Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 6, 2006, Page 63
Book Reviews
Captives of a Concept: Understanding the Illusionary Concept that Holds
Jehovah’s Witnesses Captive
Don Cameron, Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu Press, 2004 (Third Edition,
2006), 152 pages, ISBN 1411622103.
Don Cameron, a former member of a Body of Elders of Jehovah‘s Witnesses, has written a
clear and tightly argued book based on the premise that members of Jehovah‘s Witnesses
are kept captive by dint of a false assumption that is constantly reinforced by its leaders.
The concept that keeps members bound to the group and unable to question its teachings is
―the belief that the Watchtower Society is God‘s organization,‖ chosen by God and Jesus as
the only vessel of Truth. This false concept (Cameron provides much evidence debunking it)
provides the rationale for accepting its doctrine and even its self-admitted errors. As
Cameron puts it:
Belief in this concept has given the men of the Governing Body tremendous
control over the thinking of the rest of Jehovah's Witnesses. To question
them, to doubt them, to disagree with them becomes the same as questioning,
doubting and disagreeing with God himself! (p. 14)
Cameron continues in his summary at the end of the book:
They believe that all of God's direction to mankind comes only through this
one ―channel.‖ This organizational concept is the dominant controlling force
in their lives without them realizing it. (p. 140)
Cameron exhibits vast, detailed knowledge of the group‘s history and theology, based on his
experience as a 20-year, high-ranking member. In his final year in the Watchtower Society,
he began to doubt the group‘s teachings and authority. He was surprised to find that none
of the other Elders were willing to listen to his arguments. He has spent the past 22 years
trying to help others out of the group.
Cameron‘s book has an easy-to-follow ―workbook‖-type layout. He provides helpful, concise
summaries of his points in the margins and in boxes. A first chapter that defines important
terms, a helpful summary that reviews his major points, and an interesting closing appendix
that contains historical Watchtower documents also help the reader.
I would have liked more discussion of the abuses common in this group. Captives of a
Concept is perhaps too highly detailed for the general reader, but it will be helpful to those
trying to convince others to abandon the group. Because I come from the perspective that
defines groups as harmful based on their actions and abuses, not their faulty ideas or
theologies, I objected to Cameron basing his criticism of the Watchtower Society on logically
faulty and theologically mistaken premises. Sometimes he even states that Jesus (or God)
would reject certain of the group‘s arguments, and at the end he argues that members need
God‘s help to free themselves.
However, since committed members of this particular group are bonded to it by its
theological arguments, perhaps Cameron‘s approach is the best one for getting through to
present members. And his premise that they are bound to the group‘s ―mistaken‖ teachings
because of the supposedly God-given authority is in line with the thinking of many in the
community of cultic studies researchers. It‘s really only another way of saying that cult
members are kept in line by not being given relevant facts, not being able to question the
Book Reviews
Captives of a Concept: Understanding the Illusionary Concept that Holds
Jehovah’s Witnesses Captive
Don Cameron, Morrisville, North Carolina: Lulu Press, 2004 (Third Edition,
2006), 152 pages, ISBN 1411622103.
Don Cameron, a former member of a Body of Elders of Jehovah‘s Witnesses, has written a
clear and tightly argued book based on the premise that members of Jehovah‘s Witnesses
are kept captive by dint of a false assumption that is constantly reinforced by its leaders.
The concept that keeps members bound to the group and unable to question its teachings is
―the belief that the Watchtower Society is God‘s organization,‖ chosen by God and Jesus as
the only vessel of Truth. This false concept (Cameron provides much evidence debunking it)
provides the rationale for accepting its doctrine and even its self-admitted errors. As
Cameron puts it:
Belief in this concept has given the men of the Governing Body tremendous
control over the thinking of the rest of Jehovah's Witnesses. To question
them, to doubt them, to disagree with them becomes the same as questioning,
doubting and disagreeing with God himself! (p. 14)
Cameron continues in his summary at the end of the book:
They believe that all of God's direction to mankind comes only through this
one ―channel.‖ This organizational concept is the dominant controlling force
in their lives without them realizing it. (p. 140)
Cameron exhibits vast, detailed knowledge of the group‘s history and theology, based on his
experience as a 20-year, high-ranking member. In his final year in the Watchtower Society,
he began to doubt the group‘s teachings and authority. He was surprised to find that none
of the other Elders were willing to listen to his arguments. He has spent the past 22 years
trying to help others out of the group.
Cameron‘s book has an easy-to-follow ―workbook‖-type layout. He provides helpful, concise
summaries of his points in the margins and in boxes. A first chapter that defines important
terms, a helpful summary that reviews his major points, and an interesting closing appendix
that contains historical Watchtower documents also help the reader.
I would have liked more discussion of the abuses common in this group. Captives of a
Concept is perhaps too highly detailed for the general reader, but it will be helpful to those
trying to convince others to abandon the group. Because I come from the perspective that
defines groups as harmful based on their actions and abuses, not their faulty ideas or
theologies, I objected to Cameron basing his criticism of the Watchtower Society on logically
faulty and theologically mistaken premises. Sometimes he even states that Jesus (or God)
would reject certain of the group‘s arguments, and at the end he argues that members need
God‘s help to free themselves.
However, since committed members of this particular group are bonded to it by its
theological arguments, perhaps Cameron‘s approach is the best one for getting through to
present members. And his premise that they are bound to the group‘s ―mistaken‖ teachings
because of the supposedly God-given authority is in line with the thinking of many in the
community of cultic studies researchers. It‘s really only another way of saying that cult
members are kept in line by not being given relevant facts, not being able to question the
