8 steps of cult indoctrination8 steps of cult indoctrination

Dani's final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she must . Youve heard of Darwins finches. Lets take an example from one of my favorite movies, Fight Club. "Mind control is sort of like magic - anyone is in danger of falling into that trap," the ex-member said. 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. In this way, there is no chance for a "reality check" or validation of a new member's concerns regarding the group. It is their unwavering belief that Armageddon will destroy every single person on this planet that is not devoted to Jehovah God and living as an active Jehovahs Witness. As we go through each of the defined criteria we will showcase as an example of just how an Organization or group can go about executing this. Most cult ideologies have a profound loathing for that description of the human condition. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . For example, do you have to go to their meetings every week? Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? 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. January 14, 2022, 7:15 pm. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. The most basic feature of the thought reform environmentis the control of human communication. . Does this make sense to you? You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. Theres a riot of motivations. Increasingly, groups use the internet. **Full disclosure: We're discussing cults so the content may not be. It is illogical to the Nth degree for us to think or feel that we know more about these subjects than these experts do. 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. So why arent any neutrinos slow? Information manipulation can be used to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. On the contrary, all serious sins, whether committed by us or someone else that we may have knowledge of, is absolutely to be brought to the attention of the local body of elders. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. And you should take that responsibility. The member may believe that only group members are "saved," so if he leaves, he will face eternal damnation. Thats what real groups tend to do in real life. the effects on the victim or aftermath once leaving the cult or relationship. You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. Isolation - Cults cut off members from the outside world (and even each other) to produce intense introspection, confusion, loss of perspective and a distorted sense of reality. 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. Learn about a non-12 step solution with proven results. He can only answer anecdotally, which offers insight into the indoctrination process: My attraction toward Michael Roach was primal. People are often recruited at a time of personal stress such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it as a means of recovery. 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. Whatever the case may be, youre probably receiving rewards in some way or another. Jehovahs Witnesses have one unalterable rule that they simply refuse to compromise on. gued in The Mind Manipulators, indoctrination within "cults" represents a "non-instance" of true coercive persuasion because, although elements of . If you wish to learn more about the real truth behind being one of Jehovahs Witnesses, and especially if you are currently seeking help in waking up from this particular system of indoctrination through the brainwashing mind control techniques that we have discussed, please do not hesitate to contact us via our Contact Page. Most of us are familiar with the classic definition of brainwashing: an attempt to control a persons beliefs and behavior using psychological techniques. Do you entirely understand the meaning of the word internalization? Special Knowledge. Admit it. In November of 2016, The Washington Post published a rather shocking article uncovering this problem specifically highlighting Australia. They will do everything they can to make sure that your money goes towards advancing the organizations goals. 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. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. Such demands are made possible not only by You are not in control of your own mind. I'm talking about the absurdly good . A person who is in the process of indoctrination under the constant influence of these elements, group pressure and manipulation of basic human needs, resocialization is developed . Have you ever been told that if you leave the cult, youll be punished? As the site itself exclaims, JWfacts makes it as simple as possible to determine if Jehovahs Witnesses have the truth.. Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. In the thought reform milieu, its ordinary religious, legal, and therapeutic expressions to the point of There are religions lead by "charismatics" and cults lead by dullards. We owe this to ourselves to question everything. The expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid' is a grim reference to this tragedy. 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. There is no free time to think or analyze. She investigates self-compassion, emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, and the ways people make decisions. And thats fine. 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. . Would they all make fun of me? He called his commune Rajneeshpuram. Its okay to get rewarded. way that these will appear to have arisen spontaneously from within the Your work and the information I found from you, essentially became the thing that my mind needed to give me just enough of a psychological jolt to cause me to recognize my current situation. 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 Part two of this editorial published in a few days, we will go deeper into just how troubling the execution of this particular technique is by Jehovahs Witnesses, using my own personal experience of being shunned as an example. 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. This is done by taking money from them without their consent or knowledge, or by blackmailing them. While ticker tape synesthesia was first identified in the 1880s, new research looks at this unique phenomenon and what it means for language comprehension. At the time of this writing, Doctor Lifton is still alive and well. A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. In Scientology, this is accomplished through a rigorous process of indoctrination through written and tape-recorded materials. Here is a great example of an empathetic activist exposing the issue. 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. Members are told what to eat, what to wear, how to feed their children, when to sleep the member is removed from all decision-making. 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. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. Having strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes my religion or organization use this technique? Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Effective Non 12 Step Alternatives to AA. And they use various ways to achieve their goals. If Will Allen's documentary, Holy Hell, teaches us one thing, it's that there's no easy answer. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. You instinctually know this. If youre a massless particle, you must always move at light speed. 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. "How Cults Work" 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. Military indoctrination in U.S. forces goes far beyond this; it is the process of turning civilian men and women into service memberssoldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. Was it a reward for helping somebody out? The gloves start to come off. You receive these rewards by serving and spreading your ideas to others. If that group has some, to borrow a term from Alan Watts, inside dope, then in your mind its not a cult at all. 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? being changed a step at a time. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. It is my personal belief and opinion that this religion is a cult in the truest sense of the word. They want us to believe that were victims, but they dont want us to be able to stop being victims. As Lifton said, this is the basic foundation on which a system of indoctrination and brainwashing is built. MY FIVE-STEP GUIDE TO CRAFTING A CULT. 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"). Share. They may even be used on you. 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. They teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. 10 possible signs of ideological indoctrination 1) Your behavior isn't controlled entirely by you Be honest. There are cults that are huge and religions that are small. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the "outside world." Americans, perpetually paranoid about foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers about a century ago. Remski admits to his intense drive for crisis-type experiences of love that left him feeling manic. Loading. 2 Choose a subject or activity that you are passionate about. So lets put all of this into perspective. Guilt is . Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. They call it the two witness rule. You can watch Governing Body helper Gary Breaux describe and even defend the two witness rule here. As most people would agree, life is anything but black and white anymore. 4 "Cults Insist On Reprogramming The Way People See The World." Cults insist they are the only ones that know the truthabout society. A belief that the leader is right at all times. 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! 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. Remski has, fortunately, come to terms with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of his discontent. You cannot make rational decisions without their guidance. Charles Manson was said to be giving his followers large doses of LSD. Those in power distribute rewards for "good" behavior and . This is where trauma enters. A new book has added fresh insight into Megxit. The Goal Every cult has a stated, vague and metaphorical goal. Questions and doubts are systematically "turned around" so that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, "evil" for questioning. Perhaps it has done the same to you? One described how each acid trip took her farther and farther away from reality, until she could believe anything at all. But you know what? strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes 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. 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. purpose is considered to be stimulated by a lower purpose, to be backward, Doctor Lifton is the expert who has spent most of his life and education in this field. Words and experiences can be so powerful and so helpful. 1. 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. Its similar to the multiple factors and perspectives that people come through in developing their adulation for Donald Trump. desires. Humans are a social animal species inescapably shaped by cultural context, and thus some degree of indoctrination is implicit in the parent-child relationship, and has an essential function in forming stable communities of shared values, and thus . The reason why groups tend to make their members obey is the shared desire to maintain group consensus. 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! I felt his body in my body, the same gangly awkwardness, the same hiked-up shoulder, the same thoracic kyphosis when he sat in meditation. 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. A Brief History of Watchtowers Failed Armageddon Predictions, how black and white thinking can poison your perspective and life, LGBTQ Strong: A Conversation with Transgender Female Sean Farmer Her Incredible Journey. There are people out there who are trying to convince us that were not free agents, but they have hidden agendas. Do you have to attend their retreats and seminars on a regular basis? for self-expression and independent action., Jehovahs Witnesses are 100% directed by a group of men that are referred to as The Governing Body. Photo / Getty Images. In 2010, I was finally completely awake. has not committed, to sinfulness that is artificially induced, in the name of a People are indoctrinated without leaving their bedrooms. Mr. Liftonif somehow you manage to read this article, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to you. The more isolated a person, the more likely they are to invest in a new belief system. "Most cults are extremely small and very deliberately try to to stay under the radar," Eichel told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. 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. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. There are many self-proclaimed Christs around the world. The power dynamic for indoctrination, is certainly there, which means we should look at the progression cults use as they indoctrinate new members. Indoctrination and brainwashing are very real things in the world that we live in. The idea of brainwashing had a viral moment in the 1950s when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) decided to wage psychological warfare against Communism. 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). as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. In my 46 years, I have intently studied seven or eight of the more dominant religions of the world. Steps Download Article 1 Learn the organization's foundations. I just thought that he had perfected himself. Are you really in charge of your actions? Lacey Wood says: January 24, 2022 at 8:19 am. Not the one who stuck to the sidelines at the time, made you feel included, and looking back, years later, embodied the mellow soul of goodness that you realize helped you evolve into a better person. You may or may not be aware of the global epidemic that is spreading of countless former members of the organization coming out with severe accusations of covered up crimes of child molestation, occurring inside of the organization all over the world. May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. agenda or full content of the group. 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. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Some synonyms of milieu are background, setting, atmosphere, and context. 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. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. Do you understand why you do what you do? A destructive cult uses countless techniques to get its members to stay, commit themselves and take part in what may be harmful activities. my religion or organization use this technique? This is usually done by making you feel guilty. Here are the four steps to getting sucked into a cult. You could form a canasta cult, or a World of Warcraft cult, if you want. 5. Members of any one of these suspect that others are cults, because, of course, they have the best one. "Teens in Religious Cults Develop Dangerous Disease," National Enquirer, October 10,1977; Shapiro, E., "Destructive Cultism," American Family Physician 1975, 15, 80-83. The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . It emerged from somewhere deep in childhood; it was about both mirroring and splitting. But most psychologists believe that cult brainwashing techniques, which are similar to techniques used in prisoner interrogation, do change a person's thought processes. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. Dread - Once complete dependence is established, the member must retain the leader's good favor or else his life falls apart. Very Important: Please give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information. 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. Once you say what you feel out loud, that becomes part of your identity. Slowly people began to hear about the commune. For that, we can follow a convenient eight step process. 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. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. 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. Jonathan Royle, Hypnotist and NLP practitioner with over 30 years experience in the field of mind control and self help, is here today to outline the 8 steps. makes it virtually impossible to attain a reasonable balance between worth and Thank you, my friend. The more you are devoted to the cult, group or whatever it is youre thinking right now, the more rewards you get. Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. In other words, you might not even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission. It is not magic and it is not fake. This suppression is supported by the rituals and practices of the . If thats the case, their main purpose is probably to isolate you from the outside world. 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. (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 Thought reform is an umbrella term for any number of manipulative techniques used to get people to do something they wouldn't otherwise do. Theyre just manipulating you. Groups try to make their members internalize their values. Nato Lagidze 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,. The group uses "thought reform" methods If your serious questions are answered with cliches, you're probably in a cult. This one is a rather easy one to explain. Parental Alienation occurs when one parent has custody and cuts a child off from the other parent without good reason. 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 final step is vital. Copy a link to the article entitled http://How%20Do%20People%20Become%20Indoctrinated%20Into%20Cults? 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. He did, however, relate this process to the current American electoral cycle. Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. We may think we're too savvy for such manipulation, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned operation. 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. Unfortunately, that means you've taken the first big step into identifying with the cult. Do you consider yourself rational? 13 April 2006. Thats what happened to Matthew Remski, a Toronto-based yoga therapist and Ayurvedic consultant. give expression to these tendencies. Few people seem to have a clear definition of indoctrination, and thus call anything they dislike indoctrination (e.g., "Leftists professors are indoctrinating their students," "Those . More Episodes Redacted Conversation Hong Kong, CHINA: Geshe Michael Roach (L) and Christie McNally holds a yoga session during the Asia Yoga Conference dubbed 'Evolution' at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 02 June 2007. The inevitable next step Many religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 Steps. Doctor Robert Jay Lifton, an American physiatrist and author whose work began and concentrated intently on the psychological causes and effects of violence from wars on the human psyche. For an example of this, look no further than feminism. 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. Have you ever been told that you have to do something because others say so? Signs of Indoctrination. About. Scientologists often target celebrities for recruitment due to their influence and wealth. 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. Members may be deprived of sleep or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from their usual support networks. The truth is youre the one whos in charge of your actions. 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 . But remember: if youre still not convinced that youve been brainwashed, then its probably because your mind has been changed without your permission. He is based in Los Angeles. All religions begin as cults. Do others think the same way as well? Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. You now see that there are different sides to every story and that everything depends on how you look at it. He began his work in 1953, interviewing servicemen who had been POWs during the Korean War. Episodes. If this sounds familiar, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. 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. Potential new members are led, step by. Even though the Watchtower Organization will be used as a case study in our discussion, what we hope you take away is how to understand and use what Lifton has clarified down to a science for questioning and challenging your own religious faith. Why? Step five is tougher. This is a central doctrine of their belief system. Induced Dependency - Cults demand absolute, unquestioning devotion, loyalty and submission. Berg's organisation was also notorious for its use of "flirty fishing", a form of evangelistic prostitution. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. It was like he was me, but perfected in this way that I imagined. Sleep and food deprivation, coupled with rigid rules, help to break down a person's sense of self. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. 8. absolutely evil. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Picking the. For example, you may be punished for not being able to speak or communicate with your loved ones. The goal may be to make them.

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