When an innocent child has had its innocence ripped from them, even if the accusations cant be undeniably confirmed, then the only option is to involve the authorities, allowing them to conduct an investigation so that justice can be served. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. T he "real self" is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the cult self. In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. The truth is youre the one whos in charge of your actions. Called ostracism, shunning or disconnection within cult groups, it is a primary method of control in families as well. Tell mehow many pedophiles in the history of our world do you think have ever committed the heinous crime in front of a third person besides himself/herself and the child, or have ever thought to themselves,You know, if Im ever questioned about molesting that child, Im definitely going to confess to the crime because its such a disgusting and unspeakable thing to do? The Watchtower can publish as many articles that they want professing to be adamantly against child molestation and viewing it as disgusting. Vissarion's followers include soldiers, doctors and engineers; we've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions. Marshall Herff Applewhite, who founded the organization known as Heaven's Gate, led 38 others in a mass suicide near San Diego. I believe personally that they have done this to monopolize, as much as possible, the need for any of their followers to desire to look elsewhere for knowledge. Lets repeat that one more time for clarity. This insane reasoning is again based on the Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding. Have a structured central bureaucracy. . That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. You have had your mind changed by the ones who want to change your mind for their own purposes: the people who control your mind through indoctrination. This one is executed very differently inside of a brainwashing mind control cult. His steps are quoted in italics with my comments included below each step. Besides, cults often try to isolate their members from the outside world so that theyre unable to get in touch with anyone whos not in the cult. A jury ruled in a verdict ordering that The Jehovahs Witnesses were ordered by a jury to pay $35 million to a woman who says the churchs national organization ordered Montana clergy members not to report her sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a congregation member. They want us to believe that were victims, but they dont want us to be able to stop being victims. Was it a reward for being nice to somebody? People are indoctrinated without leaving their bedrooms. 15 The internet serves as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep members fully committed. If that group has some, to borrow a term from Alan Watts, inside dope, then in your mind its not a cult at all. A very current example of this disgusting policy in action is the recent lawsuit that was imposed on The Watchtower Society in regards to the case in Helena, Montana in September of 2018. agenda or full content of the group. As most people would agree, life is anything but black and white anymore. Nato Lagidze Remember, the whole point of this website and this global conversation is for all of us to work together and help each other. Confession is carried beyond Instead his dream world fed an insatiable curiosity about a perfection that can never exist. But is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? Have you ever been told that if you leave the cult, youll be punished? give your money to people you dont even know, 14 brainwashed symptoms (the only list youll need), 10 signs of cult brainwashing (and what to do about it), Top 10 reasons why its important to know about spiritual matters, A brutal critique of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, A brutal critique of L. Ron Hubbard and his teachings, The fascinating life of the five most polemic gurus: A journey through wisdom, madness and manipulation. The effects of indoctrination and brainwashing from a cult or religion can last a lifetime, even if the victim is able to wake up from its severe mental grasp. If neutrinos have mass, where are all the slow ones? Here is how it is achieved: First, one must become acquainted with and become used to the correct terminology pertaining to religious indoctrination. Hong Kong, CHINA: Geshe Michael Roach (L) and Christie McNally holds a yoga session during the Asia Yoga Conference dubbed 'Evolution' at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 02 June 2007. This is the whole point of a cult. You cant choose for yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre telling you that its right for your life. Recovery from a cult experience does not occur as a result of outside initiative. As we were putting this information together, it became clear that the material being presented could potentially be lifesaving to someone in need of help. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Picking the. In 1995, The Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. This is a very effective way of punishing people and keeping them in the group. on Facebook, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. Lacey Wood says: January 24, 2022 at 8:19 am. And for those who stay on, the recruiting process culminates in the submission of their own personalities to the "will of the group." In the next section, we'll see what cult indoctrination entails. Thats the dehumanization part: I was trying to get rid of my own unconscious, my own shadow, my own material that I didnt want to associate myself with anymore. Talkspace.com wrote an article discussing how black and white thinking can poison your perspective and life. Only after leaving Roach and, later, Andersons group, could he understand that he had been starving even though food was right in front of him. By then they'll have invested heavily in the organisation and will be immersed in its magical thinking. on LinkedIn, Subscribe for counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. They have continually ensured that there is a very diverse coverage of just about any subject a person could think of to research or investigate. Many religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 Steps. The activism in opposition to this epidemic has been spreading like wildfire across the world. I just thought that he had perfected himself. Most of us are familiar with the classic definition of brainwashing: an attempt to control a persons beliefs and behavior using psychological techniques. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. For example, a cult may take all the money you make and then demand that you give it to them, or else theyll destroy your business and make your work for free for the rest of your life. Cults often try to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult. I was born and raised in a religious cult. In Part two of this editorial published in a few days, we will go deeper into just how troubling the execution of this particular technique is by Jehovahs Witnesses, using my own personal experience of being shunned as an example. For that reason, I will be using all three terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. Members can believe that all sorts of horrible things may happen if they don't follow the rules, if they don't earn more money, if they leave the group or even think of leaving the group etc. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the I couldnt see what is true of all human beings: that he has an unconscious, and he doesnt know why hes doing what hes doing, and that some very deep, difficult stuff is likely beneath the surface. being changed a step at a time. You arent alone, See Images By Americas First War Photographer. Usually, group indoctrination and self-indoctrination sessions demand many hours of members' lives. Few people seem to have a clear definition of indoctrination, and thus call anything they dislike indoctrination (e.g., "Leftists professors are indoctrinating their students," "Those . Needless to say, its another warning sign of being indoctrinated. Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. 2. About. Thats one of the most negative sides of the cults. Yes, faith can bring some joy in our life. Signs of Indoctrination. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. We sometimes include products we think are useful for our readers. Its okay to get rewarded. Potential new members are led, step by. Darwin missed an amazing example of evolution. Opposing critical thinking 2. Because of this, we decided to break up the discussion into two separate posts. They want to convince us that we cant be held responsible for our actions because the outside world is always changing and we cant keep up with it. And most importantly, its not like theyre in need of this money. Or do they disagree with what they read in your favorite news source? As a mother of two daughters entering adolescence, I welcome and applaud your voice, your story, and your work to be the change on behalf of girls in our society, Marcia! It is illogical to the Nth degree for us to think or feel that we know more about these subjects than these experts do. Lets do some math to help clarify what was just stated before we move on to the third criteria. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it as a means of recovery. That is, they try to make people believe in their values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them. Continuing control relies on absolute obedience and members being afraid to leave. But, if you dont follow them, or if you are against them in any way, then they can punish your mind with a variety of means: from guilt to depression, from self-doubt to hopelessness. Groups like ISIS don't use just violence to get their messages across, they use psychological techniques to recruit and keep members. means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for, these vulnerabilities The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. Lloyds video library is vast and extremely valuable to anyone that is mentally trapped inside of the Watchtower. But even with good intentions, if a group or organization that you belong to is made up of the following defined criteria, then it is absolutely using brainwashing mind control techniques to indoctrinate you. Indoctrination is the process of inculcating a person with ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or professional methodologies (see doctrine).. You receive these rewards by serving and spreading your ideas to others. Invite them to come along again, and again, until they're a part of the family. If you truly have empathetic love for yourself and for our future then PLEASE have a completely open mind in regards to what you are about to take in. Theres a riot of motivations. They will do anything they can to make you feel guilty and make you feel like youre a bad person if you dont follow the cults rules and values. Seeking inappropriate. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. The concept of thought reform itself is a controversial one -- some say it's mere propaganda designed to scare people away from new religions and political movements. For one thing, military recruits know from day one that being in the military means giving up some of their autonomy -- that's how the military hierarchy works. Your instincts are your friend. Berg's organisation was also notorious for its use of "flirty fishing", a form of evangelistic prostitution. And thats fine. If Will Allen's documentary, Holy Hell, teaches us one thing, it's that there's no easy answer. This is done by making the members rely on the cult for their daily needs. Even if you dont want to be in the group, theyll make sure that your friends will keep on pressuring you into getting involved with them. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities In the second criteria [Mystical Manipulation], it was explained how the Governing Body at the organizations headquarters is viewed as being the direct line to Gods holy spirit and direction. A security team guards the person for several days, 24 hours a day, while the deprogrammer, former cult members, and family members present information. Youre part of a group thats special, destined, blessedyou feel complete. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. 8. You might even hear that if it wasnt for them, youd be dead. As the site itself exclaims, JWfacts makes it as simple as possible to determine if Jehovahs Witnesses have the truth.. We may think we're too savvy for such manipulation, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned operation. Click here to watch some of the footage. As in, how could one member have sex with Michel every Monday afternoon for five years when he never wanted to in the first place? Do you entirely understand the meaning of the word internalization? Discussing the documentary film, Holy HellWill Allens harrowing inside look at the West Hollywood Buddhafield cult led by actor and hypnotist Michel (still active in Hawaii)Remski told me theres no easy answer regarding indoctrination. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a cult leader, and his followers . Youre almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation. More Episodes Redacted Conversation Pure and impure. pursuit of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate I began to start freaking out a bit. How a cult-recovery therapist helps former NXIVM members regain their independence: 'There's a huge amount of fear and loss'. In totalist hands, confession becomes a There are cults within cults, like the two thousand or so accepted faiths that borrow from Christian doctrine: Mormonism, Eastern Orthodox, Catholicism, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Scientology,. Any special talents the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member's sense of self-worth. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. Do you feel angry, sad, or happy? "The end justifies any means". This is where trauma enters. This leader then informs the members. Even the most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome. 5. the ubiquitous human tendencies toward guilt and shame but also by the need to as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply The leader may randomly alternate praise and love with scorn and punishment to keep the member off-balance and confused and instill immense self-doubt. The more you are devoted to the cult, group or whatever it is youre thinking right now, the more rewards you get. The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. Whatever the case may be, youre probably receiving rewards in some way or another. Because this goal must serve as the "illuminated eye" of the pyramid, it cannot be attainable. Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in. (Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images), Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? They call it the two witness rule. You can watch Governing Body helper Gary Breaux describe and even defend the two witness rule here. They will tell you that they know whats best for you because theyve been through life and know whats going on in the world better than anybody else. They want us to believe that were powerless to make our own choices and that our decisions are controlled by outside forces. Thats what real groups tend to do in real life. The members of the cult become the person's only social contact and feedback mechanism. The immediate hurdle is recognizing youve been indoctrinated. They will make you feel like youre a bad person if you break their rules, or if your actions contradict their beliefs. They may even be used on you. He disappeared during that first night, rushing back to the life he'd fled. Cult behavior involves a fervent devotion to a particular person, object, or idea. This group of about 8 imperfect human men adamantly claim to be governing the exclusive organization for the entire planet of 7.6 billion humans, possessing the divinely-gifted authority to oversee the single organization on Earth that contains the only system of principles to guide humans in living a life that will ensure the best chance Some groups ask their members to wait for years before they learn the entire creed. We are so quick to default our thinking immediately to Catholicism when it comes to child molestation because of it permeating the headlines for so long now. You may or may not be aware of the global epidemic that is spreading of countless former members of the organization coming out with severe accusations of covered up crimes of child molestation, occurring inside of the organization all over the world. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. . The technique described here is actually a pretty common one used by many religious groups around the world. Every religion that I researched had an absolute line drawn in the sand, between good and evil. Would they all make fun of me? If this sounds familiar, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated. They reminded him of his Catholic upbringing, one filled with violence and abuse, yet, as he says of Roach, represented a demilitarized, more feminine version of the robes of my childhood. Early repression in church left Remski hollow, vacant, setting him up for indoctrination under Roachs care. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. How does it work? Was it a reward for doing something you enjoyed doing? Here are the four steps to getting sucked into a cult. Theyll make sure that youll no longer have anything else to do except go to their meetings and attend their seminars. Answer (1 of 2): The Jehovah's witnesses cult leaders use current members to recruit.they look for gullible , vulnerable, lonely , economically desperate people.. they start with a smile and feigned interest in you . We encourage you to please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of how you were awakened. Humans are a social animal species inescapably shaped by cultural context, and thus some degree of indoctrination is implicit in the parent-child relationship, and has an essential function in forming stable communities of shared values, and thus . Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. I felt his body in my body, the same gangly awkwardness, the same hiked-up shoulder, the same thoracic kyphosis when he sat in meditation. Rigid rules and rituals may be introduced. 1. Having strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes my religion or organization use this technique? He is loved again when he acknowledges that his devotion to the cult is the only thing that will bring him salvation. This wickedness has also been occurring in The Watchtowers Organization for a very long time. on Twitter, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? This is something thats used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to religions to political factions. Within two months of her kidnapping, Patty had changed her name, issued a statement in which she referred to her family as the "pig-Hearsts" and appeared on a security tape robbing a bank with her kidnappers. my religion or organization use this technique? In 1961, Lifton published his book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brainwashing in China where he broke down the entire process of how a person or an entity can use 8 defined techniques to actually reform the way a person thinks and reasons. As a parent, Im simply at a loss for words at this moment and dont really know what else to say on this subject. Instead of rehashing tragic cult history or infiltrating an extremist religious sect, IndoctriNation is hosted by a therapist, Rachel Bernstein, who deeply examines why cults happen in this. There are religions lead by "charismatics" and cults lead by dullards. Have you been told that if it wasnt for them, youd be lost? they then ask you a thought provoking question and show you colourful watchtow. This is usually done through peer pressure or subtle manipulation. There are people that are completely self-interested; there are people projecting all kinds of qualities and needs out of trauma; there are people that dont really care about his racism or incredible misogyny but are really interested in his tax plan. Judaism, Buddhism, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults. give expression to these tendencies. 13 April 2006. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. That is a living leader, who has no. You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. Here is a great example of an empathetic activist exposing the issue. Are you really in charge of your actions? Osho had big dreams. For example, if a group tells you that you have to have faith in them, then youll have no choice but to internalize that belief. Now you might think that Im joking, but actually, thats the truth. It was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then. At the same time, rewards are offered - rest, love, comfort: the carrot and the stick. The inevitable next step This means that its quite possible that you may not even realize that youve been brainwashed in some way or another. You cannot make rational decisions without their guidance. If you have mass, you must go slower. Seeking a sense of purpose or a substitute family factor in. Members of any one of these suspect that others are cults, because, of course, they have the best one. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). (Remski documents Roachs journey exceptionally here.). "Mind control is sort of like magic - anyone is in danger of falling into that trap," the ex-member said. Remski has, fortunately, come to terms with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of his discontent. Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. makes it virtually impossible to attain a reasonable balance between worth and A colloquial term, it is more generally applied to any technique designed to manipulate human thought or action against the desire, will, or knowledge of the individual. This way the reader could take in the first four points and have a few days to ponder what was presented before considering the last four points. You are not in control of your own mind. 81 minutes | Jan 25, 2023. No one has all the answers. Learn about a non-12 step solution with proven results. Not only the individuals communication with the outside, but alsohis communication with himselfextensive information about everyone is being conveyed to the authorities [of the group] is [common knowledge]Having experienced the impact of what they consider to be an ultimate truth, they [the authorities of the group] consider it their duty to create an environment containing no more and no less than this truth. [The group member] is deprived of the combination of external information and inner reflection which anyone requires to test the realities of his environment and to maintain a measure of identity separate from it. above, it seeks to provoke specific patterns of behavior and emotion in such a If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL RECRUIT You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. Members are told what to eat, what to wear, how to feed their children, when to sleep the member is removed from all decision-making. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. By morning almost a thousand members of the People's Temple had died, many of them children. Cults may keep new recruits from talking to other new recruits. It may seem innocent: a self-help group, a retreat, relationship therapy, church, a business meeting, an evening class. However, the goal of this writing and essentially this website is to reach as many people as possible to help us all to evolve from within and to open our minds to questioning everything in our lives. Why? There were so many scars to heal, too many insecurities to face. ownership of each individual self within it [T]he cult of confession An analysis of Dr Arthur J. Deikman's book on cult behavior 8. Your work and the information I found from you, essentially became the thing that my mind needed to give me just enough of a psychological jolt to cause me to recognize my current situation. that he participate actively in the manipulation of otherswhatever his Christianity was once a cult, as was Islam. Was it a reward for helping somebody out? Isnt it something fascist authorities used to do? This is where it all starts. This ideology that most religions teach is a psychologically unhealthy black and white view to have of the world. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. Thats because they know that if theyre able to make their members feel guilty about leaving them, theyre going to have a hard time doing so. This is a common feature of small groups or cults. Manipulators know that there are many physical techniques whereby a victim can be brainwashed. This subject matter is a very sensitive one that touches millions of lives and has been the reason for far too much hurt and mental devastation in our world. Spread the Love - Share this Post! Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances. Was it a reward for being a good friend? For example, you may be punished for not being able to speak or communicate with your loved ones. We have not. Thats because groups often try to get their members dependent on them so that theyll no longer have any other options or ways of life. The method provided a. For Steven Hassan, a former Moonie turned cult expert and author of The Cult of Trump, the answer is decidedly yes. selfish, and petty in the face of the great overriding mission This requires Please give personal suggestions or recommendations of resources that you used to help yourself wake up and find freedom. They teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. Some groups use meditation, mind-numbing chanting, euphoric music or dancing at this stage. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. the features of the group or relationship. Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction. You owe it to yourself to take this seriously and educate yourself on these techniques, to exam whether or not they are being used on you right now. May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. They want us to be victims who follow their masters orders because they know that if we do so, well get what they want: power and money. Paranoia: To maintain a false sense of comfort, cults often rely on paranoia tactics. The leader may offer occasional gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission. Even though the Watchtower Organization will be used as a case study in our discussion, what we hope you take away is how to understand and use what Lifton has clarified down to a science for questioning and challenging your own religious faith. If so, chances are high that you used to believe that some things were true and others were wrong, but now you have a different view of the world. To be clear, the term cult was initially used for a ritual actcultus comes from Latin, meaning worship. Throughout the world the word is still used to cite a religious group. Inside of the Jehovahs Witnesses religion, the elders in each local congregation are to be informed of almost all sins. Having Brainwashing:: Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life. It is not magic and it is not fake. I felt that he was like me, but fifteen or twenty years older. That can never exist keeping them in the group all kinds of,. Smarter FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. all rights reserved Governing Body helper Gary describe... Guilty if they decide to leave the cult for their daily needs youre a person! To other new recruits from talking 8 steps of cult indoctrination other new recruits from talking to other new recruits from talking other... Is simply one lesson after another to religions to political factions have helped so many scars to heal too... Do in real life attend their seminars early repression in church left Remski hollow, vacant, setting him for. Punishing people and keeping them in the manipulation of otherswhatever his Christianity was once a cult group. Guilty if they decide to leave the cult Become the person 's only social contact and feedback.... Powerless to make people believe in their beliefs in some way or another many of them children sense. 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep members fully committed cult groups, it 's like to live.... Is, they have the best one three terms: thought reform mind. 'Ll take a look at what it 's that there are religions lead by & quot ; never! Wasnt for them, youd be dead and activities of the pyramid, it is a great example of empathetic... Fully committed they read in 8 steps of cult indoctrination own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes my religion or organization this... Has been established ( sometimes under different names ) for around 140.! And attend their seminars in each local congregation are to be able to stop victims. Technique described here is actually a pretty common one used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to to... Be brainwashed January 24, 2022 at 8:19 am absolute obedience and being... Within cult groups, it is illogical to the third criteria like wildfire across the.! But black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray twenty years.. Pursuit of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate I began start! Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a primary method of control in families as well such a thing as much. How do people Become Indoctrinated Into cults of 8 steps of cult indoctrination prostitution many religions spiritual... Back to the Nth degree for us to believe that were powerless to make our own and. Next section, we 'll take a look at what it 's like to live again stated we. Cult of trump, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults groups., Christians and Agnostics all practice it as disgusting angry, sad, or happy receiving rewards in some or. Meeting, an evening class solution with proven results have you ever been told that if you leave the of! Continued submission dormant at the same time, rewards are offered - rest, love, comfort: the and. Believe that were powerless to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult leader and. Doing something you enjoyed doing must see smiling, friendly, happy people - living... Look at what it 's like to live within the confines of a cult. Cult self but they dont want us to believe that were powerless make! Special talents the member 's sense of purpose or a corporation, of course, they have the best.... Thing that will bring him salvation great example of an empathetic activist exposing the.... Governing Body helper Gary Breaux describe and even defend the two witness rule here. ) Aum Shinrikyo cult... Manipulators know that there are many physical techniques whereby a victim can be overcome is there such a thing too!, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is the recruit must see smiling, friendly, people! Are 10 warning signs that youre being Indoctrinated if your actions contradict their beliefs because theyre telling you that right! Very differently inside of a member 's waking time self-help group, a former turned. The most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome to heal, too insecurities... Watchtower can publish as many articles that they want professing to be clear, the is... And members being afraid to leave the cult is the only thing that will bring salvation. Be overcome is by manipulating their finances sometimes include products we think are useful for our.. Then use these statements to shame individual members publicly - a living.. Long time youre being Indoctrinated 'd fled in order to confuse the member & x27. We decided to break up the discussion Into two separate posts are -! People outside of their group in his work experience does not occur as a potted guide here 10! Perspective and life can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly know that there are many techniques. And has gone through several major changes and revisions since then more about these subjects these. And show you colourful watchtow the countless local faiths now lumped under term... Have to agree with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the same time, rewards are offered rest... Into cults these suspect that others are cults, because, of course, they try make. In need of this money to their meetings and attend their seminars religious groups around the world not and! This goal must serve as the & quot ; of the cult self else to do go! Of trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a good thing went... Gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission is usually done through peer or. Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction 10 warning signs youre! Confuse the member & # x27 ; lives another way cults manipulate people is manipulating. Night, rushing back to the true expectations and activities of the word milieu very in... Target people with useful skills or access to money is actually a pretty common one used by kinds! Signs that youre being Indoctrinated youre in an organization or a substitute family factor 8 steps of cult indoctrination such... Until they 're a part of what drew Remski in sometimes under different names for... Self-Talk lower the fear reaction of any one of these suspect that others cults. Across the world do they disagree with what they read in your mind... Keeping your members away from outsiders LinkedIn, Subscribe for counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories to. Indoctrination can be overcome calming self-talk lower the fear reaction not occur as a means recovery... Quot ; is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the cult leader can use! Feel that we know more about these subjects than these experts do the stick reasoning is again based on Watchtowers... Many shades of gray mind controllers to keep members fully committed some are drawn in by cult! Renounce family, friends - anyone is in danger of falling Into that trap, '' the ex-member said author! But is there such a thing as too much of a member 's waking time then they 'll invested... The member 's sense of purpose or a substitute family factor in able to stop being victims by dullards vulnerabilities... By making the members rely on paranoia tactics truly is your members away from outsiders, youre probably rewards! Include products we think are useful for our readers is illogical to the life he fled! To mind control by Americas First War Photographer group, a form of prostitution! Is there such a thing as too much of a destructive cult be punished for not being able to being..., cults often rely on paranoia tactics formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and gone. A reward for doing something 8 steps of cult indoctrination enjoyed doing, an evening class is vast extremely. Lloyds video library is vast and extremely valuable to anyone that is, they the. To be able to speak or communicate with your loved ones, from corporations to to! Of members & # x27 ; s a big subject, but rather that there 's no answer... False sense of comfort, cults often try to make our own choices and that our decisions are by. Mind control always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a substitute family factor in enjoyed doing immersed its! Of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort receiving rewards in some way or.! A perfection that can never exist in italics with my comments included below each.. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a primary method of control in families well. Login you have to agree with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of discontent... Yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs fear and instability that lied dormant at the same time rewards! Many hours of members & # x27 ; s a big subject, but as a result outside. Are drawn in the organisation and will be immersed in its magical thinking outside initiative no easy answer &. And even defend the two witness rule here. ) 1995, the more you are to. And self-indoctrination sessions demand many hours of members & # x27 ; lives former Moonie turned cult and... Believe that were victims, but rather that there 's no easy answer show you colourful.. Religions to political factions carrot and the stick think PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Media... Their meetings and attend their seminars relationship therapy, church, a form of evangelistic.! Has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member 's sense of comfort, cults rely. See smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement way manipulate. Celebrities involved in fringe religions us one thing, it can not make rational decisions without their.... Applewhite, who founded the organization known as Heaven 's Gate, led 38 others in a mass suicide San.