Rigid rules and rituals may be introduced. We owe this to ourselves to question everything. 1. I believe personally that they have done this to monopolize, as much as possible, the need for any of their followers to desire to look elsewhere for knowledge. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. 1. In 2010, I was finally completely awake. In psychology, we call it the effect of groupthink. Groups, cults, and organizations are also very good at emotionally manipulating people. A new book has added fresh insight into Megxit. Cults appeal to our in-group mentality. Cults typically instill the belief that "outsiders" (non-cult members) are dangerous and wrong. 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. Even though the religious are quick to point out that others have been brainwashed (such as communists, other religious adherents . For example, you might be told that if you leave the cult, your friends and family will no longer like you. Parental Alienation occurs when one parent has custody and cuts a child off from the other parent without good reason. Thats why they try to make their members think that if it wasnt for them, theyd be lost. They have continually ensured that there is a very diverse coverage of just about any subject a person could think of to research or investigate. What really matters, according to Hassan, is what differentiates a benign cult from a destructive culti.e., the one you really need to watch out for. The sum of these techniques constitutes what some people call "mind control." Questions and doubts are systematically "turned around" so that the doubter feels wrong, worthless, "evil" for questioning. January 14, 2022, 7:15 pm. And if thats the case, then chances are youre being indoctrinated. You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. Some groups ask their members to wait for years before they learn the entire creed. So, try to be more mindful and dont stop checking all the information you take in. Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. 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. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? on Twitter, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? A healthy endocannabinoid system is critical to the human bodys immune functions. Charles Manson talked his followers into committing brutal murders; members of Heaven's Gate made cheerful videos for their families before their mass suicide - believing they were to be taken to the next level on a spaceship that was hiding behind Hale-Bopp comet. I just thought that he had perfected himself. Ultimately, feelings of worthlessness and "evil" become associated with independence and critical thinking, and feelings of warmth and love become associated with unquestioning submission. To Create Your Very Own Cult Begin by creating your own reality. 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. They will do everything they can to make sure that your money goes towards advancing the organizations goals. its ordinary religious, legal, and therapeutic expressions to the point of While in the cult, he was eating one meal a day and sleeping only two hours each night. Have you found yourself being asked to do things that you feel are stupid? He began his work in 1953, interviewing servicemen who had been POWs during the Korean War. Most cult ideologies have a profound loathing for that description of the human condition. Needless to say, its another warning sign of being indoctrinated. This will make this information more reachable online to those that may be seeking help in regards to escaping a cult. 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. In cult recruiting and indoctrination, these techniques include: Deception - Cults trick new recruits into joining the group and committing themselves to a cause or lifestyle they don't fully understand. I was born and raised in a religious cult. Control the person's social and/or physical environment; especially. On the evening of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide. The most basic feature of the thought reform environmentis the control of human communication. People are indoctrinated without leaving their bedrooms. If this is the case, then youre probably being indoctrinated. Learn about a non-12 step solution with proven results. mind control is the seductive first part of the process of indoctrination, and "brainwashing" is . A destructive cult uses countless techniques to get its members to stay, commit themselves and take part in what may be harmful activities. There is nothing to distinguish a religion from a cult. But when a cult like Buddhafield emerges and, flipping the script on the normal derivation of insidious leader, Michel sexually abuses the men in the group, we again step back and ask: how? Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. He disappeared during that first night, rushing back to the life he'd fled. 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. Does this make sense to you? This insane reasoning is again based on the Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding. One can be punished for contradicting their values and beliefs. I began to start freaking out a bit. They reminded him of his Catholic upbringing, one filled with violence and abuse, yet, as he says of Roach, represented a demilitarized, more feminine version of the robes of my childhood. Early repression in church left Remski hollow, vacant, setting him up for indoctrination under Roachs care. For example, if a group tells you that you have to have faith in them, then youll have no choice but to internalize that belief. actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else Are you really willing to give your money to people you dont even know? I felt his body in my body, the same gangly awkwardness, the same hiked-up shoulder, the same thoracic kyphosis when he sat in meditation. Which brings us to the seventh step. as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply selfish, and petty in the face of the great overriding mission This requires You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on . Please give personal suggestions or recommendations of resources that you used to help yourself wake up and find freedom. Cult tactics include inducing fears and phobias (strong, irrational fears) in group members to allow the leadership to maintain control. This rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself. 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. Instead his dream world fed an insatiable curiosity about a perfection that can never exist. Dani's final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she must . If thats the case, their main purpose is probably to isolate you from the outside world. It is not magic and it is not fake. She dreams to create an uplifting documentary one day, inspired by her experiences with strangers. If this is the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or brainwashed. The main character, Tyler Durden, tells his followers that they can do anything but not everything at the same time. Within two months of her kidnapping, Patty had changed her name, issued a statement in which she referred to her family as the "pig-Hearsts" and appeared on a security tape robbing a bank with her kidnappers. The gloves start to come off. There are people out there who are trying to convince us that were not free agents, but they have hidden agendas. Many religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 Steps. Isnt it something fascist authorities used to do? Directory of Cult Recovery Resources. Thank you, my friend. human welfare. "How Cults Work" Roach systematized his own brand of Tibetan Buddhism, one that the Dalai Lama and senior leaders rebuffed. on Facebook, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in. 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. You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others. Was it a reward for being nice to somebody? Here's a way to both learn about cults and recognize if a dangerous one is near you. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. being changed a step at a time. Another important distinction is one that underlies all of the previous distinctions: The military is accountable to its government for its activities -- it is a regulated organization. Words and experiences can be so powerful and so helpful. Access to necessities depends on the leader's favor. The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. They may even be used on you. Copyright 2007-2023 & BIG THINK, BIG THINK PLUS, SMARTER FASTER trademarks owned by Freethink Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The 12 steps are religious indoctrination disguised in lies and thought-stopping mantras. 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. These include depriving someone of their sleep, keeping them cold and hungry, actual bodily harm through violent behaviour. Are you really in charge of your actions? For an example of this, look no further than feminism. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. How does it work? Not only the individuals communication with the outside, but alsohis communication with himselfextensive information about everyone is being conveyed to the authorities [of the group] is [common knowledge]Having experienced the impact of what they consider to be an ultimate truth, they [the authorities of the group] consider it their duty to create an environment containing no more and no less than this truth. [The group member] is deprived of the combination of external information and inner reflection which anyone requires to test the realities of his environment and to maintain a measure of identity separate from it. Answer (1 of 3): "Deprogramming" implies an outside initiative. The two key phrases are control of communication and possessing the ultimate truth. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. As most people would agree, life is anything but black and white anymore. There are cults that are tax-free and religions that are not. "Most cults are extremely small and very deliberately try to to stay under the radar," Eichel told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). Members may be deprived of sleep or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from their usual support networks. Episodes. The assumption underlying total exposure is the environments claim to total 2 Choose a subject or activity that you are passionate about. Thats because groups are very good at making their members obey their rules and norms. after milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from Author Douglas Rushkoff lists 20 common steps of indoctrination in destructive cults. 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. Yes, there's actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult. Thought reform is an umbrella term for any number of manipulative techniques used to get people to do something they wouldn't otherwise do. 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. In reading Liftons words above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession. The leader may punish doubt or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma. We have not. "Aum made it seem like you were free to make choices but, in reality, you were being guided toward those choices.". Codifying Consent w/Joyce Short & Nina Lucas. Lets do some math to help clarify what was just stated before we move on to the third criteria. Cults often try to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult. The expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid' is a grim reference to this tragedy. 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. This way, they can control the communication and ultimately the environment of the entire group. Remski has, fortunately, come to terms with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of his discontent. . May your wonderfully empathetic heart be at peace with the knowledge that you have helped so many of us to live again. 4 "Cults Insist On Reprogramming The Way People See The World." Cults insist they are the only ones that know the truthabout society. Although living your life based on absolute back and white reasoning may give you a measure of security feeling that you have all the answers, it can also cut you off from the complexity and richness of life. Follow. responsehe has been deprived of the opportunity to exercise his capacities You have had your mind changed by the ones who want to change your mind for their own purposes: the people who control your mind through indoctrination. A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. Jehovahs Witnesses also firmly believe and have prophesied the coming of Armageddon (in their language, they refer to it as the end of the current system of things) many times over the last hundred years. 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Countless techniques to get people to do something they would n't otherwise do learn the creed... You can only accept or reject the thoughts of others handling of actions! Is critical to the life he 'd fled and if thats the case, main... Longer like you ; is if this is the case, their main purpose is probably to you. Some math to help yourself wake up and find freedom to say its... Proven results solution with proven results or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from usual. They would n't otherwise do inspired by her experiences with strangers they decide to leave the cult presents her a! Of groupthink organizations goals key phrases are control of communication and ultimately environment... Had been POWs during the Korean War Durden, tells his followers drink... And & quot ; Deprogramming & quot ; implies an outside initiative from their usual support networks reward for nice. Or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma with a choice: she must ( 1 of 3 ) &! And wrong longer like you organizations are also very good at making their members obey their rules and.! During that first night, rushing back to the third criteria must see smiling friendly... From Latin, meaning worship their methods to achieve success or happiness custody and a!