Combatting Cult Mind Control

[Windancer]

Combatting Mind Control.....Good Book, sure helped with getting rid of the indoctrinators, along with the Book by former Gov Body member, Raymond Franz, Crisis of Conscience. Another excellent read that goes indepth of how the Society controls the members.
Amazing!

[RedMax]

Here's a National Geographic Channel Video
Inside a Cult
Strong City Compound in Northeast New Mexico
Michael Travesser is the leader who claims to be the Messiah, hears God talk to him and tell minors to get naked with him; the usual cult nutjob stuff. He came from Adventism roots too, just like the Watchtower.
Interesting to see how a compound type cult operates from the inside.

[Girafe]

Hi Critical thinker!
I really think this is amazing work you did! That must have taken so much time to do, but it's sooo interesting!
I've been reading a book (french) about mind control and sects too, and it had the same effect on me (except I didn't actually go for the WTBTS references). Just reading those things makes us link it spontaneously to the 'truth'.
Thanks for sharing, I definitely want to read that book when I'm finished with CoC.
Another thread of thinking about the JW being a cult, one of the books that I read (I don't remember which one...) actually talks about the fact that the society is trying to dilute the 'cultic' aspects in its teachings, that were so strong at the time of Russel, Knorr and others, so that they can be accepted as a 'religion' by the authorities and have their full legal status. But the book said that now, they are considered as 'in between', called a denomination instead. They're not considered as a cult anymore by many of the authorities... I wonder what the GB would have to answer to that diluting of their 'supposed to be' truth...
Thank you for all your research! I actually like the one about making the weak members think that it's their fault... It's so true, and I sooo feel like that at times...

✼

[Apostapler]

I just finished this book, after reading your analyses, CT. It convinced me to purchase a copy and I am so glad I did. I didn't realize how much of the information Hassan outlined about cult behavior applied to JWs and how much it affected my upbringing. I now have a semi-new copy of CCMC with highlights and notes scribbled on almost every page (Most are "Jw's do this too!" etc. etc.). I have a feeling it will come in handy for years to come.

[Critical Thinker]

Hi Critical thinker!
I really think this is amazing work you did! That must have taken so much time to do, but it's sooo interesting!
Another thread of thinking about the JW being a cult, one of the books that I read (I don't remember which one...) actually talks about the fact that the society is trying to dilute the 'cultic' aspects in its teachings, that were so strong at the time of Russel, Knorr and others, so that they can be accepted as a 'religion' by the authorities and have their full legal status. But the book said that now, they are considered as 'in between', called a denomination instead. ]

Thanks, Girafe. Hassan's book made sense of all the things I had struggled with as a JW, and reminded me of how I did have doubts and questions, especially in the beginning, but by going to JWs to answer them I just went deeper under cult mind control. The WT comparisons actually didn't take much time at all to find, since all I had to do was put in Hassan's terms to watch out for - and there they were in the WT publications! Wish I had read the book when I was first studying with JWs, and now I just hope that this thread will help others to either avoid becoming a JW, or help them on their way out.

I would love to know the titles of the other books you've read. Whenever you remember them, please post!

I now have a semi-new copy of CCMC with highlights and notes scribbled on almost every page (Most are "Jw's do this too!" etc. etc.). I have a feeling it will come in handy for years to come.

By all means, please share some of those points here!

[Girafe]

Hi Critical Thinker!
I just found out that this book is actually translated in French!! It's called: "Protégez-vous des sectes". It's a very different title, but it's the same book. So I'll order it! Thanks!
I started reading the 'organized' book, I had noticed before that it wasn't on the society's CDRom. And it's quite easy to find out why... I decided to underline all that seems to look controlling... And the whole first chapter about 'fully trusting God's organization' is quite direct to the point... I might do like you did with the Hassan book, proofing each point with the OM book. I don't know if I'll write my results, but studying it like that is quite personally up-building I would say!
Thanks for your idea, I'm stealing it!!! lol ❁

[leavingwt]

I just finished this book, after reading your analyses, CT. It convinced me to purchase a copy and I am so glad I did. I didn't realize how much of the information Hassan outlined about cult behavior applied to JWs and how much it affected my upbringing. I now have a semi-new copy of CCMC with highlights and notes scribbled on almost every page (Most are "Jw's do this too!" etc. etc.). I have a feeling it will come in handy for years to come.

Apostapler! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.

I'm a huge proponent of it.

The analysis done on this thread by CT is fantastic.

[Apostapler]

By all means, please share some of those points here!

Will do! When I have some time this weekend I will thumb through it and put up some points.

[krazykala16]

Many friends immediately say, "what else is there?"

I used to say the same exact thing. I thought I could never even imagine a life outside the organization... We had to tell ourselves that such a life is a life without purpose. Oh how utterly wrong I was.

i was always taught this, it was drilled into our heads to start as close to the org. was possible!!! and they provide you with everything you "need" a family, friends, spirituality, good times at "gatherings",even jobs lol

[leavingwt]

BTTT

On this thread, Critical Thinker provides an analysis of Steve Hassan's book, with the JW experience in mind.

Hassan knew NOTHING about JWs when he wrote this book.

-LWT