Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 70
note how Awake! magazine (one of WTS‟s two primary publications, along with The
Watchtower magazine) basically bans the computer game Doom in the following
statements: “Many computer games are thinly disguised violence, bloody massacres, or
even blatant pornography”. Is this type of game appropriate for peace-loving Christians?
Parents, have you checked the home computer games your children use lately? Need we
say more?” (“Is This the Game,” 1995, p. 25).
Some statements can be very influential without actually prohibiting an activity, such as
“The latest movie, video or disc may look appealing”. How might it affect you to expose
yourself to such entertainment?” (“Young People Ask: How Can I Get,” 1994, p. 17). A well-
trained Jehovah‟s Witness knows the answer without having to ponder the question further.
Another example of how WTS sets rules for the membership is found in an Awake! article in
which “heavy metal” music is defined as a satanically-inspired activity: “Heavy metal is to
heavy drug use as lotteries are to compulsive gamblers--a youngster becomes easy prey to
Satan‟s influence when sanity is flushed from his brain and thoughts of perversion and
violence take its place” (“Satanism‟s Handmaidens,” 1994, p. 8). This article goes on to link
heavy metal music to murder, gang rape, mayhem, and drug use. Another article reminds
members that “music is one of the means Satan uses to mislead young people” and
intimates that the devil “is trying to poison your outlook and attitude” with modern music
(“Alternative Rock,” 1996, pp. 22, 23).
Another example of “rules by suggestion” is found in The Watchtower‟s condemnation of the
celebration of birthdays, explaining that “the only two birthdays the Bible does mention
were for rulers who were enemies of God...[and] included an execution” (“Birthday
Celebrations,” 1994, p. 25). As former Jehovah‟s Witness Randall Watters (1994) states:
These guidelines are never phrased in terms of rules, but rather in terminology
such as “would it be wise to wear a beard ...” or some other phrase that pretends
to show the “choice” one has in a moral matter, whereas in reality the phrase
indicates a new unspoken rule for Witnesses to follow. Fear of punishment by God
and/or the organization is used to enforce these unspoken rules. (p. 1)
While marriage is not forbidden, remaining single is encouraged because single people can
devote more time to preaching, the staple activity of the Jehovah‟s Witness. The
Watchtower states this reason for preferring singleness to marriage:
Single Christians can focus on Jehovah‟s service with greater concentration.
Compared with those who are married, single Christians are in a better position to
be in “constant attendance upon the Lord” without distraction. (“Singleness,” 1995,
p. 29)
You may be in a better position than you would be if you were married and
responsible to provide for children. The difficulties you face now are temporary
they will be done away with in God‟s new system. (p. 30)
In this way a strong influence is exerted on members to forfeit fulfillment in their present
lives in order to serve Jehovah and therefore earn their way into “God‟s new system” and
paradise.
Relationships with Outsiders Frowned Upon
WTS is generally suspicious of outsiders, referring to them as “worldly people.” Jehovah‟s
Witnesses tend to avoid associating with nonmembers except as necessity demands, or to
try to convert them. A popular and common WTS saying is “Bad associations spoil useful
habits.” Witness children are warned not to develop friendships with “worldly” children and
are not allowed to participate in many clubs, activities, or celebrations (birthday and
holiday) that would bring them into contact with non-Witnesses. Adults are encouraged to
note how Awake! magazine (one of WTS‟s two primary publications, along with The
Watchtower magazine) basically bans the computer game Doom in the following
statements: “Many computer games are thinly disguised violence, bloody massacres, or
even blatant pornography”. Is this type of game appropriate for peace-loving Christians?
Parents, have you checked the home computer games your children use lately? Need we
say more?” (“Is This the Game,” 1995, p. 25).
Some statements can be very influential without actually prohibiting an activity, such as
“The latest movie, video or disc may look appealing”. How might it affect you to expose
yourself to such entertainment?” (“Young People Ask: How Can I Get,” 1994, p. 17). A well-
trained Jehovah‟s Witness knows the answer without having to ponder the question further.
Another example of how WTS sets rules for the membership is found in an Awake! article in
which “heavy metal” music is defined as a satanically-inspired activity: “Heavy metal is to
heavy drug use as lotteries are to compulsive gamblers--a youngster becomes easy prey to
Satan‟s influence when sanity is flushed from his brain and thoughts of perversion and
violence take its place” (“Satanism‟s Handmaidens,” 1994, p. 8). This article goes on to link
heavy metal music to murder, gang rape, mayhem, and drug use. Another article reminds
members that “music is one of the means Satan uses to mislead young people” and
intimates that the devil “is trying to poison your outlook and attitude” with modern music
(“Alternative Rock,” 1996, pp. 22, 23).
Another example of “rules by suggestion” is found in The Watchtower‟s condemnation of the
celebration of birthdays, explaining that “the only two birthdays the Bible does mention
were for rulers who were enemies of God...[and] included an execution” (“Birthday
Celebrations,” 1994, p. 25). As former Jehovah‟s Witness Randall Watters (1994) states:
These guidelines are never phrased in terms of rules, but rather in terminology
such as “would it be wise to wear a beard ...” or some other phrase that pretends
to show the “choice” one has in a moral matter, whereas in reality the phrase
indicates a new unspoken rule for Witnesses to follow. Fear of punishment by God
and/or the organization is used to enforce these unspoken rules. (p. 1)
While marriage is not forbidden, remaining single is encouraged because single people can
devote more time to preaching, the staple activity of the Jehovah‟s Witness. The
Watchtower states this reason for preferring singleness to marriage:
Single Christians can focus on Jehovah‟s service with greater concentration.
Compared with those who are married, single Christians are in a better position to
be in “constant attendance upon the Lord” without distraction. (“Singleness,” 1995,
p. 29)
You may be in a better position than you would be if you were married and
responsible to provide for children. The difficulties you face now are temporary
they will be done away with in God‟s new system. (p. 30)
In this way a strong influence is exerted on members to forfeit fulfillment in their present
lives in order to serve Jehovah and therefore earn their way into “God‟s new system” and
paradise.
Relationships with Outsiders Frowned Upon
WTS is generally suspicious of outsiders, referring to them as “worldly people.” Jehovah‟s
Witnesses tend to avoid associating with nonmembers except as necessity demands, or to
try to convert them. A popular and common WTS saying is “Bad associations spoil useful
habits.” Witness children are warned not to develop friendships with “worldly” children and
are not allowed to participate in many clubs, activities, or celebrations (birthday and
holiday) that would bring them into contact with non-Witnesses. Adults are encouraged to
