This was the last book I needed to read before tackling the final draft of my research paper. I skim read most of it as it was quite repititious of my other research literature - directly quoting Robert Jay Lifton and some of the other authors I have been reading. This was good though as it affirmed the knowledge and understanding I have gained through my research. It was still useful to read, however, as there were some important quotes to strengthen my argument as well as some new insights. Most importantly, this book focussed more on how to help people out of cults, so it will inform the conclusion of my research paper which will explore how art can play a therapeutic role for survivors.
Obviously the new little Princess Guinevere (8 weeks old) wanted to "assist" with my research and pulled several sticky tabs out and kept walking over the book as I was trying to type up the following quotes....
Key Quotes
‘There is also the personal damage done t cult members both psychologically and emotionally; this damage remains a factor in their recovery from cult involvement in many situations for some time.’ (page 1)
‘Many cult groups seem to gain influence and control over their members through a process of increasing isolation and estrangement from mainstream society. This process has often largely included cutting people off from family and old friends.’ (page 1)
‘The following historical examples of family cults offer vivid illustrations of this suffering, which people often endure silently and mainstream society doesn’t readily see.’ (page 95)
‘The harm inflicted and the suffering endured in family cults have been horrendous and often seem unimaginable to the general public.’ (page 110)
‘A destructive cult is typically totalitarian, and regardless of its stated purpose or belief system… Many destructive cult leaders seem to be deeply narcissistic personalities’ (page 123)
‘Destructive-cult leaders often seem to be deeply delusional and even mentally ill. Many mental health professionals who have studied destructive cults have labelled some cult leaders “psychopath”.’ (page 125)
‘Coercive persuasion or thought reform leads to the breakdown of critical and independent thinking. It also causes those affected to become increasingly dependent on the group and its leadership to make value judgements for them, provide analysis, and in some situations determine the parameters of reality.’ (page 127)
‘many cults completely distort, manipulate, and control the process of communication in ways that may have a lasting impact on cult members’ minds and give rise to a new category of cognitive disorders they termed “information disease”.’ (page 150)
‘This process of systematically applying manipulative techniques of influence, persuasion, and communication to produce persisting states of impaired thinking, feeling, and decision making in cult members has been widely recognised as one of mind control.’ (page 151)
‘This cult process of manipulation doesn’t require overt physical coercion but may instead in part rely on sleep deprivation, dietary controls, intimidation, implied threats, or inducement of unreasonable fears.’ (page 158)
‘Members frequently cling to such rationalisations rather than accept the more alarming alternative, which is that all efforts and sacrifices may have been for nothing.’ (page 178)
‘Victims of both domestic violence and cults are often made to feel they can never be “good enough”.’ (page 180)
‘The “thought reform” process destructive cults use heavily relies on the control of information and communication. This is what psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton has called “milieu control,” which is based on control of the environment.’ (page 208)
Warning signs of cults
‘The blurring of identities. The identity of the group, the leader, or some higher power increasingly ceases to be seen as distinct and separate. Instead identities become blurred and seemingly fused as involvement with the group continues and deepens... Growing dependence on the group or leader for problem solving or solutions, coupled with a corresponding decrease in individual anaylsis and reflection.’ (page 211)
‘Scientology, which has been called a “cult,” often begins its pitch with a “personality test”.’ (page 214)
‘It is also possible for a cult to be composed of only two people. This cult would include a leader with a single follower in what can also be seen as an abusive or controlling relationship… Those dominated in abusive or controlling relationships may be so completely under the influence of another person that they appear to have lost the ability to think independently, much like the member of a destructive cult. The person under such control is also frequently isolated from family and friends and becomes increasingly dependent on the controlling and dominating partner. It may seem ironic, but initially in most abusive relationships, control and isolation may be seen as being treated “special”. This feeling of being special can be intoxicating in the initial phase of a relationship, which might be called it’s “honeymoon” phase.’ (page 218)
‘Whenever one converses with a cult member, it is very important to ask open-ended and thought-provoking questions without being accusatory or argumentative. For example, ask questions about the future such as, “What plans do you have for the next year?” or “How do you imagine yourself in five years?” or “What will you be doing then?” If such questions are asked honestly and sincerely – and not in a condescending or patronising manner – they may spark spontaneous ideas and stimulate consideration and critical thinking.’ (page 237)
‘In any conversation with a cult member, connecting in some way with his or her past is meaningful. That is, mention things that occurred before his or her involvement with the group.’ (page 238)
‘There is also often a shaming milieu that leads to low self-esteem. Many cults promote the general impression that no one can ever really be good enough.’ (page 239)
‘Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that many abusive and controlling partners are grossly insensitive, extremely ego-driven personalities given to self-indulgent behaviour and obsessed with their own importance. Such abusive partners also appear to have little, if any, meaningful empathy or sympathy for the feelings of others.’ (Page 432)
‘Much like the victims of destructive cults, individuals dominated through abusive, controlling relationships became dependent on an absolute leader to determine their value judgements. As can be seen from the historical examples, as this type of relationship continues and deepens, the passive person largely loses the ability to think independently and function autonomously.’ (page 439)
‘Cult members frequently experience psychological, emotional, and at times physical or sexual abuse.’ (page 497)
‘the cult member is induced to accept erroneous perspectives, such as that individual autonomy or independent thinking is somehow an expression of arrogance, inflated ego, pride, or even “sinful”. The cult member is coerced to accept that others must make decisions and value judgements for him and her.’ (page 497)
‘Don’t try to convince or convert a former cult member regarding a certain set of beliefs. Respect individual expression and the personal process of discovery. Each former cult member must begin to make his or her own choices, free of coercive persuasion and undue influence.’ (page 501)
‘There is guilt, shame, self-blaming, unreasonable fear, excessive doubt. In some very extreme situations, there is even the possibility of panic attacks.’ (page 507)
‘The end of a cult experience can be the beginning of an educational process of discovery about how cultic, coercive persuasion and undue influence take place. This can potentially be both a life-affirming and personally enriching journey. Many former cult members develop deep insights and a keen appreciation of what it means to critically think and function independently. Perhaps more than most people, they have come to fully understand the value of a free mind.’ (page 509)
‘Finding critical balance and integration regarding the cultic experience, based on an individual’s personal situation and needs, is the ideal goal for a successful recovery.’ (page 509)
‘One of the most pivotal features of any destructive cult’s process of coercive persuasion and its ability to maintain influences is the control of information. But it has become increasingly difficult for cults to block access to such critical information due to the internet.’ (page 515)
Comments