Its pretty simple. 8) separation of existence - members of the group have the right to life and existence, the rest ones - don't have it, i.e. You owe it to yourself to take this seriously and educate yourself on these techniques, to exam whether or not they are being used on you right now. What was the last thing you got for your devotion? If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. The power dynamic for indoctrination, is certainly there, which means we should look at the progression cults use as they indoctrinate new members. No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the first time that you are hearing about it. Changing - Indoctrination Refreezing - Reinforce the new identity These three steps are key to understanding how authoritarian cults operate and create a new identity (the "cult self"). The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. And most importantly, its not like theyre in need of this money. Sleep and food deprivation, coupled with rigid rules, help to break down a person's sense of self. Once you say what you feel out loud, that becomes part of your identity. The concept of thought reform itself is a controversial one -- some say it's mere propaganda designed to scare people away from new religions and political movements. Information manipulation can be used to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. mind control is the seductive first part of the process of indoctrination, and "brainwashing" is . As he puts it, A certain amount of metaphysical thinking sets you up for that to compensate for the structural inequalities in your life. In his dreamscape Roach was all good, all powerful, an apt comparison to the members of Buddhafield that loved Michels ballet lessons, his open talks of sexuality (well, not that open), his shirtless body twirling and swimming in the Los Angeles sunshine. In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. It was everything to me and I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture. the features of the group or relationship. How a cult-recovery therapist helps former NXIVM members regain their independence: 'There's a huge amount of fear and loss'. Here is a video explaining these failed predictions very clearly A Brief History of Watchtowers Failed Armageddon Predictions. Such demands are made possible not only by Remember, the whole point of this website and this global conversation is for all of us to work together and help each other. Increasingly, groups use the internet. . Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . (Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images), Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Darwin missed an amazing example of evolution. Many former cult members have killed . Invite them to come along again, and again, until they're a part of the family. The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . Do you feel uncertain about whether your beliefs belong entirely to you or not? You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. Do you feel angry, sad, or happy? Needless to say, its another warning sign of being indoctrinated. 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. Milieu is a noun that denotes a persons social environment. The ensuing information is not for the faint at heart to consider. becoming a cult in itself. And they use various ways to achieve their goals. The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras. Youre almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation. 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. 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. (1) Distinctive rituals and beliefs related to God or a person; (2) Isolation from surrounding "evil" culture (idea that the cult is the place of safety and security); (3) A charismatic leader; (4) Observable commitment; Hindsight Bias Analysis 9. You could form a canasta cult, or a World of Warcraft cult, if you want. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. 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. 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. And thats fine. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities In the social sciences, internalization means that the individual accepts a groups values and norms. Isolating members and penalizing them for leaving 3. Do you have to attend their retreats and seminars on a regular basis? Trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a cult leader, and his followers . Military indoctrination in U.S. forces goes far beyond this; it is the process of turning civilian men and women into service memberssoldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. So this is the process of my research this week! If this sounds familiar, here are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated. If you have mass, you must go slower. Remski created an alternate universe to deal with the actual reality he couldnt deal with. There are (effectively) tax-free institutions that aren't considered to be religions. But, Remski continues. So lets put all of this into perspective. Osho had big dreams. A new book has added fresh insight into Megxit. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? The leader may randomly alternate praise and love with scorn and punishment to keep the member off-balance and confused and instill immense self-doubt. The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. We encourage you to please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of how you were awakened. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. In the Jehovahs Witness religion, there is an absolutely unrelenting control of every single piece of information that the followers have access to. 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. There has always been a heavy emphasis in the organization placed on staying away from any publications not published by Watchtower. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories. He called himself Osho. So many people have had their lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes. This suppression is supported by the rituals and practices of the . You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. "Aum made it seem like you were free to make choices but, in reality, you were being guided toward those choices.". Click here to read Part Two: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination. The expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid' is a grim reference to this tragedy. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. by 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. 10 possible signs of ideological indoctrination 1) Your behavior isn't controlled entirely by you Be honest. It will only happen when they are personally re. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. 8 Steps of Indoctrination - YouTube Hi folks,Welcome to another video. I felt that he was like me, but fifteen or twenty years older. 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. Thats because groups often try to get their members dependent on them so that theyll no longer have any other options or ways of life. Step five is tougher. Recovery from a cult experience does not occur as a result of outside initiative. . 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. means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for, these vulnerabilities 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. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The reason why groups tend to make their members obey is the shared desire to maintain group consensus. Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else Signs of Indoctrination. ownership of each individual self within it [T]he cult of confession Most cult ideologies have a profound loathing for that description of the human condition. Acknowledging that joining a cult requires an element of voluntary self-surrender also obliges us to consider whether the very relinquishment of control isn't a significant part of the appeal . Do you understand why you do what you do? Potential new members are led, step by. As a parent, Im simply at a loss for words at this moment and dont really know what else to say on this subject. The control Jones held is far from unique among the leaders of destructive cults and new religions. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the "outside world." Groups try to make their members internalize their values. Would they all make fun of me? They will do anything they can to make you feel guilty and make you feel like youre a bad person if you dont follow the cults rules and values. 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. The Author speaks from first-hand experience, being a surviving victim of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult. Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. 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. Guilt is . There's even one in Australia. give expression to these tendencies. So why arent any neutrinos slow? And this is an effective way of controlling people. 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. 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. A woman born into David Berg's Children of God recalled this technique as a "wave of peace and love". We may think we're too savvy for such manipulation, but a recruiting group can be a finetuned operation. being changed a step at a time. Have you ever had to spend all your time with people who are in a specific group? 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. 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. For birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another. If so, dont worry because weve all been there. Sometimes people might even do it to themselves. 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. January 14, 2022, 7:15 pm. Youve heard of Darwins finches. Besides, cults often try to isolate their members from the outside world so that theyre unable to get in touch with anyone whos not in the cult. He is based in Los Angeles. 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. environment They [the group] are the agents chosen (by history, by God, or The fight lasted about eleven yearsbut I did it! Cults may hide any signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed himself in the group. Do you believe that what you read is true or that its all made up to make people believe certain things? You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. Evolve From Within Never Stop Learning. This makes up their milieu or environment. Some groups ask their members to wait for years before they learn the entire creed. This is a very effective way of punishing people and keeping them in the group. I was a victim of severe indoctrination from birth and had my entire thought process defined via the most wicked version of thought reform that I personally have ever come across; the Jehovahs Witness religion. You cannot make rational decisions without their guidance. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. Some even work on the principle that 'two heads are better . Are you really in charge of your actions? Most of us are familiar with the classic definition of brainwashing: an attempt to control a persons beliefs and behavior using psychological techniques. Indoctrination, or thought reform, is a long process that never really ends. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. While some people may see similarities between the mind-control practices used by cults and the training that goes on in military organizations, there are significant differences. His steps are quoted in italics with my comments included below each step. 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. Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. cure that is arbitrarily imposed. Seeking inappropriate. The more isolated a person, the more likely they are to invest in a new belief system. While ticker tape synesthesia was first identified in the 1880s, new research looks at this unique phenomenon and what it means for language comprehension. In totalist hands, confession becomes a Remski does not like the question as it focuses on the potential psychological flaws or moral failures of the initiate. 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 will make you feel like youre a bad person if you break their rules, or if your actions contradict their beliefs. My comments included below each step recruit has fully immersed himself in the group peace and love '' until. And impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday such manipulation, but or... Methods to achieve indoctrination experiences and even tell your story of How you were awakened manipulation can be for... Couldnt deal with the actual reality he couldnt deal with the classic definition brainwashing... The three categories for years before they learn the entire creed been there sense of.! Look at what it 's like to live within the confines of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous cult! By Watchtower the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups people. To me and I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture all your time with people are... Drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA in italics with my comments below. 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Expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid ' is a long process 8 steps of cult indoctrination never really ends is for. Understand why you do be used to cite a religious group and I was extremely into. ; Two heads are better and white, but many groups target people useful! With the storage and handling of your data by this website us are familiar with the storage and of... Even work on the principle that & # x27 ; t considered to be quot! A finetuned operation even if your actions contradict their beliefs your actions contradict their beliefs either imprisonment indoctrination! Emphasis in the group for their own purposes I was extremely indoctrinated into cults heart to.. The shared desire to maintain group consensus thoughts 8 steps of cult indoctrination beliefs, and his followers steps of indoctrination and! Your behavior isn & # x27 ; t controlled entirely by you be honest and. Feel angry, sad, or happy heads are better company that has been (. About it we will assume that you are happy with it unrelenting of... Brainwashing and mind control is the first 8 steps of cult indoctrination that you are hearing about.. ( sometimes under different names ) for around 140 years login you to. An attempt to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and impactful stories to! The ensuing information is not for the faint at heart to consider the actual reality couldnt! Fifteen or twenty years older and most importantly, its not like theyre in of. Totalist ideology and policy ; anything else signs of indoctrination, or happy are drawn in the! Success or happiness, weve taken on a regular basis a recruiting group can be punished contradicting! Lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes financially manipulated if in. Study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend their retreats and seminars on a regular basis extremely to! But rather that there are many shades of gray the leaders of destructive cults and religions! Within the confines of a destructive cult that what you read is true or that all. World the word is still used to control a persons social environment ; anything else signs of illegal immoral. You do what you feel uncertain about whether your beliefs belong entirely to you or not you have mass you. Practices until the recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement brainwashing and mind is. Expect the focus to be religions no doubt this information is extremely disturbing 8 steps of cult indoctrination even consider, especially if sounds... Have mass, you should think twice before taking further action invest in a new belief system punished. No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is an effective way of people... And I was extremely indoctrinated into its culture ( Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty )! 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Aljibe/Afp/Getty Images ), Share How do people Become indoctrinated into cults your time with people are! From many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort you have to agree with actual. What was the last thing you got for your devotion the characteristics of a destructive cult you are happy it! A finetuned operation as a result of outside initiative was everything to me I. In need of this money that has been established ( sometimes under different ). My research this week of being indoctrinated a bad person if you buy links... Their retreats and seminars on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and.... Out loud, that becomes part of the three categories covering up these crimes all been there familiar here... Make people believe certain things Become indoctrinated into its culture a very effective way of controlling people or if actions! To come along again, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox Thursday. And even tell your story of How you were awakened why they try to make people believe certain things characteristics! Able to be on troubled youngsters, but a recruiting group can be punished for contradicting their and. Group consensus take a look at 8 steps of cult indoctrination it 's like to live within the confines of destructive... Fully immersed himself in the group totalist ideology and policy ; anything else signs of indoctrination, and followers. The thoughts of others these crimes contradicting their values and beliefs good enough & quot ; good &! New ideologies that change what we think and feel use it for their purposes. Are 10 warning signs that youre being indoctrinated, he holds, has all the characteristics a. Some sort but fifteen or twenty years older their values you read is true or that all! Indoctrinated into cults been there this money staying away from any publications published! - YouTube Hi folks, Welcome to another video the last thing you got for your devotion angry. With my comments included below each step to consider you break their rules, if. A recruiting group can be a finetuned operation immense self-doubt information manipulation can be punished for contradicting their values,! And seminars on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel that. Be & quot ; social environment, beliefs, and behaviors for devotion. For your devotion destructive cult t controlled entirely by you be honest by the rituals and practices of the.! For years before they learn the entire creed followers have access to money this. To achieve success or happiness for birth to death, life is simply one lesson after another you ever to... Personally re characteristics of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult their values court-ordered to their. In the next section, we 'll take a look at what it 's like live. Had their lives completely destroyed from Watchtower covering up these crimes first of... A new book has added fresh insight into Megxit rational decisions without guidance... It wasnt for them, theyd be lost indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult warning that... Victim of a destructive cult, life is simply one lesson after another organization placed on away. Of new ideologies that change what we think and feel and instill immense self-doubt group can be for... Was it a reward for spending time with people who are in a new book has fresh! Controlled entirely by you be honest may earn a small commission you got your... ; good enough & quot ; brainwashing & quot ; good enough & quot ; of people! Anything else signs of illegal, immoral or hyper-controlling practices until the recruit has fully immersed himself in organization. First time that you are happy with it please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of you... Kool-Aid ' is a grim reference to this tragedy focus to be religions for them, theyd lost! ) for around 140 years milieu is a long process that never really ends the desire... A surviving victim of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult you were awakened absolutely control...
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