Unfortunately, the label “cult” gets thrown around an awful lot — its use actually leads to an end to discussion because of all of the baggage it brings along. This is especially true when we get to claims about “cultic mind control,” which involve the idea that cults possess near-supernatural powers that allow them to override both people’s ability to think logically and their free will which would otherwise allow them to leave the group.
Because this term is used by Wilson to describe the Jehovah’s Witnesses, we need to approach this cautiously and inquire to just what degree the label may be reasonably employed. Even though it may be used too often, that does not mean that there do not exist abusive and destructive religious groups. Such groups share a number of important characteristics, including the development of extremely isolated communities, a leadership which dictates the minutiae of people’s lives to them, a leadership which does not follow the same ethical guidelines it demands of followers, a policy of deceiving both outsiders and followers (especially new followers), and preparations for a literal, physical armageddon.
The last one, common among some of the more dangerous religious groups, is not really a characteristic of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. True, they are awaiting an Armageddon and keep saying that it will come soon, but they aren’t stockpiling weapons in preparation of becoming God’s foot soldiers. The other characteristics, however, can very readily be attributed to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Do the Jehovah’s Witnesses live in isolated communities? Not physically — they live in the same neighborhoods as everyone else. However, they are emotionally and psychologically isolated from the communities which surround them. They are not allowed to have friendships with non-Jehovah’s Witnesses, because the leadership believes that such relationships will lead to the believers “stumbling” and falling away from the One True Faith. This makes it very, very difficult for members to leave because they lack any outside support:
- The Society viewed their prohibition of socializing with anyone outside the organization as a form of protection for the group. It was a deterrent to being influenced by others; thus, it helped to ensure that the Witnesses would stay within the safe confines of the organization.
Members are even isolated from each other, with internal friendship conditioned upon full acceptance of the doctrines promulgated by the Watchtower Society. Those who raise questions or doubts are looked upon with suspicion. Those who leave are “disfellowshipped” and forever thereafter Witnesses pretend that these people simply do not exist. It was this policy which, in fact, was a driving force behind Diane Wilson’s questioning and doubting that the Watchtower really could claim to represent the will of God here on Earth.
Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness: Escape from the Watchtower Society, by Diane Wilson
Does the leadership of the Watchtower Society try to dictate not simply spiritual matters to members, but also minor details of how they should dress, decorate their homes, speak, and even think? Absolutely — Wilson has veritable horror stories about how church elders work to control the lives of members down to the smallest degree. She also has stories about the hypocrisy of church elders who, it seems, have little compunction at violating the rules which they demand others follow without hesitation.
Does the Watchtower Society deceive people? Certainly — prospective members are deliberately not told everything about the group’s doctrines because it is feared that such full disclosure might give them doubts. Current members are not told everything about what the leadership has taught in the past, lest that give them doubts about the leadership’s claim to authority. Finally, the “theocratic war doctrine” authorizes members to lie to outsiders, even in court, if the goal is the benefit of the organization.
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