![]() ![]() Watchtower leaders, the Governing Body, enforce total acceptance of their belief structure as being from Jehovah God, with strict sanctions for any followers that do not comply. Jehovah’s Witnesses are subjected to all 8 of these criteria. Groundbreaking work in this field was done by Robert Lifton, who outlined 8 criteria high control groups systematically use to control members. Researchers generally classify a group as harmful if is exerts excessive levels of control, or coercive persuasion. What is important is the level of control a group has over members. For this reason, is it un-beneficial to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult to a client. Regardless of the type of group a follower belongs to, they will never accept that it is a cult in any negative sense of the word. The Oxford dictionary definition of cult is as follows: The primary meaning of cult encompasses all religious groups, yet in common usage it has come to evoke the image of a small commune following an eccentric leader. The term cult is misleading, due to its’ range of meanings. They are best known for the visibility of their preaching work, which is considered little more than an annoyance. Since there are millions of members, people usually find it difficult to accept they could compare to a small esoteric cult. Jehovah’s Witnesses get labelled across the spectrum from benign religious group to harmful cult. Without being aware of these, advice offered is likely to be met with resistance. ![]() Whilst it is not necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of Watchtower doctrine, there are certain teachings and practices that shape the way Jehovah’s Witnesses view themselves and the world around them. The religious organization behind Jehovah’s Witnesses is the Watch Tower Society. The client’s current involvement and feelings toward the religion.Certain key doctrine that influences their emotional and mental state.To be most effective, a therapist should have an understanding of: This article covers the most important factors to be aware of in order to offer constructive guidance. A common complaint from former Jehovah’s Witnesses seeking professional assistance is that their religious experience was downplayed and not understood. This section is designed to assist a therapist whose client reveals having current or past involvement with Jehovah’s Witnesses. ![]()
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