Brainwashing

What Watchtower Wrote—Cults & Brainwashing

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“[They] seek to fill our minds with the thoughts and promises of men… [they] brainwash everyone into conformity… rinsing from the mind any thoughts that contradict their message. If they can deluge the mind continually other thoughts… will be crowded out. — Watchtower June 15, 1956 p. 357

“Why be tricked by crafty men into adopting their thoughts…? Why allow yourself to be brainwashed by dupes oblivious to their own mental bondage?” — Watchtower June 15, 1956 p. 360

“Many times failure to receive God’s spirit is caused by relying on men rather than God… his mind is not free and he must lean entirely upon the imperfect object of his worship for all decisions as to his course of action.” — Watchtower May 1, 1964 p. 270

“Favorable facts are exaggerated; the others are distorted or concealed. Oratory often substitutes for sound argument, and it diverts attention from unpleasant truths that cannot be concealed.” — Awake! August 22, 1978 p. 3

“The person most easily brainwashed is the “normal,” average individual. Such a one is already conditioned to accept opinions of others rather than to form strong convictions of his own. On the other hand, those hardest to brainwash are ones with unconventional ideas and strong convictions and who are not afraid of what others think.” — Awake! August 1, 1980 p.13

“The preacher… roams over the multilevel stage of his television “cathedral,” bathed in klieg lights… polished to a mirror finish, with every step outlined in flashing lights, and numerous backdrops constantly changing…” — Awake! March 22, 1981 p. 5

“Education shows you how to think. Propaganda tells you what to think… it gives you a sense of importance and belonging if you follow it.” — Awake! June 22, 2000 p. 9

“No matter what you are reading or watching or listening to, test to see whether it has propagandistic overtones or is truthful.” — Awake! June 22, 2000 p. 10

“Propaganda is… most effective if people are discouraged from thinking critically.” — Watchtower July 2017 p. 29