SHORT CHRISTIAN READINGS SELECTED FOR FORMER JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES




Paradise Postponed and Postponed
By Jerry Bergman
(edited)

Summary

A review of scientific literature shows that the rate of mental illness among Jehovah's Witnesses is considerably above average. Statistical information varies partly because the extant research has been conducted on different populations at different time periods. Several major factors stand out as harmful to [Jehovah's] Witness mental health. Not only do persons with emotional problems tend to join the Witnesses, but also the Watchtower [Society] teachings and its subculture adversely affect the mental health of those involved.

The Watchtower [Society] has carefully cultivated a public image of a devout, God-fearing people, determined to ferret out God's truth from the Scriptures and fully live their lives according to it.1 Behind this optimistic vision lies a nightmare that has resulted in a rash of mental illness and social problems considerably higher than that found in virtually every other American religion. Over 10 million people are now either active Jehovah's Witnesses or studying to become so. The nightmare that these millions of people enter could have been avoided if they were aware of the deception and entrapping quagmire of the Watchtower.2 The reasons for this Watchtower [Society] tragedy are complex and can be explored only briefly in this article.

THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Especially since 1975 failed to usher in God's kingdom on earth, as the Watchtower [Society] had predicted, numerous problems in Jehovah's Witness congregations have received popular media and scholarly attention. Several academic studies have explored the problem of mental illness among the [Jehovah's] Witnesses.3 I will briefly review some of them by year, beginning with the oldest.

Rylander's Study

In 1946, Gosta Rylander investigated a sample of conscientious objectors imprisoned in Sweden. Of the 135 randomly selected cases, 126 were Jehovah's Witnesses. Of these 126, Rylander diagnosed 51 as neurotic, 42 as psychotic, 32 as mentally retarded, and 5 as brain-damaged (some cases were in two or more categories).4 Diagnosis was made solely on the basis of behavior that was clearly pathological, such as irrational paranoia or severe long-term depression. Rylander also concluded from the subjects' medical records and his interviews that their pathological states were commonly evident before conversion, and that the Watchtower [Society]'s influence was often further detrimental to their mental health, sometimes severely so.

About four percent of the eligible Swedish population was judged psychologically "unfit" for military service, and the corresponding figure for [Jehovah's] Witnesses was 21 percent, or five times greater. This is close to the same ratio later found by John Spencer,5 whose diagnosis of "psychotic" or "neurotic" was made on the basis of mental hospital admission screening. Few of the cases in Rylander's study were marginal [Jehovah's] Witnesses, and most were active in spreading the sect's doctrine.

Rylander also concluded that individual [Jehovah's] Witnesses tended to be burdened with a variety of serious concerns and often joined the sect in an effort to solve their problems. Although the results of this study are not fully applicable to today's situation, many of his conclusions are still relevant.6 A major difference is that the [Jehovah's] Witnesses are now more middle-class and less socially rejected. But many [Jehovah's] Witnesses, especially those living in developing nations, still experience the same problems that Rylander reported.

The First American Study

In 1949, in the first study on American [Jehovah's] Witness mental health, M. J. Pescor diagnosed as psychotic over seven percent of his total sample of 177 young males imprisoned due to obeying the Watchtower [Society]'s prohibition against complying with military regulations.7 The sample was obtained by interviewing all selective service violators admitted to the Medical Center for Federal Prison in Springfield, Missouri during the study. The level of [Jehovah's] Witness psychosis in his sample was about 17 times higher than that for the population as a whole. An astounding seven percent were diagnosed psychotic; four percent had other mental abnormalities; and fully one-quarter were rated socially maladjusted. Of Pescor's sample, 16 percent were on hospital status and 44 percent of these were diagnosed psychotic.

Montague and Other Researchers

Licensed therapist Havor Montague monitored the admissions to state and private mental hospitals and local mental health clinics in Ohio from 1972 to 1976.8 From this study of 102 cases, he estimated, "The mental illness rate of JWs is approximately 10 to 16 times higher than the rate for the general, non-Witness population of about 10% of the publishers (full members) in the average congregation are in serious need of professional help" [although they are often] able to hide this fact quite well, especially from outsiders." 9 From his intensive interviews with [Jehovah's] Witness patients and others, Montague concluded that persons who had emotional problems were attracted to the [Jehovah's] Witnesses, but involvement also caused many of the emotional problems that they suffered. This is evident from the fact that many with problems reported they were far happier after they left.

Another study was completed in 1985 by Robert Potter as part of a Ph.D. thesis on religion and mental health. 10 He concluded that there exists "a strong positive correlation between [Jehovah's] Witness membership and clinical schizophrenia." 

The same year, Ursula Sack evaluated the effect of religion on the mental health of select clients for her Ph.D. dissertation. 11 The clients she utilized furnished an enormous amount of insight into the pathological processes of the Watchtower [Society], which complemented the results reached in earlier studies.

In addition, a 1985 German study by Elmer Koppl 12 came to similar conclusions, as did a study by Norwegian psychologist, Kjell Totland. 13 Using Oakland County, Michigan court records from 1965 to 1973, this writer found that not only is the mental illness rate above average, but the suicide and crime rates are also high, especially aggressive crimes against persons.14

WHY ARE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS SO GREAT?

Many reasons exist for the mental health problems among [Jehovah's] Witnesses, but research has found the following to be the most important.

Changes in Policy

The Watchtower [Society] is in a perpetual state of doctrinal change, often flip-flopping as many as three or four times on a single issue. Nowhere has this been so tragic as in its medical teachings. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Watchtower [Society] taught that vaccinations not only were ineffective, but also were a "direct violation" of God's law.15 Then in the early 1950s vaccinations were up to one's conscience. Now, however, the Watchtower [Society] publishes articles extolling the virtues of vaccinations and the many lives they have saved.

Another medical issue is organ transplants. In late 1961 they were specifically ruled acceptable, but in 1967 they were banned.16 Even cornea and kidney transplants were pronounced wrong because they were considered to be cannibalism. Then in 1980 organ transplants were ruled a matter of conscience,17 except bone marrow transplants (because bone was a source of blood). In 1984, however, even bone marrow transplants were approved.

In 1909, the Watchtower [Society] specifically stated that the Jewish prohibition against eating blood was not considered law for Christians, but in 1961 it declared that taking a blood transfusion was grounds for disfellowshipping.18 The Watchtower [Society] now teaches that "if a court authorized transfusion seems likely" [a witness must] put forth strenuous efforts to avoid a violation of God's law on blood [and if] authorities consider him a law-breaker or make him liable to prosecution the Christian could view it as suffering for the sake of righteousness." 19

The present Watchtower [Society] teaching is clear: [Jehovah's] Witnesses are to die rather than submit to a transfusion, and this includes allowing their children to die. Yet even in this area the Watchtower Society has changed. At one time use of all blood products and blood fractions for any purpose was condemned. Now [Jehovah's] Witnesses may accept albumin, globulins, factor VIII, factor IX, and even circulating blood. Furthermore, the ban on blood fractions for hemophiliacs was lifted in 1978.20 Blood serums are now approved because those for viral hepatitis rabies, tetanus, diphtheria, and others contain only "a tiny amount' of blood.21 Yet the Watchtower [Society] also teaches [Jehovah's] Witnesses are to be faithful "in little things," and many view these exceptions as hypocritical.

According to Carson Walker, religion editor for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, "Twenty-five years ago, Gary Busselman watched his wife, Delores, die of leukemia. As Jehovah's Witnesses, the couple did not believe in blood transfusions or a bone-marrow transplant. Today, Busselman thinks the refusal of those medical procedures was wrong and he wants to help others who might have experienced similar tragedies." 22 He added that "she died in 1971 and in 1980 they changed their rule and members since then can get transplants." Guilt and anger commonly result from the belief that one's spouse or child died because of following a doctrine that was later admitted by the church to be wrong.

The Watchtower Theocracy

Another major cause for disillusionment among [Jehovah's] Witnesses is that they are taught that their organization is a theocracy, specifically run by God. Those inside the Watchtower organization are the only true servants of God, and all of those outside are evil persons soon to be destroyed at Armageddon.

Yet many are aware of the numerous cases of [Jehovah's] Witnesses who have done horrible things. A recent example is that of two formerly devout young [Jehovah's] Witnesses, the Freeman brothers, who "used to get along with their parents and [were nice boys], but murdered their mother Brenda, 48, their father Dennis, 54, and their brother Eric, 11.23 The boys, Brian, 17, and David, 16, both pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received life in prison. This horrendous crime received international attention and no doubt reminded many [Jehovah's] Witnesses of other infamous [Jehovah's] Witness murder cases.

Prophecy Failure

Many [Jehovah's] Witnesses harbor a deep-seated fear -- fueled by a long history of doctrinal reversals and prophetic failure -- that the Watchtower [Society] is a false religious organization. Since this idea has earth-shaking implications for followers of that organization, they refuse to explore their fears, preferring to ration-alize or suppress rather than acknowledge and deal with them.

The most recent drastic prophecy change concerned the former Watchtower [Society] teaching that the countdown to Armageddon commenced in 1914, and World War I was a major sign that Christ would very soon establish his millennial kingdom on earth.24 The organization also taught that the generation that saw 1914 would see Armageddon and the New World. Then a November 1995 Watchtower release, according to Newsweek's Kenneth Woodward, announced that "all millennial bets are off -- the sect's leaders quietly acknowledged that Jesus was right in the first place, when he said that "no one knows the day or the hour." 25 The Watchtower [Society] has been wrong about almost every single prediction it has ever made, and this realization is especially traumatic when a person takes stock of what he or she has sacrificed to become a Jehovah's Witness.

The Watchtower organization once discouraged marrying and having a family, teaching that Armageddon was too close to risk having children. In 1941 the Watchtower published a book entitled "Children", showing how people can "please God" by acquiring "the right kind of knowledge." 26 The book's purpose was primarily to convince the reader that only the Watchtower [Society] is God's organization, and it is only by following it that everlasting life can be obtained.27 Woven within this message is the story of John and Eunice, who decide not to marry but instead to serve the Watchtower [Society] full-time. They conclude that they will someday have children, but not until after Armageddon. "Armageddon is surely near," John said. "We can well defer our marriage until lasting peace comes to the earth. Now we must add nothing to our burdens, but be free and equipped to serve the Lord -- Eunice, my decision is made." 28

Eunice and John are now in their 70s, still waiting for Armageddon, which in 1941 was prophesied to occur very soon. [Jehovah's] Witnesses who chance upon these older publications can become deeply disturbed by the realization that the Watchtower [Society] had deceived and betrayed its earlier followers. [Jehovah's] Witnesses who lived during the time when these things were written have often been especially bitter because they sacrificed for what turned out to be a false hope.

Those who are not part of the Watchtower [Society] often do not understand the critical significance that failed prophecy and erroneous teachings have in the lives of Witnesses. Watchtower publications are not simply promoted as books written by humans to try and explain Scripture, but they are also viewed as quasi-inspired. [Jehovah's] Witnesses are taught that no one except the top Watchtower leaders can discern God's will, not even through extensive Bible study. One can be saved only by being part of God's organization, the Watchtower [Society], which they teach is the ark of salvation. As the Flood came and wiped out all who were not in Noah's ark, Armageddon will destroy forever all who are not in the Watchtower ark.

The key to salvation lies not in being saved in the Christian sense or even being good, but being in the Watchtower organization -- although they also teach that even this does not guarantee salvation. [Jehovah's] Witnesses firmly believe -- at least they must verbalize they firmly believe -- that the Watchtower [Society] is God's only organization and is directed by Him. For this reason, the many changed teachings (and hundreds of examples exist) are of no small importance. False prophecy poignantly tells [Jehovah's] Witnesses they have devoted their lives to a false religious organization. Dealing with this reality is enormously traumatic, can take years to adjust to, and can bring on psychological as well as somatic symptoms. Those who have been in the organization only a short while usually are not aware of the Watchtower [Society]'s history, but with time nagging doubts often become greater and greater, precipitating a crisis of conscience that forces many eventually to leave the Watchtower [Society].

Moreover, leaving is no easy matter. When people become [Jehovah's] Witnesses, they are slowly indoctrinated into a belief structure that requires them to give up their friends -- often even their family -- and adopt a new family, that of the Watchtower [Society]. After they have been [Jehovah's] Witnesses for a few years, almost all of them have only Witness friends. For many, especially those who were born into the Watchtower, their entire family and many relatives are all [Jehovah's] Witnesses. Leaving often results in being disfellowshiped, which means that they will be forced to cut off all meaningful association with virtually every one of their friends, and often their family. Consequently, many find leaving extremely traumatic, even after they are fully convinced the Watchtower is wrong. For this reason many elect to stay, trudging along to Watchtower meetings and hearing and saying things that they themselves disagree with. Eventually, the inner conflict may become too great, and they have to leave, giving up family, friends, and their whole previous life.

Watchtower [Society] Prohibitions

The Watchtower [Society] prohibitions have reached into virtually every area of life and cover minutia to the extreme. They condemn all holidays and celebrations except one they call "the memorial", and for generations have discouraged higher education and career advancement (although they have relaxed this rule recently). Missing one of their required five meetings per week (Watchtower activities can take between 20 and 30 hours per week, if one is conscientious), and spending time with non-Witnesses except to proselytize are also condemned. As a result, it is very difficult for a child raised a Witness to develop into a normal, socially aware, well-adjusted adult. They are taught that those of the world are evil, and even though worldly people may appear to be kind, this is one of Satan's tactics to lure people out of God's organization.

Prohibited from involving themselves in normal social relations and most school activities, Witnesses grow up as lonely children. Although deviance among them is common, it still brings guilt and ambivalence. In addition, their stand on many topics -- especially refusing to salute the flag or celebrate holidays -- often brings derision from their peers that typically hinders normal social development.29 The Watchtower teaches [Jehovah's] Witnesses to have "nothing to do with" critics, and that they should "not be curious about what such people have to say." 30 Yet they routinely put themselves into an antagonistic position when they go from door to door, and from this experience they often develop paranoia. In fact, paranoia schizophrenia is extremely high among them.

Few Guidelines for Life

A major reason why so many [Jehovah's] Witnesses have mental health problems is that the Watchtower has issued few effective guidelines to help them live their lives. Their main goal is to serve the Watchtower [Society]. Consequently, they feel compelled to attend five meetings each week and involve themselves in the often unrewarding door-to-door proselytizing work. Doors commonly slam in their face, and although many householders are polite but not interested, some are very rude. A Witness can spend years in the field service without detecting a person who has a genuine interest in the Watchtower message!

Discouraged from many normal means of self-fulfillment, [Jehovah's] Witnesses slavishly devote their time and energy to serving an organization that does not care about them as individuals. Given little practical and realistic advise as to how to deal with life problems, and discouraged from finding rewarding employment that is enjoyable and financially adequate, many feel they are trapped in a way of life in which virtually every alternative is undesirable. Many plod along for years, hoping that Armageddon will soon come to rescue them from their plight. In the meantime, their depression and hopelessness colors everything they do, even though they ostensibly may appear to be "happy serving Jehovah."

The attractions that originally pull people to the Watchtower [Society] often do not last much beyond baptism. Their [Jehovah's] Witness friends, who once were supportive and tolerant of their lack of doctrinal conformity, soon insist that they rigidly teach and believe Watchtower policy. No longer is celebrating birthdays "up to the individual"; it now becomes a disfellowshiping offense. They are now considered mature and must rigidly follow every whim of the Watchtower. Once they are trapped, they are thus successfully pressured into doing things they had first resisted, sometimes strongly. The hope of a New World just around the corner retreats more and more into the future until many wonder if this often-delayed promise will ever come.

Discouragement is a common theme, both in the Watchtower [Society's] literature and in discussions among [Jehovah's] Witnesses. They are constantly admonished to keep their chins up and focus on only serving the Watchtower [Society], the assumption being that slavishly spending as much as 30 hours or more per week in Watchtower interests will solve one's every problem. When it doesn't, guilt often sets in, causing [Jehovah's] Witnesses to feel that they are evil and will not survive Armageddon. The depression and hopelessness have led to a disproportionate number of suicides and homicides among Witnesses.

THE WAY OUT

Some do find their way out. Many of these become agnostics or atheists, hating God and all attempts to understand and reach Him. Some are blessed to find true spiritual and psychological recovery, however. Through intensive Bible study they come to realize that the Watchtower [Society] is based on a false understanding of the Bible. These persons realize a faith does exist that is not based on the shifting sands of a manmade organization directed by individuals who are ill-informed about Scripture, historic Christianity, and modern biblical research. Such people look back at their experience in the Watchtower [Society] as one that can help others. Many of them become involved in the various countercult ministries and use their Watchtower expertise to help others find salvation in Him who is the only way, truth, and life.

Dr. Jerry Bergman is a college professor at Northwest State College in Archbold, Ohio. He has published over 400 articles in both professional and lay journals in eight languages.

FOOTNOTES:

1 See Joseph Zymunt, "Prophetic Failure and Chiliastic Identity: The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses", American Journal of Sociology 75 (1970): 926-48. 
2 Jerry Bergman, "Jehovah's Witnesses Experience in the Nazi Concentration Camps", Church and State, Winter 1996, 401-27. 
3 Lois Randle, "The Apocalypticism of the Jehovah's Witnesses", Free Inquiry, Winter 1984, 18-24. 
4 Gosta Rylander, "Jehovah's Vittnan-En Psykologisk-Sociologisk Studie" (A Psychological and Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses), Nordisk Medicin (Scandinavian Medicine) 29 (1946): 526-33. 
5 John Spencer, "Mental Health among Jehovah's Witnesses", British Journal of Psychiatry 126 (1975): 556. 6 See Christopher Edwards, Crazy for God (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1979); Chris Elkins, Heavenly Deception (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1980). 
7 M. J. Pescor, "A Study of Selective Service Law Violators", The American Journal of Psychiatry 105 (1949): 641-52. 
8 Havor Montague, "The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on the Mental Health of Its Members: The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses", Social Compass 24 (1977): 135-47. 
9 Ibid., 139. 
10 Robert Potter, A Social Psychological Study of Fundamentalist Christianity (Ph.D. diss., Sussex University, England, 1985). 
11 Ursula Sack, Case Studies of Voluntary Defectors from Intensive Religious Groups (Ph.D. diss., University of California, 1985). 
12 Elmer Kopol, Die Zeugen Jehovas; Eine Psychologische Analyses (Ph.D. diss., University of Munchen, Germany, 1985). 
13 Kjell Totland, "The Mental Health of Jehovah's Witnesses", Journal of the Norwegian Psychological Association, in press. 
14 Jerry Bergman, The Evaluation of an Experimental Program Designed to Reduce Recidivism among Second Felony Offenders (Ph.D. diss., Wayne State University, 1976). 
15 "The Sacredness of Human Blood (Reasons Why Vaccination Is Unscriptural)", Golden Age, 4 February 1931, 293-300. 
16 "Questions from Readers", The Watchtower, 15 November 1967, 702-4. 
17 Ibid., 15 March 1980, 31. 
18 Ibid., 15 January 1961, 63-64. 
19 Ibid., 15 June 1991, 31. 
20 Ibid., 15 June 1978, 30. 
21 Ibid., 30-31. 
22 Carson Walker, "Ex-Jehovah's Witness Shares Loss", Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), 23 January 1996, 1. 
23 Thomas Nord, "Something Poisoned Freeman Brothers", The Detroit News, 3 March 1995, 8. 
24 Kenneth Woodward, "Apocalypse Later", Newsweek, 18 December 1995, 59. 
25 Ibid. 
26 Children (Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1941), 2. 
27 Ibid., 347. 
28 Ibid., 366. 
29 Jerry Bergman, "Modern Religious Objections to the Mandatory Flag Salute and Pledge of Allegiance in the United States", The Christian Quest 2, no. 1 (Summer 1989): 19-47. 
30 The Watchtower, 15 March 1996, 17.


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The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on the Mental Health of Its Members
Social Compass, Spring 1977
By Havor Montague
(Edited)

An extensive study of the influence of the religion known as Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) on the mental health of its members clearly finds both positive and negative influences present. Involvement with the Witnesses as involvement with any other social group, exposes the adherent to factors that both facilities and hinder emotional adjustment. The effect of the Watchtower (Witness) Society's teachings on its members is difficult to study because most members are converts and the Witness. Movement tends to attract certain types of persons. Even of those raised in the movement, only certain types of individuals elect to remain in the sphere of the Witness' influence. It is also difficult to separate the influence of the Witness From the pervasive tendency for members to be recruited from, and remain in, the lower socio-economic being tend to be the indicator used to measure spiritual well-being. Emotional growth, too, is considered, although it is not stressed as such and the "growth" is not always in a positive direction. For example, increased commitment and identity with the Witnesses cause the student to identify with them emotionally and, as expected, become defensive against ideas which are considered "non-Witness" or seen as incompatible with Witness theology. The result is often a mistrust of all non-Witness sources of information, even though most of the information published by the Witness Society is from non-Witness sources.

Practical activities, at least practical relative to religious requirements are also stressed. At least one meeting per week is devoted to the practical aspects of becoming a better Witness, including improving one's door-to-door presentation, one's incidental witnessing, and, more recently, improving one's family life, budgeting one's money, time, etc. Even here Witnesses are highly goal-oriented. They, as the Witness Society stresses, should, and often do, have a definite purpose in life. Even in achievement is difficult and tangible rewards are few, the dominant concern of JW's is with convincing outsiders of the validity of Witness theology; although with many, proselytizing is somewhat perfunctorily performed, it is an important part of their general goal-oriented behavior. The Witness theology too, is such where one's purpose is very specific and defined - true, defined by the WT Society, but nevertheless defined.

The exact rate of mental illness among JWs is difficult to determine, but it is clear that it is significantly higher than the rate for the population as a whole. There have been relatively few published studies which document this level. One of the most recent was done by Spencer (197). During the 36 month period from January 1971 to December, 1973, Spencer examined the records of all 7,546 in-patient admission to all West Australian Psychiatric Hospitals. Utilizing the patients' self-reported religious affiliation, Spencer found 50 cases that stated they were active JWs. Utilizing the Witnesses' statistics of approximately 4,000 members in West Australia and a population of 1,068,469 the ratio of general admissions to the ratio of JW admissions was determined. Spencer found for all diagnosis a ratio of 2.54 per 1,000 for the population as a whole compared to 4.17 per 1,000 for JW's. The rate for schizophrenia s .38 for the population compared to 1.4 for the JWs. Thus, according to these figures, the incidence of schizophrenia among the Witnesses is about 3 times as high as for the rest of the population and paranoia schizophrenia is about 4 times as high.

There are several reasons to believe even these high rates for JWs are significantly underreported. Spencer had to rely on self-reporting. It was possible that a patient could state he was an active member when he was not, but this is unlikely. The reverse is much more probable. Of the many religions, one would want falsely to claim to belong to one of the lowest on the list would be the JWs. This writer, in about 10 years experience working in a research capacity for both a large mental hospital and a large circuit court, had never seen even one case where a non-Witness claimed to be a Witness. Possibly in criminal cases a person may want to claim he is a JW, feeling this religious claim would cause he court to look more favorable upon his case. But considering the Witness teaching that "we are the most hated of all religions," and their general reputation for being "crack-pots," religious fanatics, etc., it would seem that even this in unlikely. As the Witnesses play up greatly their persecution, one endeavoring to present a martyr complex may blindly identify with JWs, but would not commonly do so in an effort to make his person appear better. The opposite distortion, though, is quite common. This writer had worked with numerous cases whom he knew from his work in the community to be active JWs (or raised as Witnesses) and who tried to hide their religious affiliation. Especially Witnesses who were committed to a mental hospital, or were charged with felonies, tended to deny their affiliation with the Witnesses. In the writer's work as a therapist, a significant number of Witness patients clearly would never have sought psychotherapy if the writer had not been seen as an active Witness. Witnesses are often ashamed of the fact they have emotional problems, and will commonly not consult medical help due to the concern of "bringing reproach on Jehovah's organization," The feeling that just being in "Jehovah's organization" should prevent emotional problems is common: its presents is actually a frightening contradiction of the JW faith. This reluctance to seek out professional help does not just include Witnesses with neurotic problems. The writer has worked with a large number of JW's who were clearly psychotic - some in a "catatonic state," suffering from severe depression or even brain damage, who would not consult a psychiatrist because of the fear of tarnishing the Witness Society's image. Further, many of the hundreds of thousands of persons raised in a Witness environment, active in youth, who later disassociated themselves from the Society (although many later reassociate), often fail to identify themselves as Witnesses. Many of these cases, even though they had a Witness upbringing and were highly influenced by Witness theology often still accepting the basic Witness belief structure, are not reported in the literature.

Using the same technique that Spencer utilized, this writer estimates that the mental illness rate of JWs is approximately 10 to 16 times higher than the rate for the general, non-Witness population. About 10% of the publishers in the average congregation are in serious need of professional help, even though many Witnesses are able to hide this fact quite well, especially from outsiders. It is a common experience to hear hours of verbalizations, expressing severe hopelessness, hostility towards both insiders and outsiders, regret and serious doubt from a Witness who 20 minutes later can effectively convince a householder that "JWs are marvelously happy people, happy in God's organization."

Another study which examined the mental health of JWs was done by Pescor (1949). He found, of the total group of Witnesses he examined, all of whom were imprisoned because of conscientious objection to the Selective Service law in the USA, 16% were on hospital status, and, of these, 44% were diagnosed as psychotic and 50% were chronic medical patients. Thus, 8% of the total number of Witnesses imprisoned were classified as psychotic. This is about 40 times higher than the rate for non-Witness population using a psychosis rate of about .2% for any one year. His sample would be a good cross section of all young male Witnesses, considering that the majority of draft age Witness who were drafted went to prison at the time the study was done in the late 1940's. As some JW's took alternative service, contrary to the Witness Society's instructions, and possibly those who accepted alternative service were better adjusted, the rate Pescor found is likely to be higher than is actually the case among JWs as a whole. Unfortunately, Pescor does not give the percent who were imprisoned compared to the percent who took alternative service, but the number is probably quite small. It is also possible that some JWs feigned psychotic states in a desire to be released from prison; but the fact that this action did not serve to release one from prison, but simply resulted in prison hospital status, would reduce this possibility. It is quite possible, though, that hospital status was more desirable status within the prison and the Witnesses feigned illness so as to improve the conditions during their prison stay, but this factor would be more likely to increase the number of medical diagnoses not the number of psychiatric diagnoses.

The only other psychiatric study done on JWs is that by Janner (1962). Janner examined 100 random cases of Swiss citizens who object to military service and were imprisoned in a Swiss prison. About 85% of the C.O.'s were JWs. Of this 85% Janner found a significant number who had a high level of fear anxiety, were severely introverted were loners. Or severely neurotic. Of his group, one third were unskilled workers and more than half were involved in some type of semi-skilled trade. Only 3 could be considered semi-professional or professional workers (one technician, one teacher and one college student). Of the JW's 10.4% had been previously convicted of a crime. Of these, about half were sexual offenses (including pedophiliacs and exhibitionists) and the rest were offenses against private property or persons. As a whole Janner found the JWs "quite colorless persons, and somewhat removed from reality, although some JWs demonstrated intense religious feelings." Thus, all past studies demonstrate the level of mental illness is well above that of the population. The staff of most large mental hospitals are usually quite familiar with the JWs. One hospital, a doctor told this writer, is "clogged with them" Another mental hospital is even nick-named "The Watchtower House" because it has so many Witness patients.

The fact that JWs are overwhelmingly lower class is a very important factor influencing the mental illness rate. Upper-middle-class and upper-class members are almost totally unknown. One branch overseer stated, "of 40,000 Witnesses, I know of only 2 families that might be termed upper-middle class, but no one else. University professors are almost totally unknown." There are very few medical doctors - very few - and probably a fair number of chiropractors. But to be a chiropractor a few years ago required as little as 3 years schooling beyond high school. Even the few JWs with a high school diploma tend to be less serious about the Witnesses. A large number quit high school in the 10th grade or so. Witnesses also tend to marry quite young partly because marriage is one of the few acceptable pursuits open to young Witnesses besides pioneering that do not result in social pressure to conform.

Very few intelligent or well-educated people join the Witnesses, and those few who do involve themselves with the Witnesses generally do not stay. It is difficult for an active, intelligent, aware person to remain a Witness - not because their beliefs are unfounded, but because Witness Hierarchy tends to want to control the belief structure of its members in even minor areas. Even a Witness endeavoring to serve as an apologist is not tolerated. The authoritarian Witness Hierarchy prohibits religious publishing among members and even discourages most theological research and discussion. JWs are constantly encouraged not to "run ahead of the Society" as though this was even possible according to the Society's own teachings. Many Witnesses, through their independent Bible research, have anticipated major changes that the Society later brought out. Until that time, those who have the audacity to mention the results of their own research have often been severely reprimanded, even if the Society may later on confirm the results of their research. One prominent Witness stated:

"One of the things that bothers me most about the Society is the incredibly arrogant attitude of those at Bethel - refusing to listen to reason or even give credit for the individual members having a mind . Although eventually I feel the Witnesses may become an upper-class religion and will tend to attract the more intellectually oriented at present it is predominantly a lower-class religion with extremely few college graduates. Actually, virtually everyone I know that is fairly well educated has left them, even though there were a few bright members who were, at one time, in the movement."

Witnesses are encouraged to give up a wide variety of things when they become a Witness, often including their careers, whether it be an artist, a journalist or an executive, and take on menial occupations. Thus the more intelligent or better educated have more to give up. Many avocations not directly connected with their Witness work are dropped, under pressure. Witnesses are commonly discouraged from involvement in a wide variety of things. This researcher has worked with a number of cases where a Witness has, in time, become disillusioned and extremely bitter as a result of what he was persuaded to give up when he accepted Witness teachings. Even if the Witness does not leave the moment, what he gives up is often later a source of conflict. For example, the Witnesses glamorize pioneering - and those who become pioneers often become disillusioned, wishing they had pursued their previous goals, often feeling that it is too late to resume them.

The more intelligent JWs are less likely to rely on the defense mechanisms which the typical Witness overuses. Further, the value system of the average Witness is often quite antagonistic to the more intelligent members, including their tendency to listen to opposing arguments, to be less suspicious of statements perceived to have their source from "big government, big business or big religion," and especially general intellectual pursuits. Even efforts to find support for the "faith that is within you" are, in effect, squelched. One psychiatrist (who was raised a Witness) stated:

"In my clinical work with Witnesses, I have noticed there is a distinct tendency for the better educated, more intelligent, more conscientious Witnesses to have emotional problems. This is the opposite of that many studies indicate is true among non-Witnesses. This is partially because the more intelligent Witnesses are more aware of the contradictions and problems in JW teachings. This awareness causes them to question and doubt , and this doubt in influential in developing their mental illness. The more naive Witnesses 'accept everything' (or almost everything) and thus live with less dissonance. And, importantly, there is a lack of acceptance of, and in some cases actually a strong prejudice against, better educated or more intelligent Witnesses on the part of the typical Witness. About the only way one can be fully accepted is if he, in essence, ensconced his education and fully adopted the Witness' essentially lower class culture, including obtaining work which is, more or less, unskilled.

The typical Witness tends to be highly defensive, relying totally upon the Witness Society and its explanations, even if it is somewhat foolish and founded on little fact (such as the teaching that the literal heart is the real source of human feelings, emotions, attitudes and values; something which cannot be explained by the fact that a patient with a transplanted plastic heart still has feelings, emotions and attitudes) and even a strong tendency not to read non-or older Society publications.

Another important causal element in the high mental illness rate is the Society's practice of discouraging Witnesses from consulting or seeking professional help (Salisbury, 1965, p. 202). Among the quotes from the Witness Publications which illustrate the attitude of JW's towards psychiatrists and psychologists is one which, after citing an experiment where psychologists were to diagnose emotional problems from drawings supposedly done by children (but actually done by chimpanzees) stated: "Without doubt psychologists do know a little about human and animal personalities, but also without doubt they have a lot to learn and they think they know more than they actually do, or they would not have let two chimpanzees make such monkeys out of them" (Awake! 1954). In answering the question: Should a Christian consult a psychiatrist?" the Awake! Of March, 1960, p. 27 said:

"... as a rule, for a Christian to go to a worldly psychiatrist is an admission of defeat, it amounts to 'going down to Egypt for help.' - Isaiah 31:1. Often when a Witness of Jehovah goes to a psychiatrist, the psychiatrist will try to persuade him that his troubles are caused by his religion, entirely overlooking the fact that the Christian witnesses of Jehovah are the best-oriented, happiest and most contented group of people on the face of the earth. They have the least need for psychiatrists. Also, more and more psychiatrists are resorting to hypnosis, which is a demonic form of worldly wisdom." (sic.)

Interestingly, although comments to the effect that "JWs are the happiest ..." were at one time commonly made, they have not appeared in Witness Publications, to this writer's knowledge, in a number of years. Evidently, the Witness Society is more aware of the high mental illness rate among Witnesses. This is not surprising in view of the fact that a number of very prominent Witness Officials have become severely mentally ill, including several branch servants, many members of the Society's former legal staff, and even several members of the board of directors. The above article concluded, "Yes, what is need at such times is not worldly psychiatrists who may wholly ignore the change that the truth and God's holy spirit have made in one's life and who know nothing of their power to help one put on a new Christian personality. Rather, what is needed at such times is a mature Christian in whom one has confidence and who is vitally interested in one's welfare and who will not shrink back from administering needed reproof or counsel so that one may get healed." The advice is much the same in later publications in spite of recent statements such as "whether a Christian will consult a psychiatrist or any other doctor, is a matter for personal decision" (The Watchtower, 1975, p. 255). Yet the typical Witness is still quite hostile to consulting any mental health person because of statements such as the one found in the August 22, 1975 Awake ! page 25 (which is effect reversed the ruling in the 1975 Witness, p. 255) "Is the turning of people from the clergy to the psychiatrists a healthy phenomenon? No, for it really is a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. They are (the psychiatrists' clients) worse off than they were before. That they (psychologists and psychiatrists) are not the ones to go to for help when one is depressed and beset with all manner of problems is to be seen from the fact that suicides among them are twice as frequent as among the population in general." "Instead of turning to psychiatrists and psychologists who likewise, for the most part, are without such faith, let lovers of righteousness turn to the Bible for wisdom, comfort and hope." Thus, while The Watchtower of 1975 (p. 255) states it is up to the Witness' individual conscience whether or not he consult a psychiatrist, this article is written in such a way that it would be difficult for most Witnesses to do so. Thus Witnesses nearly always consult the Elders, who, unfortunately, as will be discussed, are very poorly equipped to deal with emotional problems.

The JW Elders tend to apply one solution for all emotional problems, namely: study and pray more, in short live up, more firmly to the dictates of the Witness Society. Instead of trying to dissipate the intensive guilt that the Witnesses have be channeling it into constructive action and trying to work on whatever the Witnesses are being troubled by, the Elders tend to create more guilt. They often behave in a disapproving manner toward the Witnesses, tending to feel that their role is that of a disciplinarian. Having no training in dealing with people or emotional problems, they typically offer very poor advice.

Elders tend to feel that mental illness is caused by one of two things, sin and demonism, and thus commonly probe the Witness for sins he may have committed (which usually results in intensifying any guilt feelings). Elders often, but clearly not always, threaten to disfellowship or put the Witness on probation in spite of the fact that the Witness is often submissively seeking help. Often the very mention of "demons" is quite frightening to a Witness. Instead of receiving reassurance, comfort and positive helpful feedback, the Witness tends to be frightened and, at least later, resentful. This researcher has worked with many cases where the suggestion of "demon influence" has been the factor that caused a neurotic Witness to become completely psychotic. The concern over demonism is partially the result of the Witnesses' lower class background and the tendency for JW's to come from the more fundamental religious, and not necessarily a result of the Witness's explicit teaching, although the Witness Does little to counteract it. The most tragic result of the concern over demonism is a tendency to focus away from the true problem and on to such things as finding the "source" of the demons.

The Elders tend to have little insight into inter-personal dynamics. They recognize the needs of eating and sleeping (but even here they tend to glamorize sacrifices Witnesses make for their religion), but refuse to accept the validity of other basic needs, especially ego needs. As Witnesses are discouraged from seeking satisfaction of these needs outside of the congregation, they seek them within the congregation. This typically creates power struggle, constant verbal battles and personally conflicts. JW's tend to be both highly critical of the world, which they clearly see does not follow their set of rules, and highly critical of fellow Witnesses, who also fail to live up to the ideal picture of a Witness painted by the Witness Society. One Witness stated to the writer that "95% of the Witnesses are very corrupt people - but that still does not mean it is not God's organization, Israel was also very corrupt, but that still did not change the fact that they were God's people." As a result of the frustration in satisfying their ego needs in the congregation (especially the need to be accepted, looked up to, respected, etc.) Witnesses typically withdraw into themselves channeling inward the hostility which results from their frustrated attempts to satisfy these needs, creating depression and hostility which sometimes erupts into very violent, aggressive behavior. This is one crimes against persons found among the Witnesses.

JWs are required to follow strictly all dictates, however minor, from the Witness Headquarters. Love and acceptance tend to be conditional upon rigid adherence to rules established by a few. Little consideration is given to the necessity for children to learn from their own decisions in view of the fact that growth requires learning from one's failures as well as success. Witnesses are pressured to do things correctly the first time. If indeed, they are expected to do something a first time. More recently the Witness Society has stressed the need to examine the sinner's attitude, but for the past 20 years. In many congregations, if certain sins were committed - especially sexual sins - disfellowshiping was automatic, no matter what the sinner's attitude was. True, evidence of repentance is supposed to be taken into consideration, but it would normally be expected that at a disfellowshiping hearing the accused would be defensive, and any signs of defensiveness hearing the accused would be defensive, and any signs of defensiveness - a common reaction in this situation, especially when someone is being confronted with three Elders - tends to be misinterpreted as "displaying an unrepentant attitude," or even "attempting to justify the sin." Thus, a normal and expected reaction is misconstrued, and an expected and necessary attempt to maintain one's own ego intact is seen as "evil, selfish, and unrepentant." Only those who have a talent for turning most of their hostility inwards have, at least in the past, a good chance of escaping disfellowship.

Another common assumption is that a Witness who is mentally ill has displeased his Creator and thus has incurred the wrath of God, similar to medieval idea. The Witnesses rarely phrase their belief in this way, but normally verbalize that the one mentally ill has displeased Jehovah and as a result of Jehovah's holy spirit "has been removed, from the person. One who is a Witness presumably has Jehovah's holy spirit, and doing something to displease Jehovah merits the removal of His spirit, and doing something to displease Jehovah merits the removal of His spirit. This concept often leads to a general lack of sympathy or concern on the part of most Witnesses towards their mentally ill brethren. One manifesting any symptoms of mental illness or emotional disorder is thus often seen as having "done something wrong" is poor association, and thus one to be avoided. Both the belief that human frailties can cause the removal of God's holy spirit and the resultant social withdrawing (or social aloofness) tend to intensify the mentally ill Witnesses' adjustment. Often, Witnesses who become mentally ill and seek out professional help are most intelligent than the average Witness and yet more conscientious, endeavoring conscientiously to live up to the Witness Society's high standards, standards that few Witnesses can live up to. Criticism elicits guilt which is seriously intensified when the symptoms that result from the guilt are construed to result from withdrawal of God's holy spirit because of one's personal shortcomings.

Summary

It is a common observation among mental health personnel, supported by all published studies, that the mental illness rate among JWs far surpasses that of the population as a whole. Many factors are found to contribute to this - JWs tend to recruit individuals with emotional problems; there is a great deal of pressure to conform within the congregation, and there is a belief structure which clearly causes emotional turmoil. The fact that JWs are recruited from the lower socio-economic statuses of society and tend to seriously alienate and often force out of the movement the more intelligent and better educated members is also highly instruments in contribution to the mental illness rate. Once a JW develops emotional problems he is actively encouraged to avoid accepting "worldly advice" either from secular books or secular mental health personnel. The psychiatric profession as a whole is severely criticized, and Witnesses are encouraged to consult only their Elders, most of whom are poorly equipped to deal with most normal interpersonal relation frictions let alone what be termed neurotic and psychotic maladjustment. In dealing with members, Elders tend to offer poor advice and rely on punitive criticism or threats ("If you do not, you will not survive Armageddon.") to change behavior. This approach typically elicits increased guilt and/or a high level of aggression in the Witnesses. This factor is probably influential in the high rate of aggression crimes found among Witnesses.


Reference

Awake !

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Pennsylvania


CHESEN, Eli S., M.D.

1972 Religion may be Hazardous to Your Health, New York: Collier Books.


COHN, Werner

1955 "Jehovah's Witnesses as a Preletarian Movement" The American Scholar, 24: 281-

298


Detroit Free Press

1975 "Two girls battle Mom's Religion," Dec. 1, p. 3B.


HARRISON, Barbara Grizzuti

1975 "Life with Jehovah," Ms. Magazine, Dec., pp. 56-59, 89-92


JANNER, Von J.

1963 Die forensisch-psychiatrische and sanitatsdienstliche Beurteilung von

Dienstuerweigerern (The forensic-psychiatric and military medical assessment of

conscientious objectors), Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift, Vol 93, No.

23, pp. 819-826.


MASSERMAN, Jules H., M.D.

1953 "Faiths and Delusion in Psychotherapy," American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 110,

pp. 324-333.


MOXON, C.

1921 "Religion in the Light of Psychoanalysis," The Psychoanalytic Review, January,

pp. 92-98


PESCOR, M.J., M.D.

1949 "A Study of Selective Service Law Violators," The American Journal of Psychiatry,

Vol. 105, No. 9, pp. 641-652


SALISBURY, W. Seward

1964 Religion in American Culture: A sociological interpretation, Homewood, Illinois:

Dorsey Press


SPENCER, John

1975 "The Mental Health of Jehovah's Witnesses," British Journal of Psychiatry, Vol.

126, pp. 556-559

The Watchtower, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Pennsylvania


ZYGMENT, Joseph F.

1970 "Prophetic Failure and Chiliastic Identity: The case of Jehovah's Witnesses," American Journal of Scientology, Vol 75, No. 6, pp. 926-948.



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SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND GROUP DYNAMICS
By Jan Groenveld
(edited)


Studies have shown that today's cults use a stronger form of control than those of 50 years ago. The advent of new psychological experiments in the 60's and 70's have produced the modern methods of mind control which are far more sophisticated than the BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES and THOUGHT REFORM developed by the Chinese. To understand mind control you need a basic understanding of BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES.

What is "behavior modification." Simply described, it is "reward or punishment for actions" association. It was used on you as a child whenever you were being commended or otherwise for your behavior. 

Taking away a privilege is usually a sure-fire method to persuading a child to change its behavior when that child is old enough to under- stand the process. Praising a child for doing good is another method of changing behavior, especially in the child who is anxious toplease. The rod of education applied to the seat of learning is another method of bringing about a desired behavior change.

When behaviour modification techniques such as these are applied in a loving, caring and consistent way, the child changes their behavior without holding feelings of resentment. However, if these techniques are perverted in any way, damage is done to the child's psyche, their emotions. e.g.. the abused child syndrome. Cults use a sophisticated and perverted form of behavior modification which damages an individuals emotions.

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Leon Festinger is a psychologist who studied groups that predicted the end of the world. He found that most members became stronger than ever when the prophecy failed. His investigation revealed that members had to find a way to cope psychologically with the failure. They needed to maintain order and meaning in their life. They needed to think they were acting according to their self-image and values. Festinger described this contradiction which they had to overcome as what has become known as the "COGNITIVE DISSONANCE THEORY." The three components he described are:

"CONTROL OF BEHAVIOR" - "CONTROL OF THOUGHTS" - "CONTROL OF EMOTIONS" 

Each component has a powerful effect on the other two: CHANGE ONE AND THE OTHERS WILL TEND TO FOLLOW. When all three change the individual undergoes a complete change. Festinger summarised the basic principle:

"If you change a person's behavior, his thoughts and feelings will change to minimise the dissonance." 

When there is a conflict between thoughts, feelings or behavior, then those in conflict will change to minimize the contradiction. This is because a person can only tolerate a certain amount of discrepancy between these components which make up his identity. In cults, this dissonance is created to exploit and control them.

Steven Hassan, author of Combating Cult Mind Control, added a fourth component to Festinger's: 

"CONTROL OF INFORMATION"

By controlling the information one receives you can control and restrict the individual's ability to think for himself. You limit what he is able to think about.

BEHAVIOR CONTROL - The control of an individual's physical reality.

This can include control of where he lives, what he eats, his clothing, sleep, job, rituals etc. This is why most cults have a stringent schedule for members. There is always something to do in destructive cults. Each cult has its own distinctive set of behaviors that bind it together. This control is so powerful that the cult member will actually participate in their own punishment and come to believe he actually deserves it! No one can command a person's thoughts but IF YOU CAN CONTROL BEHAVIOR THEN HEARTS AND MINDS WILL FOLLOW.

THOUGHT CONTROL - The control of an individual's thought processes.

The indoctrination of members so thoroughly that they will manipulate their own thought processes. The ideology is internalized as "the truth". Incoming information is filtered through the beliefs which also regulates how this information is thought about. The cult has it's own language which further regulates how a person thinks. This puts a great barrier between cult members and outsiders.

Another form of control is "thought stopping" techniques. This can take many forms: chanting, meditating, singing, humming, tongues (some even pay money to learn it), concentrated praying, etc. The use of these techniques short-circuits the persons' ability to test reality. The person can only think positive thoughts about the group. If there is a problem the member assumes responsibility and works harder. 

EMOTIONAL CONTROL - The control of the individuals emotional life.

This manipulates a person's range of feelings. Guilt and fear are used to keep control. Cult members cannot see the control by guilt and like other abuse victims are conditioned to blame themselves when things are wrong, even grateful when a leader points our their transgressions.

Fear is used to manipulate two ways. The first is to create an outside enemy (we vs them) who is persecuting you. The second is the fear of punishment by the leaders if you are not "good enough." Being "good enough" is following the ideology perfectly. The most powerful emotional control is phobia indoctrination. This can give the person a panic reaction at the very thought of leaving the group. It is almost impossible to conceive that there is any life outside the group. There is no physical gun held to their heads but the psychological gun is just as if not more powerful.

INFORMATION CONTROL - The control of the individuals information sources.

Deny a person the information needed to make a sound judgment and he will be incapable of doing so. People are trapped in cults because they are denied both the access to the critical information they need to assess their situation. The psychological chains on their minds are just as powerful as if they were locked away physically from society. So strong is this psychological process they also lack the properly functioning internal mechanism to process any critical information placed in front of them.

THE EIGHT MARKS OF MIND CONTROL TOTALISM - ALL OR NOTHING

Mind Control is a PROCESS of eradicating former beliefs and instituting new beliefs in their place through the use of COERCIVE persuasion. It is a PROCESS which is designed to break a person's independence and individuality and replace it with the ideology clone. The Chinese called this process "thought reform" which was poorly translated into English as "brain-washing".

BRAIN-WASHING

Brain-washing is now considered to be a different process to thought reform or mind control. In brain-washing the victim knows who is the enemy. An example is American Patty Hearst who was kidnapped by an American terrorist group. Through physical abuse she finally became a member of the group and took part in terrorist activities and bank robberies.

THOUGHT CONTROL

Thought control is more subtle. The victim doesn't know who is the enemy because the enemy seems like their best friend who only has their best interests at heart.

Cults practice a more refined form of thought control than that used by the Chinese. Leading psychologist, Dr. Margaret Singer, said cults do it better than the Chinese because it is easier to get people to do what you want through manipulating them with guilt and anxiety. During this process the prospective recruit is re-educated and will abandon the precepts he has learnt from life for the "truth" or "enlightenment" offered by the group. In some cults this is done over a long period of time; Other cults can bring about this change within 48 hours. Whichever way the process takes place the results are the same. The individual has undergone a total change in personality and is often unrecognisable by their family.

The process of thought control has been documented by Robert J. Lifton who researched what happened to the American prisoners of the Communist Chinese. He labelled the steps which have become the standard by which to judge whether a group is using "brain-washing" or "thought reform" on it's recruits. 

Robert J. Lifton's research showed that - 

"These criteria consist of eight psychological themes which are predominant within the social field of the thought reform milieu. Each has a totalistic quality; each depends upon an equally absolute philosophical assumption; and each mobilises certain individual emotional tendencies, mostly of a polarising nature. Psychological theme, philosophical rationale, and polarised individual tendencies are interdependent; they require, rather than directly cause, each other. In combination they create an atmosphere which may temporarily energise or exhilarate, but which at the same time poses the gravest of human threats." (Thought Reform & the Psychology of Totalism p 420)

The eight marks noted by Lifton are:

1. MILIEU CONTROL - Control of the Environment and Communication.

The control of human communication is the most basic feature of the thought reform environment. This is the control of what the individual sees, hears, reads, writes, experiences and expresses. It goes even further than that, and controls the individuals communication with himself - his own thoughts.

Everything other than their beliefs is excluded. The organization appears to be omniscient. They seem to know everything that is going on. Reality is their exclusive possession. In this environment the individual is deprived of the combination of external information and internal reflection required to test reality and to maintain a measure of identity separate from his environment. The individual can feel victimized by his controllers and feel the hostility of suffocation - the resentful awareness that his striving toward new information, independent judgment and self-expression are being thwarted.

EXAMPLE - Jehovah's Witnesses are a classical example of a closed community living within and mixing with the wider community. Because they are so well known we have used them as an example. 

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses 

--  You could "go beyond the 'truth' - beyond what they taught. This showed you were thinking for yourself and put yourself above leadership. Those moving ahead of the Organization are counselled. 

-- No gatherings other than those allowed or organized by organization (1982). 

-- Not making comments from your own thoughts at the meetings. Only comments from the study articles are permitted. No independent thinking is permitted. 

--  The organization always seemed to know what was going on in your congregation and article appeared in Watchtower publications just at the right time ("food at the proper time"). This was done through Circuit Servants reports to Headquarters. 

-- Use of 'publisher record cards' etc. to monitor activities of members. Watchtower is aware of trends etc. by strict reporting and control of individual Witnesses activities. 

-- Report on fellow brothers & sisters (cannot get away from organization). 

-- Monitoring or observation of disfellowshipped or marked people. 

-- Non-Witnesses are viewed as 'bad association' 

-- Worldly education discouraged (better to go door-to-door)

-- Employment that takes up time which should be devoted to Watchtower activities is also discouraged. 

--  Should be 'buying out the opportune time' in 'theocratic activities'. 

-- Taught to indoctrinate self! 

-- 'Shepherding' of those who fall behind. 

2. MYSTICAL MANIPULATION - The Mystique of the Organization.

This seeks to provoke specific patterns of behavior and emotion in such a way that these will appear to have arisen spontaneously from within the environment. For the manipulated person this assumes a near-mystical quality. This is not just a power trip by the manipulators. They have a sense of "higher purpose" and see themselves as being the "keepers of the truth." By becoming the instruments of their own mystique, they create a mystical aura around the manipulating institution - the Party, the Government, the Organization, etc. They are the chosen agents to carry out this mystical imperative.

The pursuit of this mystical imperative supersedes all considerations of decency of immediate human welfare. The end justifies the means. You can lie, deceive or whatever to those outside the organization. Association with the "outside" is only to benefit their own cause in some way. Some cults like Moonies and Hare Krishna's call their deception "heavenly deception" or "transcendental trickery". Members believe in the ideology to such a degree that they rationalize these deceptions. Members are kept in a frenzy of cult related activities. There is little time or energy to think about their lifestyle.

"The psychology of the pawn". This person feels unable to escape from forces he sees more powerful than himself. His way of dealing with this is to adapt to them. He learns how to anticipate problems with the organization and to manipulate events to avoid incriminating himself. This is the person who has been in the organization long enough, knows something is wrong, is on the verge of leaving then suddenly becomes very loyal. They sell out to the organization and will turn in friends who may have confided in them.

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses 

-- "Theocratic strategy". If you don't have a right to know the truth it is OK to lie to you. (See "Insight" encyclopedia under 'Lie') 

-- Avoid telling prospects: No blood, No holidays, No family, friends, etc. 

-- Bring someone new each time they call so prospect gets to know the people at the Kingdom Hall when they attend. (Planned spontaneity) 

-- The ideology supersedes the welfare of the individual. JWs are not involved in charities outside the group [or in the group]. 

-- Not helping fellow members to the detriment of promoting the ideology. This is more important than helping the sick and elderly. 

-- Prayers are for the organization, not the needs of the individual. See God as not interested in you as a person. 

-- Blessed only for effort in promoting the Kingdom.

--  Ability of organization to accomplish the 'preaching work' seen as evidence of Jehovah's blessing, direction and angelic help. 

-- Jehovah 'sifts out' those not truly 'in the truth'; those without 'the right heart condition'; which is why people leave or must be disfellowshipped. No one leaves legitimately. 

3. DEMAND FOR PURITY - Everything is black & white.

Pure and impure is defined by the ideology of the organization. Only those ideas, feelings and actions consistent with the ideology and policy are good. The individual conscience is not reliable. The philosophical assumption is that absolute purity is attainable and that anything done in the name of this purity is moral. By defining and manipulating the criteria of purity and conducting an all-out war on impurity (dissension especially) the organization creates a narrow world of guilt and shame. This is perpetuated by an ethos of continuous reform, the demand that one strive permanently and painfully for something which not only does not exist but is alien to the human condition.

Under these conditions the individual expects humiliation, ostracism and punishment because of his inability to live up to the criteria and lives in a constant state of guilt and shame. Since the organization is the ultimate judge of good and evil, this guilt and shame is used to manipulate and control members. The organization becomes an authority without limit in the eyes of members and their power is nowhere more evident that in their capacity to "forgive". 

All impurities are seen to originate from "outside" (the world). Therefore, one of the best ways to relieve himself of the burden of guilt is to denounce these with great hostility. The more guilty he feels, the greater his hatred, the more hostile is his denouncement. Organizationally this eventually leads to purges of heretics, mass hatred and religious holy wars. The group will point to the mistakes of all other belief systems while promoting their own purity. This gives the impression that their organisation is perfect, clean and pure as a people or group. 

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses 

-- Dress and grooming have been laid down at various times. No pantsuits for ladies. No beards or moustaches. Short hair on men. No coloured shirts for men. No gold rimmed glasses. Certain styles of clothing. These rules change at the whim of the leaders. 

-- Only two organizations: Jehovah's and Satan's. You cannot be part of both. 

-- World has no conscience; everyone is dishonest. 

-- Must keep clear of worldly celebrations (Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, Mother's & Father's Day, Thanksgiving, etc.) 

-- Loyalty displayed through meeting attendance and participation, field service, choice of marriage partners [strong 'in the truth'], shunning disfellowshipped relatives and friends. 

4. CULT OF CONFESSION - Reporting to leadership. 

This is closely related to the demand for purity. Confession is carried beyond the ordinary religious, legal and therapeutic expressions to the point of becoming a cult in itself. In totalist hands, confession becomes a means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for these vulnerabilities. 

Totalist confession is an act of self-surrender, the expression of the merging of the individual and environment. There is a dissolution of self, talents and money. Conformity. 

The cult of confession has effects quite the reverse of its ideal of total exposure; rather than eliminating personal secrets, it increases and intensifies them. 

The individual becomes caught up in continuous conflict over which secrets to preserve and which to surrender, over ways to reveal lesser secrets can be revealed and ways to protect more important ones. 

The cult of confession makes it virtually impossible to attain reasonable balance between worth and humility. 

e.g. In Jehovah's Witnesses

-- Confessing infringements to an Elder.

-- Putting in field reports (test of spirituality) [A monthly report of one's activities for that month. How many hours door-knocking; number of books and magazines sold; number of people one studied doctrine with etc]

-- Accept orders without question. Ask "How high" when told to jump.

-- Any who are aware of another's sin must put this one in to the elders or the guilt will rest on their shoulders.

-- Congregation is made aware of the sin through talks and restrictions placed on guilty ones.

5. SACRED SCIENCE - Absolute "Truth".

Their "truth" is the absolute truth. It is sacred - beyond questioning. There is a reverence demanded for the leadership. They have ALL the answers. Only to them is given the revelation of "truth".

The ultimate moral vision becomes the ultimate science and the person who dares to criticise it, or even think criticism, is immoral, irreverent and "unscientific".

The assumption here is not so much that man can be God, but rather that man's IDEAS can be God. This gives sense of security to the member. They are confident they can get the answer to the most difficult problem or question.

e.g. In Jehovah's Witnesses

-- You can be disfellowshipped (kicked out) for daring to question what is taught in their publications.

-- Watchtower demands full devotion of members. Must not question the Organization (= questioning God)

-- There is an answer to everything. If you cannot find it in the publications, you must 'wait on Jehovah' and not 'push ahead'.

-- Organization itself will survive Armageddon but individual Jehovah's Witnesses have no such assurance.

6. LOADING THE LANGUAGE - Thought terminating cliches.

Everything is compressed into brief, highly reductive, definitive-sounding phrases, easily memorized and easily expressed.

There are "good" terms which represents the groups ideology and "evil" terms to represent everything outside which is to be rejected. Totalist language is intensely divisive, all-encompassing jargon, unmercifully judging. To those outside the group this language is tedious - the language of non-thought.

This effectively isolates members from outside world. The only people who understand you are other members. Other members can tell if you are really one of them by how you talk.

This narrowness of the language is constricting. The individual is linguistically deprived because language is central to the human experience and his capacities for thinking and feeling are immensely restricted.

While initially this loaded language can give a sense of security to the new believer, an uneasiness develops over time. This uneasiness may result in a withdrawal into the system and he preaches even harder to hide his problem and demonstrate his loyalty. It may also produce an inner division and the individual will publicly give the right performance while privately have his own thoughts.

Either way, his imagination becomes increasingly disassociated from his actual life experiences and may even tend to atrophy from disuse.

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses

-- Theocratic strategy
-- "ark of salvation"
--  "new light"
-- "meat in due season"
-- "faithful & discreet slave"
-- "apostate"
-- "The anointed"
-- Book study
-- Christendom
-- "Christ Jesus" instead of "Jesus Christ"
-- 'back calls' now called 'return visits' (terminology changes indicate who might be falling behind or who is not really a member)
-- "Jehovah will take care of it in his due time."
-- "It's the truth" - doesn't matter if they make a mistake.
-- Where else is there to go?
-- Worldly
-- Governing Body
-- New System of Things

7. DOCTRINE OVER PERSON - Doctrine supersedes human experience.

The ideological myth merges with their "truth" and the resulting deduction can be so overpowering and coercive that is simply replaces reality. Consequently past events can be altered, rewritten or even ignored to make them consistent with the current reality. This alteration is especially lethal when the distortions are imposed on the individual's memory.

They demand character and identity of a person be reshaped to fit their clone of mentality. The individual must fit the rigid contours of the doctrinal mould instead of developing their own potential and personality.

The underlying assumption is that the doctrine - including its mythological elements - is ultimately more valid, true and real than is any aspect of actual human character or human experience. The individual under such pressure is propelled into an intense conflict with his own sense of integrity, a struggle which take place in relation to polarised feelings if sincerity and insincerity.

Absolute sincerity is demanded by the group yet this must be put to one side when changes take place the individual has to deny the original belief ever existed. Personal feelings are suppressed and members must appear to be contented and enthusiastic at all times.

Some cults believe that all illness is a result of lack of faith and evidence of sin in your life. These things have to be prayed away and medical attention is ignored as a "sign of faith."

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses

-- "There is no life outside the organization", so when they see people who have made a life outside they revert back to doctrine over what they see.

-- If an experience doesn't fit, it must be demons.

-- Will ignore needs of others because doctrine overrides human experience. i.e. will ignore needs of disfellowshipped or marked persons no matter how serious those needs are.

-- Those who were JW's before 1975 and are still JW's will deny they ever believed Armageddon was due that year - even those who sold homes, delayed medical treatment etc.

-- Watchtower has final authority even over personal experience. Blood transfusions, etc. Conscience matters are discussed only in the light of Watchtower doctrine (not left to individuals' consciences).

8.  DISPENSING OF EXISTENCE - Who is worthy to live.

They have the right to decide who is worthy of life and who isn't. They also decide which history books are accurate and which are not.

Those in the organization are worthy of life; those outside worthy of death. The outsiders can be permitted to live if they change and become an insider. Members live in fear of being pronounced "dead". They have a fear of annihilation or extinction. The emotional conflict is one of "being vs nothingness". 

Existence comes to depend upon creed (I believe, therefore I am), upon mission (I obey, therefore I am) and beyond these, upon a sense of total merger with the organization. Should he stray from the "truth" his right to exist may be withdrawn and he is pronounced "dead".

e.g. - In Jehovah's Witnesses

-- "Sheep and goats." How one responds to "Christ's brothers" decides their future. ("Christ's brothers" are those who rule the organization. How you respond to their message as carried by their messengers decides your eternal future).

-- Elders decide who is worthy of life at Judicial Committee meetings.

-- They decide who is worthy of a resurrection - (Sodom & Gommorah).

-- Disfellowshiping 'sinners' denies them any hope for a future outside the Organization.

-- They will blatently lie to achieve goals and consider this to be "theocratic strategy".

-- Any information contrary to the Watchtower 'system' is not considered worth listening to or reading.

-- Witnesses are forbidden to discuss such information, especially if is considered 'apostate' [put together by former members]

IN SUMMARY

The more clearly these eight points are obvious, the greater the resemblance to ideological totalism. The more an organization utilizes such totalist devices to change individuals, the greater its resemblance to thought reform. Remember ... a group does not have to be religious to be cultic in behavior. High demand groups can be commercial, political, and psychological. Be aware, especially if you are a bright, intelligent and idealistic person. The most likely person to be caught up in this type of behavioral system is the one who says "I won't get caught. It will never happen to me. I am too intelligent for that sort of thing."