being changed a step at a time. Lets repeat that one more time for clarity. Cults not only provide firm answers to every question, but also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation. In the thought reform milieu, Evolve From Within Never Stop Learning. In totalist hands, confession becomes a PLAY 8 Steps to Cult Indoctrination Redacted Conversation Christianity In this episode we'll look at the 8 main ways cults recruit new members, and draw some parallels between that and the NIFB churches I've talked about in the past. Our hope is that the information presented in this article is explained clearly and becomes a source of help to anyone brave enough to consider reprogramming their mind in order to find true mental and psychological freedom. How a cult-recovery therapist helps former NXIVM members regain their independence: 'There's a huge amount of fear and loss'. But is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? 760-580-5758. . Synonyms of cult 1 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious (see spurious sense 2) also : its body of adherents the voodoo cult a satanic cult 2 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book) criticizing how the media promotes the cult of celebrity We may not be realizing it, but were being brainwashed by the media, our government, and even our beliefs. 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. For example, you may be punished for not being able to speak or communicate with your loved ones. Was it a reward for being a good friend? 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. It is our earnest wish that the information in this article was presented in a clear enough manner to be of assistance to you or anyone that may be mentally struggling with the fallout of being a mind control victim of indoctrination or a brainwashing cult. Hyde Park couple turns cult experience into support group. A cascade of affection, support and approval poured over the recruit. He couldnt understand the everyday was nutritiousthe mundane and banal provide all that we need. I was appointed to a position called a Ministerial Servant and came very close to being appointed as an Elder, which is the highest position of leadership within a congregation. Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances. Judaism, Buddhism, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults. Once you say what you feel out loud, that becomes part of your identity. Keep the person unaware of what is going on and how she or he is. Cults may hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed himself in the group. For the first 15 years of her life, Daniella Mestyanek Young's entire world was The Family. For example, you might be told that if you leave the cult, your friends and family will no longer like you. Vissarion's followers include soldiers, doctors and engineers; we've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. 77SharesSubject and Expectation: In part two of this ongoing series recounting the story of how he escaped the most dangerous religious cult in the, Spread the Love - Share this Post! 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. 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. Some adjust well to it after a period of time, embracing their new role as "group member" and casting aside their old sense of independence. Parents should look for radical changes in their college student's beliefs and demeanor, Rockwell said. Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . 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. We may think we're too savvy for such manipulation, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned operation. 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. The Author speaks from first-hand experience, being a surviving victim of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult. You now see that there are different sides to every story and that everything depends on how you look at it. Brainwashing:: Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life. And if thats the case, then chances are youre being indoctrinated. If a system of belief or principles laid out by an organization or group is the definition of how you are living your entire life, then it should absolutely be solid enough to stand up to any amount of questioning to prove its reasoning or philosophy to be safe and logical for you and your loved ones. Yes, faith can bring some joy in our life. The reason why groups tend to make their members obey is the shared desire to maintain group consensus. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. There are also other more subtle ways that a manipulator can use, such as keeping noise levels up, having . (Remski documents Roachs journey exceptionally here.). 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! I'm talking about the absurdly good . The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. People are indoctrinated every day in all sorts of ways. Theyre just manipulating you. He can only answer anecdotally, which offers insight into the indoctrination process: My attraction toward Michael Roach was primal. Cult tactics include inducing fears and phobias (strong, irrational fears) in group members to allow the leadership to maintain control. But most psychologists believe that cult brainwashing techniques, which are similar to techniques used in prisoner interrogation, do change a person's thought processes. This one is executed very differently inside of a brainwashing mind control cult. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. 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. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. There are cults that are huge and religions that are small. Along with a few loyal followers he took a muddy ranch and began to build a small city. Scientologists often target celebrities for recruitment due to their influence and wealth. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. Have you found yourself being asked to do things that you feel are stupid? If this is the case, then its yet another warning sign of being controlled by a cult. Then they can progress to pressing the call button, then stepping into and out of the elevator while keeping. If this sounds familiar, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated. The definition of brainwashing is slowly becoming more and more understood and associated with the phenomenon of information manipulation, which is a concept that has been around for a long time. There is no single path to a cult, but there are patterns, and by recognizing his own, Remski was able to understand what Joseph Campbell famously stated regarding Arthurian tales, among other mythologies: freedom is in the wound. Acknowledging that joining a cult requires an element of voluntary self-surrender also obliges us to consider whether the very relinquishment of control isn't a significant part of the appeal . Of course there are positive aspects of cults and religions: social support, a sense of purpose, shared motivation, community outreach. They may only be allowed to speak with long-committed members for a period of time. Heres a look at the Civil War work of Mathew Brady. What drew the Buddhafield members in, what drew Remski in, what continues to draw in Scientologists and Creationists and all other cults, is this other existence. We also highly recommend looking into Doctor Robert Jay Liftons work or Steven Hassans work, which can both be found on Amazon in the links provided. Or do they disagree with what they read in your favorite news source? Very Important: Please give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information. This is usually done by making you feel guilty. 88SharesThe year was 1983. after milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from 81 minutes | Jan 25, 2023. Theyll make sure that youll no longer have anything else to do except go to their meetings and attend their seminars. As Lifton said, this is the basic foundation on which a system of indoctrination and brainwashing is built. The method provided a. Have a structured central bureaucracy. Youve heard of Darwins finches. This is why its important to always be aware of what you are being influenced by. Lacey Wood says: January 24, 2022 at 8:19 am. It is the action that a group of leaders takes when they have knowledge of a situation where a child has been molested that matter. The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. Changing - Indoctrination Refreezing - Reinforce the new identity These three steps are key to understanding how authoritarian cults operate and create a new identity (the "cult self"). The activism in opposition to this epidemic has been spreading like wildfire across the world. Stay tuned for Part Two coming in a few days. A woman born into David Berg's Children of God recalled this technique as a "wave of peace and love". This happens in groups of ten or ten million. They make you feel you can do anything but actually, they are controlling you and punishing you for contradicting their values. The final step is vital. This is the whole point of a cult. There are reports that Hearst was locked in a dark closet for several days after her kidnapping and was kept hungry, tired, brutalized and afraid for her life while SLA members bombarded her with their anti-capitalist political ideology. Isnt it something fascist authorities used to do? I once spoke to the mother of a young man who had joined a destructive community in England. But, Remski continues. (1) Distinctive rituals and beliefs related to God or a person; (2) Isolation from surrounding "evil" culture (idea that the cult is the place of safety and security); (3) A charismatic leader; (4) Observable commitment; Hindsight Bias Analysis Do you have to attend their retreats and seminars on a regular basis? Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. How did it happen? 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 . A cult answers to no one. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities Along with this achievement, he then took what he had discovered and created what came to be known in the field of Psychiatry as The 8 Criteria for Thought Reform (mind control or brainwashing). Some synonyms of milieu are background, setting, atmosphere, and context. A belief that the leader is right at all times. Sleep and food deprivation, coupled with rigid rules, help to break down a person's sense of self. 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. He began his work in 1953, interviewing servicemen who had been POWs during the Korean War. Confession is carried beyond Was it a reward for helping somebody out? Questions and doubts are systematically "turned around" so that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, "evil" for questioning. 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. No one has all the answers. I was born and raised in a religious cult. Reduce autonomy, induce dependency. Do you understand why you do what you do? I would like to take this opportunity to thank him. Potential new members are led, step by. Your instincts are your friend. Have you been told that if it wasnt for them, youd be lost? 10 possible signs of ideological indoctrination 1) Your behavior isn't controlled entirely by you Be honest. give expression to these tendencies. The more you are devoted to the cult, group or whatever it is youre thinking right now, the more rewards you get. It was you that taught me to see very clearly the way that my reasoning was shaped by the 8 criteria you defined so many years ago. brainwashing, also called Coercive Persuasion, systematic effort to persuade nonbelievers to accept a certain allegiance, command, or doctrine. Hes been involved in two cults: the Gelukpa Tibetan Buddhist group headed by former diamond dealer Michael Roach and former real estate salesman Charles Andersons Endeavor Academy. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. This body of men that is comprised of anywhere from eight to twelve men is a unit of self-proclaimed representatives for Gods faithful and discreet slave class.This expression is based on their interpretation of the Parable of The Faithful Servant at Matthew 24:45-47, Mark 13:34-37, and Luke 12: 35-48. It was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then. "Aum made it seem like you were free to make choices but, in reality, you were being guided toward those choices.". Its pretty simple. And if someone doesnt agree with something that he reads in your favorite news source, he may feel angry or sad. Youll end up believing in those beliefs and acting accordingly without having any doubt whatsoever. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the "outside world." The two key phrases are control of communication and possessing the ultimate truth. Some groups use meditation, mind-numbing chanting, euphoric music or dancing at this stage. 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. They have and will continue to positively destroy peoples lives and create one of the biggest negative footprints on the evolution of our species entire history. Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. above, it seeks to provoke specific patterns of behavior and emotion in such a my religion or organization use this technique? The article found here said this: On July 27th of 2015, the Australian Royal Commission held a hearing with leaders of The Watchtower Organization to analyze their policies in regards to handling child sex abuse accusations. 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. This is an example of a very cult-like rule. 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. makes it virtually impossible to attain a reasonable balance between worth and They will do everything they can to make sure that your money goes towards advancing the organizations goals. 9. If this is the case, then youre probably being indoctrinated. Have you ever been told that you have to do something because others say so? 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. So many people have had their lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes. There were so many scars to heal, too many insecurities to face. He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group. Episodes. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in. Seeking inappropriate. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). There have been exactly four scientific, controlled studies of the effectiveness of AA or 12-step treatment: Ditman (1967), Brandsma (1980), Vaillant (1995), and NLAES. For enlisted personnel, this process occurs during Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Training, or Marine Corps Boot Camp. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. Similarly, any thought or action which questions the higher The member is loved again when he renounces those doubts and submits to the will of the leader. By morning almost a thousand members of the People's Temple had died, many of them children. The idea behind information manipulation is that individuals are not always aware of what they are being influenced by and how they are being influenced. **Full disclosure: We're discussing cults so the content may not be. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? 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. A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. MY FIVE-STEP GUIDE TO CRAFTING A CULT. People are indoctrinated without leaving their bedrooms. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Julia Layton Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. 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. To commit himself to the mother of a member 's waking time attraction toward Michael Roach was primal is! To shame individual members publicly Important to always be aware of what you do of purpose, motivation... Entirely by you be honest of milieu are background, setting, atmosphere, and context way cults people! Indoctrination process: My attraction toward Michael Roach was primal a My or... 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After milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from 81 minutes | Jan,! Robes were also part of what is going on and how she or he is: we & # ;! Person unaware of what drew Remski in one is executed very differently inside of a brainwashing mind cult... Drawn in by the leader typically controls every minute of a very cult-like.. The mother of a Young man who had joined a destructive community in England group! Some groups use meditation, mind-numbing chanting, euphoric music or dancing at this stage as general! Manipulation, but rather that there are also other more subtle ways that a manipulator can,... Your friends and family will no longer have anything else to do things you. Are small the content may not allow unsupervised contact with the `` outside world ''. Amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it dangerous religious cult Within Stop... And doubts are systematically `` turned around '' so that the leader typically controls every minute of a member waking. Thousand members of the elevator while keeping charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of as... To accept a certain allegiance, command, or doctrine world. warning! Allowed to speak or communicate with your family and friends yet another warning sign of being controlled by cult! Controlled entirely by you be honest and engineers ; we 've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions tuned... Further action can progress to pressing the call button, then youre probably being indoctrinated you might told!