WHAT'S WRONG WITH BRAINWASHING?

The earliest known English-language usage of "brainwashing" is found in an article by Edward Hunter in the New Leader published in October of 1950. During the Korean War, Hunter, a journalist and a U.S. intelligence agent, wrote a series of books and articles on the theme of Chinese brainwashing. "Brainwashing" has been defined as: 1) a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas; 2) persuasion by propaganda or salesmanship.

From the wording of these definitions, it is evident that "brainwashing" is viewed as an infringement upon an individual's freedom. However, these methods of changing one's mind are sometimes viewed as acceptable; it depends upon who is changing the mind of whom, the methods they are using, and for what purpose. Take for instance the Drill Sergeant in a military boot camp. "Breaking a recruit down" is seen as a good thing, because the objective is to build recruits into a cohesive and homogeneous fighting unit. Some might say that the persons being "brainwashed" had volunteered, and it is therefore acceptable. But what about individuals who are drafted? They are not volunteers, and yet it is okay to forcibly indoctrinate them.

The term "brainwashing" is most often applied to religion. Religious cults are infamous for using "brainwashing" techniques to gain control over those foolish enough to be drawn in by their false promises and false doctrines. Sleep deprivation, "love bombing," isolation, peer pressure, etc, are common tactics to weaken resistance to the cult-leaders' control. Today, there are groups of genuine Christians who are devoted to the rescue and deprogramming of those caught up in the deception of cultism.

However, there is such a thing as "good brainwashing." When a person places his faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, he becomes "a new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15). Unfortunately, he often does not think or act like Christ. The Bible says that a new believer should hunger for the Word of God (1 Pet. 2:2). He should submit himself to the authority of church elders (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).

They are "for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:12-14).

And finally, we are to participate in "brainwashing" ourselves. Much of our way of thinking is corrupt and contrary to the teachings of God. We need our minds "washed" and purified (Titus 3:5; Jam. 4:8). Ephesians 5:26 speaks of being set apart for God (sanctified) by "the washing of the water by the Word." "Water," here, is used in the same sense as it was in John 3:5-6, where it refers to the physical person, as opposed to the spiritual person. We need our "brains washed!" Paul admonishes us, as Christians, to have our minds "renewed" (Rom. 12:2). Elsewhere he wrote, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Eph. 4:23). Believers must submit to elders and study the Word, if they want to think like Christ.

For a believer in Christ, "brainwashing" is a must!