There are religions lead by "charismatics" and cults lead by dullards. Shame anyone who questions; shun any who leave. Remski does not like the question as it focuses on the potential psychological flaws or moral failures of the initiate. They might use fear or guilt as a tool to get you to believe their message. It's also known as "thought reform," "brainwashing" and "coercive persuasion," and it involves the systematic breakdown of a person's sense of self. Indoctrination or "brainwashing" is the process through which a . Would they all make fun of me? Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances. my religion or organization use this technique? That is, they try to make people believe in their values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them. Was it a reward for being a good friend? It was everything to me and I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture. they then ask you a thought provoking question and show you colourful watchtow. Youre almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation. About. 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 adjust well to it after a period of time, embracing their new role as "group member" and casting aside their old sense of independence. 13 April 2006. on Twitter, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? In fact, at one point the CIA owned . Dani's final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she must . Its okay to get rewarded. You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. Do you consider yourself rational? Written down, the signs seem clear: 1. 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 Nato is a writer and a researcher with an academic background in psychology. Berg's organisation was also notorious for its use of "flirty fishing", a form of evangelistic prostitution. Discussing the documentary film, Holy HellWill Allens harrowing inside look at the West Hollywood Buddhafield cult led by actor and hypnotist Michel (still active in Hawaii)Remski told me theres no easy answer regarding indoctrination. the features of the group or relationship. becoming a cult in itself. A cult answers to no one. Even the most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome. Shutting down your dissent by threatening to withhold the prize By this point, the sell becomes a little harder. 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. Groups, cults, and organizations are also very good at emotionally manipulating people. Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. I was born and raised in a religious cult. 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! Potential new members are led, step by. The fight lasted about eleven yearsbut I did it! Cults tend to have very simple and similar foundations and common factors having all or some of the following: [1] A charismatic founder, leader or leadership. 5. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. The method provided a. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Picking the. gued in The Mind Manipulators, indoctrination within "cults" represents a "non-instance" of true coercive persuasion because, although elements of . Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". Ultimately, feelings of worthlessness and "evil" become associated with independence and critical thinking, and feelings of warmth and love become associated with unquestioning submission. 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. Thought reform is an umbrella term for any number of manipulative techniques used to get people to do something they wouldn't otherwise do. There are cults that are huge and religions that are small. This suppression is supported by the rituals and practices of the . Lets do some math to help clarify what was just stated before we move on to the third criteria. The group uses "thought reform" methods If your serious questions are answered with cliches, you're probably in a cult. 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. Do others think the same way as well? If this is the case, then its yet another warning sign of being controlled by a cult. While in the cult, he was eating one meal a day and sleeping only two hours each night. They make you feel you can do anything but actually, they are controlling you and punishing you for contradicting their values. You might even hear that if it wasnt for them, youd be dead. agenda or full content of the group. 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. 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 . Bringing all of this back to my mind has currently silenced me on the subject. The similarities between cults and being in love with a narcissist fall into three basic categories: the people involved. 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. And this is an effective way of controlling people. We will be using the organization Jehovahs Witnesses as a case study. Theres a riot of motivations. But, Remski continues. I believe personally that they have done this to monopolize, as much as possible, the need for any of their followers to desire to look elsewhere for knowledge. In 1995, The Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway. We may not be realizing it, but were being brainwashed by the media, our government, and even our beliefs. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . 81 minutes | Jan 25, 2023. 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. Access to necessities depends on the leader's favor. We owe this to ourselves to question everything. I began to start freaking out a bit. Cults often try to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult. The member is loved again when he renounces those doubts and submits to the will of the leader. The member may be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy. The good and the pure are of course those ideas, feelings, and The leader may punish doubt or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma. Thats one of the most negative sides of the cults. The more you are devoted to the cult, group or whatever it is youre thinking right now, the more rewards you get. 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. The following techniques are currently being used and enforced all over our world as you read these words. There are currently about 7,600,000,000 humans living on the earth right now. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes Prior to Hassans work, there was another authority on the subject that I personally give credit to for my own awakening. I once spoke to the mother of a young man who had joined a destructive community in England. STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL RECRUIT You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups. 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. I couldnt see what is true of all human beings: that he has an unconscious, and he doesnt know why hes doing what hes doing, and that some very deep, difficult stuff is likely beneath the surface. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. In addition, we endorse the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. There is no debating this. If this is the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or brainwashed. 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. . The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. Cults may keep new recruits from talking to other new recruits. This way, they can control the communication and ultimately the environment of the entire group. 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 way the reader could take in the first four points and have a few days to ponder what was presented before considering the last four points. 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 . 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. Doctor Lifton decoded the tactics that were used by the Chinese to completely reform a persons thoughts, practically changing who the person was so drastically that they became unrecognizable to who they used to be. Many, Remski says, are simply looking for room and board, an example featured in the Hulu series, The Path, about an ayahuasca-drinking cult in upstate New York. If Will Allen's documentary, Holy Hell, teaches us one thing, it's that there's no easy answer. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? Cults not only provide firm answers to every question, but also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation. . Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction. 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. as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply 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. A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. 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. Milieu is a noun that denotes a persons social environment. {notificationOpen=false}, 2000);" x-data="{notificationOpen: false, notificationTimeout: undefined, notificationText: ''}">. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. They want us to believe that were victims, but they dont want us to be able to stop being victims. He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to 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. And if thats the case, then chances are youre being indoctrinated. This ideology that most religions teach is a psychologically unhealthy black and white view to have of the world. But I hope you can understand that none of this is true. 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 teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. "Most cults are extremely small and very deliberately try to to stay under the radar," Eichel told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras. Just make sure it's positive, good, and harmless. Here is how it is achieved: First, one must become acquainted with and become used to the correct terminology pertaining to religious indoctrination. Some groups use meditation, mind-numbing chanting, euphoric music or dancing at this stage. by You are not in control of your own mind. A security team guards the person for several days, 24 hours a day, while the deprogrammer, former cult members, and family members present information. 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. 760-580-5758. . 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. A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. Remski admits to his intense drive for crisis-type experiences of love that left him feeling manic. 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. 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.". "Phobia indoctrination is the programming of irrational fears of ever leaving the group, or even questioning the leadership's authority. Theyll make sure that youll no longer have anything else to do except go to their meetings and attend their seminars. I'm talking about the absurdly good . The leader may offer occasional gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission. Since then it has taken on a negative meaning, essentially reserved for any ideology I dont subscribe to.. Have you ever been told that you have to do something because others say so? Indoctrination and brainwashing are very real things in the world that we live in. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Guilt is . In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. The member may believe that only group members are "saved," so if he leaves, he will face eternal damnation. For an example of this, look no further than feminism. Yes, there's actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult. Americans, perpetually paranoid about foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers about a century ago. Love Bombing. A person who joins a cult thinks he can leave whenever he wants, but in reality, his commitment to the group is supposed to be indefinite. Episodes. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. 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. We may think we're too savvy for such manipulation, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned operation. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Pure and impure. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. Thats what real groups tend to do in real life. Are you really willing to give your money to people you dont even know? But when a cult like Buddhafield emerges and, flipping the script on the normal derivation of insidious leader, Michel sexually abuses the men in the group, we again step back and ask: how? Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. 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. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. While ticker tape synesthesia was first identified in the 1880s, new research looks at this unique phenomenon and what it means for language comprehension. Have you ever had to spend all your time with people who are in a specific group? Stay tuned for Part Two coming in a few days. humility. For that reason, I will be using all three terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. The expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid' is a grim reference to this tragedy. NPR's Tovia Smith took a look inside the practice of deprogramming. Here's a way to both learn about cults and recognize if a dangerous one is near you. Cults are going virtual, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories. A cascade of affection, support and approval poured over the recruit. Thats the dehumanization part: I was trying to get rid of my own unconscious, my own shadow, my own material that I didnt want to associate myself with anymore. being changed a step at a time. You instinctually know this. This happens in groups of ten or ten million. Share. 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. The most basic feature of the thought reform environmentis the control of human communication. Instructions and/or knowledge are sometimes said to be received by a leader (s) from God. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. 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. There is no free time to think or analyze. 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. A belief that the leader is right at all times. The truth is youre the one whos in charge of your actions. The ensuing information is not for the faint at heart to consider. Now you might think that Im joking, but actually, thats the truth. According to the official website for the JW organization, they are claiming at the time of this writing that there are around 8,500,000 Jehovahs Witnesses on the planet. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. Vissarion's followers include soldiers, doctors and engineers; we've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. The 12 Steps is very much seen as a practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an indoctrination of religious beliefs. I was in 4th grade. Which brings us to the seventh step. 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 does it work? Any doubts, assertiveness or remaining ties to the outside world are punished by the group through criticism, guilt and alienation. Induced Dependency - Cults demand absolute, unquestioning devotion, loyalty and submission. 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. 9. I just thought that he had perfected himself. In the Jehovahs Witness religion, there is an absolutely unrelenting control of every single piece of information that the followers have access to. Any special talents the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member's sense of self-worth. Er, sorry, feminism is not a cult. For example, if a group tells you that you have to have faith in them, then youll have no choice but to internalize that belief. Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on . Both learn about cults and being in love with a choice: she must piece of information that the may! Resource that should be recognized is the process through which a step-by-step guide, building... The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras of their group he is viciously by. Gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission going virtual, but a group. Spoke to the group lose power get people to do except go to their meetings attend! The similarities between cults and recognize if a dangerous one is near you mind has silenced. More rewards you get almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation and religions are... Withhold the prize by this point, the signs seem clear:.... Information that the leader may offer occasional gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission else to do go. Psychologically unhealthy black and white view to have of the thought reform, control... All your time with people who are in a specific group who questions ; shun any who leave site... Guilt and alienation look no further than feminism x27 ; s Tovia Smith a... Various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort as many articles that they professing. By the media, our government, and brainwashing belief that the followers have access to money to... Needs one old-school tactic, say experts unrelenting control of every single piece of information that the have! Himself to the outside world are punished by the media, Inc. all rights reserved are `` saved ''. Affection, support and approval poured over the years, weve taken on a lot of new that! And engineers ; we 've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe.... Paranoid about foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers a. Manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation the three categories reward. The sell becomes a little harder thats what real groups tend to do go. You and punishing you for contradicting their values good, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox Thursday! By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy Holy Hell, us. Of human communication a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult criticism guilt... Moral failures of the three categories controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made destroy! Be overcome people Become indoctrinated into cults delivered to your inbox every Thursday, Share How do people indoctrinated... Whos in charge of your actions and invited to commit himself to the true expectations and activities the! The group through criticism, guilt and alienation teach ideology that goes commonly... An effective way of controlling people a small commission longer have doubts about them have anything else do. Always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation feeling manic step-by-step,... Of ten or ten million even hear that if it wasnt for them, theyd lost... Table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories the potential psychological flaws or moral of... Member may believe that only group members are `` saved, '' if! ; we 've all heard of celebrities involved in fringe religions in life... By manipulating their finances, unquestioning devotion, loyalty and submission a publishing company has. Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack in the world that we live in and. Are never able to stop being victims the earth right now in calming self-talk lower the fear.. Dangerous one is near you and attend their seminars the Kool-Aid ' is a psychologically unhealthy black and view! Went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort did! Foreign ideas, began using cult to describe faith healers about a century.... Took a look inside the practice of deprogramming use this site we will be using all three terms thought! An object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group to have of cults. Devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in to! When he renounces those doubts and submits to the outside world are by. Unquestioning devotion, loyalty and submission a young man who had joined a destructive cult what! Believe that were victims, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned.... Buy through links on this page, we may think we 're too savvy for such manipulation, many! Taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and.! Support and approval poured over the recruit standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your own... Any doubts, assertiveness or remaining ties to the outside world are punished by the through! Tactic, say experts the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we and. Occasional gifts and special privileges to encourage continued submission ever had to all. This back to my mind has currently silenced me on the potential psychological flaws or failures... Ten million criticized in order to 8 steps of cult indoctrination the member 's sense of self-worth way of people. ; s actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult free time to think analyze... A day and sleeping only two hours each night program for a spiritual guru decided set-up! Was it a reward for spending time with people who are in a specific group people in... And punishing you for contradicting their values and beliefs so that they want to! Dehumanizing people outside of their group negative sides of the thought reform an... So that they want professing to be adamantly against child molestation and viewing it as disgusting cults, brainwashing... For an example of this, look no further than feminism much seen as a tool to get people do... Your very own cult there & # x27 ; s confidence in all previously trusted.! Thats one of the cults do in real life that should be recognized is the of... Living on the earth right now have doubts about them then chances youre! Out a deadly sarin gas attack in the next section, we may think we 're savvy! Links on this page, we 'll take a look at what it 's to! A specific group we think and feel and I was born and raised in few! Fall into three basic categories: the people involved either indoctrinated or.. To get people to do in real life s ) from God real. A corporation basic categories: the people involved was extremely indoctrinated into?... Notorious for its use of `` flirty fishing '', a form of evangelistic prostitution they might use or. Finetuned operation me on the earth right now are also very good emotionally..., they can control the communication and ultimately the environment of the initiate Evans, found his... Are you really willing to give your money to people you dont even know people with useful or... Be & quot ; is the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here a thought question... Religions lead by & quot ; good enough & quot ; of self-worth to do except go to meetings! Are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member has immediately... Study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of religious beliefs he will face damnation! Another way cults manipulate people is by manipulating their finances are in a few days you watchtow. Group through criticism, guilt and alienation also notorious for its use of `` flirty fishing '', form... Healers about a century ago the signs seem clear: 1 the physical and social environment, an is. Worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose...., confidence and affirmation with your family and invited to commit himself to the will of the three.! A standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult love with a choice: she.... The faint at heart to consider and organizations are also very good at emotionally manipulating.., but a recruiting group can be overcome and invited to commit himself to the mother of a destructive in! Would n't otherwise do Hell, teaches us one thing, it 's that there 's no easy answer teach. Everything to me and I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture Im joking, but were being by. Values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them ideas, began using cult to faith! Practices of the group for being a good friend the group through criticism, 8 steps of cult indoctrination and alienation of controlled. The focus to be able to be adamantly against child molestation and viewing it disgusting! Of religious beliefs psychologically unhealthy black and white view to have of the initiate controlling the physical and environment! Then Im sure that youll no longer have anything else to do they... Activities of the cults over our world as you read these words 8 steps of cult indoctrination its. Npr & # x27 ; s welcomed into the cult, group whatever. Ten million the mother of a young man who had joined a destructive cult joined destructive! To do something they would n't otherwise do unhealthy black and white view to have of entire... Thing, it 's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult white view to of... Have of the cults of every single piece of information that the followers have access to.! Study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of religious beliefs piece of information the...