Are you in a Cult?

Some estimate there are in excess of 10,000 active cults in the US. There is an unprecedented amount of cult activity today. Many are sinister.

The methods for recruitment have become far more sophisticated, as technology aids in multiplying cult activity, spreading propaganda and deeply hurting well meaning people.

Today, it is easy to be in a cult and not even know it.

They use technology to obscure their own identity in a variety of ways, pay others to impersonate everyday people and draw people to what seems to be a plausible cause. But, in reality, at the highest level, they just want to rob their own followers of something (money, political favors, power, any form of control).

Some of the most damaging ones, hide their true intent at all times, thus it’s not as simple as just avoiding a clearly identifiable group.

Joe Navarro, MA “Spycatcher” wrote an article on 8/25/12, where based on his experience in criminology and psychology, he provides some very thoughtful insights into to what makes for a pathological cult leader. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders

Since propaganda plays such a large role in the advancement of a cult, it stands to reason that one should take the time to really examine where they get their news, their FB posts, their tweets, their YouTubes, the texts, memes and all the ways they are fed information. Are you truly examining the messages? Or, are you letting yourself be lead by the emotional reactions caused by the messages? Are you looking for data and facts and proof? Are you taking the time to examine the motivation of the original author? Do you even know who the original author is?

It’s worth a read and a self-examination. Because if you think you can’t be manipulated, you likely already are.

Is the leader you are following:

• Pathologically narcissistic
• Over-Abundant belief they are special – they alone are the answer
• Demand Loyalty
• Overvalue themselves, devalue those outside the cult.
• Charming

There are many other reliable sources to provide tools to arm yourself against bad cults. Do some internet searches, visit your library, and actually contact professionals, former cult members, and folks who deal with the aftermath of cult behavior every day.

“If you know of a cult leader who has many of these traits there is a high probability that they are hurting those around them emotionally, psychologically, physically, spiritually, or financially. And of course this does not take into account the hurt that their loved ones will also experience.”

Joe Navarro, MA “Spycatcher”

Here’s a couple of generic examples. Note: This article is not about a specific cult, it is about grasping the knowledge that there are over 10,000 active Cults in the US right now, and many are sinister.

• A group of people create an organization to help free people from cults. The cult sues them into oblivion. The cult then buys the name of the now bankrupt organization. Now, the cult literally owns the name of the bankrupt organization and actively uses it to recruit people into their cult.

• A “snake oil” salesman sells a miracle Cure for Covid. After arrested it is revealed that the snake oil salesman has been selling the same formula for years as a cure for HIV, Cancer, Alzheimer’s and a slew of other ailments. He also sells a series of books on why you need his miracle cure with just enough truth sprinkled in with the lies to make it appear that he’s doing this all just to help you.
• A guy claims special divination powers, tells you the end of the world is coming and sells survival gear. He’s been saying the same thing and selling the same products for 50 years. You give that some thought and realize that military MREs only have a life span of 5 years. What’s wrong with this picture?

Believe it or not, the above were the easy examples that most people don’t fall for. And the perpertrators still make millions off them. Imagine the schemes that are more sophisticated than that? Here are a couple more:

• Someone creates a page and posts friendly memes about loving and caring for each other . They build a large audience. Slowly but surely, they start to weave in other “public interest” messages. This technique is designed to establish trust by sharing things you are likely to identify with. They understand that psychologically, we have a tendency to trust people who have proven themselves trustworthy in the past. Once your guard is finally down, here comes the “real” agenda. Some are willing to invest years into manipulating your emotions in this way.
• Someone creates a news service specifically devoted to a group of people (for example seniors in the US, or Latinas, or the US Military). You later learn the news service is owned by a foreign individual or interest, with conflicting ties to the group.
• And many have seen the “hey check out this video with secret inside knowledge” series that are very prevalent due to the advances in technology. Many of those have been pedaling the same snake oil for years, simply changing the names of the politicians, tweaking the events to current times, updating from printed paper to PowerPoint, but always claiming things are happening soon and you need to act now.

The good news is, we have weapons we can use to navigate safetly through this world. Here’s the easiest one:

ASK QUESTIONS. Many of the experts I’ve studied for this article, tell us that these cults don’t have time to answer REAL questions. They are casting a very wide net, so if you are too much trouble they will just brush you off or get rid of you. Of course they will be ready for the anticipated questions, but the contradictions will gnaw at you until common sense kicks in and you realize they are manipulating your emotions to get you to do something that benefits them.

Expect that truth will be weaved in with lies. They know you are not an idiot, but they are hoping for a certain level of ignorance.

If anyone is suggesting urgency along with violence, then you owe it to yourself and others to ask the tough questions. Make sure you know the answer to this question: What does that person REALLY want from you? Not just what do they SAY they want.

A very important aspect of cult is the idea that if you leave the cult, horrible things will happen to you.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-identify-a-cult-six-expert-tips/

Some of my most heartbreaking conversations are with friends who were driven to some level of harming another, only to find out they were on the wrong side. Instead of feeling manipulated and used, more often they just feel guilty and like a “bad person.”

Do your own homework! Ask your own questions! Always test the message and the messenger. Not just once, but always.

There is so much more that could be mentioned but it would fill volumes. This, at least, is a start.