We know the Unification Church (“Moonies”) are a real cult. But how can we say Jehovah’s Witnesses are a cult? Consider some of the traits of a real cult revealed by a former “Moonie” about the Unification Church.
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Reflections of a former Moonie
Gleenings from the best-selling book:
Combatting Cult Mind Control
by Steven Hasson
* The Moonies do a very thorough job of convincing people that former members are satanic and that even being in their presence could be dangerous. [p.3]
* It is ironic that whereas Moon's stated goal is to unify the world, many of his strategies foster jealousy and spite among leaders, virtually insuring a lack of unity. [p.23]
* The more people opposed us, the more committed we felt. [p.24]
* It was as if we were God's army in the middle of a spiritual war--the only ones who could go to the front lines and fight Satan each day. [p.24]
* The Moonies wanted to keep me from pursuing some disturbing questions about the validity of the "time parallels" used in the "History of Restoration" lecture. I had discovered some glaring inconsistencies. It was dangerous for someone in my position in the organization to ask questions that couldn't be answered. [p.25]
* Indeed, it was my ideals and my own fantasy of an ideal world that had lured me into the Moonies. Those ideals ultimately enabled me to walk out and publicy condemn cult mind control. [p.33]
* In the United States, cults exert tremendous economic clout by buying up huge blocks of real estate and taking over hundreds of businesses. [p.36]
* They indoctrinate members to show only the best sides of the organization. Members are taught to suppress any negative feelings they have about the group and always show a continually smiling, "happy" face. [p.41]
* In some cults, members are systematically made to be phobic about ever leaving the group. Today's cults know how to effectively implant vivid negative images deep within members' unconscious minds, making it impossible for the member to even conceive of ever being happy and successful outside of the group. [p.45]
* In the same way, cult phobias take away people's choices. Members truly believe they will be destroyed if they leave the safety of the group. They think there are no other ways for them to grow--spiritually, intellectually, or emotionally. They are virtually enslaved by this mind control technique. [p.46]
* Everyone, like it or not, is vulnerable to mind control. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone needs affection and attention. Everyone is looking for something better in life: more wisdom, more knowledge, more money, more status, more meaning, better relationships, or better health. These basic human qualities and needs are exactly what cult recruiters prey upon. It is important to remember that for the most part, people don't join cults. Cults recruit people. [p.48]
Ros
"A religion that teaches lies cannot be true"--The Watchtower, 12/1/91 pg. 7
