"People navigating life transitions, isolation, or adversity often seek community and purpose." ~ Are You Caught in a Cult? Part 2
That longing for connection is deeply human, and it deserves to be met with care. Part two of this series gently explores the patterns that can appear when a group begins asking for more than it gives, so that noticing them feels a little easier, for yourself or for someone you love.
If any of this feels familiar, you're welcome to take your time with it. Part three continues with questions to ask for clarity.
Takeaways:
We outline seven common cult traits and I emphasize learning these traits to avoid the subtle tentacles of manipulation and control.
I describe how imitation and emotional promises lure vulnerable people seeking community and answers from deceptive groups.
We warn that cults use isolation and an us versus them narrative to pressure members to cut ties with family.
I state that leaders employ intimidation, public shaming, and financial demands to maintain power over members.
We explain repeated indoctrination and scripted language that suppresses independent thought and enforce compliance over time.
I advise asking clear questions and seeking outside help if one feels trapped in an unhealthy controlling organization.
Welcome to the Back2Better audio blog where we take life one day at a time.
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This week's topic Are you caught in a cult?
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Recognize the red flags.
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This is the second in a seven part series.
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There are features most cults share and if we learn about them, it will help us avoid the tentacles of cult like persons who may offer the trappings of such membership.
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Here are the common traits.
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Red flag number one Imitation we are the family you never had.
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Cult ambassadors will oftentimes promote their membership using emotional manipulation and false promises.
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Their audience may be people with real problems seeking answers.
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These cult ambassadors are offering them what may feel like solutions.
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They're accomplished at using these tactics.
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If they weren't skilled in altering someone's perception of reality, they would have no followers.
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Red flag number two Insinuation they will use phrases like you are broken.
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You need us.
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We have the answer.
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We are the answer.
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People navigating life transitions, isolation or adversity often seek community and purpose.
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Cults exploit these human desires for connection.
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They pretend to care about the struggles of families.
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To lure them in, they may spin a story about how no one sees what you've been through except us.
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They're masters at promoting the us versus them mentality by creating an enemy.
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That perceived enemy is someone who usually doesn't look like them.
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They're experts at creating a problem and then magically having the solution to the problem that never really existed before they created it.
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Red flag number three Isolation no one has the truth like we do.
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The organization will see itself as elite.
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Only they have the real facts, knowledge, or wisdom in promoting these thoughts.
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Their influence gathers people to themselves and causes them to see people on the outside as dangerous threats.
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Those on the outside may be put there because of their race, religion, gender or color.
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If someone is accepted by the cult, there will be pressure for them to cut ties with the outsiders.
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Even if those outsiders are their own family members.
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This in turn makes them completely dependent on the culture.
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Red flag number four Intimidation do what we say or else.
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If a member of the organization starts having doubts and dares to question the group's belief system or activities, they may be in for a rough ride.
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One tactic the leadership may use is that they'll start telling other cult members that this person is listening to the enemy and cannot be trusted.
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The leadership may insist on public confession to strengthen their control and show other members just how uncomfortable it can be when an individual dares to question those in charge.
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Financial intimidation is generally at play in these groups as well.
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Some may have meetings where they lock the doors to solidify who is really running the show and then demand offerings or donations to keep the vision alive.
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There may be required membership fees or hours of volunteer services due from all participants.
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Giving of time and money is expected without question.
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Some organizations may even have a membership class where the new members sign papers showing they are agreeing to the money and volunteer hours required of them.
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If you don't give what you have, your loyalty is in question.
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And maybe you aren't really one of us.
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Red Flag number five Incubation Stay with us and be safe.
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Anyone outside of the cherished group may be considered an enemy, a threat to country, family and future.
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The implication here is that we know what you need.
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We know how to create a better future so you're never lacking like you were before you were with us.
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Don't go back to how things were.
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Let us guide you.
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Let us provide for you when in reality the cult is asking you to provide for them.
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Certainly financially, possibly emotionally and socially as well.
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They may benefit from someone's social status, their connections at work or in the community.
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Perhaps they were selected because of their socioeconomic standing.
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Nothing here is by chance.
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Red Flag number six Indoctrination.
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We know the truth.
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End of story.
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When a deceptive leader can persuade a group of people to believe without questioning they have done their job.
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Someone promoting a cult will use repetition to get others to accept their words as truth.
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A lie repeated long enough becomes believable in the minds of the people.
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They use repetitive scripted language, rehearsed jargon with unusual catchphrases.
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Independent thought is severely rejected.
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Anyone who questions the authority of the leader will experience retaliation by the leadership and social isolation.
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Red Flag number seven Initiation now go recruit others.
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After all, faithfulness to us is not truly proven until the new recruits bring in more followers.
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What better way to guilt trip someone into action?
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By making them think their integrity is in question.
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Someone has not been successfully brainwashed until they take that step to draw others into the fold.
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Once they've started to recruit their own family and friends, they're locked in.
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They have been skillfully manipulated and now they are convincing others to join them.
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If their circle of friends rejects them, they're taught to not take it personally, but understand those people are simply rejecting the truth, the light, the way of the right.
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Best to cut them off lest their dark deeds encroach on the cult members true path to greatness.
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Does any of this sound familiar?
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If you or someone you know feels like they may be in an unhealthy controlling environment.
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There are some questions to ask with the purpose of gaining clarity.
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We invite you to read or listen to our next blog to learn what questions to ask Are you caught in a cult?
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Part 3 this information has been provided to help people who have been drawn into unhealthy controlling organizations.
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If you wish to learn more or care to share your story to help others, please contact [email protected].
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The back to Better Audio blog is based on the blog at glueyourlifebacktobetter.com and produced in partnership with Brilliant Beam Media.
