http://www.jw-russia.org/eng/moscow/crt_Experts.htm
[Orignally obtained on 2000 October 11]
Expert's Conclusions on the Contents of Beliefs, Teachings and Practices of the Religious
Organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses.
General information about the religious organisation of Jehovah's
Witnesses
The religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses came into existence
in the 70s of the 19th century, when a certain C.T. Russell
founded its first group in USA. He decided to present the public with
another interpretation of the Bible and in that way to form a new cult.
The creation of personal, 'original' interpretations of the Bible is
typical of late Protestantism. The process of formation of those new
cults and sects was especially active in USA, because, originally,
traditional Christianity had less influence there than in Europe. It is
known, that Protestantism completely or partially rejects the Church
Tradition i.e. all of the Christian culture (dogma, divine service,
sacrament and ceremony, church hierarchy, etc.), with the exception of
one part of its Tradition - the Bible, the Holy Scriptures. Thus, this
causes a rapture, a gap with historical Christian tradition and opens
the way for endless emergings of new 'Christian teachings and beliefs'.
If any follower of a given reformer disagrees with him then a new cult
is formed, which in turn undergoes divisions. At present, the experts in
religious studies number up to 130 more or less stable groups with
teachings of Protestant origin and report that new cults of this kind
appear all the time, including in this country also.
In 1789 the first issue of "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of
Christ's Presence" was published. From Pennsylvania this cult
spread to the other states of USA and in 1884 Zion's Watch Tower Society
was officially formed. Since 1909 the centre of the organisation has
been in Brooklyn, New York.
A new interpretation of the Bible alone cannot produce a new
religious organisation. For this a certain new system of dogma is
required and, what is more, a rigid hierarchical structure to force the
cult into the masses, to recruit new followers and spread doctrine. That
is why from the very beginning and up to this day the main activity of
the members of the organisation is to spread the information about the
cult and recruit new members. It is called 'witnessing'. Visiting
private houses, flats, establishments, enterprises, talking to the
passers-by in the streets, neighbours, colleagues at work, this is done
in a massed and thorough way, rather like a salesman who will not miss
any opportunity to sell his goods. The whole system is working on the
principle of a commercial enterprise, which it, as a matter of fact, is.
Because of this, similar organisations in the West were refused to be
registered as a religion, for example the famous church of Scientology
of Ron Habbard.
In 1916 after the death of the founder of the cult, J. Rutherford had
become his successor. The number of members in the organisation and the
printing of publications had increased. In 1931 the organisation adopted
the name of Jehovah's Witnesses in order to "distinguish themselves
from the denominations of Christendom". /5/ By
that time the activity of the sect acquired a scandalous reputation and
caused opposition by the early Protestant groups, traditionally
influential in USA, and opposition by the government. Numerous court
cases followed, where Witnesses were trying to reject the accusations
brought against them by the governmental, religious and public
organisations, including relatives of the members of the cult and people
who broke off their connections with the cult. In 1940's vigorous
missionary activity started in different parts of the world causing
court examinations and scandals. In 1976 the governing system of the
cult was reformed, and now the organisation is governed by the Governing
Body, that presently consists of 11 people. Besides the 'religious
activities' and the corresponding propaganda provisions, like
publication and dissemination of literature, the Corporation is engaged
in production of other goods and services, including food stuffs. They
own extensive property, land, buildings, hotels and enterprises. Their
workers "receive small amount of money for personal expences."/5/
For the last few decades researchers in this country and abroad have
actively been studying the phenomenon of the so called destructive
cults. In this country the most commonly and frequently used term for
destructive cults is 'totalitarian sects', the term 'anti-social cult'
is also used. For the last 5-7 years the problem of destructive cults
has become especially pressing in Russian society, this is because of
the large-scale activity of such cults. The effects of their activities
can be likened to a natural disaster, presenting a global catastrophic
threat to the national culture and mentality. Major prerequisites
enabling their sectarian propaganda to reach such catastrophic results
are: low level of spiritual culture of Russian people, who have lost
experience in religious matters, being artificially torn off from
religious life for the time period of the last three generations; also
the critical state of economical and political conditions in the
country, causing instability and conflicts; and also, especially
organised and massed sectarian propaganda, with all imaginable means,
that finances and technical achievements can provide, at their finger
tips.
It should be noted that in the West, where the majority of such cults
had started, they have accumulated rather sufficient amount of
information about their activities and have acquired appropriate
legislation, providing adequate defence of the members of society from
their influences. It still needs to be done in this country, meanwhile
destructive cults are given carte blanche.
Destructive cults (totalitarian sects) are defined as special
authoritarian and hierarchical organisations identifying themselves as:
religious, political-religious, psycho-therapeutical, convalescent,
educational, as being engaged in study of science, culture, art and so
on. They
- practice fraudulent recruitment
- control the consciousness of their members
- use psychological pressure, fear and other illegitimate methods tokeep their members in the organisation
- direct their members and their organisation to denial of all existing religious and cultural values
- create an aggressive attitude towards the traditional ways of life of people.
The activity of any association with global anti-cultural
orientation, that denies all human culture and experience in their
totality, except their own , can be called sectarian, and as such can be
named a sect.
The complete analysis of religious beliefs, teachings and other
aspects of Jehovah's Witnesses' activities, combined with the
definitions given above, positively allow to ascribe their organisation
to the rank of destructive cults (totalitarian sects).
Characteristics of a destructive cult (totalitarian sect) in the
beliefs and teachings of the religious organisation of Jehovah's
Witnesses.
Their whole eschatology, the whole complex of teachings that they are
spreading (the idea of the future, 'the end of the world' and 'new
life'), undoubtedly are of danger to society. These ideas compose a so
called 'nerve' of the whole doctrine and are most actively used to draw
in new members, intimidate and keep them. The idea of the approaching
end of the world, global catastrophe, that is being spread by Jehovah's
Witnesses, is a typical example of provoking massed psychosis, which is
highly amoral. A recent experience of the local sect "White
Brotherhood" could be recalled to give an idea of how dangerous the
spreading of Jehovah's Witnesses' teachings could be for society.
Especially dangerous is the belief of Jehovah's Witnesses that a
global catastrophe is going to happen very soon, it can literally happen
at any time. This puts the leaders of the sect into a predicament,
making them hostages of their own 'theories', because global catastrophe
means loss of their power. The organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses
stated that after 1914 (a date picked by them) the world catastrophe
is bound to occur in the life time of one generation. "Some
people who were alive in 1914 will still be alive when this system comes
to its end." /7/ In a situation like that the
leaders of the sect have two options: cardinal change in their teachings
or 'provoking' the end of the world, so to speak, 'rendering' help to
God in bringing the end about. How it could be done, we can see from the
experience of the sect "Aum Shinrikyo". Using weapons of total
destruction, they organised and carried out terrorist attack on peaceful
non-suspecting citizens. It states in the publications of Jehovah's
Witnesses' sect that: "We live under the yoke of this wicked system
of things, which soon will turn into dust. We must fight it
with all our strength"./12/, "at
present there already exists a gathered remnant of heirs with
Christ". /9/ The story could end unexpectedly
and life of the whole humankind can end at any time. Thus, all we can do
is wait and see what way the thinking process of the Jehovah's
Witnesses' leaders will take and what decision they will make: cynically
reform the doctrine of the sect, knowing that the members are under
absolute control, or bring the matter to a scandalous end. Till then we
have to be hostages of the circumstances and the majority of us are kept
in suspense about the whole matter.
What is awaiting mankind, according to the beliefs of the sect, or
rather what future they are preparing, using the whole might of their
resources, is still to be known. In view of Russia's historical past (if
we haven't forgotten our past yet), it will be easier for Russian people
to imagine and evaluate this coming 'future', than for people in the
West. The 'future' is this: "Satan's world" will be destroyed.
What is "Satan's world"? "Satan's world is organised
human society that exists apart from or outside of God's visible
organisation."/11/ Further, it is explained
that "Satan's world" includes "false religions"
(including all religions except Jehovah's Witnesses), "political
systems", "commercial systems", etc. God "will take
action to destroy the present governments and set up his own righteous
government that will rule the whole earth"/11/,
"The war of God will prepare the way for a righteous new world
/11/ "First of all, those who survive
Armageddon will have the work of cleaning up the earth and clearing the
away the ruins of this old system"/11/ ,
"on earth there will be faithful men appointed to see that these
laws and instructions are carried out." /11/
Hence "with all other governments out of the way, God's government
will satisfy real needs of the people." /11/
Is it not true, that all this is painfully familiar. This ill-fated
idea of the coming paradise for the 'righteous', with preceding
destruction of the 'unrighteous' 'goat-like people' (term used by the
sect), as well as the idea of "overseers" supervising cleaning
away "the ruins of the old system" and making sure that all
the laws and instructions are rigorously observed, yes, all this,
including the terminology itself, issues from the possessing high wisdom
"governing body", builders of paradise on blood. Totalitarian
paradise for the survivors "sheep- like ones" is planned to be
established for a thousand years. After "all those who are not
part of the new society will be cut off", with "the
governments and their military might", construction of
"totally peaceful and harmonious world free from crime, prejudice
and hatred, free from political divisions and war"/15/
will begin. "There will be economic security for all ...radiant
health...complete security and...unending life."/15/
Apparently "God's war" will not ensure the complete
elimination of 'goat-like people' and additional cleansing will be
required during the rule of the thousand year paradasaic kingdom. In
order to stay in paradise a negligent worker "will have to become
honest... Those who come out against God's righteous rule will not be
allowed to continue living to mar the peace and joy of others. They
will receive an adverse judgement"/15/
Reformatories are not provided, discontented are destroyed straight
away. Thus, the "sheep-like ones" will shoulder the
responsibility of building a new paradise. "Consider the
challenging and satisfying work that we will do in construction,
landscaping, gardening,... and many other fields!" /15/
People of older generations in this country who managed to escape the
"adverse judgement" and "were allowed to continue
living" had the opportunity to appreciate satisfying work in the
field of construction and landscaping. Such religious sermons can only
arouse indignation in the hearts of these people and desire to send the
authors of such theories and distributors of their literature to do
construction and landscaping somewhere in the Far North. As for the lost
and spiritually disorientated youth, they are risking to tread on a
garden rake, by being in danger of becoming victims of totalitarian
organisations and getting involved in spreading of their criminal ideas.
Jehovah's Witnesses not only promise us a traditional set of paradise
'blessings', but they also say that we will be able to enjoy them
forever.
It is puzzling that open preaching and spreading of this
ultra-extremist insanity and terror is allowed in this country and in
this society, when we have just lived through the similar insanity and
terror, bearing loss of millions of lives and of innumerable amount of
materials. One publication or public announcement of such plans for the
Russians by Jehovah's Witnesses, or of any other similar organisation,
must be enough to immediately bring their leaders to trial for
encroaching upon life, freedom and safety of Russian citizens. In any
case, such organisation must not be allowed to be officially registered
, freely spread their propaganda or have any other arrangements.
Besides, Jehovah's Witnesses, as a Japanese sect "Aum Shinrikyo",
are a sect of foreign origin, governed from USA, which could lead to
interference in our home affairs, discredit of the state and undermining
of national security.
We believe that free dissemination of these anti-human ideas,
propaganda of such antisocial views deeply insults the feelings of all
the Russians, irrespective of their origin, political or religious
background. The office of the Public Prosecutor must see to it that the
organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses is held responsible for its actions.
In their preaching and missionary activity Jehovah's Witnesses
actively falsify the Bible and put it to a fraudulent use,
gambling on its indisputable authority in religion and art. In order to
do that they apply a special system of translations and interpretations
with the purpose of twisting, forging and juggling Bible texts in the
required direction. By doing that, they discredit orthodox understanding
of the Bible. When possible the authoritative, universally recognised
Synodal translation, based on the Septuagint, is used, when it is not
appropriate then other translations are utilised. Readers inexperienced
in Biblical expression, are not able to follow and check all the
occasions of substitutions in the texts. For instance, we read in the
publication "Bible Topics for Discussion"/6/
that God's Son "was created". Further we are referred to the
verse in the Bible that states: "the first born of every
creature" /Col 1:15/, which from a religious point of view is
principally different.
In truth, the barbaric attitudes of Jehovah's Witnesses to the
cultural heritage of Christianity are clearly seen in their
self-determination and the way they treat Christianity. Members of the
sect call themselves Christians /4/ (11/1996). They
write: "we as Christians..." /10/, they
talk about "Christian preaching activity" and at the same time
they announce that "they have nothing in common with
Christendom" /13/ . The level of absurdity and
illogical culture of the sect can be clearly seen in what they say about
Christianity: "No, the nations and churches of Christendom are not
Christian" /7/ or ""Christendom"
is defined as that part of the world where Christianity prevails"!
Jehovah's Witnesses impudently manipulate the church teachings, ways and
understanding, in attempt to find the bases for their own antihuman
theories. They assert that "Jesus Christ refused to become a
political ruler" /11/, but he is ascribed the
political rulership in "God's Kingdom". They also say:
"not a human being but Jesus is our head"/10/,
but at the same time they repudiate the church teaching about the divine
nature of Christ. In /6/ they write: "Jesus
does not need an unbroken line of successors", but in /9/
they state the opposite: "representatives of the Governing body,
consisting of the apostles and older men, came from Jerusalem and passed
on to them the gift of Holy Spirit". The last citation is a vivid
example of how new artificially created terminology is used to refer to
customary things, i.e. the church hierarchy is called "the
governing body". Creating and using new terms is also one of the
characteristic features of a destructive cult (totalitarian sect). It is
significant that in their literature Jehovah's Witnesses, when dating an
event, use the expressions "before common era" and
"common era". For the Christians the only appropriate way of
saying it is "before Christ" and "anno Domini". All
that can only be evaluated as a shameless gambling on the authority of
the Bible and Christianity for their own purpose, which is: a fraudulent
recruitment of people, by winning over their sympathy and resources,
posing themselves as "the true Christians". No wonder that the
Church considers the activity of sects, like Jehovah's Witnesses, as
non-ecclesiastical in essence, provocative, objectively working with the
purpose to discredit Christianity. However, in religious culture there
is no such thing as 'buying a patent' or 'buying a right to own
somebody's intellectual property". That is why no matter how much
Jehovah's Witnesses twist the concepts of the historic Christian Church,
no one can make them answerable for it.
More exact and complete theological analysis of all this juggling and
misrepresentation of Bible texts is not what we have been aiming for,
but if such analysis was done, it would have shown the enormity of
grievous harm caused by the sect in this field. However, even a simple
theological review of the structure of their ideology, propaganda, and
system of their moral norms, undoubtedly reveals vividly expressed
aggression towards persons, groups of people, nations, institutions,
religious organisations and so on. Claiming to be a "religious
organisation", Jehovah's Witnesses are particularly aggressive
towards other religions, especially to those who have a fundamental
historical and cultural background. This is understandable, because it
is culture and traditions in particular, that give to the nations and
societies stability, which is so undesirable to the sectarian
propaganda. Lies, groundless accusations, juggling with facts, threats
are employed, insulting religious feelings of millions of people. Here
are some typical quotations: "in this 20th century,
virtually all religions, not just those of Christendom, share
responsibility for wars...and for the severe moral degradation that
afflicts mankind." /4/ (1.10.1995) Under
"all religions" they mean "false religions".
"Peace and security - unattained goals. Religions - a great
hindrance in achieving peace...The worldwide religious system...will be
completely devastated."/4/ (1.10.1995)
Blunt denial by Jehovah's Witnesses of everything ecclesiastical is
absolutely unacceptable at the time, when Russian society, as a whole,
is turning to the values of Orthodox Christianity in search of spiritual
ideals and healthy morality; at the time when the Church institution
itself is seeking to overcome hard consequences of massed repressions.
Some other aspects of highly antisocial beliefs and teachings of
Jehovah's Witnesses clearly show them up as a destructive cult
(totalitarian sect). They have imposed many restrictions on their
members. Public and political activities, blood transfusions, medical
treatment (tests and so on), military service, alternative service,
socialising with others are not allowed. Prohibitions of that kind
violate human rights and endanger public security. Members of the sect
are taught to treat the governments and societies as "God's
enemies" that deserve to be eliminated.
Features of a destructive cult (totalitarian sect) are clearly
seen in the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the manner of
recruiting and retaining the members. They employ fraud, and
initially conceal essential aspects of their teachings. Also they use
psychological pressure and force, when coercing and then retaining their
members in the sect. Experts in the field of study of destructive cults
mark out some typical features proving the presence of psychological
violence in their practices. All these features can be traced in the
activities of Jehovah's Witnesses. Let us consider them in a consecutive
order.
1. The way an organisation is governed
- Leaders or "nucleus of leaders" claim to possess
exceptional wisdom, they demand implicit obedience to their authority
and recognition of their privileges.
At the early stages of existence of Jehovah's Witnesses the founder
of the sect and his successors had such authority and privileges. Later
on, the "nucleus of leaders", viewed as elite, was formed.
Elitism is part of the teachings of the sect. The chosen 144,000 -
"co-rulers with Christ" are at the top of the pyramid. Then
comes a totalitarian hierarchical system consisting of the
"governing body", "elders", "travelling
overseers", "judicial committees", etc., organising and
directing lives of the main mass of the "brothers".
- The way the members obey the leaders: even if cardinal changes
occur in the ideology, the followers are expected to accept them and
adapt their own views, thus showing absolute devotion to their leaders.
A vivid example of it is an experience from the history of Jehovah's
Witnesses, when prohibition on vaccination of the members of the sect
was revoked in 1952. According to the teachings of the sect "the
use of blood is prohibited". Thus, blood transfusions, medical
treatment where elements of blood are used, and earlier even
vaccination, are forbidden. These restrictions are absolutely senseless,
because the sect doesn't practice vegetarianism. It is common knowledge
that meat retains half the blood volume of an animal. Similar absurd
restrictions and demands are very effective in creating a secluded
group, different from "those on the outside". Subtly
calculated psychological mechanism of "attaching" people to
the cult is also a feature of a destructive cult (totalitarian sect).
When the law of many countries required vaccination certificate on
entry, it presented a problem for the leaders of the sect, since the
expansion of their missionary work was jeopardised. The law could not
have been abrogated on the demand of the sect. So they decided to allow
vaccination purely with the purpose to expand their field of activity
and recruitment of new members. Nevertheless all the other
restrictions on the use of blood still remain and the organisation's
members are persuaded to rigorously obey them.
- Members of the sect are obliged to adjust their behaviour to
certain discipline patterns and participate in different activities.
There is a prevalence of elite leadership ("God's government",
"governing body") and their group ideology, over the
individuality of the members. Common members are deprived of their
rights.
Members of the organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses are constantly
involved in different kinds of "service" which they must
regularly report - preaching, visits on which they offer others to join
their organisation, etc. Every minute detail is recorded, every hour
spent in their activities is reported. In their 1995 yearly report /16/
everything is scrupulously calculated "the number of baptised",
"the number of pioneers", "the number of
congregations", "the number of Bible studies"
(4,865,060), "the number of hours of study" (1,150,353,444
world-wide). When someone joins the organisation, he is required to
cancel membership in all other organisations, quit traditional
religions, even stop being involved in such things of little importance
as religious rituals and celebrations and so on.
An anecdotal example of "demonstrative flogging" took place
in 1981 when
G. Franz, a member of the governing body and a nephew of the
president , was expelled from the organisation for having a meal with a
friend who was not a Jehovah's Witness.
When a disputed matter arises in the case of refusal to have medical
treatment or preventing somebody from having medical help (blood
transfusions are prohibited even for the children of the sectarians),
members of the sect are not allowed to deal with the situation according
to their own understanding of it. The organisation reserves the right to
put pressure not only on the doctors, lawyers and governmental workers,
but also on members of the sect who happen to be in such a predicament.
It is known that the psyche of a person, whose life is in a critical
phase, who has just been in an accident or had an injury, is highly
unstable. Any rough interference at that time can be extremely dangerous
for one's mental health. Forcing, intimidating, putting psychological
pressure on someone who is weak, ill or in a critical state is
considered to be a bare-faced crime and is contradictory to the freedom
of conscience, human rights and the right of a person to deal with the
questions concerning his own life.
2. The way a doctrine is presented
- There are doctrines that circulate inside and outside the sect.
Outside doctrines are used as a facade, for advertising. A classic
example of it is hypocritically dropping a 'curtsey' towards traditional
religions.
It is imposed upon the sectarians to use 'the soft methods' while
recruiting in order not to scare away the victims. At the same time
recruiting agents are given following directions: "not all people
claiming to be Christians (Buddhists, Muslims) fully understand the
teachings of their own religion and don't have deep understanding of its
doctrines. That is why it is important to involve them in a
conversation" /12/
When speaking to a Buddhist it is recommended not to identify
themselves as "having something to do with Christendom", when
speaking to a Jew they are to say: "we worship the God of
Abraham", "we are especially interested in the matter of
religious truth". Though it is obvious that this is a bare-faced
lie and a recruiting agent is not looking for any religious truth.
Similar methods of recruitment are applied to people from other
cultures: Hindus, Muslims, etc.
In order to make the recruiters ready for any situation that they
might find themselves in, a real encyclopaedia of tricks and
contrivances is at their disposal. /3/ They must
exert influence on people even by the expressions on their faces, while
reciting "joyful" or "threatening" fragments of
their teaching. When they are performing everything matters - the way
they dress, the way they position their hands and feet.
- There is a conviction that the aim must be reached at any cost.
Anything is acceptable in order to achieve it. Anything that comes from
the leaders is acceptable. Thus, a totalitarian ideology is formed
("us and them" syndrome), denying "them" all their
rights and freedoms. "There is only one true religion." /11/
As respects "those on the outside" - all means are justified
in getting rid of them, 'goat-like people'. The fate awaiting
"Satan's world" and all those who do not obey "God's
government" is discussed earlier in this document.
- While loudly claiming to love people, talking about kindness and
philanthropy and so on, they approve of amoral things. Thus, they
condemn the Church for the teachings about hell, saying that God is not
capable of causing suffering. Punishment of sinners is not human. At the
same time they teach that the "wicked" 'goat-like people' will
be annihilated. Apostates will receive "an adverse judgement"
and "they will not be allowed to continue living", as if
sanctions of this kind do not cause people to suffer. Remarkable, that
philanthropy towards "those on the outside" is forbidden,
their needs are of no importance.
- Membership in the organisation gives special privileges, awards
special opportunities and authority. Only those in the organisation of
Jehovah's Witnesses are promised a place in the future paradise, where
all their needs will be satisfied, where they will be given immortality,
vibrant health, etc.
- They present their teachings as absolute truth. They are higher
than any secular laws, that is why the laws can be trampled at any time.
Now members of the organisation have to observe the laws of "this
system of things" created by Satan, but when "this system of
things" soon comes to its end, these laws will be abolished.
Meanwhile, members must keep active to speed up the destruction of
"this system" and coming of "God's Kingdom".
3. Mechanisms of getting new members and keeping them in an
organisation.
- Active and passive ways of recruitment are very methodical, proving
that the increase in numbers of the members is the main purpose.
- Recruiting agents undergo special thorough training in all aspects
of their activity. (Refer to /6/, /8/,
/9/, /13/).
- The atmosphere of "elitism" prevails. The whole system of
cult rituals, i.e. ritual of dedication ("baptism"), is a copy
or imitation of the rituals of traditional religions.
- Cultivating and maintaining fear in adherents, causes a
psychologically unstable and insecure state of the members (one of the
ways to do it is by introducing massed restrictions). They achieve
emotional peaks by having huge gatherings in the stadiums and other
public places. Exhaustive psychological tension is constantly maintained
by making the individuals believe that the end of the world is nigh. All
new-comers have to go through the tiring process of being taught
sectarian doctrines.
- They create or direct to the situations of alienation from
families, relatives, friends and colleagues. By actively instilling
"intellectual chimeras" into the adherents' minds, the old
personality is replaced with the new, more suited to serve sectarian
purposes. All traditional values of the past, family bonds, plans, hopes
for the future, former interests, jobs, social life are abandoned and
crushed. Jehovah's Witnesses demand of their members to break all
personal connections outside the sect. All traditional features of life,
as public or private holidays (birthdays, anniversaries, weddings,
funerals, etc.), national or public ceremonies, rituals are viewed as
"tests of faith" inspired by Satan. All these normal things
are presented as something that turns people away from God and therefore
condemned together with this "wicked system of things".
- Adherents' consciousness is under permanent strict control. It is
carried out in the form of reports and diaries. Members are obligated to
give talks in front of a group of people. "Travelling
overseers" and "judicial committees" /14/
also execute current control.
- Members of the cult undergo a change of "sense of time".
Ordinary concepts of the past, present and future are altered. The usual
comprehension of life, based on traditional culture and values, is not
the same any more. A person completely "drops out" from the
habitual time-scale. Waiting for the inevitable end of the world in a
great nervous tension, one is not able to adequately evaluate his own
state and the state of things around him.
- There is a criticism of rational attitude and thinking and demands
to actively use one's intuition, faith, emotions, etc. which is very
damaging for the ability to mentally see things in proper perspective.
There is a demand to refuse rational behaviour in communications with
others and in their attitude to the authorities. In their publications
these points are given special attention. The publications contain
colourful stirring illustrations which help to swallow and digest absurd
and illogical ideas.
- Those who want to leave the cult are filled with apprehension,
knowing that there could be consequences if they undertake such a step.
Warnings about strict supernatural sanctions or death are issued as a
punishment for the apostasy. All the apostates will be "destroyed
by God". "God's Kingdom is a real government having power and
authority." /12/
- The members feel that they are directly or indirectly dependant
psychologically and physically. They are financially exploited. Members
are employed in numerous commercial enterprises of the sect, receiving
"small reimbursement to cover incidental expenses." Charity is
practised only within the sect. Numerous restrictions imposed on the
members, add to the feelings of dependency. The most amoral restriction
is prohibition of blood transfusions for children who are not able to
stand up for themselves being dependant on their parents.
Analysis of the psychological methods used for recruiting and
dealings with the members within the cult, based on publications of
Jehovah's Witnesses /1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14/, clearly
shows that the main purpose of their activity is to increase the
number of followers in order to mentally, psychologically and
financially exploit them. All other aspects of their activity are
secondary. Recruiting new members and expanding the sphere of influence
is all that matters. A famous expert on destructive cults, doctor M.T.
Singer classifies their methods to control the behaviour and mentality
of individuals, in the following way:
- taking over personal time of an individual, guiding his thinking
process by means of compulsory daily "Bible study";
- creating a feeling of helplessness within a new-comer, at the same
time presenting him new role models and behavioural patterns;
- manipulation with rewards and punishment, privileges in hierarchical
structure and sanctions;
- cardinal re-evaluation of former life experience and changing one's
consciousness by getting him involved in mass gatherings;
- an individual, deviating from the "right path", is made to
feel as if something is inherently wrong with him and requires sorting
out;
Compromises are not allowed unless they come "from above".
Members of the sect are not allowed to join the army and even to accept
an alternative service. Helping the wounded is not acceptable because it
will help them to go back fighting.
All-round pressure of this kind, used to govern other people, is
damaging to one's personality and leads to the loss of one's
independence.
Conclusion
According to the definition of destructive cults
(totalitarian sects) given by the contemporary researchers studying this
phenomenon in this country and abroad, the organisation of
"Jehovah's Witnesses" has all the characteristics of such. The
organisation aims to achieve total alienation of its members from the
"outside world" and all other people. All the values of normal
human culture are aggressively denied: religious, spiritual, political ,
economic, national and legal. Their activity and propaganda rouses
religious and national dissension, leads to family and state brake-up.
They preach ideas of an absolute superiority of one group of people over
the other, which is damaging for traditional ways of life. Spreading
lies and threats insults religious and national feelings of others,
ruins self-respect.
The activity of the Jehovah's Witnesses' organisation presents
serious danger to society. Awaiting the imminent end of the world
arouses fear, nervousness, psychosis and contains potential danger of
"initiating" the catastrophe by terrorist acts.
The activity of Jehovah's Witnesses is incompatible with
international law of human rights and Russian legislation on freedom of
worship, education and so on. It also violates the tenets of the Russian
Constitution on personal and family rights and freedoms and security of
the state.
The contents of their sectarian propaganda, that is taking place
under the disguise of their religious preaching, deprives people and
organisations of self-respect, undermines mutual understanding and
co-operation in society as a whole: on public, state, religious,
national and cultural levels. The activity of the organisation does
not conform with the purposes and objectives stated in the official
registration certificate. The preaching of establishing of
totalitarian regime in society, mass repressions, state terror, threats
of wars and violence is utterly unacceptable in Russia. It is especially
insulting to the Russians, who in the recent past experienced numerous
sufferings brought upon them by totalitarian regimes. These people have
not yet fully recovered from the tremendous losses they had to bear.
Consideration of all these factors against the background of instability
existing in Russian society, makes the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses
and similar organisations extremely dangerous. That is why the
government should undertake urgent steps to provide a legal defence of
Russian citizens by decisively suppressing the activities of destructive
cults (totalitarian sects) on the territory of Russia.
A list of the publications used, printed by the religious
organisations of Jehovah's Witnesses (in Russian language):
- "Awake", periodical magazine.
- Jehovah's Witnesses and Education. New-York, USA,1995.
- How can Blood Save your Life? New-York, USA, 1994.
- "The Watchtower", periodical magazine.
- Jehovah's Witnesses in the Twentieth Century. New-York, USA, 1994.
- Bible Topics for Discussion. Printed in Germany.
- What is the Purpose of Life? New-York, USA, 1993.
- Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook. New-York, USA, 1993.
- Organised To Accomplish Our Ministry. New-York, USA, 1990.
- United In Worship of the Only True God. New-York, USA, 1989.
- You can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. New-York, USA, 1989.
- Our Kingdom Ministry, periodical bulletin.
- How to Start and Continue Bible Discussion. New-York, USA, 1994.
- Examining the Scriptures Daily. New-York, USA, 1992.
- Life - How did it Get Here? New-York, USA, 1992.
- Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. New-York, USA, 1996.
Legal address of the religious organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses in
Russia (according to /16/) is: 189649,
St.Petersburg, Solnechnoe, ul. Tankistov, d.4
The Expert's Conclusions are prepared by the specialists of the
research group in the field of religion of the Institute of Personality
Development of the Russian Academy of Education on the request of the
Committee for the Rescue of Youth.
Supervisor of studies,
Senior research officer
Kandidat of Philosophy / signature/ I.A. Galitskaya
Research officer / signature/ I.E. Metlik
[Emphasis Added]
