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What Is A Cult and How Does It Work?

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  • čas přidán 11. 10. 2014
  • What Is A Cult and How Does It Work? (Margaret Singer)
    By Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and emeritus adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who counseled and interviewed more than 3,000 current and former cult members, relatives and friends. What is a Cult and How Does it Work? What are cults? How do cults operate? How many people are involved in cults? What are cult leaders' goals and methods? How do cults recruit? What is thought reform? Inside the group. Development of a cult. Pseudoidentity. Returning to the outside world.

Komentáře • 627

  • @pirbird14
    @pirbird14 Před 5 lety +172

    This video should be shown in every high school around the world.

  • @Exsugarbabe1
    @Exsugarbabe1 Před 7 lety +71

    I work in customer services and if soneone is about to get angry I tell them what a lovely person they are, works everytime, you're suddenly their best mate. People are easily minipulated.
    .

    • @Exsugarbabe1
      @Exsugarbabe1 Před 7 lety +12

      Good point but if someone can be so easily swayed by flattery by a stranger the skill must be easily used by minipultive cult leaders.

  • @ivadedeva7005
    @ivadedeva7005 Před 2 lety +21

    My family is a cult. I have been kept brainwashed all my life.
    This is a family with very good reputation, money, administration from outside world and admiration from the members within towards the leader- my father. I was thinking that I go crazy because of the many years struggling in all areas of my life, struggling with depression, anxiety ect. I need to get good knowledge and clarity around that because otherwise I am lost.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety +1

      Iva, get in toucheith Doctor Singer I am sure she will give you a great advice as a psicologist she is.

    • @watitduful
      @watitduful Před rokem +2

      Situations like this are some of the worst because your parents figure who will people believe, you or them. They use those things you listed to dumb down others diacsernment .

    • @srso4660
      @srso4660 Před 4 měsíci +1

      Sounds like you need to get away from your family. I’m ex mainstream Mormon and I’ve had to go no contact with my family members who are still in the cult, it was the only way to save my sanity.

    • @gohkr5062
      @gohkr5062 Před měsícem +1

      ​@@pedrobarrantes1177 She's dead. Read her books instead.

    • @gohkr5062
      @gohkr5062 Před měsícem

      Yes. There are family cults as well. I have been gaslighted and lied to by my mum. And me and my siblings later joined a religious cult. I suggest you Google the terms "Family cult" and "Emotional Incest", "Golden Child & Scapegoat Child". There are other resources u can find online.

  • @patricestar6510
    @patricestar6510 Před 9 měsíci +9

    I am going through alot of emotional distress and feeling raw as I realize that I have been in a cult following for the last 35 years. I can see what and why I was drawn in and attracted to the cult and leader...It was just what I needed at the time...
    BUT NOW FEEL ALITTLE LOST AS I LET GO AND REBUILD MYSELF!!

    • @iloveFreedom.
      @iloveFreedom. Před 2 měsíci +1

      ❤brave / I trust that life is Loving you now

    • @gohkr5062
      @gohkr5062 Před měsícem +1

      Self-love is needed. Exit counselling helps with cultic problems but it does not help with the problems that member face before they join the cult. But eventually, self-love and managing relationship with your loved ones is key.

  • @jess3591
    @jess3591 Před rokem +6

    How society can deal with cults:
    1. Encourage survivors to take cult leaders and members to court to be held accountable for their conduct legally.
    2. Educate people, especially children, young people and the elderly, on how to think critically and evaluate whether they're being manipulated more effectively.
    3. Educate the mental health community on cult-specific trauma and how to best help victims and survivors heal.
    This all seems so relevant nowadays.

  • @feelingbetternaturally1099
    @feelingbetternaturally1099 Před 5 lety +41

    Been there, done that! Self-love prevents cult recruitment and spiritual abuse. Aloha from Kauai.

    • @davidswiger3324
      @davidswiger3324 Před rokem +1

      True. That and loving Jesus. People can't obey Jesus' command to love thy neighbor as thyself, if they don't even love themselves. Cults hate Jesus. God's word sets people free.

  • @1955annemarie
    @1955annemarie Před 4 lety +39

    The first and foremost thing that I appreciate about this video is that IT GETS TO THE POINT AT THE VERY BEGINNING!!!! Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!

    • @watitduful
      @watitduful Před rokem +2

      I concur! Wasn’t an hours worth of directionless babble.

  • @karenhartman9774
    @karenhartman9774 Před 4 lety +52

    This is exactly the education needed right now. I had a relationship with a sociopathic covert narcissist who nearly ruined my professional and financial life. He actually had an elaborate trap set but his mask slipped right before he got to drop it over me and I escaped in the nick of time. I wouldn’t trade what I learned from that relationship for ANYTHING! One cannot be fully an adult without the ability to spot narcissists, especially the psychopaths and sociopaths. The fundamentals of this disorder need to be taught in junior high.
    It feels to me that there may be a purpose behind this rise to political power of these evil type individuals ... to educate the masses so that the would be Hitler’s of this world will no longer be able to get into positions of power. Thank you for such a great teaching!

    • @miketesla8550
      @miketesla8550 Před rokem +2

      I agree with almost everything you said. It was much better for you to learn what you learned in junior high rather than in that horrible manipulationship.

    • @coronaphone710
      @coronaphone710 Před rokem +1

      Metoo

  • @patricestar6510
    @patricestar6510 Před 5 lety +39

    I attended a mormon service and was amazed at the programing

    • @andrewcasey8548
      @andrewcasey8548 Před 4 měsíci +1

      Can you give an example of the programming

    • @andrewcasey8548
      @andrewcasey8548 Před 4 měsíci +1

      By this definition Jehovah’s witness or the Mormons or the seventh day Adventist don’t fit this description.

    • @CalledUntoHoliness
      @CalledUntoHoliness Před 3 měsíci

      They deal with witchcraft there. Mormons are one of the most well known cults out there. Also the JW's and the the Seventh day Adventist church.

    • @graftme3168
      @graftme3168 Před 11 dny

      ​@@andrewcasey8548I believe they do.

  • @jimrich4192
    @jimrich4192 Před 2 lety +9

    Susepability to cult attractions definitely begins in early childhood with inadequate or faulty parenting & damaging influences from significant others but, blaming, rather than understanding, ones parents & others may not undo the damages done by bad parenting & others whereas, psychotherapy & other forms of emotional help to understand & repair the damages done to one in early childhood might help the victims of early, mental abuse & neglect. Therapy, not revenge & blaming, helped me A LOT! Therapy gave me the tools to stay out of & never get lost in any cult. A faulty upbringing by faulty parenting made me a perfect candidate/sucker for any cult out there & I almost entered a few.

  • @naejin
    @naejin Před 2 lety +13

    Every single person in the world needs to dedicate an hour of their life to watch this. Although not guaranteed to awaken every person, it might help light a beacon for them to eventually make their way out.

  • @beeARTcanada
    @beeARTcanada Před 9 lety +63

    JUST AMAZING TAPE. This woman is dead on. Tremendous information.

  • @ghihbgyu
    @ghihbgyu Před 4 lety +29

    When she talks about how cult leaders can talk in a slow, rythmic manner to hypnotize their followers and you realize she does that as well XD I've watched this video several times because I find it strangely relaxing.

    • @Ronnymikkonen2686
      @Ronnymikkonen2686 Před 4 lety +1

      Wery informative. And helpful. I also watched couple of times. She has these pauses in between.

    • @dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173
      @dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173 Před 3 lety +3

      NLP hypnotics 101

    • @auntbeewannabee4626
      @auntbeewannabee4626 Před 2 lety +3

      When I was in AA we read the same few things out loud before every single meeting. It was in a monotone voice

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety +1

      She says that too... Now I understand why people told they were sleepy when I did my presentations at my toast Master club... without realizing lower the tone to bring attention.

    • @ALinn-vr3nl
      @ALinn-vr3nl Před 2 lety

      Yes, that method of speaking can put someone in a trance state. The more relaxed we are, and the more relaxed our minds are, the more susceptible we can be to messages we hear, because we are accessing our brains differently in a more relaxed state. (Normally our brains are in a beta state, but can go into alpha or theta more when we're relaxed. That's my rather minimal knowledge of it, and probably not very accurate. Just a few things I remember from getting biofeedback training.)
      Another thing I learned is to never participate in a speaker leading a group in a meditation before the speech/lecture, etc. The meditation or relaxation exercise can make one more vulnerable and susceptible/less critical of what gets said after the relaxation exercise. Since we never know what the speaker is going to say until they say it, it's best not to do the meditation first.

  • @JaneDoe-zr4px
    @JaneDoe-zr4px Před 5 lety +18

    I love it when she refers to cult leaders as, "management". LOL. Sorry, I've had horrible experiences with management so this amuses me greatly.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      They tell you we are the xyz family... until they kick you, replacing you for an outsource and less expensive labor

  • @reneemilton3433
    @reneemilton3433 Před rokem +16

    My husband and I just exited a cultic type Christian group. Dr. Singer's descriptions are so accurate about the process. What she says at the end about counseling and professionals is spot on. I had a hard time finding a therapist knowledgeable about thought control.

    • @gigi9301
      @gigi9301 Před 10 měsíci

      I was almost sucked into such an organization through being in a romantic relationship with a Very Religious man; he even baptised me into the group, which really messed up my mindset when I realized what was happening. I'm still dusting myself off after such an experience. I hope that you and your husband are doing well.

  • @RX7821979
    @RX7821979 Před 6 lety +63

    As a former jehovas witnesses
    I remember in a conversation where they were talking about recruiting the most vulnerable people that are in hospitals :(

  • @stevencuevas3563
    @stevencuevas3563 Před 4 lety +27

    Absolute LEGEND. Sadly much of what Singer helped expose and illuminate continues today and is fueled online. No longer does a cult member have to be among fellow disciples in a fixed location. Instead many participate in isolation.

  • @maryfowles807
    @maryfowles807 Před 3 lety +18

    This happened to me and it wasn't until I spoke it outloud to a qualified therapist that I realized how ABSURD the ideas were and that is when I snapped out of it. I had been just going along with everything because they convinced me in the beginning that I was a chosen person on this spiritual path. They acted like they knew things about me and could help me "in this lifetime". Once I started working for them that is when things really changed. A lot of verbal abuse and put downs. Then misled me as to my role on a project. Had me convinced I was a bad person and that's why I was demoted after doing all of the legwork. They don't argue you to join, they make you feel special and chosen and promise you a lot, including healing and career advancement.

    • @auntbeewannabee4626
      @auntbeewannabee4626 Před 2 lety +1

      Where was this at? It sounds very similar to my involvement with other Alcoholics Anonymous.

    • @maryfowles807
      @maryfowles807 Před 2 lety +4

      @@auntbeewannabee4626 It wasn't AA it was a spiritual group but all the groups tend to use the same techniques. A classic technique is to devalue you and gaslight you in the beginning but at the same time to love bomb you so that you think they really like you and you belong. Then over time they will errode your belief in yourself and replace it with a total focus on the spiritual "teacher". A true teacher will help you to have a relationship with yourself and with REALITY, not feed you a bunch of lies and beat you down so that you are so confused and insecure you will believe anything

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety +3

      Great Mary you left!

  • @americablessgod1273
    @americablessgod1273 Před 6 lety +34

    A cult can have several leaders. If they split into branches and change their names. Members are unaware they're following the "leader" by following the "group," so they might be in denial about following the leader.

    • @auntbeewannabee4626
      @auntbeewannabee4626 Před 2 lety

      That puts into perspective how in AA I didn’t believe it was a cult. We are branched off into separate groups which are all autonomous except in matters affect the group or AA as a whole.

  • @spybaz
    @spybaz Před 7 lety +69

    Every $cientologist should watch this.

    • @JaneDoe-zr4px
      @JaneDoe-zr4px Před 5 lety +5

      Their access to all media is extremely controlled mostly by themselves cuz they're told the world is out to get them and all criticism is poisonous to them. So, most of them won't see this type of material until they escape, um, I mean leave.

    • @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547
      @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547 Před 4 lety +2

      Yes, indeed! AND every member of the Hole-y Churches of Sciencology, Climatology, Vaccineology, Corporaticracyology... should watch this too.

    • @lovielove5182
      @lovielove5182 Před 4 lety +4

      Every Jehovah witness should watch this

    • @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547
      @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547 Před 4 lety +1

      @@lovielove5182 Every Covid-1984 cult member should watch this and give No free-passes to any power, authority and credentials.

    • @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547
      @3ittybittypiggiesstorytime547 Před 4 lety +2

      @@JaneDoe-zr4px Sounds exactly like the Covid-1984-Cult too, which is more dictatorial, censoring or deadly than certified kool-aid chugging cults.

  • @sanmigueltv
    @sanmigueltv Před 4 lety +28

    I had to repost this to my channel. As a former cult member this was so instrumental in understanding what the hell happened to me.

    • @nanciadriani7758
      @nanciadriani7758 Před 2 lety

      What cult re you i

    • @sanmigueltv
      @sanmigueltv Před 2 lety +2

      @@nanciadriani7758
      The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ.

    • @KarenSullivan321
      @KarenSullivan321 Před rokem +1

      I posted to my channel too! I was in the Jonathan Kleck cult.

    • @jovialbivouacker99
      @jovialbivouacker99 Před měsícem +2

      I was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness cult, but fortunately my father never converted and I disassociated myself after having attended college, (which is discouraged by the cult), and have been cult-free since 1993. However, I really like to watch videos like this because they remind of where I came from!

    • @sanmigueltv
      @sanmigueltv Před měsícem

      @@jovialbivouacker99
      Good job!

  • @khadijagwen
    @khadijagwen Před 7 lety +87

    My issue with this video is that "cultism" is throughout our lives; at work, in church, in our schools and clubs. Once we have escaped from a cult it is more plain that it is all around us.

    • @auntbeewannabee4626
      @auntbeewannabee4626 Před 2 lety +7

      You ain’t wrong. I just left 1 a few weeks ago and now I find myself hiding out but I swear I believe God is hiding me like He hid Elijah in the cave before moving him into his next season. I’m learning so much about myself that I woulda never thought to look at had I not been so deceived.

    • @noodlyappendage6729
      @noodlyappendage6729 Před 2 lety +1

      Hello Beverly, what cult were you in?

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      lol... suggest you listen it again.. this video is a treasure for those were, are or would have been into...

    • @ALinn-vr3nl
      @ALinn-vr3nl Před 2 lety +1

      I have read Singer's book, but have only started this video. In the book, she distinguishes between cults and other forms of influence. I (and she) agree with you in that there are forms of pressure and persuasion, including peer and institutional pressure all around us. It is great that you are keenly aware of these and see them everywhere, although I'm sorry for what sounds like the circumstances that led you to have this greater awareness than the average person. Your awareness and vigilance will protect you going forward from things others will be vulnerable to. I hope you will share your heigtened awareness with others, giving lectures, writing articles or books. Many people would benefit from what you know.

    • @drj602
      @drj602 Před 2 lety +2

      I am part of the Human cult.

  • @Seraphim7
    @Seraphim7 Před 5 lety +12

    WOWW>... Elitest... I left a religious group..I learned a lot..they wanted to obey and follow the Bible which I loved...But, there was a lot of Control..And I couldn't make my own decisions..They had made me rely on them for everything rather than learn to make decisions on my own according to the Bible

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      That doesn't sound followers of Jesus, who always do respect your freedom

  • @WeRNthisToGetHer
    @WeRNthisToGetHer Před 3 lety +12

    Institutions can be cults, too, with more than one leader.
    The only difference is that the cult gains cultural acceptance. She's focusing on only one extreme type of cult as if it's the only kind.
    Cults are extremely common. We just don't always recognize them because they are the established systems we've always known.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety +3

      But again remember the purpose of a cult: money and power for the leader or head of the cult

    • @Medietos
      @Medietos Před rokem

      HEalthcare doesn't tke one's money, but one's life-energy, time, mind/soul and spirit. Hijacks us from developing spititaully, culls us by medical drugs instead of helping us heal and grow into our human potential and real strength..

  • @starlight7617
    @starlight7617 Před 8 lety +19

    the truth is they still use the same tactics now days...sad how many people are still affected...

  • @ABCD-rf9hg
    @ABCD-rf9hg Před 5 lety +18

    Yes, they do a lot of "Love Bombing". Shower you with love, tell you how much they love you and how much you're going to love everyone in the group, how much you're going to love learning about all the self development techniques, etc

  • @WWZenaDo
    @WWZenaDo Před 3 lety +4

    @23:00 - Speech patterns as soft hypnosis
    @36:30 - Loaded language and its effects upon the followers' thinking abilities.

  • @CMeaganMichael
    @CMeaganMichael Před 8 lety +49

    Outstandingly informative. #NPDAbuse #Trauma #BreakingFreeFromToxicPeople
    It's just like this. Narcissists and Sociopaths abuse their "victims" just like this.

    • @WWZenaDo
      @WWZenaDo Před 7 lety +11

      Very true. In fact all destructive cults are started by highly narcissistic people. They might also be sociopathological or psycho-pathological, but invariably cult leaders are narcissists. Narcissists tend to try to create a tiny 'personality' cult surrounding them, if they do not go into the business of religion.

    • @user-yj6wo8bf9m
      @user-yj6wo8bf9m Před 6 lety +4

      Yes, they are all narcissists, in fact, they are heavily demon possessed people who run the show from behind the scenes.

  • @artmaltman
    @artmaltman Před 6 lety +16

    Cults are a very slippery topic, it can be very difficult to wrap your brain around the issue . This talk is gold. It is beautifully structured and incredibly clear. . This talk offers the best structure and set of insights that I have seen yet. This talk is from 1994 but even more relevant today than it was at the time, given modern use of social media to influence people and even just the use of Meetup to announce meetings of new groups where one can engage new followers.

    • @ToyotaGuy1971
      @ToyotaGuy1971 Před rokem

      Wow, you're just just full of rhetoric and ads.

    • @Medietos
      @Medietos Před rokem

      Art Altman: Are Meetups used by cults?

    • @artmaltman
      @artmaltman Před rokem +1

      @@Medietos I have seen at least one cult-like group use meetups to recruit.

  • @1rudymartin
    @1rudymartin Před 8 lety +10

    Thank you DR this is a real eye opener I just wish we could get LOST people to listen. GOD BLESS YOU.RUDY.

  • @markrichardson3566
    @markrichardson3566 Před 6 lety +12

    cults use people

  • @melinaz3385
    @melinaz3385 Před 7 lety +5

    Thank you to the Channel
    International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
    for the open availability to this information.

  • @Mantikal
    @Mantikal Před 3 lety +7

    35:40 on the timeline -Cults often change members names - “Henceforth, you shall be known as Lord Darth Vader”

  • @patriciabailhaodasilva5928

    Thank you so much! This interview is opening my mind.

  • @lisasophia775
    @lisasophia775 Před 2 lety +7

    this is really fascinating. im so glad to be made aware of the nefarious and common ways these behaviors intrude. the culture and overly tolerant positive only is a set up to those who would take advantage of the uninformed or unprepared.

  • @becky7921
    @becky7921 Před 4 lety +9

    Excellent information. Thank you.
    I believe susceptibility to cults can start in childhood- think domestic violence(emotional or physical).Then cultic one on one as in romantic relationships.
    Work relationships.....
    Why are we not educating children repeatedly in childhood as to what healthy relationships are?

    • @ALinn-vr3nl
      @ALinn-vr3nl Před 2 lety

      I agree. My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion once we started school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then. Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself. For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, obeying a priest to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc. One stands out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey. From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe. Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders. If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid. (My parent's instruction in critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful.)

  • @krisluvsutube2684
    @krisluvsutube2684 Před 7 lety +21

    When she mentioned being in a trance and driving down the road I thought of someone that was a specific type of main-stream religious preacher ( I want to name it but I chose not to) near where I live who had used that exact experience to validate his belief that joining the religion was the right choice. I almost got wrapped up in this sect due to having close friends that are involved. I went to one of their church services and saw people standing against the walls of the church with their eyes rolling back and mumbling. I understand that there are many people that believe this is from God. I do not. I think the behavior fits the description of this speaker to a T, and I also paid attention to the rhythmic music (same drum beats over and over; the same words over and over) they think they are praising and worshiping God, but to me it seems trance-like especially when newbies and non-members show up they really prolong this to intice them into joining in. The chant she mentions goes along with repeating the same prayer or praise over and over. Then some members end up on the floor as if asleep but all that is a trance state. It feels different, powerful and exhilarating. If you've never felt this before you believe that you've been touched by God and its a sealed deal you will continue to seek this "feeling" and want to continue to be involved in this type of religion. It takes real perception and I think down right honesty to acknowledge there isn't any supernatural God power coming on you its just your own hyped up emotions. Another thing to note about this particular church is they attend services more than any other church I know. There is always a reason they are having services and every service they take up offering. Well how else do they get their four daughters through college and pay for a new church all the while moving into a wealthy neighborhood? Recently several members have left this church and I'm not one bit surprised. A cult? I'm not sure, but they definitely do have very similar characteristics as what I just watched.

    • @ivanasimic2072
      @ivanasimic2072 Před 2 lety +2

      Yes, the cult

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety +2

      Thanks to the Lord, stay away. The true love from God is freedom without hurting any one helping others as long they want to be help

    • @AwakenedAvocado
      @AwakenedAvocado Před rokem

      This rhythmic pattern seems to be prevalent right across many cult functions. Its very similar to the tribal trance like practices, where this twctoc was used by the tribe. Creating a tribal state ,now your part of the tribe etc

  • @rabismo
    @rabismo Před 7 lety +13

    This is so educative

  • @SanMiguelTVRadio
    @SanMiguelTVRadio Před 5 lety +6

    This is gold.. GOLD !

  • @Iggy44
    @Iggy44 Před 2 lety +4

    Exelent video. More than needed 🙏❤️🤗

  • @monica_richardson
    @monica_richardson Před 2 lety +7

    This is such a great video. AA has so many of these traits . Thank you for releasing this.

    • @naejin
      @naejin Před 2 lety +1

      Well ironically the same tactics that put people into cults can also be used to get them out of such behaviors as well. It's not just the tools, but who's wielding those tools and their motivation/intentions of using those tools. Pls go watch the movie Fight Club if you've never seen it before. He'll, go watch it again even if you have watched it before.

    • @catherinecooper8370
      @catherinecooper8370 Před 2 lety +4

      AA is a cult. Yes.

    • @matthewrousseau2982
      @matthewrousseau2982 Před rokem +3

      AA is finally falling apart

    • @monica_richardson
      @monica_richardson Před rokem

      @@matthewrousseau2982 good to hear .

    • @Medietos
      @Medietos Před rokem

      Monica Richardson: Could you show/prove this claim, please? Do you distinguish between the spread of wrong practises and misconceptions of some members , and what others can take up as though ir ´t were the program, and what the program itself really stands for? I have noticed a decline since the cell-phones came (Sweden has extra strong microwave radiation with detrimental effects on people. I see it as an infiltration of the adversary of man, which comes when exhais0usted participants uncritically take things aúp as being apart of the program, while it is not. Just as sponsorship has declined into takingf short-cuts leading to lesser levels and qualitites of recovery.
      I'd really welcome it if you could name and show how you think when you claim AA to be a cult. Some people also accuse everybody with some problematic behavoíours to be "narcissists", not distinguishing what that entails.

  • @eternalpoint
    @eternalpoint Před 2 lety +4

    Very true of the Brahma Kumaris who use many of these tactics

  • @ALinn-vr3nl
    @ALinn-vr3nl Před 2 lety +9

    I highly recommend Margaret Singer's book, Cults in Our Midst. Brilliant, so informative, and material not found elsewhere. Best book on deceptive mind control and cults I've ever read.
    My atheist parents were very concerned about us kids being influenced by peer pressure to get involved in religion when we started public school. So they started teaching us critical thinking skills every night at the dinner table, ~2 years before kindergarten, so I was age 3 then.
    Very young children really can learn critical thinking skills, and how to debunk myths such as in religions and in the bible. And how to spot psychological manipulations used in religions, etc., to recognize the influence they can have on oneself.
    For example, the peer pressure of physical rituals, such as being told by a priest to obey him, to stand up, sit down, kneel, pray, sing, etc., over and over again. You stand out like a sore thumb if not doing what everyone else is doing, so it's pressure to go along and obey.
    From there, it's only a short step from obeying the physical directions from the priest, to obeying the beliefs the priest is preaching and telling us to believe.
    Also, religions, etc. use awe-inspiring and beautiful art, architecture, music, pageantry, solemnity, and all kinds of rituals to influence us: all well-orchestrated to get someone to "look up to" the church or leaders.
    If we're taught to recognize these psychological manipulations, we can be less susceptible to them: even a little kid can learn and be more protected from psychological manipulations. Critical thinking training lasts a lifetime.
    (My parent's instruction about critical thinking and peer pressure worked for me, for which I'm grateful, 50+ years later.)

    • @Morgue12free
      @Morgue12free Před 2 lety +2

      Care to share an example of what your parents taught you as a child?

    • @Iarlen
      @Iarlen Před 11 měsíci +1

      Your parents deprived you of a meaningful relationship with God, abusing their position of authority to brainwash you into interpreting the religious life in the worst most cynical way possible. Yet you never employed critical thinking towards their atheism, instead using rationalistic answers to give you some comfort that the philosophy of your parents and childhood were right instead of deeply disturbing.
      I really hope and pray you can find some peace eventually. You would probably claim to have some. But I think if you're being a bit more honest with yourself you would know exactly what I mean by that.

    • @morningstar3437
      @morningstar3437 Před 7 měsíci

      ​@@Iarlenbe careful

  • @ct9914
    @ct9914 Před 2 lety +1

    this video deserves to be watched by millions of people

  • @brittanyhumeniuk1992
    @brittanyhumeniuk1992 Před 6 lety +6

    You are 100% correct! I just escaped 26 days ago from the most abusive cult any of the professionals here in Fort Myers, FL has ever heard about or seen in their lives. I was born into it, I didn’t know anything different and now my son is still there. Somehow they know I’m telling the truth but they say it’s so bizarre if it were a movie it would be considered some type of science fiction horror. I knew I hated my life and I wanted to spare my son the same torture as I have lived but I didn’t realize exactly how bad I had it. Now the family is trying to manipulate me into going back. Why would they give me two capsule pills everyday from the ages of 3-4 years old to 6 years old that afterwards I have no memories for 4, 5 sometimes 6 hours?

    • @Hoodiesnipe
      @Hoodiesnipe Před 4 lety

      Brittany by any chance was this gratitude training???

    • @tatianahawaii13
      @tatianahawaii13 Před rokem

      Hugs Brittany. This is not easy

  • @woodsonpayne8378
    @woodsonpayne8378 Před 7 lety +13

    This entire video fits perfectly with how Oahspe Bible Cults UFO Doomsday Cults operate. 100% accurate.

  • @peterm92
    @peterm92 Před 5 lety +1

    Thank you for this really great resource.

  • @jdeweyl
    @jdeweyl Před 4 lety +2

    Wow! So familiar...the 6th condition for thought reform, "Maintaining a closed system of logic and restricting criticism."

  • @ChangCappo
    @ChangCappo Před 7 lety +21

    Cults prey on the weak and worship the strong with envy.

  • @vaquero7x
    @vaquero7x Před 8 lety +97

    Jehovah withnesses are a perfect example of this

    • @sweetlovesims665
      @sweetlovesims665 Před 7 lety +9

      vaquero7x ,yes they are,

    • @WWZenaDo
      @WWZenaDo Před 7 lety +20

      Definitely. At 8 million plus members, they're a clear demonstration that cults need not be tiny to qualify as a cult.

    • @WWZenaDo
      @WWZenaDo Před 7 lety +19

      +HeadShot Films First it was Russell (1874 - 1916, lived long enough to see his 1914 false prophecy fall flat on its face), then it was Rutherford (1916 - 1942, lived long enough to see at least two of their false prophecies fall flat on their faces), then it was Knorr (1942 - 1977, lived long enough to see their 1975 false prophecy fall flat on its face).
      Besides, cults can have more than one leader - look at Applewhite who had a co-leader (Bonnie Nettles) for a while before she passed away, leaving him the sole leader once again.

    • @twobirds1817
      @twobirds1817 Před 7 lety +5

      soka gaki is a cult!I was with them for 25 years.It ruined my life.

    • @twobirds1817
      @twobirds1817 Před 7 lety +2

      I am really shocked that so many intelligent people have been brainwashed into believing Disaku Ikeda is a hero. This group is all about power and political control.I am really scared how big this group is now.

  • @MaishaMH
    @MaishaMH Před 5 lety +3

    Love this analysis

  • @Miriam-pn7jy
    @Miriam-pn7jy Před 3 lety +1

    Amazing. Very informative!

  • @colinreid325
    @colinreid325 Před 3 lety +4

    Really found it informative, I was wondering about why people join cults and have my doubts about this modern fad for mindfulness? Missed my opportunity to study cults when studying sociology as the lecturer moved to another university.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      Never too late... I am one of them learning although quite late...

  • @athensnike2015
    @athensnike2015 Před 7 lety +1

    very simple practical experience orientated explanation.:)

  • @FactStorm
    @FactStorm Před 3 lety +1

    No wonder Thaler has a PhD...truly educated and knows wth she's talking about. Spot on..I wish everyone would watch this...especially Christians & Muslims.

  • @sandrab.5065
    @sandrab.5065 Před 2 lety +1

    Wow, the conditioning/disconnecting phase was eye opening - acquiring new a name and speaking new jargon so members feels special and while wearing a pseudo identity mask. No wonder those cultish recruits sound weird/alien when you first encounter them. It’s a facade. It’s all fake!
    When Dr. Singer talked about keeping cult members “busy” and taking up their “thinking time” with the church activities for a greater purpose, I immediately thought of Scientology.
    IMHO, everything Dr. Singer says here also applies to (emotional and/or physical) abusive family dynamics and relationships. Instead of a cult of many, it is a cult of a few people ( mostly family and lovers.)
    I agree, this info has to be available for middle school, high school, higher education students, staff, employees, and parents.
    Moreover, yes, research a group/person before joining them. Also, trust your instincts. If it feels “off,” IT IS OFF! Say “No,” and never give them your contact information. That is how I managed to dodge them.

  • @anbukkarasimanoharan775
    @anbukkarasimanoharan775 Před 3 lety +1

    Highly informative.

  • @KeepMeLord05
    @KeepMeLord05 Před rokem +1

    In my case, I remember the moment I was sucked in. While being taught their fundamental belief system (The Christian Life Series: A Handbook of Christian Doctrine by Norman James) I was rebuked Harshly for being late for my personal lesson. It didn't matter that I was working 40 hrs a wk and caring 24/7 for my disabled father-n-law all that mattered was I had wasted his precious time by being no more than 5 minutes late. At that moment I took the humiliation blaming myself for not doing better. Now I think about the strange moment I broke, crying like a baby, and then submitting to someone who less about the Bible than I did. I appreciate your total understanding of this insanity.

  • @fahnikan
    @fahnikan Před 4 lety +1

    Great explanation!

  • @vincentlaw6341
    @vincentlaw6341 Před rokem +2

    The bigger question that is never asked is why are there so many cults is it just for the leaders benefits and is it for the benefit of other social actors.

  • @mcdonaldg2908
    @mcdonaldg2908 Před 4 lety +2

    Idk how I got here or why but it's like helps me educate on a theory or hyphotesis I have discovered how for example a narcissist person that u have deal with in the west coast will have 90 percent similarities when you meet a narcissist person in the East coast.. I mean how can that be. This lady is knowledgeable thank you for this video

  • @visualelement7youtubechann941

    She is great and knows what she is talking about. They are predator's they hunt for the vulnerable. They love people pleasers anyone who likes attention and needs validation from others.

    • @auntbeewannabee4626
      @auntbeewannabee4626 Před 2 lety

      Explains why they target treatment centers and jails to recruit AA members

    • @andyokus5735
      @andyokus5735 Před rokem

      You hit the nail on the head !!!

  • @tyronejbrowm
    @tyronejbrowm Před 3 lety +89

    Seventh Day Adventist’s, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons this is for you.

    • @ODD50
      @ODD50 Před 2 lety +16

      And Black Hebrew Israelites!

    • @dekishajones282
      @dekishajones282 Před 2 lety +11

      Traditional Christianity! Because sky daddy isn’t real!

    • @malcolmhayes9201
      @malcolmhayes9201 Před rokem +1

      @@dekishajones282 Christianity doesn’t believe in a sky daddy. Rather a God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. Also how do describe objective laws without God such as morality, how does a singularity come into existence without a cause before the bing bang, and how come there are still no missing links for macro evolution. How does non life bring life which is scientifically impossible. How do you get order from chaos.
      The most ironic truth of them all is honestly comedic. It takes just as much faith to believe in a Big Bang as it does for God. So if you’re going to hold Christianity in the view of cult then you also have to do the same to every religious belief about the universe including but not limited to: Hinduism , Buddhism , Judaism, atheism, heck even satanists.
      Further more I can prove the Bible is true by using the Bible for the countless prophecies it gets right which mind you is 100 percent of them. Psalms 22 which predicts Jesus death 1,000 years before Jesus and 600 years before crucifixions comes to mind. And gets it 100 percent right.
      God bless you and have a great day :)

    • @pandabear7177
      @pandabear7177 Před rokem +15

      Scientology, PTA, Apple employees, Microsoft employees, MAGA leaders, etc…
      Cults are everywhere

    • @peggyblack1
      @peggyblack1 Před rokem +4

      AA

  • @aluk2408
    @aluk2408 Před 5 lety +4

    You say the former cult leader was surprised at how easy it was to manipulate people who had been rebellious in their youth. A lot of youth "rebel" by joining a rebellious group. Perhaps they see joining a cult as a similar act of rebellion against main-stream society. Perhaps their adherence to crazy rules is driven by their need to be seen in a good light by the person/people at the top and to raise their status in the group.

  • @DP-kj4hj
    @DP-kj4hj Před 2 lety +3

    If I would have listened to this in the 1980's instead of falling for Scientology I would have saved a lot of time. In my opinion she describes what I went through exactly. Now after having left and processed much of my experience, I can similarities among all cultish groups. Including organized religion, sorry Christianity, you are in there too.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      Agree Doug, mainly in cristianity depends where we go...I love to be catholic, but it doesn't me Yes Sir to all priests nuns, or other catholics friends. We are free to believe or disbelieve.

    • @chaplainmattsanders4884
      @chaplainmattsanders4884 Před 8 měsíci

      Important comment here. Thanks. Glad you’re free of Scientology. All the best!

  • @naejin
    @naejin Před 2 lety +2

    New age/self transformation ideas such as tarot, belief in magic/wicca are at high popularity lately, and are being linked to the higher rates of cultist behavior. It's almost as if human's natural socialization instincts to try to fit in makes them vulnerable to joining cults that will accept them. This is why cults prey on those who are most emotionally/psychologically vulnerable.

    • @umafinleyopal8471
      @umafinleyopal8471 Před 2 lety +1

      Those things are also satanic and the doorways for demons to possess you.

  • @writeousrhema
    @writeousrhema Před 3 lety +1

    Thnx. This is so sad

  • @Hoodiesnipe
    @Hoodiesnipe Před 4 lety

    Gratitude training

  • @BoomchaBill
    @BoomchaBill Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you for this video. I am writing down what not to do. 😁

  • @RockinAtheist
    @RockinAtheist Před 6 lety +3

    "The mind gives meaning to anything, but the meaning it gives is meaningless." J. Krishnamurti

    • @dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173
      @dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173 Před 3 lety

      I used to really like Jiddu, then I learned that he was taken by an older gentleman who was a Freemason and tailored into the man he was. In effect Jiddu was groomed from a very young age to be the man who thought the way he did. Not that there isn't some value in his learnings, teachings, I'm just a bit suspicious how he came to think that way.

    • @RockinAtheist
      @RockinAtheist Před 2 lety

      @@dontbelieveeverythingyouth8173 JKM was raised as a young boy by Annie Bessant (Theosophical Society) to become the new messiah. You are right, there was a man involved. But during his early teens he rebelled and decided he wanted nothing to do with their crazy ideas. That's how I heard it anyway. And really, what does it matter who influenced him? He ended up with some pretty clear insights into the human mind.

  • @alisiamiller3750
    @alisiamiller3750 Před 4 lety +1

    This type of manipulation can be done by anyone to a type of person that was described as being vulnerable. The separation from family and people who will advise you right is a gold medal usage.

  • @vaquero7x
    @vaquero7x Před 8 lety +20

    Jehonah withnesses are a perfect example of this
    m

  • @chris-solmon4017
    @chris-solmon4017 Před 6 lety +5

    Religion and government fit these descriptions.
    For example, reconciliation is used for spying. "Recon" in reconciliation is simply reconnaissance, just like the NSA.

  • @y2ky2k96
    @y2ky2k96 Před 7 lety +7

    You are right on, but left out one thing. I am no longer in the org. but are still in a spiritual cage where I am cut off not only from them but also the world as well. I would go to an event to mingle and be around others and when I get there its not a normal event and the people are few or if it is normal people will get directly in from of me face to face blocking me. this has happened lots of times even though I moved away from this organization the restrictions and influences that they've placed upon me still exist. my whole world is in shambles because of them.

    • @Phantom_Zer0
      @Phantom_Zer0 Před 7 lety +4

      whocanu trust - so they're persecuting you, can't you find company to be around you and protect you? have you thought about moving from your country if possible, restart somewhere else?
      Forgive me if i'm speaking without knowledge of your problem, but it pains me to see people going through that.

    • @pedrobarrantes1177
      @pedrobarrantes1177 Před 2 lety

      you may want to vidit a good therapist specialized in cults...

  • @brucelee6836
    @brucelee6836 Před rokem

    Brought here because of Simon Crowder's interview with Alex Jones and I am glad because it is so obvious these tactics are being used today in America!!

  • @millardmelnyk6940
    @millardmelnyk6940 Před 9 lety +7

    I just started listening and was immediately struck by how simplistic her explanations seem to be. Cults are formed by interpersonal dynamics by which some subordinate others in self-reinforcing dependency. She mentions one way that some cults have used, and in fact it's an increasingly obsolete way, as followers slowly get more sophisticated and don't respond to some of the more transparent tactics that were used in the late 20th Century. When was this filmed?

    • @tywhatley6432
      @tywhatley6432 Před 9 lety +8

      Millard, were you listening? Just the definition she gives n the first sentence, let alone the first paragraph explains the bulk of it. The rest is defining the minutiae. If it seems simplistic, it may, MAY, be because it is outside the conversational tone of the cult. The cult that you are still in. Or started. Have joined since you were 22. Don't know (not that you're in or running a cult). She is speaking from beyond the grave, and only the master and youtube can stop it.

    • @steveanderson7994
      @steveanderson7994 Před 9 lety

      Millard Melnyk The APA thought the same thing when they threw out her paper on Cult Brainwashing - " the report lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur."

    • @millardmelnyk6940
      @millardmelnyk6940 Před 9 lety +2

      +ty whatley, I note your facetiousness. It's unwarranted. And it just may be that her description is simplistic.

    • @millardmelnyk6940
      @millardmelnyk6940 Před 9 lety

      Hey Steve, sorry I missed your comment. Don't pay enough attention to Google+ I guess.
      Really eh? I'm not surprised. Thanks for the info.

    • @bogglerful
      @bogglerful Před 8 lety +7

      +Steve Anderson They later reconsidered and modified their view. At the time, certain elements - from the military to evangelical faith healers, plus the richer Destructive Cults themselves - were panicked over this information and exerted their influence. The information is nonetheless true today, and it was true then.

  • @Estee.Ar.6869
    @Estee.Ar.6869 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Margaret Thaler Singer's book, Cults in Our Midst is excellent. I woke up from the Jehovah's Witnesses cult.

  • @stoobpendous
    @stoobpendous Před rokem +2

    I'm having no problem finding explanations as to how people get sucked in. What's hard to find is why cults form in the first place. Not all cult leaders set out to form cults. Jehovah's Witnesses didn't start out that way. But since 2014 the WatchTower organization has shown very rapidly its cultiness so even insiders are starting to see it. It's almost an organic process.

    • @MegaAppleMan12
      @MegaAppleMan12 Před 6 měsíci

      i had seen groups of sincere people become incresingly cultish over time.. i think that at times these things can develop and people dont even realize whats happening, including the leaders.

  • @srilanky
    @srilanky Před 4 lety +11

    This is a fantastic and relevant breakdown of cultic dynamics. She really got it!

  • @alanlopes8763
    @alanlopes8763 Před 4 lety +15

    We see evidence of thought reform in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Also, guilt, fear, coercion from GB. They’re autocratic and have total power over the life of each member.

  • @palmerhusky
    @palmerhusky Před 6 lety +4

    what year was this video produced. she mentions that there were as many as 5000 cults in the United states "today" I would be interested to know what the current 2018 estimate is.

    • @watitduful
      @watitduful Před rokem

      I saw another commentor say 1994. I believe even at that time there were way more than 5k.

  • @rayc.lozano7100
    @rayc.lozano7100 Před 7 lety +1

    400 people,in Grand Rapids home for veterans are in exactly this situationn.

  • @montanagal6958
    @montanagal6958 Před rokem +1

    Relieved to find this material that has obviously been studied extensively by the powers that be.

  • @trudihsu
    @trudihsu Před 5 měsíci

    A few years ago, I joined a hospice as volunteer. I had no idea it was run by a cult. I was at a Christmas party when I expressed interest in the names of several people there. Their leader gave them their names. One supplied me with the name of their organization. I googled it and quit on the spot.

  • @chris.struwe
    @chris.struwe Před 23 dny

    It is interesting to see how one is conditioned into falling for cults, when parents elicit similar conditioning behaviour.

  • @annasolanis
    @annasolanis Před 2 lety +1

    There seems to be quite a few cuts to the film that make it tricky to follow her talk.

  • @beatapogorzelska1241
    @beatapogorzelska1241 Před rokem

    Pure wisdom

  • @1st_Julianna
    @1st_Julianna Před 8 lety +9

    Had to split at her definition of the difference between an organized religion and a cult. Organized religion does exactly the same thing as what she says a cult does: you turn over your decisions and beliefs (and a lot of money) to them. And there is always an intermediary between you and "God", always. So basically, she's not anyone I want to listen to.

    • @coralaisly
      @coralaisly Před 8 lety +12

      As much as I dislike religion in general, I do think there's a difference between your every day, run of the mill religion and something destructive and overtly malicious as a destructive cult like she's talking about. Standard Christianity wants roughly 10% of your pay. It's up to you whether you pay up, and you can show up on Sunday or not... You can leave when you want to - there may be a bit of emotional manipulation, but it's usually not a top down thing. Then you look at say Scientology (I live about 30 min from their HQ in California so I have friends who've gotten mixed up with them, including one who was kept in RPF against his will), that wants all of your time, all of your money, it wants to control how you use words, when you can see your family, and in some circumstances - like a friend of mine - they'll physically stop you from leaving and will stalk and try and destroy you. A normal Christian church isn't the same. In my opinion it's all nonsense (let that atheist flag fly proud lol) but at least the standard Christians won't try and cut you off from your family or send someone to kidnap you, stop you from leaving your home, or stand just off of your property with a video camera to try and intimidate you whenever you step outside.
      Of course things like the Catholic church are intensely corrupt, but there are always going to be bad eggs in every basket and if you have a group as large as the Catholic clergy, you're bound to have some in there that do bad things. I still think it's legitimately different in that they do have humanitarian efforts and they do have the ability to leave whenever they want without repercussions aside from maybe a loss of job and living space if they happen to also work for and depend on the church, but they're not cut off from society. They can re-enter and usually be fine.

    • @alyssinclair8598
      @alyssinclair8598 Před 8 lety +6

      +EmileeArsenic the only real difference is the amount of control they have over each individual.

    • @coralaisly
      @coralaisly Před 8 lety +6

      Mortato Doesnthaveasurname Right, and that's what I think she was getting at. She's talking about destructive cults in particular, not just cults vs religion.
      I do agree that all religions are cults. They match certain definitions, but there are malicious and benign cults, as well as cults of different sizes and styles. After that, it's sort of just word choice based on connotation. Calling certain ones by different titles are just pointing to different areas under the same umbrella. They're all cults, it's just arranging them by damage potential and likelihood instead of membership numbers or some other criteria. Kinda like deciding to call one type of big ocean-dwelling black and white mammals Orcas or killer whales instead of just whales. Orcas are still whales, you're just being more specific. Then it's deciding whether to call them Orcas or Killer Whales depending on what connotation you want to give. Calling them Orcas doesn't remove them from being under the whale umbrella, but it does give a more peaceful mental image than calling them Killer Whales.

    • @kristiarnold9093
      @kristiarnold9093 Před 5 lety +3

      There is not always an intermediary between you and God in organized religion. If you are free and not in a cult, you are free to be like, this pastor doesn't know God well, and not listen to much of what he says/use discernment/or change churches. If you're under a cult though, which Roman Catholocism seems to be to a degree, for example, then the priests are seen as a representation of God, which is how they get away with sexually abusing so many children. And they try to "handle it" internally, which means the priests aren't held responsible under the law.

    • @Ronnymikkonen2686
      @Ronnymikkonen2686 Před 4 lety

      Organized religion is a word to legitimate. It's still a cult.

  • @lhughes3116
    @lhughes3116 Před 2 lety +2

    It's a huge problem how people try to do you in this world

  • @thedayisnigh5886
    @thedayisnigh5886 Před 5 měsíci

    Making decisions based on what will get you rewarded. Soft sell. You will carry out what management wants fine fir their goals

  • @mitchstevens4540
    @mitchstevens4540 Před 4 lety

    Are a perfect example of this

  • @Daisytoo
    @Daisytoo Před 5 lety +3

    I'm losing my daughter and grandson to a Ayhuaskah cult. My heart is broken, don't know what to do, only staying in prayer and trying to keep a bridge available should she see the light and chooses to leave.

    • @johnphilipashton
      @johnphilipashton Před 5 lety

      What kind of ayahuasca cult?

    • @Daisytoo
      @Daisytoo Před 5 lety +1

      Santo Daime @@johnphilipashton

    • @johnphilipashton
      @johnphilipashton Před 5 lety

      @@Daisytoo in my experience santo daime is not a destructive cult.

    • @Daisytoo
      @Daisytoo Před 5 lety +1

      Could that be because you're in it? @@johnphilipashton

    • @johnphilipashton
      @johnphilipashton Před 5 lety

      @@Daisytoo no, i am not. I was a student in a university course on the history of ayahuasca churches in Brazil (Santo daime and unio de vegeta). In my understanding they are recognised religious churches by the brazilian government and protected by the religion freedom restoration act in Brazil. They use ayahuasca as a sacrament. I have not seen evidence that Santo daime show signs of being a destructive cult. What makes you feel that santo daime is a destructive cult?

  • @emmanuelukoh7960
    @emmanuelukoh7960 Před 4 lety +1

    sounds very much like the TB Joshua synagogue in Lagos in Nigeria. heard exactly same testimonies from those that left the church.all the points align with these theories

  • @mariekatherine5238
    @mariekatherine5238 Před rokem

    Invite me to a health food commune? No, thanks! I ONCE went to dinner with a work colleague at such a place. I could see immediately that the people there were all “too nice” to us, to me in particular. This was in NYC and I was a total stranger. The meal was finally served when this woman named Madeline but called Mama Lynne arrived. She was obviously the leader and people fawned over her. Throughout the meal over which Mama Lynne presided was like a religious ritual everyone did weird things like close our eyes and meditate on the sexuality of bean sprouts! My colleague got into these bizarre activities whereas I just got creeped out. Sexuality of bean sprouts? After dinner we sat in a circle on the lawn and when Mama Lynne removed her shoes, everyone did the same. I noticed that people there walked like her, spoke in this odd cadence like her, and my colleague was doing it, too. After three hours, I’d had enough. I caught two couples glaring at me, mouthing some words in my direction. As soon as I stared back, they turned away from me. I think they were trying to put some sort of curse on me. There was a nighttime ritual of chanting, confession of “sins” of the day. My colleague wanted to stay overnight although that wasn’t permitted for first time visitors. I was so eager to get away from the place, I was willing to leave my coat behind when I couldn’t find it. Turns out some woman had just taken it to wear to get organic milk from the co-op. Everyone was free to take everyone else’s belongings because nobody owned anything. We were followed by one of the couples who were mumbling over me. I whispered it to my colleague as we went to board the Staten Island Ferry. She thought I was being paranoid until she saw them outside the terminal, just standing there. Then she said they were just making sure we got off safely as it was dark. When we disembarked in Manhattan, I wanted to get some coffee as the commune forbade caffeine and I had a withdrawal headache. There, we got into an argument, my colleague raving about returning on Saturday for a whole day, while I tried to convince her the place practically screamed, “CULT!” Who the f- was Mama Lynne or Madeline? So, she had a doctorate degree? In what? So what? Wasn’t she at all bothered by everyone following her movements, vocal cadence, and copying everything she did? And what was the bowing and wishing her health and rest as the last words everyone says for the day? And getting sexual satisfaction from bean sprouts? Really? I’ve got nothing against a group of people pooling resources to buy a home and growing organic foods, but selling my soul to some woman and becoming a clone? No, leave me out! Can you believe it, my colleague quit at work and went to live as a novice resident in the commune. I also quit about a year later for a better job, and moved to Queens. I lost track of all but one former colleague because we dated for about a year. About five years later, the place was in the news after a death under suspicious circumstances. The neighbors wanted the commune shut down as it was trying to acquire adjoining properties by unethical means and the place was attracting strange people to the area, some of whom had set up a tent village in the park, rendering it unsafe for children and there’d been an uptick in petty crime, theft from cars and garages, trespassing, a woman returned from her winter in Florida to find people squatting in her basement and cannabis growing in her garden! I don’t recall what ultimately happened, but kind of doubt the commune still exist.

  • @SanTenChan
    @SanTenChan Před 2 lety +1

    *I agree!*

  • @matthewmontague7937
    @matthewmontague7937 Před rokem

    This video helped. Didn't quite understand. I was vulnerable. People some how pick up on that. Interesting psudo memories. Mix fact with fantasy discernment. Doubt your self. They are always right. I'm the sinner. Didn't pray enough. Wasn't obedient enough. Always wrong. Doubt your self. Blame. Shame. Therapy helped. Gently taught critical thinking. Caused me to question false belief and weird Bible interpretation. Took years. Still wounded. Destroyed family. But it is ok. They were abusive too. At one point councilors hypnotized me. Helped. Tormented by OCD type thought. Still hurts but ok

  • @TheJohnMak
    @TheJohnMak Před 5 lety +10

    Wow you are talking about the Catholics and the Pope.

    • @SoftHana
      @SoftHana Před 4 lety +3

      Please elaborate... Catholics don't worship the Pope, they worship God. The Pope is here to remind us of the precepts of God's words and His tradition that were given by Jesus Christ himself.
      Cults are completely different. They will recruit someone by isolating the person for "bible studies" (so not group studies since they want the victim under strict surveillance). They will proceed with psychological torment under the mask of excessive niceness. And before you know it, it's too late.

    • @RollerOfEyes
      @RollerOfEyes Před 3 lety

      @@SoftHana I think he's talking about how Catholicism especially in Europe is super controlling and restrictive much like Mormonism.

    • @marmackk
      @marmackk Před 2 lety +1

      @@RollerOfEyes Sorry Catholics are not totalitarian,members are not deceptively recruited,they are not elitist,they dont lie to the public. Catholics can disagree with the Pople,Catholics dont isolate members from non members,Catholics can leave with their dignity in tact.John Macmillan wasnt listening.

  • @forfreedomssake4315
    @forfreedomssake4315 Před 3 lety

    Thanks

  • @lindacrist6736
    @lindacrist6736 Před rokem

    Thank you. I was a member. In the worldwide church of God. My mother went it when I was a kid later to be followed in byy sister than me. If you were a member you couldn't date marry or divorce out of it. I married man who mentally emotionally and spiritually abused me. I left that church after 23 years in it. My ex is still in ity daughter thinks I'm crazy cause I got PTSD and went through a major depression and because her dad tells her this. And she believes his present wife is stupid and crazy because her says so. I have taken so much abuse then and still it never stops. I'm the back of my mind I always thinking that the church told us that we would be destroyed and they would turn us over to Satan for our own good to bring us back so amy thing bad happens this is always present been out for over 30 years still getting abused by ex and son in law and daughter

  • @martintodd7712
    @martintodd7712 Před 4 lety +3

    I think Cults fit into the difinition of what Christ warned about in Mathew 24 verse 24 that.."False prophets would show great signs and wonders to decieve many." Its a wonder people can be happy and live in a cult community setting with all the social benifits and security with numerous Wonders. It could be a wonderful vehicle to get people through the wilderness of Life.