The other night, out of despiration, I was going to join the witnesses. Every time I try, God stops me. This time, he showed me this.
This is only a GENERALIZATION of cults.
But see how much of this discribes the Jehovahs Witness.
Things CULTS have in common:
1) A centralized authority, that tightly structures both philosophy
and lifestyle.
2) A "we" verses "them" complex, pitting the supposed superior
insights of the group against a hostile outside culture.
3) A commitment for each member to proselytize intensively the
unconverted.
4) An entrenched isolationism that divorces the devotee from the
relatives of the world at large.
> Allegiance to the founder's idea's become an absolute requirment.
If such a transformation takes place while the leader is still
alive, he usually claims supernatural certifications for his
beliefs.
What then develops is a type of institutional dogmatism and a
pronounced intolerance for any position that is not their own.
> The person who seek's out a cult or is ensnared by cult propaganda
also fits a composit psychological profile (depression, etc.)
He/she is looking for an affirming community with which he/she can
identify.
Such a group will be all the more appealing if it offers a single,
idealistic principle around which his/her entire life can revolve.
In a society that is Biblically literate, the deception of a cult
is particularly enticing if it claims to have "restored" certain
truths that have been lost or rediscovered.
Loneliness, indecision, despair and disappointment are the emotional
characteristics cult recruiters notice.
They approach the unwary with an excessively friendly invitation to
a lecture, or other activity offering instant solutions to
overwhelming problems.
Cults generally attract prospects using an outpouring of attention
and affection. The so-called "Love Bombing" technique.
LOVE BOMBING: "Physical affection and a constant contrived attention
to give false sense of comraderie"
Feeling, not doctrine is the lure. In fact, the belief structure is
seldom mentioned in the beginning. Cult leaders know that once an
initiate has been reconditioned to accept their political
worldview, as soon as he/she feels a sense of meaningful belonging,
his/her mind will be ready to accept any teaching, including a
belief that the leader represents God.
Approval, acceptance, belonging, athority - all those things that
were missing, are supplied by the cult.
Critical thinking is discouraged. When the recruits mind shifts to
neutral, the period of intense indoctrination begins.
The effectiveness of tactics is often enhanced with sensory
deprivation, extreme amounts of physical activity coupled with
fatigue, severance with ties of family and friends, and the
forsaking of all belongings and material possessions.
In a short time, the initiate becomes emotionally & spiritually
dependant on the cult for decisions, direction, and even the
physical necessities of life.
The outside world appears more and more threatening.
Finally his/her mind "snaps", and the sudden, drastic alteration
of personality in all its many forms takes place.
> Unquestioned submission:
Acceptance of cult practices is achieved by discouraging any
questions or natural curiosity that may challenge what the leaders
propagate.
They say the word of God needs to be properly translated with
accompanying explanations.
The preceeding is taken from
"Larsons new book of cults", by Bob Larson.
Published by Tyndale publishers.
Now, do you understand why (in part) I am "obsessed" with Debi?
I may be "obsessed", but I prefer to think of it as love & concern.
Doug
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