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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, 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.
Religious Mind Control.
A Jehovah's Witness will strongly disagree that their mind is being controlled. 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'. However 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.
For example, Jehovah's Witnesses are proud to have a unique language. They even brag about it. 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 has nothing to do with how smart you are or your IQ. Anyone can be a victim. The only way to protect yourself from being used and manipulated, is to be aware of how mind control 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. 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
Mind Control Basics.
The Mind ON Switch.
- Brother
- Sister
- 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?
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.
- Fear of Satan The Devil
- Fear of Armageddon and destruction of the wicked. See When Will Armageddon Come?
- Fear of breaking the rules. See Jesus the Mediator and Jehovah Witness Rules
- Fear of disobeying 'God's faithful slave'
- Fear of Jehovah. See Who Is Jehovah
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.
- Jehovah's Witnesses
- 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
- worldly knowledge; worldly people
- God of this world (Satan);
- separate from the world
- wicked world dominated by Satan the Devil
- wicked system of things
- Satan's organization
- resist Satan and his organization
- God's people (refers to Jehovah's Witnesses. People outside the organization are said to be 'worldly')
- his people (Jehovah's Witnesses)
- Jehovah's organization
- Jehovah God's visible organization
- faithful to Jehovah and his organization
- loyal to Jehovah and his organization
- Jehovah's theocratic organization
- Organized to do Jehovah's will
- like minded
- speaking in agreement
- end of this doomed system of things, dominated by Satan the Devil
- time of the end
- doing Jehovah's will before armageddon strikes
- Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion
- 144,000 ( 144000 )
- the anointed remnant
- the faithful and discreet slave
- putting Jehovah first
- apostates
- rebellion against Jehovah God and his organization
Mind Control 101.
1. False assumptions + religious propaganda = 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.
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