Could the Leadership of the Watchtower Organisation be Considered Narcissistic?

Does the leadership of the Watchtower organisation, as headed by the Governing Body (GB), exhibit narcissistic tendencies? I am not well enough acquainted with the individual members to be able to comment on their personalities but, as they act as a whole, there are certainly many signs of narcissistic behaviour.

Psychologists do identify the possibility of group, or ‘collective’, narcissism but differentiate it from individual narcissism

  • Individual narcissism — a personality disorder diagnosed in a person
  • Collective or organisational narcissism — when a group displays patterns of grandiosity, entitlement, or control
    • “Collective narcissism—an emotional investment in an unrealistic belief about the in-group’s greatness”(1)

It is considered to be the inner circle’s culture rather than the people that causes this collective narcissism, according to Dr Afshara, a noted psychologist in her book “When Group Pride Goes Too Far”(2)

It is almost as if the group takes on a personality of its own and the individuals are caught up along with it.

In analysing a group’s behaviour, when looking for narcissistic tendencies, certain patterns are used.

Behavioural PatternDescription in PsychologyWhy It’s Relevant
Claiming exclusive truthA belief that the group alone has special insight or authorityCan resemble grandiosity
Demanding loyalty and obedienceExpecting unquestioning complianceCan resemble entitlement
Discouraging dissentPunishing or shunning disagreementCan resemble fragile self‑image
Controlling informationRestricting outside sourcesCan resemble defensive self‑protection
Us–vs–them worldviewViewing outsiders as dangerous or inferiorCan resemble narcissistic splitting

The impact on members of collective narcissism can resemble what happens in individual narcissistic relationships, even if the leaders are acting from sincere belief rather than malice. Let’s look at those behaviour patterns identified above.

Does the Governing Body Claim Exclusive Truth?

When Russell started his Bible Student movement back in the 1870s his claim was that there would only be 144,000 Christians in heaven at the conclusion of time (from the number in Revelation chapters 7 and 14). These he called the ‘anointed class”(3), His initial idea was that this number would be filled by around 1881, a date which Joseph Rutherford later modified to become 1931, technically still the date today

Russell claimed that these 144,000 were the ‘faithful and discrete slave’ (FDS) of Matthew 24:45, whose task it was to give the ‘servants’ their spiritual food(4)(5) This identity of the FDS remained the idea, with minor adjustments, until 2012/13 when the Governing Body completely took over the title, leaving the rest of the 144,000 effectively redundant (6).

For a number of years before this date the Governing Body (GB) prepared its members for this momentous change so that when it finally came there was hardly a murmur amongst the rank and file. The importance the organisation puts on the GB can be seen by inputting the term ‘Governing Body’ into the search engine of the wol.jw.org website, this gives some 41 pages of results, with many articles encouraging members to give themselves over completely to the Body as they would Jehovah.

1919 is the date the organisation now teaches for when the FDS was initially appointed. However, this appointment date was not formally identified by the organisation until around the mid 20th century, developing slowly, as the role of the FDS was clarified. It seems strange that Jehovah would appoint His Faithful and Discreet Slave without telling them He had done it and, effectively, not correctly identifying to the slave who they were.

There was a major convention in 1919 at Cedar Point, Ohio, and that would have been the most obvious time to report their appointment as the new FDS. In the latter part of the 20th century and in to the 21st the role and supremacy of the FDS has been regularly transmitted to their members.

The GB claims that this FDS (themselves) is the one specifically chosen by Jehovah to be His only channel to people on earth.

“Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food. Since 1919, the glorified Jesus Christ has been using that slave to help his followers understand God’s own Book and heed its directives.” Watchtower 2016 Nov p.16 (Emphasis mine)

“That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.” (7)

Demanding Loyalty and Obedience

Having established the FDS’s credentials as the ‘only channel’ Jehovah has used since 1919 to feed His ‘domestics’, the ultimate and unreproachable authority of the Governing Body (as the FDS now is) is cemented. The need to obey this FDS is drummed into the members time after time

The GB encourages its members to obey their direction ‘from the heart’ in a 2026 online video talk by GB member Stephen Lett

“So our obedience to direction from Jehovah’s organization [the GB] should not be dependent on whether we understand or even agree, but we spontaneously obey from the heart.” (emphasis mine)(8)

Independent thought is again forbidden, obedience should be spontaneous, without thought or further research. Did the Bereans do this for Paul in Acts 17? No, they researched and were commended for it.

“We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval.” (9)

“That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.” (10)

“All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” (11)

If we distrust the FDS then we are distrusting Jehovah

“Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?”  (12)

Those are just some of the many passages exhorting people to obey the FDS as they would Jehovah.

Discouraging Dissent

By claiming such authority, it makes it almost impossible for a JW to criticise or even question the teachings of the Governing Body as those teachings come from Jehovah himself. In one of the organisation’s own definitions of a cult, quoted above, it highlights a leader that “proclaims himself to be the personification of God”, effectively exactly what the Governing Body is doing. A narcissist will put themselves in a position where they are right and are not to be doubted or challenged. This lack of challenge is also handed down to the elders who disseminate the GB’s teachings and direction.

“How will we be helped if we learn to trust in Jehovah and his representatives? Now is the time to learn to trust in God’s way of doing things by not second-guessing the direction and the decisions of the elders. When the great tribulation strikes, we will be ready to obey even if we receive instructions that seem strange or illogical.—w22.02, pp. 4-6.” (13) (Emphasis mine)

“To obey is better than a sacrifice.-1 Sam. 15:22. If organizational changes test your loyalty, what should you do? Fully support the organizational changes. … Jehovah values your obedience far more than any assignment.” (14)

To further quash any criticism, they appeal to the story of Moses and Korah

“By criticizing Moses, the rebels [Korah] were really criticizing Jehovah. They did not focus on what Jehovah wanted; they focused on what they wanted—more power and recognition. God struck down the leaders of the rebellion as well as thousands more who sympathized with them. (Num. 16:30-35, 41, 49) Today we can be sure that Jehovah disapproves of those who disrespect his organizational arrangements“(15) (Emphasis mine)

The organisation is well known for its shunning policy where it removes those who dissent their authority and require their members to avoid them almost entirely. This retribution for dissenting causes a natural avoidance of rebellion and so limits its spread.

In Hull, UK, in 2017-2018 there came a purge of dissenting JWs in the area resulting in the disfellowshipping of several members. This led to a number of complaints and protests from former members against the shunning practice (16).

Controlling Information

We will cover this subject in depth shortly and the evidence is clear that the GB goes to great lengths to control the information available to its members.

Us–Vs–Them Worldview

The GB is firm on its condemnation of “Christendom” (all Christians denominations except their own) as well as “worldly” people (those not in the organisation). They tell their members that they should be no part of this world, misquoting John 17 v 16 (17), and require them to refuse to get involved in politics, the military, and many other public institutions (18).

Other Behaviours

Another trait of the narcissist is their refusal to accept that they are ever wrong and so are unwilling to apologise for their mistakes. They will often try and put the blame on others, usually those around them they are attempting to control which, for a cult, is their members. The GB puts much emphasis on a single verse in the book of Proverbs, chapter 4 v 18 which states

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” NWT

They claim this means that the ‘light’ Jehovah gives through his FDS gets ‘brighter’ as times goes on, this is often referred to as ‘new light’ (19). Any changes the GB makes are due to Jehovah making the ‘light’ of truth ‘brighter’, thus they are not mistakes but simply ‘clarifications’. There are even parts of the jw.org website devoted to listing these ‘clarifications’ (20) though it should be noted that not all are actually listed! Even so, there are an enormous number of ‘clarifications’ and the question must be asked as to why Jehovah has trouble giving the correct information the first time! Virtually all of these ‘clarifications’ are not clarifications at all as a clarification is defined as

“…an explanation or more details that makes something clear or easier to understand” Cambridge Dictionary

Thus, the original statement remains true and is not changed by the clarification. In the vast majority of the cases of GB clarifications the previous statement is reversed by the ‘new light’, not simply clarified.

Sometimes ‘new light’ is simply ‘old light’ regurgitated and numerous doctrinal flip-flops have been made by the GB. The excellent website jwfacts.com highlights some of those flip-flops (21) Russell himself said this about this ‘new light’ in 1881

“If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now: But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light,” but adds to it” (22)

The response of many JWs to this criticism of their ever-changing doctrines is that the men of the GB are imperfect but doing their best, but the Watchtower itself say this

“To say that the Bible is incomplete and that we need to rely also on the unstable and unthinking of imperfect, uninspired men is to deny the power of God”( 23)

The GB openly admits that it is ‘uninspired’ (24). Convincing their members that this does not apply to them highlights the level of control the GB exerts over the minds of their members as this is a direct contradiction of what they claim as Jehovah’s sole channel. The GB has claimed that the words they write are not their own but come from Jehovah as the ‘editor’ of their literature (25) and that they are led by the holy spirit and we hear Jehovah’s voice through them (26).

The members are encouraged to see the GB as ‘humble’ because they admit their mistakes and are willing to change their beliefs when Jehovah directs them. They criticise ‘Christendom’ (27) (their term used to describe everyone else) for refusing to let go of ‘false and pagan doctrine’ (such as the Trinity). They claim that they are ‘not afraid’ to correct their ‘explanations’ (28), implying they are humble enough to do this. But it can be seen that they are not changing their ‘explanations’ but changing the actual doctrine.

Such false humility can also be a sign of the narcissist by using it to elicit praise and admiration from others. The GB never admits its mistakes; it simply calls on Proverbs 4 v 18 and claims ‘new light’. Narcissists struggle to apologise for their mistakes because they don’t admit to making any and expect their victims to accept this.

Organ Transplants and Blood

One of the worse cases of a failure to apologise that I have come across (and there are many) is their doctrine of organ transplants. Their refusal to accept blood transfusions is a well-known idiosyncrasy of JWs but what is less well known is that organ donations too were once banned. In an answer to a Question from Readers in the Aug 1961 WT article (29)they said that there was no ‘scriptural principle’ involved regarding donations and each individual should make up their own mind. Only 6 years later (30) the GB decided that accepting an organ donation was cannibalism and so Christians do not need to make a decision based on a ‘personal whim’ but should reject such an action.

This was in answer to a question raised in their section titled ‘Question from Readers’ (QFR) so not even a proper article. In 1980, again simply in an answer to a QFR, they completely changed their decision back to the 1961 position (a classic doctrinal flip-flop) stating that

“…there is no Biblical command pointedly forbidding the taking in of other human tissue” (31)

And again, stating it is a ‘personal decision’. No apology or reasoning was given for this dramatic change to doctrine that would have fatally affected many JWs who died rather than take an organ donation, or to those family members who lost loved ones. The casual way they decided against and then decided for donations does not show a humble attitude, rather an attitude of a classic narcissistic nature.

In the October 2023 Annual general meeting (32), Jeffrey Winder, Governing Body member, stated that they (the Governing Body) are “not embarrassed” when they make adjustments and clarifications to their understanding of the Bible “nor is an apology needed for not getting it exactly right”. I believe any right-minded person would expect an apology from them for their flip-flopping actions, particularly when it would have resulted in the deaths of their members. To refuse to apologise or even admit your mistakes (for that is what they are, however they may try to spin them) is a classic sign of a narcissist.

1975

There have been several occasions where the GB has even blamed its members for its failures. One in particular is the 1975 debacle. This was another one of the GB’s attempts at predicting the return of Christ (they had made many before) (33). Having had many failed predictions before they were slightly more circumspect with this prediction (prophesy). In 1966 they claimed that 1975 would usher in the 7th one-thousand-year period of human history. They claimed that

“It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to the loving purpose of Jehovah God for the reign of Jesus Christ, the ‘Lord of the Sabbath,’ to run parallel with the seventh millennium of man’s existence.” (Emphasis mine) (34)

The implication being that Jesus would return in 1975 to start His millennial reign. Subsequent articles (35) continued to emphasise this significant date, one JW being quoted as saying that the book (Life everlasting) ‘compelled’ them to realise that Armageddon (the final battle on earth) was ‘very close indeed’ (36). The phrase ‘stay alive till ‘75’ became a favourite amongst the members. Those selling up their homes to in order to afford to ‘finish out the rest of their days…in the pioneer service [going door-to-door]’ were told this was a ‘fine way’ to spend the short time remaining (37)

When 1975 came, and inevitably passed without incident, the GB went on the offensive, blaming their members for being over enthusiastic. The 1976 WT (38 ) claimed some members had a ‘mistaken view’ and that they had ‘missed the point’ about the ‘Bible’s warnings’ and ‘thinking that Bible chronology reveals the specific date’. It wasn’t the membership that were ‘thinking’ that, it was the GB telling them.

“Did Jesus mean that we should adjust our financial and secular affairs so that our resources would just carry us to a certain date that we might think marks the end?… This is not the kind of thinking that Jesus advised. …’ (39)

If this isn’t Jesus’ thinking why did the GB commend those who were doing it! It wasn’t until 1980 (40) that the GB showed any responsibility for the mess surrounding 1975 and even then they couched it in very wishy-washy terms. Reminiscent of the actions of Big Brother in Orwell’s book 1984, the GB has attempted to change its ‘history’ to try and hide their mistakes regarding 1975. Their 1968 “Truth” book initially quoted a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acherson, in support of its 1975 prophesy, as saying in 1960

“I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from today[i.e. 1975] this world is going to be too dangerous to live in.” (Emphasis mine) (41)

But in the revised edition of 1981 this quote was modified to read

“Based on what he knew was then going on in the world, it was his [Dean Acherson’s] conclusion that soon “this world is going to be too dangerous to live in” (Emphasis mine)

There are several other revisions of history about 1975 (42), all of which are not the actions of a humble servant, willing to admit their mistakes and take responsibility for them.

Beards and Obedience

A similar chastisement of those criticising the GB’s changing doctrines came from the recent announcement that beards are now allowed (43)

“After viewing this program [made in the Update #8], some might have to contend with strong feelings. For example, some might feel as though they have been vindicated, saying, in effect, ‘This is what I’ve been saying for a long time. This proves that I was right all along!’ Others might feel disappointed, saying, in effect, ‘I supported the policy about grooming for all those years. Now I feel let down!’ But is either reaction appropriate? Not really. … If we have been promoting our own opinion on this subject, contradicting the guidance from the organization, have we been promoting unity? Have we helped the brotherhood to be “completely united . . . in the same line of thought”? Clearly not. Any who have done so need to adjust their thinking and attitude.
On the other hand, if we have loyally supported the organization’s direction over the years, do we have any Scriptural reason to regret our course? Certainly not! Jehovah values our loyal service; he also appreciates our humble willingness to be obedient and submissive to the direction we receive from God’s organization.” (Emphasis mine) Announcement December 15, 2023

The regular provision of ‘new light’ is effective at keeping the membership under the control of the GB. Only they are given this ‘new light’ so we must listen only to them. In Daniel Shaw’s article on the Role of Shame in Cults 44) he highlights the need for a cult leader to regularly “move the goalposts” to stave off a loss of control pushing members to “even deeper levels of submission”.

GB or Writing Dept?

It is worth pointing out that Raymond Franz in his book Crisis of Conscience highlights that it is not usually the GB that comes up with ‘new light’ but members of the organisation’s Writing Department. How come they can disagree with the GB’s doctrine and so offer ‘new light’ but if anyone else does it that is apostasy?

I believe the evidence is clear that the GB acts in a very autocratic way with little regard for its members (though no doubt they would claim they are acting theocratically!). As a group, their actions show significant narcissistic tendencies and not those of a humble, God fearing, faithful and discrete servant. They would do well to heed the words Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 24 vs 48-51.

Notes:

  1. “Collective narcissism and its social consequences” By de Zavala, Agnieszka Golec,Cichocka, Aleksandra,Eidelson, Roy,Jayawickreme, Nuwan,Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 97(6), Dec 2009, 1074-1096 APA PsycNet Buy Page
  2. When Group Pride Goes Too Far”When Group Pride Goes Too Far: Understanding Collective Narcissism,The Complex Causes Behind Collective Narcissistic Beliefs https://afshara71.medium.com/when-group-pride-goes-too-far-understanding-collective-narcissism-520078e23eb3
  3. https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/144000.php
  4. Watchtower 15 Jun 1992 p 21
  5. There is evidence that Russell chose the title for himself alone, though this is contested by some articles of the Watchtower – https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1955362?q=%22sole+channel%22&p=par various other claims for the ‘sole channel’ included the ‘Society’ Watchtower 1920 p 99-103
  6. Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.22, https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/events/annual-meeting-report-2012/
  7. Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.20
  8. https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODPgmEvtMorningWorship/pub-jwbvod25_49_VIDEO
  9. Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition
  10. Watchtower 2013 Jul 15 p.20
  11. Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20
  12. Watchtower 2009 Feb 15 p.27
  13. Watchtower 2022 Dec 15 p.15
  14. “Examining the Scriptures Daily”—2024 Wednesday, Dec 25 pp.126-127
  15. Watchtower 2024 July p.11 A rebuttal of this idea can be found on the Reachout Trust’s blog, an article by Carlos Rigden “Are we Korah Like?” https://bridgeofreason.blogspot.com/2025/11/are-we-korah-like.html
  16. Search “JW purge Hull UK” for more details
  17. John 17 v 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” NIV
  18. Watchtower 15 Feb 1976 p113-119, Watchtower 1 Nov 1956 p645-648, Awake 22 Apr 1987 p5-8
  19. 2016 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses p.25, Watchtower 2011 May 15 p.27
  20. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200277174
  21. https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/light-gets-brighter.php
  22. Zion’s Watch Tower, February 1881
  23. Watchtower 1 May 1989 p 27
  24. Study Edition Watchtower Feb 2017 p 26
  25. Search “Olin Moyle against Fred Franz and others and the WBTS Court case”
  26. Watchtower 15 Aug 2014 p.21, Watchtower 15 Jun 1957 p 370
  27. Watchtower 1 May 1957 p 273
  28. Watchtower 15 Jul 2011 p 24
  29. Watchtower 1 Aug 1961 p 480
  30. Watchtower 15 Nov 1967 p 702-704
  31. Watchtower 15 Mar 1980 p 31
  32. https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/StudioMonthlyPrograms/pub-jwb-108_8_VIDEO min 6:33
  33. 1914, 1915, 1925, 1940s, 1975, end of the 20th Century
  34. Watchtower Book “Life everlasting in freedom of the sons of God” 1966 p 26-30).
  35. see JWfacts.com “1975 – Watchtower Quotes to show what really was predicted” https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1975.php
  36. Watchtower 15 Oct 1966 p629
  37. Kingdom ministry May 1974 p 3
  38. Watchtower 15 Jul 1976 p 440-441
  39. Ibid
  40. Watchtower 15 March 1980 p.17 to p.18 
  41. Watchtower Book “The Truth that Leads to Eternal Life” 1968
  42. For more information on the 1975 story see the jwfacts.com article at https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1975.php
  43. 2023 GB Update #8 Announcement Dec 15 https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/global/2023-Governing-Body-Update-8/
  44. Daniel Shaw (2023) “The Role of Shame in Cults, from Recruitment to Recovery, Psychoanalytic Dialogues”, 33:6, 779-795, DOI: 10.1080/10481885.2023.2263056 https://doi.org/10.1080/10481885.2023.2263056 page 784