Here are some ways you can help warn others about the dangers of cults and encourage your friends and

loved ones to reconsider their religion.

Many of these things can be done discreetly and anonymously.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month.  Click here to learn ways to help.

Annual Lambs Campaign  Bookmarks   Brochures & Flyers

Letters to the Editor  Libraries  Internet  Newspaper Ads  Stickers 

Share your Experience   Share your Idea or your Brochure

Spoofs   Support this Site         Article:  How to be an Activist

Anti-cult activities should be done with the goals of prevention, education, and helping victims to freedom.   Keep those goals in mind while engaging in activism. If you help one person to stay away from JWs, your efforts are worthwhile!  Tips:

1. Keep your message short and interesting to your audience.  Pick a topic that is relevant to their interests.  For example, if your audience is the general public, talking about the WT's miscalculation of the date Jerusalem fell will probably not be interesting to them; try talking about something attention-getting, such as the blood issue or child molestation cover-up.  If you're donating a library book that you want the general public to read, choose a book that is understandable and appealing to them instead of one that would only be interesting to ex-JWs, or it may never be read. 

2. Try to stick to one major topic.  Try to stick to one major topic you feel passionate about.  If you try to convey too much information, people think you're ranting and they stop listening.  Sometimes opponents will try to derail you by switching topics rapidly, especially when you raise valid points.  Ask them not to move onto a different topic until each is discussed thoroughly.

3. Make it easy for your audience to hear your main point and know where they can go for further information.  Prepare your message in advance and write it down.  Start by writing down everything you want to say, then edit it down to one or two opening sentences.  Be ready to expand upon your point if your audience is willing to listen.  When you make a claim, be prepared to back it up with evidence, and always give a web site or other reference where people can find out more.   

4. Keep anger and other strong emotions in check.  While anger is a natural reaction, angry expression should be limited, as it tends to lead the uneducated public and cult victims to believe you have wrong motives or are dishonest in your statements.  There is increasing awareness and sensitivity to religious hate groups, and people may fear you are "one of those" if you come across too vehemently.  Showing emotions is good, just keep them in check.  If you come across with fierce overtones, the emotion will be what they pay attention to instead of your message. 

5. Use materials that are appealing to the eye and in good condition.  Check your spelling and grammar.  Use attractive fonts and colors.  Don't use too many words in bold or all capitals; it may be interpreted as irate and distract your audience.

6. Follow etiquette.  Be polite.  Refrain from name-calling or insulting.  Respect people's wishes not to discuss JWs with you; if someone tries to end their conversation with you, don't force it.  This will set you apart from JWs, who are often viewed by the public as being pushy and rude.

Annual Lambs Campaign--May 30th to June 30th

You can participate in an annual education/activism campaign to draw attention to the child molestation cover up.  Here's how.

Bookmarks

Tips for use:  These bookmarks contain very gentle hints about freedom and are suitable for gifts for JWs.  One of the bookmarks is suitable for insertion into JW literature left in public places.  These are best printed on heavy paper; card stock can be purchased inexpensively in small quantities at craft stores and comes in many colors.  Buy standard 8.5" x 11" size that is usable in your printer.  You may wish to punch a hole in the top and tie a ribbon through it. 

Brochures & Flyers

Tips for use:  These can be left in public areas, waiting rooms, or on public bulletin boards.  If you find JW literature in such places, you may wish to leave these materials inside or near the JW literature.

How to print the foldable brochures:

1. I've found the easiest way to do it is to put only 1 piece of paper in your printer and press print.  Your first side will print, then your printer will beep to tell you it's out of paper.
2. Take notice of which end of the paper has the top of the page.
3. Turn the paper over and put it back in your printer, being sure to put it in so the top of your new side will print on the same end of the paper as your first side.
4. Continue printing.

Brochure:  Are JWs Loving?  A discussion of the unloving acts of JWs now and throughout history, including anti-Semitism, shunning, and hate of other religions.  Contains a long list of WT literature citations. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Brochure:  Are JWs Rational?  A discussion of the bizarre JW teachings about Armageddon, including the consumption of the carcasses of unbelievers by wild animals.  Compares these to other destructive groups in history.  Contains a long list of WT literature citations. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Brochure:  Bizarre Medical Myths--Believe it or not!  Examines JW suspicion and disdain for medical treatment and physicians over history.  Details little-known strange JW teachings about medicine and science.  The source of the myths is not mentioned until the end of the brochure.  Appealing to the casual reader who has an interest in trivia.  Contains illustrations and a long list of WT literature citations. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Brochure:  JWs and Their Beliefs about Blood.  Examines JW teachings about blood over history and identifies many inconsistencies.  Contains a long list of WT literature citations. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

AJWRB Brochures.  This links you to the Associated JWs for Reform on Blood (AJWRB) web site where they provide free printable brochures about the blood issue, suitable for distribution to physicians and most audiences.  Consider mailing the physician brochure to your local hospital's Chief of Anesthesia, Chief of Surgery, and/or Chief of Emergency Medicine.

Brochure:  Have JWs Ever Made False Prophecies?  Lists actual false prophecies (not the many hints about Armageddon's date most of us are familiar with), such as "Armageddon will come in October 1914."  Includes wacky apocalyptic imagery from WT literature.  Contains a list of WT literature citations. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Brochure:  Do Origins Matter?  Quotes WT literature stating things with "Pagan" or false origins are wrong and to be avoided, then lists examples from WT literature showing their own false origins.  Includes WT teachings originating with the Egyptian pyramids, etc.  Contains a list of WT literature citations, useful in discussions with JWs. 2-page brochure for printing on 8.5" x 11" paper.

Brochure:  The Watchtower-United Nations Scandal--Why is it important?  A comprehensive, concise examination of anti-UN teachings along with details of the WT's UN activities.  Suitable for use in discussing this topic with JWs or those studying with JWs.  Identifies the most common excuses given for NGO membership and refutes each.  Contains a full list of verifiable references. 4-page foldable color brochure suitable for printing on 2 sides of 8.5" x 11" paper.

Flyer:  Warning about Recent Cult Activity in Our Neighborhood.  Brief list of why JWs are a cult and where to go for further information.  1-page (8.5" x 11") color flyer with illustration.

Business Cards:  Protect yourself against cult activity in our neighborhood.  For use on printable business cards such as Avery #8371.  In color, with illustration.  Can be placed on public bulletin boards or elsewhere.

Silent Lambs Materials.  This links you to the Silent Lambs web site where they provide free printable materials about the child molestation issue, suitable for most audiences.

Letters to the Editor

Many newspapers allow readers to write "letters to the editor" for publication in the newspaper.  Others allow freelance writers to submit articles for possible publication.  Check your local newspaper to find out how to submit content for publication, or write to your local media asking reporters to do stories on JWs.

Libraries

• Many school or public libraries accept donated books; contact them or visit their web site for details on what they accept and how to donate.  Choose a book that you feel would be appealing to library patrons and which explains the dangers of JWs in a way understandable to the general public.  Use the Amazon or Barnes & Noble search boxes here to find books to donate.  There are many used books in good condition that are inexpensive.  You can have the book shipped directly to the library of your choice; simply note that it is a donation in the address (i.e., "Attention Book Donation Desk"). 

• Check if your library has pro-JW books and JW literature.  If so, you can discreetly place some of the above brochures inside those books.

• Some libraries have a policy to purchase books that are requested by library patrons if they do not own them.  If your library does this, request books that educate people about the dangers of JWs.

• Check with your local college to determine if they accept donations of scholarly journal articles, and donate a copy of the blood misrepresentation article from the Journal of Church and State.  Click here for ordering information.

Internet

When visiting chat rooms or internet forums, ask people what they think about JWs and start a discussion.  Bring up a major issue you feel passionate about, and discuss it briefly.  Provide a URL where people can go for further information.

Posting on internet forums alters search results on internet search engines and increases the likelihood someone doing a search for information on Jehovah's Witnesses will find factual instead of slanted information.

Newspaper Ads

You can discreetly place inexpensive ads in your local newspaper highlighting the child molestation issue.  Here's how.

Spoofs

Spoof JW Convention Program

Stickers

Tips for use:  These are suitable for attaching on JW literature left in public places, but be careful not to deface other people's property, such as attaching these to library books.  One benefit of using the stickers is that it converts the literature from being a cult recruitment tool into being an anti-cult educational tool.

There are some reasons why this particular wording was selected. 

• Since the literature appears harmless, the public may interpret the stickers as an irrational rant from a hate group.  Stating they are "secretive and dangerous" stimulates curiosity and encourages the reader to regard it with suspicion.   

• Consider listing more than just a web site; people in waiting rooms do not have an internet connection available at that moment and are unlikely to write it down without knowing what type of site it is.  The brief statement below both stimulates curiosity and also provides a site they can visit to obtain further information. 

Simply copy the text below (or create your own), and paste into a Word document formatted to print on the labels of your choice.  It is best to either use brightly colored labels or print the text in bright colors to draw attention.

WARNING!  This literature is from a secretive, dangerous cult.  www.jwinfo.8m.com