The Watchtower’s answer:
It is quite obvious that the Watchtower strongly denies the inclusion of images of subliminal matter
in their publications.
This reaction is not very astonishing.
Several business firms were known to use such techniques in their
publicity campaigns, most of these companies denied their use.
In an article published in the Watchtower of June 15th, 1985,
entitled “a short noise: will you make echo of it?”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization notably wrote:
“Rumors even circulated
about the Watchtower Society publications. It was said, for example, that a draftsman had inserted demons representations into the
illustrations, but had ended up being revealed and disfellowshipped!
Did you spread one of these rumors? In this case you - undoubtedly
involuntarily - spread a lie, because none of these rumors were founded. Thus, what was said about the Society’s publications was
incontestably harmful. It transpired to be a true slander towards dedicated Christians who spend long hours drawing attractive illustrations
for our issues, booklets and our books.
This idle gossip was ridiculous, as much as it would have been to claim that by creating the
moon, God would have deliberately given it the aspect of a face.”
Further, she added:
“Is it really reasonable to think…
that draftsmen who dedicated their life to Jehovah dissimulated faces in the journal illustrations?
One should not take this
kind of nonsense seriously.”
Let us point out some observations:
1.This article was published more than two years after
the discovery of the first “official” subliminal images
By “official”, we mean those that were observed by many people throughout
the world (Watchtower of May 1st, 1983).
Why did the Watchtower wait so long before reacting?
2.In its article, does
it really deny the existence of these images?
No. What it does, is deny the existence of one or several draftsmen who “would have inserted
representations of demons.”
Also note that the Society does not refer to the term “subliminal”.
3.It emphasizes on
the “dedicated” Christians who work at the Brooklyn Bethel, but forgets (or as usual, wants to forget) that several “dedicated” members
of this same
4.The subjective “face” that appears on the moon argument does not make sense.
Indeed, if one scans our satellite with good binoculars or a small telescope, one notices that this “face” is fictitious and is only
formed by sets of shades which result from the lunar ground pattern.
On the other hand, if one enlarges the subliminal patterns from
the publications using a simple magnifying glass, one sees details that confirm their existence more clearly.
5.In the
same June 15th article, the Society speaks about the origin of the rumors.
“The rumors, how are they started?” asked in one of the
subtitles.
Curiously, it does not inform the reader on the way the “rumors” on the subliminal messages in their publications were spread.
Perhaps
it is hiding behind this short phrase: “Where do rumors come from? It is often impossible find out.”
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses
wrote to the local Watchtower offices to ask for explanations about these disturbing images.
The answers were invariably identical:
These images do not exist.
You will find hereafter three letters or excerpts of letters coming from the Society.
These documents
are not “rumors”. We own photocopies.
We will analyze them afterwards.
“Dear brother…,
We took
time to examine your letter announcing concerns which affect you in connection with illustrations published in our journals.
As
regards an accumulation of images known as “subliminal” that riddled our publications, that according to your own terms, all the publications
and issues are filled, we can begin with the frame published on page 24 of the Watchtower referred to in your letter and which
reminds us that “the rumors are tenacious. Once begun, they do not stop easily”. Your letter shows once more, the cogency of this
warning statement, since the expression was quoted in 1985, 12 years ago.
Already at that time some thought that our publications
contained such images with intention to harm. It should be noted that, those who “had noticed” these kinds of things, had had themselves
speak about it with others so that the latter could finally see in their turn this “same problem”. Why couldn't they see them beforehand
themselves if these “images” were printed with an aim of harming others, without distinction? Could these “elements” that you quote,
since then slow down the growth of God's people on earth? Would Jehovah have blessed his followers in such a marvelous, grand way,
if (to put in your words) “this operation is built this way intentionally”?
In all sincerity, can we undermine, previous religious
instruction, because certain details depending from shadow games, brushstrokes, and other elements in report can bring some to the
very unhappy conclusion, that diabolic elements would be inserted in the images printed in our publications, until questioning the
integrity of the brothers forming the governing body? Would it not contradict the many attempts to carry one or the other towards
the loss of the essential faith in this particular time in the history of man? Would this not be, to some extent the game of the adverse
at our own costs? - see Matthew. 24:13, 45-47.
Trustful that these words will help you to fully seize works concerning “the faith
in the Word of God”, we assure you of our cordial brotherly love.”
2. An excerpt from another letter:
“With regards to a
“flood” of subliminal images that submerge our publications, we can also recapture the frame published on page 24 of the Watchtower referred to in your letter and which reminds us that “the rumors are tenacious. Once begun, they do not stop easily”. Your letter
shows once more, the cogency of this warning statement, since the expression was quoted in 1985, 12 years ago. Already at that time
some thought that our publications contained such images with intention to harm. It should be noted that, those who “had noticed”
these kinds of things, had had themselves speak about it with others so that the latter could finally see in their turn this “same
problem”. Why couldn't they see them themselves beforehand if these “images” were printed with an aim of harming others, without distinction?
In
all sincerity, can we undermine, previous religious instruction, because certain details depending from shadow games, brushstrokes,
and other elements in report can bring some to the very unhappy conclusion, that diabolic elements would be inserted in the images
printed in our publications? Would it not contradict the many attempts to carry one or the other towards the loss of the essential
faith in this particular time in the history of man? Would this not be, to some extent the game of the adverse at our own costs? -
see Matthew 24:13, 45-47.
3. An excerpt from a third letter (of
“With regards to your fourth point
relating to the “subliminal images” and the “faces hidden” intentionally in our publication, we wish above all to draw your attention
to the contents of the article “Würdest of the ein Gerücht verbreiten?” (Would you Spread a rumor?) appeared in the Wachtturm review
of November 15th, 1985, with for topic “STI die Geschichte glaubwürdig?” (Is the history worthy of faith?)
“Is it probable
that spaceships come to visit our planet or that a large company concludes a pact with the devil or that artists, God’s followers,
conceal faces in their magazine illustrations? Such incredible stories impose greatest circumspection.”
Never did a draftsman
conceal faces in our magazine illustrations. Many years ago, nevertheless, when the techniques were not yet what they are today, the
reduction of illustrations could cause fusions of points of framework likely to cause optical illusions.”
Note the great
resemblance between the first and the second answer.
The explanation is quite simple: Letters 1 and 2 come from the same
Answer 1 is addressed to a person alone, answer 2 to a couple.
At first sight, force is to note that
the Company does not make very large efforts to personalize their answers!
However, while reading more attentively and by comparing
the two versions, one sees that in the first it is known as: “…printed in our publications, until questioning the integrity of the
brothers forming the governing body??”
This part of sentence is absent from the second text.
And it is not unimportant! Why?
Because
the first person was not part of the organization at the time of the famous “crisis” of
One could then ask him a question without any danger.
On the other hand, the couple who
received the second version belonged to the organization from the beginning of the 80s and was very aware of the vicissitudes of the
governing body at this time!
Do you get it?
By deeply analyzing these three texts, one realizes that the Watchtower ignores
what really are subliminal processes.
It indeed says: “Why couldn't they see them themselves beforehand if these “images” were
printed with an aim of harming others, without distinction?”
But of course! It is the characteristic of these images! Not to
be seen, all the while unconsciously stimulating the brain…
It is completely normal that we can see them in most cases when somebody
shows them to us!
It is what the Society calls the “same problem”.
The purpose of these “elements” are not at all to slow
down “the accession that God's people already know” as the Society says! (We will see the reason in the next subject).
It is
true that many Witnesses left the organization since then because of these images, several were published on Internet (the first two
letters of
In the answer n° 3, the subsidiary of the Watchtower Society wrote: “Many years ago,
nevertheless, when the techniques were not yet what they are today, the reduction of illustrations could cause fusions of points of
framework likely to cause optical illusions.”
By this “many years ago”, the Society advances a shaky explanation for the old
subliminal drawings and eludes the problem of the images that are in profusion in the most recent publications at the same time.
Why
such images?
One proposed various assumptions to explain the presence of subliminal images in the
We’ll
enumerate them below:
We estimate
that this assumption must be isolated for several reasons:
These images have existed for a long time, at least since 1983.
It
would thus be necessary that the same member of
How, on this amount
of time, could he not be discovered by his colleagues or persons in charge?
The official Watchtower video cassette, “the Jehovah’s
Witnesses, a name, an organization”, shows at which point the illustrations are tested and controlled before going to print.
How would
it be possible that these adulterated stereotypes escape the vigilance of the inspectors, and this since 1983?
If the “culprit”
was located and either disfellowshipped, or transferred to another service, somebody woud have to replace him, since these subliminal
content manipulations are still relevant.
If the insertion of these subliminal images is the work of several individuals,
the objections remain identical.
2. The images are generated apart from the will of the leaders, under the influence of
occult forces.
In other words, some claim that Satan itself would leave its indelible trace in the publications for stating well that
this organization belongs to him.
Still, we strongly doubt the legitimacy of such an assertion.
Wouldn't this grant too
much importance to the Watchtower only to believe that the Devil has time to have fun and leave its claw or trademark in the organization’s
issues and books?
And then, when would they intervene?
Before going to print? … It would have been noticed! Or after it was printed?
… But then they would have to work on each journal! What a job!
3. The subliminal images do not exist and are only the
result, as one said, of shadows, light, or of a bad printing quality effects.
Certain Watchtower defenders also affirm that many
images are initially realized in great dimension and that these anomalies thought of as subliminal patterns, appear when one reduces
the size of the photos.
To accept this assumption, is in our opinion, to reject the obviousness.
The current print quality
is excellent and cannot justify these strange drawings.
The reduced size of the photos can admittedly produce distortions from time
to time, but this assumption cannot justify the detected suspect reasons.
Note how the scenes filmed real life on a set do not
give subliminal images on a 24 X 36 format, no more than on your next shots taken during your vacations!
Moreover, the photographs
published in the newspapers are in general not of excellent quality; it is not however in the daily press that one will collect many
subliminal snapshots, far from it!
The number of these subliminal images (we provided a very weak sample), the precision
of their design and graphics, leads us to consider a fourth assumption that we think is the good one, until proof of the opposite.
4.
This assumption: The images are intentionally put into the publications, not by a small or isolated individual TEAM of “rebels”, nor
by Satan, but by certain directors of the organization.
The following remark is reported (it comes from people who mingle with
Bethel of Brooklyn members who work on the composition and the press): “Your obsession to see subliminal patterns in the Society’s
illustrations is completely stupid! We have the occasion to speak with brothers and sisters who courageously work in the print-shop.
When one speaks to them about these subliminal wild imaginings, they start laughing and do not understand how such ridiculous rumors
circulate among the members of God's people…”
But can't one admit that the poor Witnesses who give their time to the Watchtower
HQ are manipulated to into seeing nothing?
Here is a good example: The “
When producer Alfred Hitchcock
shot the film “Psychosis”, he estimated that this movie was not as “horrifying” he wanted it to be.
This is why he asked a subliminal
techniques specialist to include a special image in the film. It was a human skull.
Nobody saw it during projection, but Hitchcock
obtained the effect he wanted.
The film that contained the skull was much more terrible, caused a feeling of terror than that which
did not contain the image.
He tried the experiment with a good amount of spectators.
In other words, this subliminal inclusion
generated fear.
It is not the first time that people say to have felt a strange feeling, a kind of discomfort, by looking at
the Watchtower publications illustrations, including those who describe a wonderful paradise.
A little girl, who saw a paradisiacal
image in a Society’s book, ran towards her mother in tears and exclaimed: “Mom, mom, I’m afraid!”
Why, you think, do publicity
agents insert morbid, monstrous, faces in ice cubes that swim in a glass of alcohol?
It is quite simple. The grimacing heads
generate a discomfort which it is good to compensate, erase, to forget.
How? With a good glass of whiskey X or gin Y.
The subliminal
techniques thus serve the mercenary advertizing attitude in this precise case.
We put the finger on the crucial point of the
subject.
By intercalating morbid images in its publications, the Watchtower causes a feeling of fear, of instability, for fear
it is good to compensate, to erase, to forget.
How? While uniting with the organization which is the only one to serve God, the only
one who holds the Truth, the only one which is a refuge in this corrupted world.
These images unconsciously encourage you to firmly
remain attached to this organization, because all is insecurity, all feels death and the forfeiture in this system of things dedicated
to destruction.
This is our opinion. You are not obliged to accept it.
But a thing remains: subliminal images do exist.
They distill a slow poison that anaesthetizes, and that needs to be denounced.
PEDOPHILIA: lawsuit against the Watchtower in Canada. Contacts :
Canada : http://www.higgertylaw.ca/; https://www.apmlawyers.com