Lesson 2: Emotions and Criminal Behaviour

21 - Cults

The word “cult” denotes mystery, danger, and power. Most people feel a tinge of fear; others may decide that for all of those reasons cults must be exciting. Originally the word cult meant strict devotion to a person or thing. That idea sounds innocent enough. But a more precise idea of a cult is a group that “uses” and controls its members in ways that demand strict adherence to the loyalty of the group often with harmful emotional, psychological, and financial consequences to the cult member.

Cults focus on various themes such as religion, politics, selfimprovement, and marketing (or moneymaking projects). Cults purport that they are the only way to salvation or the only way to save the world. Many religious cults are based on Christian teachings, but the leader (pastor) assumes dictatorial power unlike a “normal” church where the pastor and congregation work together. A white supremist organization is an example of a political cult. Therapeutic or self-improvement cults focus on the person’s desire for positive changes. The cult may advertise that it has found new revolutionary methods or exciting new breakthroughs to reach this goal. Marketing cults usually target young people struggling to find employment who may answer newspaper ads that promise challenging, exciting jobs with unbelievable financial rewards. In the end, these new recruits sell door-todoor or become street peddlers for little monetary returns.

Some common characteristics distinguish cults from ordinary groups:

• They have a charismatic leader, someone who is dynamic with a sparkling, magnetic personality. All successful groups require good leaders, but the cult leader seems to have an unusual degree of power and charm over the members.
• Although the cult may list idealistic goals, the real reason for its existence is money, sex, and/or power.
• The techniques the cult uses to recruit new members are deceptive so a person will be drawn into the group without being aware of the full implications of the decision.
• The cult influences and bends the thinking of the individual similar to mind control activities, which means the cult directs and manipulates the person’s ideas to suit the objectives of the cult. This is accomplished by subconsciously promoting the message of the cult in a carefully controlled way over a period of time. The result is that members become completely controlled by the leader. The cult’s method for recruiting new members and indoctrinating them follows a skillful, well planned program.
• After a member has been indoctrinated, physical control and even violence is used to keep the person “in line”. Peer pressure, threats, and sometimes physical confinement are used to maintain strict control and to keep the members from leaving.
• To strengthen the control the cult has over the individual, members are separated from outside friends and especially their families. While the person is being isolated from their family, they are being showered with affection and attention from cult members.

Are cults present right here in Alberta? Cults are found in both urban and rural areas of the province. University campuses are one area for cults to attract new members. (Remember that is only one area for recruitment.) The idea of cults soliciting members at a place of higher learning is inconsistent with the image of a cult member as being a gullible, simple-minded person. In fact, many cult members are very intelligent people, but in the first few months of university life, a person may feel vulnerable and alone. These students may be new to the city and experience a “down” period in their lives. Cults do not appeal to the intelligence of the individual but rather to their emotional void at the time. The cult uses friendship as the initial bait to attract new recruits. The new university student may be invited to a “gathering” to meet friendly and caring cult members. At that point the process of gradually getting more and more of a commitment from the person begins in earnest.

Some people confuse cults with Satanism (a belief in the devil) or involvement with witches (wicca, which is paganism or the belief that God exists in everything). Both Satanism and witchcraft are part of the occult or supernatural.

Young people in their early teens may join a Satanic group for self-gratification or to attain power over others. Similar to cult members, occult members are usually very intelligent people, but are underachievers in what they try to accomplish. People involved in occult groups usually dabble in the activities for a few years, grow out of it, and move on to more normal interests. That might make their temporary involvement in something like Satanism seem innocuous. Some people get very emotionally dependent on Satanic groups. Tragically, some individuals may harm themselves physically and may even go as far as commit suicide.

Remember, cults can take many forms, styles, and philosophies. Cults are not illegal, but they are often involved in illegal activities. Ultimately, cults will destroy individuality. Should you become a cult member, you will lose the power to think for yourself, grow as an individual, and be your own person. You will be financially drained. Your mind will be empty of those special qualities that allow you to explore life on your own terms and take whatever pathways you choose. You may enter these groups believing that you can remain on the fringe and maintain your independence, but cult philosophy is wise and cunning in either unconsciously drawing total commitment from you or casting you aside if you cannot be used in their ways.