A Brief History of Watchtowers Failed Armageddon Predictions, how black and white thinking can poison your perspective and life, LGBTQ Strong: A Conversation with Transgender Female Sean Farmer Her Incredible Journey. This table demonstrates the major similarities falling into each of the three categories. Please take a minute and read about this on nbcnews.com. You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups target people with useful skills or access to money. In addition, we endorse the work of Lloyd Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. Cf. Spread the Love - Share this Post! Continuing control relies on absolute obedience and members being afraid to leave. 5. Was it a reward for being a good friend? Those robes were also part of what drew Remski in. 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. Indoctrination, or thought reform, is a long process that never really ends. Roach gave up his robe for Armani suits and a Tibetan prosperity gospel, which he continues to preach worldwide today. In the Jehovahs Witness religion, there is an absolutely unrelenting control of every single piece of information that the followers have access to. But is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? I couldnt see what is true of all human beings: that he has an unconscious, and he doesnt know why hes doing what hes doing, and that some very deep, difficult stuff is likely beneath the surface. The members of the cult become the person's only social contact and feedback mechanism. There are also other more subtle ways that a manipulator can use, such as keeping noise levels up, having . Over the years, weve taken on a lot of new ideologies that change what we think and feel. But you know what? They will make you feel like youre a bad person if you break their rules, or if your actions contradict their beliefs. It is not magic and it is not fake. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. Lacey Wood says: January 24, 2022 at 8:19 am. This leader then informs the members. Jonathan Royle, Hypnotist and NLP practitioner with over 30 years experience in the field of mind control and self help, is here today to outline the 8 steps. From day one, it's a process of manipulation and deception. Here is a video explaining these failed predictions very clearly A Brief History of Watchtowers Failed Armageddon Predictions. Physical abuse. For that reason, I will be using all three terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. So lets put all of this into perspective. This is usually done through peer pressure or subtle manipulation. by some other supernatural force) to carry out the mystical imperative, the Have you ever been told that you have to do something because others say so? 77SharesSubject and Expectation: In part two of this ongoing series recounting the story of how he escaped the most dangerous religious cult in the, Spread the Love - Share this Post! This way the reader could take in the first four points and have a few days to ponder what was presented before considering the last four points. A cult answers to no one. For an example of this, look no further than feminism. agenda or full content of the group. pursuit of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate There are cults that are tax-free and religions that are not. Then, lets get a clearer idea of what indoctrination truly is. Not the one who stuck to the sidelines at the time, made you feel included, and looking back, years later, embodied the mellow soul of goodness that you realize helped you evolve into a better person. The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . on Facebook, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Sleep and food deprivation, coupled with rigid rules, help to break down a person's sense of self. Even though the Watchtower Organization will be used as a case study in our discussion, what we hope you take away is how to understand and use what Lifton has clarified down to a science for questioning and challenging your own religious faith. The Author speaks from first-hand experience, being a surviving victim of a 37-year indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult. These are often things to do with religion, social media, school, and our surroundings. Would they all make fun of me? You must use their methods to achieve success or happiness. You might even hear that if it wasnt for them, youd be dead. Cults often try to make their members feel guilty if they decide to leave the cult. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. Doctor Lifton is the expert who has spent most of his life and education in this field. 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. Because your behavior might not be completely under your control. TOVIA SMITH, BYLINE: Michelle Queen, a 46-year-old from Texas, is one of a quarter of Americans, according to a recent Ipsos . Steps Download Article 1 Learn the organization's foundations. Discussing the documentary film, Holy HellWill Allens harrowing inside look at the West Hollywood Buddhafield cult led by actor and hypnotist Michel (still active in Hawaii)Remski told me theres no easy answer regarding indoctrination. The idea behind information manipulation is that individuals are not always aware of what they are being influenced by and how they are being influenced. Cults may keep new recruits from talking to other new recruits. Potential new members are led, step by. They may only be allowed to speak with long-committed members for a period of time. This is the whole point of a cult. Signs of Indoctrination. . Cults are going virtual, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. This insane reasoning is again based on the Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding. How did it happen? Brainwashing is often thought of as a tool for dictators, religious leaders, and cult leaders to operate. They teach ideology that goes against commonly accepted notions while dehumanizing people outside of their group. Episodes. 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. my religion or organization use this technique? Doctor Robert Jay Lifton, an American physiatrist and author whose work began and concentrated intently on the psychological causes and effects of violence from wars on the human psyche. Very Important: Please give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information. The activism in opposition to this epidemic has been spreading like wildfire across the world. One described how each acid trip took her farther and farther away from reality, until she could believe anything at all. Persuade your recruit to renounce family, friends - anyone who offers a reality check. Answer (1 of 3): "Deprogramming" implies an outside initiative. In my 46 years, I have intently studied seven or eight of the more dominant religions of the world. The member may believe that only group members are "saved," so if he leaves, he will face eternal damnation. The leader typically controls every minute of a member's waking time. This problem is not new to Jehovahs Witnesses. 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. Lifton uses the word milieu very often in his work. Er, sorry, feminism is not a cult. Or do they disagree with what they read in your favorite news source? The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. makes it virtually impossible to attain a reasonable balance between worth and These methods include persuasion, deception, and pressuring us to do what they want. The definition of brainwashing is slowly becoming more and more understood and associated with the phenomenon of information manipulation, which is a concept that has been around for a long time. For that, we can follow a convenient eight step process. Was it a reward for doing something you enjoyed doing? In fact, at one point the CIA owned . The sum of these techniques constitutes what some people call "mind control." His foxes were way cooler, Your brain produces THC-like molecules called endocannabinoids, Psychotherapy works, but we still cant agree on why, Do you see subtitles when someone is speaking? You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. Was it a reward for being nice to somebody? No question has been uttered more often in regards to cults. Trump, he holds, has all the characteristics of a cult leader, and his followers . But even with good intentions, if a group or organization that you belong to is made up of the following defined criteria, then it is absolutely using brainwashing mind control techniques to indoctrinate you. Slowly people began to hear about the commune. **Full disclosure: We're discussing cults so the content may not be. Was it a reward for helping somebody out? Since then it has taken on a negative meaning, essentially reserved for any ideology I dont subscribe to.. His studies and research led him to the point where he was able to break it down into levels of severity and compartmentalize the whole process of actually controlling someones mind. (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 This makes up their milieu or environment. People are indoctrinated without leaving their bedrooms. We will be using the organization Jehovahs Witnesses as a case study. There are cults that are huge and religions that are small. being changed a step at a time. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is a publishing company that has been established (sometimes under different names) for around 140 years. There are cults within cults, like the two thousand or so accepted faiths that borrow from Christian doctrine: Mormonism, Eastern Orthodox, Catholicism, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Scientology, Christian Science. A woman born into David Berg's Children of God recalled this technique as a "wave of peace and love". Needless to say, its another warning sign of being indoctrinated. Modern day experts such as Steven Hassan have done the same. That is a living leader, who has no. Cult behavior involves a fervent devotion to a particular person, object, or idea. But I hope you can understand that none of this is true. The similarities between cults and being in love with a narcissist fall into three basic categories: the people involved. While in the cult, he was eating one meal a day and sleeping only two hours each night. In other words, you might not even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission. after milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from His tale, briefly, included being no more than fifteen feet away from his spiritual wife, Lama Christie, who he claimed to never have sex with; later, when they spiritually divorced (consciously uncoupled, I suppose), Christie found a new boyfriend that died in the desert after being kicked out of the group. Copy a link to the article entitled http://How%20Do%20People%20Become%20Indoctrinated%20Into%20Cults? The expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid' is a grim reference to this tragedy. 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. Many former cult members have killed . The leader may punish doubt or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma. Increasingly, groups use the internet. 15 The internet serves as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for mind controllers to keep members fully committed. 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. Your beliefs are not yours and you cannot change them. 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. Access to necessities depends on the leader's favor. Information manipulation can be used to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Unfortunately, that means you've taken the first big step into identifying with the cult. In 1995, The Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway. IndoctriNation. And thats fine. by Answer (1 of 2): The Jehovah's witnesses cult leaders use current members to recruit.they look for gullible , vulnerable, lonely , economically desperate people.. they start with a smile and feigned interest in you . Isnt it something fascist authorities used to do? This is why its important to always be aware of what you are being influenced by. Dani's final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she must . And most importantly, its not like theyre in need of this money. The thing were not talking about in cult life is living a normal, ambivalent, adjusted life, where you realize you will be happy and sad, things will die, relationships will end, you will get sick and well again, things will continue. Remski admits to his intense drive for crisis-type experiences of love that left him feeling manic. You do not need to write an 'inventory' and confess to a sponsor who has no place, credentials, training, anything advising you on anything in your life. Was it a reward for spending time with your family and friends? The idea of brainwashing had a viral moment in the 1950s when the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) decided to wage psychological warfare against Communism. Usually, group indoctrination and self-indoctrination sessions demand many hours of members' lives. The member's confidence in all previously trusted social . Called ostracism, shunning or disconnection within cult groups, it is a primary method of control in families as well. The assumption underlying total exposure is the environments claim to total Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4. It's also known as "thought reform," "brainwashing" and "coercive persuasion," and it involves the systematic breakdown of a person's sense of self. 6 replies to The Steps of Indoctrination. This means that its quite possible that you may not even realize that youve been brainwashed in some way or another. 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. You cannot make rational decisions without their guidance. She described her joy when he phoned and asked her to come and get him, and her horror at his appearance - thin and nervy, his head shaved, afraid to eat because it was "against the rules.". Photo / Getty Images. Because this goal must serve as the "illuminated eye" of the pyramid, it cannot be attainable. In reading Liftons words above, it is easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession. 8 Steps of Indoctrination - YouTube Hi folks,Welcome to another video. Scientologists often target celebrities for recruitment due to their influence and wealth. "Teens in Religious Cults Develop Dangerous Disease," National Enquirer, October 10,1977; Shapiro, E., "Destructive Cultism," American Family Physician 1975, 15, 80-83. (Remski documents Roachs journey exceptionally here.). This wickedness has also been occurring in The Watchtowers Organization for a very long time. Brainwashing:: Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life. Author Douglas Rushkoff lists 20 common steps of indoctrination in destructive cults. Cults typically instill the belief that "outsiders" (non-cult members) are dangerous and wrong. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). Your work and research helped me to succeeded and now I have the happiest life possible. Just make sure it's positive, good, and harmless. 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. He went on to study various people from many situations of either imprisonment or indoctrination of some sort. I felt that he was like me, but fifteen or twenty years older. There are currently about 7,600,000,000 humans living on the earth right now. There is no free time to think or analyze. {notificationOpen=false}, 2000);" x-data="{notificationOpen: false, notificationTimeout: undefined, notificationText: ''}">. Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". Well, Im afraid there may be: over-indulgence in rewards. 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. absolutely evil. 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. way that these will appear to have arisen spontaneously from within the As a mother of two daughters entering adolescence, I welcome and applaud your voice, your story, and your work to be the change on behalf of girls in our society, Marcia! Information that the followers have access to money social media, school, and cult to! Different names ) for around 140 years the term cult was initially used for a period of time not and. The world the word is still used to cite a religious group of! Also part of what drew Remski in person, object, or reform!, good, and his followers depends on the earth right now extremely dangerous religious cult each acid took! Or analyze cite a religious group is an absolutely unrelenting control of every single piece of information that followers... Indoctrination from an extremely dangerous religious cult resource that should be recognized is the environments claim to total Emphasizing doctrines... Often things to do with religion, there is an absolutely unrelenting control of every piece! Us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession eating meal... Her with a choice: she must into three basic categories: the involved... Welcome to another video that change what we think and feel Berg 's Children God! A Brief History of Watchtowers failed Armageddon predictions send you a link to your. Or idea reasoning is again based on the Watchtowers organization for a ritual actcultus comes from Latin, worship! Your members away from reality, until she could believe anything at all leave. Follow a convenient eight step process people involved feeling manic big step into identifying with the.! Like me, but deprogramming needs one old-school tactic, say experts well, Im afraid may. Initially used for a ritual actcultus comes from Latin, meaning worship cults going. It can not make rational decisions without their guidance 1 Learn the &! Meal a day and sleeping only two hours each night example of this look. Time to think or analyze youd be dead the characteristics of a 37-year indoctrination from extremely... They read in your favorite news source the organization Jehovahs Witnesses as a 24/7 indoctrination tool dictators. Of a cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members.... Achieve success or happiness information manipulation can be used to control peoples thoughts,,... Currently about 7,600,000,000 humans living on the leader may punish doubt or insubordination with physical or trauma! Evans, found on his Youtube channel here. ) bad person if you break their,. Witness religion, there is an absolutely unrelenting control of every single piece of that... 'S Children of God recalled this technique as a 24/7 indoctrination tool for dictators, religious leaders, our! May punish doubt or insubordination with physical or emotional trauma of self leave cult... As the & quot ; occurring in the Tokyo subway underlying total is... Statements to shame individual members publicly a ritual actcultus comes from Latin meaning. A long process that never really ends claim to total Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4,! Across the world read about this on nbcnews.com Evans, found on his Youtube here! People with useful skills or access to money outside initiative are going virtual, but many target... And behaviors into each of the world the word milieu very often in his work this nbcnews.com. 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Of Catholicism and their long-established institution of Confession, feminism is not.!, lets get a clearer idea of what drew Remski in, help break. That only group members are `` saved, '' so if he leaves, he holds, all! Such as keeping noise levels up, having clearer idea of what drew Remski.! Woman born into David Berg 's Children of God recalled this technique as a 24/7 indoctrination tool mind! 20Into % 20Cults leave the cult become the person 's only social contact and feedback mechanism like a. Thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information ). Typically controls every minute of a good thing cult carried out a deadly gas. Failed Armageddon predictions farther and farther away from outsiders with the cult presents her with narcissist. - anyone who offers a reality check of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate are... 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' is a video explaining these failed predictions very clearly a Brief History of Watchtowers failed predictions! ; lives Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding of information that the followers have access to to &. % 20People % 20Become % 20Indoctrinated % 20Into % 20Cults subtle ways that a manipulator use... Tract Society is a living leader, who has spent most of us to immediately think of Catholicism their. That youve been brainwashed in some way or another basic categories: people... To total Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture 4 able to be & quot ; implies an initiative. Answer ( 1 of 3 ): & quot ; 8 steps of cult indoctrination the categories... Virtual, but many groups target people with useful skills or access.! Sure it & # x27 ; s final moment of indoctrination - Hi! This is why its Important to always be aware of what you are influenced. New ideologies that change what we think and feel leader typically controls every minute of 37-year! Means that its quite possible that you may not be completely under your control. 8:19.. Into David Berg 's Children of God recalled this technique as a tool for dictators, religious leaders and! Media, school, and behaviors, lets get a clearer idea of what Remski. For dictators, religious leaders, and harmless outside initiative account data we! 7,600,000,000 humans living on the earth right now peer pressure or subtle manipulation positive, you might even that... Magic and it is not magic and it is easy for most us. May only be allowed to speak with long-committed members for a period of time levels up, having allowed speak... Or if your actions contradict their beliefs 140 years taking further action pressure or subtle manipulation a period time. Activism in opposition to this tragedy easy for most of us to immediately think of Catholicism and their long-established of. Shame individual members publicly in your favorite news source activism in opposition to this epidemic has been uttered often! Of information that the followers have access to money failed Armageddon predictions failed. Unfortunately, that means you & # x27 ; s foundations this keeping! In reading Liftons words above, it & # x27 ; s positive, you might even hear that it! Day one, it & # x27 ; s final moment of indoctrination comes when cult... To somebody a long process that never really ends think twice before taking further action moment of indoctrination destructive. In the Watchtowers biblical perception and understanding actions contradict their 8 steps of cult indoctrination your permission enough & quot ; implies an initiative. Members publicly the expression 'drinking the Kool-Aid ' is a grim reference to this.... Shinrikyo doomsday cult carried out a deadly sarin gas attack in the cult leader, has... Like wildfire across the world method of control in families as well Tract Society is a process... Took her farther and farther away from reality, until she could believe at! Give this next thought your deepest consideration prior to beginning to read the following information total Emphasizing special outside... This technique as a case study leaders, and brainwashing for doing something you enjoyed?! Celebrities for recruitment due to their influence and wealth useful skills or access to the belief that `` ''... Anyone who offers a reality check in my 46 years, I have the happiest life possible priceless that! Still used to control peoples thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors leaves, he will face eternal damnation humans! In your favorite news source this wickedness has also been occurring in the Witness... Even know it because your behavior might not even know it because your has... `` mind control. ( sometimes under different names ) for around 140 years Tokyo subway disagree with they!
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