Larry, I mentioned in my previous post about the discussion changedagain and jhorning had a few years ago about mind control and I have to say that while it gave me a creeping feeling, I was amazed that changed wasn't afraid to say he was subjected to mind control. And I am grateful that you aren't afraid to say that you believe John knew what he was doing regarding mind control. I think I had a fear about that... that my mind was reshaped to JRS's agenda through deceit, but I also know that part of healing is learning about the psychological dynamics and how it affected me.
I think as kBoy pointed out brainwashing occurs around us in many places such as gangs even the bombardment of subliminal advertising. I think what is different was/is the degree and intensity of the conditioning inside TLW and I acknowledge there were/are different degrees of sensitivities and reactions on the part of the members. Maybe what we thought was free choice in joining TLW wasn't/isn't free choice at all. Part of the doctrines were/are kept secret (worshipping Marilyn) until a member was/is deemed ready to know this. Was/is a member fully aware of what lay ahead at the moment the choice to join was made? Probably not. For me there was huge misrepresentation that resulted in me believing TLW cult was something other than it was. But I didn't fully do my homework. I don't think I ever read the First Principles otherwise I wouldn't have been so shocked when later on John talked about becoming Christ Incarnate which in my thinking was different than becoming sons of God (early on that was the goal.) Also when I joined freely, I wasn't aware of the scope of efforts to block members from leaving by imposing high exit costs such as shunning, isolation, forfeiture of parental control, and phobias of harm. When I joined members were told if they left they were in deception, not Nephs.
I just finished reading Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control by Kathleen Taylor. Taylor discusses the idea of brainwashing as a dream of total control and the appalling consequences which occur when people chase that dream. I agree with her conclusion.
I think as kBoy pointed out brainwashing occurs around us in many places such as gangs even the bombardment of subliminal advertising. I think what is different was/is the degree and intensity of the conditioning inside TLW and I acknowledge there were/are different degrees of sensitivities and reactions on the part of the members. Maybe what we thought was free choice in joining TLW wasn't/isn't free choice at all. Part of the doctrines were/are kept secret (worshipping Marilyn) until a member was/is deemed ready to know this. Was/is a member fully aware of what lay ahead at the moment the choice to join was made? Probably not. For me there was huge misrepresentation that resulted in me believing TLW cult was something other than it was. But I didn't fully do my homework. I don't think I ever read the First Principles otherwise I wouldn't have been so shocked when later on John talked about becoming Christ Incarnate which in my thinking was different than becoming sons of God (early on that was the goal.) Also when I joined freely, I wasn't aware of the scope of efforts to block members from leaving by imposing high exit costs such as shunning, isolation, forfeiture of parental control, and phobias of harm. When I joined members were told if they left they were in deception, not Nephs.
I just finished reading Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control by Kathleen Taylor. Taylor discusses the idea of brainwashing as a dream of total control and the appalling consequences which occur when people chase that dream. I agree with her conclusion.