Powerful Mind Control Words And Suggestions.

Jehovah's Witnesses are proud to have a unique 'theocratic' language. They even brag about it. The word 'theocratic' alone, is a powerful mind control suggestion. It implies that the Watchtower is run by God and everything the Watchtower says, comes from the mind of God.

Powerful words reinforce their belief that they have the truth and everyone else is wrong. What they don't know is that their words spoken unconsciously over and over again is a powerful form of mind control that keeps them firmly attached to their religion even when they have serious doubts. At the same time, their mind is conditioned to reject all opposing viewpoints no matter how convincing the evidence is.

Mind Control For Dummies.

Mind control has nothing to do with how smart you are or your IQ. Even the smartest people in the world can become victims!

Even some of the brightest JW's may believe that Jehovah is calling them to stay in the organization or go back. This is because of yet another false Watchtower assumption that says rebellion against the organization is the same as rebellion against Jehovah. This is NOT true. The truth is that loyalty to the Watchtower is rebellion against God! The truth is just the opposite of what the Watchtower teaches

The only way to protect yourself from being used and manipulated, is to be aware of how your mind works. Without knowledge, mind control techniques are almost impossible to detect. You will feel absolutely free and in control at all times. And in fact this is partly true. Jehovah's Witnesses are free to leave at anytime. However it can take decades to undo the old religious programming and loss of loved ones who will continue to shun disfellowshipped JW's who don't return to the organization. Fear, anger, anxiety, guilt, unworthiness, low self esteem, unhappiness, depression, and serious emotional trauma can be caused by mind control. Some never recover.

The best way to regain control, is awareness, knowledge, and a thorough understanding of how mind control works. Once a person understands what's happened to them, they can begin to take back their power. See Your Power

Fear, - A Powerful Mind Control Technique.

The Watchtower's message creates fear through words, graphic illustrations, doctrines about Armageddon, Satan the Devil, disfellowshipping, shunning, etc. ....

Fear is a good way to command loyalty and obedience.

Jehovah's Witnesses live in constant fear of disobeying their church elders, and the Watchtower's Governing Body. Why? Because they are mentally programmed to believe that their organization is the only religion God approves of.

Disagreeing with the Governing Body is considered virtually the same thing as rejecting God.

Let's take a look at how this religion convinces members they have God's authority and speak on his behalf.

Here are some words that are repeated over and over again within the organization. JW's encounter these words from different sources several times a day which magnifies their effectiveness. Fear programming be found in Watchtower literature, speeches at their Kingdom Halls, large conventions of JW's, silent thoughts, prayers, and everyday conversations with other Jehovah's Witnesses. Each phrase represents a mental picture that compels members to fear the organization in the same way they fear God.

'Rebellion Against Jehovah and His Organization' (Implies that speaking out against the organization is the same as rebelling against God.) 'Loyal to Jehovah and His Organization' (Saying that their religion is 'his' organization cannot be proven. It is not a fact based on solid evidence. Therefore grandiose statements such as this, is referred to as religious propaganda. Minds are tricked into believing they should be loyal to the organization because it is run by God.) 'Jehovah's Theocratic Organization' (Ruled by God through his representatives.) 'The Faithful and Discreet Slave' (Be sure to read this article. The doctrine of God's slave is not only a powerful way to manipulate people, it has been one of the key doctrines of the Jehovah's Witness since 1881.) 'God of This World' (Refers to Satan the Devil. JW's are 'separate from the world'. Therefore the assumption is that the Watchtower organization is the only religion approved by God.) 'God's People' (Refers to only to Jehovah's Witnesses and faithful men of old like Noah. This implies that everyone else does not have a relationship with God. 'Worldly' people are thought to be part of 'this doomed, wicked system of things' and controlled by the God of this world, Satan the Devil. 'Like-minded' and 'Speaking In Agreement' (Proves to JW's that they have 'the truth', when it should prove that their minds are being manipulated.)

Fear. Examples Of Mind Control.

Hidden Hypnotic Suggestions.

These are a few words Jehovah's Witnesses use. It is the language of the organization. A special meaning or suggestion is attached to each of these simple phrases. Constant exposure to these suggestions, along with isolation is a powerful way to control minds.

Mind Control At JW Congregation Meetings.

Watchtower meetings are based on Watchtower literature with brief quotes from the Bible. The Bible is a tool or authority that is quoted to 'prove' Watchtower doctrines, - even if what the Bible 'really' says is totally different.

i.e. Instead of using the organization to prove what the Bible 'really' says, they use the Bible to prove what the organization 'really' says.

In addition to constant repetition, mind control at meetings goes like this. Every paragraph from a Watchtower study magazine or book has questions at the bottom. If a JW wishes to participate, they must publicly parrot back and answer the questions correctly based on what the Watchtower says, - not on what they may personally believe. Questioning what the Watchtower says is not allowed because the information is thought to come from God.

Those who choose to 'participate' in meetings and zealously support Watchtower viewpoints are given more respect and prominence than those who do not. Those who are not excited about what the Watchtower teaches are considered to be 'spiritually weak'.

No one wants to be 'weak'. Spiritually strong JW's are given more love, privileges, opportunities for advancement, and freedom as long as they work within Watchtower guidelines.

As proof of this, the secret guide book for JW Elders says that Elders are to act 'decisively' when they detect symptoms of 'spiritual unsteadiness' and 'fatigue'. This would include:

A complacent spirit

Loss of enthusiasm for the truth

Lingering doubts

Missing congregation meetings

Being critical of Elders and the organization, etc

Acting 'decisively' could including prying into someone's personal life, a JW's beliefs, whether or not they still support the Watchtower 100%, have they discussed their doubts with other JW's, ... It could mean private 'reproof', public 'reproof' (humiliation), judicial committee meetings, disfellowshipping, disassociation, and shunning.

Anyone can get disfellowshipped from the Watchtower, - even those who are 'anointed' by God to go to heaven. (The 144000) Yes that's right. The Watchtower can veto God's top picks!

Disfellowshipping started in 1952 . The organization said it was necessary to keep immoral people out and keep God's organization clean. The real reason for disfellowshipping is to control and punish JW's who choose to leave. We know this because in the Jan 8, 1947 Watchtower, the organization published an article saying that the clergy used excommunication as a 'weapon to attain power and secular tyranny'. the organization also said, the Bible doesn't support excommunication and it has 'pagan influence'. See Pagan Origins of Disfellowshipping

Theocratic Mind Control.

Compare the Watchtower's 'theocratic' organization, with any free society.

Freedom of speech is a basic human right. People read something and question it for truthfulness. They debate and discuss various viewpoints. People are respected and given prominence for creativity, new ideas, and invention.

In a 'theocratic' organization such as Watchtower, the leaders claim to represent God and rebellion against them is virtually the same as rebellion against God.

False assumptions + religious propaganda + repetition = mind control. The Watchtower says that 'Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave'. (i.e. the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses) Then they ask the question, 'should we not do the same?' Watchtower Feb. 15, 2009 Notice this religious propaganda along with a false assumption.

Critics say that a steady diet of mind control, hypnotic suggestions, propaganda, and false assumptions keeps all Jehovah's Witnesses in constant fear of challenging the Watchtower's authority. Instead of putting God first and listening to His voice when they disagree with their church, they put unity, speaking in agreement, like mindedness, and their religion first. Could the 'visible' organization of Jehovah's Witnesses be a modern day form of idolatry? See Salvation. The Best Religion. Will It Save You?

For more information, Google keywords such as these, - 'theocracy', 'Islam', 'theocracy human rights', etc ...

Common Mental Disorders.

It is common for Jehovah's Witnesses and victims of other religious cults to leave with serious mental disorders whether they know it or not. If you're unhappy, angry, upset, having trouble making new friends, or feeling something is not quite right, please get professional help. If you can't afford it, plenty of information is available for free online. Google 'mental disorders, mental illnesses, mental conditions, etc'. Then you can search for specific information such as 'what is PTSD' or 'treatment for PTSD', etc.

Remember that if you have one or more mental disorders, the worse thing you can do is hope they will go away on their own. They won't. Mental disorders tend to get worse with age. To be happy, productive, and successful after leaving a cult, you must first know what cult mind control did to you and what you can do to reverse the mental/emotional damage.

Indoctrination in cults can lead to these common mental disorders:

Alcohol and Substance Abuse/Dependence Anxiety Disorders Depression Dissociative Disorders Panic Disorder Personality Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Religious Control.

Jehovah's Witnesses will tell you they are NOT a cult. They will tell you they are only ones who are 'in the truth'.

That's why they are separate from the world. They do not want worldly wisdom to influence their beliefs.

They are afraid that if they consider opposing viewpoints, their faith will be shaken.

Thus they isolate themselves and are not willing to consider the viewpoints of outsiders with an open mind.

Those who do have the courage to search for truth and look for answers outside the organization, usually become 'spiritually weak' Jehovah's Witnesses and eventually leave.

Critics say that faithful Jehovah's Witnesses do not consider evidence spoken by people who are 'out of the truth'. They do not understand that their unique language and fear based mental programming keeps them trapped in a fantasy world they are willing to die for. See Blood Transfusions.

Opponents say that if their faith was built on a solid foundation, their beliefs would be different and religious control would not be necessary. According to Jesus, when Christians base their faith on him alone, there is no need to be afraid. Luke 6:46-49.

Twisted Thinking.

JW's have been mentally programmed to believe everyone outside the organization is wrong, lying, or twisting the truth no matter how much evidence or proof is given.

The twisted thinkers are not those who seriously consider information from ALL sources and then draw their own conclusions. The twisted thinkers are people who trust only ONE source.

It takes a lot of energy, time, and research for JW's to accept the truth. They were lied to and deceived. They wasted years, decades, and perhaps their entire lives.

Mind control can make intelligent, logical thinkers stay in a religion they're not happy with and it compels them to go back. It makes the strong weak. It destroys lives, families, and friendships.

Question ALL sources of information, INCLUDING the ones that tell you they can be trusted. Be open minded. Consider all viewpoints. Be alert to evidence of innocent looking mind control suggestions repeated over and over again. Then after extensive gathering of information from all sources, draw your own conclusions. What is true? What is not true?

Understand mind control and take your power back. God Bless all of you.

Mind Control Continued: >>>>

1. Repetition and mind control. Adolf Hitler once said, "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed."