User:Lucille S/Draft

NOTES TO WORK WITH: milieu control milieu control

• The control of information within the organization. Perhaps the section on Internet could be merged in here instead of having a section on its own which would no longer be necessary.
• The fact that members are discouraged from forming their own opinions on material and are told to "wait on Jehovah" if ever they find a discrepency in the information received.
• Social control. This could outline how relationships outside of the group are strongly discouraged and disapproved of. This links in with the issue of disfellowshipping and how it is used by some in a punitive manner. Members who wish to leave the organization can only do so by giving up all whom they know and love.

[edit] Family Integrity & Cult Mind Control

Critics of Jehovah's Witnesses (e.g., Randall Watters, Timothy Campbell, David Grosshoeme, Kaynor Weishaupt, Jan Groenveld, etc.) object to Witness policy and behavior where, in their view, the integrity of family relationships and the capacity of members to exercise free choice is impacted.

[edit] Family Integrity

Critics point to three Witness policies which they claim have a negative impact on family ties and stability: (1) Overt shunning, (2) Social seperatism, and (3) Prohibition of traditional family celebrations. Critics further suggest that it is a common shared goal of all cult organizations to undermine family stability because doing so makes individuals easier to control, and that Witness policies are consistent with cult organizations in this respect.

Shunning When a Witness chooses to end their membership (see section "Treatment of members who disassociate"), even family members are often shunned by relatives who remain Witnesses.

Social seperatism Witnesses practice complete social isolation from their communities to the extent possible, always preferring to socialize with other Witnesses. This is meant to protect purity of character based on their interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NWT, "bad associations spoil useful habits"). There is no exception to this general rule with regard to non-Witness relatives; therefore, when one member of a family becomes a Witness and the other does not, the Witness social seperatism policy makes it likely that the family ties between such persons will deteriorate.

Traditional family celebrations Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from celebrating birthdays and holidays. Critics assert this causes family ties between Witnesses and their non-Witness relatives to deteriorate because in many families, birthdays and holidays are their only traditional opportunities to get together.

[edit] Cult Mind Control

Critics contend that certain Witness practices negatively impact members' capacity to exercise free choice:

Control over information, including what is read, expressed, and even dwelt upon, by means of manipulating access and environment, in order to assert control over minds^[1]

The Watchtower discourages Witnesses from reading material that does not favor Witness doctrine, and especially from communicating with former members. (See sections "Treatment of Members Who Dissociate" and "Internet Use")^[2]

[edit] Internet use

The Watchtower Society has instructed Witnesses to be careful in the use of the Internet because of the availability of what Witnesses consider "harmful" information. This can include information that is objectionable on moral grounds such as pornography, but also information considered to be 'apostate'. The word 'apostate' is assigned special meaning by Witnesses, to refer to individuals who leave their religion rather than the broader sense of any person who changes religious or political alliance.^[3]

A 2000 issue of The Watchtower stated, "Some apostates are increasingly using the internet to spread false information about Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a result, when sincere individuals do research on our beliefs, they may stumble across apostate propaganda. Avoiding all contact with these opponents will protect us from their corrupt thinking."^[4] While Witnesses define the existence of "harmful" information, critics define all accurate information valid. What Witnesses consider "apostate propaganda", critics consider merely an alternative viewpoint, which must be considered in order to claim one has a rounded viewpoint. Witnesses teach that Scriptures such as 2 John 8-11 apply to such "apostates" and thus they must, "look out" for themselves and never "receive" such teachings in any form. ^[5]

Critics have stated that this warning against Internet use is an example of "milieu control"^[6] in which the society controls its members by restricting negative information regarding the society.^[7] Jehovah's Witnesses respond to such criticism by stating that branch libraries, accessible by thousands of Witnesses and visitors, include books that speak negatively about Jehovah's Witnesses.^[8]

[edit] Treatment of members who disassociate

Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline

When a member of Jehovah's Witnesses unrepentantly engages in "gross sin", they can be excommunicated, termed disfellowshipping. This involves being shunned by all members of the religion, including any family members that do not live under the same roof. Due to the social nature of the religion, being shunned can isolate a member in a very powerful way and can be devastating if everyone in a member's social circle participates in the shunning.

Prior to 1981, if a member disassociated from the religion but was not disfellowshipped, the practice of shunning was not required and normal contact could be maintained. A policy change in 1981 required that all who were considered to have disassociated by their actions were to be treated in the same way as a member who had been disfellowshipped for gross wrongdoing. The new policy meant that congregation members are not informed whether a person was being shunned due to "disfellowshipping" or "disassociation", or on what grounds. Many of these changes were precipitated by events surrounding Raymond Franz, a former governing body member.

Critics state that fear of being shunned and family break-up causes people to stay who might otherwise freely leave the religion, but Jehovah's Witnesses say that disfellowshipping is a scripturally-documented method to protect the congregation from the influence of those who practice serious wrongdoing.

Jehovah's Witnesses have no provision for conscientious objectors who freely leave to have any continued normal associations. The only way to officially leave the religion is to write a letter requesting to be disassociated or to be disfellowshipped, but both entail the same set of prohibitions and penalties. Critics contend the judicial process involved, due to its private and nearly autonomous nature, which directly contradicts the precedent found in the Bible and the organizations' own teachings^[9] and can be used in an arbitrary and punitive manner if there is consensus among just a few to so use their authority.^[10]

It is well recorded that Jehovah’s Witnesses have made many predictions regarding specific dates and events that have not come to pass. According to the scripture in Deuteronomy 18:12 if a prophet speaks in God’s name and that prophecy does not come true they are in fact a false prophet.

The society however has clearly stated that it does not claim to be directly inspired by God. ^[11] It is believed that God’s spirit directs his organisation to uncover scriptural truths over time and that mistakes can be made only to be refined and improved upon over time.

Critics maintain that the act of predicting specific dates for the return of Christ or Armageddon is in itself claiming to be a prophet and that there is no difference between being inspired or being directed by God’s spirit to reveal interpretations of scriptures. They contend that the Watchtower has claimed to be a prophet in the past and continues to expect members of Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept their guidance without question which demonstrates a similar position today. ^{[12] [13]}

The Watchtower Society has instructed Witnesses to be careful in the use of the Internet because of the availability of harmful information. This can include information that is objectionable on moral grounds such as pornography but also information considered to be 'apostate'. ^[14] The word 'apostate' is assigned special meaning by Witnesses, to refer to individuals who leave their religion rather than the broader sense of any person who changes religious or political alliance. Witnesses do not consider persons to be 'apostates' who change from another religion to become Jehovah's Witnesses. Any information that is contrary to the doctrines or beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses is avoided as being apostate in nature.

Critics have claimed that this is one way in which the society controls its members - by restricting negative information regarding the society a member is unable to have a complete and balanced view of the society or the religion.^[15]

See Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline

When a member of Jehovah's Witnesses unrepentantly engages in gross sin they can be excommunicated, termed disfellowshipped . This involves being shunned by all members of the religion including any family members that do not live under the same roof. Due to the social nature of the religion, being shunned can isolate a member in a very powerful way and can be devastating if everyone in a member's social circle participates in the shunning.

Prior to 1981 if a member disassociated from the religion but was not disfellowshipped the practice of shunning was not required and normal contact could be maintained. The policy change in 1981 required that all who were considered to have disassociated by their actions were to be treated in the same way as a member who had been disfellowshipped for gross wrongdoing. Attending a different religious services or receiving a blood transfusion are examples of activities that could be considered disassociating oneself. The new policy meant that congregation members are not informed whether a person was being shunned due to "disfellowshipping" or "disassociation", or on what grounds.

Critics contend that fear of being shunned and family break-up/loss causes people to stay who might otherwise freely leave the religion, but Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that disfellowshipping is a scripturally-documented method to protect the congregation from the influence of those who practice serious wrongdoing. Jehovah's Witnesses have no provision for conscientious objectors who freely leave to have any continued normal associations. The only way to officially leave the religion is to write a letter requesting to be disassociated or to be disfellowshipped, but both entail the same set of prohibitions and penalties. Critics further contend the judicial process itself, due to its private and nearly autonomous nature directly contradicts the precedent found in the Bible and the organizations' own teachings^[16] and can be used in an arbitrary and punitive manner if there is consensus among just a few to abuse their authority.^[17]

It has been suggested that “one of the more common criticisms of Jehovah’s Witnesses over the years has dealt with their outspoken denunciations of other faiths, religious leaders and clergymen.” (Reference Number One) In the 1930’s and 1940’s the publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been described as “notoriously anti-Catholic” (Reference Number Two), including such images as a semiclad harlot (the Roman Catholic Church) reeling drunkenly into fire and brimstone.

The book entitled “Enemies” published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society in 1938 included some of the more direct denunciations of primarily the Catholic Church but also the Protestants and the Jews. It includes references to the Catholic Church as “the old harlot” who has a “bloody record… many crimes… a filthy record”. With regards the Protestants and the Jews the same book is quoted as saying “Today the so-called ‘Protestants’ and the Yiddish clergy openly co-operate with and play into the hands of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy like foolish simpletons and thereby aid the Hierarchy to carry on her commercial, religious traffic and increase her revenue… the hierarchy takes the lead, and the simpletons follow… poor simpletons.” (Reference Number Three)

Since World War II publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses have not included the same level of attack against the church but does continue to view all religions except Jehovah’s Witnesses as being included in “Babylon the Great the world empire of false religion” and are represented as the harlot riding the wild beast in Revelation chapter 13. Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to denounce other religions, refusing to participate in any interfaith relations. Publications continue to contain elements of what the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights consider to be anti-catholic sentiments. An example cited by the 1998 Report on Anti-Catholicism included a publication depicting a person kneeling in prayer before a statue of the Virgin Mary, with the caption, "Some worship idols. God says you must not use idols or images in worship...” (Reference)

1. Penton, James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802079733
2. United States Congress (1943). Declaring Certain Papers, Pamphlets, Books, Pictures and Writings Nonmailable. Hearings Before a Subcommittee.
3. Penton, James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802079733

Books which also have a state that Jehovah’s Witnesses are anti-catholic (there are more)

1. Walker, Samuel (1994). Hate Speech. U of Nebraska press. ISBN 0803297513
2. Pilon, Roger & Swanson, James (2003). Cato Supreme Court Review 2001-2002. Cato Institute. ISBN 193086535X

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