Errant Beliefs - Part Two

Whether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.

The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.

In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.


POINT TWO: "He's An Adult, We Have No Right To Interfere."

Many say this about not helping a cult member. However, if a friend or family member questions his right to interfere, remind him that his love gives him the right to be concerned.

If a loved one is under the influence of destructive influence, relatives and friends have the right and the obligation to take steps to undo the process.

Once the cult member has an opportunity to learn about and recognize the features of destructive cults, and meet with former members and critics, he will be in a position to make an informed decision.

Source: Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan

Fruitage

I just came across some tragic news today. This is absolutely and completely terrible and horribly devastating. My deepest sympathies and warm thoughts to those impacted by this tragedy - Especially to those who were closest affected by it.

I will implore those who think there is some ‘good’ within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses to please think long and hard about that ‘good’. The ‘good’ is either superficially, fake, phony, counterfeit or/and can be found elsewhere.

If you can honestly say you have personally examined and experienced the thousands of Christian denominations, some of which make the same claims as Jehovah’s Witnesses, then you will know that there is truly nothing special or particularly unique about the organization, despite their propaganda to the contrary.

There is though a ‘bad’, an ‘evil’ that is ever so rampant, practiced as well as supported by its millions of followers by means of the interpretations and teachings of the Watchtower.

This ‘bad’ this ‘evil’ that is not an exception has happen and continues to happen many times over to those who were members is real, is undeniable and shows what is at the core of the Watchtower’s fruitage. It is not love. Any love is trumped and superseded by guilt and fear. An organization that thrives off fear, superficially coated in an artificial love that becomes evident and abundant once a member leaves or is removed from the ranks.

Shunning is by far the most evil, manipulative and abusive device employed by the Watchtower Society and enforced by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It breaks up and divides families along with sometimes driving those impacted to mental instability, chronic depression, and extremely sad in some cases, like Eric Reeder – known to many as Oompa – Suicide.

Oompa, I am so, so sorry your pain and hurt was more than you could bear any longer due to the shunning you experienced…May you finally be resting in peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67A0Imd6dng

Keep Yourselves In God's Love (2008), Appendix, How To Treat A Disfellowshipped Person:
"Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes...Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home...Bible principles on this subject apply equally to those who disassociate themselves from the congregation."


Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2002, Page 4, paragraph 12:
"Benefits of Being Loyal to Jehovah: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial."


Watchtower, July 15, 1961, page 420:
"...in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked."


Watchtower, November 15, 1952, page 703:
"The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."

Baptism And Marriage

BAPTISM:

Watchtower, April 15, 1987, page 13, paragraph 14:
"If one has ‘counted the cost,’ it places one at no disadvantage to make a dedication as a youth. With almost all new Christians, after baptism appreciation deepens. “Getting baptized as a youngster was a protection for me,” explained David. “As I got older, I noticed how some unbaptized teenagers in the congregation felt free of the authority of the elders and as a consequence veered into bad conduct. But I always remembered that I had dedicated my life to God. My life was already taken, so I could not follow such teenagers.”"


Watchtower, July 1, 2006, pages 29-30, paragraph 16:
"Numerous Witnesses around the world feel that their decision to get baptized when they were young helped them greatly. Take as an example a 23-year-old Witness in Western Europe. He recalls that getting baptized at the age of 13 motivated him to be careful not to be swept away by “the desires incidental to youth.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Early on, he set his sights on serving as a full-time minister. Today, he serves happily at a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rich blessings await all youths, including you, who choose to serve Jehovah."


Watchtower, June 14, 2011, page 6:
"A Christian mother writes: “Children who are baptized have more reasons to stay away from the bad things of the world. My son, baptized at 15, feels that baptism is a protection. ‘You don’t think about doing something contrary to Jehovah’s law,’ he said. Baptism is a strong motivation for righteousness.”


MARRIAGE:

Watchtower, February 15, 1999, page 5:
“It is very risky to get married too young,” says Nikki, who was 22 when she married. She cautions: “Your feelings, goals, and tastes will continue to change from the time you are in your late teens until you are in your mid-to-late 20’s.” Of course, readiness for marriage cannot be measured by age alone. Nevertheless, marrying when one is not past the youthful stage when sexual feelings are new and especially strong can distort one’s thinking and blind one to potential problems."


Watchtower, April 15, 2008, pages 17-18, paragraph 6:
"Are you young and still unmarried? If so, how should you regard the prospect of marriage? You can avoid much heartache if you wait until you are physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for marriage before you start a romantic relationship with a Christian of the opposite sex. Of course, the Scriptures do not stipulate an age for marriage. However, the Bible does show that you do well to wait until you are past that time in life when sexual feelings are very strong. (1 Cor. 7:36) Why? Because strong sexual impulses can distort good judgment and cause you to make unwise decisions that may result in heartache later."


Watchtower, January 15, 2011, pages 19-20, paragraph 11:
"Although most young people would like to marry eventually, there are good reasons not to rush into marriage. Paul encourages youths to wait at least until they are past “the bloom of youth,” when sexual desires are most powerful. (1 Cor. 7:36) It takes time to understand yourself and acquire the experience in life that is needed to choose a suitable mate. Making a marriage vow is a serious decision, one that should last for life."


According to the Watchtower Society the Jehovah's Witnesses are instilled with a notion that baptism even at a very young age - Teens and even younger - is fine and encouraged, yet marriage at such a young age or even somewhat older (20's) is discouraged.

However, should there not be a correlation between the seriousness of marriage and the maturity needed and that of being baptized?

Well, what example do we have to reflect upon? Should any examples or experiences suffice?  Who would be the prime example for anyone stating they are Christian?

Jesus - who all Christians should be striving to imitate as closely as possible - was baptized at the tender age of...

30 years old!

Luke 3:21-23:
"Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized and, as he was praying, the heaven was opened up and the holy spirit in bodily shape like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” Furthermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years old"


As any Jehovah's Witness should know, their baptism is even more serious and binding than marriage and devotion to their spouse. Should not the same admonition of not rushing and waiting until one is older and physically, mentally, and spiritually ready, until making such a serious dedication apply? Again, look to the example of Jesus Christ according to the Bible.

From their own literature they relate how 22 years old can be too young for marriage.  Is 22 years old (or even younger), not too young for baptism, then?

Why *really* does the Watchtower Society want members to baptize at such an early age? It undisputedly goes against the prime example of Jesus. Something 'less serious' as marriage is discouraged by the organization even into early-to-mid 20's.

Could the Jehovah's Witnesses practice of shunning have influence over this position by the Watchtower Society? How about stronger indoctrination, or fear and guilt? Think about it.

Family Rejection

The Watchtower Society on one hand instills a strong directive about Jehovah's Witnesses rejecting former members, even if the person is their own flesh and blood.  On the other hand, they state members "endure extreme rejection" and are being "forsaken", when a non-Jehovah's Witness does likewise to a member of their organization.

From the July 15, 2012, Watchtower, page 24, in the article, "Of Whom Shall I Be In Dread?" under the sub-heading "Trust In God's Help":

"However, many today have had to endure extreme rejection by their family. Yet, many thus forsaken have found help and protection in the warmth of the Christian congregation."

The same organization, utilizing the same journal, just a few months prior in the April 15, 2012 issue, page 12, in the article, "Betrayal - An Ominous Sign Of Times!" under the sub-heading "Remain Loyal To Jehovah", admonished the following:

"However, because he did not receive even the slightest communication from any of his family, the burning desire to be with them became one motivating factor in his restoring his relationship with Jehovah. Think of that if you are ever tempted to violate God’s command not to associate with your disfellowshipped relatives."

So straight from the teaching tools of the organization, they acknowledge the damage done by rejection, but promote Jehovah's Witnesses to reject their own family if that individual is no longer a member of the organization. Consequently, the Watchtower Society completely ignores the untold numbers of broken homes and families that have been decimated by their interpretation of the bible.

A welcoming sanctuary is how the organization paints itself for those whose families take drastic action towards individuals who are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, and overlooks that in many cases Watchtower doctrine and practices cause family break-ups, rather than being a solution for them.

They freely accuse families of forsaking their loved ones, without acknowledging that they encourage family members to forsake one another when it suits their agenda, even having the audacity to state it is "God's command".

Furthermore, what the organization is admonishing in the Watchtower article quoted above from April 15, 2012, is undeniably to carry out emotional blackmail.

It is another example of how Jehovah's Witnesses have hypocrisy instilled into their teachings, beliefs, and practices.

Disloyal, lack of love, no natural affection...You could be reading from 2 Timothy chapter 3, or you could be learning how Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to act towards family who do not agree with the Watchtower. It’s family rejection courtesy of the Watchtower Society.

Recognizing And Avoiding

Is it a cult?

The Top Ten Signs the 'Group' You've Joined is Not What it Seems:

• The leader and group are always correct and anything the leader does can be justified.

• Questions, suggestions, or critical inquiry are forbidden.

• Members incessantly scramble with cramped schedules and activities full of largely meaningless work based on the leader's agenda

• Followers are meant to believe that they are never good enough.

• Required dependency upon the leader and group for even the most basic problem-solving.

• Reporting on members for disobedient actions or thoughts is mandated and rewarded.

• Monetary, sexual, or servile labor is expected to gain promotion.

• The 'outside' world -- often including family and friends -- is presented as rife with impending catastrophe, evil, and temptations.

• Recruitment of new members is designed to be purposefully upbeat and vague about the actual operations of the leader and group.

• Former members are shunned and perceived as hostile.
 
 
If curious about what the Watchtower Society tries and often successfully accomplishes, the above sums it up nicely for many of the 7 million members.  Make no mistake about it, the Watchtower Bible Tract Society hits nearly every tick box with scary accuracy.  Knowledge is power and key.
 
Credit and thanks to:

What Is A Cult? Recognizing And Avoiding Unhealthy Groups

Click here to read the entire article.