Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 72
increasingly demoralizing atmosphere, and at the same time prepare them for life in a new
system as well” (“Second Thoughts,” 1967, p. 5). Another article warns students that
Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher
education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of
things. Do not let them “brainwash” you with the Devil‟s propaganda to get ahead,
to make something of yourself in this world. Make pioneer service, the full-time
ministry your goal. (“What Influences,” 1969, p. 169)
Members who defy these instructions are not necessarily expelled from the congregation,
but typically lose status among their peers and are seen as being “weak in the faith.” Until
recently, most of the membership did not pursue higher education, and some members
dropped out of high school to pursue preaching work. In recent years WTS has stopped its
wholesale discouragement of higher education and now leaves the decision to the discretion
of the individual. This, of course, does nothing to comfort older Witnesses who sacrificed
their chances for education because of organizational instructions such as those cited above.
Even now, WTS reminds students that “your goal in pursuing an education should not be to
equip yourself for some secular career. Rather, it should be to learn skills that will prove
useful to you in your career as a minister of God” (“Young People Ask: What Can,” 1993, p.
14).
Sacrifice of Personal Health Required
Besides the personal sacrifices involving career advancement, material success, time spent
preaching, and so on, members are commanded to make another sacrifice. They are
required to refuse blood transfusions for themselves and their children, regardless of the
consequences, because Witnesses are taught that God prohibits the intake of blood. At one
time this prohibition extended to vaccinations (Reed, 1993) and organ transplants (WTS
referred to transplants as “cannibalism”) (“Questions from Readers,” 1967). WTS has since
reversed its policy on these issues, although it is unknown how many deaths and disabilities
resulted during the time period these policies were in effect.
The prohibition on blood transfusions, however, even if not having one would lead to certain
death, remains in effect. It is estimated that as many as 1,150 deaths a year worldwide
could be attributed to WTS‟s stance on blood transfusions (Reed, 1993), a figure that over
time quickly outweighs even the Jonestown tragedy, where more than 900 followers of Jim
Jones died. In fact, WTS regularly publishes articles that glorify the deaths of children who
died refusing transfusions (see, for example, “Youths Who Have,” 1994, and “Wyndham‟s
Faith,” 1992).
Any WTS member who has a transfusion or allows their child to have one is punished by
disfellowshipping. Reed (1993) cites one instance where a member was disfellowshipped
while still in the hospital following a blood transfusion. He died several days later, and his
friends and relatives were forbidden to attend his funeral on pain of being disfellowshipped
themselves (pp. 103-104). Clearly, using the threat of disfellowshipping to keep members
from turning to life-saving medical procedures constitutes a very high degree of control
exercised by WTS over a very personal issue in the lives of its members (whether to live or
die if in need of a blood transfusion).
Control of Information
One defining characteristic of a high-control group is the prevention of access to information
that can be interpreted as critical of the group in any way. Jehovah‟s Witnesses receive very
clear instructions about exposing themselves to any kind of information, whether through
written materials or in discussion, that may reveal problems or inconsistencies in WTS. WTS
has a tendency to demonize and dehumanize its critics, as seen in this example:
increasingly demoralizing atmosphere, and at the same time prepare them for life in a new
system as well” (“Second Thoughts,” 1967, p. 5). Another article warns students that
Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher
education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of
things. Do not let them “brainwash” you with the Devil‟s propaganda to get ahead,
to make something of yourself in this world. Make pioneer service, the full-time
ministry your goal. (“What Influences,” 1969, p. 169)
Members who defy these instructions are not necessarily expelled from the congregation,
but typically lose status among their peers and are seen as being “weak in the faith.” Until
recently, most of the membership did not pursue higher education, and some members
dropped out of high school to pursue preaching work. In recent years WTS has stopped its
wholesale discouragement of higher education and now leaves the decision to the discretion
of the individual. This, of course, does nothing to comfort older Witnesses who sacrificed
their chances for education because of organizational instructions such as those cited above.
Even now, WTS reminds students that “your goal in pursuing an education should not be to
equip yourself for some secular career. Rather, it should be to learn skills that will prove
useful to you in your career as a minister of God” (“Young People Ask: What Can,” 1993, p.
14).
Sacrifice of Personal Health Required
Besides the personal sacrifices involving career advancement, material success, time spent
preaching, and so on, members are commanded to make another sacrifice. They are
required to refuse blood transfusions for themselves and their children, regardless of the
consequences, because Witnesses are taught that God prohibits the intake of blood. At one
time this prohibition extended to vaccinations (Reed, 1993) and organ transplants (WTS
referred to transplants as “cannibalism”) (“Questions from Readers,” 1967). WTS has since
reversed its policy on these issues, although it is unknown how many deaths and disabilities
resulted during the time period these policies were in effect.
The prohibition on blood transfusions, however, even if not having one would lead to certain
death, remains in effect. It is estimated that as many as 1,150 deaths a year worldwide
could be attributed to WTS‟s stance on blood transfusions (Reed, 1993), a figure that over
time quickly outweighs even the Jonestown tragedy, where more than 900 followers of Jim
Jones died. In fact, WTS regularly publishes articles that glorify the deaths of children who
died refusing transfusions (see, for example, “Youths Who Have,” 1994, and “Wyndham‟s
Faith,” 1992).
Any WTS member who has a transfusion or allows their child to have one is punished by
disfellowshipping. Reed (1993) cites one instance where a member was disfellowshipped
while still in the hospital following a blood transfusion. He died several days later, and his
friends and relatives were forbidden to attend his funeral on pain of being disfellowshipped
themselves (pp. 103-104). Clearly, using the threat of disfellowshipping to keep members
from turning to life-saving medical procedures constitutes a very high degree of control
exercised by WTS over a very personal issue in the lives of its members (whether to live or
die if in need of a blood transfusion).
Control of Information
One defining characteristic of a high-control group is the prevention of access to information
that can be interpreted as critical of the group in any way. Jehovah‟s Witnesses receive very
clear instructions about exposing themselves to any kind of information, whether through
written materials or in discussion, that may reveal problems or inconsistencies in WTS. WTS
has a tendency to demonize and dehumanize its critics, as seen in this example:
