Finding the answer could help professionals and patients. People are often recruited at a time of personal stress such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. Photo / Getty Images. Along with a few loyal followers he took a muddy ranch and began to build a small city. Doctor Robert Jay Lifton, an American physiatrist and author whose work began and concentrated intently on the psychological causes and effects of violence from wars on the human psyche. In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. Such demands are made possible not only by "Most cults are extremely small and very deliberately try to to stay under the radar," Eichel told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. Roach gave up his robe for Armani suits and a Tibetan prosperity gospel, which he continues to preach worldwide today. To Create Your Very Own Cult Begin by creating your own reality. In this way, there is no chance for a "reality check" or validation of a new member's concerns regarding the group. {notificationOpen=false}, 2000);" x-data="{notificationOpen: false, notificationTimeout: undefined, notificationText: ''}">. More Episodes Redacted Conversation If this is the case, then youre probably being indoctrinated. There's even one in Australia. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. An analysis of Dr Arthur J. Deikman's book on cult behavior 8. Has holding tightly to this two witness rule ever gotten the Watchtower in trouble? Throughout recorded history (and probably much longer) humans have been susceptible to charismatic leaders that have, either by nature or training, understood the psychology of acquiring followers. Your instincts are your friend. my religion or organization use this technique? Theyre just manipulating you. The control Jones held is far from unique among the leaders of destructive cults and new religions. The fight lasted about eleven yearsbut I did it! Having strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes my religion or organization use this technique? How did it happen? He outlined several ways to identify cults. This rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself. He is based in Los Angeles. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. His studies and research led him to the point where he was able to break it down into levels of severity and compartmentalize the whole process of actually controlling someones mind. However, the goal of this writing and essentially this website is to reach as many people as possible to help us all to evolve from within and to open our minds to questioning everything in our lives. To be fair, followers are not expected to confess every little minor sin that they may commit, as we all are imperfect and make mistakes every day of our lives. Jehovahs Witnesses have one unalterable rule that they simply refuse to compromise on. Studies show talk therapy works, but experts disagree about how it does so. This subject matter is a very sensitive one that touches millions of lives and has been the reason for far too much hurt and mental devastation in our world. Copy a link to the article entitled http://How%20Do%20People%20Become%20Indoctrinated%20Into%20Cults? He did, however, relate this process to the current American electoral cycle. Groups like ISIS don't use just violence to get their messages across, they use psychological techniques to recruit and keep members. Do you understand why you do what you do? Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. The leader may punish doubt or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma. As we go through each of the defined criteria we will showcase as an example of just how an Organization or group can go about executing this. Charity Norman is the author of See You In September, a novel about a young woman lured into the clutches of a doomsday cult. Usually, group indoctrination and self-indoctrination sessions demand many hours of members' lives. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. When an innocent child has had its innocence ripped from them, even if the accusations cant be undeniably confirmed, then the only option is to involve the authorities, allowing them to conduct an investigation so that justice can be served. Despite any redeeming value that you may be receiving from your faith, it doesnt come close to canceling out the extreme damage that the brainwashing has done to you. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. Admit it. For enlisted personnel, this process occurs during Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Training, or Marine Corps Boot Camp. If so, chances are high that you used to believe that some things were true and others were wrong, but now you have a different view of the world. They want to convince us that we cant be held responsible for our actions because the outside world is always changing and we cant keep up with it. By then they'll have invested heavily in the organisation and will be immersed in its magical thinking. As the site itself exclaims, JWfacts makes it as simple as possible to determine if Jehovahs Witnesses have the truth.. May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . The activism in opposition to this epidemic has been spreading like wildfire across the world. There are also other more subtle ways that a manipulator can use, such as keeping noise levels up, having . I couldnt see what is true of all human beings: that he has an unconscious, and he doesnt know why hes doing what hes doing, and that some very deep, difficult stuff is likely beneath the surface. He called himself Osho. We have not. This body of men that is comprised of anywhere from eight to twelve men is a unit of self-proclaimed representatives for Gods faithful and discreet slave class.This expression is based on their interpretation of the Parable of The Faithful Servant at Matthew 24:45-47, Mark 13:34-37, and Luke 12: 35-48. actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else Called ostracism, shunning or disconnection within cult groups, it is a primary method of control in families as well. If so, dont worry because weve all been there. Cults may keep new recruits from talking to other new recruits. Opposing critical thinking 2. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. Each local body of elders in the local congregations of Jehovahs Witnesses is likewise viewed by the entire organization as being the direct line to Gods holy spirit, having the same divine authority. Have a structured central bureaucracy. This rule of theirs has become rather famous as of lately in the world. If this is the case, then its yet another warning sign of being controlled by a cult. Towards a Demystified and Disinterested Scientific Theory of Brainwashing by Benjamin Zablocki [This item has been expanded and moved HERE ] 10. Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". Members may be deprived of sleep or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from their usual support networks. Nato Lagidze The 12 Steps is very much seen as a practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an indoctrination of religious beliefs. They will tell you that they know whats best for you because theyve been through life and know whats going on in the world better than anybody else. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians and Agnostics all practice it as a means of recovery. In 2010, I was finally completely awake. Invite them to come along again, and again, until they're a part of the family. 81 minutes | Jan 25, 2023. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the Sounds scary, right? Cults are going virtual, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts. Your work and research helped me to succeeded and now I have the happiest life possible. In addition, we endorse the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. 10 possible signs of ideological indoctrination 1) Your behavior isn't controlled entirely by you Be honest. Members are continually subjected to these techniques -- it's part of daily life in a cult. In fact, at one point the CIA owned . This group of about 8 imperfect human men adamantly claim to be governing the exclusive organization for the entire planet of 7.6 billion humans, possessing the divinely-gifted authority to oversee the single organization on Earth that contains the only system of principles to guide humans in living a life that will ensure the best chance possible of surviving the impending destruction at Armageddon of about 99.887% of the entire population of the planet. Born to a mom who . has not committed, to sinfulness that is artificially induced, in the name of a divided into the pure and the impure, into the absolutely good and the If you wish to learn more about the real truth behind being one of Jehovahs Witnesses, and especially if you are currently seeking help in waking up from this particular system of indoctrination through the brainwashing mind control techniques that we have discussed, please do not hesitate to contact us via our Contact Page. Ultimately, feelings of worthlessness and "evil" become associated with independence and critical thinking, and feelings of warmth and love become associated with unquestioning submission. There is no single path to a cult, but there are patterns, and by recognizing his own, Remski was able to understand what Joseph Campbell famously stated regarding Arthurian tales, among other mythologies: freedom is in the wound. It is their unwavering belief that Armageddon will destroy every single person on this planet that is not devoted to Jehovah God and living as an active Jehovahs Witness. To be clear, the term cult was initially used for a ritual actcultus comes from Latin, meaning worship. Throughout the world the word is still used to cite a religious group. . They might use fear or guilt as a tool to get you to believe their message. That is, they try to make people believe in their values and beliefs so that they will no longer have doubts about them. Charles Manson was said to be giving his followers large doses of LSD. Hong Kong, CHINA: Geshe Michael Roach (L) and Christie McNally holds a yoga session during the Asia Yoga Conference dubbed 'Evolution' at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 02 June 2007. A belief that the leader is right at all times. Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. Now you know that some people might try to convince you that what theyre saying is true for your own good. by A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. Youre part of a group thats special, destined, blessedyou feel complete. Mr. Liftonif somehow you manage to read this article, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to you. strength and confidence in your own personal faith, ask yourself honestlydoes Increasingly, groups use the internet. Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on . The good and the pure are of course those ideas, feelings, and If this is the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or brainwashed. Perhaps it has done the same to you? Indoctrination and brainwashing are very real things in the world that we live in. give expression to these tendencies. the ubiquitous human tendencies toward guilt and shame but also by the need to We owe this to ourselves to question everything. A parishioner regularly goes to the confession booth to confess their sins to the Father behind the cold metal divider, gets the assignment of how many Hail Marys to utter that will atone their sins, and the person goes on with their day. Does this make sense to you? I was appointed to a position called a Ministerial Servant and came very close to being appointed as an Elder, which is the highest position of leadership within a congregation. Lloyds video library is vast and extremely valuable to anyone that is mentally trapped inside of the Watchtower. Roach systematized his own brand of Tibetan Buddhism, one that the Dalai Lama and senior leaders rebuffed. Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . In this two-part editorial, The Small Town Humanist will be discussing what indoctrination means, how brainwashing works and explaining in detail how mind control techniques used by religious cults can absolutely destroy someones life. There is the demand that one confess to crimes one For one thing, military recruits know from day one that being in the military means giving up some of their autonomy -- that's how the military hierarchy works. **Full disclosure: We're discussing cults so the content may not be. In the social sciences, internalization means that the individual accepts a groups values and norms. T he "real self" is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the cult self. 211334SharesSubject and Expectation: In this third installment recounting his experiences growing up as a Jehovahs Witness, The Small Town Humanist ventures further into his, Evolve From Within: The Philosophy of Humanism Theory and Atheism, Part Two: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination, Part One: My Inspiring Comeback Story of Escape From the Most Dangerous Religious Cult in the World Jehovahs Witnesses, Part Two: Escape From the Worlds Most Dangerous Cult My Confusing Childhood as One of Jehovahs Witnesses, Part Three: Escape From the Worlds Most Dangerous Cult My Time as a Jehovahs Witness Ministerial Servant and an Introduction to the Three Men That Took My Life, Reason Number One Why Religion is Toxic and Harmful The Business of Religion, How You Can Help to Change the Whole World Be a Better Parent, Part One: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination, Part Five: The Storm Being Removed From the Jehovahs Witness Religion, Reason Number Two Why Religion is Toxic and Harmful Breeds Traumatic Levels of Fear-based Guilt and Shame. The power dynamic for indoctrination, is certainly there, which means we should look at the progression cults use as they indoctrinate new members. Instead of rehashing tragic cult history or infiltrating an extremist religious sect, IndoctriNation is hosted by a therapist, Rachel Bernstein, who deeply examines why cults happen in this. Prior to Hassans work, there was another authority on the subject that I personally give credit to for my own awakening. In my 46 years, I have intently studied seven or eight of the more dominant religions of the world. Brainwashing:: Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life. He couldnt understand the everyday was nutritiousthe mundane and banal provide all that we need. 760-580-5758. . Seeking a sense of purpose or a substitute family factor in. Click here to watch some of the footage. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . Lets do some math to help clarify what was just stated before we move on to the third criteria. Having Isolation - Cults cut off members from the outside world (and even each other) to produce intense introspection, confusion, loss of perspective and a distorted sense of reality. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group. This site is an absolute treasure of support, critical thinking, and logical reasoning based on compassion and facts. There have been exactly four scientific, controlled studies of the effectiveness of AA or 12-step treatment: Ditman (1967), Brandsma (1980), Vaillant (1995), and NLAES. Episodes. "Phobia indoctrination is the programming of irrational fears of ever leaving the group, or even questioning the leadership's authority. Codifying Consent w/Joyce Short & Nina Lucas. Special Knowledge. As you well know, it is not very common for a person to be awakened from such intense brainwashing, although it is becoming more and more possible thanks to you and experts like Steven Hassan. This is done by taking money from them without their consent or knowledge, or by blackmailing them. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. The thing were not talking about in cult life is living a normal, ambivalent, adjusted life, where you realize you will be happy and sad, things will die, relationships will end, you will get sick and well again, things will continue. All is forgotten. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. Confession is carried beyond No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the first time that you are hearing about it. I felt that he was like me, but fifteen or twenty years older. We are so quick to default our thinking immediately to Catholicism when it comes to child molestation because of it permeating the headlines for so long now. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. absolutely evil. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. This makes up their milieu or environment. Was it a reward for doing something you enjoyed doing? For Steven Hassan, a former Moonie turned cult expert and author of The Cult of Trump, the answer is decidedly yes. (Remski documents Roachs journey exceptionally here.). This is a common feature of small groups or cults. Few people seem to have a clear definition of indoctrination, and thus call anything they dislike indoctrination (e.g., "Leftists professors are indoctrinating their students," "Those . The method provided a. And most importantly, its not like theyre in need of this money. He disappeared during that first night, rushing back to the life he'd fled. 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