http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/fear-cult-mind-control.php

Religion has the power to manipulate humans to believe unrealistic doctrine and engage in destructive behaviour. Examples are:

•Members of suicide cults and suicide bombers that sacrifice their own life and kill innocent members of the public
•Parents that allow their child to die refusing medical treatments
•Mothers and fathers that are instructed to shun their own children, or children that shun their parents and siblings for life, due to a difference of opinion over religion or morals

This section condenses a vast volume of research into political and religious control techniques in an effort to explain such behaviour. These techniques are then compared with Watchtower practices. Finally the emotional affects on members are examined, particular for those that try to leave such an organization. I consider this article as the most important on this site.

A critically important concept for one of Jehovah's Witnesses to realise is that they are not unique; neither in doctrinal beliefs, displays of love or techniques of control. The main indicators of mind control is any group that maintains;

•leadership deserves strict, •unquestioning obedience
•they alone are unique in teaching truth
•salvation is only possible through association with the group
•dissenters must be strictly shunned

Sites dedicated to cult awareness suggest that there are over 3,000 organizations in America alone that fit such descriptions and 10,000 globally. These range from groups with a handful of followers, to those with millions. The Watchtower Society perfectly aligns with this description and as such is classified as a "high control group" appearing on most cult awareness lists.

Lifton

Coercive persuasion is the academic term for mind control or brainwashing. The first major study showing how to identify organisations using mind control was done by Robert Lifton in the 1950's. He specifically researched Chinese communist techniques.

In the 1950's Robert J Lifton conducted a ground breaking study of techniques used to successfully brainwash captured American pilots to convert to the Communist ideology. This is presented in the 1961 book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China. This has been the basis for research into religions that use similar techniques to persuade members that they alone teach truth. Lifton identified eight points used that indicate a group is using coercive techniques or thought reform, techniques commonly used by cults.

Another leader in the field is Dr. Margaret Singer. Dr Singer summarises Lifton's eight points as follows. All eight points align closely with practices and teachings of the Watchtower Society, and I have added examples of common Watchtower reasoning to show how closely these coincide:

1.Environment Control. Limitation of many/all forms of communication with those outside the group. Books, magazines, letters and visits with friends and family are taboo. "Come out and be separate!"

"False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used "the faithful and discreet slave" to convey to us "sayings of everlasting life," why should we ever want to look anywhere else?" Watchtower 1987 Nov 1 p.20

"We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. We may reason, 'He respects the Witnesses, he leads a clean life, and we do talk about the truth occasionally.' Yet, the experience of others proves that in time we may even find ourselves preferring such worldly company to that of a spiritual brother or sister. What are some of the dangers of such a friendship?" Watchtower 1994 Feb 15 p.24

2. Mystical Manipulation. The potential convert to the group becomes convinced of the higher purpose and special calling of the group through a profound encounter / experience, for example, through an alleged miracle or prophetic word of those in the group.

Russell

"Then I knew why the Lord had led me to it so slowly and cautiously. I needed a special preparation of heart for the full appreciation of all it contained, and I was all the more assured that it was not of my own wisdom; for if of my own why would it not have come at once?" Zion's Watch Tower 1906 Jul 15 p.234

Rutherford

"Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah... and is given to the faithful anointed.... the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones." Preparation p.64

Current Governing Body

"However, we cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it." Examining the Scriptures Daily 2012 Mar 4

"The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization." Watchtower 1974 July 15 p.441

"Today, Jehovah provides instruction by means of "the faithful steward." (Luke 12:42)" Pay Attention to Yourself and to All The Flock p.13

3. Demand for Purity. An explicit goal of the group is to bring about some kind of change, whether it be on a global, social, or personal level. "Perfection is possible if one stays with the group and is committed."

"The resulting peaceableness of Jehovah's people makes them a refreshing oasis in a violent world." Watchtower 2002 July 1 p.17

"DO YOU attend meetings at a Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses? There you see a people far different from any other! Who are these people, and why are they different? We are Gods own people, and we are different because we bear the grandest of all namesthat of the glorious Creator of all the marvels of the universe around us." Watchtower 1988 Jan 15 p.10

4. Cult of Confession. The unhealthy practice of self disclosure to members in the group. Often in the context of a public gathering in the group, admitting past sins and imperfections, even doubts about the group and critical thoughts about the integrity of the leaders.

"So, if doubts, complaints, or apostasy threaten to contaminate you spiritually, cut them away quickly! (Compare Matthew 5:29, 30.) Get help from the congregation elders." Watchtower 1989 Oct 1 p.18

"It is certainly not easy to confess to others deeds that one feels ashamed of and to seek forgiveness. It takes inner strength." Watchtower 2001 Jun 1 p.31

"If he does not do this within a reasonable period of time, concern for the cleanness of the congregation should move you to report the matter to the elders" Watchtower 1989 Oct 15 pp.14-15

"Employers have a right to expect that their Christian employees will 'exhibit good fidelity to the full,' including observing rules on confidentiality. There may be occasions when a faithful servant of God is motivated by his personal convictions, based on his knowledge of God's Word, to strain or even breach the requirements of confidentiality because of the superior demands of divine law. Courage and discretion would be needed. The objective would not be to spy on another's freedom but to help erring ones and to keep the Christian congregation clean." Watchtower 1987 Sep 1 p.15

5. Sacred Science. The group's perspective is absolutely true and completely adequate to explain EVERYTHING. The doctrine is not subject to amendments or question. ABSOLUTE conformity to the doctrine is required.

"First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding." Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14

"Jehovah uses his organization to teach and feed his people. (Matt. 24:45-47) Hence believe without suspicion the truth set forth by the “faithful and discreet slave.”" Watchtower 1962 Sep 1 p.524

This creates an environment of "black and white" thinking.

"If we stop actively supporting Jehovah’s work, then we start following Satan. There is no middle ground." Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.18

6. Loaded Language. A new vocabulary emerges within the context of the group. Group members "think" within the very abstract and narrow parameters of the group's doctrine. The terminology sufficiently stops members from thinking critically by reinforcing a "black and white" mentality. Loaded terms and clichés prejudice thinking.

'the truth', 'new system', 'worldly people', 'disfellowship' 'Jehovah's Organization', 'RV's', 'door to door', 'theocratic', 'remnant'.

7. Doctrine over Person. Pre-group experience and group experience are narrowly and decisively interpreted through the absolute doctrine, even when experience contradicts the doctrine.

"The world is filled with unhappiness, and people generally have a gloomy outlook on the future. However, we have a bright outlook, knowing that one day all sadness will be a thing of the past." Kingdom Ministry Feb 2002 p.1

8. Dispensing of Existence. Salvation is possible only in the group. Those who leave the group are doomed.

"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Watchtower 1989 Sep 1 p.19

"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude...They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching ..." Watchtower 1981 Aug 15 p.29

"To turn away from Jehovah and his organization, to spurn the direction of "the faithful and discreet slave," and to rely simply on personal Bible reading and interpretation is to become like a solitary tree in a parched land." Watchtower 1985 Jun 1 p.20

"I suffered much pain and heartache without Jehovah's guidance," says one young woman who for a time left God's organization. "I tried to fit in with the world, but because I was not truly like others, they rejected me. I felt like a lost child who needed a father to guide me. That is when I realized that I needed Jehovah. I never wanted to live independent of him again." Watchtower 1998 Oct 1 pp.10-11

"With apostates earth wide being destroyed, what reason can one have for confidence of life in paradise to follow?" Kingdom Ministry Sep 1973 p.6

Lifton identified a common theme amongst mind control groups. To summarise; the leaders claim a mystical source of guidance, claim to be the sole channel of truth and salvation, must not be questioned, demand members separate themselves from others, and punish leavers with shunning. This is the very core to Watchtower doctrine!

Steven Hassan

Steven Hassan became involved with the Moonies and upon being 'deprogrammed' went on to become a world's renowned cult specialist. The rising number of manipulative groups makes his books Combating Cult Mind Control (Park Street Press 1990) and Releasing the Bonds (Freedom of Mind Press 2000) important reading.

Hassan presents the BITE method as a simple way to test if a group is engaged in persuasive coercion4;

•Behaviour Control
•Information Control
•Thought Control
•Emotional Control

In chapter 2 of Releasing the Bonds Hassan lists examples of control techniques. Following are those that relate to the Watchtower Society:

Information Control

•Use of deception
•Deliberately holding back information
•Distorting information to make it more "acceptable"
•Outright lying
•Access to non-cult sources of information minimized or discouraged
Books, articles, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio

Critical information

•Former members
Keep members so busy they don't have time to think and check things out.
•Compartmentalization of information; Outsider vs. Insider doctrines
•Information is not freely accessible
•Information varies at different levels and missions within pyramid
•Leadership decides who "needs to know" what and when
•Spying and reporting on other members
•Extensive use of cult generated information and propaganda
Newsletters, magazines, journals, audio tapes, videotapes, and other media
•Misquotations, statements taken out of context from non-cult sources
•confession

Thought control

•Need to internalize the group's doctrine as "Truth"
•Black and White thinking - Good vs. Evil, us vs. them, inside vs. outside
Use of "loaded" language (for example, "thought-terminating clichés"). Words are the tools we use to think with. These "special" words constrict rather than expand understanding, and can even stop thoughts altogether. They function to reduce complexities of experience into trite, platitudinous "buzz words."
•Only "good" and "proper" thoughts are encouraged.
•No critical questions about leader, doctrine, or policy seen as legitimate
•No alternative belief systems viewed as legitimate, good, or useful

Emotional control

•Make the person feel that if there are ever any problems, it is always their fault, never the leader's or the group's.
•Excessive use of guilt
•Excessive use of fear
•Fear of thinking independently
•Fear of the "outside" world
•Fear of enemies
•Fear of losing one's "salvation"
•Fear of leaving the group or being shunned by group
•Fear of disapproval
•Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about ever leaving the group or even questioning the leader's authority. The person under mind control cannot visualize a positive, fulfilled future without being in the group.
•No happiness or fulfilment outside of the group
•Terrible consequences will take place if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc.
•Shunning of leave takers; fear of being rejected by friends, peers, and family
Never a legitimate reason to leave. From the group's perspective, people who leave are "weak," "undisciplined," "unspiritual," "worldly," "brainwashed by family or counselor," or "seduced by money, sex, rock and roll."

Hassan clarifies that although a cult will display all four aspects, not every cult displays all aspects of each criteria to the same degree. Some may require their members to live in communes, but this is rarely the case.

"It is important to understand that destructive mind control can be determined when the overall effect of these four components promotes dependency and obedience to some leader or cause. It is not necessary for every single item on the list to be present. Mind controlled cult members can live in their own apartments, have nine-to-five jobs, be married with children, and still be unable to think for themselves and act independently."
It is also important to gauge the four aspects against the regulation of core members, not fringe dwellers.

"...fringe members will usually experience much less control than someone at the core. I look at the core membership of organization, not its fringe members, in my evaluation."

This would include active publishers, pioneers, elders and bethelites.

In Chapter 4, Hassan goes on to explain the type of people susceptible to joining cults.

"Most people would like to believe that they are in complete control of their mind at all times. But it is precisely this belief in our own invulnerability that allows cults to entrap unsuspecting recruits. There are three primary reasons why intelligent, educated people with stable backgrounds can be drawn into cults. First, there is a pervasive lack of awareness about cults and mind control.

Second, many situations make people more vulnerable to recruitment. For example, person whose parents have recently separated or divorced will be more likely to listen to a recruiter who describes his group as "one big happy family". Someone whose romantic relationship or marriage has just ended will be more susceptible to come-ons by an attractive person. Other common variables include: death of a loved one, illness, loss of a job, graduation (from high school or college), and moving to a new location (city, state, country). Situational vulnerabilities occur in everyone's life. It is easy to see how people tend to be more vulnerable to an attractive recruiter offering community, love and meaning during such episodes. "

Finally, some individuals have psychological profiles that make recruitment easier for cults. In general, people who have difficulty thinking critically will be easier targets. People-pleasers, who seek the approval of their peer group out of insecurity, and anyone with low self esteem, will be more vulnerable to the peer pressure exerted by cult recruiters. Individuals with learning disorders, drug or alcohol problems, unresolved sexual issues, pre-existing phobias, and other unresolved traumatic issues will also be easier targets. Cults seek out such vulnerabilities and use them against recruit, often making grandiose claims that their group will solve all of the person's problems." - pp.86, 87

The Watchtower acknowledges that it is possible to persuade people to act in a certain way and shows it is well aware of methods that can be used to influence people to act en masse.

"The person most easily brainwashed is the "normal," average individual. Such a one is already conditioned to accept opinions of others rather than to form strong convictions of his own." Awake! 1980 Jan 8 pp.13-14 Has Mass Persuasion Affected You?

The following quotes on propaganda are excerpts from the Awake! 2000 June 22 in the articles "The Manipulation of Information" and "Do Not Be a Victim of Propaganda!"

"The cunning propagandist loves such shortcuts-especially those that short-circuit rational thought. Propaganda encourages this by agitating the emotions, by exploiting insecurities, by capitalizing on the ambiguity of language, and by bending rules of logic. …
Certainly, the handiest trick of the propagandist is the use of outright lies. …
Another very successful tactic of propaganda is generalization. Generalizations tend to obscure important facts about the real issues in question, and they are frequently used to demean entire groups of people. …
Some people insult those who disagree with them by questioning character or motives instead of focusing on the facts. … [*I just hope BERNIMORE is seeing this*].
The sly art of propaganda can paralyse thought, prevent clear thinking and discernment and condition individuals to act en masse. …
Emotional appeals are fabricated by practiced publicists, who play on feelings as skillfully as a virtuoso plays the piano. For example, fear is an emotion that can becloud judgment. …
THERE is a difference-a big difference-between education and propaganda. Education shows you how to think. Propaganda tells you what to think. Good educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists relentlessly force you to hear their view and discourage discussion. Often their real motives are not apparent. They sift the facts, exploiting the useful ones and concealing the others. They also distort and twist facts, specializing in lies and half-truths. Your emotions, not your logical thinking abilities, are their target. …
The propagandist makes sure that his message appears to be the right and moral one and that it gives you a sense of importance and belonging if you follow it. You are one of the smart ones, you are not alone, you are comfortable and secure-so they say. …
So we need to be selective. We need to scrutinize whatever is presented to us, deciding what to accept and what to reject. …
Also, if possible, try to check the track record of those speaking. Are they known to speak the truth?"
The above statements are remarkable when compared with information supplied within the very pages of the Watchtower. Following are examples of how the Watchtower aligns with Hassan's four areas of control, and with each of the techniques listed in the Awake! on manipulation through propaganda.

Behaviour Control

Behaviour control relates to a group having a rigid set of rules, and large demands on time.

The Watchtower Society has an intricate set of standards, much of which is not specified in the Bible. Hair, beards, clothing, tattoos, movies, music, dancing, gambling, smoking, political involvement, physical and sexual intimacies, holidays and entertainment are all dictated. How many meetings to attend each week, how many hours witnessing are considered acceptable and how to report it. If a brother wants to be a "servant" he will generally have to report that he preaches at least the publisher average, generally about 10 hours a month. The list goes on; to be a pioneer, elder or Bethelite is a privilege that requires a different set of behavioural standards than a publisher. This creates a community, a Witness feels special, but for reasons not stated in the Bible.

The book Brainwashing - The Science of Thought Control by Kathleen Taylor (Oxford University Press Inc., New York, 2004) presents an excellent summary of current research into the biology and psychology of the brain and identifies how organizations use this for the purposes of control. The mind is described very much like a river. As water flows down a river it erodes; the more water that flows down the river, the deeper it becomes. Likewise, the more a thought is repeated the stronger the brains synapses supporting that thought become. Furthermore, just as a river gets larger the more tributaries feed it, a belief will become stronger and harder to give up the more other beliefs connect to it. For these reasons the key to brainwashing is repetition.

The reason a Witness has such strongly entrenched beliefs is directly related to:

•the regularity and repetitive nature of the Watchtower schedule
•the broad nature of this information, infiltrating all areas of a Witness belief, regarding topics are diverse as cosmology, morality, palaeontology, theology, the historic past, evaluation of current events and hope for the prophetic future.
•The "PASS" into paradise emphasises the need for repetition of Watchtower teachings.

Prayer - Regular prayer to Jehovah
Association - Regular meeting attendance
Service - Regular Preaching
Study - Regular study of Bible publications; that is, Watchtower publications

The Watchtower routine assists in understanding the conviction of a Jehovah's Witness. A Witness is told to do the following:

Monday - Book Study preparation from a Watchtower publication
Tuesday - Attend the Book Study (until 2009)
Wednesday - Service Meeting preparation from Watchtower publications
Thursday - Attend the Ministry school and Service Meeting
Friday - Watchtower study preparation
Saturday - Preaching and placing Watchtower publications
Sunday - Public talk and Watchtower Study

Added to this is daily reading of the Bible and the Watchtower Daily Text book, monthly Watchtower and Awake! magazines, new release books from the convention along with the Yearbook. It was calculated that in 1981 the above schedule required reading over 3,000 pages of Watchtower literature, whilst the scheduled Bible Reading for the years was only 197 pages.6

Every day is spent being educated by Watchtower publications. Even an average Witness that does not do all the preparation will spend 4 days a week on Watchtower based activity. Bible study always involves the Watchtower publications for an interpretation of the Bible and is usually done with the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT), translated by the Watchtower Society. All Bible translations contain a bias towards the way the translators understand certain teachings, and the NWT is no exception.

Applicable is a statement by Philip G Zimbardo, PhD, professor of psychology at Stanford University in the article "What messages are behind today's cults?" published in the American Psychological Association APA Monitor as it shows that the structure of Watchtower doctrine and behavior is no different to many other organizations:

"Cult methods of recruiting, indoctrinating and influencing their members are not exotic forms of mind control, but only more intensely applied mundane tactics of social influence practiced daily by all compliance professionals and societal agents of influence. ... cult leaders offer simple solutions to the increasingly complex world problems we all face daily. They offer the simple path to happiness, to success, to salvation by following their simple rules, simple group regimentation and simple total lifestyle. Ultimately, each new member contributes to the power of the leader by trading his or her freedom for the illusion of security and reflected glory that group membership holds out."

Information Control

Throughout history authoritarian religion and politics have restricted members from viewing and discussing information critical or expressing a differing opinion from the group. Information must paint the organization in a good light to escape censorship. An organization has a hidden agenda if it lies about its history or threats are made to prevent a person reading critical literature about the organization. It also has a hidden agenda if the average member is unable to access information about how the organization is run.

Information from both within and external to the Watchtower Society is censored. Research into publications not provided by the Slave is discouraged and anything written by ex members is regularly and strongly forbidden.


"In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing, …"Watchtower 1967 Jun 1 p.338

"“Interestingly, a circuit overseer in France observes: ‘Some brothers are deceived because they lack accurate knowledge.’ That is why Proverbs 11:9 states: ‘By knowledge are the righteous rescued.’ This does not mean giving apostates a hearing ear or delving into their writings. Rather, it means coming to ‘an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God’ through diligent personal study of the Bible and the Society’s Bible-based publications. Having this accurate knowledge, who would become so curious as to pay any attention to apostate mouthings? May no man ‘delude you with persuasive arguments’! (Colossians 2:2-4) False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used "the faithful and discreet slave" to convey to us "sayings of everlasting life," why should we ever want to look anywhere else?" Watchtower 1987 Nov 1 p.20

"Apostates “quietly” bring their ideas into the congregation, like criminals who secretly bring things into a country. ... The Bible says that apostates are mentally diseased and that they use their teachings to make others think like them. (1 Timothy 6:3, 4) Jehovah is like that good doctor. He clearly tells us to stay away from false teachers. We must always be determined to follow his warning. ... 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." Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.11

"As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table..." Watchtower 1994 Jul 1 pp.12-13

"It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene." Watchtower 2004 Feb 15 p.28

The Watchtower Society attempts to convince its members that the only reason they know God is through their guidance.

"Thus, the one who doubts to the point of becoming an apostate sets himself up as a judge. He thinks he knows better than his fellow Christians, better also than the 'faithful and discreet slave,' through whom he has learned the best part, if not all that he knows about Jehovah God and his purposes." Watchtower 1980 Aug 1 p.19

Even access to information provided by the organization is controlled. Firstly a newly interested one only has access to general information, the Watchtower, Awake! and certain books. As they become involved they generally are able to have the Kingdom Ministry and books concerned with deeper things of the Organization. Then there is the information the average Witness will never see such as guidelines to elders and more detailed guidelines to the branches. For instance, no female Witnesses and few male Witnesses ever get to see Pay Attention to Yourself and to All The Flock, the guidebook for Elders. Yet this contains many reasons for being disfellowshipped not contained in Watchtowers, something a person should know before getting baptised.

The Watchtower Society no longer prints the Studies in the Scriptures, the series of books that are at the foundation of the Organization or any other writings of the first two leaders. It is unusual for an Organization not to have its founding publications available for general distribution. If they were available members could see the dramatic contradictions with today's teachings, something unacceptable for a religion claiming to have always been providers of truth. On its CD library there are no publications available prior to 1950, even though all publications every written by the Watchtower Society could fit on just a couple of CD's.

The following Question Box from the Kingdom Ministry Sep 2007 (US Edition) is a flagrant example of information control.

I've been reading every word till this point, but its seems the ending of it is not near. were u a witness?

SORRY @ op

A person can only be disfellowshipped if he/she commits a SERIOUS SIN, such as "fornication" or "adultery" e.t.c ( according to 1 COR 5:11-13) which says "remove the wicked person from among yourselves"

1) Jehovah's Witnesses dont shun , they only follow the advice found in 1cor 5:11 which some people misconstruct as shunning .

" But Now I am writing you to stop associating with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolateror a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, NOT EVEN EATING WITH SUCH A MAN " 1 COR 5:11 ..... The op is highly sufferin from the fact that they take this instruction seriously !!! Probably they av stop associating with him ... Sorry !

2) Blood transfusion: what is transfused? BLOOD !
Put the watchtower aside, if my doctor says " abtain from alcohol" !!! .... But i went ahead and say " nurse, pls i cant open my mouth coz am weak, but my system needs alcohol badly... Jeez can u pls tranfuse some into my body" ..... Am I followin the instruction to abstain from alcohol ? Only hypocrites will say "YES, aftrall am not consumin it thru the mouth!" . Dont be an hypocrite

Someone Greater Than Doctor Says " ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD" ! Act 15:29 ..... Will i be followin this instruction if i transfuse into my body system ? NO! Also, Remember the previous illustration ,!!

Many people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses are now rejecting blood transfusion ! Its not safe ...... WAKE UP! BLOODLESS SURGERY IS NOW HIGHLY ADVANCING IN THE WORLD. INFACT THE BEST

PaulGrundy,
You are a gem

CANTICLES,
You can't even half convince yourself.
Respond to the substance of this thread or watch in horror as your belief sysmem is dissected publicly

JWS blood transfusion stance has EVOLVED over time to the point where some blood components are 'admissible'.

I had a JW buddy stammer trying to convince me that organ transplant is cannibalism

CANTICLES
post=29245124:
SORRY @ op

A person can only be disfellowshipped if he/she commits a SERIOUS SIN, such as "fornication" or "adultery" e.t.c ( according to 1 COR 5:11-13) which says "remove the wicked person from among yourselves"

1) Jehovah's Witnesses dont shun , they only follow the advice found in 1cor 5:11 which some people misconstruct as shunning .

" But Now I am writing you to stop associating with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolateror a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, NOT EVEN EATING WITH SUCH A MAN " 1 COR 5:11 ..... The op is highly sufferin from the fact that they take this instruction seriously !!! Probably they av stop associating with him ... Sorry !

2) Blood transfusion: what is transfused? BLOOD !
Put the watchtower aside, if my doctor says " abtain from alcohol" !!! .... But i went ahead and say " nurse, pls i cant open my mouth coz am weak, but my system needs alcohol badly... Jeez can u pls tranfuse some into my body" ..... Am I followin the instruction to abstain from alcohol ? Only hypocrites will say "YES, aftrall am not consumin it thru the mouth!" . Dont be an hypocrite

Someone Greater Than Doctor Says " ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD" ! Act 15:29 ..... Will i be followin this instruction if i transfuse into my body system ? NO! Also, Remember the previous illustration ,!!

Many people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses are now rejecting blood transfusion ! Its not safe ...... WAKE UP! BLOODLESS SURGERY IS NOW HIGHLY ADVANCING IN THE WORLD. INFACT THE BEST

vooks:

CANTICLES,
You can't even half convince yourself.
Respond to the substance of this thread or watch in horror as your belief sysmem is dissected publicly

JWS blood transfusion stance has EVOLVED over time to the point where some blood components are 'admissible'.

I had a JW buddy stammer trying to convince me that organ transplant is cannibalism

I wonder why you responded to the post, he was trying to derail the thread, only that [size=23pt]I was suprised that he didn't use his BERNIMORE moniker to do that, which he always does[/size]. As for paulGrundy he is not through with the thread, I think he may have been banned by an anti-spam bot, cos one of his post is hidden. He usually does not end his thread without putting the source__jwfacts.com.

vooks:

CANTICLES,
You can't even half convince yourself.
Respond to the substance of this thread or watch in horror as your belief sysmem is dissected publicly

JWS blood transfusion stance has EVOLVED over time to the point where some blood components are 'admissible'.

I had a JW buddy stammer trying to convince me that organ transplant is cannibalism

!

What is this one saying ? Av respond to the thread ! .... Its blood transfusion NOT water transfusion , what is been tranfused is " Blood" ! Read what the scripture say about Blood in Act 15:29 ........ Stop clingin to the 90's , this is 21st century where blood transfusion is no more safe unless u want to worsen ur condition, ...Bloodless Surgey Is Been Practice All Over The World ! Most Of All " Abstain From Blood" warns the bible !

CANTICLES:
SORRY @ op

A person can only be disfellowshipped if he/she commits a SERIOUS SIN, such as "fornication" or "adultery" e.t.c ( according to 1 COR 5:11-13) which says "remove the wicked person from among yourselves"

1) Jehovah's Witnesses dont shun , they only follow the advice found in 1cor 5:11 which some people misconstruct as shunning .

" But Now I am writing you to stop associating with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolateror a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, NOT EVEN EATING WITH SUCH A MAN " 1 COR 5:11 ..... The op is highly sufferin from the fact that they take this instruction seriously !!! Probably they av stop associating with him ... Sorry !

@vooks, the bolded is inaccurate because watchtowers serious sin extends more than fornication and adultery which was put forth in the bible:

Bible discussion of shunning in 1 Corinthian’s 15 and 2 John is limited to just the following areas; Fornication, Greed, idolatry, Revilers, Practicing Drunkenness, Extortion and One who does not remain in the teaching of the Christ.

This list should be the full extent of reasons for which to be disfellowshipped. In fact, Diotrephes was reprimanded for attempting to throw people out of the congregation unnecessarily.

3 John 9,10 “I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation.”

Following is the vast list of offences the Watchtower has created for which a Jehovah’s Witness can be disfellowshipped or disassociated.

The abbreviations refer to the following publications:

- Kingdom Ministry (km)
- Watchtower (w)
- Jehovahs Witnesses – Proclaimers of Gods Kingdom (1993) (jv)
- Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock (ks91-E)
- Organised to Accomplish Our Ministry (om)
- Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 or 2 (it-1 or 2)

Adultery (sexual intercourse with a person other than your marriage mate), includes;
Abandoning wife and eloping with another woman – w79 11/15 31-2, w76 p.728
Planned adultery to break Scriptural marriage ties – w83 3/15 p.29
Remarriage without Scriptural permission – w56 10/1 p.597
Polygamy – jv 176
Dating a person not legally divorced – ks91-E p.135
Apostasy – w83 4/1 pp.22-4, km 8/80 pp.1, 4. includes;
Rebellion against Jehovahs organization – w63 7/1
Promoting sects – it-2 886
Associating with disfellowshipped people including;
Friends – ks91-E p.103, w81 9/15 pp.25-6, w55 10/1 p.607
Family – ks91-E p.103
Blood and blood transfusions – w61 1/15 ks91-E p.95, jv p.183-4
Drug use – ks91-E p.96
Drunkenness – ks91-E p.95, it-1 656
Dishonest business practices – w63 7/1, w86 11/15 14
Employment violating Christian principles – km 9/76 p.6, km 2/74
Working for any religious organization – ks91-E p.95
Working in a gambling institution – ks91-E p.136
Selling tobacco – ks91-E p.96
Contract work at a military establishment
False worship. Includes;
Attending another church ks91-E p.94
Following mourning customs that involve false worship – w85 4/15 p.25
Fornication it-1 863
Bestiality – w83 6/1 p.25
Incestuous marriage – w78 3/15 p.26
Artificial insemination and surrogate motherhood.
“True Christians, therefore, avoid surrogate motherhood as well as any procedures that involve the use of donated sperm, eggs, or embryos” g04 9/22;
“Artificial insemination of a married woman by a donor other than her husband makes her guilty of adultery” g74 8/8 p.28
sexual abuse of children – g93 10/8 p.10Reviling – ks91-E p.94, w96 7/15 pp.17-18; it-1 p.991; it-2 p.802
Fraud – ks91-E p.94, om pp.142-3
Gambling or related employment – w80 9/1, ks91-E p.136
Gluttony – w86 5/1
Greediness, this in used to include;
gambling ks91-E p.95
extortion ks91-E p.95, w89 1/15 22, it-1 p.789
greed in relation to bride-price: w98 9/15 p.25
Homosexuality – w83 6/1 pp.24-6
Idolatry – w52 3/1 p.138
Loose conduct – ks91-E pp.93, 96, w83 3/15 p.31, w73 9/15 p.574, it-2 p.264, ks91-E p.93, w83 3/15 p.31, w73 9/15 pp.574-6, w97 9/1 p.14, it-2 p.246.
This includes;

Sexual perversion
Disregard for Jehovah’s moral standards
Disrespect, disregard or even contempt for standards, laws and authority,
Rather than restricted to the usual definition of sexual perversion, the Watchtower defines “loose conduct” as including “disrespect to elders”. This enables this term to be used to disfellowship for a wide range of offences not elsewhere covered, and as such is used to cover all manner of sins, such as refusal to cease fellowship with disfellowshipped people, or even being contemptuous in a judicial meeting where no other sin can be proven.

Jwfacts.com

Yooguyz,
I always say that if a doctrine is too embarrassing to admit publicly, then most probably it is false

Yooguyz:


@vooks, the bolded is inaccurate because watchtowers serious sin extends more than fornication and adultery which was put forth in the bible:



Jwfacts.com

Quit burying your head in the sand,
You can't donate blood but you would gladly recieve Blood COMPONENTS and half convince yourself thAt that is not blood

Looks like the biggest qualification for a JW is brainlessness.

And I stumbled into this gem. Of course you would never read 'apostate' literature but I have a feeling you are intelligent enough to see through your unremarkable BS
May Jehovah enlarge his coasts!

Some illustrations help explain the inconsistency of allowing blood components but not full blood. If stealing and reselling a car is a crime, would it be any less of a crime if the thief took the car apart and sold only components of it? Or when God told Adam and Eve not to eat of Tree of Knowledge, would they have been justified if they cut it up and made it into jam prior to eating it?

This double standard has also led to Jehovah's Witnesses taking from society something that they are not prepared to give back. Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to donate blood for the benefit of other people, but they partake of the medical benefits that arise from the donated blood supply freely for themselves.

With a lack of consistent reasoning on which to base its blood transfusion doctrine, the Watchtower consistently relies on fear as a motivator to abstain from blood. A number of Watchtower articles instil fear of blood into the average Witness. A look at the Watchtower Index shows a preoccupation with topics relating to the danger of blood transfusions, blood being contaminated with AIDS, fungus and hepatitis and blood being big business. Consider the following statements;

http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/blood-transfusions.php

CANTICLES:
!

What is this one saying ? Av respond to the thread ! .... Its blood transfusion NOT water transfusion , what is been tranfused is " Blood" ! Read what the scripture say about Blood in Act 15:29 ........ Stop clingin to the 90's , this is 21st century where blood transfusion is no more safe unless u want to worsen ur condition, ...Bloodless Surgey Is Been Practice All Over The World ! Most Of All " Abstain From Blood" warns the bible !

vooks:
Quit burying your head in the sand,
You can't donate blood but you would gladly recieve Blood COMPONENTS and half convince yourself

And I stumbled into this gem. Of course you would never read 'apostate' literature but I have a feeling you are intelligent enough to see through your unremarkable BS
May Jehovah enlarge his coasts!

.... TRUTH remains that Jehovah's Witnesses reject blood transfusion ( Act 15:29) !!

But about the small fractions that are made out of blood !!! ... We have different conscience, I personally believe abstaining from blood includes not taking even the fractions from blood ...

But some people's conscience may not allow them receive blood in its full combination ( red blood cell, white blood cell,platelet,Plasma) .... But their conscience permits them to receive a fraction made from a part of blood e.g a fraction from plasma .. ITS THEIR CONSCIENCE!!! BUT SUCH CHRISTIAN SHOULD PRAY ABOUT THIS DECISION

Is blood donation a matter of conscience or is it settled that the same is outrightly banned/rejected?

CANTICLES:


.... TRUTH remains that Jehovah's Witnesses reject blood transfusion ( Act 15:29) !!

But about the small fractions that are made out of blood !!! ... We have different conscience, I personally believe abstaining from blood includes not taking even the fractions from blood ...

But some people's conscience may not allow them receive blood in its full combination ( red blood cell, white blood cell,platelet,Plasma) .... But their conscience permits them to receive a fraction made from a part of blood e.g a fraction from plasma .. ITS THEIR CONSCIENCE!!! BUT SUCH CHRISTIAN SHOULD PRAY ABOUT THIS DECISION

vooks:
Is blood donation a matter of conscience or is it settled that the same is outrightly banned/rejected?

Once again .... Lets go back to Act 15:29

Keep abstaining from things sacrificed to Idols

From blood

From what is strangled

From fornication

Idols are prohibited, so also is anythin sacrificed to them .... But will i abstain from idols and things sacrificed to them, if i work in an idol temple or shrine ?

From fornication: fornication is a sin! Fine, but will i abstain from fornication by workin in a brothel or owning a LovePeddler house ?? Am supportin it .

From things strangled: ask an hunter, hw disgustin meat tastes if its blood is retained in it.

From blood: if God consider blood so sacred, and tell us not to consume it ... Will I be abstaining by givin it for others to consume ??

If u understand what it means to abstain fornication and idols, why not blood ?

Donating blood for consumption is clearly an act of supportin a practice that God condemns .

So the ' Faithful and Discrete Servant' rejects blood donation but leaves it to the 'conscience' of their members to decide if they are going to be beneficiaries of a 'practice that God condemns'?

CANTICLES:


Once again .... Lets go back to Act 15:29

Keep abstaining from things sacrificed to Idols

From blood

From what is strangled

From fornication

Idols are prohibited, so also is anythin sacrificed to them .... But will i abstain from idols and things sacrificed to them, if i work in an idol temple or shrine ?

From fornication: fornication is a sin! Fine, but will i abstain from fornication by workin in a brothel or owning a LovePeddler house ?? Am supportin it .

From things strangled: ask an hunter, hw disgustin meat tastes if its blood is retained in it.

From blood: if God consider blood so sacred, and tell us not to consume it ... Will I be abstaining by givin it to others to consume ??

If u see what it means to abstain fornication and idols, why not blood ?

Donating blood for consumption is clearly an act of supportin a practice that God condemns .

vooks:
So the ' Faithful and Discrete Servant' rejects blood donation but leaves it to the 'conscience' of their members to decide if they are going to be beneficiaries of a 'practice that God condemns'?

What does "faithful and discreet servant" got to do with this discussion ??

Pls, wait ! Are they the ones that wrote Act 15:29 !!! Am discussin Act 15:29 with u and not any any discreet servant . ..... U really suprised me .

Due to Act 15:29 , Jehovah's Witnesses Refuse Transfusion Of The Fluid Called " BLOOD" ! Which we are to abstain , neither do they support it by donating a sacred blood ... Thats the stand .

It was some individuals who realise that blood contains 4 elements ( red cell, white cell, platelet, plasma) !!! ..... Their conscience bliv taking blood means absorbing all these components !! but takin a processed fraction e.g a fraction from ONLY PLASMA! (a single unit, which have been divided) Is permited by their conscience . Moreover such ones are also required to pray about it ...... All Thanks to God, bloodless surgery is been adopted by most medical practitioners of our era everyday.

CANTICLES:


What does "faithful and discreet servant" got to do with this discussion ??

Pls, wait ! Are they the ones that wrote Act 15:29 !!! Am discussin Act 15:29 with u and not any any discreet servant . ..... U really suprised me .

Due to Act 15:29 , Jehovah's Witnesses Refuse Transfusion Of The Fluid Called " BLOOD" ! Which we are to abstain , neither do they support it by donating a sacred blood ... Thats the stand .

It was some individuals who realise that blood contains 4 elements ( red cell, white cell, platelet, plasma) !!! ..... Their conscience bliv taking blood means absorbing all these components !! but takin a processed fraction e.g a fraction from ONLY PLASMA! (a single unit, which have been divided) Is permited by their conscience . Moreover such ones are also required to pray about it ...... All Thanks to God, bloodless surgery is been adopted by most medical practitioners of our era everyday.

Am glad you are aware that the FDS didn't write acts 15:29. Now my question to you is;

1. Show me where the words “blood transfusion“ is in the bible, if no, then who were the first person(s) to include it as a way of accepting blood.

2. Why are Jehovahs witnesses of all the christain groups that read and believe the bible, the only ones who reject blood transfusion.

3. Do you know that Russel never preached against blood transfusion?

Mumu,
That processed fraction comes from somebody who DONATED blood
If you reject stealing cars, and went out of your way to protect yours from theft, would you and your fellow m0rons need to pray about using car parts that came from a stolen car?

CANTICLES:


What does "faithful and discreet servant" got to do with this discussion ??

Pls, wait ! Are they the ones that wrote Act 15:29 !!! Am discussin Act 15:29 with u and not any any discreet servant . ..... U really suprised me .

Due to Act 15:29 , Jehovah's Witnesses Refuse Transfusion Of The Fluid Called " BLOOD" ! Which we are to abstain , neither do they support it by donating a sacred blood ... Thats the stand .

It was some individuals who realise that blood contains 4 elements ( red cell, white cell, platelet, plasma) !!! ..... Their conscience bliv taking blood means absorbing all these components !! but takin a processed fraction e.g a fraction from ONLY PLASMA! (a single unit, which have been divided) Is permited by their conscience . Moreover such ones are also required to pray about it ...... All Thanks to God, bloodless surgery is been adopted by most medical practitioners of our era everyday.

vooks:
Mumu,
That processed fraction comes from somebody who DONATED blood
If you reject stealing cars, and went out of your way to protect yours from theft, would you and your fellow m0rons need to pray about using car parts that came from a stolen car?

U make me smile ..... So is that why you use dat insultive yoruba word " mumu" on me ! Lets endeavour to appreciate those who are ever ready to held to God's standard regarding blood . ( Act 15:29)

None of those in christendom endeavour to follow that command on blood ... Yet they will blame those who endeavour to do it !!!

I appreciate those that reject blood includin its subdidvided fractions in obedience to Act 15:29.

vooks:
Mumu,
That processed fraction comes from somebody who DONATED blood
If you reject stealing cars, and went out of your way to protect yours from theft, would you and your fellow m0rons need to pray about using car parts that came from a stolen car?

..... So is that why you use dat insultive yoruba word " mumu" on me ! Lets endeavour to appreciate those who are ever ready to held to God's standard regarding blood . ( Act 15:29)

None of those in christendom endeavour to follow that command on blood ... Yet they will blame those who endeavour to do it !!!

I appreciate those that reject blood includin its subdidvided fractions in obedience to Act 15:29.

There is no endeavor here, but doctrinal flip flop inside which thousands have perished because the light has been flickering instead of growing brighter.

NOBODY studying the entire scriptures in ANY (per)version would conclude that blood donation and transfusion violates any portion of scriptures. It takes suspension of logic while simultaneously submitting to Watchtower Society to entertain this buffoonery.

Would you undergo organ transplant?

CANTICLES:


..... So is that why you use dat insultive yoruba word " mumu" on me ! Lets endeavour to appreciate those who are ever ready to held to God's standard regarding blood . ( Act 15:29)

None of those in christendom endeavour to follow that command on blood ... Yet they will blame those who endeavour to do it !!!

I appreciate those that reject blood includin its subdidvided fractions in obedience to Act 15:29.

vooks:
There is no endeavor here, but doctrinal flip flop inside which thousands have perished because the light has been flickering instead of growing brighter.
NOBODY studying the entire scriptures in ANY (per)version would conclude that blood donation and transfusion violates any portion of scriptures.

The folly of religion and its afterlife fake comfort as shown here ...... You people love this earth so much , and will even violate Gods law to stay on EARTH . !!! The folly of afterlife , u guys are not even sure of what u preach .

C'mon lets discuss Act 15:29 ..... Thats what i like .

1) what does it mean to abstain from blood ?

2) will i be abstaining from blood by consuming it thru my veins ?

3) if a patient is not eating in the hospital, such ones are fed intravenously ? Can such patient be reffered to as eating .

4) how will God who consider blood so sacred and comand it sud be shed in d ground, view the idea of consumin another person's blood

Answer my question. Don't be obtuse. Do you know you can break Sabbath to save an animal's life?
How much more can blood transfusion human life?


Would you undergo organ transplant?

CANTICLES:


The folly of religion and its afterlife fake comfort as shown here ...... You people love this earth so much , and will even violate Gods law to stay on EARTH . !!! The folly of afterlife , u guys are not even sure of what u preach .

C'mon lets discuss Act 15:29 ..... Thats what i like .

1) what does it mean to abstain from blood ?

2) will i be abstaining from blood by consuming it thru my veins ?

3) if a patient is not eating in the hospital, such ones are fed intravenously ? Can such patient be reffered to as eating .

4) how will God who consider blood so sacred and comand it sud be shed in d ground, view the idea of consumin another person's blood

CANTICLES:


The folly of religion and its afterlife fake comfort as shown here ...... You people love this earth so much , and will even violate Gods law to stay on EARTH . !!! The folly of afterlife , u guys are not even sure of what u preach .

C'mon lets discuss Act 15:29 ..... Thats what i like .

1) what does it mean to abstain from blood ?

2) will i be abstaining from blood by consuming it thru my veins ?

3) if a patient is not eating in the hospital, such ones are fed intravenously ? Can such patient be reffered to as eating .

4) how will God who consider blood so sacred and comand it sud be shed in d ground, view the idea of consumin another person's blood

1. Abstaining from blood as implied in the scriptures is by not eating a meat with the blood in it. The concept of blood transfusion was introduced in the 20th century 2000+ years after the mosaic law on blood was made, so don't. Tell me that it relates to transfusion also.

2. No,when blood is introduced directly into the veins as a transfusion it circulates and functions as blood.On the other hand, orally eaten blood when digested does not enter the circulation as blood, but is broken down into simple components

3. I explained that point in 2 above.

4. Am glad you said consuming blood not blood transfusion.

vooks:
Answer my question. Don't be obtuse. Do you know you can break Sabbath to save an animal's life?

Dont think like d pharisees ....... NOBODY breaks sabath by saving an animals life , saving lifes is part of Sabath, Jesus correct this Pharisees wrong notion when he said "It is lawful to do a fine thing on the Sabath" Mat 12:12 ...

How much more can blood transfusion human life?

!

When the bible directly prohibit the consumption of "blood" into the body system ? Act 15:29 .... Whereas we are urged to ABSTAIN from " blood"

The same way a prostitute will defend somtin prohibited and say : " why wont i do it , will i allow my children to starve to death ??"

Would you undergo organ transplant?

The scripture says nothing about organ donation and transplant .... So thats left to each person ! But in d case of transplant , all organs involve must be drained from blood with reference to Act 15:29 .

CANTICLES:


Dont think like d pharisees ....... NOBODY breaks sabath by saving an animals life , saving lifes is part of Sabath, Jesus correct this Pharisees wrong notion when he said "It is lawful to do a fine thing on the Sabath" Mat 12:12 ...

!

When the bible directly prohibit the consumption of "blood" into the body system ? Act 15:29 .... Whereas we are urged to ABSTAIN from " blood"

The same way a prostitute will defend somtin prohibited and say : " why wont i do it , will i allow my children to starve to death ??"


The scripture says nothing about organ donation and transplant .... So thats left to each person ! But in d case of transplant , all organs involve must be drained from blood with reference to Act 15:29 .

; D

Do you know that blood is necessary for an organ to function? If all the blood is drained from it, it would lead to organ failure.

Let's suppose the watchtower changes its stance on blood transfusion, and accepts it just like it did with organ transplant, how would you feel?

Would you eat a human kidney? And would you, CANTICLES go through a kidney transplant or donate one?

And did you know that Watchtower Society for many years NEVER left it to conscience to donate organs or to have a transplant? It was expressly forbidden and you would be disfellowshipped for that

CANTICLES:


Dont think like d pharisees ....... NOBODY breaks sabath by saving an animals life , saving lifes is part of Sabath, Jesus correct this Pharisees wrong notion when he said "It is lawful to do a fine thing on the Sabath" Mat 12:12 ...

!

When the bible directly prohibit the consumption of "blood" into the body system ? Act 15:29 .... Whereas we are urged to ABSTAIN from " blood"

The same way a prostitute will defend somtin prohibited and say : " why wont i do it , will i allow my children to starve to death ??"


The scripture says nothing about organ donation and transplant .... So thats left to each person ! But in d case of transplant , all organs involve must be drained from blood with reference to Act 15:29 .

Na wa oh! The white man that said common sense is not common is very correct.