AboutAndrew Expertise I don't object to Witness theology, but rather their use of social pressure & deceptive manipulations to undermine family ties & control minds. (This may seem contradictory to Witnesses, who draw no distinction between spiritual belief & organizational policy.) I do not engage in theological debate. I support persons impacted by an experience with the Witnesses & advocate early education for everyone so that they can protect themselves from cults by understanding what to watch out for.
(Ex-)Witnesses: I know how upsetting it is to experience doubts (or anger) about your experience. Time does not heal this wound until you first remove the splinter, which takes more time & effort than you may realize. So unless you have already put in that time & effort, don't be surprised if you are deeply affected long after the experience. But there is good news! You're NOT an enemy of God for doubting or for failing to meet the requirements of a human organization. People who lie cannot represent a God of Truth. Tell me where you're at. I'll understand. I can show you how to begin or continue your recovery & make a life for yourself worth living.
Non-Witnesses: Describe your experience with your friend/relative who is (becoming) a Witness. I can help you understand the Witness indoctrination & social dynamics that are affecting him or her (which are probably not apparent to you). I can help you put your options into perspective. Keep in mind that people make their own choices, & you may not be able to affect this person's choices, no matter how much they impact on you. A few people manage to do so, but don't count on it.
Despite my struggle to recover from my experience with the Witnesses, it was worth it. I will never let anyone cloud my clarity of mind again. Let me use that clarity to help you gain clarity. You deserve it. Every living thing deserves truth, compassion, discovery, and wonder; not manipulation, judgementalism, dogma, or control.
Experience
I was a Witness for 30 years, and a volunteer at their headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, for a year. I have attended many congregations across the United States, carefully observing patterns of behavior. Although being a Witness was difficult and I gradually had more and more doubts about Witness teachings, I was a true believer, so I kept trying to make it work somehow. I stopped attending meetings in 1997 only after receiving an answer to a prayer about doing so, and have since been actively involved in recovery, both my own, and supporting others in theirs. Recovery can include reading books, communicating with others in recovery, and participating in support groups and/or therapy. It always involves reclaiming one's own mind and discovering the other sides of the issues that you have been blinded to in the past.
The Witness organization is not like other churches. Most non-Witnesses really cannot imagine what it is like to be a Witness. The organization has unimaginably extensive rules and monitoring that affect every aspect of life (so there is no privacy and no sense of personal independence).
The organization insists on absolute conformity, and claims to directly represent God; so dissent is not tolerated, and authority is totalitarian. Being a Witness is more like living in China or the former Soviet Union than being a member of a religion as you know it. It was the research of Robert J. Lifton, WHO WAS STUDYING TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, that first began to illuminate the problem of totalitarian cult religions around the
world.
Witnesses often experience extremely dysfunctional lives and problems including broken family ties, stunted social development, inner unrest resulting from repressed doubts, inability to defend boundaries, and an extreme, persistent feeling of shame for no apparent reason. I can help people impacted by an experience with the Witnesses by revealing in detail the policies and social dynamics in the Witness organization that cause these problems.
My gradual awakening was socially, psychologically, and spiritually tumultuous. I lost everything from my former life. My suffering was epic.
But I have gained everything, so it was worth it. Only after beginning my recovery, I gained social, psychological, and spiritual healing and growth; I gained peace of mind; I gained self-respect; I discovered who I am; and for the first time I discovered the meaning of real brotherly love.
Expert: Andrew Date: 6/3/2008 Subject: An example of Witness desperation to control
Question Andrew,
According to the bible,Satan is the invisible spirit ruler of the world,but only as long as Jehovah permits it. With Satan ruling over "the authority of the air" (Eph.2:2),of this system of things,humankind is UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIS LINE OF THINKING. Humankind is and has been already BRAINWASHED for thousands of years,which is why our world has been in turmoil for so long. The Bible was inspired of the True God,Jehovah and put here specifically for the instruction of humans,especially those who realize there's something wrong with the big picture. ONLY WITH THE AID OF GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT,THE BIBLE CAN WASH OUR MINDS OF THE BRAINWASH THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF SATAN'S RULERSHIP OVER THE AUTHORITIES OF THIS WORLD. So yes, It's all about brainwash and let's not forget that! In this case brainwash would be a good thing, would it not? Now, with the latter in mind,if Satan is the ruler of the world such as the Bible states,and there are a group of people learning the truth and exposing Satan as the masterful brainwasher that he is,don't you think he'd be angry about it? Wouldn't he have a hatred for those people,and wouldn't he be trying to put a stop to their further progress? The reality is however,that he is not simply going up against poor little people, but he is actually going up against his own God whom he refuses to give due credit to,which puts HIM in the most dangerous place of all! Satan's entire agenda is dedicated to keeping people from becoming united in the knowledge of the truth,and since HE'S the ruler of the world at this time,he does an exceptional job at it,but since Jehovah is stronger and higher,his people continue to exsist and share what they are learning with others.
So Andrew,I notice a striking similarity between what you are doing and what Satan does,because before Satan made himself the slanderer that he is,he at one time served his God,but he became centered about himself he fed on it and allowed his personal issue to consume him instead of looking to his loving Creator for help. Yes, he knew fully what the truth of God's purpose was,and then went all out against it to gain his own special attention. The only real difference between what you are doing and what He did,is that he started out perfect and you did not,so maybe Jehovah will forgive YOU,it's really not for me to say,but I do know that according to the Bible,"Jehovah will forgive in a large way",and that he will also not hesitate when it is his time to destroy those who ACTUALLY OPPOSE his will.
Jehovah's Witnesses and those being taught by them through the use of God's Word are the only people on earth that are being provided the gift of Jehovah God's holy spirt,so it is no wonder that Satan is marking them. Satan has zero-tolerance for JW's and therefor,since his is the spirit that guides the rest of the world,the vast majority of people have an ill percieved understanding of them at the least and many have developed all out hatred for them.
So Andrew, with all of what I've stated here,which I believe accurately reflects a very important feature of what JW's believe and teach,where are the "mind control tactics" as you call them,involved in the creation of this understanding and most importantly how do you come about backing your explaination without refering to Scripture? You yourself state that every living thing desearves truth which is something I certainly agree with. So what is the truth and who gives it, and according to your understanding of what truth is,what blocks so many people from recieving it,since I'm sure your beliefs are not understood by a majority.
Simply put;how do you know that you are not brainwashed by Satan? How can you reassure those that you say you're trying to help? The Bible backs every single thing that JW's believe and teach,including their organizational "policies" as you call them. Furthermore, the Bible is there to investigate for anyone who wishes to test that last statement. What backing do you have for which you base your claims Andrew? Just answer the questions in the last paragraph please.
Joshua
Answer Dear Joshua,
It is not my goal, nor my proper place, to assertively reorient your thinking about spiritual matters. Neither is it your proper place to reorient mine. Your views about spiritual matters are your business; and vice versa. Until God actually appoints us to speak on his behalf, one man's logical reasoning and spiritual perception is as valid as another's.
If you believe the Devil is actively influencing the world according to an insidious agenda, that is up to you. If I believe God is within us, and we get to choose what kind of world we create, that is my business. Each is an interpretation of a spiritual reality neither of us has full access to.
All that matters between people of differing spiritual views, and all that matters between individual Witnesses and the rest of humanity, is that we behave ethically and honestly. My concern is not over your doctrine, it is over your organizational policy. Everything I have said in my online outreach is regarding your corrupt organizational policy, and that is where I insist we keep our conversation, because your spiritual beliefs are your private business.
So I have only one question for you: Does the end (saving lives according to your spiritual doctrines) justify the means (an orchestrated system of deception)?
I do not engage in deception. I am a very straight shooter. Your organization has given me plenty of fuel, so simply telling the truth is all I need. I certainly do not have an orchestrated system by which I can influence others, as I do not attempt to control milieu, communication, association, or any other aspect of the lives of my correspondents. Your organization seeks to control all these things, because it does not trust that people will find God without being controlled so. Such control is only possible with deception. That is how all totalitarian systems work. THAT is the problem, not your spiritual beliefs.
You discuss "brainwashing" in simplistic denotative terms, knowing absolutely nothing about what brainwashing is, absolutely failing to acknowledge how you and your organization take an active role in brainwashing, implying that it is only the Holy Spirit which does so. This is an active deception. You are invested in painting that picture for the world so as to divert attention from the evidence that it is you and your organization who are doing the brainwashing, not the Holy Spirit. You seek to divert attention because you know it is reprehensible for humans to do this to one another.
Notice how your drawing parallels between myself and Satan (and claiming I have opposed God) is a form of character assassination. Character attacks are what desperate people resort to when they cannot effectively refute the evidence, the clear and simple arguments of a debating opponent. I have not opposed God, I have only opposed your interpretation. Between these there is a vast difference.
Anyone who reads this will immediately see how you have attempted to assassinate my character, merely because you find your own argument insufficient and therefore feel desperate. I understand that desperation, because I have been there. I have pity on you. May you accept God's support and feel desperate no longer.
> Just answer the questions in the last paragraph please.
You wish for me not to address the entire body of your comment? You wish to limit the scope of my response? Perhaps you fear I will have something to say which threatens your idealogical house of cards; or which enlightens minds in a way you would prefer they not be enlightened? No, I will not limit the scope of my answer. But I will answer you directly.
> how do you know that you are not brainwashed by Satan?
You show by your arguments and this question that you have no idea what brainwashing is. Unsurprising, as most people do not. Especially most who are under it's influence, including Witnesses do not, for the more you understand the dynamic, the more you become immune to it. Were you to understand the dynamics of brainwashing (cult mind control), you would almost immediately begin to recognize it in your organizational policies, and therefore separate yourself from the Witness organization.
"Satan" is a mythological creature, or at best, a spirit being. Spirit beings cannot practice brainwashing, as brainwashing (cult mind control), as described by cult researchers, is an orchestrated system of deception involving limited social contact, limited information flow, and controlling the thought process through specific methods by one group of persons upon another group of persons. It is a concrete and specific method, which can only be practiced by a group of tangible human beings. Even in your system of thought, Satan does not attempt to limit social contact or limit information flow, the core methods of cult mind control.
> How can you reassure those that you say you're trying to help?
They have not asked for reassurance, you have. I do not need to reassure them; as I trust that they will find their way along their own path with or without my help. Those who come to me do so because they hear the simple clarity of my words; and trust me because they hear that. It is reassurance enough for them. If they ask for more, I offer what I can. I think the most reassuring thing of all to an honest seeker is to know that I have no investment in their embracing any specific dogma.
> The Bible backs every single thing that JW's believe and
> teach,including their organizational "policies" as you call them.
This is an interpretation or active extrapolation. In extrapolation, there is a wide margin for error, and therefore the role of the extrapolator cannot be honestly deemphasized as you have attempted to deemphasize it. The Bible does not comment directly on any of your organizational policies.
> Furthermore, the Bible is there to investigate for anyone who wishes
> to test that last statement.
Many people do investigate, and come to different conclusions than you have, based on the Bible alone, illustrating how there is a wide margin for error in one's interpretation, and therefore it is dishonest to claim that "God has said..." when in reality the truth is "The Watchtower Society has interpreted that God has said..." Your organization illegitimately claims to speak for God.
> What backing do you have for which you base your claims Andrew?
Since I do not debate with people on spiritual matters, and leave it to each individual to find their own spiritual path, in accord with the universal principle of free choice, I do not offer any assertive or dogmatic guidance on spiritual matters. Since I do not offer such guidance, I do not have the responsibility to ensure it is correct.
The veracity of my claims about corrupt organizational policies are self-evident to my readers. I say things such as "family is important" and they intuitively know this is correct, and therefore no proof is required. I say things such as "Witnesses cut off family members from one another" and they are aghast, and you do not deny it. This is an example of the light you do not want them to see, for which you paint pictures to divert their attention.
I sometimes even touch on spiritual matters without teaching any particular doctrine, and I say things supported by scripture, such as "God is Love" or "God is within you" and readers instinctively know it is true, so no evidence is necessary. And I say things such as "The Witnesses teach that unconditional love is wrong", and they are aghast and you cannot honestly deny it. I may say things like, "The Witnesses have translated the Bible themselves to support their doctrines" (such as in the case of "God is among you"). That the Witnesses have done this is common knowledge, and therefore no special evidence is needed.
All I have to do is lay out the simple facts on the table and let the reader draw their own conclusions, so I need no convoluted arguments. You lean on convoluted arguments, character assassinations, and networks of control, because you do not trust people to draw their own conclusions accurately.
I am on to you. I understand your organization better than you do, because I have looked at it from both sides now.
