Cults 101: Are You In A Cult?

by Bangalore 4 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Bangalore

  Cults 101: Are You In A Cult?

  http://www.examiner.com/x-13046-Memphis-Interfaith-Issues-Examiner~y2009m7d27-Cults-101-Are-you-in-a-cult

  Bangalore
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  drwtsn32

  First, there is the theological consideration. How consistent are the group's beliefs with the basic tenets of the historic Christian faith? This evaluates the eternal significance of such beliefs.

  I disagree with this point. I don't think a group should be labeled a "cult" simply because one disagrees with some of their teachings (thinks the teaching is not a "basic tenet of the Christian faith").

  In my opinion a cult is all about the control it places on its members, not any specific teachings.

  I've always liked this list when trying to identify whether a group is a cult or not:

  http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html
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  undercover

  The word cult is too hard to define.

  I use it only on this board when defining JWs/WTS because the majority here know what it was like being a JW and how hard it is to leave. Outside of this group of people who understand, I never use the word to describe JWs, Mormons or most other religions. It deflects from the debate because so many people have different meanings.

  Cults don't have to be religious either. It can be any group that requires an abnormal devotion to group or club. I consider 1% biker gangs cults. They have to follow a strict code, they have uniforms and they have a chain of command. Step out of line or disrespect the group and you're in a world of shit. It's a cult, just not religious. Certain military groups are very cultish as well.

  Of course my opinion on all this is formed by the fact that I was in the JW cult for so long. Now anything that smacks of conformity or following the group alarms me to some degree. I'll probably never to be able to join any kind of club or group just because I don't want to be pigeonholed or told how to act, dress or respond to certain situations.
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  WTWizard

  "Cult" has varying definitions. In the loosest sense, anyone that belongs to society can be said to be in a cult, since there is a code of morals. This is not necessarily damaging.

  Up a bit, a cult can be a group of people with similar beliefs. Depending on how much this sets the group apart from the world, it can be quite innocuous. These beliefs can simply be that any volitional act that is good for oneself and/or society is moral, and any volitional act that is bad for oneself and/or society is immoral. Such a belief would produce a very innocuous "cult", since a member can act on that belief and still contribute to society and receive value from society nicely. Or, the beliefs can be very narrow--setting one apart from the world. That kind of cult would be more capable of producing damage.

  A cult can also be defined as a group of people with similar beliefs, where the majority of people do not believe in. Again, the amount of damage created depends on how much those beliefs interfere with functioning in society. If the belief is simple enough, it might actually enhance the person's ability to function in society. Such a "cult" could eventually go mainstream if not viciously fought by the Establishment (the Establishment, not those in it, would stand to lose the most).

  When a cult becomes damaging is when they start pushing beliefs that impede a person's functioning in society, use force or threats of force to prevent people from cross-referencing these beliefs or punish those who no longer believe it (or who get tired of the drag on their personal lives), and initiate fraud to get people to join. Usually, those cults have (or develop) long lists of normal activities that members cannot participate in. They are usually sequestered in some way from the world (living in isolation, or being told that the media is bad and that "excessive" worldly association will damage them), and very often are kept busy pushing a product or service. Religion may or may not be a factor.

  These kinds of cults often start with a real problem (getting in with the opposite sex, getting rich, or religion). They offer a solution, usually the wrong one. You are now expected to put hours and hours of time into this (MLMs do this, expecting distributors to spend hours and hours advertising the product and trying to get new distributors). Businesss cults will blame the victim for not doing enough if they do not make enough money (it is extremely rare to get rich in a MLM legitimately). Cults that "solve" a personal problem give crap advice that is often worse than advice that is in the mainstream media, and then blame the victim when it does nothing or worse. Religious cults will stake salvation--you will not be saved if you do not do enough, and nothing you do is ever "enough".

  Religious cults tend to be the worst. With a business or "personal problem" cult, if you stop distributing or doing what they tell you, all you lose is the money. Business cults can cut you off if you do not pay or have activity, but will reinstate you as soon as you pay a new initiation fee. "Personal problem" cults often ban people, sometimes for complaining that the product does not work or seeing a pitfall and mentioning that an adverse outcome will result from the "solution". However, they do not threaten to hold family hostage--or eternal damnation. Nor do they stop you from cross-referencing their products (and finding that theirs is a scam or that there is additional information they are not supplying that is needed for success). Which is more than can be said about most religious cults.
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  Vanderhoven7

  ____________from CARM________________________

  Cults are everywhere. Some are mainstream and widely accepted. Others are isolationist and hide from examination at great expense. They are growing and flourishing. Some cause great suffering while others appear very helpful and beneficial. Which ever group it is, the ultimate end is their destruction when the Lord returns to claim His own.

  1. What is a cult?
  2. Generally, it is a group that is unorthodox, esoteric, and has a devotion to a person, object, or a set of new ideas.
  3. New Teaching - has a new theology and doctrine.
  4. Only True Teaching - often considers traditional religious systems to be apostate and it alone possesses the complete truth.
  5. Strong Leadership - often an individual or small but powerful leadership group holds control of the group’s teachings and practices.
  6. Asset Acquirement - often requires tithing and/or property transfer to the religious system.
  7. Isolationist - to facilitate control over the members physically, intellectually, financially, and emotionally.
  8. Controlling - exercises control over the members. Sometimes this is through fear, threatening loss of salvation if you leave the group. Sometimes through indoctrination.
  9. Indoctrination - possesses methods to reinforce the cult’s beliefs and standards where opposing views are ridiculed and often misrepresented.
  10. Apocalyptic - to give the members a future focus and philosophical purpose in avoiding the apocalypse or being delivered through it.
  11. Experience - various practices including meditation, repetition of words and/or phrases, and ‘spiritual’ enlightenment with God are used as confirmation of their truth.
  12. Depravation - sleep and food deprivation which weakens the will of the subject.
  13. This is uncommon, though practiced by more severe cults.
  14. Persecution - predictions of being persecuted, often combined with claiming any opposing views demonstrated against them as a form of persecution.
  1. Many have non-verifiable belief systems;
  2. For example, they would teach something that cannot be verified.
  3. A space ship behind Hale-Bop comet
  4. Or, that God, an alien, or angel appeared to the leader and gave him a revelation.
  5. The members are seeded angels from another world, etc.
  6. Often, the philosophy makes sense only if you adopt the full set of values and definitions that it teaches.
  7. With this kind of belief, truth becomes unverifiable, internalized, and easily manipulated through the philosophical systems of its inventor.
  8. The Leader of a Cult
  9. Often charismatic and is considered very special for varying reasons:
  10. The cult leader has received special revelation from God.
  11. The cult leader claims to be the incarnation of a deity, angel, or special messenger.
  12. The cult leader claims to be appointed by God for a mission.
  13. The cult leader claims to have special abilities.
  14. The leader is often above reproach and is not to be denied or contradicted.
  15. Cult ethos
  16. Usually seeks to do good works, otherwise no one would join them.
  17. They are usually moral and possess a good standard of ethical teaching.
  18. Many times the Bible is used or additional "scriptures" are penned.
  19. The Bible, when used, is always distorted with private interpretations.
  1. Many Cults recruit Jesus as one of their own and redefine him accordingly.
  20. Cult groups vary greatly.
  21. From the ascetic to the promiscuous.
  22. From esoteric knowledge to very simple teachings.
  23. From the rich and powerful to the poor and weak.
  24. Who is vulnerable to joining a cult?
  25. Everyone is vulnerable.
  26. Rich, poor, educated, non-educated, old, young, previously religious, atheistic, etc.
  27. General Profile of cult member (some or all of the following):
  28. Disenchanted with conventional religious establishments.
  29. Intellectually confused over religious and/or philosophical issues.
  30. Sometimes disenchanted with society as a whole.
  31. Has a need for encouragement and support.
  32. Emotionally needful.
  33. Needs a sense of purpose.
  34. Financially needy.
  35. Recruitment techniques
  36. They find a need and fill it. One of the ways they do this is called...
  2. "Love Bombing" - Constant positive affection in word and deed.
  3. Sometimes there is a lot of physical contact like hugging, pats on the back, and touching.
  4. Cult group members will lend emotional support to someone in need.
  5. Help them in various ways...whatever is needed.
  6. The person then becomes indebted to the cult.
  7. Compliment them, reassure them, and make them the center of attention.
  8. Many Cults use the influence of the Bible and/or mention Jesus as being one of their own; thereby adding validity to their system.
  9. Scripture twisting
  10. Those that use the Bible take verses out of context.
  11. Then mix their misinterpreted verses with their aberrant philosophy.
  12. Gradualism
  13. Slow altering of thinking processes and belief system through repeated teaching.
  14. People usually accept cult doctrines one point at a time.
  15. New beliefs are reinforced by other cult members.
  16. Why would someone join?
  17. The cult satisfies various needs:
  18. Psychological - Someone could have a weak personality, easily lead.
  19. Emotional - Someone could have recently suffered an emotional trauma.
  20. Intellectual - Someone has questions that this group answers.
  21. The cult gives them approval, acceptance, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
  22. The cult is appealing for some reason. It could be . . .
  23. Moral rigidity and purity.
  24. Financial security.
  25. Promises of exaltation, redemption, higher consciousness, or a host of other rewards.
  26. How are they kept in the cult?
  27. Dependence
  28. People often want to stay because the cult meets their psychological, intellectual, and spiritual needs.
  29. Isolation
  30. Outside contacts are reduced and more and more of the life of the member is built around the cult.
  31. It then becomes very easy to control and shape the member.
  32. Cognitive Reconstruction (Brainwashing):
  33. Once the person is indoctrinated, their thinking processes are reconstructed to be consistent with the cult and to be submissive to its leaders.
  34. This facilitates control by the cult leader(s).
  35. Substitution
  36. The Cult and cult leaders often take the place of mother, father, priest, teacher, and healer.
  37. Often the member takes on the characteristics of a dependent child seeking to win the approval of the leader and or group.
  38. Indebtedness
  39. The member becomes indebted to the group emotionally, financially, etc.
  40. Guilt
  41. The person is told that to leave is to betray the leader, God, the group, etc.
  42. The person is told that to leave would mean to reject the love and help the group has given.
  43. Threat
  44. Threat of destruction by God for turning from the truth.
  45. Sometimes physical threat is used, though not often.
  46. Threat of missing the apocalypse, or being judged on judgment day, etc.
  47. How do you get them out?
  48. The best thing is to try not to let them get trapped in the first place.
  49. If you are a Christian, then pray.
  50. But, to get a person out of a cult takes:
  51. Time, energy, and support.
  52. Teach them the truth.
  53. Give them a true replacement for their aberrant belief system.
  54. Show the cult group's philosophic inconsistencies.
  55. Study the group and learn its history seeking clues and information.
  56. Try and get them physically away from the cult group.
  57. Give them the support they need emotionally.
  58. Alleviate the threat that if they leave the group they are doomed or in danger.
  59. Generally, don't attack the leader of the group...that comes later.
  60. Converts often feel a loyalty and respect for the founder of the group.
  61. Confront them when needed.