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The 'C'-Word Debate: What Is a C-U-L-T?
Steven Hassan
The book Combating CULT MIND CONTROL by Steven Hassan
is orderable from Commentary Press
Whether a religious group like Jehovah's Witnesses qualifies for being
defined as a cult is an on-going debate, even among former members of the
religion. To some people, the word 'cult' conjures up images of
strange-dressed people with shaved heads and tambourines chanting on a busy
street-corner, or a small band of extremists holed up in a remote farm
house, or the mass suicide of a group of religious zealots with a
charismatic leader. Yet by other definitions, even Jesus and His disciples
would ostensibly be described as a cult among the Jews in their day.
Generally speaking, dictionary definitions of the word make little
distinction in meaning from merely a 'sect' or any group of adherents to a
particular belief system. Acknowledging this diverse perception about
cults, The Watchtower Society responded to charges made by some anti-cult
organizations that Jehovah's Witnesses are a 'cult' in the February 15,
1994 Watchtower. In an article titled: "Cults--What Are They?" on page 4,
we read:
What Is a Cult?
The term "cult" is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its
connotations. To prevent confusion, some theologians actually avoid using
the term.
The World Book Encyclopedia explains that "traditionally, the term cult
referred to any form of worship or ritual observance." By that criterion,
all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in
general usage today, the word "cult" has a different meaning. The same
encyclopedia notes that "since the mid-1900's, publicity about cults has
altered the meaning of the term. . . . Occasionally, anticult
organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah's Witnesses as a
cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with
religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be
accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a small fringe religious
group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and
even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses? Are
the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?
Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of
their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses do this?
Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a
human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
So it is in this "general usage today" meaning of the word that the
Watchtower Society asks whether it is fair to label Jehovah's Witnesses as
a 'cult.' (Jehovah's Witnesses should be as discretionary about the word
'apostate' as they are about the word 'cult'--but that is a topic for
another time). It will not be our objective here to draw a conclusion on
the issue of whether Jehovah's Witnesses qualify as a bonafide 'cult,' but
rather to present information and allow readers to make their own
determination.
Before examining the questions cited by Jehovah's Witnesses themselves in
the above article, let us give thought to not only the World Book
Encyclopedia definition, and conversely The Watchtower's definition of
'cult,' but also what leading experts in the field of "cult-awareness"
say. One such professional, Steven Hassan, a former Moonie and author of
the best-selling book, Combating Cult Mind Control, maintains that just
because a group is perceived by the public to be a cult does not mean the
members are in fact subjects of mind control.
As mentioned, Hasson was himself a member of the Unification Church
(better known as the "Moonies") for several years. After being taken from
them and deprogrammed, he was motivated by the experience to make an
exhaustive study of what he calls the "cult phenomenon" and has since
become a prominent exit counselor and authority on the subject in America.
On page 35 of his book he notes:
"Over nine hundred people--men, women, and children; white and
black--lying face down in the mud at Jonestown, Guyana. Mention "cults" to
someone and these are the image you'll evoke. . . Yet these images do not
represent the overall destructive cult phenomenon as it has become today."
Nevertheless, on page 37 he states:
"Not all groups which might be called "cults" because they appear to
incorporate strange beliefs and practices are necessarily destructive. A
destructive cult distinguishes itself from a normal social or religious
group by subjecting its members to persuasion or other damaging influences
to keep them in the group."
Hasson identifies four qualifying components of mind control and stresses
the point that "Mind control is not brainwashing." [p.55] On page 66 of
his book, he outlines four components of mind control:
Behavior control, thought control, emotional control, and information
control: each form of control has great power and influence on the human
mind. Together, they form a totalistic web, which can manipulate even the
strongest-minded people. In fact, it is the strongest-minded individuals
who make the most involved and enthusiastic cult members. No one group
does everything described in this section.
Bearing in mind that people under the influence of mind control are not
aware of it, the following is a list of observations gleaned from Hasson's
book about his experience as a Moonie in the Unification Church, and some
of his conclusions about "destructive cults".
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Reflections of a former Moonie Gleanings from the best-selling book by Steven Hasson
Combating Cult Mind Control
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The Moonies do a very thorough job of convincing people that former
members are satanic and that even being in their presence could be
dangerous. [p.3]
It is ironic that whereas Moon's stated goal is to unify the world, many
of his strategies foster jealousy and spite among leaders, virtually
insuring a lack of unity. [p.23]
The more people opposed us, the more committed we felt. [p.24]
It was as if we were God's army in the middle of a spiritual war--the only
ones who could go to the front lines and fight Satan each day. [p.24]
The Moonies wanted to keep me from pursuing some disturbing questions
about the validity of the "time parallels" used in the "History of
Restoration" lecture. I had discovered some glaring inconsistencies. It
was dangerous for someone in my position in the organization to ask
questions that couldn't be answered. [p.25]
Indeed, it was my ideals and my own fantasy of an ideal world that had
lured me into the Moonies. Those ideals ultimately enabled me to walk out
and publicly condemn cult mind control. [p.33]
In the United States, cults exert tremendous economic clout by buying up
huge blocks of real estate and taking over hundreds of businesses. [p.36]
They indoctrinate members to show only the best sides of the organization.
Members are taught to suppress any negative feelings they have about the
group and always show a continually smiling, "happy" face. [p.41]
In some cults, members are systematically made to be phobic about ever
leaving the group. Today's cults know how to effectively implant vivid
negative images deep within members' unconscious minds, making it
impossible for the member to even conceive of ever being happy and
successful outside of the group. [p.45]
In the same way, cult phobias take away people's choices. Members truly
believe they will be destroyed if they leave the safety of the group. They
think there are no other ways for them to grow--spiritually,
intellectually, or emotionally. They are virtually enslaved by this mind
control technique. [p.46]
Everyone, like it or not, is vulnerable to mind control. Everyone wants to
be happy. Everyone needs affection and attention. Everyone is looking for
something better in life: more wisdom, more knowledge, more money, more
status, more meaning, better relationships, or better health. These basic
human qualities and needs are exactly what cult recruiters prey upon. It
is important to remember that for the most part, people don't join cults.
Cults recruit people. [p.48]
Some basic principles of Social Psychology and Group Dynamics:
The net result of these studies has been the consistent demonstration of
the remarkable power of behavior modification techniques, group
conformity, and obedience to authority. These three factors are known in
psychological terms as the "influence process." [p.58]
In totalistic cults, the ideology is internalized as "the truth," the only
"map" or reality. The doctrine not only serves to filter incoming
information but also regulates how the information can be thought about. .
. The doctrine claims to answer all questions to all problems and
situations. [p.61]
Another key aspect of thought control involves training members to block
out any information which is critical of the group. [p.62]
If information transmitted to a cult member is perceived as an attack on
either the leader, the doctrine, or the group, a hostile wall goes up.
Members are trained to disbelieve any criticism. Critical words have been
explained away in advance as "the lies about us that Satan puts in
peoples' minds" . . . Paradoxically, criticism of the group confirms that
the cult's view of the world is correct. The information presented does
not register properly. [p.62]
Emotional control . . . terror of discovery and punishment by the leaders.
[p.63
[p.63]
Anyone who finds himself in a cult confession session should remember this
warning: Anything you say can and will be used against you. This device
can even extend to blackmail if you leave the cult. [p.63]
The most powerful technique for emotional control is phobia indoctrination
. . . People are made to have a panic reaction at the thought of leaving,
. . . [p.64]
When cult leaders tell the public "Members are free to leave any time they
want; the door is open," they give the impression that members have free
will and are simply choosing to stay. Actually, members may not have a
real choice, because they have been indoctrinated to have a phobia of the
outside world. Induced phobias eliminate the psychological possibility of
a person choosing to leave the group merely because he is unhappy or wants
to do something else. [p.65]
Information control also extends across all relationships. People are not
allowed to talk to each other about anything critical of the leader,
doctrine, or organization. Members must spy on each other and report
improper activities or comments to leaders. [p.65]
Most importantly, people are told to avoid contact with ex-members or
critics. Those who could provide the most information are the ones to be
especially shunned. [p.65]
Cult members naturally feel they know more about what's going on in their
group than outsiders do, but in counseling ex-members I find that they
often know the least. [p.65]
Destructive organizations also control information by having many levels
of "truth." Cult ideologies have "outsider" doctrines and "insider"
doctrines. The outsider material is relatively bland stuff for the general
public or fresh converts. The inner doctrines are unveiled only gradually
as a person gets in deeper. [p.66]
The Doctrine Is Reality - There is no room in a mind control environment
for regarding the group's beliefs as mere theory, or as a way to interpret
reality or to seek reality. The doctrine is reality. [p.78]
Since mind control depends on creating a new identity within the
individual, cult doctrine always requires that a person distrust his own
self. The doctrine becomes the "master program" for all thoughts,
feelings, and actions. Since it is the TRUTH, perfect and absolute, any
flaw in it is viewed as only a reflection of the believer's own
imperfection. He is taught that he must follow the prescribed formula even
if he doesn't really understand it. At the same time he is told that he
should try to work harder and have more faith so he will come to
understand the truth more clearly. [p.79]
The doctrine allows no outside group to be recognized as valid (good,
godly, real) because that would threaten the cult's monopoly on truth.
There is also no room for interpretation or deviation. If the doctrine
doesn't provide an answer directly, then the member must ask a leader. If
the leader doesn't have an answer, he can always brush off the question as
unimportant or irrelevant. [p.79]
Some groups cultivate a psychic paranoia, telling members that spirit
beings are constantly observing them, even taking possession of them
whenever they feel or think in non-cult ways. [p.79]
Elitist Mentality - Members are made to feel part of an elite corps of
mankind. This feeling of being special, of participating in the most
important acts in human history with a vanguard of committed believers, is
strong emotional glue to keep people sacrificing and working hard. [p.80]
Ironically, members of cults look down on anyone involved in any other
cult groups. They are very quick to acknowledge that "Those people are in
a cult" or "They are the ones who are brainwashed." They are unable to
step out of their own situations and look at themselves objectively.
[p.80]
This feeling of elitism and destiny, however, carries a heavy burden of
responsibility. Members are told that if they do not fully perform their
duties they are failing all of mankind. [p.80]
Group Will over Individual Will - In all destructive cults the self must
submit to the group. . . . In any group that qualifies as a destructive
cult, think of oneself or for oneself is wrong. The group comes first.
Absolute obedience to superiors is one of the most universal themes in
cults. Individuality is bad. Conformity is good. [p.80]
Happiness through Good Performance - One of the most attractive qualities
of cult life is the sense of community that it fosters. The love seems to
be unconditional and unlimited at first, and new members are swept away by
a honeymoon of praise and attention. But after a few months, as the person
becomes more enmeshed, the flattery and attention are turned away toward
newer recruits. The cult member learns that love is not unconditional but
depends on good performance. [p.80]
Indeed, when cult members go through hardship (fundraising in freezing
cold or broiling heat) or persecution (being arrested for violations of
law or harassed by outsiders), they do feel a depth of camaraderie and
shared martyrdom that is exceptional. But because the only real allegiance
is to the leader, a closer look shows that such ties are actually shallow
and sometimes just private fantasy. [p.82]
Problems are always the fault of the member, and are due to his weak
faith, his lack of understanding, "bad ancestors," evil spirits, and so
forth. He perpetually feels guilty for not meeting standards. . . . In
every destructive cult I have encountered, fear is a major motivator.
[p.82]
Many groups teach that the apocalypse is just around the corner. Some say
they are preventing the apocalypse; others merely believe that they will
survive it. . . . To a cult member, the future is a time when you will be
rewarded because the great change has finally come. [p.83]
Many groups have timetables for the apocalypse, which tends to be two to
five years away--far enough not to be discredited any time soon, near
enough to carry emotional punch. These predictions have a way of fading
into the background as the big date approaches. In other groups, the
timetable is believed right until it actually fails to come true.[p.83]
Usually the leader just issues a new timetable that moves the big event up
a few years. After he does this a few times, a few long-term members may
become cynical. Of course, by then there is a whole set of new members
unaware that the leader has been shifting the timetable. [p.83]
In a destructive cult, there is never a legitimate reason for leaving. . .
. Members are thoroughly indoctrinated with the belief that if they ever
do leave, terrible consequences will befall them, their family, and/or
mankind. [p.84]
Although cult members will often say "Show me a way that is better than
mine and I will quit," they are not allowed the time or mental tools to
prove that statement to themselves. They are locked in a psychological
prison. [p.84]
Leaders were not "in it for the money" but . . . were, in my opinion,
addicted to personal power. Many destructive Bible cults have leaders who
are not conspicuous consumers and who appear to hold God and the Bible
above them in authority; yet, interpretation of the Bible and God's will
is used to manipulate and control people. [p.99]
Does the group's doctrine claim publicly to be one thing when it is in
fact otherwise? [p.99]
Deception includes outright lying, leaving out important information, or
distorting information . . . Most recruiters from destructive cults will
deny that they are trying to recruit anyone at all. [p.100]
In destructive cults, large amounts of time are spent in group activities,
with a minimum of time allowed for privacy or for friends and family.
Little time is available for reading anything other than cult material or
for learning anything other than cult practices. Of course, members go out
of their way to convince outsiders that they are living a "normal" life.
Yet, if you get cult members into a long discussion of current events, or
art, or history, it becomes evident that most are out of touch. [p.102]
One of the most obvious signs of a person in a mind control group is a
lack of independent decision making abilities. Even though cult members
try to convince outsiders that they are autonomous, once you probe beyond
the surface it becomes obvious that they cannot make important decisions
without first asking permission from superiors. [p.102-103]
The final criterion for judging a group is the members' freedom to leave.
To put it simply, members of destructive cults are psychological
prisoners. As I have explained, destructive cults plant phobias into
members' minds so that they fear ever leaving the group. [p.104]
One question I frequently hear is whether all destructive cults are
equally dangerous. The answer is simple, "no," as any common-sense look
at cults would prove. Not every group is as destructive, for example, as
the "People's Temple, or as extreme as the terrorist cults of the Middle
East. Nor is every group as deceptive, as demanding, and as dangerous to
an individual, his family, or society as is the Moon organization. . . .
Another question I occasionally encounter is whether destructive cults
change over time in significant ways. The answer is yes. Groups that use
mind control may start off with extremely good intentions but end up
manipulating their members and deceiving the public. [p.105]
The clincher question is whether or not the person has taken the time to
talk with former members and read critical literature in order to make up
his own mind. A person under mind control might say that he would be
willing to do this. However, I have often seen family members call the
member's bluff, and almost always the cult member doesn't follow through.
If he does, he is well on his way out of the group. [p.110]
Rational discussions are simply not effective with someone who has been
indoctrinated with mind control [p.140]
Don't send unsolicited critical articles, . . . Such information actually
does more harm than good. [p.146]
Every person in a cult has been programmed to stop all "negative" thoughts
about the leader, the doctrine, or the organization, and has also been
indoctrinated to believe that this group is superior to all other groups
and different from all other groups. [p.165]
"Kick-Outs - I've encountered quite a few people who were kicked out of
their group, ostensibly because they were bucking authority and asking too
many questions. . . . The people who have been kicked out of a destructive
cult are always in the worst shape of all former cult members. They feel
rejection not only from the group members but, in the case of religious
cults, from God Himself. . . . These people, phobic toward the world
outside their cults, have been cast into what they view as utter darkness.
For many "kick-outs," suicide seems a real alternative to their suffering.
[p.170]
It is essential that former members acknowledge and work through their
pain, and go through the necessary grieving period. What seems to help the
most is to enable people to realize that positive things did come out of
their involvement, and to show them how they can now be much stronger
because of the experience. [p.173]
Mystical manipulation can take on a special quality . . . because the
leaders become mediators for God. The God-centered principles can be
forcibly and claimed exclusively, so that the cult and its beliefs become
the only true path to salvation. [p.202]
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So how do we define a 'Cult'?
From the dictionary definitions, all religious groups apart from
long-established orthodox denominations, could be classed as cults.
Clearly we may conclude from The Watchtower article that their definition
would be:
a "small fringe religious group known for their questionable practices"
members often isolating themselves from friends, family, and society
use of deceptive and unethical recruiting techniques
use of manipulative methods to control the minds of followers
worship cloaked in secrecy
veneration of a human leader or leaders
From Hasson's observations about the Moonies and other cultic
organizations, and reports from cult-awareness organizations, some
additional identifying characteristics of their definition would be:
Recruiting work performed by all of the members (although they may deny
that is what they are doing).
People not allowed to discuss criticism of the leader(s), the doctrine, or
the organization, or read information that is critical of the religion.
Members trained to disbelieve criticism of the religion as lies from
Satan.
Members spy on one another and report improper activities or comments to
leaders.
Members taught to suppress anything which might reflect negatively to
outsiders about the religion.
Usually, the doctrine is absolutist and the ideology is internalized as
"the Truth."
Members told to avoid contact with ex-members or critics, even their
relatives.
Members instilled with a deep fear about ever leaving the organization,
and anyone who does depart is of the devil.
Emotional control - terror of being caught and punished by leaders.
Disciplinary action administered by group leaders, which may involve
excommunication for such things as questioning organization policy or
doctrine.
People foregoing education and career interests to perform recruiting and
other organization endeavors.
Advocate socializing only with other members in the organization.
Many cults believe the apocalypse is very near and may even predict dates.
Fear of separation from the organization.
Belief that theirs is the only true religion.
From the foregoing information let us examine the questions posed in the
February 15, 1994 Watchtower article:
WT-Q: Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a small
fringe religious group?
Considering that the Watchtower organization began from a small
congregation of "Bible Students" started by C.T. Russell in the late
1800s, which sprang out of a congregation of Second Adventists, we might
ask: At what point in time or numbers did the Watchtower Society advance
beyond the point of being a small fringe religious group? Was it before or
after they were chosen by Jehovah God to be His channel of communication
to the whole world through the pages of The Watchtower in "these 'last
days' before Armageddon"?
WT-Q: Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even
society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses?
Is it not true that Jehovah's Witnesses discourage their
members--especially their children in school--from associating with
"worldly" friends and relatives, saying Witnesses "are no part of this
world"? (John 15:19) What is meant in the Reasoning From the Scriptures
book, on page 189 under "Bad associations" where 1Cor.15:33 is cited to
discourage friendship with anyone not among Jehovah's Witnesses? Are
Jehovah's Witness children in school allowed to participate in the
extra-curricular clubs and social activities, including sports?
WT-Q: Do the Witnesses use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit
members?
Perhaps it may depend on what one considers deceptive or unethical. If you
were to out-right ask a Jehovah's Witness--who has either come to your
door in the house-to-house "witnessing" work, or got your name as a
survivor of someone deceased out of the obituaries--if you ask whether the
Witnesses are there hoping to recruit you into Jehovah's Witnesses, they
would usually deny it. However, ask them if it is true that their mission
is to find "other sheep" to bring them into the Watchtower's fold before
Armageddon, because everyone living except Jehovah's Witnesses will be
destroyed--how might the average Witness respond? They will try to impart
the impression that you have the hope of seeing your deceased loved ones
very soon in a paradise earth--but will have to be pressed to admit this
is only if you join them and survive Armageddon.
WT-Q: Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the
minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses
do this?
Based on the foregoing information about the techniques of cult mind
control, one must determine whether the Watchtower Society employs any
number of these tactics to direct and bind the loyalty of Jehovah's
Witness members to the organization.
WT-Q: Is their worship cloaked in secrecy?
According to the book Crisis of Conscience by former Governing Body
member, Raymond Franz, most of their organizational policy making
regarding doctrine, worship and disciplinary actions, including
disfellowshipping procedures, is done in closed meetings of the Governing
Body.
WT-Q: Are they following and venerating a human leader?
Does the Watchtower Society no longer teach that the Governing Body and
the "anointed" remnant are the collective mediator between the majority
of Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ?
WT-Q: Pointedly, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
Well, considering the The World Book Encyclopedia definition, various
dictionaries, the Watchtower Society's definition, or that of recognized
cult-awareness advocates, it would seem to depend on your preferred
definition of the word 'CULT.' |
