CULT

and the story of Jonestown

Why do people join a cult?

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"solution"

members

hierachy

leaders

jonestown

what is a cult?

index

A cult is a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology, that’s typically embodied in a charismatic leader. A typical cult requires a high level of commitment from its members and maintains a strict hierarchy. It claims to provide answers to life’s biggest questions through its doctrine, along with the required recipe for change that shapes a new member into a true believer. The cult environment discourages critical thinking, making it hard to voice doubts when everyone around you is modeling absolute faith. And though most cults don't lead members to their death, they can still be harmful by denying basic freedoms of thought, speech and stunt psychological and emotional growth.

what is a cult?

They are self-proclaimed, persuasive, have personal charme and claim to have a special mission or an exclusive knowledge that makes them undisputed authorities. Often their "extraordinary powers" are gifts from God as they themselves are his messengers. When they do not proclaim themselves to be God himself. They focus devotion on themselves, requiring absolute obedience from their followers. Thus legitimized, they make decisions on every aspect of the followers' lives. They tend to be resolute, not answering to any other authority for their actions. It is through them that salvation or enlightenment passes. The "faithful" are "chosen", while non-members are inferior, impure. Doubtful attitudes are repressed and silenced with the accusation of lack of faith, selfishness or demonic possession. In reality, behind a self-styled charismatic personality, there is often an individual capable of mind control techniques.

leaders

a cult leader uses personal charisma to attract initial followers, further expansion works like a pyramid scheme, with earlier members recruiting new ones. Cults are skilled at knowing whom to target, often focusing on those new to an area, or who have recently undergone some personal or professional loss. The recruitment process can be subtle, sometimes taking months to establish a relationship. In fact, more than two-thirds of cult members are recruited by a friend, family member or co-worker, whose invitations are harder to refuse.

hiearachy

Cults direct recruitment toward more vulnerable people because they are more likely to miss the various stages of deception; target the most available, obedient and altruistic people because they are easier to convince and manage. Loneliness and a desire for meaning make one susceptible to friendly people offering community. This does not mean that individuals who do not present these characteristics are invulnerable to the Leader's call, however the most fragile and vulnerable people undoubtedly represent the preferred prey.

Members

People are usually recruited using some of these methods:Hypnosis and trance, which involve altering consciousness to deepen relaxation and enhance focus. Cult leaders use hypnosis to instill ideologies advantageous to them into members’ minds, taking advantage of their vulnerability. Fear-mongering, used to instill irrational fears and maintain obedience. This may include portraying outsiders as dangerous, spreading apocalyptic prophecies or creating a sense of impending doom if members were to leave or defy the group. Thought reform, also known as brainwashing or mind control, used to reshape members’ beliefs, attitudes and identities to align with the group’s ideology. It employs techniques like information control, thought-stopping and manipulation of language to induce compliance.

recruitment

this was considered the largest incident of intentional civilian death in American history.

Created by Reverend Jim Jones in the 1960s, the commune was headquartered in California before moving to Guyana in 1977. Naming the land they leased "Jonestown," within a year almost 1,000 people were part of the commune. Around this time, they also began practicing drills known as "white nights," where the inhabitants of Jonestown would pledge their willingness to die or even pretend to drink poison. On November 18th, 1978, the drill became a reality when the followers of Peoples Temple Agricultural Project were forced to ingest cyanide. According to Time Magazine, over 300 children were forced to drink the cyanide-laced fruit punch, and those who didn't willingly follow Jones' instructions "were injected with poison; others tried to run for the surrounding jungle only to be shot by one of Jones' armed guards." In total, 918 people lost their lives. Jim Jones of the People’s Temple coerced obedience by collecting written confessions from followers, then publicly shaming or subjecting them to their deepest fears if they disobeyed.

Jonestown

some other cults

Many cult members find a way out, whether through their own realizations, the help of family and or friends when the cult falls apart.

To avoid falling into this manipulation, you must always know and be aware. It is important to recognize the difference between due and undue influence. Due influence involves informed consent, your choice, listening to your inner voice,free will, and the freedom to leave. However, undue influence is deceptive and manipulative. You are not allowed to question and your inner voice is suppressed. It includes isolation and control. It is also known as mind control or thought reform.

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