[JoseFidencioR]

CONTINUACIÓN DEL ESTUDIO:

The Watchtower's Control Over Witnesses



In my twenty years as a Witness, I become acquainted with only a handful of Witnesses who were employed as mental therapists, and a couple even had their Ph.D.'s in psychology. As far as I know, most of them have left--although I am aware of three Witnesses in the United States who are licensed counselors. The reports that I have received about these individuals have been less than flattering. I recently received a copy of an agreement form which a Witness psychologist requires that all of his Witness patients sign before he will work with them. I understand he has a thriving practice doing therapy with Witnesses.



The Watchtower policy of requiring Witness professionals such as lawyers, doctors, or psychologists to report information to the elders relative to Watchtower defined wrong-doing has created much controversy. It is appalling that any licensed therapist would indulge in the highly unethical practice of using this agreement which requires them to "report" to the elders behavior in their patients the Watchtower considers wrong. Given the large number of offenses that the Watchtower disfellowships for, it is probably a rare psychiatric client that has not committed some of them. Having doubts about the Watchtower being God's organization, complaints about the brothers and sisters, or even guilt about past sexual or moral behavior, are all very common among this population. People who seek out a counselor have problems, and in endeavoring to deal with them not uncommonly involve themselves in behavior which they later regret--drinking, unkindness or immorality are only a few examples. Further, many individuals who have doubts about the Watchtower end up with emotional turmoil which they often take to a therapist for help in dealing with.



This form almost guarantees that the client will not be free and open with a counselor--but rather will be extremely guarded, fearful that what they say will be used against them later. I cannot imagine a poorer situation to do counseling. A counselor is a person with which the client should feel fully free and open to reveal his or her most hidden thoughts, secrets, dreams, fears, and sins. The whole point of therapy is to lay bare one's soul so that the therapist can work with clients to help them build a better life. The fear and guilt that such an arrangement as this engenders would almost guarantee that this did not occur. Of course, the client could elect to reveal damning information and face the consequences--a situation which in most cases is hardly very conducive to helping the person deal with his or her problems which are the basis for whatever sin may have occurred. Even if the committee elects not to disfellowship, the fear that one could be thrown out of the congregation and be rejected by one's counselor during this difficult time can work against helping the client. The counselor is clearly saying with this statement that "you and your needs are not as important as strictly obeying the dictates of the Watchtower." And, "if in the elders' opinion you violate these dictates, I as your counselor, who once endeavored to unconditionally accept you and help you with your problems, will also toss you out, and will no longer help you."



To refer patients to the elders, virtually none of whom have formal training in psychology, therapy or human behavior, is often a drastic mistake. When the writer suggested to a male Bethelite who was going through severe depression to talk to the elders, his response was "Do you think a janitor and a brush salesman are going to help me with my emotional problems?" As has been well documented, elders tend to feel that the solution to every problem is to pray, study more, and trust in Jehovah. Besides, they feel the guilt over whatever emotional problems one is suffering from are likely due to some sin or shortcoming on the victim's part. In my experience, the elders often do more harm than good, which is what we would expect: putting people who have not only no training, but a false view of humanity and a distorted perception of reality in charge of an emotionally disturbed person could well be lethal--as it sometimes is.



4. The Watchtower 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 condemned higher education, all avocations, and even career advancement. Missing one of their required five meetings per week (Watchtower activities could take between 20 and 30 hours per week if one is conscientious) and spending time with non Witnesses except to proselytize were 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 all of 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.



Witnesses are often fearful to read anything critical of the Watchtower. The Watchtower teaches Witnesses must have "nothing to do with" critics, and they "will not be curious about what such people have to say."[62] When something critical is being shown on T.V. they often turn it off, no doubt with secret longings to hear what was said. Yet they routinely put themselves in the position of encountering opposition when they go from door to door--and from this experience often develop paranoia which may explain the fact that paranoia schizophrenia is extremely high among them. A major problem among both leaders and followers is their true believerism causes them to accept conclusions based on ignorance. As a wise person once said, beware of a man who has read only one book!



Prohibited from involving themselves in normal social relations and most all school activities, they often grow up lonely children. Although deviance among them is not uncommon, it none-the-less brings guilt and ambivalence. Their stand on many topics--especially condemning sports, refusing to salute the flag or celebrate the holidays--often also brings derision from their peers which typically acerbates normal social development.[63]



5. A major reason why so many Witnesses have mental health problems is because the Watchtower has issued few effective major guidelines to help them live their lives. Their main goal is to serve the Watchtower, and consequently they feel compelled to attend five usually boring meetings each week and involve themselves in the often unrewarding door-to-door proselytizing work. Although many households are polite but not interested, some are very rude. A Witness can spend years in the field service without detecting a single person who has a genuine interest in their message. Discouraged from many normal means of self fulfillment, they slavishly devote their time and energy to serving an organization which in fact does not care about them as individuals. Given little practical and realistic advise on to how to deal with life problems, 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 thus plod along for years, hoping that Armageddon will come soon to rescue them from their plight. In the mean time, their depression and hopelessness colors everything they do, even though they ostensibly may appear to be "happy serving Jehovah."



The attractions which originally pulled many people to the Watchtower often do not last much beyond baptism. Their associates who were once very supportive and tolerant of their lack of doctrinal conformity soon insist that they rigidly teach and believe all Watchtower policy. They are now considered mature and must rigidly follow every whim of the Watchtower. No longer is celebrating birthdays "up to the individual," but now is a disfellowshipping offense. Once they are trapped, the easy going tolerance which lured them into the Watchtower is no longer manifested. They are thus successfully pressured into doing things they had first resisted, sometimes tremendously. The hope of a New World just around the corner becomes more and more in the future until many wonder if this often delayed promise will ever come. Discouragement is an often repeated theme, both in the Watchtower literature and in discussions among Witnesses. They are constantly admonished to keep their chin up and focus on serving the Watchtower only, assuming that slavishly spending as much as thirty hours or more per week in Watchtower interests will solve their every problem. When it doesn't, guilt often sets in, causing Witnesses to feel that they are evil and will not survive Armageddon. The depression and hopelessness not uncommonly leads to suicide, homicide or both.



Why do People Stay so Long?



Many sincerely believe that the WT is God's organization -and that He is directing it. Even if things they do are wrong, such as their past erroneous teachings they are done for a purpose. No matter what good or bad they do, it is all part of God's purpose. Others even feel that the past tragic teachings such as condemning vaccinations, organ transplants, and blood transfusions do not matter since loss of life is now somewhat like having to go on a long vacation--a faithful person will be resurrected anyway, thus what does it matter? A common reason many stay is because they have given their life to this organization-- I did not marry, and am too old to begin a career, but have a reasonably good life (the Watchtower will take care of me if I am ill, sick, cannot work or whatever) thus I may as well stay involved in the Society. Many have a "crisis of conscience" and feel that they can no longer support an organization that they no longer believe in, but stay because of family. Many believe that "who knows whether the Watchtower is true or false--it's background and history indicates that they are as good as any other religion, so why not stick with them? Of, course, the Watchtower stresses the worst in all other churches and only the best of themselves. Some of the leaders believe that they are specially anointed of God, and that God uses them only. These have a "Christ-like" position in the earth--somewhat like the Apostles or better.




The Way Out



Fortunately, some do find the way out. Many become agnostics or atheists, hating God and all attempts to understand and reach Him. Some are fortunate though, and through intensive Bible study come to realize that the Watchtower is based on a misunderstanding of the Bible and a misreading of many select "proof texts." These persons realize a firm faith does exist that is not based on the shifting sands of a man made organization directed by individuals who are scripturally illiterate and ill informed about historical Christianity or even modern Biblical research. These people are able to look back at their experience in the Watchtower as one that can be used to help others. Many of them become involved in the various cult ministries and use their Watchtower expertise to help others find salvation in Him who is the only way, truth and light.



And the number of these are growing daily: the ex-Jehovahs Witness for Jesus Conference held annually in Pennsylvania attracts hundreds. Ministries to ex-Jehovahs Witnesses world wide now number in the thousands, and the number of high quality tapes, books and journals produced to help persons deal with the Watchtower tragedy is growing yearly. Dr. Walter Martin, one of the early pioneers of this movement, produced excellent literature to help those who were ensnared in the Watchtower find their way out. His Jehovah of the Watchtower, originally published in 1953, is now a classic. Since then, over three hundred books have been published which thoroughly document the Watchtower's checkered history and the tragedy that it has brought to the lives of multi-millions of people.


Summary



The extant research, although some of it is dated, clearly shows that the mental illness rate among Witnesses is many times higher than among the non-Witness population. The Witnesses see their primary task as spreading their message and are generally little concerned with whether or not the mental illness rate is higher among them than the non-Witness population. Yet if they believe that the level is low, they will try to use this (and anything else they believe is favorable) as a drawing card. Frantic activity devoted to spreading the Watchtower "Word" before God destroys "this system of things" is foremost in their minds. Most Witnesses conclude that questioning something they know a priori to be true is a waste of time and counter productive. Most feel that the mental health of members is far less important than obedience to the Watchtower.



Self-report information finds that most Witnesses who leave consistently report that involvement in the Watchtower, while usually positive at first, in time often causes much emotional turmoil which increases to the point that they develop a serious approach-avoidance conflict. The positive aspects are such that for most Witnesses leaving is not easy, and typically causes inner turmoil for months or even years. After one has adjusted to the outside world, most all ex-Witnesses do not regret leaving and many conclude that their involvement seriously adversely affected their mental health. Admittedly, this retrospective assessment is somewhat distorted by the resentment many ex-members usually feel. Nonetheless, an examination of the many available case histories reveals a clear pattern of progressive mental health deterioration caused by the teachings, practices, and the environment that the Watchtower produces.



The Watchtower often shows little concern for those under their care. They are now a huge bureaucratic organization--their USA income alone was over $1,250,000,000. They have just completed a luxury complex in Patterson, New Jersey, own million dollar chandeliers and billions in real estate. A major concern now is their teachings that one should use whatever tactics are necessary to obtain finances to run their empire--a good example is the coercion of individuals to leave their money to the Watchtower Society under the guise that this will facilitate their achieving everlasting life (I am now aware of a dozen cases in this area).



NOTES



1. J.H. Paton. Day Dawn. Pittsburgh, PA. Watchtower Society 1880, 68, 190.



2. Jerry Bergman. "Jehovahs' Witnesses Experience in the Nazi Concentration Camps." Church and State. Winter 1996, 401-427.



3. Joseph Zymunt. Prophetic Failure and Chiliastic Identity: The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses," American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 75 1970, 926-948.



4. Raymond Franz. Crisis of Conscience. (Atlanta, GA: Commentary Press, 1983) Jonsson, Carl Olaf. The Gentile Times Reconsidered. (Atlanta : Commentary Press, 1986) Penton, M. James. Apocalypse Delayed. (Toronto, Canada: Univ. of Toronto Press, 1985).



5. Richard Hickman. The Mental Health of Jehovah's Witnesses; Reflections of Twenty-Five Years. (Love/Agape Ministries Press, Worthville, KY 1984). Jerry Bergman. The Problem of Mental Health and Jehovah's Witnesses. (Clayton, CA. Witnesses Inc., 1992).



6. Lois Randle. "The Apocalypticism of the Jehovah's Witnesses," Free Inquiry, Winter, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1984, 18-24.



7. Gosta Rylander. "Jehovah's Vittnan-En Psykologisk- Sociologisk Studie," ( A Psychological and Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses). Nordisk Medicin (Scandinavian Medicine), Vol. 29, 1946,526-533.



8. John Spencer. "Mental Health Among Jehovah's Witnesses," British Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 126, 1975, 556.



9. Rylander, 1946, 531.



10. Rylander, 1946, 531.



11. Rylander, 1946, 528.



12. Christopher, Edwards Crazy for God. (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1979). Chris Elkins. Heavenly Deception. (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale Pub., 1980).



13. M.J. Pescor "A Study of Selective Service Law Violators," The American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 105 1949, 691-652.



14. J. Janner "Die Forensisch--Psychiatrishe Und Sanitatsdienstilche Beurteilung bon Diestrweigern," (The Forensic, Psychiatric and Military Medical Assessment of conscientious Objectors), Schweitz Med. Wschr., Vol.92, 1963, 89-826.



15. Janner, 1963, 820.



16 Spencer, 1975



17. Laura Lage. "The Watchtower: The Truth That Hurts," Free Inquiry, Winter 1984, Vol. 5, No.1, 1984, 25-31.



18. Awake!, 22 August 1975, 25-26; 22 April 1975 entire issue, and The Watchtower, 1963, 319-320; 1975, 255-256.



19. Awake!, 8 March 1960; The Watchtower 1 July 1975, 415-416.



20. Havor Montague. "The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on the Mental Health of Its Members: The Case of Jehovah's Witnesses," Social Compass, Vol. 24, 1977, 135-147.



21. Montague, 1977.



22. Montague, 1977, 139.



23. Robert Potter. A Social Psychological Study of Fundamentalist Christianity. (Sussex University, England Ph.D. Dissertation, 1985).



24. Ursula Sack. Case Studies of Voluntary Defectors from Intensive Religious Groups (Ph.D. Diss. University of California, 1985).



25. Elmer Koppl. Die Zeugen Jehovas; Eine Psychologische Analyses. (Ph. D. Thesis Germany, 1985).



26. Kjell Totland "The Mental Health of Jehovah's' Witnesses." Journal of the Norwegian Psychological Association, In Press.



27. Jerry Bergman. The Evaluation of an Experimental Program Designed to Reduce Recidivism Among Second Felony Offenders. (Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Ph.D. Thesis, 1976).



28. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison. Visions of Glory. A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses. (N Y: Simon and Schuster, 1978).



29. Heather and Gary Botting. The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. (Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press 1984).



30. Montague, 1977.



31. Donald Salzman. A Study of Isolation and Immunization of Individuals from the Larger Society in Which They Live. (Chicago, IL: Univ. of Chicago Masters Thesis, 1951).



32. The Watchtower. 1970, 358; 1968, 515-516; April 1, 1993 28-30 and other dates



33. Psalm 128: 1-2. Quoted from The New World Translation, the version most commonly used by Witnesses.




34. Penton, 1985.



35. Montague, 1977.



36. Botting, 1984.



37. Awake!, 8 March 1960, 27.



38. The Watchtower. 1960, 95.



39. Harrison, 1978. Hickman, 1984.



40. Penton, 1985.



41. Lage, 1984.



42. Harrison, 1978 and Penton, 1985.



43. The Golden Age. 4 February 1931, 293.



44. The Watchtower. 15 November 1967, 702-704.



45. The Watchtower. 15 March, 31.



46. The Watchtower. 1961, 63-64.



47. The Watchtower. 15 June 1991, 31.



48. The Watchtower. 15 June 1991, 30.



49. The Watchtower. 15 June 1978, 30-31.



50. David Reed. Worse than Waco Jehovah's Witnesses hide a tragedy. (Soughton, MA Comments from the friends, 1993).



51. Argus Leader. (Sioux Falls, South Dakota 23 January 1996), 1.



52. The Detroit News. Friday 3 March 1995, 8A.



53. Chicago News Sun. 29 October 1990, 1 and 30 October 1990.



54. Kenneth Woodward. "Are They False Witnesses?," Newsweek, 20 July 1981, 75.



55. Newsweek, 18 December 1995, 59.



56. Watchtower Bible and Track Society. (N. Y). Children 1941, 27.



57. 1941, 347.



58. 1941, 346.



59. 1941, 366-367.



60. Jerry Bergman. JW Research Vol.1 No 4, fall 1994, 28.



61. Ibid, 28.



62. The Watchtower. 15 March 1996, 17.



63. Jerry Bergman "Modern Religious Objections to the Mandatory Flag Salute and Pledge of Allegiance in the United States" The Christian Quest. vol. 2 No 1 Summer 1989, 19-47.



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