# Thought Reform

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Posted by N.H. [Pravo] on October 27, 1999 at 12:30:44 {dPkPwxsNJEdhIjSXPymAX.sgIvMbfw}:

Thought Reform

In 1961, Dr. Robert J. Lifton published a book with the rather long title: “Thought reform and the Psychology of Totalism. A study of "Brainwashing" in China,”

Although Liftons study was originally conducted in the political area, it is quite clear that any Ideology, political or religious uses exactly the same mechanisms or tools to control and manipulate their members. Any set of emotionally charged convictions about man and his relationship to the natural or supernatural world, has the potential to be carried by its adherents in a totalistic direction. Lifton has set up 8 criteria which exist in a totalitarian movement. It is relatively easy to see if the Watchtower Society uses any of these techniques in their organization.
About 6 years ago I made a study of how the Watchtower Society implements these techniques. Let’s take a closer look:

Dr Robert J. Lifton’s 8 criteria for thought reform, (“brainwashing”). From the book: “Thought reform and the Psychology of Totalism. A study of "Brainwashing" in China,” 1961.
1. MILIEU CONTROL the most basic feature is the control of human communication within and environment if the control is extremely intense, it becomes internalized control -- an attempt to manage an individual's inner communication control over all a person sees, hears, reads, writes (information control) creates conflicts in respect to individual autonomy groups express this in several ways: Group process, isolation from other people, psychological pressure, geographical distance or unavailable transportation, sometimes physical pressure often a sequence of events, such as seminars, lectures, group encounters, which become increasingly intense and increasingly isolated, making it extremely difficult-- both physically and psychologically--for one to leave. sets up a sense of antagonism with the outside world; it's us against them closely connected to the process of individual change (of personality)

The Watchtower Society isn’t a country and cannot implement the more physical aspects of what is described by Lifton. But as I will demonstrate, the Watchtower Society has developed and refined these techniques to the extent that it can accomplish the same within a free democratic society, completely without barbed wires, and physical power. The decisive factor in building and maintaining the, not physical, but mental “walls” required to keep people in the Watchtower “pen” is that the Milieu control are functioning. When a Witness starts a “biblestudy” with an unsuspecting individual, the creation of this wall starts immediately. Usually by taking a little bit of reality, and magnifies this fragment up so that it appears to be the whole reality. In order to do this they first create a totally black and white “reality”. In this “illusion of reality environment”, the construction of the mental wall in the individual Jehovah's Witnesses mind, can be done. Those who become Witnesses must accept a totally different concept of reality. How is this possible in a democratic society, with a free press, etc?

It is possible because they don’t have to control all the information available. Only that particular information which has a bearing on the picture of reality that you want to create. Breaking down their recruits’ confidence in all information that doesn’t originate does this from Brooklyn. All information from “worldly” sources is to be regarded with the outmost suspicion. A typical example of this can be found in the August 22. 1990 issue of the Awake! Magazine. This way they create an environment where nothing is true and reliable before it has been printed in the Watchtower or some of the Watchtower Society other literature. Unless of course when they can benefit from the media’s sensationalism about crime and hunger and man’s tendency to regard the times they live in as the worst in history.

Another part of Milieu Control, which we can call “programmed activity” is utilized to it’s fullest by Brooklyn by making it compulsory to attend 5 hours of meetings per week, plus a number of other activities which takes precedence over everything else. The program for these meetings is as we know, made in Brooklyn. This Watchtower originated activity come in addition to all the other things you have to do. As we all know this extra activity creates stress and guilt, and a bad conscience, and creates a good climate for manipulation.
2. MYSTICAL MANIPULATION (Planned spontaneity) extensive personal manipulation seeks to promote specific patterns of behavior and emotion in such a way that it appears to have arisen spontaneously from within the environment, while it actually has been orchestrated totalist leaders claim to be agents chosen by God, history, or some supernatural force, to carry out the mystical imperative the "principles" (God-centered or otherwise) can be put forcibly and claimed exclusively, so that the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation (or enlightenment) the individual then develops the psychology of the pawn, and participates actively in the manipulation of others the leader who becomes the center of the mystical manipulation (or the person in whose name it is done) can be sometimes more real than an abstract god and therefore attractive to cult members legitimizes the deception used to recruit new members and/or raise funds, and the deception used on the "outside world"

There are many excellent examples of ”planned spontaneity” in the Watchtower Society. Take the blood ban for instance. All Jehovah's Witnesses claim that this is something they have arrived at, totally without the aid of any outside force. It is a “personal” decision, they say. Shunning is another example of the same phenomenon.

Mystical manipulation manifest itself in many other ways as well. The Watchtower leaders constantly reminds its adherents in no uncertain terms, that have been chosen by God, and that they ”know” things that no one else knows:

> “What Jehovah's Times and Seasons Mean for Our Day
> So God’s servants know what this world’s rulers do not. They know Jehovah’s purposes and his seasons…
> Since Jehovah’s servants of today obey him as ruler, God’s holy spirit also reveals to them what season it is from his viewpoint. Amos 3:7 says: “The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets.” The Watchtower April 25. 1986, page 18.

With the same certainty they make it crystal clear that no one have any hope of ever finding out the purpose of life and its meaning, without submitting to their authority:

> “The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter
> But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his “faithful and discreet slave,” made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.”
> The Watchtower December 1. 1981, page. 27.

As we can see from these quotes, the signals from the Watchtower leaders is clear, there is no room for misunderstanding. Only by submitting to them can you have any hope of ”understanding” the Bible and make any progress towards ”everlasting life”. To be able to establish such absolute power over other people they have to establish an indisputable authority. As Lifton show’s this is done by making the claim that they are appointed and ”lead” by the almighty God himself. The Watchtower have had a tremendous success with the way they have promoted and used the concept of ”organization”. Let us take a closer look at this:

> “Staying Awake with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave
> We know that Jehovah is using the Watch Tower Society of the “faithful and discreet slave” as a governing agency on earth today.” The Watchtower. July 15. 1960, page 444.

> “Staying Awake with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave”
> At times there are heard from immature ones slighting remarks, careless talk or outright criticism of the Society’s operations. Such is outright lack of respect for the means Jehovah is remarkably using to perform his will in this pre-Armageddon time. Truly the Society as directed by God’s holy spirit merits our deepest respect and wholehearted obedience.” The Watchtower. July 15. 1960, page 444

> “Praise Jehovah with His People
> 4 Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force. (Zech. 4:6) Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures, but they cannot understand their deep meaning.” The Watchtower. July 1. 1973, page 402.

> “Praise Jehovah with His People
> How very much true Christians appreciate associating with the only organization on earth that understands the “deep things of God”!” The Watchtower July 1. 1973, page 402.
> “Praise Jehovah with His People
> 16 If we truly appreciate Jehovah’s earthly organization, we will remain loyal to it, knowing that the organization is his. If we were to leave it, where else could we go? There is no other organization that is doing the divine will or that is educating people for life everlasting.
> The Watchtower July 1. 1973, page 404.

As we can see from the above quotes the word ”organization” is repeated several times. The ”organization is given a totally unique position in the mind of the individual Jehovah's Witnesses. Most people who count themselves Christian, have a relatively clear concept of Christ as their savior. Among Jehovah's Witnesses the ”Organization” has taken over this role totally. Take a look at the position it is given:

The cover of the Watchtower of March 1. 1979, tells us to have faith in a “Victorious Organization”.

> “Praise Jehovah with His People
> Of course, to serve and praise the Universal Sovereign, one must associate with the organization of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses.” The Watchtower July 1. 1973, page 401.

> 'Stay Awake and Keep Your Senses'
> 3 Any person who wants to survive into God’s righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with Jehovah and His earthly organization now”. The Watchtower November 15. 1981, page 16-17.

> “And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a “great war cry.”
> The Watchtower November 15. 1981, page 21.

> “Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits
> Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot!”
> The Watchtower January 15. 1983, page 27.

It is clear that Brooklyn doesn’t have much regard for the individual human beings chance of establishing a relationship with God. The individual’s future is totally dependent upon what relationship it can get to the Watchtower organization! The Christian idea about striving to get a personal relationship with God through Christ, is totally eclipsed by the Watchtower construction, the ”Organization” The extent to which the Watchtower Society has replaced Jesus with the organization is pretty clear in this next quote:

“If we truly appreciate Jehovah’s earthly organization, we will remain loyal to it, knowing that the organization is his. If we were to leave it, where else could we go? There is no other organization that is doing the divine will or that is educating people for life everlasting. When many abandoned Jesus Christ, he asked his apostles: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Peter replied: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life; and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.” The Watchtower. July 1. 1973, page 404.

As we see, they have no qualm with making the organization synonymous with Jesus. It should be pretty clear from the context that Peter alluded to Jesus Christ, not the Watchtower Organization, when he asked his question: “Whom shall we go to”. Here Brooklyn actually makes the outrageous claim that the Watchtower Organization is indeed the “Holy One of God”!

> 1. You cant ”serve and praise” God, outside the ”organization!

> 2.No one outside the ”organization will survive.

> 3.If you want to survive, you have to get the ”right relationship” to the ”organization!

> 4.If you want salvation you must ”come” to the ”organization”

> 5. You can’t ”get along” without the organization!

> 6.You cant make any progress and understand the Bible outside the organization”

It is amazing and frightening to which extent the Watchtower Society has succeeded in placing this organization above everything in the individual Jehovah's Witness life. The Organization has become their all, their only hope in life. The Watchtower has succeeded in acquiring the ultimate tool for manipulating other peoples lives, namely the authority of Almighty God. Down through history there have been many conflicts between individuals and different Churches. But because these people had a personal faith, a personal relationship with their God, they were able to worship God as individuals outside the Church they left. It is very serious and some times fatal for any Jehovah's Witness to leave the Watchtower Organization, if they still believe the doctrine that there is no possibility of worship outside the organization. Very few Jehovah's Witnesses have a personal faith, a personal relationship with God. In this situation suicide isn’t unusual. The leaders of the Watchtower Organization has managed to get full control of the Organization that all of mankind HAS to join in order to establish any contact with God.
Doing this the Watchtower leaders has managed to reduce God, and Jesus roles to almost nothing. These figures are only important to the degree that they can bolster the iron grip the Society has on their members. Here are a few examples of how ingrained this is:

> *** km 4/91 3 Reaping in Proportion to Our Personal Effort ***
> Jehovah has demonstrated his loving concern by giving us his inspired Word, the Bible, and by raising up his marvelous organization, through which we receive counsel and instruction.

> *** km 4/91 3 Reaping in Proportion to Our Personal Effort ***
> However, of vital importance is the individual effort we make. What can we do to draw closer to the organization?

> *** km 4/91 3 Reaping in Proportion to Our Personal Effort ***
> Are there points that we need to apply in the way of instructions that the organization gives us?

> *** km 4/91 3 Reaping in Proportion to Our Personal Effort ***
> Now, tens of thousands of new ones are flocking to the organization each year.

> *** km 4/91 3 Reaping in Proportion to Our Personal Effort ***
> Do we appreciate the counsel and warnings given us repeatedly by the organization concerning the need for moral and spiritual cleanness in the congregation?

Everything revolves around the Organization. This in turn give enormous status and power to those who rule the organization. They become God’s extended arm on earth. It is their power that grows through the extreme focusing on the organization. This is what Mystical Manipulation is all about, power. Religion isn’t the goal, it is just a means to get power, power over life and death. The only thing that matters is to perpetuate the organization, Everything that consolidate the well being and the safety of the organization is good. It becomes the ultimate goal.
3. THE DEMAND FOR PURITY the world becomes sharply divided into the pure and the impure, the absolutely good (the group/ideology) and the absolutely evil (everything outside the group) one must continually change or conform to the group "norm" tendencies towards guilt and shame are used as emotional levers for the group's controlling and manipulative influences once a person has experienced the totalist polarization of good/evil (black/white thinking), he has great difficulty in regaining a more balanced inner sensitivity to the complexities of human morality the radical separation of pure/impure is both within the environment (the group) and the individual ties in with the process of confession -- one must confess when one is not conforming.

> “People inclined toward righteousness are drawn to a clean organization. By contrast, Satan’s organization is unclean.” The Watchtower. December 15. 1995, page 29

Black an white thinking is the basis to maintain the “wall”, because one thinks in the term, “us or them” Us, which belong to the “faithful”, the “true Christians”, and all the others who belong to the “worldly, unfaithful and false Christians. Those on the other side of the “wall”. This black and white view, or thinking is easy to find in the Watchtower literature. The Watchtower reality consists of two organizations. God’s organization and Satan’s organization. One “clean”, the other “unclean”. During the years I have worked with the spreading of information about the Watchtower Society, I have frequently noticed that the Watchtower Society is completely unable to understand the fact that I am an individual. All the time they conjure up an international organization of “opposers”.
An “organization” seems to be the smallest entity imaginable in Brooklyn. Any kind of nuances will completely destroy this illusion. You don’t have to read much in the Watchtower literature to find examples of this sharply divided world:

> “Why Fear the True God Now?
> Yearly, hundreds of thousands escape this corrupt world to dwell with the clean, upright organization of Jehovah’s worshipers. Soon, after God’s fiery judgments against false religion and the rest of this wicked system have been executed, they will live forever in a righteous new world.”
> The Watchtower. October 15. 1995, page 12.

> “Well, that new “nation,” born in 1919 in a restored “land,” was to develop into a worldwide organization made up of anointed and nonanointed praisers of Jehovah. This organization will survive Armageddon into God’s new world. In this way that nation could be viewed as the nucleus of the righteous human society, the new earth, that will exist after the destruction of Satan’s world.”
> The Watchtower. July 1. 1995, page 21.

> “Satan’s world is characterized by “unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents.” (Romans 1:29, 30) In such an environment, a worldwide organization characterized by love would be powerful evidence of God’s spirit in action—an effective witness. Jehovah’s Witnesses make up such an organization.”
> The Watchtower. September 1. 1995, page 15.

It is of the outmost importance that no one can live up to the Organizations demand for purity. The individual must always fall short of these demands. To keep every single Jehovah's Witness in a constant state of guilt and feeling inadequacy is very important. In this state they become very easy to manipulate. One thing that is very unhealthy for any human being is to be loaded down with duties, and at the same time deny the individual all autonomy and possibility to authority over the execution of these duties. But let’s take a look at some of the most visual manipulation in the Watchtower.
4. CONFESSION cultic confession is carried beyond its ordinary religious, legal and therapeutic expressions to the point of becoming a cult in itself sessions in which one confesses to one's sin are accompanied by patterns of criticism and self-criticism, generally transpiring within small groups with an active and dynamic thrust toward personal change is an act of symbolic self-surrender makes it virtually impossible to attain a reasonable balance between worth and humility a young person confessing to various sins of pre-cultic existence can both believe in those sins and be covering over other ideas and feelings that s/he is either unaware of or reluctant to discuss often a person will confess to lesser sins while holding on to other secrets (often criticisms/questions/doubts about the group/leaders that may cause them not to advance to a leadership position) "the more I accuse myself, the more I have a right to judge you"

5. SACRED SCIENCE the totalist milieu maintains an aura of sacredness around its basic doctrine or ideology, holding it as an ultimate moral vision for the ordering of human existence questioning or criticizing those basic assumptions is prohibited a reverence is demanded for the ideology/doctrine, the originators of the ideology/doctrine, the present bearers of the ideology/doctrine offers considerable security to young people because it greatly simplifies the world and answers a contemporary need to combine a sacred set of dogmatic principles with a claim to a science embodying the truth about human behavior and human psychology.

This is so accurate that it appears to be written with the Watchtower Society in mind. Of course it isn’t, this is something all cult’s has in common, and the Watchtower Society more than qualifies. We all know that questioning and criticizing Watchtower doctrine is absolutely forbidden. All brain activity and thinking, at least regarding doctrine is a no, no. The Watchtower is extremely clear on this. Look at the quotes below and notice the totally ridiculous and lame arguments:

> “From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God’s way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ‘You can decide for yourself what is good and bad,’ Satan told Eve. ‘You don’t have to listen to God. He is not really telling you the truth.’ (Genesis 3:1-5) To this day, it has been Satan’s subtle design to infect God’s people with this type of thinking. — 2 Timothy 3:1, 13. How is such independent thinking manifested?
> A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.”
> The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 22.

To discredit thinking, they use the old tired fundamentalist trick by bringing the useful “all purpose” wizard, Satan into the picture. Yes, Satan invented thinking, so who want’s to think at all. By now some of you Jehovah's Witness geniuses already think you have spotted the weak link. Ah but the Watchtower are speaking about “independent thinking”. That’s very significant. The Watchtower doesn’t claim that Satan invented thinking as such, only “independent thinking” so there. Well, then you might read a little further with me here:

> “Fight Against Independent Thinking
> As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: “This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride.” The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 27.

Here the Watchtower is actually defining what it means with the expression “independent thinking”.
The Watchtower said:

“This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking.”

Well, folks here we have it. If anyone of you feel that it is appropriate that you as an individual should actually dare to make up your OWN MIND about what you are going to believe or not, you are actually practicing this Satanic invention of independent thinking! This is very far reaching and really put us in quite a spot. Imagine that you were watching TV, and a nice, well-dressed man presented a good case for the idea that the earth is really flat. Would any of you sinners out there, dare enter into the abominable and devilish practice of actually “MAKING UP YOUR OWN MIND ON WHAT TO BELIEVE”? What a horrible thought! What a display of satanic activity that would be! No, any true Christian would of course believe the man, right? What? You wouldn’t? Why? Oh, I see. So Independent thinking is only wrong when the Watchtower Society is concerned. Ok. Yes, you are right, the Watchtower confirms this:

> “How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 22.

So all of you “thinkers” out there, if you want to join the Watchtower Society you must discipline yourself. Get a spiritual lobotomy. “Discipline” yourself and stop thinking. We all know that this actually works, we are reminded of it every day, right here on the H2O:

> “Due to background and upbringing, some may be more given to independent thinking and self-will than others. Perhaps this is an area where we need to discipline ourselves and ‘make our mind over’ so that we can perceive more clearly what the “will of God” is.”
> The Watchtower. February 1. 1987, page 19.

Enter obedience school and become a mindless drone:

> “Be Obedient to Those Taking the Lead
> ”But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God’s organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us.” The Watchtower. September 15. 1989, page 23.

> “Instead of feeling frustrated by their limitations and treating their counsel lightly, let us appreciate and accept the Bible-based direction of the elders as coming from God.”
> The Watchtower. September 15. 1989, page 23.

6. LOADING THE LANGUAGE the language of the totalist environment is characterized by the thought-terminating cliche (thought-stoppers) repetitiously centered on all-encompassing jargon "the language of non-thought" words are given new meanings -- the outside world does not use the words or phrases in the same way -- it becomes a "group" word or phrase

The Watchtower Society even has its own name for this loaded language. Their own particular language of non thought It is called “The clean language” or “Theocratic language” As we just documented in the above discussion of “independent thinking”, the “thought stoppers” is frequently used in the Watchtower loaded language. There are scores of cliché’s too. Like “true Christians”, “in the truth”, “in good standing”, “loyal brother”, “mature” “upstanding”, upbuilding”, “apostate”, “worldly”, “the world”, “disloyal”, “opposer”, etc. Cliché’s are very handy when one want to manipulate peoples thinking. When a speaker on a Jehovah's Witnesses meeting or assembly use these cliché’s he automatically conjure up the same images in the audience mind.

The well-known Czech dissident and now president Havel once said that the communist rulers ”owned the language.
As Lifton points out is this typical sign of a totalist regime. And the Watchtower Society leaders certainly qualify.

7. DOCTRINE OVER PERSON every issue in one's life can be reduced to a single set of principles that have an inner coherence to the point that one can claim the experience of truth and feel it the pattern of doctrine over person occurs when there is a conflict between what one feels oneself experiencing and what the doctrine or ideology says one should experience if one questions the beliefs of the group or the leaders of the group, one is made to feel that there is something inherently wrong with them to even question -- it is always "turned around" on them and the questioner/criticizer is questioned rather than the questions answered directly the underlying assumption is that doctrine/ideology is ultimately more valid, true and real than any aspect of actual human character or human experience and one must subject one's experience to that "truth" the experience of contradiction can be immediately associated with guilt one is made to feel that doubts are reflections of one's own evil when doubt arises, conflicts become intense.

Do you remember the above quote:

> “How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” The Watchtower. January 15. 1983, page 22.

Under the old Soviet regime, anybody questioning and criticizing the political system and the party line was considered insane, and some times even forcibly committed to an asylum. We all know that the Watchtower Society leaders think about criticism. We have all heard that if we are not happy with the “theocratic” ways of the organization, this must be because something is wrong with us personally.

> “What else does the Devil use in trying to turn us away? Has he not always tried to stir up rebellion, to cause Jehovah’s servants to become critical of those taking the lead? ‘The elders just do not understand. They are too critical, too demanding,’ some may say. A person may go further and claim that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses or other responsible brothers interfere with freedom of conscience and the individual’s “right” to interpret the Scriptures.”
> The Watchtower March 15. 1986, page 17.

> “Beware of those who try to put forward their own contrary opinions. Also beware of those who want to throw off all restraints or who promise freedom, claiming that Jehovah’s Witnesses are slaves! “
> The Watchtower March 15. 1986, page 17.

> “What is often the motive of those who criticize the Society or those taking the lead? Is it not often that some application of Scripture affects them personally? Rather than conform to sound doctrine and direction, they want the organization to change.” The Watchtower March 15. 1986, page 18.

> “Those who despise Jehovah’s teaching include individuals who criticize and complain about Jehovah’s clean organization and its rules for maintaining peace and good order. There is only a fine line of demarcation between such and those who are outright rebels.” The Watchtower May 15. 1984, page 17.

> “If we object to something done by the body of elders or criticize the way some matter is handled, we are being disloyal to Jehovah’s organization. Let us remember that the elders are not newly converted men; they have been serving Jehovah for years. (1 Tim. 3:6) And what is it that prompts faultfinding or complaining? Is it not often a desire to elevate ourselves in the eyes of others? In other words, pride is the root of the problem. This course of action actually may involve resisting the holy spirit, because the holy spirit is responsible for the appointments of older men in the congregation.”
> The Watchtower July 1. 1974, page 413.

> “Another factor in cultivating a right mental attitude is being able to overlook imperfections in the Christian organization and faults in fellow Christians. Although God’s spirit operates on the organization, it does not govern every decision and every movement of the human overseers. These men are free moral agents who are left to make decisions they feel are best for the New World society.”
> The Watchtower June 15. 1958, page 375.

8 DISPENSING OF EXISTENCE since the group has an absolute or totalist vision of truth, those who are not in the group are bound up in evil, are not enlightened, are not saved, and do not have the right to exist "being verses nothingness" impediments to legitimate being must be pushed away or destroyed one outside the group may always receive their right of existence by joining the group fear manipulation -- if one leaves this group, one leaves God or loses their transformation, for something bad will happen to them the group is the "elite", outsiders are "of the world", "evil", "unenlightened", etc.”

When it comes to “dispensing of existence” the Watchtower Society is in fact extreme, even compared to people like Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot. Those who don’t want to be a Jehovah's Witness do not have any “right to exist”! To make the matter even worse is the fact that they call something that they know and believe to be the worst mass slaughter in the history of mankind: “Jehovah’s wonderful purpose for mankind”! In the fifties and sixties this incredible carnage was described with in dwelling details, obvious joy and satisfaction in the Watchtower literature:

> “Men can spray a field with chemicals that kill weeds but spare crops; too bad they cannot spray cities with bombs that blow the bad to bits but leave the innocent intact. The battle of Armageddon is righteous and in harmony with Jehovah’s attributes of justice, power, wisdom and love. It is just because it is selective in its destruction. It kills those deserving to die.” The Watchtower July 15. 1955, page 436.

> “Men have a saying about “dying with your boots on.” At Armageddon Jehovah God will grant their wish and let them “die with their boots on.” He will allow them to build up to peak strength and go down fighting.” The Watchtower July 15. 1955, page 438.

> “He orders his King, Jesus Christ, to tread his enemies, who have been made as a foot stool for his feet. Into the valley of decision, as into a vast wine-press trough, the King leaps with his army of holy angels. SQUASH! The treading of the nations, including Christendom, begins. The “low plain of Jehoshaphat,” “the low plain of the decision,” becomes the “great wine press of the anger of God.” His royal Son, Jesus Christ, leads in the crushing. “He treads too the press of the wine of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty,” says Revelation 19:15.
> 58 Never before in all human history will so many human creatures have been slaughtered. Blood, as representing human lives poured out, will run deep and over a vast distance.”
> The Watchtower December 1. 1961, page 725.

> “For mere selfish reasons those political “shepherds” and “majestic ones” will “howl,” yes, roll about on the ground. As the Sovereign Lord Jehovah calls them to account during the “great tribulation,” they will grimly realize that the day has come for them to be slaughtered and scattered.”
> The Watchtower October 15. 1979, page 28.

When comparing Lifton’s 8 elements in Thought reform or “brainwashing”, to what tools the Watchtower leaders use to gain control over the individual Witness, I have no doubt that the Watchtower Society is “overqualified”.
But of course anyone is free to disagree.

Norm.

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