History UsefulNotes / Cult

* Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman, ''Snapping''. The "snap" refers to the experience of sudden enlightenment or ecstasy (like a light switch snapping on), similar to ''satori'' or cosmic consciousness, which believers may experience after a period of focused spiritual exercises or meditation. It isn't supposed to last, but believers who don't know this may get "hooked" on it in a way and will do anything to get it back, and cult leaders exploit this.

* [[http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbromley/ATaleofTwoTheories.htm A tale of two theories: Brainwashing and conversion as competing political narratives]]: David Bromley, despite his article having some sociological jargon and repetitiveness making it a bit dry to read, gives an insightful account of differences between two "camps" studying cultic groups. These "camps" have formed differing views about the nature of some movements, including how people end up joining them and whether their conversions and staying in such groups are legitimate or not. He relates the difficulties in finding out the actual nature of an individual being involved in a group. Though Bromley himself is (and makes it clear he is) in the "camp" leaning towards seeing conversion as something more beneficial and likely to be chosen by an individual without being manipulated than the contrary, he gives fair hearing to both sides and ends up noting some similarities between the two camps.

* [[http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbromley/ATaleofTwoTheories.htm A tale of two theories: Brainwashing and conversion as competing political narratives]] David Bromley relates how two differents "camps" studying cultic groups have formed different views about them, including how people end up joining them and whether their conversions are legitimate in character or not. Despite some sociological jargon and repetitiveness making his article a bit dry to read, Bromley gives a great account of why studying such group dynamics is "an empirical thorny ticket". Though Bromley himself is (and admits he is) in the "camp" leaning towards seeing conversion as something more beneficial and likely to be chosen by an individual without being manipulated than the contrary, he gives fair hearing to both sides and ends up noting some similarities between the two camps.

* [[http://www.people.vcu.edu/~dbromley/ATaleofTwoTheories.htm A tale of two theories: Brainwashing and conversion as competing political narratives]] David Bromley relates how two differents "camps" studying cultic groups have formed different views about them, including how people end up joining them and whether their ways of joining are legitimate or not. Despite some sociological jargon and repetitiveness making his article a bit dry to read, Bromley gives a great account of why studying such group dynamics is "an empirical thorny ticket". Though Bromley himself is (and admits he is) in the "camp" leaning towards seeing conversion as something more positive than negative, he gives fair hearing to both sides and ends up noting some similarities between the two camps.

* [[http://www.caic.org.au/ Cult Awareness and Information Center]] This is the former Cult Awareness Network, now run by the ChurchOfHappyology, which bought the rights to the name. Rick Ross' resource center is now called the [[http://culteducation.com/ Cult Education Institute]].

However, thanks to some very destructive, even deadly groups (e.g. Jim Jones' People's Temple, Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, Heaven's Gate led by Marshall Applewhite, Aum Shinrikyo led by Shoko Asahara, Elizabeth Clare Prophet's [[http://www.scp-inc.org/publications/newsletters/N2204/endprophet.html Summit Lighthouse/Church Universal and Triumphant]], The Order of the Solar Temple led by the ''de facto'' leader Joseph [=DiMambro=] from the back and the young, charismatic Luc Jouret from the front, The Manson Family), the word "cult" has gotten a more sinister and terrifying meaning. (For its different meanings, see [[Analysis/{{Cult}} Analysis/Cult]].) The word is commonly used to refer to a pyramid-structured authoritarian group serving aims of an unscrupulous charismatic leader in guise of a belief system, using deceptively recruiting front groups, insidious thought reform (also known as, y'know, brainwashing) techniques, social isolation and (once again, deceptive) promises of a new, better life.

However, thanks to some very destructive, even deadly groups (e.g. Jim Jones' People's Temple, Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, Heaven's Gate led by Marshall Applewhite, Aum Shinrikyo led by Shoko Asahara, Elizabeth Clare Prophet's [[http://www.csj.org/pub_csj/csjbookreview/csjbkrev122lambs.htm Summit Lighthouse/Church Universal and Triumphant]], The Order of the Solar Temple led by the ''de facto'' leader Joseph [=DiMambro=] from the back and the young, charismatic Luc Jouret from the front, The Manson Family), the word "cult" has gotten a more sinister and terrifying meaning. (For its different meanings, see [[Analysis/{{Cult}} Analysis/Cult]].) The word is commonly used to refer to a pyramid-structured authoritarian group serving aims of an unscrupulous charismatic leader in guise of a belief system, using deceptively recruiting front groups, insidious thought reform (also known as, y'know, brainwashing) techniques, social isolation and (once again, deceptive) promises of a new, better life.

* [[http://jszimhart.com/home Joe Szimhart's pages]] include useful information and his personal experiences. He's an old-fashioned [[Deprogram]]mer who's written about [[http://www.scp-inc.org/publications/newsletters/N2204/endprophet.html Elizabeth Clare Prophet]] and the theatrical cult run by [[http://jszimhart.com/cult_101/theater_cult Wayne Allen Geis]].

* [[http://www.caic.org.au/ Cult Awareness and Information Center]] This is the former Cult Awareness Network, now run by the ChurchOfHappyology, which bought the rights to the name. Rick Ross' resource center is now called the [[[[http://culteducation.com/ Cult Education Institute]].

However, thanks to some very destructive, even deadly groups (e.g. Jim Jones' People's Temple, Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, Heaven's Gate led by Marshall Applewhite, Aum Shinrikyo led by Shoko Asahara, The Order of the Solar Temple led by the ''de facto'' leader Joseph [=DiMambro=] from the back and the young, charismatic Luc Jouret from the front, The Manson Family), the word "cult" has gotten more sinister and terrifying a meaning. (For its different meanings, see [[Analysis/{{Cult}} Analysis/Cult]].) The word is commonly used to refer to a pyramid-structured authoritarian group serving aims of an unscrupulous charismatic leader in guise of a belief system, using deceptively recruiting front groups, insidious thought reform (also known as, y'know, brainwashing) techniques, social isolation and (once again, deceptive) promises of a new, better life.

* [[http://www.caic.org.au/ Cult Awareness and Information Center]]

* [[http://jszimhart.com/home Joe Szimhart's pages]] include useful information and his personal experiences. He's an old-fashioned deprogrammer who's written about [[http://www.scp-inc.org/publications/newsletters/N2204/endprophet.html Elizabeth Clare Prophet]] and the theatrical cult run by [[http://jszimhart.com/cult_101/theater_cult Wayne Allen Geis]].

** [[http://inform.ac/node/13 Some groups target travelers; What to keep in mind]]

Cults can be relatively benign or they can be viciously UsefulNotes/{{abus|e}}ive, which recruited cult members only find out after being immersed. Some cults are abusive only of their own members, some are violent towards outsiders branded as enemies, some work both ways. Sometimes leaders seem benign but their assistants act as enforcers, making it look like the leader doesn't know. (He knows.) There are many disturbing ways in which cults can abuse their members.

However, thanks to some very destructive, even deadly groups (e.g. Jim Jones' People's Temple, Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, Heaven's Gate led by Marshall Applewhite, Rajneesh movement, Aum Shinrikyo led by Shoko Asahara), the word "cult" has gotten more sinister and terrifying a meaning. (For its different meanings, see [[Analysis/{{Cult}} Analysis/Cult]].) The word is commonly used to refer to a pyramid-structured authoritarian group serving aims of an unscrupulous charismatic leader in guise of a belief system, using deceptively recruiting front groups, insidious thought reform (also known as, y'know, brainwashing) techniques, social isolation and promise of a new, better life.

* Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman, ''Snapping''

* The Wellspring Retreat(link below), a site worth looking at in its own right, also includes [[http://wellspringretreat.org/index.php/links links to many other cult-information sites]].

* ''[[http://www.joinusthemovie.com/ Join Us]]'' Members of what looks like an ordinary church -- but isn't -- escape and attend the [[http://wellspringretreat.org/ Wellspring Retreat]] where cult behavior is explained.

* [[http://jszimhart.com/home Joe Szimhart's pages]] include useful information and his personal experiences. He's an old-fashioned deprogrammer who's written about [[http://www.scp-inc.org/publications/newsletters/N2204/endprophet.html Elizabeth Clare Prophet]] and the theatrical cult run by [[http://jszimhart.com/cult_101/theater_cult Wayne Allen Geis]].

* [[http://www.caic.org.au/ General info about cults]]

** It's also unfortunately common for well-intended martial arts school owners to end up running [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/teachcommitment.htm a McDojo]].

* [=NoNonsenseSelfDefense=] has articles about [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/cults.htm cults in the martial arts scene.]] [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/pirates.htm Fraud instructors]] selling seriously flawed and misleading(read: life-endangering) advice only care that it sells, not whether it works in the real situation. [[]] [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/cultmind.htm There is also a short section on Eric Hoffer's thoughts on mass movements, people often drawn to them and similarities to cultic martial arts groups.]]

* David G. Bromley and Lewis F. Carter, eds., ''Toward reflexive ethnography: Participating, observing, narrating''.

* Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman, ''Snapping''.
* Steven Hassan, ''Combatting cult mind control''

* Margaret Thaler Singer, ''Cults in our midst''; One of the best books on the subject.

* [[http://www.icsahome.com/articles/secular-and-religious-critiques-of-cults-csj-12-2 Secular and Religious Critiques of Cults: Complementary Visions, Not Irresolvable Conflicts]]

* [=NoNonsenseSelfDefense=] has articles about [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/cults.htm cults in the martial arts scene. These cults promise an effective self-defense/fighting system, but end up doing great harm to trainees and benefiting charismatic, manipulative instructors, who are really in it for their own gain.]] [[http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/cultmind.htm There is also a short section on Eric Hoffer's thoughts on mass movements, people often drawn to them and similarities to cultic martial arts groups.]]

* [[http://inform.ac/node/1598 INFORM guidelines for seekers considering joining groups]] and [[http://inform.ac/node/12 and people close to them]]

* [[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/ Apologetics Index; On cults/so-called "new religions"]] [[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c11.html and their apologists]]

* [[http://www.trussel.com/f_mel.htm Mel Lyman: The Lyman Pages]] A folk musician once calmed an angry audience at a concert with a simple hymn -- and came to believe he was God. David Felton summarized the Fort Hill experience in [[http://www.trussel.com/lyman/melmind.htm a two-part ''Rolling Stone'' article]].

Milieu control is also present. Perhaps a young adult without an apartment finds a place to stay -- and then finds herself staying a lot longer than she'd planned. Maybe a place isn't easy to leave. Keep your wits about you and trust any alarm signals. Plan escape routes.

* ''Cults in our midst''; Margaret Thaler Singer
* ''Bounded choice''; Janja Lalich

* ''Snapping''; Flo Conway

* ''Cults inside out: How people get in and can get out''; Rick Alan Ross
* ''Exposing cults: When the skeptical mind meets the mystical''; David C. Lane
* ''Destructive and terrorist cults: A new kind of slavery: Leader, followers and mind manipulation''; Masoud Banisadr
* ''Combatting cult mind control''; Steven Hassan
* ''Toward reflexive ethnography: Participating, observing, narrating''; eds. David G. Bromley and Lewis F. Carter

Even though the term "new religious movement" is used to include and refer euphemistically to cults, not all religious movements are cultic and cults needn't have religious trappings at all. They can as well exert influence over individuals by promising a better life (for example, spiritual growth, financial prosperity or personal transformation, with vague, lofty words leaving others' minds a lot to fill in). There have been cults started around theatrical groups, rock bands, newspapers, business seminars and physical therapy institutes. "Cult" describes ''a certain set of attitudes and practices,'' not a religion.

* [[http://www.trussel.com/f_mel.htm Mel Lyman: The Lyman Pages]] A folk musician once calmed an angry audience at a concert with a simple hymn -- and came to believe he was God.

One of the many damaging aspects is convincing members that friends, family members, relatives and other sources are not to be listened to -- obviously because they could possibly take away a new member. Disconnecting from social lives completely is encouraged and prompted. Critical thinking is frowned upon, discouraged, even punished; any signs of such are seen as deviation. A recruitee can be lovebombed -- showered with lavish demonstrations of affectionate attention -- by a leader and by other brainwashed cultists. Isolation makes it easier for cultic beliefs and thought processes to get reinforced, unchallenged. Thought control is utilized to ward off homesickness.

Cults can be relatively benign or they can be viciously UsefulNotes/{{abus|e}}ive, which recruited cult members only find out after being immersed. Some cults are abusive only of their own members, some are violent towards outsiders branded as enemies, some work both ways. There are many disturbing ways in which cults can abuse their members.

Milieu control is also present. Perhaps a young adult without an apartment finds a place to stay, although not nearly as long as planned. Maybe a place isn't easy to leave. Keep your wits about you and trust any alarm signals. Plan escape routes.

Even though the term "new religious movement" is used to include and refer euphemistically to cults, not all religious movements are cultic and cults needn't have religious trappings at all. They can as well exert influence over individuals by promising a better life (for example, spiritual growth, financial prosperity or personal transformation, with vague, lofty words leaving others' minds a lot to fill in). There have been cults started around theatrical groups, rock bands, newspapers and physical therapy institutes. "Cult" describes a certain set of attitudes and practices, not a religion.

One of the many damaging aspects is convincing members that friends, family members, relatives and other sources that could possibly take away a new member are not to be listened to. Disconnecting from social lives completely is encouraged and prompted. Critical thinking is frowned upon, discouraged, even punished, any signs of such are seen as deviation. A recruitee can be lovebombed with affectionate attention of a leader and brainwashed cultists. Isolation makes it easier for cultic beliefs and thought processes to get reinforced, unchallenged. Thought control is utilized to ward off homesickness.

* [[http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Warning_signs_of_dysfunctional_cults.html Enlightened-spirituality.org; Timothy Conway's views on warning signs of dysfunctional cults]]

It's an unfortunately common misconception that cults merely attract insane people. Cults keep their true colors hidden, luring normal people and withholding information that would make them think twice about continuing and realizing what they're really getting themselves into. Cults appeal to the emotionally vulnerable, but such weakness isn't necessary. Gullibility is often a huge plus for brainwashing cults, but that isn't necessary, either. ''It's simply a mix of lack of knowledge of recruits and deliberate misinformation perpetrated by cult leaders that helps cult leaders exploit people.'' Many unwary people only plan to stay for a while, only to stay for life.

Even though the term "new religious movement" is used to include and refer euphemistically to cults, not all religious movements are cultic and cults needn't have religious trappings at all. They can as well exert influence over individuals by promising a better life (for example, spiritual growth, financial prosperity or personal transformation, with vague, lofty words leaving others' minds a lot to fill in).