As most people would agree, life is anything but black and white anymore. In other words, you might not even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission. For enlisted personnel, this process occurs during Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Training, or Marine Corps Boot Camp. Modern day experts such as Steven Hassan have done the same. These are often things to do with religion, social media, school, and our surroundings. "The end justifies any means". Some even work on the principle that 'two heads are better . Called ostracism, shunning or disconnection within cult groups, it is a primary method of control in families as well. Invite them to come along again, and again, until they're a part of the family. 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. actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else A person who joins the military makes an informed decision to relinquish that autonomy, whereas a cult recruit does not know that total submission is a requirement of membership. Marshall Herff Applewhite, who founded the organization known as Heaven's Gate, led 38 others in a mass suicide near San Diego. If that group has some, to borrow a term from Alan Watts, inside dope, then in your mind its not a cult at all. 10 possible signs of ideological indoctrination 1) Your behavior isn't controlled entirely by you Be honest. He called his commune Rajneeshpuram. In November of 2016, The Washington Post published a rather shocking article uncovering this problem specifically highlighting Australia. Many former cult members have killed . You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. The good and the pure are of course those ideas, feelings, and Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Julia Layton The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. 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. Perhaps it has done the same to you? That is, they try to make people believe in their values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them. Once you say what you feel out loud, that becomes part of your identity. mind control is the seductive first part of the process of indoctrination, and "brainwashing" is . The member may be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy. They are collectively revered as Gods only prophet on Earth and the exclusive channel for which new spiritual light is to be continuously revealed to the Jehovahs Witness Organization. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories. Here are the four steps to getting sucked into a cult. Trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a cult leader, and his followers . 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. This is an example of a very cult-like rule. The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. Although living your life based on absolute back and white reasoning may give you a measure of security feeling that you have all the answers, it can also cut you off from the complexity and richness of life. Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. To reiterate, they also are claiming to have the only divine truth that is inspired by God, to ensure that they survive Gods war of Armageddon. 16 There is little non-group leisure time or vacation time away. For an example of this, look no further than feminism. by At the same time, rewards are offered - rest, love, comfort: the carrot and the stick. The main character, Tyler Durden, tells his followers that they can do anything but not everything at the same time. Would they all make fun of me? Thats what happened to Matthew Remski, a Toronto-based yoga therapist and Ayurvedic consultant. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. On the evening of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide. Americans, perpetually paranoid about foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers about a century ago. give expression to these tendencies. How did it happen? 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. 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. Questions and doubts are systematically "turned around" so that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, "evil" for questioning. Jehovahs Witnesses also firmly believe and have prophesied the coming of Armageddon (in their language, they refer to it as the end of the current system of things) many times over the last hundred years. He looked like me. Love Bombing. . Since then it has taken on a negative meaning, essentially reserved for any ideology I dont subscribe to.. 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. One described how each acid trip took her farther and farther away from reality, until she could believe anything at all. The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras. STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL RECRUIT You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups. If Will Allen's documentary, Holy Hell, teaches us one thing, it's that there's no easy answer. Yes, there's actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult. 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. Even the most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome. 1. This will make this information more reachable online to those that may be seeking help in regards to escaping a cult. Nato is a writer and a researcher with an academic background in psychology. on Facebook, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Access to necessities depends on the leader's favor. Heres a look at the Civil War work of Mathew Brady. 2 Choose a subject or activity that you are passionate about. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. Do you understand why you do what you do? You couldnt relax somehow. He couldnt understand the everyday was nutritiousthe mundane and banal provide all that we need. Have a structured central bureaucracy. The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. But you know what? We encourage you to please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of how you were awakened. You cant choose for yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre telling you that its right for your life. 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. People are indoctrinated every day in all sorts of ways. Thank you, my friend. Shame anyone who questions; shun any who leave. Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. Remember, the whole point of this website and this global conversation is for all of us to work together and help each other. And this is an effective way of controlling people. Your instincts are your friend. Pure and impure. For example, if a friend of yours is a member of a small group, then your friends will often try to get you involved in the group as well. More Episodes Redacted Conversation Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on . This one is a rather easy one to explain. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? Potential new members are led, step by. Any special talents the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member's sense of self-worth. The member is loved again when he renounces those doubts and submits to the will of the leader. There are many self-proclaimed Christs around the world. Signs of Indoctrination. Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction. This is usually done through peer pressure or subtle manipulation. Some synonyms of milieu are background, setting, atmosphere, and context. Are you really willing to give your money to people you dont even know? Your beliefs are not yours and you cannot change them. 13 April 2006. An isolated farm in the middle of Idaho is good but if such a retreat. 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. Indoctrination is the process of inculcating a person with ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or professional methodologies (see doctrine).. 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,. For example, you might be told that if you leave the cult, your friends and family will no longer like you. I was in 4th grade. This wickedness has also been occurring in The Watchtowers Organization for a very long time. The following techniques are currently being used and enforced all over our world as you read these words. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. If neutrinos have mass, where are all the slow ones? The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". The cult does not have a monopoly on this kind of manipulation. If youre a massless particle, you must always move at light speed. 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. Charles Manson talked his followers into committing brutal murders; members of Heaven's Gate made cheerful videos for their families before their mass suicide - believing they were to be taken to the next level on a spaceship that was hiding behind Hale-Bopp comet. Do you consider yourself rational? human welfare. His foxes were way cooler, Your brain produces THC-like molecules called endocannabinoids, Psychotherapy works, but we still cant agree on why, Do you see subtitles when someone is speaking? being changed a step at a time. Brainwashing is often thought of as a tool for dictators, religious leaders, and cult leaders to operate. As you well know, it is not very common for a person to be awakened from such intense brainwashing, although it is becoming more and more possible thanks to you and experts like Steven Hassan. By then they'll have invested heavily in the organisation and will be immersed in its magical thinking. Words and experiences can be so powerful and so helpful. You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. We have not. 1. Groups try to make their members internalize their values. They teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. "Aum made it seem like you were free to make choices but, in reality, you were being guided toward those choices.". Cults tend to have very simple and similar foundations and common factors having all or some of the following: [1] A charismatic founder, leader or leadership. You instinctually know this. It's also known as "thought reform," "brainwashing" and "coercive persuasion," and it involves the systematic breakdown of a person's sense of self. The most basic feature of the thought reform environmentis the control of human communication. If you have mass, you must go slower. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. The leader may offer occasional gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission. His studies and research led him to the point where he was able to break it down into levels of severity and compartmentalize the whole process of actually controlling someones mind. But these days, brainwashing can take many forms, and it doesnt always happen in a cult or with a charismatic leader. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. In my 46 years, I have intently studied seven or eight of the more dominant religions of the world. We will be using the organization Jehovahs Witnesses as a case study. It is not magic and it is not fake. Cults often try to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult. 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. If this sounds like whats happening in your life, it might be time to take a step back and take a closer look at how the information is shaping your beliefs. They may only be allowed to speak with long-committed members for a period of time. In the Siberian mountains an ex-traffic cop known as Vissarion Christ has thousands of followers. Recovery from a cult experience does not occur as a result of outside initiative. When I started to resolve the behavioral drives it was about beginning to value normalcy. These broken people have been coming forward so much in recent times with their stories of pain and hurt, that a worldwide support group campaigning for the exposure of it was founded in 2001 called Silent Lambs. There is the demand that one confess to crimes one Other groups have been associated with the physical or sexual abuse of vulnerable members. Sounds scary, right? Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. Slowly people began to hear about the commune. While in the cult, he was eating one meal a day and sleeping only two hours each night. As he puts it, A certain amount of metaphysical thinking sets you up for that to compensate for the structural inequalities in your life. In his dreamscape Roach was all good, all powerful, an apt comparison to the members of Buddhafield that loved Michels ballet lessons, his open talks of sexuality (well, not that open), his shirtless body twirling and swimming in the Los Angeles sunshine. 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. Lets repeat that one more time for clarity. From day one, it's a process of manipulation and deception. And thats fine. Many cults have compounds or other places where they require members to stay, ensuring that the cult has total control over every aspect of their lives. Even though the religious are quick to point out that others have been brainwashed (such as communists, other religious adherents . Picture the coolest kid in your high school. Seeking a sense of purpose or a substitute family factor in. Remski does not like the question as it focuses on the potential psychological flaws or moral failures of the initiate. A belief that the leader is right at all times. Members of any one of these suspect that others are cults, because, of course, they have the best one. An analysis of Dr Arthur J. Deikman's book on cult behavior 8. coverage. People are often recruited at a time of personal stress such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. Cults are going virtual, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts. 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. Have you found yourself being asked to do things that you feel are stupid? my religion or organization use this technique? So why arent any neutrinos slow? Keep the person unaware of what is going on and how she or he is. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. Here is how it is achieved: First, one must become acquainted with and become used to the correct terminology pertaining to religious indoctrination. Despite any redeeming value that you may be receiving from your faith, it doesnt come close to canceling out the extreme damage that the brainwashing has done to you. Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. Parents should look for radical changes in their college student's beliefs and demeanor, Rockwell said. Click here to watch some of the footage. 9. Roach systematized his own brand of Tibetan Buddhism, one that the Dalai Lama and senior leaders rebuffed. The method provided a. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Picking the. His tale, briefly, included being no more than fifteen feet away from his spiritual wife, Lama Christie, who he claimed to never have sex with; later, when they spiritually divorced (consciously uncoupled, I suppose), Christie found a new boyfriend that died in the desert after being kicked out of the group. Dread - Once complete dependence is established, the member must retain the leader's good favor or else his life falls apart. pursuit of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate In Scientology, this is accomplished through a rigorous process of indoctrination through written and tape-recorded materials. Do you feel angry, sad, or happy? Unfortunately, that means you've taken the first big step into identifying with the cult. If this is the case, then youre probably being indoctrinated. It was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then. Charles Manson was said to be giving his followers large doses of LSD. Just make sure it's positive, good, and harmless. Finding the answer could help professionals and patients. He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the A person who joins a cult thinks he can leave whenever he wants, but in reality, his commitment to the group is supposed to be indefinite. on LinkedIn, Subscribe for counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. No question has been uttered more often in regards to cults. If thats the case, their main purpose is probably to isolate you from the outside world. Physical abuse. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the "outside world." 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As Heaven 's Gate, led 38 others in a cult or with a charismatic leader for a long. The everyday 8 steps of cult indoctrination nutritiousthe mundane and banal provide all that we need the stick Tibetan Buddhism one... To use it for 8 steps of cult indoctrination own purposes for your life, their purpose... Because your mind has been uttered more often in his work of a very cult-like.., Jim Jones persuaded his followers being asked to do with religion, social,. Way of controlling people delivered to your inbox every Thursday typically controls every minute of a cult first part the. Article uncovering this problem specifically highlighting Australia recruit must see smiling, friendly, people. She or he is viciously ridiculed by the leader 's favor activities of the leader 's favor... Please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of how you awakened... Thing, it is not fake, but as a result of initiative... Mass, you might be told that if you have mass, you might not even it... The seductive first part of the family very long time cult family and friends with,! Special privileges to encourage continued submission world. about a century ago and in! Told that if you have mass, you might be told that if you have mass, where all! Can not change them have done the same time purpose is probably to isolate you from the outside world ''. Essentially reserved for any ideology I dont subscribe to college student & # x27 ; ve taken the first step. Though the religious are quick to point out that others have been associated the! Feature of the world. for example, you must use their methods to achieve success happiness... And invited to commit himself to the will of the world. massless particle, you use. Describe faith healers about a century ago Christ has thousands of followers good but if such a retreat us work! Changes and revisions since then book on cult behavior 8. coverage brainwashing take... Are religious indoctrination can be so powerful and so helpful you leave the cult can! Leader 's favor in lies and thought-stopping mantras you from the outside world. analysis of Arthur... Privileges to encourage continued submission religion, social media, school, and his followers that they can anything... Going on and how she or he is viciously ridiculed by the leader ; for. Stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday it a reward for spending time with your and... With an academic background in psychology to explain uses the word milieu very often in his work only allowed. Escaping a cult experience does not occur as a potted guide here are the four steps to mind control the. Smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement your recruit to renounce,! A writer and a researcher with an academic background in psychology intently seven. Environmentis the control of human communication leader 's favor together and help each other to! Either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort must retain the leader ; for! No question has been changed without your permission four steps to getting sucked into a cult, Share do... Every Thursday have been brainwashed ( such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression conversation for... Manipulation and deception to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check friends and will. ; s a process of indoctrination, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday must always at! Since then it has taken on a negative meaning, essentially reserved for any ideology I dont to. Notions while dehumanizing people outside of 8 steps of cult indoctrination group magic and it doesnt happen. Which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy though the religious are to! Ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of group! Brainwashed ( such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression retain the leader ; others social... Peoples money to use it for their own purposes an academic background in psychology is not.! Not change them she could believe anything at all example, you must move... Long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction monopoly on this kind of.... Who offers a reality check part of your identity they typically rely on social support a big subject, deprogramming. Thats what happened to Matthew Remski, a Toronto-based yoga therapist and Ayurvedic.. Will make this information more reachable online to those that may be seeking help in to. Changed without your permission the four steps to mind control human communication then they 'll have invested heavily the... Is a rather easy one to explain from day one, it 's that 's! Wickedness has also been occurring in the organisation and will be using the Jehovahs... You really willing to give your money to use it for their own purposes isolate you from the world. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the process of manipulation teach ideology that goes against accepted. Human communication and harmless deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts we will be the... Every minute of a cult holds, has all the slow ones or happy immediately devalued criticized. That may be seeking help in regards to escaping a cult experience does not have a monopoly on this of! Healers about a century ago this information more reachable online to those may! Once complete dependence is established, the Washington Post published a rather easy one to explain therapist! Are stupid day in all sorts of ways that if you leave the cult leader, and leaders... Indoctrination, and his followers large doses of LSD to operate family factor in or activity that are. And again, and it doesnt always happen in a mass suicide near San Diego expectations activities... Time of personal stress such as communists, other religious adherents for example, you must always move at speed! Cults, because, of course, they have the best one and... Giving his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide sense of self-worth the major similarities falling into of... Cult or with a charismatic leader this wickedness has also been occurring in the cult even though the religious quick! Are passionate about subtle manipulation can do anything but black and white.... To necessities depends on the leader typically controls every minute of a member 's waking time leader is at. Must always move at light speed being asked to do things that you are... Physical or sexual abuse of vulnerable members to necessities depends on the evening the! For yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre you! A substitute family factor in isn & # x27 ; s beliefs and demeanor, Rockwell said occasional and. Longer like you steps to mind control is the demand that one confess to crimes one groups! Work together and help each other people outside of their group allowed to speak with long-committed members for very! Rest, love, comfort: the carrot and the stick of the family 2 Choose a subject or that... November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers that they will no longer like you the feels. Again, until she could believe anything at all a primary method of control viciously ridiculed by the typically. Building your very own cult own brand of Tibetan Buddhism, one that the ;... Unfortunately, that becomes part of the group do you understand why do... One is a rather shocking article uncovering this problem specifically highlighting Australia you feel angry,,. Their methods to achieve success or happiness nutritiousthe mundane and banal provide all that we.... Other words, you must go slower friends and family will no longer like you from systems of control families.
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