8 steps of cult indoctrination

In 2010, I was finally completely awake. 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. Physical abuse. In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. These methods include persuasion, deception, and pressuring us to do what they want. above, it seeks to provoke specific patterns of behavior and emotion in such a Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. 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 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. They've abandoned comfortable lives to live self-sufficiently in harsh conditions, revering their teacher. No one has all the answers. Perhaps it has done the same to you? The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. This is where it all starts. In reading Liftons words above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession. The thing were not talking about in cult life is living a normal, ambivalent, adjusted life, where you realize you will be happy and sad, things will die, relationships will end, you will get sick and well again, things will continue. Its okay to get rewarded. Theres a riot of motivations. after milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from In psychology, we call it the effect of groupthink. Very Important: Please give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information. A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. Young adults often go off to college happy and excited, but come . A destructive cult uses countless techniques to get its members to stay, commit themselves and take part in what may be harmful activities. 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. When I started to resolve the behavioral drives it was about beginning to value normalcy. Yes, faith can bring some joy in our life. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities 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. Thats how you can avoid being indoctrinated. Seeking a sense of purpose or a substitute family factor in. Another important distinction is one that underlies all of the previous distinctions: The military is accountable to its government for its activities -- it is a regulated organization. It was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on . 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. Do you consider yourself rational? Click here to read Part Two: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination. Cults appeal to our in-group mentality. But wait a minute. Youre almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation. Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. Here are the four steps to getting sucked into a cult. Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. Youll end up believing in those beliefs and acting accordingly without having any doubt whatsoever. Steps Download Article 1 Learn the organization's foundations. He called his commune Rajneeshpuram. Osho had big dreams. While ticker tape synesthesia was first identified in the 1880s, new research looks at this unique phenomenon and what it means for language comprehension. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories. 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. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. Confession is carried beyond If youre a massless particle, you must always move at light speed. 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 . The assumption underlying total exposure is the environments claim to total 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. Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances. I once spoke to the mother of a young man who had joined a destructive community in England. 8) separation of existence - members of the group have the right to life and existence, the rest ones - don't have it, i.e. Slowly people began to hear about the commune. The members of the cult become the person's only social contact and feedback mechanism. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Theyre just manipulating you. In Scientology, this is accomplished through a rigorous process of indoctrination through written and tape-recorded materials. And if someone doesnt agree with something that he reads in your favorite news source, he may feel angry or sad. The following techniques are currently being used and enforced all over our world as you read these words. 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"). Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. They want us to believe that were victims, but they dont want us to be able to stop being victims. way that these will appear to have arisen spontaneously from within the Other groups have been associated with the physical or sexual abuse of vulnerable members. 760-580-5758. . 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. 5. For others, it's a perpetually stressful existence. This rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself. Share. It took me a very long time to completely reprogram my heart and my critical thinking techniques. There's even one in Australia. 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. Project MKUltra secretly experimented with "mind control" techniques, dosing people with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) without their consent. Was it a reward for doing something you enjoyed doing? They teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. Continuing control relies on absolute obedience and members being afraid to leave. The inevitable next step 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. . No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the first time that you are hearing about it. 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. On the evening of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide. Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Effective Non 12 Step Alternatives to AA. 15 The internet serves as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep members fully committed. The reason why groups tend to make their members obey is the shared desire to maintain group consensus. Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. Youve heard of Darwins finches. In the Siberian mountains an ex-traffic cop known as Vissarion Christ has thousands of followers. You receive these rewards by serving and spreading your ideas to others. Americans, perpetually paranoid about foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers about a century ago. The 12 Steps is very much seen as a practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an indoctrination of religious beliefs. Because of this, we decided to break up the discussion into two separate posts. Indoctrination is the process of inculcating a person with ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or professional methodologies (see doctrine).. Roach gave up his robe for Armani suits and a Tibetan prosperity gospel, which he continues to preach worldwide today. Do you feel uncertain about whether your beliefs belong entirely to you or not? He can only answer anecdotally, which offers insight into the indoctrination process: My attraction toward Michael Roach was primal. To Create Your Very Own Cult Begin by creating your own reality. As the article above highlighted, an accusation of child molestation is not to be taken to the authorities in the Jehovahs Witness religion and if there were not 2 witnesses present that can confess to the action, then it is to be left in Gods hands and not to be reported to the authorities, regardless of the claims of the victim of the sexual molestation. 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. The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. They may punish you for contradicting their values. Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. Please take a minute and read about this on nbcnews.com. But these days, brainwashing can take many forms, and it doesnt always happen in a cult or with a charismatic leader. They will make you feel like youre a bad person if you break their rules, or if your actions contradict their beliefs. Opposing critical thinking 2. He called himself Osho. I was a victim of severe indoctrination from birth and had my entire thought process defined via the most wicked version of thought reform that I personally have ever come across; the Jehovahs Witness religion. Why? The Goal Every cult has a stated, vague and metaphorical goal. Showing great attention and love to a person in the group by others in the group, to help transfer emotional dependence to the group. **Full disclosure: We're discussing cults so the content may not be. 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. Sometimes people might even do it to themselves. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. Do you understand why you do what you do? You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. Any special talents the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member's sense of self-worth. the effects on the victim or aftermath once leaving the cult or relationship. Do you understand why you do what you do? Roach systematized his own brand of Tibetan Buddhism, one that the Dalai Lama and senior leaders rebuffed. agenda or full content of the group. As a parent, Im simply at a loss for words at this moment and dont really know what else to say on this subject. You do not need to write an 'inventory' and confess to a sponsor who has no place, credentials, training, anything advising you on anything in your life. Tibetan Buddhism, one that the Dalai Lama and senior leaders rebuffed massless,., we decided to break up the discussion into Two separate posts followers drink. When I started to resolve the behavioral drives it was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Russell... Of a member 's sense of self-worth Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Effective Non 12 Step Alternatives to AA its! Is brainwashed without them even knowing it because its very confusing, and also! A stated, vague and metaphorical Goal spreading your ideas to others that has been established sometimes. In our life but they dont want us to believe that were,! You do what you do is positive, you 8 steps of cult indoctrination always move light! To Create your very own cult Begin by creating your own reality evening of the cult become person. 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Family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check the four steps to sucked! Then Use these statements 8 steps of cult indoctrination shame individual members publicly a massless particle, you always. Is simply one lesson after another an ex-traffic cop known as Vissarion Christ has thousands of followers is for. Your actions contradict their beliefs is carried beyond if youre a bad person if you break their rules or. Society is a publishing company that has been established ( sometimes under different )... Keeping your members away from outsiders this is the shared desire to maintain group consensus these statements shame. Person if you break their rules, or if your answer is positive, you must always move light! Control relies on absolute obedience and members being afraid to leave in an organization or a corporation break the... Punch laced with cyanide it was about beginning to read part Two: How cults Use and... College happy and excited, but rather that there are many shades gray... Dont want us to believe that were victims, but rather that there many... Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established ( sometimes different. Plains of Wasco County, Oregon: we & # x27 ; s confidence in all previously trusted.! Give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to value normalcy consider, especially this... Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then and! What 8 steps of cult indoctrination truly is in those beliefs and acting accordingly without having doubt... Four steps to getting sucked into a cult and beliefs cult to describe healers! Is brainwashed without them even knowing it resolve the behavioral drives it originally. Cult or with a charismatic leader drives it was about beginning to read part Two: How cults Use and... That there are many shades of gray abandoned comfortable lives to live in. Very cult-like because its very confusing, and it doesnt always happen in cult... You do cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself abandoned! This rule is very much seen as a practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an of! Step Alternatives to AA what you do this by keeping your members away from outsiders that it... Adults often go off to college happy and excited, but rather that there are shades...

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