Review our Discussion Board instructions so that your replies can shine yet again.
For this discussion board post, you have 3 options:
1. Create a cult. Perhaps start with something you’re interested in, and think of ways your knowledge about this topic could benefit others. Select a leader (you?). Establish the rules of the cult. Where will this cult live? How will you recruit followers? Why should we join?
2. Find a story about a cult (news article, memoir, short film, interview, anything) and summarize it. Next, describe the steps you could take to avoid being enlisted in this cult.
3. Select one article from Cult Recovery 101, summarize it and let us know what you learned.
Replies to classmates: See what your classmates have posted and respond to them. If they created a cult, is it convincing? If they summarized a story or an article, did you learn something new? If you read the same article, are your summaries similar or different?
58 thoughts on “Discussion Board Post 4: Cults”
3. The article I’m summarizing talks about the definition of a cult. A cult is a group or movement that has a unique pattern of relationships, beliefs, values, and practices, and uses psychological dependency to persuade, control, and socialize members. Cult groups tend to become isolated, psychologically if not physically, governed by hidden agendas. Cults are defined as groups that make extensive use of manipulative techniques to advance the leader’s goals. I learned the definition of a cult and what they stand for. In addition, I understand their main goal in following the leader’s orders, demands, and following his/her ideologies.
Hi Tarik
I like your definition of a cult, I agree that it is through psychological manipulation that the cult leaders are able to get the members to surrender to their will. I believe these are vulnerable people seeking some kind of emotional help but instead, they are being exploited and preyed upon.
hello Tarik, I learned a lot about what the exact definition of a cult is, I like how you explained your understanding of it very nice job, I also know that one of the principal things about cults is that their always a specific leader they have to follow, And it can sometimes be very manipulative and controlling is kind of scary I don’t really see myself joining one tho.
Hello Tarik
It is surprising that I also have read the same article as you and you have summarized it very well. The best part of your summary is when you wrote about the manipulation techniques because manipulation is the only thing this kind of leader does to make others follow them just like you also have mentioned that this is their main goal. However, I want to know what cult means to you?
Hi Tarik, I like the way you summarized the article, and yes persuation, manipulation, control and isolation represent key words for a cult leader to succeed in his acquisition of followers and making them do whatever he wants to.
Hi Tarik,
I have read the article you summarized very nicely. I like your definition of a cult, and I agree that cult leaders can get individuals to give up their will through psychological manipulation. I accept that these are lowered people seeking emotional assistance, but rather, they may be being contributed and exhausted.
2-A cult I found was “Heaven’s Gate (1972 – 1997)” you can find it in the rolling stone article, Basically is a cult about Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, the founders of the cult who convinced 20 people to give up their lives on earth and disappear with them, because aliens would escort the members of the group to the “Kingdom of Heaven” via extraterrestrial spacecraft. They turned out to be living underground and camping all throughout the United States, from Rhode Island to Oklahoma. but they are best remembered from what happened back in march of 1997 where they planned a mass suicide event, they dressed in black tunics and Nikes, ate applesauce mixed with a sedative and vodka, covered their heads in plastic bags, and died. Some steps I would take to avoid being enlisted in this cult is to reject any kind of offers or anything that they would have wanted to give me, and I would have reached out to the police if the situation would have gotten out of hand but I feel like the most important thing is to not show any interest in any way and reject always.
3-An article I found from “Cult Recovery 101” is “Who joins cults?”, What I learned from this article is that people who decide to join cults the majority are in their 20s and above, and the opportunity to join one, comes up mostly in college or where young people meet. Cults are a place for young and older people to participate from wanting to have a free space, to feel like they belong somewhere, or a spiritual attraction towards that certain thing that they want to obtain or accomplish from that certain cult. People who join clubs are not stupid or losers or are weird, most of them are actually very intelligent and know their worth. There are currently so many cults organized around many various types of beliefs that no one can honestly declare that they would never be acceptable to a cult’s vibe. And finally, the process of joining a cult is not mysterious or hard.
Hi Karla, I learned something new with Heaven’s Gate cult. It’s odd that the founders of the cult found a way to convince 20 people to join their cult. I agree with how you would avoid joining this cult. Reaching out for help is another key factor that many people don’t consider. The article on who joins cults is educational because it shows why people join cults and a positive side of a cult.
Hello Karla,
I must say that you have answered my question on who actually joins the Cult. People over the age of 20 and college students or other places where the youngsters hang out or meet are the ones to join a cult. In my opinion, anyone can join a cult as long as you get brainwashed by the group and the group leader. Why don’t the people think about what they are joining?
Hi Karla, I didn’t think about people around my age (I’m 20!) joining clubs or coming together in groups to enjoy things they all share as the term “cult(s).” I wonder why there are more definitions on this term that why is it that we had to limit the use of it, but then again because of the way it already has been used makes people stand on one side of the coin.
Hi Karla,
I myself also had decided to talk about the “Heavens Gate” cult. I found it fascinating how an individual can brainwash others into thinking such ridiculous things. I most definitely agree with your ways to avoid a cult. By not showing any interest you are showing members of the cult that they are not subjective to brainwashing you.
The Cult I chose to summarize: The People’s temple
Jim Jones a native of Indiana was the leader and founder of an organization called People’s Temple “Cult.” Rev Jones as they called him captivated followers as he preached sermons on integration, racial equality, social responsibilities, and community. His goal was to create a race-free society to bring social changes and to desegregate the community, People’s Temple welcomed people of every race and ethnicity it was a well-diverse group. However, the People’s Temple was attacked with intimidation and assaults by some residents who felt threatened by Jones’s action of integration, he received letters of threats, his wife and children got spat on as they walk the streets while Jones was being antagonized, so he began to look for places where he can escape with his family and congregation to survive any possible danger. In fact, he saw an opportunity and used it to strategize how he can use his authority to control the group, meantime he must be able to conceal his personal subjective, which he did through his teachings of tolerance and equality that kept his followers focused and subjected to the congregation. In 1974 People’s Temple leased land in Guyana and people were dispatched to clear and habilitate the land, they constructed a complete compound with schools, Nurseries, an infirmary, cottages, laundry rooms, and a large open space pavilion for group meetings by 1977 they had succeeded in building a town which was named “Jonestown.” He then led his followers out of the United States into Jonestown Guyana, on the premise of creating a utopian society he told them they were going to create a new world and they will be happier than they’ve ever been, away from media scrutiny, away from the press but what they hadn’t noticed was that Jones had become delusional. Once he got everyone into that compound he began to exercise control he manipulated them with fear, till they become paranoid and lost touch with reality, he demanded obedience and loyalty everyone was at his command, no one had the liberty to leave the compound, anyone who attempt to leave faces some harsh cruelty which includes severe punishment they were brutally beaten out of their senses, they were told not to get in touch with family members or anyone outside the organization he called them the outside world, Jones brainwashed these people into believing that they would be invaded by bad people, he said the government is conspiring to destroy the community which they had built. He often kept suicide rehearsals in which everyone had to participate, he would test their loyalty by having them drink, drinks that he said were poisoned they had to drink in order to pledge their lives for the cause. “The cause,” which is his ideology was “if we can’t live in peace then let us die in peace.” We did not commit suicide we committed an act of revolutionary suicide protesting the condition of an inhumane world.” and it so happened on November 18, 1978, it was not a drill, Jones ordered the group to drink flavor-aid laced with valium and cyanide a cocktail which claim the lives of a total of 909 people, but he never drank his cocktail he died of a fatal gunshot to the head.
The steps that I would take to avoid being enlisted in this cult, I would apply my critical thinking skills to analyze, evaluate, and reason things out and try my best not to lose my objectivity. I am not being judgmental, and by no means am I trying to judge Jim Jones nor his followers, but I don’t think that there is anything anyone can do or say to me that will convince me to do something that I really do not want to do.
Hi Priscille, this is a shocking story that I never heard of and shows one of many incidents that took place in cults. I like how you summarized the article as it covers the main points. I agree with the steps you would take to avoid joining this cult. However, the people who joined this cult were tricked into joining a utopian society that was diverse. It’s just unfortunate for these people because they didn’t sign up for what happened later.
Hello, Priscille, Thanks for sharing about this shocking event/story of this Cult, if my first time hearing about it I learned alot, I like how you explained things in a lot of detail showing your amazing skills and providing us with the most important parts of it, I would also use my critical thinking skills to avoid joining this cult. nice job.
Hi, Priscille!
Very informative post! I’ve always heard about things about Jim Jones, but I never knew it ran this deep. His legend was understated. Out of everything involved in cults, it’s the most scary when the leader goes delusional… not that anyone would notice. A lot of the practices Jim Jones has enact reflect a lot of the rules I put in my discussion board post. This really illuminates the power of our perceptions and motivations. I know you don’t believe that you’d ever do something that Jim Jones’s followers did, but if you were hopeless enough and misled so far down the rabbit hole, anything’s possible under the right or wrong circumstances.
If I were to start a cult, I’d focus on influencing dejected people who feel wronged by a powerful entity, like religion or their immediate society. Especially if they’re riddled with guilt and hoping for redemption. I would recruitment people in AA/NA meetings or centers for troubled youth, orphanages, shelters, promising recruits three meals a day, opportunities to develop as prosperous human beings, and the ability to grow and earn money by learning trades of their interest. Recruits will then kickback a percentage of their earnings to the cult leader, (food doesn’t pay for itself). The real hook is the consistent inspiration of hope. I’d conduct weekly meetings, group activities, initiation ceremonies, and intimate trust-building exercises. I’ll even push the attendees to denounce whomever they once looked up to and substitute me as their deity. To do this, I’d would need exceptional charisma and branding. Think Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) in American Gangster – a harsh, arrogant leader who allows those around him to live out their dreams. The masses admire a stern person they can trust, preferably with a big, clear vision. Keep driving home the thought of feeding their potential that no one else allowed them the grace to access. There’s a reason inspirational speakers have cult followings themselves. Myself and the cult will live amongst each other in a gorgeous, isolated cottage in farmland, where recruits will carry out chores, much like the Amish community. The cult should be joined, because different institutions in society are less understanding and empathic to individuals’ circumstances. I need to be their last hope at becoming who other’s didn’t believe they were capable of being.
Rules of the cult will entail:
1. All concerns must be worded in a positive manner and can only be presented to the leader, with a solution in mind.
2. A no-nonsense policy regarding gossip. If anyone is caught spreading negative information of any kind about anyone, especially the cult leader, they will be shunned from our community, never to be helped or associated with by a member in perpetuity.
3. A varying percentage of the recruits’ individual earnings will be withdrawn before the member receives their own payment – percentage taken is on a case-by-case basis. The cult comes first, always.
4. All group activities must be attended. Only under special circumstance will the head supervisor monitor the absent cult member throughout the duration of activities.
5. Negativity is not allowed. Healing time varies from person to person, so all negativities must be manifested in positive actions and words to ensure the cult’s emotional sanctity.
6. All recreational activities and creations are to be done in the presence of the head cult supervisor. The cult reserves the rights to commandeer all ideas created under the tutelage of the institution.
7. If a member considers exiting the community, they must undergo a 6-month exit process, which consists of weekly meetings with our in-house therapist and bi-weekly one-on-one sessions with the cult leader, ensuring the member’s safe departure.
Welp, what do you think about my cult…?!
Hi Joseph,
Great expression. I like this when you wrote The faction ought to be joined, on the grounds that various establishments in the public eye are less agreement and empathic to people’s conditions. I should be their last expectation at becoming who other’s didn’t really accept that they were equipped for being.
Hi Jayme
Great vision upon forming a cult, you gave a distinct uncommon quality of making a difference or rather bringing a whole new meaning to the known characteristic of cult. I like that you have set some rules for the cult I particularly like rule # 7 should incase any member decides they want to leave they are offered ought to be counseled and evaluated to ensure their frame of mind and behavior have been rehabilitated before departure. Great job I learn a thing or two from your perspective.
The article I read was “What is a Cult?” and the definition of a cult is extreme dedication to some idea, or a leader or a thing and the trust and dedication is so much to it that you literally blind toward it. The article also mentions that the meaning of cult doesn’t refer to belief systems such as religion but in my opinion, religions are often used in Politics to hold a certain degree of power. At the same time, the job of a cult is to start a conflict with a group and society. To ensure the conflict takes place, the leader will guide them with anything possible, including dictating and Manipulating. Don’t forget that the leader makes the follower believe everything the leader says and make sure they follow it step by step. In my opinion, a cult is anything that has a negative impact on anyone’s life and society or even belief. In the beginning, I was lost with the definition of a cult and thought that religion is another word for it but no religion has a bad impact but all positive impact on everyone’s life and it doesn’t matter what kind of religion it is. I also believe that religion is everyone’s personal choice that others shouldn’t comment on. A person, who is in a cult, will not understand the rights from the wrongs and will continuously follow what he or she follows because they are already blinded by the negative idea.
Hi, Sunjida!
Great response! I agree that religions are often used in Politics to hold a certain degree of power. It’s a tool that manipulates people’s emotions because of their deeply rooted bond with it. I had no idea that the job of a cult is to start a conflict, I thought it was just to serve the needs of the leader, which is usually financial gain. When you promise mislead individuals that you’ll take care of them, naturally, they’d become so blinded by the value that they’d feel inclined to give their heart and soul to them. It’s interesting stuff!
Hi Sunjida, I found your response interesting because that is what I always thought as well among the term, that it is group or society blinded by a negative idea that leads to negative impacts. I never thought about religion in politics, or maybe I have? Wow, I wonder how many ways this has been going on, now I am intrigued!
The article I choose to summarize is called, “On Using the Term ‘Cult’.” This is article spoke among the definitions of cult used today, and there are so many different ones from “Cults as dangerous, authoritarian groups” to “Cults as culturally innovative or transcultural groups.” At first when I read the definitions, I found it shocking to find out that there is more than one definition, because personally I thought cult only had one definition. The article also spoke among how we should consider the definition of cult because it can refer to what it may not seem, but since there seems to be this limitation. In my opinion, I hear the term used in sentences that points me into one direction because it’s been used around me to mean that it is a group meaning to harm or put someone in danger, or that it is bad in general. But then I heard recently that it can also mean a religious group gathering of church. In this way though it is religious reasons amongst the Christianity community, at first, I found it shocking and corrected the person who told me but then she told me that it can also mean religious group gatherings. It seems that there are more definitions, and now I am more curious on how wrongly I might be thinking about it.
Hi Destiny, the variety of definition of Cult is understandable because of their diversity. Not all cults operate the same way, they do not have the same objective, I think that it depends on the leader rules and what he expects from his followers. Additionally, any group of people worshiping someone or something can be called a cult such as religions. The context, the objective, the functioning of a cult define the type of cult.
Hi Destiny, I also did not know the word cult had different meanings. I understand exactly what you mean when you say the word seems to always be used in a pejorative way. It is always easy to name call and make things sound scary, especially things most people do not understand. It is feared based and we have to look at things objectively and always ask “why”. I am glad I read your post and also glad we both learned something new!
3. The article I am summarizing is “Post-Cult After Effects” from Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D.
Ex-members of a cult may develop emotional problems during their reinsertion into society. These emotions are often conflicting from feeling relieved to not be a part of the cult to feeling grief over the end of friendships or the loss of a sense of worth. This period is often marked by a “post-cult trauma syndrome” which manifest by one or more of these following signs: Spontaneous crying , sense of loss, depression and suicidal thoughts, fear that not obeying the cult’s wishes will result in loss of salvation, alienation from family and friend, sense of isolation, loneliness due to being surrounded by people who have no basis for understanding cult life, fear of evil spirits taking over one’s life outside the cult, excessive rigidity about rules of minor importance,
fear of going insane, confusion about right and wrong, sexual conflicts, unwarranted guilt.
Exiting a cult involves going through stages of adjustments which are: disbelief/denial about what they did; anger/hostility towards themselves; self-pity/depression; fear/bargaining about leaving the group; reassessment, accommodation/acceptance, reinvolvement in the group.
Going through these stages is rarely easy. Many return to cult life. People who do not return may experience difficulties living a normal life for a while.
From this article I learned that life after exiting a cult can be very challenging. People go through a lot of emotions reintegrating society which can be very complex and the chance of going back to the cult is high du to all these emotions.
Hi Diallo
it’s great summarizing…
This period is frequently set apart by a “post-faction injury disorder” which manifest by at least one of these after signs: Spontaneous crying , feeling of misfortune, gloom and self-destructive considerations
Hi Kadiatou,
I like your explanation; you summarize the article very well. I agree that Exiting a cult includes going through tiers of modifications which can be disbelief approximately what people do; anger towards themselves; self-pity, worry about leaving the organization; reassessment, accommodation, attractiveness, and involvement. Life after exiting a cult can indeed be difficult.
agree with you, people after attending a cult might not be able to properly reintegrate themselves into society, since they have been isolated for a long period. And also because people who attend these groups are mentally brainwashed and maybe even mentally exhausted that at the moment they might even be living in an imaginary world.
Psychotherapy and counseling relationships are especially difficult for those who are betrayed. Others who belong to the cult group and are exposed to “bombing of love” and “pseudo-intimate relationships” are often cold and indifferent to professional relationships, as people impersonate them to influence them. I recognize that there is. The client may pressure the therapist to give instructions. Because they are special, purposeful, cared for, and live according to rules that tell them exactly what to do. Working with current and former cultists involves allowing them to tolerate ambiguity and uncertainty and help them express and accept their feelings.
When listening to atrocities, practitioners must strike a balance between being overly unfair and accepting people’s feelings of loss and sadness when leaving the cult. These are the same skills needed to connect with survivors of domestic violence when showing that a previous partner could alienate a client. In directors and counseling, psychotherapists recognize that clients need to express the positive aspects of their relationship and what they have learned and enjoyed during their otherwise traumatic experience. It is important to manage personal anger and countertransference.
Psychoeducation is essential for people to understand the experiences and concepts of improper influence when working with individuals and families. Lifton’s model is very helpful in explaining the processes that occur in a totalitarian environment. As families become aware of the power of improper influence, their anger at the withdrawal and annoying behavior of their loved ones naturally shifts to harmful groups.
The profession has evolved. There were some violent deprogramming in the early days when relatives of people desperately kidnapped them in an attempt to persuade them to listen to another perspective. Since then, voluntary discharge counseling has evolved and is often provided by ex-members with extensive knowledge of the processes of different groups. Exit counselors, also known as thought reform counselors or mediators, can refer clients to mental health professionals if they show signs of mental distress.
The counselors may work with people who have joined the cult group at some point. Members of my family participate in the cult, but I’m not. But I knew what it was like to be affected, controlled, and fooled, and I was forced to feel uncomfortable. These are shared experiences that help practitioners work with individuals and families while showing empathy, unconditional positive consideration, and congruence. Practitioners who are interested and motivated to learn about the psychology of cult influences while listening carefully to their excellent counseling skills and the nuances of their experience can help and they are experts to contact. Can be introduced to seek advice as needed.
Reference:
https://cultrecovery101.com/cult-recovery-readings/
An article I found from “Cult Recovery 101” is Robert Jay Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform. I have learned from the article different criteria of thoughts, philosophy. They are excerpted from Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism by Robert Jay Lifton, Chapter 22 Ideological Totalism This includes controlling data and correspondence both inside the climate and, at last, inside the individual, bringing about a critical level of seclusion from society at large. There is the control of encounters that seem unconstrained truth yet be told was arranged and organized by the gathering or its forerunners to show divine power or profound headway or some extraordinary gift or ability that will then, at that point, permit the pioneer to reconsider occasions, sacred writing, and encounters as the individual wishes. The world is seen as highly contrasting, and the individuals are continually admonished to adjust to the philosophy of the gathering and make progress toward flawlessness. The enlistment of culpability and disgrace is a strong control gadget utilized here. As characterized by the gathering, Sins are to be admitted either to an individual screen or openly to the gathering. There is no classification; individuals’ “transgressions,” “perspectives,” and “shortcomings” are examined and taken advantage of by the leaders. The gathering’s regulation or philosophy is viewed as a definitive Truth, past all scrutinizing or debate. Truth is not to be found external the gathering. As the representative for God or all humankind, the pioneer is in like manner above criticism. They are stacking the Language. The gathering deciphers or uses words and expressions in new ways so regularly the rest of the world does not comprehend. This Language comprises thought-ending platitudes, which effectively adjust individuals’ points of view to adjust to the gathering’s method of thinking. Part’s encounters are subjected to the consecrated science, and any opposite encounters should be denied or reworked to fit the philosophy of the group. They are administering of presence. The gathering has the privilege to conclude who has the option to exist and who does not. This usually is not strict but implies that those in the rest of the world are not saved, unenlightened, oblivious, and should be changed over to the gathering’s philosophy. If they do not join the gathering or are incredulous of the gathering, then, at that point, they should be dismissed by the individuals. In this way, the rest of the world loses all validity. Related, should any part leave the gathering, the person in question should be dismissed moreover.
If I was to start up my own cult it would be a cult about Stitch. Stitch goes by the saying “Ohana means family…family means no one gets left behind.” This will be the my cults number 1 belief. I of course will be the leader because I founded it. No one in the cult can disrespect each other because they are family. No one is allowed to be left behind. No one is worth more than anyone else. The cult will live in Hawaii being that is where Stitch resided on this planet. I will recruit followers by creating a instagram account and TikTok account based on the cult and it’s beliefs. People should join because my cult will be a safe environment for you to be yourself while feeling respected by others that can be referred to as your family.
Hi tessilyahd,
I really enjoy the fact that you consider your cult as a family. This would be the definition of a positive cult if there was such thing as one. It seems as everyone in your cult would be equal to one another, which in my opinion is only fair.
I found your post interesting. Many people don’t have this thing considered family, so they are easily brainwashed that some of these groups would provide them that family love that they have been searching for. I love the concept.
Hello, I really was interested once you said Hawaii. I have never been to Hawaii and it seems like a beautiful place to live! To be honest, if you would have mentioned a city in another state I wouldn’t be too excited. So I would consider joining.
2. When thinking of cults what first came to mind was Marchall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. According to Insider “In the early ’70s, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles went on a road trip across America and found a group of people they dubbed “the crew.” These two individuals had managed to cause a mass suicide that left 39 members of their cult dead leaving America in awe. The cult “Heaven Gates” began in 1970 under the leader of Marchall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. They both had met when Applewhite had been admitted to the hospital with heart trouble. Nettles being his nurse at the time had convinced Applewhite that he had a purpose – and that God saved him for a reason. From there on they had both instantly had a connection and shared their beliefs with each other. By 1973 Applewhite and Nettles had both convinced themselves that they were two witnesses described in the Christian Book of Revelation; with that, they shall prepare the way for the Kindom of Heaven. Once the two had put together their beliefs system it was time to recruit others to advertise their new cult. Once recruiting their followers the two had told them various false things including he was the second coming Jesus, the end of the world was coming, and that God himself was an alien. Applewhite had also encouraged his followers to cut all ties with family and friends and had even managed to have them give up all their money. In March 1973 39 members of the “Heavens Gate” cult were found with plastic bags over their heads. Applewhite saw suicide as an escape from the next level. According to Applewhite “It was the only way to evacuate from Earth.” Applewhite had always talked about the spaceship that was behind them. This spaceship will soon come to take them and bring them to a higher place they were not seeking. As a result, the only way to escape was suicide.
Steps you can take to not be enlisted in the “Heavens Gate” cult can be to first be able to identify a cult. Most Cults usually tend to hide in large organizations. Most likely members of a cult will act as if they hold the truth and only the truth. Just like Applewhite did when he had made it seem like he was a second god. Pushing back pressure to change your beliefs is another way to avoid the “Heavens Gate” cult as this will most likely lead members to kick you out. If members of a cult start to act more hostile and controlling leave the situation immediately as your life may be in danger.
The article I read was about how to distinguish a non-cultic group from a cultic group. It talked about how cult groups manipulate people to convince them that all they want is to help, and how they sometimes are isolated from the rest of the world, and sometimes their main target is people with money. It also says that regular religious organizations do not search for vulnerable and rich people which are the people targeted by cultic groups. In the article, they also explained how cultic groups sometimes try to control a person’s life or to force them to stay in the organization. What I learned about this reading is that humans could be so easily brainwashed, and manipulated. It is easy for some people to believe that a religious group would help them solve their problem because they have a lot of faith. I also think that we as humans believe that everyone we meet has good intentions behind their words.
The way that a person could avoid being enlisted in one of these groups is by realizing how open an organization is to the public, and what are the kinds of things that are expected from a person being enlisted in the organization.
Hi Luz,
I think it’s very important that we are able to distinguish between cults and religions. The goal of religions are always to benefit people, and to uplift people. The goal of cults, as you discussed, are financially oriented. Understanding the difference makes the outlook on religions and cults different as well.
Hi Jamila, I enjoyed your response to Luz. It made me see a different side to religion and cults. I always feel like some religions, or specific churches, were cult-like environments, and I’m sure there are, but I love how you stated the differentiation of goals between churches and cults.
Hi Luz,
I never realized that cults targeted people with money, but it makes sense. After the rich are entirely brainwashed into the cult, they use their money to strengthen their cult and push the cult’s agenda.
I agree that some people can be easily brainwashed and manipulated, but I think those people have had some trauma that has caused them to be easily manipulated, but I can be wrong.
If I were to hypothetically start a cult, I would start off by seeking emotionally vulnerable people. Most people who lack emotional strength are very easily manipulated. I would start off by posting on social media and pages where people are seeking to “meet people and make new friends”. Automatically this does most of the work for me because it already entails these people are “seeking” someone/something. I will gauge adults that appear to be naive, lonely, and kind-hearted. The point of course is the path of least resistance. Seek the ones that won’t put up a fight and question due to being too scared to even question others’ intentions. This cult is intended to make individuals feel loved, cared for, happy, and peace of mind because we will house, feed, and care for them. They are not required to pay to live with us and become a follower as long as they follow the rules. We would live somewhere in the midwest, secluded, warm/hot weather, with our own housing, medical care, school, transportation, and a legal team we take care of you! As a bonus, we help pay your school loans, and any debt, again, as long as you follow the rules and work with us. If you join us, you never have to worry about rent, car payments, school loans, or medical bills! We work together as a group and run like a machine, smoothly making sure we are all happy, free of debt, and living a happy and healthy life! You may think it sounds too good to be true, but we already have been very successful since March 2020 starting with 10 members up to 200 members! If you join today we will start paying your school loans, and if you bring a friend along you will be paid up to $2,000 per friend! Just buy your ticket to show us that you are serious and have your life changed for the better! New friends and debt free!
Hi Leo! I enjoyed reading about your hypothetical cult. I think it was very interesting and almost a little convincing lol
“Good Cop Bad Cop” It shows how people can subjectively interpret the same situation differently. It shows the cop standing the the middle looking straight ahead and not focusing on any one specific person. Yet the lighter person walking to the left assumes the cop is good while the darker person on the right assumes the opposite. Since no real interaction is seen at the moment we can assume it is either an emotional reaction, a past experience reaction or just following the same script others follow without any prior experience from oneself.
1) If I created a cult, I would specifically hunt for people who are either sad or disappointed with their lives. I would seek the lonely who have no protection. I would convince them that happiness can only be found in my group. I will be vague about my group, and not tell them what we actually are. I would convince them that society will never accept them. I will show them that society is cruel and irresponsible. I will get them to blame their closest friends and family for their anguish. My cult would be in an isolated forest in Japan. Nobody except a select few will know how to find us or how to find their way out of the forest. We would establish our new “pure” society in that forest with laws that put me in power. Only a select few of the most loyal and most devout to me would be given food and supplies in excess. They will serve as an example for others. Life will be harsh for those who have not proven their devotion. The unproven will always have not quite enough food, drafty bedrooms, thin sheets, and the hardest work. We always need to keep smiling and being delightful; anyone who shows signs of dissatisfaction will be denounced by the community. The most important rule is that the members are not able to leave my new town, because the outside world will hurt and poison them. I will select a few individuals out of the most devout members and bless them to go out into the world and recruit more members. I would tell them to find the weak of mind and the wealthy, and say: “You’re not alone.”
2) My mother was once almost indoctrinated into a proto-cult. At the time, my family dynamic was stressed, to say the least. Looking back on it, I can see that my mother felt alone and needed something to give her support. I was 13 at the time my mother became obsessed with Sai Baba. While I’m still not entirely sure everyone following Sai Baba is in a cult, the people my mother interacted with most definitely were starting to become one. They usually gathered in groups of 6 to 7 people with one person leading. The leader of the group claimed she could speak directly to Sai Baba through her connection to the “Spiritual Realm.” This was how she was able to get access to miracle sand. She convinced everyone in that group that the miracle sand could cure any ailment. For example, if I ever had a headache my mother would pour a heaping spoon of sand into a glass of water and make me drink it. The leader of the group always implied to the others that they needed to obey her because she was Sai Baba re-incarnated. She tried to restrict the diet of everyone in the group. No one was allowed to eat meat because it would make their blood “impure”; however, as a vessel for Sai Baba, she claimed to be immune. I always felt that woman was a fraud, but my mother spent three years in that group praying behind closed curtains, becoming anemic from lack of protein, and buying overpriced miracle sand to shove into my potato salad. I think back to another member who was a very successful and wealthy doctor. The leader of the group slowly manipulated the doctor. She slowly moved herself into the doctor’s apartment. Sleeping over one night a week. Then she would sleep over two nights a week. She inched her way into the doctor’s space. The cult leader convinced the doctor to divorce her husband. Eventually, my mother realized the group was too much, and she left. I still do not know what happened to the doctor once she divorced her husband and let the leader in full-time. Now that I know what cults can grow to become, I am terrified to think of the doctor’s fate at the hands of the manipulator. I don’t think this cult would be able to get me because I have strong support from my friends and family. Plus, my boyfriend and I hate the texture of sand in food. They’ll never get us!
3)For most people, joining the military is akin to a cult; however, this article goes to pains to demonstrate the differences between the two. A cult will never let you know what you will be required to do. There are often veils upon veils of secrecy surrounding the path forward. They use that to pin you in a position where you feel you have gone too far to go back and give up. The military has clearly defined initiation, career track, and congressional supervision. While the military is harsh, it is also a transparent organization. At any point, a person can leave the military, and you are often only commissioned for discrete-time periods with a definite end date. A cult may keep you inside an indefinite amount of time, and strip you of your worldly possessions to ensure you ever try to leave. They limit who you can talk to and often force you to cut ties with people not a part of the cult. Meanwhile, the military does not limit who you can talk to. The military focuses on ensuring a soldier has skill sets that can be useful. They value physical strength and mental acumen. A cult tries to remove these qualities from its initiates because having these traits allow them to escape.
Hi Kumiko,
After reading about your mother’s experience with a cult, or cult-like leadership, it made me realize how easy it is to get caught up in a cult. Secondly, it mad me realise that cults are not a thing of the past. They are very real and very possible to get inducted into even today. We often think that we have so much access to information that we are smart enough to remain safe from cults, but the reality is that it is incredibly easy to find yourself sucked into the black hole of a cult.
Wow, Kumiko, thank you for sharing your experience within the cult and what you first-handly witnessed. I have never heard of the Sai Baba cult; well, I don’t know much of any specific cults, just what I’ve seen in television shows, but it’s interesting to see how they are all somewhat the same. They worship some higher up or an appointed person, and each cult manipulates its members to do things out of the ordinary. I am so glad that your mother cut ties with this cult and that you all are free to live the way you want to live.
When I first read your post I thought, “sheesh, now this is cynical”, but knowing that you’ve come a perspective of someone who has close ties to a cult, makes your viewpoint much more serious and deeper. The reality is, the most dangerous and mind controlling cults use the same method. Using methods of starvation and isolation can make for some intense mind control over the participants. Thanks for sharing your story that is so personal, dark and real.
Hi Kumiko, Your cult sounds very interesting and has a smart plan to get people recruited. And the experience your family had with a cult is insane, i have never heard of anything life that. I’m glad your mom is out of that situation now and has stopped putting nasty sand in your food
During quarantine, I came across a TV show called ‘the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. It tells the fictional story of a woman named Kimmy that recently escaped from a doomsday cult after 15 years of ‘captivity’. The plot begins as she is rescued, and follows her as she attempts to navigate life after being completely separated from the real world for so many years. From a small town in Ohio, she takes what little she has and tries to make a life in New York City. While the show is obviously created for entertainment, it touches upon very real issues that people that escape from cults have to experience and deal with. Firstly, Kimmy is like a child when dealing with real world issues, such as getting a job, having an education, renting an apartment, just to name a few. She also has major psychological issues, such as PTSD, and develops trust issues as the series continues. By the end, Kimmy has a good job and is successful in many aspects of her life, but it’s as if she- as a 29 year old woman-had to restart her life from age 14, the age when she got involved in the cult. I ended up reading about many other cults because of this, and realised how much truth there was in this show, even if it is fictional.
*not Ohio, Indiana
1.
If I were to create a cult, it would be a code based on family. A place where people have felt abandonment can come and join and feel the love of a family. Not everyone is born into a loving family, and some people grow up never knowing their families due to growing up in the foster care system. I did not grow up in the foster care system, but the only reason is my father. If it was not for my dad and paternal grandparents, who raised me after he passed away, I don’t know where or who I would have lived with because my maternal family abandoned me. The rules of my cult would be that everyone age 18 and over is welcome. All cult members must speak to a therapist once a week or as much as a therapist recommends. Everyone must be doing something to better their lives (working or going to school) or working within the community (a cook, cleaning, building, repairs, gardening). Twice a week, they will be gatherings somewhat like church, but it would be based on the importance of family. The coat will be in a private community built by the members somewhere warm. I will recruit followers via social media. I will find groups of Orphan individuals or by word of mouth of other members. Our followers can bring people they believe could benefit from joining our cult. You should join my call if you’ve experienced family trauma and feel like nobody understands you or loves you for who you are. You should join if you want to help others better themselves as you better yourself. You never know who you can save by telling your story.
2.
“My Childhood in a Cult” by Genevieve Turner. in this article, Genevieve describes what it is like being born into the Lyman family, a family of 100 adults and 60 children in 1968. Genevieve explains how they were isolated from the outside world because no one outside the family was trusted; those people were “world people.” She was isolated from the outside world, but she was also isolated from her mother. They were living in separate communes and rarely ever saw each other. Genevieve explains how she enjoyed growing up in what she describes as the commune. All the children played together; they were home school together, they sang together and did things that big families do, and she truly enjoyed it. Her mother eventually left the commune, and due to her mother leaving, they kicked her out. At least one of your parents had to live there to live within the commune, and since her mother left and her father wasn’t a part of it, she also had to go. Genevieve was heartbroken. She was taught not to trust outsiders because they are soulless, but the people who told her to leave treated her like the “world people ” She cried and begged them to let her stay, but they did not care. After being stuck in her grandmother’s house with her mom for two months, her mom signed her up for school. When signing her up for school, her mom lied and said that her primary school had burned down. That is when Genevieve learned that she had to lie about her past.
Eventually, Genevieve told a friend about her past, and her friend said to her that it sounds like a cult. After that, Genevieve hesitated to share her history because she did not like the word Cult. After talking about all the positive things about living in the commune, Genevieve eventually revealed the negative things that happened while living in the commune, such as the child beatings, the shunning, and how the males were able to choose girls as young as 13 to be their wives. There was no ceremony or anything. They just chose. She revealed that if she hadn’t left when she did, she would’ve became someone’s wife. Before going to college, she was allowed to visit the commune. She just wanted to see and visit where she grew up before going away. While there, she felt so much love and felt like she was at home where she belonged. People were trying to convince her, telling her to stay. She almost fell for it, but one of the men slammed a glass in front of her and told her to get him a refill of wine. She got up and went to get him to refill, and while she was in the kitchen, she looked around and realized that all the women were doing the work. The woman was taking care of the kids, cleaning, and cooking. She realized this was not the life she wanted. She wanted to be the independent woman she was allowed to be in the outside world; she was now a “World Person,” so she left two days later. Genevieve explained how it was tough to talk about her past because people always wanted to know more information and details, which became difficult for her to share. Genevieve shared that the Lyman family cult is still around today, but she knows nothing about their lives.
3.
I decided to read on Cult Recovery 101, “Dysfunctional Churches.” I always thought some churches were cult-like environments, and this article validated my suspicions. It stated that some churches are dysfunctional to being spiritually abusive. The author Ronald Enroth went as far as saying that if advertising standards could be applied to religion, some churches would be required to display a sign reading: “Warning: This church could be harmful to your spiritual and psychological health.” Ronald Enroth made his shocking statement based on his research. Pastoral abuse goes unseen because people feel afraid to speak up about it. Questioning a pastor is like questioning God. Pastors take this to their advantage and use intimidation and manipulation to control their vulnerable members. I found it interesting that Ronald stated that young adults are attracted to abusive churches due to the programs they offer and the ” take charge leaders.” Ronald also advises recognizing what a healthy Church is; a healthy Church is reconciling and restorative, not adversarial and elitist. Not all churches are bad, but not all are good for you either.
Your cult sounds like a positive one. One that’s warm and welcoming to those that have experienced traumas in their young lives. And I like how you incorporated your own use of life experiences to build the premise of your cult’s purpose. In fashion of a cult, I can see how, in your cult, members would feel more at home within your group’s dwelling than in the circles they so desperately want to run away from,. and with the use of therapy and whatever our teachings, it would surely keep them loyal to the cause. Giving chores and demanding positive life choices is a good idea. Hey, whose to say that all cults can be negative?
I was really excited to delve into the world of Cults, because I just love a good cult story. They’re fascinating! In addition to my enjoyment of space, planets and black holes, cult documentaries are at the top of my all-time favorite type of docs and docuseries. I must’ve watched every cult story that has ever existed. Each are so intriguing to me, because of the psychological manipulation of really intelligent people. It just boggles my mind. People that you’d imagine would have enough “common sense” to know that they’re being duped. I mean, I know it’s possible, because if it weren’t, Christianity wouldn’t have gotten as far as it has today. Because technically, under what constitutes as a cult, Jesus Christ would be a cult leader. But with the advancement of life, technology, logic and science, it’s a wonder that people would follow a single person like those that followed and worshiped Jesus and the idea of God.
I’d like to think of myself as strong minded and aware, and can’t imagine myself falling for the “you are feeling veeeery sleeeeepy” routine, like the Buddhafield cult members, where it was speculated that the leader Michel used hypnosis to encourage his followers to follow him blindly. Or the Heaven’s Gate crusade, who truly believed, or were convinced that life exists beyond the stars and that God is essentially an alien awaiting the most loyal and qualified to “beam up”. They believed that once they were done with their shell of a body, they would all be recruited and transported to the alien world that is the kingdom heaven. It was that idea that inspired my cult idea. Because, though ridiculous, I figured I’d go that far, but use an idea that has posed a possibility in my mind, and has made me wonder and sparked my imagination.
My dreams can be quite vivid, detailed and memorable post wakeup. To me, it seems like I’m in the same world as the dreams that I’ve had since a child. Towns, buildings, houses, locations and streets. All are places that I can see and imagine vividly, even though I’ve never been there. I would sometimes wonder, “Did I just transport to an alternate universe when I dream?” Upon waking up, I’d always feel this heavy longing and sadness, as though I’ve left my home forever even though I never wanted to go. Even if it were a bad dream. I think everyone feels that sense of realness when dreaming, which I think would make for an interesting cult idea.
To match the times of today, I would recruit my followers via social media with adds on and blogs that would create algorithms in the feeds of those that seek answers from their dreams, that would lead them to my page that advertises answers to the questions they seek.
First, I would encourage the group to believe that our compound is a place of refuge and release, peace and tranquility, so that they feel more comfortable with being a part of the group. Even more so than with their own circle of family and friend s, creating a new family of close friendship and a dependency with likeminded people who, not necessarily the same interests, but the same desire quest of knowing.
The compound’s location would have to be somewhere open, desolate and close to the stars, in order to broaden their imagination on alternate universes. But close enough to civilization, so as to not make them feel trapped. I’m thinking Maine. And, of course, through my teachings, an enlightenment would build within them that would give them a sense of purpose and knowing. Like most cults, I would try to recruit smart and successful people that would see my theories as sound, which would also give my group credibility.
In order to prove your full dedication to the cause, a majority of your time must be spent with the group for a rigorous amount of teachings on the possibility of alternate universes using insight from credible scientific sources, and of course, my own theories of dream connections (based solely on my own dream experience); group meetings for shared thoughts on their dream worlds and what makes them so real, after going through their “sleep sessions”, where they’d force themselves to sleep and control their movements and lives while asleep, knowing they’re in a dream, because the more you practice, the more enlightened you become; and personal sessions to essentially tweak and rank their level of knowing as I see fit (like some good ole fashion brain washing). All of this would require participants to live within our compound that would be fashioned in a homely way. Warm, cozy and welcoming to sleep. This style of “meetings” would force a togetherness, comfortability and bond amongst the group.
To hold my follower’s faith, I would let them know that, through dreams we can only visit this world temporarily. And to finally be there, our transport would happen during our final rest, which is death. But to make use of our time while in the alternate universe during our dreams, we can prepare for the lives we’ve always wanted, through the control we’ve learned during our teachings in the group. We could right the wrongs you’ve experienced in the current world in the alternate universe, and be the better US we’ve always wanted to be in a new, but familiar world.
WELCOME TO THE DREAM CATCHERS CULT… I mean, GROUP.
If I were to create a cult, it would be a cult dedicated to nature and spirituality. Spiritual people naturally tend to be more inclined to hanging out with each other due to feeling like they can relate to each other. I wouldn’t be the leader, because people are hesitant to trust the highest authority sometimes. I would ask a close, loyal friend to be a leader and I would disguise myself as a member to grow closer to the actual followers so they could trust me and tell me if they were planning to rebel or overthrow the leader. The rules of the cult are to worship each other and mother nature. No one in the cult can harm one another or kick eachother out unless it is permitted by the leader and I. The cult would live in the woods of california where farming is possible. We would live in a comune and all have to contribute to farming in order to eat. I would recruit followers using the social media app Tiktok. People on Tiktok are more open about their person life than on other forms of social media. Tiktoks algorithm also brings people from the same demographic together so it would be easier to find people who are like-minded. The type of people I would recruit would first mainly be spiritual People of Color who want to live the type of life that I am advertising. The group would look exclusive and not available to everyone, so naturally White and non-black people are going to want to join really bad to feel included, so eventually I would let those followers join slowly. You should join because you will feel a sense of security knowing that you have a family of people who are just like you, willing to accept you with open arms. Everyone in this cult is safe and an extension of one another so we are all treated with kindness and respect. All you have to do is quit your job, sell all of your belongings that you have and bring all of money that you have with you and you will be able to live a life of tranquility and heath. With my cult there will be no more 9-5 clock in for a full time job no more getting held back by capitalism or ignorant people and more love and peace.
One article from Cult Recovery 101 that I chose to summarize is “Trauma and Recovery (cult, brainwashing)” this is based on people who technically join a cult which is a social group that have strong dedication on a particular belief. Many people are forced into cults because of family or even from being around others who have certain beliefs. When someone are in a cult there’s many manipulation and mind controls that abuses psychologically. According to the article “In domestic battering situations, where victims are entrapped by persuasion rather than by capture, research has also focused on the personality traits that might predispose a woman to get involved in an abusive relationship.” Women who are in a religion are even forced to be in a marriage or in a relationship that results to be abused physically, mentally and emotionally. There are many therapists to help many people who are in a cult to remove themselves from being anymore brain washed into these religions and beliefs. Recovering from a cult is being far away from this belief, reaching out to others who aren’t in a cult and even going in for counseling.
The post was detailed and thorough, and the article you chose covered an interesting topic that most would love to learn about. Brainwashing is undoubtedly a concerning issue and has only gotten worse with the rise of different forms of extremism. It was crucial to note these cults’ vast adverse effects and offer an effective way to recover from them. Generally, your post covers an intriguing topic revealing critical details about a seldom discussed topic
The article I read was “What is a Cult?” and I was really interested in it because it opened up a whole different to what a cult really is. The definition of a cult is a place for people of all ages wanting to have a free space to feel like a group and being understanding, somewhere they feel safe.The meaning of cult does not refer to belief systems which many people think it does. People that join cults think very highly of themselves and like to be around people that they may feel are worthy of their presents.
I chose the article “Post Cult After Effects” by Margaret Thaler Singer. While reading the article, I noticed the after effects sound very similar to grieving and depression. After leaving a cult, the individual goes through different stages of grief. In a sense it feels like you’re leaving behind your loved ones and relationships you grew with others. The thought of sharing the same beliefs and morals are gone. You’re angry, in denial, scared, depressed etc. Cults play a huge part in mind development by just altering the way you think along with how others perceive you. So just the thought of leaving something behind that had such an intense hold over your life is life changing. You go through flash backs, PTSD, low self esteem etc.