-Caveat Lector- Below please find part of an article I wrote several years ago. The full article is available at : http://members.aol.com/SMARTNEWS/Sample-Issue-08.htm Sincerely, Neil Brick This may be triggering for survivors of abuse. Cults Here is my summary of the 10 themes of cult membership Steven Hassan listed in his book "Combatting Cult Mind Control" (Chapter 5) from Park Street Press, Rochester, VT. Hassan joined the "Moonies" as an adult. Hassan's book doesn't discuss gov't MC or RA. 1) The Doctrine is Reality - The cult's beliefs allow no interpretation, or opposing views to be valid. 2) Reality is Black and White, Good Versus Evil - no outside group is valid, "no room for interpretation or deviation" 3) Elitist Mentality - they are the chosen ones. 4) Group Will Over Individual Will -"the self must submit to the group "individuality is bad" "conformity is good" 5) Strict Obedience: Modeling the Leader - the leader is imitated by everyone 6) Happiness through good performance - behaviors are controlled by shaming, competition, friendships are discouraged 7) Manipulation through fear - "each group has its devil... around the corner waiting" to kill you or whatever 8) Emotional highs and lows - from great productivity to crashing (always due to the individual's inadequacies, according to the cult) 9) Changes in Time Orientation - pre-cult life is bad, the present is crucial (pressure to meet quotas, etc.) the future is known by the leader, reward or punishment, the world will end, etc. 10) No Way Out - "there is never a legitimate reason for leaving" Cults also use "love bombing," lots of flattery early on to "suck people in." This disappears later once a person is in deeper. Some differences (mine) between cults that ritually abuse and those that don't are: with ritual abuse, there is no "love bombing," though praise may be used when a ritual is performed correctly. Torture is often used to control peoples' minds. This allows suggestions to enter the mind causing MPD (now DID). During ritual abuse suggestions are planted in alternate personalities. A person in the cult can work a day job and even have a different day time belief system than the night one. Hassan's book also explains how to recognize and avoid cults and how to help exit counsel people that are in cults. Cults will usually be dishonest. They won't tell a prospective member what will happen later (a hidden agenda). The ends will often justify the means. One way to avoid cults is to always question what a group is saying to you, be a smart consumer and don't accept absolute theories. Remember, don't replace one cult with another. If you grew up in a cult avoid others. Also, allow survivors to choose their own spirituality. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
