How do Cults recruit and keep their members?

by The wanderer 45 Replies latest jw friends

  • BabaYaga
    BabaYaga
    How do Cults recruit and keep their members?

    It starts with learning something new that was not known before...

    Perhaps you're right in the sense that they tell you something you think is a brilliant new "truth", when, of course, it is not true at all (we are talking about cults, here.) Mostly I think they start that sort of thing which quickly moves into telling you that you are different than everyone else and you are put under hardships and persecuted and make all of these sacrifices because YOU are BETTER than everyone else... you have the secret... you are the chosen lucky ones.

    The pretty design graphics

    Agh. Actually, my Mother was an artist, so I was always very uncomforably embarrassed by just how bad the society's illustrations were. Gaghck! I used to dream as a little girl of going to Bethel one day and doing decent illustrations for them. (On reflection this really makes me laugh, I guess I was more pompous than I thought!)

    The "mental regulating" that takes place

    I don't know... it still makes me kindof sad and angry. I'm just glad I survived it and got out!

    Oh, and I'm sure jgnat will answer your question herself when she sees it, but... her beloved husband is a JW... she never was (but man, she has done her homework in the meantime!)

  • DannyHaszard
    DannyHaszard

    Jehovah's Witnesses a high demand cult- The developing pattern of new cults from infancy to maturity is quite fascinating. They all center around one charismatic leader in the beginning. There is much euphoria among the little group over the idea of being the only ones whom God has blessed with the teachings of his "chosen servant." There is a bond of intimacy within the group based on this common identity, a kind of intimate friendship not found among orthodox Christians; ( 2) somewhat similar to the excitement of belonging to a secret club. Much effort is expended in making new converts, as the converts must learn to change their whole way of thinking to match that of the cult leader. (3) Because they have put so much work into converting individuals, and because the victims end up as, in effect, clones of themselves, they are excited for the new converts and heap much special attention on them, almost as if they were sons or daughters to them. Indeed, many are openly labeled as their spiritual children. Like doting mothers and fathers, the spiritual parents watch carefully over their new convert to see that their faith is not shaken by new discoveries or by their reading literature which exposes them as a cult. In the case of the Moonies, for instance, if a initiate decides to leave the group, the others quickly pull them back into their circle and physically and emotionally make a big fuss over them, using the security and emotional bonding of the group as the magnet to draw them back in.

    Within a few months, however, the initiate is expected to "tow the line" like everyone else, and the special attention disappears. It is replaced with the yoke of servitude. -- Randy Watters

  • DannyHaszard
    DannyHaszard

    Knowing An Unsafe Cult Stan Grimes June 7, 2006 I have received a number of emails from readers interested in knowing how to tell if they or someone they care for are being enticed or lured into an unsafe cult. Although these signs are not written in stone, they do give a sense of what is going on in the minds of cult members or new recruits of unsafe cults. Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention Specialist of http://rickross.com has presented the following warning signs shown by individuals, who very possibly may be either members of an unsafe cult or about to become members of an unsafe cult: 1. Extreme obsessiveness, regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration. 2. Individual identity, the group, the leader, and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens. 3. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned, it is characterized as ¡°persecution.¡± 4. Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior. 5. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement. 6. Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests. 7. A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor. 8. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader. 9. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful. 10.Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They cannot be trusted and personal contact is avoided. What qualifies as an unsafe cult? If you have internet access (and I assume you do), use your favorite search engine and search for cults. Go to the Rick Ross website. There is a great deal of information on that site about unsafe cults and leaders of cults. Remember, many cults are traps and leaving them is much more difficult than joining them.

  • DannyHaszard
    DannyHaszard

    The cult appears to be innovative and exclusive. The leader claims to be breaking with tradition, offering something novel, and instituting the only viable system for change that will solve life's problems or the world's ills. While claiming this, the cult then surreptitiously uses systems of psychological coercion on its members to inhibit their ability to examine the actual validity of the claims of the leader and the cult. Poet and writer Mark Twain sez: "if a million people believe in a stupid thing for a hundred years,it's STILL a stupid thing".

    The stats out there suggest that your risk of being inducted into a destructive cult are twice the statistical risk of contracting chicken pox

    Jehovah's Witnesses don't proselytize they metastasize.

    Are they knocking at your door?

  • parakeet
    parakeet

    Cults draw potential members into their trap with a carrot (promises of love and life). They keep them there with a stick (guilt and death threats.)

    It's also known as operant conditioning (rewards for desired behavior; punishment for prohibited behavior). Very effective, except for the fact that the subjects' health (both animals and humans) is often destroyed by the stress of this kind of conditioning.

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

  • What kind of individuals do you think get readily "taken" ?

  • Ignorant.

  • What is your point of view regarding cults and there methods

    • I dont care for cults. I am for free speech and free thought. Free speech and free thought tolerates and allows cults. Ironically cults do not allow free speech and free thought. It would be nice in this information age if enough light could be shown on the cults to cause them to wilt.

  • jgnat
    jgnat

    Q: If you do not mind me asking, how long were you one of Jehovah's Witnesses

    A: Never been one. I married a JW instead.

    Q: ..and how did they draw you in?

    A. Haven't succeeded. They've tried guilt (support husband), love-bombing (we've missed YOU at the meetings), and the cold shoulder.

  • The wanderer
    The wanderer

    Dear Ms. Jgnat:

    With all due respect, I think it is important to point
    out that there is a difference between someone who was
    a practicing Jehovah's Witness and someone who was not.

    I lived the life for 14 years, and although, that pales
    in comparison to many individuals on this board, my
    understanding comes from first hand experience.

    Who better to understand the mindset and emotions
    of a Jehovah's Witness than another Jehovah's Witness?
    Or a cult member at the very least?

    It is not something that you can experience through a
    second or third party, nor something, that you can
    read and find in a book.

    I have been in the "trenches" and on the "front lines
    of fire" with these people, and there is nothing
    that can substitute or replace that experience.

    Again no disrespect intended, just my viewpoint
    on matters.

    Respectfully,

    The Wanderer

  • penny2
    penny2
    With all due respect, I think it is important to point out that there is a difference between someone who was
    a practicing Jehovah's Witness and someone who was not.

    That's true Wanderer, but it's interesting to get the perspective from someone who has never been a JW but at the same time has a really good knowledge of their practices. Sometimes a third party can see the issues more clearly.

    Thanks though Wanderer for a good thread!!

    penny2

  • blondie
    blondie

    A doctor doesn't have to have had every form of cancer to be a good oncologist, even any form of cancer.

    These are good non-JW sources re cults that we refer to all the time on JWD.

    The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (Paperback) by David Johnson , Jeff VanVonderen

    Steve Hassan

    http://www.freedomofmind.com/

    Blondie

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