Posted by WitnetObserver [WitnetObserver] on November 04, 1999 at 03:05:12 {yxewwqp4aAdDxJLkw9cMQv.iPpdwjE}:
In Reply to: JWs,Freely Serving God? posted by Liberty on November 03, 1999 at 12:50:56:
http://www.factnet.org/rancho1.htm
Their system of control DUMPS
the evil grunt-work on the locals!
They use parts of ALL the tactics.
Looking like peaceful persuasion
is precisely what makes coercive persuasion
less likely to attract attention
or to mobilize opposition.
It is also part of what makes it
such a devastating control technology.
Victims of coercive persuasion have:
no signs of physical abuse,
convincing rationalizations for the radical
or abrupt changes in their behavior,
a convincing "sincerity",
and they have been changed so gradually
that they don't oppose it because
they usually aren't even aware of what
has been done TO them.
a: preoccupation with bringing in new members and making money
b: discouragement or punishment for any doubt or questioning of authority
c: a polarized "us vs. them" mindset
d: leadership is not accountable to any authority, either financially or morally
e: belief that "the ends justify the means" and readiness to use unethical means to achieve their goals
f: requiring members to socialize only with members of the cult
g: in more extreme cases, requiring members to cut ties completely with family or the outside community