Hi All,
This is what I have just emailed today. It’s an Opinioned Article. To preserve the paper’s integrity, Editors always cross check submitted articles for their originality through an online tool. Therefore, I have taken great steps to avoid copying every word from Jimmypage’s posting but, taking care to highlight the main points or essential messages. Not sure when it will be published. This paper's online version can be accessed at Courant.com.
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"Readers, Be Aware of Cult Signs.
By Scott Goldstein
Presently, there is a low level of public awareness about dangers presented by cult groups. The social and political problems caused by cults in societies are widespread due to lack of public education about the subject. To many residents in Connecticut State, it’s like a kind hot button issue that attracts a few media coverage unless, something like death or attempted suicide has happened. The recent arrest of Pakistani-born U.S. citizen Faisal Shahzad not withstanding, this is dangerous because high mind control groups regardless of religious affiliation, can draw in unsuspecting locals who are otherwise, reasonable and intelligent people.
What is worrisome is that no individuals within the cult realize that they are in. Ironically, they may recognize the signs of a cult in other groups but not in their own. Using (BITE), Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control method, Steve Hassan, an ex-Moonie, highlights these signs in interest of the public awareness.
Behavior control often includes approved associates an individual is permitted to interact with, what clothes and hairstyles are acceptable. To foster a spirit of cohesiveness, individuality is discouraged in favor of "group think". A significant amount of time is expended to the group's activities.
Information control forbids cult members from speaking or socializing with ex-members. It’s not uncommon to view outside information with suspicion, since non- members are viewed as outcast, being outside the group’s beliefs in ‘God’ through cult leaders and being under the influence of Satan or imaginable enemies.
To control the recruit’s mind, adherents are strong bared from questioning the decisions of the group's leaders or doctrines. As if that is not enough, alternative belief systems are viewed as illegitimate or useful. They are looked down with disdain.
To instill guilt and unjustified fear, and thus motivate members to stay in, cults utilize emotional control with efficiency. The fear of exiting the cult group tops the list. No wonder, members develop irrational phobias and their minds dread and regard the uncertainties of a world as devoid of blissfulness and life’s enjoyment.
To destroy the families on which social fabric of societies are founded, relatives who leave cults are viewed as ‘weak’ or ‘unspiritual’ and shunned. Cult rules are enthusiastically enforced to the letter. This explains why cult members may risk law enforcement arrest by stalking former member’s lives whenever they move from place to place. Regardless of the reason given for abandoning the cult group, it’s regarded as illegitimate. Thus, this effectively seals the fate of members in the group and eliminates or lessens options to escape from their grip.
However, it’s not too late to be on guard. There is light at the end of the tunnel for those still strapped within high mind control groups. Since public education is a powerful tool against ignorance, I hope readers will always remember “BITE” tactics used by cult as a recruitment tool and do their best to avoid them.
Scott Goldstein is an avid, regular reader of Hartford Courant.