
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 2, 1993                   TAG: 9307020361
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DENOMINATION'S LEADERSHIP DECEIVES

I FIND it amazing that you would give space to the Jehovah's Witnesses ("Governing Body") which likely, by its policy, killed many more than Jim Jones or David Koresh ever dreamed of. While Cody Lowe touched on it (June 20 news story, "Jehovah's Witnesses eager to share faith"), not being able to have blood transfusions no doubt has been a death warrant to countless Jehovah's Witness children and adults who have needed open-heart surgery, organ transplants or a host of other life-saving procedures over the past 100 years. Perhaps, you can do the numbers yourself on what percent of 1.5 million members would require those services each year.

Wide exposure has also been given to David Koresh's brainwashing sessions. Review a classic study on mind-control techniques by someone such as Robert Lifton and then drop by a Kingdom Hall during a week night session. Enjoy your monotone indoctrination in a windowless room. Enjoy someone else controlling all that you hear, read and are exposed to week after week. Experience the "Governing Body's" exclusive position with God and its control over you.

As with Branch Davidian members, I feel for Jehovah's Witness children and adults who were/are all deceived by their leadership. SCOTT MARKWELL ROANOKE

by CNB