A workshop by author and respected cult expert Steven Hassan on the topic of undue influence has been organized for this coming weekend in London, and is already over-subscribed.
Undue influence has been defined as any act of persuasion that overcomes the free will and judgement of another person. This type of persuasion is prevalent among many fringe groups, religious and political sects, and cults – including Jehovah’s Witnesses.
As announced earlier this week on AAWA.co, a press conference has been scheduled as a precursor to the workshop event in order to highlight the often misunderstood subject, and its dangers, to members of the media and other guests.
Hassan will be joined on the panel by Jon Atack, an author and expert on Scientology; Masoud Banisadr, a former representative of the group Mujahideen-e-Khalq Organization (MeK); Dr Linda Dubrow-Marshall, a psychologist specializing in treatment of cult influence; Prof. Rod Dubrow-Marshall, a renowned psychology professor and award-winning researcher of undue influence, and finally – our very own Lloyd Evans (better known to all of us here at JWsurvey as John Cedars)!
As many of you know, Lloyd is a former elder and graduate of the now-defunct Ministerial Training School, and he will be looking to use his knowledge and experience to highlight the use of undue influence by Watchtower. Lloyd has decided to shed his anonymity specially for this event, although he says he will continue to write for us under the moniker “Cedars.”
The conference, scheduled for Friday August 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm, is open to AAWA invitees and members of the press only. However, it will be professionally filmed, and footage should be released to the public at some point in the near future.
Until that time, please visit JWsurvey, the John Cedars YouTube channel, and our partner sites for the latest articles, posts and videos covering what promises to be a fascinating conference and its surrounding events.
Further reading…
When my son was 7 years old, he severed an artery in his
L, arm while at school and was bleeding very badly.
He was taken by ambulance to hospital and was terrified
they would give him blood. When the doctor said it might
be needed, the child said, “No thank you I don’t want a
blood transfusion” ( This we were told by the doctor.)
When his mother and I arrived at the hospital, we also said
we would not consent. to a transfusion. Looking back I am
absolutely horrified at what I had put into that little boys
head, and at the corrupt, and perverted thinking that allowed
me as a parent to put my child’s life in danger.
It’s parental abuse, and the authorities now, rightly take the
child into care. My son managed without a transfusion,
he will be 60 this year and still has weakened grip in his
L, hand and he happens to be L, handed.
Regarding Aysha King. We don’t know the facts, and so can’t
comment.but only hope for a good outcome.
But what occurred to me, was the contrast between, a caring
society, doctors, police, Interpol, all concerned for that little
boys life and working hard on his behalf. Then the W,T, Org,
who have stood silently by for years and watched children die
over what is, an ancient dietary law, that has no relevance today.
@Excelsior – One point of adjustment on your post. JW’s derive from the non-7th-Day-keeping branch of adventists (First-Day Adventists) and are more aligned to the beliefs of Christadelphian, Church of Blessed Hope, Advent Christian Church, etc. Sabbath-keeping Adventists, and at least one branch does not recognize the “authority” of Ellen White, have some common beliefs derived through Miller and common “trail blazers” of Advent-belief tree with Advent Christian, which is the main influencer of Russell, but contrast on the 7th Day issue.
Oh one more interesting factoid–around late 1700’s a church derived from Swedish-born Emanuel Swedenborg used the J*h*v*h name for God. However, his views on theology and soul would influence a number of 2nd and 3rd Awakening religious groups, including somewhat Christian Scientists.
Lloyds of Evans… interesting.