Some had spent twenty, thirty, and even more than forty years in the tight authoritative web of the Watchtower. There were some that knew that what they were a part of was not of God, but yet stayed in for years. Well, for many the answer is fear . Jehovah's Witnesses themselves will vigorously deny these allegations, but is typical of victims of brainwashing. Because the fetters are fastened on the mind, instead of on the wrists, they do not chafe.
Psychologists really are on target in pointing out fear as a motivator.
Fear may get such a tight grip upon you that at times it may seem to be some powerful force from the outside that takes you captive. Because of fear, people have changed jobs, moved from one city to another, sealed themselves in houses, killed, and fled to mental institutions. Because of the fear of cats or bridges or elevators or other people, people have developed styles of life that are weird and unfruitful. So, fear becomes a motivator for them. Christians can do a lot to increase a Jehovah's Witness' fear or calm the Witness' fear depending on how they respond when one comes to his door.