Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 79
leaders of the group. If they persist in expressing doubts, they risk censure and, eventually,
disfellowshipping.
Therefore, the choices for someone in a high-control group such as WTS who is
experiencing doubts are (1) repress forbidden doubts and desires and run the risk of
developing psychological symptoms as repressed feelings emerge in disguised form (2) act
on doubts and unacceptable desires secretly and suffer shame and guilt, leading to low self-
esteem, possible psychological problems, and the risk of being caught and expelled or (3)
openly express or act on doubts and desires, and risk expulsion from the group and
shunning by friends and family members.
The Watchtower Society’s Approach to Psychological Issues
Although its approach to psychological problems has changed over time to become
somewhat more liberal, WTS still retains the attitude that conflicts are best disavowed and
can be made to disappear through sheer willpower. One article presenting a simplistic
solution to what to do about negative emotions suggests that “with sufficient effort and
time, you can learn to bring your thoughts under greater control … do the same to your
feelings” (“Negative Emotions,” 1992, p. 4). Another encourages parents to teach their
children the practice of “mental regulating,” which “means regulating our thinking to
conform to Jehovah‟s will” (“Parents, Find Pleasure,” 1996, p. 11). Elsewhere, members are
encouraged to seek God‟s help to root out “improper desires, affections, emotions,
purposes, thoughts or motives … [or] painful, disquieting thoughts” (“Search Through Me,”
1993, p. 20). Jehovah‟s Witnesses are not forbidden to consult mental health professionals,
but are told that “worldly counselors and psychologists can never hope to approach the
wisdom and understanding that Jehovah displays…. Rather than lean on the wisdom of
prominent men of the world or on our own uninformed emotions, let us look to Jehovah, his
Word and the Elders in the Christian congregation for advice” (“Trust in Jehovah,” 1993, p.
13). Disturbingly, Awake! devoted an entire article to youth suicide without once mentioning
consultation of a mental health professional as a treatment option (“Young People Ask: Is
Suicide,” 1994).
WTS somewhat grudgingly admits that members with severe mental illness might be more
than they can handle through prayer and consultation with Elders, but encourages the
general population of Witnesses to consult with Elders rather than professionals.
Some, suffering severely from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder … and other
distressing disorders, have been able to live fairly normal lives after obtaining the
right professional help, (but) in many cases the patient does not have a severe
mental disorder but has difficulty coping with some situation in life. However, it is
the Bible that gives the most effective help in handling the difficult problems of life
… (The Bible) encourages such ones to call on the Elders for help and counsel….
The prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well. (“Questions from Readers,”
1996, p. 30)
For the most part, the practice of disfellowshipping is a very effective way of controlling
members‟ actions. The fear of such treatment keeps many silent and encourages repression
of conflict. Franz (1991) writes:
Any persons among Jehovah‟s Witnesses who find they cannot conscientiously
support fully the organization‟s teachings or practices live in a climate of fear,
feeling they must constantly be on guard as to what they say, what they do, what
they read, with whom they associate, from whom they receive letters, not feeling
any sense of freedom even when among personal friends or close relatives if these
are also Witnesses. (p. 383)
leaders of the group. If they persist in expressing doubts, they risk censure and, eventually,
disfellowshipping.
Therefore, the choices for someone in a high-control group such as WTS who is
experiencing doubts are (1) repress forbidden doubts and desires and run the risk of
developing psychological symptoms as repressed feelings emerge in disguised form (2) act
on doubts and unacceptable desires secretly and suffer shame and guilt, leading to low self-
esteem, possible psychological problems, and the risk of being caught and expelled or (3)
openly express or act on doubts and desires, and risk expulsion from the group and
shunning by friends and family members.
The Watchtower Society’s Approach to Psychological Issues
Although its approach to psychological problems has changed over time to become
somewhat more liberal, WTS still retains the attitude that conflicts are best disavowed and
can be made to disappear through sheer willpower. One article presenting a simplistic
solution to what to do about negative emotions suggests that “with sufficient effort and
time, you can learn to bring your thoughts under greater control … do the same to your
feelings” (“Negative Emotions,” 1992, p. 4). Another encourages parents to teach their
children the practice of “mental regulating,” which “means regulating our thinking to
conform to Jehovah‟s will” (“Parents, Find Pleasure,” 1996, p. 11). Elsewhere, members are
encouraged to seek God‟s help to root out “improper desires, affections, emotions,
purposes, thoughts or motives … [or] painful, disquieting thoughts” (“Search Through Me,”
1993, p. 20). Jehovah‟s Witnesses are not forbidden to consult mental health professionals,
but are told that “worldly counselors and psychologists can never hope to approach the
wisdom and understanding that Jehovah displays…. Rather than lean on the wisdom of
prominent men of the world or on our own uninformed emotions, let us look to Jehovah, his
Word and the Elders in the Christian congregation for advice” (“Trust in Jehovah,” 1993, p.
13). Disturbingly, Awake! devoted an entire article to youth suicide without once mentioning
consultation of a mental health professional as a treatment option (“Young People Ask: Is
Suicide,” 1994).
WTS somewhat grudgingly admits that members with severe mental illness might be more
than they can handle through prayer and consultation with Elders, but encourages the
general population of Witnesses to consult with Elders rather than professionals.
Some, suffering severely from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder … and other
distressing disorders, have been able to live fairly normal lives after obtaining the
right professional help, (but) in many cases the patient does not have a severe
mental disorder but has difficulty coping with some situation in life. However, it is
the Bible that gives the most effective help in handling the difficult problems of life
… (The Bible) encourages such ones to call on the Elders for help and counsel….
The prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well. (“Questions from Readers,”
1996, p. 30)
For the most part, the practice of disfellowshipping is a very effective way of controlling
members‟ actions. The fear of such treatment keeps many silent and encourages repression
of conflict. Franz (1991) writes:
Any persons among Jehovah‟s Witnesses who find they cannot conscientiously
support fully the organization‟s teachings or practices live in a climate of fear,
feeling they must constantly be on guard as to what they say, what they do, what
they read, with whom they associate, from whom they receive letters, not feeling
any sense of freedom even when among personal friends or close relatives if these
are also Witnesses. (p. 383)
