Foreword

“It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you
from the truth.” This statement comes from the movie called
The Matrix, which to me aptly describes what I experienced and
what led to me being awakened to the deception and cover-ups
of an organization that claims to be directed by God and states
that it is the sole channel of communication between God and
men.

From about eleven years of age I truly believed that the
organization known as Jehovah’s Witnesses was rightfully that
which it claimed to be. I was actively involved in the preaching
work as set out and required of every Jehovah’s Witness and
never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would find myself
taking my current stand. For twenty five years of my life I
believed this was “The Truth”. Well, I reached a crossroads in my
life and this book describes what led me to my decisions and how
I came to the conclusion that I was living a life based on just
another religious concept. A concept that can be very damaging
to individuals and families.

My gripe is not with the people in the organization, but it is
with the doctrines that have no sound scriptural backing. The
doctrines that the leaders of this organization enforce on its
followers that cause so much pain and family break-ups. There
are many good people in this organization that I personally know,
and who truly wants to serve God with their whole heart and
mind. They do not know of the cover-ups and deception that this
organization and so many others like it would much rather hide
from their followers.

My conscience does not allow me to stand back and simply
do nothing. I can easily sit back and let it all just pass. Many
choose to do that .They reason, “others are affected, not me.”
Life is all about choices. This is my choice and I have decided to
stand for something. I realize there may be consequences to my
actions and revelations, but so be it.

When I first wrote down these words it had a profound effect
on my decision to make my individual feelings and standpoint
known, rather than sit back and watch more lives devastated.
Furthermore, the experiences I write about in this book are by no
means unique and reflect what many worldwide have had to
endure and come to terms with. The conflict of thought,
depression and anxiety experienced by countless individuals is
just the tip of the iceberg.

This is my story.

It has been reported that many young people have abandoned their studies and careers and left their families to live with church leaders at their various homes. CTMI is led by founder and televangelist Miki Hardy, who lived on a luxurious estate.

The Concerned Parents Group was formed with the aim of restoring damaged relationships and educating others about the dangers of the church group. A common thread that runs through the stories of the parents is that their children have become alienated, robotic, and reluctant to participate in family gatherings.
A 22 year – old girl who did not wish to be named attended the church from childhood and spent some time at the group’s headquarters in Mauritius stated: “They believe their way is the only way. They are not bad people, but they are elitist. They have stopped seeing reality. I’ve seen my good friends, girls of 18 and 19, give up their dreams because the church labelled them ‘worldly’ and ‘of the flesh’.

“They’ve had their lives mapped out for them by the church and some have been married off to men chosen for them by the church, guys they hardly know. These girls had good relationships with their families, but not anymore. The church told them these are emotional relationships and not right, and they must distance themselves from their families. No one is forced to go to Mauritius, but they are strongly advised to move there. If you question the leadership and share your own views, then you are ostracised – that’s it. This is out of control.”

What this girl says positively identifies this groups as a cult. Former members of the Jehovah’ Witnesses, Mormons, Moonies, Scientologists etc will all identify with her utterances.

This was originally reporeted on by the Cape Argus and The Star newspapers.
http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=vn20091107072434816C446171

But it seems as if it is not just the death of his son that is tormenting Travolta of late. In Hollywood rumours are abound that cracks are starting to show in his 34-year-old relationship with the Church of Scientology, a cult that Travolta is a prominent member of. It seems that the sudden death of his son has deeply shaken his faith in the cult which claims to have the ability to cure mental and physical disorders. Travolta’s son was said to have suffered from autism and he is disappointed that the religion was not able to help his son more. Rick Ross, an American author and cult expert, said “It’s led him to question his faith.” 

It is also reported that Travolta is upset that senior members of the cult have instructed him to undergo intensive sessions with “ethics officers” who are trained to question John and other family members to ascertain whether their “negative influences” could have contributed to his son’s death.

Travolta, it seems, is in a catch 22 situation. If he carries out threats to leave and speak out against the organization the church could go public with embarrassing details of his private life. This is a practise that the Church of Scientology is notorious for carrying out. Like most cults the questioning members of Scientology can be excommunicated and labelled “destructive influences.” Former acquaintances and family members are not allowed to speak with or associate with these former members.

Last month I appeared on a current affairs television show called African Views which discussed cults. Appearing on the discussion panel with me was the Church of Scientology South Africa’s PR person. One statement that he made was that he was offended by people calling the religion a cult.

However, the Church of Scientology’s doctrines and practices fit the cult profile in more ways than one.

Information Control

Cults tell their members not to read any information outside the cult. All information from outside the cult is considered to be “evil”, especially if that information is in opposition to the cult. Only information which is supplied by the cult is true. Here too cults label any information against it as “persecution” or “spiritual pornography”. The cult I was a member of calls it “apostate literature”. No doubt books like this one will likewise fall into their respective labels. You also run the risk of being expelled from the group if you are caught in possession of any such literature. Members are trained to instantly destroy any information critical of the cult, and not even to entertain the thought that it could be true.

       Therefore, what we can conclude from this is that those who control the information control the person. Naturally, a person who does not consider all information will make unbalanced decisions. Throughout history the practice of filtering information available or trying to discredit it, not on the basis of how true it is, but how it supports the party-line is a common mind control tool.

       This extract from the Watchtower’s monthly publication, Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007 edition, is a classic example of information control used by cults.

Does ‘the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in scriptural research or debate?

No, it does not. And yet in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. […] Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. […] For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, “All Scripture Is Inspired Of God and Beneficial,” and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study, […] (September 2007, Kingdom Ministry, Question Box) [Italics mine]

       In the above quote members are encouraged to only consult or research the Watchtowers publications for personal research purposes, thereby controlling the information they receive.

       Another former Opus Dei member, Colm Larkin, explains how every book that could be read by Opus Dei members carried a censorship rating that ranged from one to six. Books that were rated with the number one could be read by everybody. Books rated with the number two could only be read if permission was granted. The books rated between three and five could only be read by established members and also depended on the amount of time they belonged to The Work. Lastly, those books rated with the number six were completely banned to everybody.

       Legitimate groups have nothing to fear from their members reading critical information about them. The internet has become a valuable source of information. This tool has also proved to be a thorn in the side of many of these cults and they frequently discourage members from using it. Furthermore, I do admit that some information on the internet should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the vast majority of the information about cults is dead accurate.

       In my opinion, any organization that has to constantly warn its followers against using the internet has a lot to hide. And certainly many of these groups would much rather cover-up much of their past (and present). If you are instructed by a group not to read any information critical of the group, then it is a sure sign of a cult.

These cults fear change, loss of influence and modernization. They fear the influence of mass media and its ability to subvert the young with song, dance, fashion, alcohol, drugs, sex and freedom. Education is especially feared if it undermines the teachings of their religion. They fear a future they can’t control, or even comprehend.

Jehovah’s Witnesses fit this notion outright. Their doctrines are based on fear and it is a tactic they have used for decades to recruit new members and to keep the rank and file in check. One only has to look at their publications and literature wherein depictions of destruction and violence are rife. Their book of bible stories, a publication that is supposedly targeted to teach children about the bible, is notorious for its imagery of violence and brutality. No wonder there are reports of Witness children having nightmares when reading this book (And here I speak from personal experience). If their intention was to instil fear in the minds of their little ones then they have certainly succeeded.

Their blood doctrine is certainly the one that is rooted in fear. By now we all know that many lives have been lost due to their refusal to accept blood transfusions. This refusal to have a blood transfusion administered to them is supposedly in obedience to their god who wants them to die and leave family members and young children behind. Once again fear stands out. Fear of disobeying their god and losing their so-called hope of a resurrection into a paradise earth. And here I emphasise the word “hope” because you are not really guaranteed a resurrection according to the Witnesses.

Jehovah’s Witnesses also fear the “end of days”. The word Armageddon sends shivers down their spine. It is the one day they fear the most. They obey their savage and bloodthirsty god for fear of not being spared at Armageddon. Once again this is instilled in them with imagery in their publications.

The leadership is also to be feared. Every utterance that comes forth from the leaders is supposed to be seen as the undeniable “Truth”. And don’t you dare question the leaders! If you do, you are threatened with expulsion and excommunication. The fear of being expelled and losing ones family is what keeps the members from ultimately leaving. This characteristic of fear certainly is another identifying mark of cults and fundamentalist high control groups.

In a nutshell, Jehovah’s Witnesses and their fundamentalist principals characterised by intolerance and rigid adherence to those principles is a cult rooted in fear.

No doubt this is nothing new as the blood issue constantly puts the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the spotlight because of their refusal to accept this life-saving medical procedure. This has been the third time in an 18 month period that the courts have stepped in here in South Africa to save children’s lives. It certainly seems that the arguments put forward by the Jehovah’s Witnesses to defend their dogma, do not hold much weight any more.

It is with this story in mind that a group of former JWs here in South Africa we have decided that this issue should be the focus of a television expose over here. We have singled out a current affairs program called 3rd Degree which deals with stories like this. We feel that it is time that the blood issue, together with the paedophile cover-ups, should be brought to the fore.

In that regard we have decided to bombard the producers of the show with an e-mail campaign which we hope will get them to do an expose. That is why we would like you to send a little e-mail to the producers as well just to give the campaign a bit more clout. I know of paedophiles over here that are in good standing and continue to go door to door with free access to kids in the congregations.

The e-mail should be sent to info@etv.co.za. Your contribution to this campaign will be highly appreciated.

Court saves Jehovah’s Witness girl’s life

20 February 2009, 06:13
By Kanina Foss

A 12-year-old Jehovah’s Witness girl has received a life-saving blood transfusion that she did not want after a Johannesburg High Court order gave doctors the go-ahead.

The girl, who suffers from leukaemia, was admitted to Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital on Tuesday. Despite being told that a blood transfusion was needed to save her life, the girl and her parents refused to consent to the procedure.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that it’s against God’s will to take other people’s blood, or one’s own blood that has been stored, into one’s body.

The official website of Watchtower, a Jehovah’s Witness organisation to which The Star was referred by the Jehovah’s Witnesses of South Africa, says: “True Christians will not accept a blood transfusion. They want to live, but they will not try to save their life by breaking God’s laws.”The Gauteng Department of Health said doctors consulted the girl’s parents and church elders to explain the need for the transfusion. When their explanations were rejected, they brought an urgent application before the High Court on Wednesday.

The court order was issued on the same day, and the girl was given a transfusion immediately.According to Department of Health spokesperson Phumelele Kaunda, the parents respected the court’s decision.The girl is doing well.SA Human Rights Commission chairperson Jody Kollapen said that in such cases, the right to life took precedence over the right to religion.He said adults were regarded as fit to make informed decisions about their own bodies, but in the case of a child, state intervention was sometimes necessary.

Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that there are often alternatives to a blood transfusion, and they want to be allowed to consider other options.They base their beliefs on biblical text such as Acts 21, verse 25: “As for the believers from among the nations, we have sent out, rendering our decision that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols as well as from blood and what is strangled and from fornication.”In November, the Pietermaritzburg High Court granted an urgent order authorising a blood transfusion for a four-day-old baby boy who was born 15 weeks premature. His Jehovah’s Witness parents had refused to give their consent, despite a prognosis from the doctor involved.

This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on February 20, 2009

http://www.thestar.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20090220054001117C891248

I also acknowledge that many of the founders of some of these groups do not deceive their followers intentionally. Some of them may have begun a sincere search for truth, but ended up with a warped sense of reality and truth. Likewise, the followers of many of these cults also set out on their journeys to search for truth, but fell captive to unscrupulous deceivers out to fleece and control them. Case in point is the statement allegedly made by the founder of the Church of Scientology, Lafayette Ron Hubbard, who spoke before a science fiction writer’s convention and said, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.”

Furthermore, labelling a certain group a cult can be controversial and some people may disagree with me in labelling some groups as such. This in part is due to the fact that some of these groups have received mainstream religious status because of the immense number of followers they command. Others prefer to label these as high control groups or new religious movements. However, I do not differentiate between these terms in this book because the mode of operation of these groups, regardless of what you may call them, is similar. Therefore, I label them all cults.

As a former cult member, I have witnessed first hand the inner workings of these groups and how similar their methods of recruitment and control are. My first book, Losing The Faith: Truth under Scrutiny is the account of my journey through one of the largest cults in the world today, namely, the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since the publication of that very same book the consequences that I, as well as my immediate family, have experienced only reiterates how destructive cults can be. Loss of friends and family are just two of the results that members who eventually leave a cult must face and endure. Many come to the realization that love and friendships in cults are conditional. In addition, some cults are just plain deadly.

My desire is for this work to serve as a reference and a guide; one that will assist people to recognise the dangers and pitfalls of becoming involved with cults. An appendix is provided at the end of this book from which readers can explore the writings and research of former cult members. This book is not intended to promote or endorse a particular religion or belief structure.

By Robin Jackson