Mind Control. A Powerful Technique That Limits Creativity, Freedom, And Happiness.
Limiting belief systems that appear to be the God honest 'truth', can be found in all cultures and societies.
Mind control will influence anyone who does not understand what people in power are doing. Today mind control is used by some religious leaders, cult leaders, political regimes, wealthy corporations through advertising and PR campaigns, ... etc. Billions of people on this planet are likely affected (or infected) and don't even know it.
This article discusses evidence of mind control in the Watchtower religion but it's a valuable lesson for everyone seeking true happiness, peace, contentment, and satisfaction in their life. Learn from this example and you will notice mind control in places you've never noticed it before.
It's time for us to take back our power. If you're an adult, the only person who should be controlling your mind is you. If someone else is deciding what's best for you, it will, - sooner or later have negative consequences.
Knowledge is power. Understand how mind control works and set yourself free forever. The 'powerful' will control you, but only if you allow it. That's how they became powerful and you became weak.
Mind control is how a few powerful people with knowledge you don't have can control what you will believe, what you will do, what you will say, how you spend your money, your career, your relationships, your freedom, your happiness, and all aspects of your life, - even down to your sexual practices and preferences. (WT, Dec 15, 2008, Article: 'Will You Hold Fast to Your Integrity?' par 10)
The good news is that mind control is very easy to spot once you know what to look for.
If you're unhappy with any aspect of your life, this article can make a difference, - whether you're a JW or not. The Watchtower religion is in the opinion of some, merely an extreme example of mind control that exploits kind, loving, and trusting JW's.
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 Witnesses to the point where no one questions why they say what they say. It's 'normal' in their society. Anything contrary to Watchtower doctrines is 'abnormal'. In fact the organization says that apostates (people who leave their religion,) are 'mentally diseased'. (WT, Sept 15, 2002, Article: 'Keep Practicing the Things You Have Learned', par 7)
Thus, thinking differently than what the Watchtower teaches is thought to be a mental illness. If it's not that, then it must be the temptations of the Devil to leave God and 'His organization' (another powerful suggestion and false assumption that zealous JW's don't dare to question).
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, strangers, other believers in your group, 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. Either I'm 'mentally diseased' or defective in some way or Satan is trying his hardest to make me leave God. ...
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 the WT, they cannot discuss their concerns with anyone, - even family members and closest friends. No one can be trusted.
It's not safe to say 'the Watchtower is not God's organization'. It's not safe to say, 'There's nothing wrong with celebrating the holidays or attending another church'. It's not safe to say, 'The Watchtower is wrong about blood transfusions'. 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 WT says, - even if they secretly have their doubts.
'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 ...' [WT, July 15, 2011, Article: "Will You Pay Attention to Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", p 11; par 7]
The WT also says JW's must not come in contact with former JW's (apostates) because mental disease is contagious and they could die! The WT 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.' [WT, 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.' [WT, July 15, 2011, Article: "Will You Pay Attention to Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", p 12; par 8]
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!
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.
'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.)
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.
Jehovah's Witnesses (implies they the only ones who understand God and are authorized by him to explain God's purpose)
Brothers and sisters (refers only to Jehovah's Witnesses and siblings)
doing Jehovah's work (refers to promoting WT interests)
putting Jehovah first (means doing God's will based on WT interpretations of their NWT Bible)
the truth; in the truth; out of the truth (Innocent looking but powerful mind control phrases. See In The Truth)
worldly knowledge; worldly people (implies that worldly knowledge is inferior to WT wisdom)
like minded (means don't disagree or ask why, - just do as everyone else is doing)
speaking in agreement (means to shut up and look the other way when you disagree. Support the organization fully, - even if you notice some things are not quite right.)
end of this doomed system of things, dominated by Satan the Devil (an assumption that everyone is doomed except JW's)
time of the end (implies urgency about preaching the organization's message)
doing Jehovah's will before armageddon strikes (creates a sense of urgency about doing everything the WT says God requires)
Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion (a mental picture: all other religions are confused and in spiritual darkness)
WT meetings are based on WT literature with brief quotes from the Bible. The Bible is a tool or authority that is quoted to 'prove' WT 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 WT 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 WT says, - not on what they may personally believe. Questioning what the WT says is not allowed because the information is thought to come from God.
Those who choose to 'participate' in meetings and zealously support WT viewpoints are given more respect and prominence than those who do not. Those who are not excited about what the WT 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 WT 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 wT 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 WT can veto God's top picks!
Disfellowshipping started in 1952 as a way to keep immoral people out of God's organization. Today it's a tool to get rid of JW's who know too much.
Anointed Member of the 144,000 Gets Disfellowshipped.
Theocratic Mind Control.
Compare the WT's 'theocratic' organization, with a 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 the WT, the leaders claim to represent God and rebellion against them is virtually the same as rebellion against God.
For more information, Google keywords such as these, - 'theocracy', 'Islam', 'theocracy human rights', etc ...
Mind Control 101.
1. 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.
2. 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 Jehovah first and listening to God's voice when they disagree with their church, they put unity, speaking in agreement, like mindedness, and the organization first. Could this be a modern day form of idolatry? See Salvation. The Best Religion. Will It Save You?
Religious Control.
Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
If you ask them they will say no. 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.
