My family is a cult. I have been kept brainwashed all my life. This is a family with very good reputation, money, administration from outside world and admiration from the members within towards the leader- my father. I was thinking that I go crazy because of the many years struggling in all areas of my life, struggling with depression, anxiety ect. I need to get good knowledge and clarity around that because otherwise I am lost.
Situations like this are some of the worst because your parents figure who will people believe, you or them. They use those things you listed to dumb down others diacsernment .
Sounds like you need to get away from your family. I’m ex mainstream Mormon and I’ve had to go no contact with my family members who are still in the cult, it was the only way to save my sanity.
Yes. There are family cults as well. I have been gaslighted and lied to by my mum. And me and my siblings later joined a religious cult. I suggest you Google the terms "Family cult" and "Emotional Incest", "Golden Child & Scapegoat Child". There are other resources u can find online.
I am going through alot of emotional distress and feeling raw as I realize that I have been in a cult following for the last 35 years. I can see what and why I was drawn in and attracted to the cult and leader...It was just what I needed at the time... BUT NOW FEEL ALITTLE LOST AS I LET GO AND REBUILD MYSELF!!
Self-love is needed. Exit counselling helps with cultic problems but it does not help with the problems that member face before they join the cult. But eventually, self-love and managing relationship with your loved ones is key.
This is exactly the education needed right now. I had a relationship with a sociopathic covert narcissist who nearly ruined my professional and financial life. He actually had an elaborate trap set but his mask slipped right before he got to drop it over me and I escaped in the nick of time. I wouldn’t trade what I learned from that relationship for ANYTHING! One cannot be fully an adult without the ability to spot narcissists, especially the psychopaths and sociopaths. The fundamentals of this disorder need to be taught in junior high. It feels to me that there may be a purpose behind this rise to political power of these evil type individuals ... to educate the masses so that the would be Hitler’s of this world will no longer be able to get into positions of power. Thank you for such a great teaching!
I agree with almost everything you said. It was much better for you to learn what you learned in junior high rather than in that horrible manipulationship.
The first and foremost thing that I appreciate about this video is that IT GETS TO THE POINT AT THE VERY BEGINNING!!!! Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!
I have searched for this for decades, having watched it in a college course in 1995. Thrilled to randomly find it, almost twenty years on. It's more relevant today than it was when I first watched it, thanks to the rise of social media.
How society can deal with cults: 1. Encourage survivors to take cult leaders and members to court to be held accountable for their conduct legally. 2. Educate people, especially children, young people and the elderly, on how to think critically and evaluate whether they're being manipulated more effectively. 3. Educate the mental health community on cult-specific trauma and how to best help victims and survivors heal. This all seems so relevant nowadays.
When she talks about how cult leaders can talk in a slow, rythmic manner to hypnotize their followers and you realize she does that as well XD I've watched this video several times because I find it strangely relaxing.
She says that too... Now I understand why people told they were sleepy when I did my presentations at my toast Master club... without realizing lower the tone to bring attention.
Yes, that method of speaking can put someone in a trance state. The more relaxed we are, and the more relaxed our minds are, the more susceptible we can be to messages we hear, because we are accessing our brains differently in a more relaxed state. (Normally our brains are in a beta state, but can go into alpha or theta more when we're relaxed. That's my rather minimal knowledge of it, and probably not very accurate. Just a few things I remember from getting biofeedback training.) Another thing I learned is to never participate in a speaker leading a group in a meditation before the speech/lecture, etc. The meditation or relaxation exercise can make one more vulnerable and susceptible/less critical of what gets said after the relaxation exercise. Since we never know what the speaker is going to say until they say it, it's best not to do the meditation first.
Every single person in the world needs to dedicate an hour of their life to watch this. Although not guaranteed to awaken every person, it might help light a beacon for them to eventually make their way out.
Susepability to cult attractions definitely begins in early childhood with inadequate or faulty parenting & damaging influences from significant others but, blaming, rather than understanding, ones parents & others may not undo the damages done by bad parenting & others whereas, psychotherapy & other forms of emotional help to understand & repair the damages done to one in early childhood might help the victims of early, mental abuse & neglect. Therapy, not revenge & blaming, helped me A LOT! Therapy gave me the tools to stay out of & never get lost in any cult. A faulty upbringing by faulty parenting made me a perfect candidate/sucker for any cult out there & I almost entered a few.
As a former jehovas witnesses I remember in a conversation where they were talking about recruiting the most vulnerable people that are in hospitals :(
Absolute LEGEND. Sadly much of what Singer helped expose and illuminate continues today and is fueled online. No longer does a cult member have to be among fellow disciples in a fixed location. Instead many participate in isolation.
This happened to me and it wasn't until I spoke it outloud to a qualified therapist that I realized how ABSURD the ideas were and that is when I snapped out of it. I had been just going along with everything because they convinced me in the beginning that I was a chosen person on this spiritual path. They acted like they knew things about me and could help me "in this lifetime". Once I started working for them that is when things really changed. A lot of verbal abuse and put downs. Then misled me as to my role on a project. Had me convinced I was a bad person and that's why I was demoted after doing all of the legwork. They don't argue you to join, they make you feel special and chosen and promise you a lot, including healing and career advancement.
@@auntbeewannabee4626 It wasn't AA it was a spiritual group but all the groups tend to use the same techniques. A classic technique is to devalue you and gaslight you in the beginning but at the same time to love bomb you so that you think they really like you and you belong. Then over time they will errode your belief in yourself and replace it with a total focus on the spiritual "teacher". A true teacher will help you to have a relationship with yourself and with REALITY, not feed you a bunch of lies and beat you down so that you are so confused and insecure you will believe anything
This is the first time I hear someone talking about this type of meditation outcome. I had been practising meditation for two months then, and it came easier to me than most people. At some point I realised I didn't need solitude, relaxing music or even comfort - I couldn't shake it off on public transport when I definitely didn't want to drift away mentally. I stopped it all cold turkey and tried to avoid any triggers like a recovering alcoholic avoiding old buddies and parties. It's very easy for me to imagine what this lady says about people needing to stop their car and come to senses. Those Hindu people meditating for months and years - it's not enlightenment but rather a form of narcolepsy.
My issue with this video is that "cultism" is throughout our lives; at work, in church, in our schools and clubs. Once we have escaped from a cult it is more plain that it is all around us.
You ain’t wrong. I just left 1 a few weeks ago and now I find myself hiding out but I swear I believe God is hiding me like He hid Elijah in the cave before moving him into his next season. I’m learning so much about myself that I woulda never thought to look at had I not been so deceived.
I have read Singer's book, but have only started this video. In the book, she distinguishes between cults and other forms of influence. I (and she) agree with you in that there are forms of pressure and persuasion, including peer and institutional pressure all around us. It is great that you are keenly aware of these and see them everywhere, although I'm sorry for what sounds like the circumstances that led you to have this greater awareness than the average person. Your awareness and vigilance will protect you going forward from things others will be vulnerable to. I hope you will share your heigtened awareness with others, giving lectures, writing articles or books. Many people would benefit from what you know.
I was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness cult, but fortunately my father never converted and I disassociated myself after having attended college, (which is discouraged by the cult), and have been cult-free since 1993. However, I really like to watch videos like this because they remind of where I came from!
Their access to all media is extremely controlled mostly by themselves cuz they're told the world is out to get them and all criticism is poisonous to them. So, most of them won't see this type of material until they escape, um, I mean leave.
A cult can have several leaders. If they split into branches and change their names. Members are unaware they're following the "leader" by following the "group," so they might be in denial about following the leader.
That puts into perspective how in AA I didn’t believe it was a cult. We are branched off into separate groups which are all autonomous except in matters affect the group or AA as a whole.
Outstandingly informative. #NPDAbuse #Trauma #BreakingFreeFromToxicPeople It's just like this. Narcissists and Sociopaths abuse their "victims" just like this.
Very true. In fact all destructive cults are started by highly narcissistic people. They might also be sociopathological or psycho-pathological, but invariably cult leaders are narcissists. Narcissists tend to try to create a tiny 'personality' cult surrounding them, if they do not go into the business of religion.
WOWW>... Elitest... I left a religious group..I learned a lot..they wanted to obey and follow the Bible which I loved...But, there was a lot of Control..And I couldn't make my own decisions..They had made me rely on them for everything rather than learn to make decisions on my own according to the Bible
Yes, they do a lot of "Love Bombing". Shower you with love, tell you how much they love you and how much you're going to love everyone in the group, how much you're going to love learning about all the self development techniques, etc
Institutions can be cults, too, with more than one leader. The only difference is that the cult gains cultural acceptance. She's focusing on only one extreme type of cult as if it's the only kind. Cults are extremely common. We just don't always recognize them because they are the established systems we've always known.
HEalthcare doesn't tke one's money, but one's life-energy, time, mind/soul and spirit. Hijacks us from developing spititaully, culls us by medical drugs instead of helping us heal and grow into our human potential and real strength..
When she mentioned being in a trance and driving down the road I thought of someone that was a specific type of main-stream religious preacher ( I want to name it but I chose not to) near where I live who had used that exact experience to validate his belief that joining the religion was the right choice. I almost got wrapped up in this sect due to having close friends that are involved. I went to one of their church services and saw people standing against the walls of the church with their eyes rolling back and mumbling. I understand that there are many people that believe this is from God. I do not. I think the behavior fits the description of this speaker to a T, and I also paid attention to the rhythmic music (same drum beats over and over; the same words over and over) they think they are praising and worshiping God, but to me it seems trance-like especially when newbies and non-members show up they really prolong this to intice them into joining in. The chant she mentions goes along with repeating the same prayer or praise over and over. Then some members end up on the floor as if asleep but all that is a trance state. It feels different, powerful and exhilarating. If you've never felt this before you believe that you've been touched by God and its a sealed deal you will continue to seek this "feeling" and want to continue to be involved in this type of religion. It takes real perception and I think down right honesty to acknowledge there isn't any supernatural God power coming on you its just your own hyped up emotions. Another thing to note about this particular church is they attend services more than any other church I know. There is always a reason they are having services and every service they take up offering. Well how else do they get their four daughters through college and pay for a new church all the while moving into a wealthy neighborhood? Recently several members have left this church and I'm not one bit surprised. A cult? I'm not sure, but they definitely do have very similar characteristics as what I just watched.
This rhythmic pattern seems to be prevalent right across many cult functions. Its very similar to the tribal trance like practices, where this twctoc was used by the tribe. Creating a tribal state ,now your part of the tribe etc
Cults are a very slippery topic, it can be very difficult to wrap your brain around the issue . This talk is gold. It is beautifully structured and incredibly clear. . This talk offers the best structure and set of insights that I have seen yet. This talk is from 1994 but even more relevant today than it was at the time, given modern use of social media to influence people and even just the use of Meetup to announce meetings of new groups where one can engage new followers.
+HeadShot Films First it was Russell (1874 - 1916, lived long enough to see his 1914 false prophecy fall flat on its face), then it was Rutherford (1916 - 1942, lived long enough to see at least two of their false prophecies fall flat on their faces), then it was Knorr (1942 - 1977, lived long enough to see their 1975 false prophecy fall flat on its face). Besides, cults can have more than one leader - look at Applewhite who had a co-leader (Bonnie Nettles) for a while before she passed away, leaving him the sole leader once again.
I am really shocked that so many intelligent people have been brainwashed into believing Disaku Ikeda is a hero. This group is all about power and political control.I am really scared how big this group is now.
You are 100% correct! I just escaped 26 days ago from the most abusive cult any of the professionals here in Fort Myers, FL has ever heard about or seen in their lives. I was born into it, I didn’t know anything different and now my son is still there. Somehow they know I’m telling the truth but they say it’s so bizarre if it were a movie it would be considered some type of science fiction horror. I knew I hated my life and I wanted to spare my son the same torture as I have lived but I didn’t realize exactly how bad I had it. Now the family is trying to manipulate me into going back. Why would they give me two capsule pills everyday from the ages of 3-4 years old to 6 years old that afterwards I have no memories for 4, 5 sometimes 6 hours?
I highly recommend Margaret Singer's book, Cults in Our Midst. Brilliant, so informative, and material not found elsewhere. Best book on deceptive mind control and cults I've ever read. My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion when we started public school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then. Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself. For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, such as being told by a priest to obey him, to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc., over and over again. You stand out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey. From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe. Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders. If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid can learn and be more protected from psychological manipulations. Critical thinking training lasts a lifetime. (My parent's instruction about critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful, 50+ years later.)
Your parents deprived you of a meaningful relationship with God, abusing their position of authority to brainwash you into interpreting the religious life in the worst most cynical way possible. Yet you never employed critical thinking towards their atheism, instead using rationalistic answers to give you some comfort that the philosophy of your parents and childhood were right instead of deeply disturbing. I really hope and pray you can find some peace eventually. You would probably claim to have some. But I think if you're being a bit more honest with yourself you would know exactly what I mean by that.
this is really fascinating. im so glad to be made aware of the nefarious and common ways these behaviors intrude. the culture and overly tolerant positive only is a set up to those who would take advantage of the uninformed or unprepared.
Excellent information. Thank you. I believe susceptibility to cults can start in childhood- think domestic violence(emotional or physical).Then cultic one on one as in romantic relationships. Work relationships..... Why are we not educating children repeatedly in childhood as to what healthy relationships are?
I agree. My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion once we started school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then. Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself. For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, obeying a priest to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc. One stands out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey. From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe. Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders. If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid. (My parent's instruction in critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful.)
A few years ago, I joined a hospice as volunteer. I had no idea it was run by a cult. I was at a Christmas party when I expressed interest in the names of several people there. Their leader gave them their names. One supplied me with the name of their organization. I googled it and quit on the spot.
Well ironically the same tactics that put people into cults can also be used to get them out of such behaviors as well. It's not just the tools, but who's wielding those tools and their motivation/intentions of using those tools. Pls go watch the movie Fight Club if you've never seen it before. He'll, go watch it again even if you have watched it before.
Monica Richardson: Could you show/prove this claim, please? Do you distinguish between the spread of wrong practises and misconceptions of some members , and what others can take up as though ir ´t were the program, and what the program itself really stands for? I have noticed a decline since the cell-phones came (Sweden has extra strong microwave radiation with detrimental effects on people. I see it as an infiltration of the adversary of man, which comes when exhais0usted participants uncritically take things aúp as being apart of the program, while it is not. Just as sponsorship has declined into takingf short-cuts leading to lesser levels and qualitites of recovery. I'd really welcome it if you could name and show how you think when you claim AA to be a cult. Some people also accuse everybody with some problematic behavoíours to be "narcissists", not distinguishing what that entails.
No wonder Thaler has a PhD...truly educated and knows wth she's talking about. Spot on..I wish everyone would watch this...especially Christians & Muslims.
The bigger question that is never asked is why are there so many cults is it just for the leaders benefits and is it for the benefit of other social actors.
@@dekishajones282 Christianity doesn’t believe in a sky daddy. Rather a God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. Also how do describe objective laws without God such as morality, how does a singularity come into existence without a cause before the bing bang, and how come there are still no missing links for macro evolution. How does non life bring life which is scientifically impossible. How do you get order from chaos. The most ironic truth of them all is honestly comedic. It takes just as much faith to believe in a Big Bang as it does for God. So if you’re going to hold Christianity in the view of cult then you also have to do the same to every religious belief about the universe including but not limited to: Hinduism , Buddhism , Judaism, atheism, heck even satanists. Further more I can prove the Bible is true by using the Bible for the countless prophecies it gets right which mind you is 100 percent of them. Psalms 22 which predicts Jesus death 1,000 years before Jesus and 600 years before crucifixions comes to mind. And gets it 100 percent right. God bless you and have a great day :)
In my case, I remember the moment I was sucked in. While being taught their fundamental belief system (The Christian Life Series: A Handbook of Christian Doctrine by Norman James) I was rebuked Harshly for being late for my personal lesson. It didn't matter that I was working 40 hrs a wk and caring 24/7 for my disabled father-n-law all that mattered was I had wasted his precious time by being no more than 5 minutes late. At that moment I took the humiliation blaming myself for not doing better. Now I think about the strange moment I broke, crying like a baby, and then submitting to someone who less about the Bible than I did. I appreciate your total understanding of this insanity.
If I would have listened to this in the 1980's instead of falling for Scientology I would have saved a lot of time. In my opinion she describes what I went through exactly. Now after having left and processed much of my experience, I can similarities among all cultish groups. Including organized religion, sorry Christianity, you are in there too.
Agree Doug, mainly in cristianity depends where we go...I love to be catholic, but it doesn't me Yes Sir to all priests nuns, or other catholics friends. We are free to believe or disbelieve.
You say the former cult leader was surprised at how easy it was to manipulate people who had been rebellious in their youth. A lot of youth "rebel" by joining a rebellious group. Perhaps they see joining a cult as a similar act of rebellion against main-stream society. Perhaps their adherence to crazy rules is driven by their need to be seen in a good light by the person/people at the top and to raise their status in the group.
New age/self transformation ideas such as tarot, belief in magic/wicca are at high popularity lately, and are being linked to the higher rates of cultist behavior. It's almost as if human's natural socialization instincts to try to fit in makes them vulnerable to joining cults that will accept them. This is why cults prey on those who are most emotionally/psychologically vulnerable.
Two years after you wrote that, one need only scroll UA-cam live streams to find hundred, truthfully, hundreds of "tarot card readers", not one of whom have any basic understanding or knowledge of the cards, making up meanings even more absurd that the standard and accepted ones. They each have small but dedicated followings, who throw money at them to hear useless platitudes, and inane prediction, coupled with what sounds like mostly really, really bad, even dangerous advice.
Wow, the conditioning/disconnecting phase was eye opening - acquiring new a name and speaking new jargon so members feels special and while wearing a pseudo identity mask. No wonder those cultish recruits sound weird/alien when you first encounter them. It’s a facade. It’s all fake! When Dr. Singer talked about keeping cult members “busy” and taking up their “thinking time” with the church activities for a greater purpose, I immediately thought of Scientology. IMHO, everything Dr. Singer says here also applies to (emotional and/or physical) abusive family dynamics and relationships. Instead of a cult of many, it is a cult of a few people ( mostly family and lovers.) I agree, this info has to be available for middle school, high school, higher education students, staff, employees, and parents. Moreover, yes, research a group/person before joining them. Also, trust your instincts. If it feels “off,” IT IS OFF! Say “No,” and never give them your contact information. That is how I managed to dodge them.
@@bclean77 You won't have to tell me I just left this cult after 25 years! I found out they'v been hiding pedophiles and a whole host of other bad things they are keeping hid from their followers!!
I used to really like Jiddu, then I learned that he was taken by an older gentleman who was a Freemason and tailored into the man he was. In effect Jiddu was groomed from a very young age to be the man who thought the way he did. Not that there isn't some value in his learnings, teachings, I'm just a bit suspicious how he came to think that way.
@@dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173 JKM was raised as a young boy by Annie Bessant (Theosophical Society) to become the new messiah. You are right, there was a man involved. But during his early teens he rebelled and decided he wanted nothing to do with their crazy ideas. That's how I heard it anyway. And really, what does it matter who influenced him? He ended up with some pretty clear insights into the human mind.
Really found it informative, I was wondering about why people join cults and have my doubts about this modern fad for mindfulness? Missed my opportunity to study cults when studying sociology as the lecturer moved to another university.
You are right on, but left out one thing. I am no longer in the org. but are still in a spiritual cage where I am cut off not only from them but also the world as well. I would go to an event to mingle and be around others and when I get there its not a normal event and the people are few or if it is normal people will get directly in from of me face to face blocking me. this has happened lots of times even though I moved away from this organization the restrictions and influences that they've placed upon me still exist. my whole world is in shambles because of them.
whocanu trust - so they're persecuting you, can't you find company to be around you and protect you? have you thought about moving from your country if possible, restart somewhere else? Forgive me if i'm speaking without knowledge of your problem, but it pains me to see people going through that.
We see evidence of thought reform in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also, guilt, fear, coercion from GB. They’re autocratic and have total power over the life of each member.
I'm losing my daughter and grandson to a Ayhuaskah cult. My heart is broken, don't know what to do, only staying in prayer and trying to keep a bridge available should she see the light and chooses to leave.
@@Daisytoo no, i am not. I was a student in a university course on the history of ayahuasca churches in Brazil (Santo daime and unio de vegeta). In my understanding they are recognised religious churches by the brazilian government and protected by the religion freedom restoration act in Brazil. They use ayahuasca as a sacrament. I have not seen evidence that Santo daime show signs of being a destructive cult. What makes you feel that santo daime is a destructive cult?
I just started listening and was immediately struck by how simplistic her explanations seem to be. Cults are formed by interpersonal dynamics by which some subordinate others in self-reinforcing dependency. She mentions one way that some cults have used, and in fact it's an increasingly obsolete way, as followers slowly get more sophisticated and don't respond to some of the more transparent tactics that were used in the late 20th Century. When was this filmed?
Millard, were you listening? Just the definition she gives n the first sentence, let alone the first paragraph explains the bulk of it. The rest is defining the minutiae. If it seems simplistic, it may, MAY, be because it is outside the conversational tone of the cult. The cult that you are still in. Or started. Have joined since you were 22. Don't know (not that you're in or running a cult). She is speaking from beyond the grave, and only the master and youtube can stop it.
Millard Melnyk The APA thought the same thing when they threw out her paper on Cult Brainwashing - " the report lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur."
+Steve Anderson They later reconsidered and modified their view. At the time, certain elements - from the military to evangelical faith healers, plus the richer Destructive Cults themselves - were panicked over this information and exerted their influence. The information is nonetheless true today, and it was true then.
This type of manipulation can be done by anyone to a type of person that was described as being vulnerable. The separation from family and people who will advise you right is a gold medal usage.
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and among other things I was taught to give literature("hope") to mourning families. In an attempt to convert them in their weakened state. Thankfully I never succeeded but know this is one of their more successful recruiting tactics.
I'm having no problem finding explanations as to how people get sucked in. What's hard to find is why cults form in the first place. Not all cult leaders set out to form cults. Jehovah's Witnesses didn't start out that way. But since 2014 the WatchTower organization has shown very rapidly its cultiness so even insiders are starting to see it. It's almost an organic process.
i had seen groups of sincere people become incresingly cultish over time.. i think that at times these things can develop and people dont even realize whats happening, including the leaders.
Idk how I got here or why but it's like helps me educate on a theory or hyphotesis I have discovered how for example a narcissist person that u have deal with in the west coast will have 90 percent similarities when you meet a narcissist person in the East coast.. I mean how can that be. This lady is knowledgeable thank you for this video
She is great and knows what she is talking about. They are predator's they hunt for the vulnerable. They love people pleasers anyone who likes attention and needs validation from others.
what year was this video produced. she mentions that there were as many as 5000 cults in the United states "today" I would be interested to know what the current 2018 estimate is.
Invite me to a health food commune? No, thanks! I ONCE went to dinner with a work colleague at such a place. I could see immediately that the people there were all “too nice” to us, to me in particular. This was in NYC and I was a total stranger. The meal was finally served when this woman named Madeline but called Mama Lynne arrived. She was obviously the leader and people fawned over her. Throughout the meal over which Mama Lynne presided was like a religious ritual everyone did weird things like close our eyes and meditate on the sexuality of bean sprouts! My colleague got into these bizarre activities whereas I just got creeped out. Sexuality of bean sprouts? After dinner we sat in a circle on the lawn and when Mama Lynne removed her shoes, everyone did the same. I noticed that people there walked like her, spoke in this odd cadence like her, and my colleague was doing it, too. After three hours, I’d had enough. I caught two couples glaring at me, mouthing some words in my direction. As soon as I stared back, they turned away from me. I think they were trying to put some sort of curse on me. There was a nighttime ritual of chanting, confession of “sins” of the day. My colleague wanted to stay overnight although that wasn’t permitted for first time visitors. I was so eager to get away from the place, I was willing to leave my coat behind when I couldn’t find it. Turns out some woman had just taken it to wear to get organic milk from the co-op. Everyone was free to take everyone else’s belongings because nobody owned anything. We were followed by one of the couples who were mumbling over me. I whispered it to my colleague as we went to board the Staten Island Ferry. She thought I was being paranoid until she saw them outside the terminal, just standing there. Then she said they were just making sure we got off safely as it was dark. When we disembarked in Manhattan, I wanted to get some coffee as the commune forbade caffeine and I had a withdrawal headache. There, we got into an argument, my colleague raving about returning on Saturday for a whole day, while I tried to convince her the place practically screamed, “CULT!” Who the f- was Mama Lynne or Madeline? So, she had a doctorate degree? In what? So what? Wasn’t she at all bothered by everyone following her movements, vocal cadence, and copying everything she did? And what was the bowing and wishing her health and rest as the last words everyone says for the day? And getting sexual satisfaction from bean sprouts? Really? I’ve got nothing against a group of people pooling resources to buy a home and growing organic foods, but selling my soul to some woman and becoming a clone? No, leave me out! Can you believe it, my colleague quit at work and went to live as a novice resident in the commune. I also quit about a year later for a better job, and moved to Queens. I lost track of all but one former colleague because we dated for about a year. About five years later, the place was in the news after a death under suspicious circumstances. The neighbors wanted the commune shut down as it was trying to acquire adjoining properties by unethical means and the place was attracting strange people to the area, some of whom had set up a tent village in the park, rendering it unsafe for children and there’d been an uptick in petty crime, theft from cars and garages, trespassing, a woman returned from her winter in Florida to find people squatting in her basement and cannabis growing in her garden! I don’t recall what ultimately happened, but kind of doubt the commune still exist.
Brought here because of Simon Crowder's interview with Alex Jones and I am glad because it is so obvious these tactics are being used today in America!!
I think I now understand why Jesus had to go away when He resurrected, He could have stayed and personally clarify all the doubts. But if He did not go away how would the gospel reached the ends of the world?, I guess not. Who would preach the gospel when those who have come to know Him would not want to leave His presence?, and would desire to be always in the "front seat"? Even fans stalk their idol celebraties. But then the problem comes when the "hearer" lack the desire to really know Jesus (through the bible), and depend solely on the pastors. And unfortunately, the pastors, believing that the perpetuity of the church depend on them, MAY out of the burden of responsibility which can lead to manipulative arrogance may twist the truth either by instilling fear to prevent them from disassociation, or teach "good things" to have happy captives. I hope the other pastors won't be emotionally manipulated to do the same. I hope they will continue to speak the truth and let everyone who wants to get out because they don't want to change but guilt is pestering them. At least they are given a chance to one day repent and come back to God because they knew what is the truth about sin. For Jesus Himself said that He will not acknowledge all who call Him Lord.
Thank you. I was a member. In the worldwide church of God. My mother went it when I was a kid later to be followed in byy sister than me. If you were a member you couldn't date marry or divorce out of it. I married man who mentally emotionally and spiritually abused me. I left that church after 23 years in it. My ex is still in ity daughter thinks I'm crazy cause I got PTSD and went through a major depression and because her dad tells her this. And she believes his present wife is stupid and crazy because her says so. I have taken so much abuse then and still it never stops. I'm the back of my mind I always thinking that the church told us that we would be destroyed and they would turn us over to Satan for our own good to bring us back so amy thing bad happens this is always present been out for over 30 years still getting abused by ex and son in law and daughter
Religion and government fit these descriptions. For example, reconciliation is used for spying. "Recon" in reconciliation is simply reconnaissance, just like the NSA.
Sometimes it’s not secrets of the past or secrets of the future that a cult leader promises if you hand over all decision making of your life to them, sometimes it’s the promise of protection, love, provision, a sense of family etc. which is all false of course, but that is the promise the insinuate so long as they can have total control of your life.
Please elaborate... Catholics don't worship the Pope, they worship God. The Pope is here to remind us of the precepts of God's words and His tradition that were given by Jesus Christ himself. Cults are completely different. They will recruit someone by isolating the person for "bible studies" (so not group studies since they want the victim under strict surveillance). They will proceed with psychological torment under the mask of excessive niceness. And before you know it, it's too late.
@@RollerOfEyes Sorry Catholics are not totalitarian,members are not deceptively recruited,they are not elitist,they dont lie to the public. Catholics can disagree with the Pople,Catholics dont isolate members from non members,Catholics can leave with their dignity in tact.John Macmillan wasnt listening.
sounds very much like the TB Joshua synagogue in Lagos in Nigeria. heard exactly same testimonies from those that left the church.all the points align with these theories
This video should be shown in every high school around the world.
Two times per semester! Every year!
The public school system IS a cult
It won’t help unless you also provide them with a solution which noone has.
@@WeRNthisToGetHer indeed.
My family is a cult. I have been kept brainwashed all my life.
This is a family with very good reputation, money, administration from outside world and admiration from the members within towards the leader- my father. I was thinking that I go crazy because of the many years struggling in all areas of my life, struggling with depression, anxiety ect. I need to get good knowledge and clarity around that because otherwise I am lost.
Iva, get in toucheith Doctor Singer I am sure she will give you a great advice as a psicologist she is.
Situations like this are some of the worst because your parents figure who will people believe, you or them. They use those things you listed to dumb down others diacsernment .
Sounds like you need to get away from your family. I’m ex mainstream Mormon and I’ve had to go no contact with my family members who are still in the cult, it was the only way to save my sanity.
@@pedrobarrantes1177 She's dead. Read her books instead.
Yes. There are family cults as well. I have been gaslighted and lied to by my mum. And me and my siblings later joined a religious cult. I suggest you Google the terms "Family cult" and "Emotional Incest", "Golden Child & Scapegoat Child". There are other resources u can find online.
I am going through alot of emotional distress and feeling raw as I realize that I have been in a cult following for the last 35 years. I can see what and why I was drawn in and attracted to the cult and leader...It was just what I needed at the time...
BUT NOW FEEL ALITTLE LOST AS I LET GO AND REBUILD MYSELF!!
❤brave / I trust that life is Loving you now
Self-love is needed. Exit counselling helps with cultic problems but it does not help with the problems that member face before they join the cult. But eventually, self-love and managing relationship with your loved ones is key.
This is exactly the education needed right now. I had a relationship with a sociopathic covert narcissist who nearly ruined my professional and financial life. He actually had an elaborate trap set but his mask slipped right before he got to drop it over me and I escaped in the nick of time. I wouldn’t trade what I learned from that relationship for ANYTHING! One cannot be fully an adult without the ability to spot narcissists, especially the psychopaths and sociopaths. The fundamentals of this disorder need to be taught in junior high.
It feels to me that there may be a purpose behind this rise to political power of these evil type individuals ... to educate the masses so that the would be Hitler’s of this world will no longer be able to get into positions of power. Thank you for such a great teaching!
I agree with almost everything you said. It was much better for you to learn what you learned in junior high rather than in that horrible manipulationship.
Metoo
The first and foremost thing that I appreciate about this video is that IT GETS TO THE POINT AT THE VERY BEGINNING!!!! Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!
I concur! Wasn’t an hours worth of directionless babble.
Been there, done that! Self-love prevents cult recruitment and spiritual abuse. Aloha from Kauai.
I have searched for this for decades, having watched it in a college course in 1995. Thrilled to randomly find it, almost twenty years on. It's more relevant today than it was when I first watched it, thanks to the rise of social media.
How society can deal with cults:
1. Encourage survivors to take cult leaders and members to court to be held accountable for their conduct legally.
2. Educate people, especially children, young people and the elderly, on how to think critically and evaluate whether they're being manipulated more effectively.
3. Educate the mental health community on cult-specific trauma and how to best help victims and survivors heal.
This all seems so relevant nowadays.
When she talks about how cult leaders can talk in a slow, rythmic manner to hypnotize their followers and you realize she does that as well XD I've watched this video several times because I find it strangely relaxing.
Wery informative. And helpful. I also watched couple of times. She has these pauses in between.
NLP hypnotics 101
When I was in AA we read the same few things out loud before every single meeting. It was in a monotone voice
She says that too... Now I understand why people told they were sleepy when I did my presentations at my toast Master club... without realizing lower the tone to bring attention.
Yes, that method of speaking can put someone in a trance state. The more relaxed we are, and the more relaxed our minds are, the more susceptible we can be to messages we hear, because we are accessing our brains differently in a more relaxed state. (Normally our brains are in a beta state, but can go into alpha or theta more when we're relaxed. That's my rather minimal knowledge of it, and probably not very accurate. Just a few things I remember from getting biofeedback training.)
Another thing I learned is to never participate in a speaker leading a group in a meditation before the speech/lecture, etc. The meditation or relaxation exercise can make one more vulnerable and susceptible/less critical of what gets said after the relaxation exercise. Since we never know what the speaker is going to say until they say it, it's best not to do the meditation first.
Every single person in the world needs to dedicate an hour of their life to watch this. Although not guaranteed to awaken every person, it might help light a beacon for them to eventually make their way out.
JUST AMAZING TAPE. This woman is dead on. Tremendous information.
Susepability to cult attractions definitely begins in early childhood with inadequate or faulty parenting & damaging influences from significant others but, blaming, rather than understanding, ones parents & others may not undo the damages done by bad parenting & others whereas, psychotherapy & other forms of emotional help to understand & repair the damages done to one in early childhood might help the victims of early, mental abuse & neglect. Therapy, not revenge & blaming, helped me A LOT! Therapy gave me the tools to stay out of & never get lost in any cult. A faulty upbringing by faulty parenting made me a perfect candidate/sucker for any cult out there & I almost entered a few.
As a former jehovas witnesses
I remember in a conversation where they were talking about recruiting the most vulnerable people that are in hospitals :(
ugh. I believe you.
Former JW here too. Good to see you got out and researching cults like me lol
Lol... That's wicked, terrible. Wow 😣
Absolute LEGEND. Sadly much of what Singer helped expose and illuminate continues today and is fueled online. No longer does a cult member have to be among fellow disciples in a fixed location. Instead many participate in isolation.
Like covid agenda
This happened to me and it wasn't until I spoke it outloud to a qualified therapist that I realized how ABSURD the ideas were and that is when I snapped out of it. I had been just going along with everything because they convinced me in the beginning that I was a chosen person on this spiritual path. They acted like they knew things about me and could help me "in this lifetime". Once I started working for them that is when things really changed. A lot of verbal abuse and put downs. Then misled me as to my role on a project. Had me convinced I was a bad person and that's why I was demoted after doing all of the legwork. They don't argue you to join, they make you feel special and chosen and promise you a lot, including healing and career advancement.
Where was this at? It sounds very similar to my involvement with other Alcoholics Anonymous.
@@auntbeewannabee4626 It wasn't AA it was a spiritual group but all the groups tend to use the same techniques. A classic technique is to devalue you and gaslight you in the beginning but at the same time to love bomb you so that you think they really like you and you belong. Then over time they will errode your belief in yourself and replace it with a total focus on the spiritual "teacher". A true teacher will help you to have a relationship with yourself and with REALITY, not feed you a bunch of lies and beat you down so that you are so confused and insecure you will believe anything
Great Mary you left!
I attended a mormon service and was amazed at the programing
Can you give an example of the programming
By this definition Jehovah’s witness or the Mormons or the seventh day Adventist don’t fit this description.
They deal with witchcraft there. Mormons are one of the most well known cults out there. Also the JW's and the the Seventh day Adventist church.
@@andrewcasey8548I believe they do.
This is the first time I hear someone talking about this type of meditation outcome. I had been practising meditation for two months then, and it came easier to me than most people. At some point I realised I didn't need solitude, relaxing music or even comfort - I couldn't shake it off on public transport when I definitely didn't want to drift away mentally. I stopped it all cold turkey and tried to avoid any triggers like a recovering alcoholic avoiding old buddies and parties. It's very easy for me to imagine what this lady says about people needing to stop their car and come to senses. Those Hindu people meditating for months and years - it's not enlightenment but rather a form of narcolepsy.
My issue with this video is that "cultism" is throughout our lives; at work, in church, in our schools and clubs. Once we have escaped from a cult it is more plain that it is all around us.
You ain’t wrong. I just left 1 a few weeks ago and now I find myself hiding out but I swear I believe God is hiding me like He hid Elijah in the cave before moving him into his next season. I’m learning so much about myself that I woulda never thought to look at had I not been so deceived.
Hello Beverly, what cult were you in?
lol... suggest you listen it again.. this video is a treasure for those were, are or would have been into...
I have read Singer's book, but have only started this video. In the book, she distinguishes between cults and other forms of influence. I (and she) agree with you in that there are forms of pressure and persuasion, including peer and institutional pressure all around us. It is great that you are keenly aware of these and see them everywhere, although I'm sorry for what sounds like the circumstances that led you to have this greater awareness than the average person. Your awareness and vigilance will protect you going forward from things others will be vulnerable to. I hope you will share your heigtened awareness with others, giving lectures, writing articles or books. Many people would benefit from what you know.
I am part of the Human cult.
I had to repost this to my channel. As a former cult member this was so instrumental in understanding what the hell happened to me.
What cult re you i
@@nanciadriani7758
The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ.
I posted to my channel too! I was in the Jonathan Kleck cult.
I was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness cult, but fortunately my father never converted and I disassociated myself after having attended college, (which is discouraged by the cult), and have been cult-free since 1993. However, I really like to watch videos like this because they remind of where I came from!
@@jovialbivouacker99
Good job!
Every $cientologist should watch this.
Their access to all media is extremely controlled mostly by themselves cuz they're told the world is out to get them and all criticism is poisonous to them. So, most of them won't see this type of material until they escape, um, I mean leave.
Yes, indeed! AND every member of the Hole-y Churches of Sciencology, Climatology, Vaccineology, Corporaticracyology... should watch this too.
Every Jehovah witness should watch this
@@lovielove5182 Every Covid-1984 cult member should watch this and give No free-passes to any power, authority and credentials.
@@JaneDoe-zr4px Sounds exactly like the Covid-1984-Cult too, which is more dictatorial, censoring or deadly than certified kool-aid chugging cults.
A cult can have several leaders. If they split into branches and change their names. Members are unaware they're following the "leader" by following the "group," so they might be in denial about following the leader.
That puts into perspective how in AA I didn’t believe it was a cult. We are branched off into separate groups which are all autonomous except in matters affect the group or AA as a whole.
I love it when she refers to cult leaders as, "management". LOL. Sorry, I've had horrible experiences with management so this amuses me greatly.
They tell you we are the xyz family... until they kick you, replacing you for an outsource and less expensive labor
Outstandingly informative. #NPDAbuse #Trauma #BreakingFreeFromToxicPeople
It's just like this. Narcissists and Sociopaths abuse their "victims" just like this.
Very true. In fact all destructive cults are started by highly narcissistic people. They might also be sociopathological or psycho-pathological, but invariably cult leaders are narcissists. Narcissists tend to try to create a tiny 'personality' cult surrounding them, if they do not go into the business of religion.
Yes, they are all narcissists, in fact, they are heavily demon possessed people who run the show from behind the scenes.
WOWW>... Elitest... I left a religious group..I learned a lot..they wanted to obey and follow the Bible which I loved...But, there was a lot of Control..And I couldn't make my own decisions..They had made me rely on them for everything rather than learn to make decisions on my own according to the Bible
That doesn't sound followers of Jesus, who always do respect your freedom
@23:00 - Speech patterns as soft hypnosis
@36:30 - Loaded language and its effects upon the followers' thinking abilities.
Yes, they do a lot of "Love Bombing". Shower you with love, tell you how much they love you and how much you're going to love everyone in the group, how much you're going to love learning about all the self development techniques, etc
Bethel School in Redding teaches this.
Institutions can be cults, too, with more than one leader.
The only difference is that the cult gains cultural acceptance. She's focusing on only one extreme type of cult as if it's the only kind.
Cults are extremely common. We just don't always recognize them because they are the established systems we've always known.
But again remember the purpose of a cult: money and power for the leader or head of the cult
HEalthcare doesn't tke one's money, but one's life-energy, time, mind/soul and spirit. Hijacks us from developing spititaully, culls us by medical drugs instead of helping us heal and grow into our human potential and real strength..
the truth is they still use the same tactics now days...sad how many people are still affected...
When she mentioned being in a trance and driving down the road I thought of someone that was a specific type of main-stream religious preacher ( I want to name it but I chose not to) near where I live who had used that exact experience to validate his belief that joining the religion was the right choice. I almost got wrapped up in this sect due to having close friends that are involved. I went to one of their church services and saw people standing against the walls of the church with their eyes rolling back and mumbling. I understand that there are many people that believe this is from God. I do not. I think the behavior fits the description of this speaker to a T, and I also paid attention to the rhythmic music (same drum beats over and over; the same words over and over) they think they are praising and worshiping God, but to me it seems trance-like especially when newbies and non-members show up they really prolong this to intice them into joining in. The chant she mentions goes along with repeating the same prayer or praise over and over. Then some members end up on the floor as if asleep but all that is a trance state. It feels different, powerful and exhilarating. If you've never felt this before you believe that you've been touched by God and its a sealed deal you will continue to seek this "feeling" and want to continue to be involved in this type of religion. It takes real perception and I think down right honesty to acknowledge there isn't any supernatural God power coming on you its just your own hyped up emotions. Another thing to note about this particular church is they attend services more than any other church I know. There is always a reason they are having services and every service they take up offering. Well how else do they get their four daughters through college and pay for a new church all the while moving into a wealthy neighborhood? Recently several members have left this church and I'm not one bit surprised. A cult? I'm not sure, but they definitely do have very similar characteristics as what I just watched.
Yes, the cult
Thanks to the Lord, stay away. The true love from God is freedom without hurting any one helping others as long they want to be help
This rhythmic pattern seems to be prevalent right across many cult functions. Its very similar to the tribal trance like practices, where this twctoc was used by the tribe. Creating a tribal state ,now your part of the tribe etc
Cults are a very slippery topic, it can be very difficult to wrap your brain around the issue . This talk is gold. It is beautifully structured and incredibly clear. . This talk offers the best structure and set of insights that I have seen yet. This talk is from 1994 but even more relevant today than it was at the time, given modern use of social media to influence people and even just the use of Meetup to announce meetings of new groups where one can engage new followers.
Wow, you're just just full of rhetoric and ads.
Art Altman: Are Meetups used by cults?
@@Medietos I have seen at least one cult-like group use meetups to recruit.
Thank you to the Channel
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
for the open availability to this information.
Jehovah withnesses are a perfect example of this
vaquero7x ,yes they are,
Definitely. At 8 million plus members, they're a clear demonstration that cults need not be tiny to qualify as a cult.
+HeadShot Films First it was Russell (1874 - 1916, lived long enough to see his 1914 false prophecy fall flat on its face), then it was Rutherford (1916 - 1942, lived long enough to see at least two of their false prophecies fall flat on their faces), then it was Knorr (1942 - 1977, lived long enough to see their 1975 false prophecy fall flat on its face).
Besides, cults can have more than one leader - look at Applewhite who had a co-leader (Bonnie Nettles) for a while before she passed away, leaving him the sole leader once again.
soka gaki is a cult!I was with them for 25 years.It ruined my life.
I am really shocked that so many intelligent people have been brainwashed into believing Disaku Ikeda is a hero. This group is all about power and political control.I am really scared how big this group is now.
You are 100% correct! I just escaped 26 days ago from the most abusive cult any of the professionals here in Fort Myers, FL has ever heard about or seen in their lives. I was born into it, I didn’t know anything different and now my son is still there. Somehow they know I’m telling the truth but they say it’s so bizarre if it were a movie it would be considered some type of science fiction horror. I knew I hated my life and I wanted to spare my son the same torture as I have lived but I didn’t realize exactly how bad I had it. Now the family is trying to manipulate me into going back. Why would they give me two capsule pills everyday from the ages of 3-4 years old to 6 years old that afterwards I have no memories for 4, 5 sometimes 6 hours?
Brittany by any chance was this gratitude training???
Hugs Brittany. This is not easy
35:40 on the timeline -Cults often change members names - “Henceforth, you shall be known as Lord Darth Vader”
Like every cult leader he met his demise.
I highly recommend Margaret Singer's book, Cults in Our Midst. Brilliant, so informative, and material not found elsewhere. Best book on deceptive mind control and cults I've ever read.
My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion when we started public school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then.
Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself.
For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, such as being told by a priest to obey him, to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc., over and over again. You stand out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey.
From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe.
Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders.
If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid can learn and be more protected from psychological manipulations. Critical thinking training lasts a lifetime.
(My parent's instruction about critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful, 50+ years later.)
Care to share an example of what your parents taught you as a child?
Your parents deprived you of a meaningful relationship with God, abusing their position of authority to brainwash you into interpreting the religious life in the worst most cynical way possible. Yet you never employed critical thinking towards their atheism, instead using rationalistic answers to give you some comfort that the philosophy of your parents and childhood were right instead of deeply disturbing.
I really hope and pray you can find some peace eventually. You would probably claim to have some. But I think if you're being a bit more honest with yourself you would know exactly what I mean by that.
@@Iarlenbe careful
Thank you DR this is a real eye opener I just wish we could get LOST people to listen. GOD BLESS YOU.RUDY.
this is really fascinating. im so glad to be made aware of the nefarious and common ways these behaviors intrude. the culture and overly tolerant positive only is a set up to those who would take advantage of the uninformed or unprepared.
Excellent information. Thank you.
I believe susceptibility to cults can start in childhood- think domestic violence(emotional or physical).Then cultic one on one as in romantic relationships.
Work relationships.....
Why are we not educating children repeatedly in childhood as to what healthy relationships are?
I agree. My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion once we started school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then. Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself. For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, obeying a priest to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc. One stands out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey. From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe. Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders. If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid. (My parent's instruction in critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful.)
A few years ago, I joined a hospice as volunteer. I had no idea it was run by a cult. I was at a Christmas party when I expressed interest in the names of several people there. Their leader gave them their names. One supplied me with the name of their organization. I googled it and quit on the spot.
This is such a great video. AA has so many of these traits . Thank you for releasing this.
Well ironically the same tactics that put people into cults can also be used to get them out of such behaviors as well. It's not just the tools, but who's wielding those tools and their motivation/intentions of using those tools. Pls go watch the movie Fight Club if you've never seen it before. He'll, go watch it again even if you have watched it before.
AA is a cult. Yes.
AA is finally falling apart
@@matthewrousseau2982 good to hear .
Monica Richardson: Could you show/prove this claim, please? Do you distinguish between the spread of wrong practises and misconceptions of some members , and what others can take up as though ir ´t were the program, and what the program itself really stands for? I have noticed a decline since the cell-phones came (Sweden has extra strong microwave radiation with detrimental effects on people. I see it as an infiltration of the adversary of man, which comes when exhais0usted participants uncritically take things aúp as being apart of the program, while it is not. Just as sponsorship has declined into takingf short-cuts leading to lesser levels and qualitites of recovery.
I'd really welcome it if you could name and show how you think when you claim AA to be a cult. Some people also accuse everybody with some problematic behavoíours to be "narcissists", not distinguishing what that entails.
This entire video fits perfectly with how Oahspe Bible Cults UFO Doomsday Cults operate. 100% accurate.
Cults prey on the weak and worship the strong with envy.
No wonder Thaler has a PhD...truly educated and knows wth she's talking about. Spot on..I wish everyone would watch this...especially Christians & Muslims.
This is gold.. GOLD !
The bigger question that is never asked is why are there so many cults is it just for the leaders benefits and is it for the benefit of other social actors.
12:31 "Dr. Singer's Six Conditions for a Thought Reform Environment" - sounds like boot camp (:
Seventh Day Adventist’s, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons this is for you.
And Black Hebrew Israelites!
Traditional Christianity! Because sky daddy isn’t real!
@@dekishajones282 Christianity doesn’t believe in a sky daddy. Rather a God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. Also how do describe objective laws without God such as morality, how does a singularity come into existence without a cause before the bing bang, and how come there are still no missing links for macro evolution. How does non life bring life which is scientifically impossible. How do you get order from chaos.
The most ironic truth of them all is honestly comedic. It takes just as much faith to believe in a Big Bang as it does for God. So if you’re going to hold Christianity in the view of cult then you also have to do the same to every religious belief about the universe including but not limited to: Hinduism , Buddhism , Judaism, atheism, heck even satanists.
Further more I can prove the Bible is true by using the Bible for the countless prophecies it gets right which mind you is 100 percent of them. Psalms 22 which predicts Jesus death 1,000 years before Jesus and 600 years before crucifixions comes to mind. And gets it 100 percent right.
God bless you and have a great day :)
Scientology, PTA, Apple employees, Microsoft employees, MAGA leaders, etc…
Cults are everywhere
AA
this video deserves to be watched by millions of people
Very true of the Brahma Kumaris who use many of these tactics
Wow! So familiar...the 6th condition for thought reform, "Maintaining a closed system of logic and restricting criticism."
This is so educative
Margaret Thaler Singer's book, Cults in Our Midst is excellent. I woke up from the Jehovah's Witnesses cult.
In my case, I remember the moment I was sucked in. While being taught their fundamental belief system (The Christian Life Series: A Handbook of Christian Doctrine by Norman James) I was rebuked Harshly for being late for my personal lesson. It didn't matter that I was working 40 hrs a wk and caring 24/7 for my disabled father-n-law all that mattered was I had wasted his precious time by being no more than 5 minutes late. At that moment I took the humiliation blaming myself for not doing better. Now I think about the strange moment I broke, crying like a baby, and then submitting to someone who less about the Bible than I did. I appreciate your total understanding of this insanity.
Thank you so much! This interview is opening my mind.
If I would have listened to this in the 1980's instead of falling for Scientology I would have saved a lot of time. In my opinion she describes what I went through exactly. Now after having left and processed much of my experience, I can similarities among all cultish groups. Including organized religion, sorry Christianity, you are in there too.
Agree Doug, mainly in cristianity depends where we go...I love to be catholic, but it doesn't me Yes Sir to all priests nuns, or other catholics friends. We are free to believe or disbelieve.
Important comment here. Thanks. Glad you’re free of Scientology. All the best!
You say the former cult leader was surprised at how easy it was to manipulate people who had been rebellious in their youth. A lot of youth "rebel" by joining a rebellious group. Perhaps they see joining a cult as a similar act of rebellion against main-stream society. Perhaps their adherence to crazy rules is driven by their need to be seen in a good light by the person/people at the top and to raise their status in the group.
New age/self transformation ideas such as tarot, belief in magic/wicca are at high popularity lately, and are being linked to the higher rates of cultist behavior. It's almost as if human's natural socialization instincts to try to fit in makes them vulnerable to joining cults that will accept them. This is why cults prey on those who are most emotionally/psychologically vulnerable.
Those things are also satanic and the doorways for demons to possess you.
Two years after you wrote that, one need only scroll UA-cam live streams to find hundred, truthfully, hundreds of "tarot card readers", not one of whom have any basic understanding or knowledge of the cards, making up meanings even more absurd that the standard and accepted ones.
They each have small but dedicated followings, who throw money at them to hear useless platitudes, and inane prediction, coupled with what sounds like mostly really, really bad, even dangerous advice.
Wow, the conditioning/disconnecting phase was eye opening - acquiring new a name and speaking new jargon so members feels special and while wearing a pseudo identity mask. No wonder those cultish recruits sound weird/alien when you first encounter them. It’s a facade. It’s all fake!
When Dr. Singer talked about keeping cult members “busy” and taking up their “thinking time” with the church activities for a greater purpose, I immediately thought of Scientology.
IMHO, everything Dr. Singer says here also applies to (emotional and/or physical) abusive family dynamics and relationships. Instead of a cult of many, it is a cult of a few people ( mostly family and lovers.)
I agree, this info has to be available for middle school, high school, higher education students, staff, employees, and parents.
Moreover, yes, research a group/person before joining them. Also, trust your instincts. If it feels “off,” IT IS OFF! Say “No,” and never give them your contact information. That is how I managed to dodge them.
cults use people
Jehonah withnesses are a perfect example of this
m
DID YOU MEAN JEHOVAH?
@@latonyasmith683 Yes they did, and it is. Stay away...
@@bclean77 You won't have to tell me I just left this cult after 25 years! I found out they'v been hiding pedophiles and a whole host of other bad things they are keeping hid from their followers!!
Exelent video. More than needed 🙏❤️🤗
"The mind gives meaning to anything, but the meaning it gives is meaningless." J. Krishnamurti
I used to really like Jiddu, then I learned that he was taken by an older gentleman who was a Freemason and tailored into the man he was. In effect Jiddu was groomed from a very young age to be the man who thought the way he did. Not that there isn't some value in his learnings, teachings, I'm just a bit suspicious how he came to think that way.
@@dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173 JKM was raised as a young boy by Annie Bessant (Theosophical Society) to become the new messiah. You are right, there was a man involved. But during his early teens he rebelled and decided he wanted nothing to do with their crazy ideas. That's how I heard it anyway. And really, what does it matter who influenced him? He ended up with some pretty clear insights into the human mind.
Really found it informative, I was wondering about why people join cults and have my doubts about this modern fad for mindfulness? Missed my opportunity to study cults when studying sociology as the lecturer moved to another university.
Never too late... I am one of them learning although quite late...
You are right on, but left out one thing. I am no longer in the org. but are still in a spiritual cage where I am cut off not only from them but also the world as well. I would go to an event to mingle and be around others and when I get there its not a normal event and the people are few or if it is normal people will get directly in from of me face to face blocking me. this has happened lots of times even though I moved away from this organization the restrictions and influences that they've placed upon me still exist. my whole world is in shambles because of them.
whocanu trust - so they're persecuting you, can't you find company to be around you and protect you? have you thought about moving from your country if possible, restart somewhere else?
Forgive me if i'm speaking without knowledge of your problem, but it pains me to see people going through that.
you may want to vidit a good therapist specialized in cults...
We see evidence of thought reform in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also, guilt, fear, coercion from GB. They’re autocratic and have total power over the life of each member.
That’s exactly how AA is
I'm losing my daughter and grandson to a Ayhuaskah cult. My heart is broken, don't know what to do, only staying in prayer and trying to keep a bridge available should she see the light and chooses to leave.
What kind of ayahuasca cult?
Santo Daime @@johnphilipashton
@@Daisytoo in my experience santo daime is not a destructive cult.
Could that be because you're in it? @@johnphilipashton
@@Daisytoo no, i am not. I was a student in a university course on the history of ayahuasca churches in Brazil (Santo daime and unio de vegeta). In my understanding they are recognised religious churches by the brazilian government and protected by the religion freedom restoration act in Brazil. They use ayahuasca as a sacrament. I have not seen evidence that Santo daime show signs of being a destructive cult. What makes you feel that santo daime is a destructive cult?
I just started listening and was immediately struck by how simplistic her explanations seem to be. Cults are formed by interpersonal dynamics by which some subordinate others in self-reinforcing dependency. She mentions one way that some cults have used, and in fact it's an increasingly obsolete way, as followers slowly get more sophisticated and don't respond to some of the more transparent tactics that were used in the late 20th Century. When was this filmed?
Millard, were you listening? Just the definition she gives n the first sentence, let alone the first paragraph explains the bulk of it. The rest is defining the minutiae. If it seems simplistic, it may, MAY, be because it is outside the conversational tone of the cult. The cult that you are still in. Or started. Have joined since you were 22. Don't know (not that you're in or running a cult). She is speaking from beyond the grave, and only the master and youtube can stop it.
Millard Melnyk The APA thought the same thing when they threw out her paper on Cult Brainwashing - " the report lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur."
+ty whatley, I note your facetiousness. It's unwarranted. And it just may be that her description is simplistic.
Hey Steve, sorry I missed your comment. Don't pay enough attention to Google+ I guess.
Really eh? I'm not surprised. Thanks for the info.
+Steve Anderson They later reconsidered and modified their view. At the time, certain elements - from the military to evangelical faith healers, plus the richer Destructive Cults themselves - were panicked over this information and exerted their influence. The information is nonetheless true today, and it was true then.
This type of manipulation can be done by anyone to a type of person that was described as being vulnerable. The separation from family and people who will advise you right is a gold medal usage.
This is a fantastic and relevant breakdown of cultic dynamics. She really got it!
And how would you know that?
Jehonah withnesses are a perfect example of this
As a former member of the JW Cult, I concur completely.
Here Here my fellow exjdubs
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and among other things I was taught to give literature("hope") to mourning families. In an attempt to convert them in their weakened state. Thankfully I never succeeded but know this is one of their more successful recruiting tactics.
I'm having no problem finding explanations as to how people get sucked in. What's hard to find is why cults form in the first place. Not all cult leaders set out to form cults. Jehovah's Witnesses didn't start out that way. But since 2014 the WatchTower organization has shown very rapidly its cultiness so even insiders are starting to see it. It's almost an organic process.
i had seen groups of sincere people become incresingly cultish over time.. i think that at times these things can develop and people dont even realize whats happening, including the leaders.
Idk how I got here or why but it's like helps me educate on a theory or hyphotesis I have discovered how for example a narcissist person that u have deal with in the west coast will have 90 percent similarities when you meet a narcissist person in the East coast.. I mean how can that be. This lady is knowledgeable thank you for this video
She is great and knows what she is talking about. They are predator's they hunt for the vulnerable. They love people pleasers anyone who likes attention and needs validation from others.
Explains why they target treatment centers and jails to recruit AA members
You hit the nail on the head !!!
what year was this video produced. she mentions that there were as many as 5000 cults in the United states "today" I would be interested to know what the current 2018 estimate is.
I saw another commentor say 1994. I believe even at that time there were way more than 5k.
It's a huge problem how people try to do you in this world
Invite me to a health food commune? No, thanks! I ONCE went to dinner with a work colleague at such a place. I could see immediately that the people there were all “too nice” to us, to me in particular. This was in NYC and I was a total stranger. The meal was finally served when this woman named Madeline but called Mama Lynne arrived. She was obviously the leader and people fawned over her. Throughout the meal over which Mama Lynne presided was like a religious ritual everyone did weird things like close our eyes and meditate on the sexuality of bean sprouts! My colleague got into these bizarre activities whereas I just got creeped out. Sexuality of bean sprouts? After dinner we sat in a circle on the lawn and when Mama Lynne removed her shoes, everyone did the same. I noticed that people there walked like her, spoke in this odd cadence like her, and my colleague was doing it, too. After three hours, I’d had enough. I caught two couples glaring at me, mouthing some words in my direction. As soon as I stared back, they turned away from me. I think they were trying to put some sort of curse on me. There was a nighttime ritual of chanting, confession of “sins” of the day. My colleague wanted to stay overnight although that wasn’t permitted for first time visitors. I was so eager to get away from the place, I was willing to leave my coat behind when I couldn’t find it. Turns out some woman had just taken it to wear to get organic milk from the co-op. Everyone was free to take everyone else’s belongings because nobody owned anything. We were followed by one of the couples who were mumbling over me. I whispered it to my colleague as we went to board the Staten Island Ferry. She thought I was being paranoid until she saw them outside the terminal, just standing there. Then she said they were just making sure we got off safely as it was dark. When we disembarked in Manhattan, I wanted to get some coffee as the commune forbade caffeine and I had a withdrawal headache. There, we got into an argument, my colleague raving about returning on Saturday for a whole day, while I tried to convince her the place practically screamed, “CULT!” Who the f- was Mama Lynne or Madeline? So, she had a doctorate degree? In what? So what? Wasn’t she at all bothered by everyone following her movements, vocal cadence, and copying everything she did? And what was the bowing and wishing her health and rest as the last words everyone says for the day? And getting sexual satisfaction from bean sprouts? Really? I’ve got nothing against a group of people pooling resources to buy a home and growing organic foods, but selling my soul to some woman and becoming a clone? No, leave me out! Can you believe it, my colleague quit at work and went to live as a novice resident in the commune. I also quit about a year later for a better job, and moved to Queens. I lost track of all but one former colleague because we dated for about a year. About five years later, the place was in the news after a death under suspicious circumstances. The neighbors wanted the commune shut down as it was trying to acquire adjoining properties by unethical means and the place was attracting strange people to the area, some of whom had set up a tent village in the park, rendering it unsafe for children and there’d been an uptick in petty crime, theft from cars and garages, trespassing, a woman returned from her winter in Florida to find people squatting in her basement and cannabis growing in her garden! I don’t recall what ultimately happened, but kind of doubt the commune still exist.
400 people,in Grand Rapids home for veterans are in exactly this situationn.
Relieved to find this material that has obviously been studied extensively by the powers that be.
Brought here because of Simon Crowder's interview with Alex Jones and I am glad because it is so obvious these tactics are being used today in America!!
I think I now understand why Jesus had to go away when He resurrected, He could have stayed and personally clarify all the doubts. But if He did not go away how would the gospel reached the ends of the world?, I guess not. Who would preach the gospel when those who have come to know Him would not want to leave His presence?, and would desire to be always in the "front seat"? Even fans stalk their idol celebraties. But then the problem comes when the "hearer" lack the desire to really know Jesus (through the bible), and depend solely on the pastors. And unfortunately, the pastors, believing that the perpetuity of the church depend on them, MAY out of the burden of responsibility which can lead to manipulative arrogance may twist the truth either by instilling fear to prevent them from disassociation, or teach "good things" to have happy captives. I hope the other pastors won't be emotionally manipulated to do the same. I hope they will continue to speak the truth and let everyone who wants to get out because they don't want to change but guilt is pestering them. At least they are given a chance to one day repent and come back to God because they knew what is the truth about sin. For Jesus Himself said that He will not acknowledge all who call Him Lord.
God gave us freedom.. and many fanatics do not undetstand that...
Thank you. I was a member. In the worldwide church of God. My mother went it when I was a kid later to be followed in byy sister than me. If you were a member you couldn't date marry or divorce out of it. I married man who mentally emotionally and spiritually abused me. I left that church after 23 years in it. My ex is still in ity daughter thinks I'm crazy cause I got PTSD and went through a major depression and because her dad tells her this. And she believes his present wife is stupid and crazy because her says so. I have taken so much abuse then and still it never stops. I'm the back of my mind I always thinking that the church told us that we would be destroyed and they would turn us over to Satan for our own good to bring us back so amy thing bad happens this is always present been out for over 30 years still getting abused by ex and son in law and daughter
Love this analysis
Religion and government fit these descriptions.
For example, reconciliation is used for spying. "Recon" in reconciliation is simply reconnaissance, just like the NSA.
It is interesting to see how one is conditioned into falling for cults, when parents elicit similar conditioning behaviour.
There seems to be quite a few cuts to the film that make it tricky to follow her talk.
I just want a higher education wherever it leads me.
What if academia behaves like a cult? They modify behavior through the grading system. Not always in the best direction.
jehowas witnesses match perfectly
Yup, they are!
Thank you for this really great resource.
Sometimes it’s not secrets of the past or secrets of the future that a cult leader promises if you hand over all decision making of your life to them, sometimes it’s the promise of protection, love, provision, a sense of family etc. which is all false of course, but that is the promise the insinuate so long as they can have total control of your life.
True. That goes into what she implied about the reasoning for joining being incentive based which in turn gives way to a works based cult.
I can't help but think of early Islam, when I listen to this...
Great information but too low on number of cult members at any giventime as there are 8 million Jehovah’s Witnesses alone.
I think that number represents the number of cults, not number of members in cults
Wow you are talking about the Catholics and the Pope.
Please elaborate... Catholics don't worship the Pope, they worship God. The Pope is here to remind us of the precepts of God's words and His tradition that were given by Jesus Christ himself.
Cults are completely different. They will recruit someone by isolating the person for "bible studies" (so not group studies since they want the victim under strict surveillance). They will proceed with psychological torment under the mask of excessive niceness. And before you know it, it's too late.
@@SoftHana I think he's talking about how Catholicism especially in Europe is super controlling and restrictive much like Mormonism.
@@RollerOfEyes Sorry Catholics are not totalitarian,members are not deceptively recruited,they are not elitist,they dont lie to the public. Catholics can disagree with the Pople,Catholics dont isolate members from non members,Catholics can leave with their dignity in tact.John Macmillan wasnt listening.
How do I get in touch with someone about help with a loved one in a Cult? Help
contact Margaret, iam sure she or someone will tell you
Thnx. This is so sad
It would be best just to let her talk. The text could be added as a link.
Highly informative.
sounds very much like the TB Joshua synagogue in Lagos in Nigeria. heard exactly same testimonies from those that left the church.all the points align with these theories
Amazing. Very informative!
very simple practical experience orientated explanation.:)