Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. If this is the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or brainwashed. 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. But you know what? A healthy endocannabinoid system is critical to the human bodys immune functions. 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? Judaism, Buddhism, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. I was born and raised in a religious cult. He is loved again when he acknowledges that his devotion to the cult is the only thing that will bring him salvation. Inside of the Jehovahs Witnesses religion, the elders in each local congregation are to be informed of almost all sins. Cult behavior involves a fervent devotion to a particular person, object, or idea. Hyde Park couple turns cult experience into support group. becoming a cult in itself. Usually, group indoctrination and self-indoctrination sessions demand many hours of members' lives. give expression to these tendencies. . Talkspace.com wrote an article discussing how black and white thinking can poison your perspective and life. They may only be allowed to speak with long-committed members for a period of time. Some even work on the principle that 'two heads are better . STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL RECRUIT You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups. "Teens in Religious Cults Develop Dangerous Disease," National Enquirer, October 10,1977; Shapiro, E., "Destructive Cultism," American Family Physician 1975, 15, 80-83. Because of this, we decided to break up the discussion into two separate posts. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. 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. Nato Lagidze 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. Have a structured central bureaucracy. Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. He called himself Osho. Once all ties to the outside world have been cut, the member feels like his only family is the group, and he has nowhere else to go. This makes up their milieu or environment. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). Berg's organisation was also notorious for its use of "flirty fishing", a form of evangelistic prostitution. Now you might think that Im joking, but actually, thats the truth. Physical abuse. 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. Do you believe that what you read is true or that its all made up to make people believe certain things? In addition, we endorse the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. In other words, you might not even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission. This insane reasoning is again based on the Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the 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. In cult recruiting and indoctrination, these techniques include: Deception - Cults trick new recruits into joining the group and committing themselves to a cause or lifestyle they don't fully understand. A woman born into David Berg's Children of God recalled this technique as a "wave of peace and love". Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it as a means of recovery. Some groups ask their members to wait for years before they learn the entire creed. Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. Theyre just manipulating you. T he "real self" is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the cult self. Control the person's social and/or physical environment; especially. That is, they try to make people believe in their values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them. They call it the two witness rule. You can watch Governing Body helper Gary Breaux describe and even defend the two witness rule here. 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. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. 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. A parishioner regularly goes to the confession booth to confess their sins to the Father behind the cold metal divider, gets the assignment of how many Hail Marys to utter that will atone their sins, and the person goes on with their day. Potential new members are led, step by. You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. You couldnt relax somehow. means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for, these vulnerabilities Called ostracism, shunning or disconnection within cult groups, it is a primary method of control in families as well. The member may believe that only group members are "saved," so if he leaves, he will face eternal damnation. 2 Choose a subject or activity that you are passionate about. Questions and doubts are systematically "turned around" so that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, "evil" for questioning. At the time of this writing, Doctor Lifton is still alive and well. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. 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. Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. 211334SharesSubject and Expectation: In this third installment recounting his experiences growing up as a Jehovahs Witness, The Small Town Humanist ventures further into his, Evolve From Within: The Philosophy of Humanism Theory and Atheism, Part Two: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination, Part One: My Inspiring Comeback Story of Escape From the Most Dangerous Religious Cult in the World Jehovahs Witnesses, Part Two: Escape From the Worlds Most Dangerous Cult My Confusing Childhood as One of Jehovahs Witnesses, Part Three: Escape From the Worlds Most Dangerous Cult My Time as a Jehovahs Witness Ministerial Servant and an Introduction to the Three Men That Took My Life, Reason Number One Why Religion is Toxic and Harmful The Business of Religion, How You Can Help to Change the Whole World Be a Better Parent, Part One: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination, Part Five: The Storm Being Removed From the Jehovahs Witness Religion, Reason Number Two Why Religion is Toxic and Harmful Breeds Traumatic Levels of Fear-based Guilt and Shame. 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. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. Or do they disagree with what they read in your favorite news source? 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. Words and experiences can be so powerful and so helpful. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. Sometimes people might even do it to themselves. 81 minutes | Jan 25, 2023. An isolated farm in the middle of Idaho is good but if such a retreat. A security team guards the person for several days, 24 hours a day, while the deprogrammer, former cult members, and family members present information. If you are currently in this religion, or in any other similar organization, you may want to just pause and read that sentence out loud one more time. Cults are going virtual, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Today's guests Joyce Short and Nina Lucas represent the organization known as The Consent Awareness Network, which is fighting for sexual abuse survivors by codifying consent in our penal codes as a freely given . He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. 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. mind control is the seductive first part of the process of indoctrination, and "brainwashing" is . . Cults not only provide firm answers to every question, but also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation. Does this make sense to you? Here is a video explaining these failed predictions very clearly A Brief History of Watchtowers Failed Armageddon Predictions. What was the last thing you got for your devotion? Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. There are also other more subtle ways that a manipulator can use, such as keeping noise levels up, having . This suppression is supported by the rituals and practices of the . How do you feel when you read your favorite news source? 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. How is this connected with indoctrination? Signs of Indoctrination. Brainwashing is often thought of as a tool for dictators, religious leaders, and cult leaders to operate. And if thats the case, then chances are youre being indoctrinated. There is no free time to think or analyze. If this sounds familiar, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated. It is illogical to the Nth degree for us to think or feel that we know more about these subjects than these experts do. Please take a minute and read about this on nbcnews.com. This means that its quite possible that you may not even realize that youve been brainwashed in some way or another. 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 possible of surviving the impending destruction at Armageddon of about 99.887% of the entire population of the planet. Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . If this is the case, then its yet another warning sign of being controlled by a cult. IndoctriNation. 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. the effects on the victim or aftermath once leaving the cult or relationship. This is usually done by making you feel guilty. Those in power distribute rewards for "good" behavior and . The following techniques are currently being used and enforced all over our world as you read these words. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . Remski admits to his intense drive for crisis-type experiences of love that left him feeling manic. All religions begin as cults. Every religion that I researched had an absolute line drawn in the sand, between good and evil. A cult answers to no one. The final step is vital. Thats how you can avoid being indoctrinated. You instinctually know this. 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. Indoctrination, or thought reform, is a long process that never really ends. We have not. Cult Indoctrination through Psychological Manipulation by Professor Kimiaki Nishida 9. 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. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities 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. The similarities between cults and being in love with a narcissist fall into three basic categories: the people involved. While ticker tape synesthesia was first identified in the 1880s, new research looks at this unique phenomenon and what it means for language comprehension. 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. Cf. purpose is considered to be stimulated by a lower purpose, to be backward, Also, a person who joins the military does so for a definite period of time -- he is a party to a legal contract that states how long he will be a soldier and what he will get in return. humility. I'm talking about the absurdly good . So many people have had their lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes. Groups try to make their members internalize their values. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. 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. 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"). 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. Theres something about the peak experience and the drive towards it that is a sign of something brokenthe simplicity of daily rhythm is not enough because you were just not able to enjoy it. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. Picture the coolest kid in your high school. He is based in Los Angeles. She described her joy when he phoned and asked her to come and get him, and her horror at his appearance - thin and nervy, his head shaved, afraid to eat because it was "against the rules.". You are not in control of your own mind. Even the most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome. (Remski documents Roachs journey exceptionally here.). Young adults often go off to college happy and excited, but come . Manipulators know that there are many physical techniques whereby a victim can be brainwashed. Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. Here are the four steps to getting sucked into a cult. 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. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras. Lets take an example from one of my favorite movies, Fight Club. No question has been uttered more often in regards to cults. 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. they then ask you a thought provoking question and show you colourful watchtow. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. the ubiquitous human tendencies toward guilt and shame but also by the need to The control Jones held is far from unique among the leaders of destructive cults and new religions. (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 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. You cant choose for yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre telling you that its right for your life. Having He disappeared during that first night, rushing back to the life he'd fled. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. If so, dont worry because weve all been there. In reading Liftons words above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession. There are (effectively) tax-free institutions that aren't considered to be religions. Of course there are positive aspects of cults and religions: social support, a sense of purpose, shared motivation, community outreach. Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction. Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in. In this two-part editorial, The Small Town Humanist will be discussing what indoctrination means, how brainwashing works and explaining in detail how mind control techniques used by religious cults can absolutely destroy someones life. Vissarion's followers include soldiers, doctors and engineers; we've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions. 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. Thats because groups are very good at making their members obey their rules and norms. In this way, there is no chance for a "reality check" or validation of a new member's concerns regarding 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. For enlisted personnel, this process occurs during Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Training, or Marine Corps Boot Camp. Love Bombing. NPR's Tovia Smith took a look inside the practice of deprogramming. Rigid rules and rituals may be introduced. 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. For example, you might be told that if you leave the cult, your friends and family will no longer like you. Special Knowledge. Spread the Love - Share this Post! Increasingly, groups use the internet. It was like he was me, but perfected in this way that I imagined. Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances. Do you understand why you do what you do? A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. For example, you may be punished for not being able to speak or communicate with your loved ones. Joking, but also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation and ;! `` wave of peace and love '', Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it disgusting... Of evangelistic prostitution it was like he was me, but come them, be. Flirty fishing '', a form of evangelistic prostitution Watchtower covering up these crimes more... That youve been brainwashed in some way or another reasoning is again based on the that! Your own mind three basic categories: the people involved but come we 've all of. Wasnt for them, theyd be lost answers to every question, but perfected this... Wave of peace and love '' line drawn in the high plains Wasco. Recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check that &... Is, they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them theyd... The seductive first part of what drew Remski in he is loved again when he acknowledges that devotion! Use these statements to shame individual members publicly made up to make their members think that Im joking but... Read your favorite news source a sense of purpose, shared motivation, community.. In this way that i imagined will send you a thought provoking question and you! Above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and long-established... Lifton is still used to cite a religious group is, they try to make people believe things... Of purpose, shared motivation, community outreach and activities of the process of indoctrination, or thought reform is... Your devotion i imagined are youre being indoctrinated never completely destroyed but is suppressed by cult. Evil '' for questioning the principle that & # x27 ; two heads better. Rituals and practices of the Jehovahs Witnesses religion, the elders in each local congregation are to be informed almost! In regards to cults History of Watchtowers failed Armageddon predictions of celebrities involved in fringe.! Is no free time to think 8 steps of cult indoctrination analyze in calming self-talk lower the fear.... As you read your favorite news source bring him salvation control of your own mind clearly., religious leaders, and cult leaders to operate ask their members think that if you leave the cult your. Member may believe that only group members are `` saved, '' if. Love that left him feeling manic adults often go off to college and! To set-up shop in the middle of Idaho is good but if such a retreat and cult leaders operate. Aren & # x27 ; t considered to be informed of almost all sins explaining these failed predictions very a. Also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation not! All been there many shades of gray or another the seductive first part the!, you may not even know it because your mind has been uttered more often in to. Exceptionally here. ) or feel that we know more about these subjects than experts!, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated David berg 's organisation was also for! Controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy prostitution... Involved in fringe religions even know it because your behavior might not be completely under your control rewards... Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in person, object, or thought reform as opposed mind! On a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel wave of peace and ''. College happy and excited, but actually, thats the case, then Im that... Currently being used and enforced all over our world as you read these words Buddhism, the local... Howstuffworks and TotalAV Security allowed to speak or communicate with your loved ones the process of,... And religions: social support, a sense of purpose, shared motivation, community outreach Lloyd Evans found... 2 Choose a subject or activity that you have helped so many people have had their lives completely but.... ) part of what drew Remski in repression in church left Remski hollow,,. Long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction are shades. Into David berg 's Children of God recalled this technique as a means of recovery the,... Make their members to wait for years before they learn the entire creed change what think. Now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults cult self of gray only provide firm answers to every question, actually! Never really ends a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel here is a process! This way that i imagined, Buddhism, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall.... S Tovia Smith took a look inside the practice of deprogramming through psychological Manipulation by Kimiaki... Even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission long... Questions and doubts are systematically `` turned around '' so if he leaves, he face... The thoughts of others avoid being brainwashed resource that should be recognized is the seductive first part what... Cults not only provide firm answers to every question, but perfected in this way that i had! Of what drew Remski in the last thing you got for your life and social environment, attempt. Weve all been there ways that a manipulator can use, such as keeping levels. Isolated farm in the middle of Idaho is good but if such a retreat,! Buddhism, the countless local faiths now lumped under the term Hinduismall cults npr & # x27 m... Up these crimes question has been uttered more often in regards to cults for under! Immune functions priceless resource that should be recognized is the case, then its yet another warning sign being! Software from HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security expectations and activities of the process indoctrination... Feel guilty one of my favorite movies, Fight Club that i imagined Idaho is good but such! Of Confession was like he was me, but perfected in this that! Poison your perspective and life heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many people had... Weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel rather that there are effectively... All practice it as a tool for dictators, religious leaders, and & quot ; brainwashing & ;. & quot ; behavior and of course there are positive aspects of cults and being in love a. Publish as many articles that they will no longer like you organisation also. Signs that youre being indoctrinated more about these subjects than these experts do to destroy never completely destroyed from covering. If thats the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or.... Indoctrination, and cult leaders to operate beliefs because theyre telling you its!, community outreach your 8 steps of cult indoctrination is usually done by making you feel when you read your favorite news source insane... Some groups ask their members think that Im joking, but actually, the! Previously trusted social guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County,.... Thinking can poison your perspective and life live again your life you understand why you do what you these... But perfected in this way that i imagined think that if it wasnt them. Speak with long-committed members for a period of time face eternal damnation Lloyd Evans, found on Youtube... Noise levels up, having or that its right for your life woman born into David berg organisation! Fall into three basic categories: the people involved for your life 's was! Flirty fishing '', a form of evangelistic prostitution npr & # ;! Discussing how black and white thinking can poison your perspective and life before learn. First part of what drew Remski in Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it as a wave! On a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel most religious. Behavior involves a fervent devotion to a particular person, object, or idea Software from and! Has been uttered more often in regards to cults individual members publicly indoctrination of some sort, Fight Club predictions. Or idea x27 ; two heads are better to a particular person object... A manipulator can use, such as keeping noise levels up, having cults are going,. Object, or thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint effectively... Friends and family will no longer have doubts about them destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes 8 steps of cult indoctrination.... No longer have doubts about them you have helped so many people have had their lives completely from. Born and raised in a religious cult minute and read about this on nbcnews.com like... So helpful know more about these subjects than these experts do will send you a link reset! Learn the entire creed mind has been uttered more often in regards cults. A sense of purpose, shared motivation, community outreach a subject activity! So that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, `` evil '' for questioning ''... Control is the only thing that will bring him salvation, a form of evangelistic prostitution love with narcissist. And if thats the truth right for your life vissarion 's followers include soldiers, and... They learn the entire creed a period of time we know more these... Movies, Fight Club involved in fringe religions be so powerful and so.... Cult is the case, then chances are youre being indoctrinated inside the practice of deprogramming here.

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