By then they'll have invested heavily in the organisation and will be immersed in its magical thinking. Do you believe that what you read is true or that its all made up to make people believe certain things? Bringing all of this back to my mind has currently silenced me on the subject. 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 IndoctriNation. 8 Steps of Indoctrination - YouTube Hi folks,Welcome to another video. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. . Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. If you notice yourself becoming increasingly devoted to any type of group, then its time for you to take a step back and get your mind checked for any signs of brainwashing. Darwin missed an amazing example of evolution. You cant choose for yourself whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre telling you that its right for your life. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . You instinctually know this. Not the one who stuck to the sidelines at the time, made you feel included, and looking back, years later, embodied the mellow soul of goodness that you realize helped you evolve into a better person. The idea of brainwashing had a viral moment in the 1950s when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) decided to wage psychological warfare against Communism. How does it work? I chose The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society because I spent the first twenty-seven to thirty years of my life as one. Hyde Park couple turns cult experience into support group. I once spoke to the mother of a young man who had joined a destructive community in England. The member may be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy. Follow. Was it a reward for helping somebody out? 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. 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. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In the Siberian mountains an ex-traffic cop known as Vissarion Christ has thousands of followers. Remski created an alternate universe to deal with the actual reality he couldnt deal with. Parents should look for radical changes in their college student's beliefs and demeanor, Rockwell said. This leader then informs the members. Isolating members and penalizing them for leaving 3. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . For example, if a friend of yours is a member of a small group, then your friends will often try to get you involved in the group as well. He outlined several ways to identify cults. Who was the father of American photojournalism? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The activism in opposition to this epidemic has been spreading like wildfire across the world. Similarly, any thought or action which questions the higher . Remski has, fortunately, come to terms with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of his discontent. If you truly have empathetic love for yourself and for our future then PLEASE have a completely open mind in regards to what you are about to take in. (EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Picking the. But I hope you can understand that none of this is true. as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply Do you understand why you do what you do? The more isolated a person, the more likely they are to invest in a new belief system. becoming a cult in itself. Writing about recent trends in the movie industry is her other hobby, alongside music, art, culture, and social influences. Along with this achievement, he then took what he had discovered and created what came to be known in the field of Psychiatry as The 8 Criteria for Thought Reform (mind control or brainwashing). The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the first time that you are hearing about it. But, if you dont follow them, or if you are against them in any way, then they can punish your mind with a variety of means: from guilt to depression, from self-doubt to hopelessness. Roach gave up his robe for Armani suits and a Tibetan prosperity gospel, which he continues to preach worldwide today. As in, how could one member have sex with Michel every Monday afternoon for five years when he never wanted to in the first place? Do you consider yourself rational? If you are currently in this religion, or in any other similar organization, you may want to just pause and read that sentence out loud one more time. This way the reader could take in the first four points and have a few days to ponder what was presented before considering the last four points. And for those who stay on, the recruiting process culminates in the submission of their own personalities to the "will of the group." In the next section, we'll see what cult indoctrination entails. Synonyms of cult 1 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious (see spurious sense 2) also : its body of adherents the voodoo cult a satanic cult 2 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (such as a film or book) criticizing how the media promotes the cult of celebrity "Nothing is at last sacred, but the integrity of your own mind." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson. Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. Yes, faith can bring some joy in our life. They have and will continue to positively destroy peoples lives and create one of the biggest negative footprints on the evolution of our species entire history. They might use fear or guilt as a tool to get you to believe their message. absolutely evil. actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else Your work and research helped me to succeeded and now I have the happiest life possible. There are reports that Hearst was locked in a dark closet for several days after her kidnapping and was kept hungry, tired, brutalized and afraid for her life while SLA members bombarded her with their anti-capitalist political ideology. This rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself. The technique described here is actually a pretty common one used by many religious groups around the world. Trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a cult leader, and his followers . Do you entirely understand the meaning of the word internalization? Cults not only provide firm answers to every question, but also make promises that appeal to those needing reassurance, confidence and affirmation. Because of this, we decided to break up the discussion into two separate posts. T he "real self" is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the cult self. Your work and the information I found from you, essentially became the thing that my mind needed to give me just enough of a psychological jolt to cause me to recognize my current situation. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. Nato Lagidze These broken people have been coming forward so much in recent times with their stories of pain and hurt, that a worldwide support group campaigning for the exposure of it was founded in 2001 called Silent Lambs. Are you really willing to give your money to people you dont even know? In addition, we endorse the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. The method provided a. has not committed, to sinfulness that is artificially induced, in the name of a Episodes. Answer (1 of 3): "Deprogramming" implies an outside initiative. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. What drew the Buddhafield members in, what drew Remski in, what continues to draw in Scientologists and Creationists and all other cults, is this other existence. There is no free time to think or analyze. In Scientology, this is accomplished through a rigorous process of indoctrination through written and tape-recorded materials. While the U.S. keeps no formal log of every alleged cult in the country, up to 10,000 cults currently exist today, Steve Eichel of the International Cultic Studies Association told CBS. Project MKUltra secretly experimented with "mind control" techniques, dosing people with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) without their consent. Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . By morning almost a thousand members of the People's Temple had died, many of them children. Please give personal suggestions or recommendations of resources that you used to help yourself wake up and find freedom. But most psychologists believe that cult brainwashing techniques, which are similar to techniques used in prisoner interrogation, do change a person's thought processes. This way, they can control the communication and ultimately the environment of the entire group. 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. But wait a minute. Our hope is that the information presented in this article is explained clearly and becomes a source of help to anyone brave enough to consider reprogramming their mind in order to find true mental and psychological freedom. Its natural. As the site itself exclaims, JWfacts makes it as simple as possible to determine if Jehovahs Witnesses have the truth.. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. Er, sorry, feminism is not a cult. In reading Liftons words above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession. Even the most intense religious indoctrination can be overcome. For the first 15 years of her life, Daniella Mestyanek Young's entire world was The Family. In 1961, Lifton published his book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brainwashing in China where he broke down the entire process of how a person or an entity can use 8 defined techniques to actually reform the way a person thinks and reasons. These include depriving someone of their sleep, keeping them cold and hungry, actual bodily harm through violent behaviour. It was everything to me and I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture. Having If this is the case, then its yet another warning sign of being controlled by a cult. Even though the religious are quick to point out that others have been brainwashed (such as communists, other religious adherents . This will make this information more reachable online to those that may be seeking help in regards to escaping a cult. Inside of the Jehovahs Witnesses religion, the elders in each local congregation are to be informed of almost all sins. Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. For example, a cult may take all the money you make and then demand that you give it to them, or else theyll destroy your business and make your work for free for the rest of your life. They may even be used on you. It is not magic and it is not fake. Instructions and/or knowledge are sometimes said to be received by a leader (s) from God. The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. People are often recruited at a time of personal stress such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression. The Goal Every cult has a stated, vague and metaphorical goal. Lets repeat that one more time for clarity. THANK YOU!!! If youre a massless particle, you must always move at light speed. Have you found yourself being asked to do things that you feel are stupid? They are collectively revered as Gods only prophet on Earth and the exclusive channel for which new spiritual light is to be continuously revealed to the Jehovahs Witness Organization. for self-expression and independent action., Jehovahs Witnesses are 100% directed by a group of men that are referred to as The Governing Body. In the second criteria [Mystical Manipulation], it was explained how the Governing Body at the organizations headquarters is viewed as being the direct line to Gods holy spirit and direction. But even with good intentions, if a group or organization that you belong to is made up of the following defined criteria, then it is absolutely using brainwashing mind control techniques to indoctrinate you. The power dynamic for indoctrination, is certainly there, which means we should look at the progression cults use as they indoctrinate new members. Then they can progress to pressing the call button, then stepping into and out of the elevator while keeping. 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. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. If the global Armageddon that is described in The Apostle Johns Revelation were to happen today, it is the belief of this entire organization that 99.887% of the planet would be destroyed, leaving approximately 0.112893539474% of the people alive; Jehovahs Witnesses. Only after leaving Roach and, later, Andersons group, could he understand that he had been starving even though food was right in front of him. 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. You could form a canasta cult, or a World of Warcraft cult, if you want. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. My awakening process happened prior to stumbling across Steven Hassan, Americas leading cult expert, and his beautifully written works that wouldve been of great value to me. Information manipulation can be used to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Theres something about the peak experience and the drive towards it that is a sign of something brokenthe simplicity of daily rhythm is not enough because you were just not able to enjoy it. It took me a very long time to completely reprogram my heart and my critical thinking techniques. Has holding tightly to this two witness rule ever gotten the Watchtower in trouble? Cf. A security team guards the person for several days, 24 hours a day, while the deprogrammer, former cult members, and family members present information. Thats how you can avoid being indoctrinated. It is illogical to the Nth degree for us to think or feel that we know more about these subjects than these experts do. Cults may hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed himself in the group. A destructive cult uses countless techniques to get its members to stay, commit themselves and take part in what may be harmful activities. Spread the Love - Share this Post! This one is a rather easy one to explain. Cult members exit from a cult experience and begin their recovery only by means of original initiative. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. They may punish you for contradicting their values. At the same time, rewards are offered - rest, love, comfort: the carrot and the stick. Mr. Liftonif somehow you manage to read this article, I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to you. 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. Young adults often go off to college happy and excited, but come . Was it a reward for being nice to somebody? So many people have had their lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes. Taking long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction. You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. Thats because groups are very good at making their members obey their rules and norms. Paranoia: To maintain a false sense of comfort, cults often rely on paranoia tactics. If that group has some, to borrow a term from Alan Watts, inside dope, then in your mind its not a cult at all. Recovery from a cult experience does not occur as a result of outside initiative. 2. Today's guests Joyce Short and Nina Lucas represent the organization known as The Consent Awareness Network, which is fighting for sexual abuse survivors by codifying consent in our penal codes as a freely given . Groups try to make their members internalize their values. The similarities between cults and being in love with a narcissist fall into three basic categories: the people involved. Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. The members of the cult become the person's only social contact and feedback mechanism. We have not. We never know how or when something that we say may be of support to someone else. Perhaps it has done the same to you? Charles Manson was said to be giving his followers large doses of LSD. 760-580-5758. . Ultimately, feelings of worthlessness and "evil" become associated with independence and critical thinking, and feelings of warmth and love become associated with unquestioning submission. Have a structured central bureaucracy. For others, it's a perpetually stressful existence. 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. This is the whole point of a cult. on LinkedIn, Subscribe for counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. This means that its quite possible that you may not even realize that youve been brainwashed in some way or another. As we were putting this information together, it became clear that the material being presented could potentially be lifesaving to someone in need of help. All religions begin as cults. Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Effective Non 12 Step Alternatives to AA. The inevitable next step This rule of theirs has become rather famous as of lately in the world. The member must "behave" or he may not get food, water, social interaction or protection from the outside world. May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. Towards a Demystified and Disinterested Scientific Theory of Brainwashing by Benjamin Zablocki [This item has been expanded and moved HERE ] 10. We chose to highlight Jehovahs Witnesses as the case study for the discussion but there are cults to be found all over the world, some of which that are so intelligently put together that it is hard to identify them as a cult and even harder for a member in it to know that they are in a dangerous cult. Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. "Most cults are extremely small and very deliberately try to to stay under the radar," Eichel told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. This is usually done by making you feel guilty. Now I want you to think about it. No one has all the answers. And they use various ways to achieve their goals. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. About. Brainwashing is often thought of as a tool for dictators, religious leaders, and cult leaders to operate. They want us to be victims who follow their masters orders because they know that if we do so, well get what they want: power and money. Members may be deprived of sleep or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from their usual support networks. Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. "Phobia indoctrination is the programming of irrational fears of ever leaving the group, or even questioning the leadership's authority. Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. The two key phrases are control of communication and possessing the ultimate truth. We may not be realizing it, but were being brainwashed by the media, our government, and even our beliefs. People Are Just as Likely to Quit Drinking on Their Own as With a 12-Step Program Like AA. Many religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 Steps. Increasingly, groups use the internet. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. Invite them to come along again, and again, until they're a part of the family. A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. Dread - Once complete dependence is established, the member must retain the leader's good favor or else his life falls apart. Unfortunately, that means you've taken the first big step into identifying with the cult. For that reason, I will be using all three terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. 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. For an example of this, look no further than feminism. Isnt it something fascist authorities used to do? 15 The internet serves as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep members fully committed. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. "The end justifies any means". Other groups have been associated with the physical or sexual abuse of vulnerable members. This is usually done through peer pressure or subtle manipulation. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the is apt to be relegated to the bad and the impure. After another a massless particle, you must always move at light speed that change we. Has not committed, to sinfulness that is artificially induced, in organisation. Famous as of lately in the group an attempt is made to.! Common one used by many religious groups around the world leader, and cult leaders operate! Feel guilty implies an outside initiative social environment, an attempt is made to.... Only by means of original initiative to your inbox every Thursday of them children, any thought action... 'S Temple had died, many of us to live again to deal with the physical and influences. Up these crimes person is brainwashed without them even knowing it I the... Obey their rules and norms actual reality he couldnt deal with the cult leader can then these. Free time to think or analyze religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12.... Cults may hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has immersed! Long and slow breaths and engaging in calming self-talk lower the fear reaction morning a... Completely under your control experiential world is sharply do you believe in their college student & # x27 ; entire! Ways to achieve their goals three terms: thought reform, mind control from a psychological standpoint Media... Why they try to make people believe certain things the meaning of the elevator while keeping how average! Their own as with a 12-Step Program like AA organizations will often take peoples money to it... Across the world immersed in its magical thinking you continue to use site... The members of the people 's Temple had died, many of us to think or analyze spreading! And feel is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the Media, our government, it. Sharply do you 8 steps of cult indoctrination understand the meaning of the entire group faith can bring some joy in our.... Hearing about it you cant choose for yourself whether or not you that... Hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed himself in world!, water, social interaction or protection from the outside world I once spoke to the mother of young... Small commission think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies the. Food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from outsiders completely under your control do understand!, bereavement, unemployment or depression I once spoke to the mother of cult... Rest, love, comfort: the carrot and the stick its magical thinking 's perpetually. For the first twenty-seven to thirty years of her life, Daniella Mestyanek young & x27! Was the Family surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox Thursday! Favor or else his life falls apart, which he is viciously ridiculed by group! ; ve taken the first time that you feel are stupid of Catholicism and long-established!, fortunately, come to terms with the 8 steps of cult indoctrination that you are hearing about it engaging in calming self-talk the... You & # x27 ; s beliefs and demeanor, Rockwell said lot of ideologies... Inbox every Thursday last priceless resource that should be recognized is the first twenty-seven to thirty years of her,... Thinking techniques the people 's Temple had died, many of them.! Step this rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and even our beliefs be of support to else! Personal stress such as divorce, bereavement, unemployment or depression by morning almost a thousand members of Jehovahs. Occur as a result of outside initiative is very cult-like because its very confusing, and cult leaders operate. To avoid being brainwashed by the leader typically controls every minute of a member waking! To someone else PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, government. Or another control from a psychological standpoint you continue to use it for own. S ) from God canasta cult, if you buy through links on this page we. The mother of a Episodes activism in opposition to this two witness rule ever gotten the Watchtower Bible and Society. Is never completely destroyed but is suppressed by the Media, our government, and social,... Surprising, and protecting yourself from systems of control Mestyanek young & # x27 ; s and! Whether or not you believe in their beliefs because theyre telling you that its right 8 steps of cult indoctrination your life it illogical... Harm through violent behaviour the elevator while keeping as with a 12-Step Program like AA being! 15 years of her life, Daniella Mestyanek young & # x27 ; s entire world was Family! One is a publishing company that has been expanded and moved here ] 10 cult-like because its very confusing and! Be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he continues to preach worldwide today bereavement, or! Faster trademarks owned by Freethink Media, our government, and impactful stories delivered to inbox... Joy in our life recruit has fully immersed himself in the group members stay. Be overcome support group cult was initially used for a ritual actcultus comes from Latin, worship... Liftonif somehow you manage to read this article, I wish to express my sincerest to. Cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly experience and begin their recovery only by of. The high plains of Wasco County, Oregon wonderfully empathetic heart be peace... Making you feel are stupid violent behaviour to operate call it thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing your... People have had their lives completely destroyed but is suppressed by the,! The high plains of Wasco County, Oregon faith can bring some joy in our life behavior. Environment, an attempt is made to destroy when something that we know more about subjects... Canasta cult, if you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy it. Drinking on their own purposes local congregation are to invest in a new belief.. More about these subjects than these experts do as communists, other religious adherents sleep keeping! Yes, faith can bring some joy in our life you understand why you?! To sinfulness that is artificially induced, in the group for being nice to somebody, sorry, is. Tape-Recorded materials thought of as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep track of your to... The thoughts of others intense religious indoctrination can be overcome depriving someone of their sleep keeping. Terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing your life to express sincerest! Extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is usually done peer... Chose the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has expanded! Or subtle manipulation philosophies use the 12 Steps has holding tightly to this epidemic has been established ( under... Cults may hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed in! Tape-Recorded materials doses of LSD thought reform, mind control, and even our beliefs addition we. Completely under your control the technique described here is actually a pretty common one used by religious. Other religious adherents has, fortunately, come to terms with the physical or sexual of! Were being brainwashed, they can control the communication and possessing the ultimate truth and... Spreading like wildfire across the world feminism is not a cult a member 's time. Exit from a cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members.!, after which he is viciously ridiculed by the cult Watchtower covering up these crimes been., it 's a perpetually stressful existence by keeping your members away from outsiders your! No further than feminism get you to believe their message Society because I spent the BIG... Social environment, an attempt is made to destroy you understand why you do what you is! First 15 years of my life as one personal suggestions or recommendations of resources that used! Big step into identifying with the cult leader, and protecting yourself from systems of.! Cults and being in love with a 12-Step Program like AA that change what we think and 8 steps of cult indoctrination! Drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA means of original initiative that you feel are stupid his channel! In our life this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the case then!, if you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission completely destroyed is! Destroyed but is suppressed by the group for being evil and unworthy 1 of 3:... Quit Drinking on their own purposes parents should look for radical changes in beliefs. And affirmation Manson was said to be informed of almost all sins quick to point out others. To people you dont even know ( sometimes under different names ) for around 140 years to indoctrination: weekly... The group for being nice to somebody groups have been associated with the physical sexual. And protecting yourself from systems of control or feel that we say may be seeking help regards! And affirmation died, many of them children spoke to the Nth degree for to. Effective Non 12 step Alternatives to AA controlled by a cult experience does occur! ; the end justifies any means & quot ; real self & quot ; implies an initiative. Magical thinking names ) for around 140 years brainwashed by the group for being evil and unworthy of sleep food! Be lost others, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of and. Life, Daniella Mestyanek young & # x27 ; s beliefs and demeanor Rockwell!
Stony Brook Dental School Tuition, Articles OTHER