I first learned of Dr Singer on her diagnosis of Hillside Strangler suspect Kenneth Bianchi. I was delighted to see that she was one of the foremost experts on Cults. Sad to hear she passed.
I was in a small church for about 10 years that, while not strictly a cult, did have cultic tendencies such as strong group pressure to conform to dress and behaviour codes, psychological manipulation through intense "counselling" with elders (all of whom were men because women couldn't be elders or counsellors), "spiritual" jargon that no one else understood, and a very haughty attitude toward other denominations or anyone else who didn't agree with our particular interpretations of scripture. I think the main things that distinguished us from a cult were that there was no one specific leader, and no one tried to directly control our finances, friend selection, family contact, etc. Though sadly, general group pressure did take care of a lot of that. After almost a decade I finally began to grow tired of the constraints. I began attending additional churches of other denominatios, delving into the history of Christianity, reading interdenominational materials, etc. This gave me new friends, resources and places to worship outside of the little, tight-knit church I'd been in for so long. Finally I decided to make a clean break and announce before the whole group that I was leaving, and why. Most of them never bothered to stay in contact after that. But that was alright because I had already found another church and friends that I really loved, and where I could grow as a person and expand my horizons in new and exciting ways. My faith has never depended on a group, though. I've been in many different denominations both before and after that little church, but my faith in Jesus has remained. And even the little church wasn't all bad. In retrospect I learned a lot that I still use today. However, I never want to go back, ever. The Lord led me out when the time was right, and I've never looked back.
I'm sure glad I left it I caught on to it real fast because I wasn't a member that long but I did get out of it and I'm thankful to God I did but I feel so sad and then happy for the people that are still in it I pray for them and I love them and I haven't learned to witness to them yet because I still need to do my own recovery from it but this video is such a blessing
I appreciate this video lesson. My husband was in a family cult up to the age of 34. Although he understands the cult was a wrong thing to be in. He is unable to be completely free. For 18 years we have struggled. He displays much mental and emotional stress. He is not whole. He grabs his head and says "I'm confused." He spends his time isolated at times he talks to me and tells me something but his words are fragmented I look into his eyes and he is not there.
You might find the resources on our website helpful, www.icsahome.com. In particular, see the support (www.icsahome.com/support) and events (www.icsahome.com/events) pages. Michael Langone, PhD, Executive Director
This is something I can relate to. Having been involved with a cult-like church in my 20's and which now stands accused (and partially convicted) of multiple accounts of abuse - spiritual, financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual. Though it has been some years since I was last at a meeting I find that, for the most part, they still own a large part of my thinking (the result of using fear to instil obedience) and above all I find that I cannot think about this subject clearly. Normally highly logical, to the point of being accused of being cold and brutally pragmatic at times, no logic do I find, just the endless echoes of the control mechanisms they used to retain people (if you leave you hate God. If you don't obey you hate God. Personal interpretations of scripture served up as gospel, alternative opinions swiftly and mercilessly quashed. Etc. Bear with him. Just love him as he is. Patience and forbearance will achieve much over time that a 1000 pithy saying will not.
The idea that "only stupid people enter a cult" seems like a defence reaction to me, and probably also a lack of empathic imagination that the person might actually have been deceived into the cult with false pretenses. However ... I've been on the border of cults and not been sucked in. Experience of leaving one cult, gives an "immuno defence" against new cults. Nowadays I constitute my own cult, and there is just one member in it.
So so amazingly helpful. So wish i could have qn hour with this lady. Or learn it all and set up charity offering cult leavers therapy housing and support from a non religious anti cult org. Its something my heart so driven to do now 20 years after being out. My recovery would of been alot quicker and less painful to of had such support. I like many rolled on into other religious cults and domestic abuse.
I am a member of a cult for 25 years. I have also investigated other cults than mine and cults that overlap. My experience is that the members who become mentally ill also become mentally ill in the society at large; in schools, colleges, the military, organizations, religions
Many cults are led by pedophiles, and separating family members from each other is commonplace. There's also financial exploitation. Many cults make sure their followers don't get enough to eat, or don't get enough sleep, to dull their cognitive processes and make their minds more malleable... So their health and well being suffers, even if they haven't committed suicide.
You lose the ability to think for yourself. You become a robot. In essence you lose your true self and become a mere automaton to serve the cult leader and his agenda and ego.
"Thought Reform is all around us in the society. From the nation state, religions, parents, peers and 24 hour barrage of media and advertising! I think you are not against cults you are against "unofficial" as yet cults!
I have a longtime friend who was a member of a Jesus based agricultural cult when in her teens. She was happy there. she found friends, lovers community and meaningful work. Her parents were well off and paid a deprogrammer to abduct her and deprogram her. She suffered severe trauma as a result, rage toward her parents who forced her to follow their vulgar, venal and alcoholic life style. She has had to cope with that awful betrayal her entire life. But the eyes of the society her parents have committed no crime.
Antarblue I think you have made a good point. I like what Steven Hassan has written on Freedom of Mind. He states that How do I get my loved one/family member/friend out? Is the INCORRECT mindset. The correct mindset is: How do I encourage my loved one/family member/ friend to think for themselves? The fact they may actually be happy with where they are is a distinct possiblity that should be respected.
@@marvincderuyscher9676 I don't think anyone is truly happy if they are in a genuine cult, it's an abusive group. But that doesn't mean there's not in good the group, they may be better off there than in former circumstances. Many people choose abusive relationships, after all. But it is psychologically dangerous to stay in true cults, things can go very terrible esp if they get more deeply sucked in. People should follow the laws, not kidnapping etc. Respect is probably important to winning the trust of those in cults, incl. respect for freedom of choice to believe and do what they want, which should stand in stark contrast/juxtaposed to the cult. Steve is great
The only difference between a cult and one of the recognized religions is that in the religion the leader has long ago died and that the established religions are far more pernicious!
Have you ever listened to the Jim Jones tapes? When he learns his followers have already taken care of the senator, he tells someone to take The CIA station chief of French Guiana to the “east house” for protection. He called him by name, but why would he need protection if everyone was determined to depart this world?
Man this is interesting 🤔 Feel so bad how easily some are manipulated wish there was a law to protect them👀 maybe freedom of religion is a bad idea 😳!Am i right or not?🤷
The speaker herein fails to show any causal link between being a member of a cult and this litany of social awkwardness' ie One does not have to be a member of a cult to experience difficulty in saying no or expressing one's opinion. Or using current day jargon...etc
Sounds like you are aggressively enforcing the projected accepted mores and behavior of the educated middle class in US. Not all members of this class behave in the prescribed manner, the ruling class never does and the lower socio-economic.
She was amazing in this field and so very appreciated from where I stand. RIP.
I first learned of Dr Singer on her diagnosis of Hillside Strangler suspect Kenneth Bianchi. I was delighted to see that she was one of the foremost experts on Cults. Sad to hear she passed.
I was in a small church for about 10 years that, while not strictly a cult, did have cultic tendencies such as strong group pressure to conform to dress and behaviour codes, psychological manipulation through intense "counselling" with elders (all of whom were men because women couldn't be elders or counsellors), "spiritual" jargon that no one else understood, and a very haughty attitude toward other denominations or anyone else who didn't agree with our particular interpretations of scripture. I think the main things that distinguished us from a cult were that there was no one specific leader, and no one tried to directly control our finances, friend selection, family contact, etc. Though sadly, general group pressure did take care of a lot of that.
After almost a decade I finally began to grow tired of the constraints. I began attending additional churches of other denominatios, delving into the history of Christianity, reading interdenominational materials, etc. This gave me new friends, resources and places to worship outside of the little, tight-knit church I'd been in for so long. Finally I decided to make a clean break and announce before the whole group that I was leaving, and why. Most of them never bothered to stay in contact after that. But that was alright because I had already found another church and friends that I really loved, and where I could grow as a person and expand my horizons in new and exciting ways.
My faith has never depended on a group, though. I've been in many different denominations both before and after that little church, but my faith in Jesus has remained. And even the little church wasn't all bad. In retrospect I learned a lot that I still use today. However, I never want to go back, ever. The Lord led me out when the time was right, and I've never looked back.
that sounds a lot like the Jehovah witnesses. thanks for sharing, and fyi a cult can have multiple leaders. have a nice day:)
She is such a gift. Wow. This video is so soothing to my soul.
She's an genius..
These anticult videos have the by far best background music of any youtube videos: silence! I love silence and long pauses between the sentences!
True, specially when they use those over exciting childish songs for presentations, it's worst than baby shark on a loop lol
Very accurate also. Literally what she said was what happened to me after and while I was in the cult
I'm sure glad I left it I caught on to it real fast because I wasn't a member that long but I did get out of it and I'm thankful to God I did but I feel so sad and then happy for the people that are still in it I pray for them and I love them and I haven't learned to witness to them yet because I still need to do my own recovery from it but this video is such a blessing
Cults in Our Midst by Margaret Thayler Singer is an excellent book.
Great material. Point by point.
I appreciate this video lesson. My husband was in a family cult up to the age of 34. Although he understands the cult was a wrong thing to be in. He is unable to be completely free. For 18 years we have struggled. He displays much mental and emotional stress. He is not whole. He grabs his head and says "I'm confused." He spends his time isolated at times he talks to me and tells me something but his words are fragmented I look into his eyes and he is not there.
You might find the resources on our website helpful, www.icsahome.com. In particular, see the support (www.icsahome.com/support) and events (www.icsahome.com/events) pages. Michael Langone, PhD, Executive Director
This is something I can relate to. Having been involved with a cult-like church in my 20's and which now stands accused (and partially convicted) of multiple accounts of abuse - spiritual, financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual.
Though it has been some years since I was last at a meeting I find that, for the most part, they still own a large part of my thinking (the result of using fear to instil obedience) and above all I find that I cannot think about this subject clearly. Normally highly logical, to the point of being accused of being cold and brutally pragmatic at times, no logic do I find, just the endless echoes of the control mechanisms they used to retain people (if you leave you hate God. If you don't obey you hate God. Personal interpretations of scripture served up as gospel, alternative opinions swiftly and mercilessly quashed. Etc.
Bear with him. Just love him as he is. Patience and forbearance will achieve much over time that a 1000 pithy saying will not.
53:28 "yes, there is life after the cult" (small smile) -- well that was an encouraging little statement!
Starts 4:00
"The mind gives meaning to anything, but the meaning it gives is meaningless." J. Krishnamurti
What a crucial video, posted 9 yrs ago and only 550 likes?
Fantastic video!
The idea that "only stupid people enter a cult" seems like a defence reaction to me, and probably also a lack of empathic imagination that the person might actually have been deceived into the cult with false pretenses. However ... I've been on the border of cults and not been sucked in. Experience of leaving one cult, gives an "immuno defence" against new cults. Nowadays I constitute my own cult, and there is just one member in it.
Such a great point that clergy need training and support on how to care for members who have been in a cult before.
So so amazingly helpful. So wish i could have qn hour with this lady. Or learn it all and set up charity offering cult leavers therapy housing and support from a non religious anti cult org. Its something my heart so driven to do now 20 years after being out. My recovery would of been alot quicker and less painful to of had such support. I like many rolled on into other religious cults and domestic abuse.
*Very interesting!*
Obedience in our society is enforced by armies and para military police forces using guns, bombs, tanks and sonic weapons. I call this "high control"
Life is a cult
I am a member of a cult for 25 years. I have also investigated other cults than mine and cults that overlap. My experience is that the members who become mentally ill also become mentally ill in the society at large; in schools, colleges, the military, organizations, religions
Covid 2020
She starts talking at 4 minutes
Besides being killed in a mass murder/suicide what exactly is the down side of living in a cult?
Many cults are led by pedophiles, and separating family members from each other is commonplace. There's also financial exploitation. Many cults make sure their followers don't get enough to eat, or don't get enough sleep, to dull their cognitive processes and make their minds more malleable... So their health and well being suffers, even if they haven't committed suicide.
You lose the ability to think for yourself. You become a robot. In essence you lose your true self and become a mere automaton to serve the cult leader and his agenda and ego.
"Thought Reform is all around us in the society. From the nation state, religions, parents, peers and 24 hour barrage of media and advertising! I think you are not against cults you are against "unofficial" as yet cults!
how long is this intro??????
cult ,is there a place help to get rid of it,
I have a longtime friend who was a member of a Jesus based agricultural cult when in her teens. She was happy there. she found friends, lovers community and meaningful work. Her parents were well off and paid a deprogrammer to abduct her and deprogram her. She suffered severe trauma as a result, rage toward her parents who forced her to follow their vulgar, venal and alcoholic life style. She has had to cope with that awful betrayal her entire life. But the eyes of the society her parents have committed no crime.
Antarblue I think you have made a good point. I like what Steven Hassan has written on Freedom of Mind. He states that How do I get my loved one/family member/friend out? Is the INCORRECT mindset. The correct mindset is: How do I encourage my loved one/family member/ friend to think for themselves? The fact they may actually be happy with where they are is a distinct possiblity that should be respected.
@@marvincderuyscher9676 I don't think anyone is truly happy if they are in a genuine cult, it's an abusive group. But that doesn't mean there's not in good the group, they may be better off there than in former circumstances. Many people choose abusive relationships, after all. But it is psychologically dangerous to stay in true cults, things can go very terrible esp if they get more deeply sucked in. People should follow the laws, not kidnapping etc. Respect is probably important to winning the trust of those in cults, incl. respect for freedom of choice to believe and do what they want, which should stand in stark contrast/juxtaposed to the cult. Steve is great
Sounds like her family was more of a cult than the.god bothering carrot crunchers
You mean the Amish? That's not a cult. It's a genuine lifestyle choice, for the most part. It's about as much of a cult as a family usually is.
The only difference between a cult and one of the recognized religions is that in the religion the leader has long ago died and that the established religions are far more pernicious!
Losing one's keys is also a "big deal" outside of cults ie in military or tense corporate situations or even in nuclear families
No sound
👍🏽✌🏽🏆🤔🏅🇲🇽💪🏽❤️
She was an operative in MKultra according to Mark Philips!
Have you ever listened to the Jim Jones tapes? When he learns his followers have already taken care of the senator, he tells someone to take The CIA station chief of French Guiana to the “east house” for protection. He called him by name, but why would he need protection if everyone was determined to depart this world?
You believe that it naturally follows that when people fall in love they get married?
Being married multiple times is not dependent on being a cult member
Man this is interesting 🤔 Feel so bad how easily some are manipulated wish there was a law to protect them👀 maybe freedom of religion is a bad idea 😳!Am i right or not?🤷
The speaker herein fails to show any causal link between being a member of a cult and this litany of social awkwardness' ie One does not have to be a member of a cult to experience difficulty in saying no or expressing one's opinion. Or using current day jargon...etc
Not all cults are Abrahamic cults
21=brain fog, current situation
NA is a cult
Sounds like you are aggressively enforcing the projected accepted mores and behavior of the educated middle class in US. Not all members of this class behave in the prescribed manner, the ruling class never does and the lower socio-economic.