Characteristics of a Cult

1. Characteristics of a Cult

2. Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups “Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship”. “This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.” - JanjaLalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

3. Characteristic #1: The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law. Catholicism • Jesus Christ, as God incarnate is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. • Questioning is encouraged as it leads to Truth. • Leadership since Jesus Christ (popes) do not impose their own ideologies. People’s Temple • “Die with dignity” • Based in partial truth – Jones based much of his teachings on Jesus’ command to sell everything and follow Him • Adulterous relationships with Jones • Spreading Jones’ message of socialism, world peace, integrated lifestyle – Claire Janaro, PT member Scientology • L. Ron Hubbard’s writings form the basis for all of Scientology’s practices • Hubbard is dead and current leader David Miscavige is quite removed from most members

4. Characteristic #2: Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished Catholicism • Questioning is encouraged and doubt is a natural human experience – both should lead one to fuller understanding. • Dissent should lead also to discussion and sharing. • Ie – Rev. Clay People’s Temple • To keep people from thinking for themselves - “We were never really allowed to speak with one other”, “Learned not to say anything to anyone”. – Grace Stoen, PT member • Discipline was handled internally – people were embarrassed, beaten, etc in front of the whole congregation Scientology • Defection and criticism result in one being labelled a “suppressive person” (SP) – those who impede Scientology’s progress. • SP’s are subject to the “fair game” doctrine* which allows for punishment and harassment using whatever means necessary (1960’s – Hubbard)

5. Characteristic #3: Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s). Catholicism • Prayer is part of the Christian life, but nothing is “used in excess to suppress doubts”. • Prayer is encouraged to take the form where one most readily encounters God, with that being the end in mind. People’s Temple • Song - “Never heard a man speak like this man before” – Hue Fortson Jr., PT member • Full-time Temple work was 20 hours per day – Neva Sly Hargrave, PT member • Up 6 days without sleep – Joyce Shaw-Houston , PT member • Discipline was handled internally – people were embarrassed, beaten, etc in front of the whole congregation Scientology • Uses “Dianetics” to rid people of “engrams”. See video clip. • Rumors that practices like “silent birth” are forced upon people. • Scientology insists all its practices are voluntary.

6. Characteristic #4: The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). Catholicism • The Church provides guidelines for living morally, and making decisions, but stresses the accountability of each person to their own conscience for their decisions. People’s Temple • People unquestioningly followed Jones to Ukiah, CA, and Jonestown, Guyana. • Eugene Cordell’s relative Edith followed Jones even though he told her she was crazy to do it. Jones got a psychiatrist’s assessment of her. • “I did allow Jones to think for me because I figured that he had the better plan.” – Hue Fortson Jr., PT member • When working for the city of SF, people would come to the meetings and stand, clap, etc on cue for Jones Scientology • ???

7. Characteristic #5: The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). Catholicism • Jesus Christ is considered to be the Messiah and saviour of humanity. The group is not the saviour of humanity. • Catholics are not above anyone else in society. People’s Temple • Jim Jones – “Some people see a great deal of God in my body. They see Christ in me. The hope of glory”. • Jim Jones says that he will be whoever the people want him to be – friend, father, saviour, God • A progressive socialist group who were inter-racial, inter-cultural and were going to bring about renewal to the world – integration, helping people. Scientology • The purpose of life is to free oneself of “engrams” and achieve the 8th dynamic – “the urge to exist as infinity or God” • One is responsible for his/her own “salvation”.

8. Characteristic #6: The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. Catholicism • Catholics are to follow the example of Christ and be servants of all humanity. They are not against the world, though they often live a lifestyle that is counter-cultural. People’s Temple • Jim Jones presented PT as a progressive movement that was threatened by outside forces. There were people (ie – gov’t – infiltrating, wire-tapping) who didn’t want PT doing what they were doing – Vernon Gosney, PT member • A fire in the SF temple was used as “proof” that people were out to get them. Scientology • Consider themselves to be in an “epic battle against specific dark forces”. • Label many groups as working specifically against them (ie – psychiatric profession, humanity in general).

9. Characteristic #7: The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations). Catholicism • All leaders – laypersons or ordained – are accountable to the authority structures of the Church and wider society. People’s Temple • Jim Jones says that he will be whoever the people want him to be – friend, father, God • Moved people to Jonestown in order to sever any sort of accountability to families or authorities  in response to a news article release and an impending gov’t investigation into his apparent cures for cancer, heart disease and arthritis Scientology • ????

10. Characteristic #8: The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group Catholicism • No such activity takes place. • Catholicism strives for a high ethical standard. People’s Temple • He preached the imminent end of the world due to nuclear war • Passed out a drink to all, said it was poison, then told them it wasn’t – said it was a test of how committed they were to the cause • Congressman Ryan’s visit resulted in his death and four other’s by PT security guards • Mass murder-suicide • “Die with dignity” – Jones • “If we cannot live in peace, then we’ll die in peace” – Jones Scientology • “Generally not willing to kill for their religion” • Not known for dictating who lives and dies • Most common accusations are fraud, extortion, and harassment, although other accusations such as kidnapping and negligent homicide have been made. • Some convictions – theft of government documents.

11. Characteristic #9: The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion. Catholicism • Shame and guilt are never to be used for manipulation or control. • People may feel shame or guilt of their own consciences at times (because of choices) but they are encouraged to seek reconciliation with their neighbor and God. People’s Temple • Made to feel guilty if you take to many luxuries, like sleeping – Hue Fortson Jr. , PT member • Members were called up to the front of the church and publically called out on their deeds that week. • Jones’ voice was going over the speaker system in Jonestown 24/7 – Deborah Layton, PT member Scientology • Some former members have indicated financial pressures as the reason for leaving or having feelings of suicide. • Anyone critical of Scientology is quick to be labeled a “suppressive person”.

12. Characteristic #10: Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group. Catholicism • Personal goals and activities are always under a person’s control. • Ties with family and friends are encouraged to be strengthened not severed. • Changes to a person’s lifestyle are always at their discretion. • God accepts us where we are at. Change happens when we desire it. People’s Temple • Following Jones to Ukiah leaving family behind. • Moving to Jonestown on a whim – 6 hours before an expose was going to hit newsstands • People left without any explanation to family members - Neva Sly Hargrave Scientology • Can freely interact with non-Scientologists, but not with “suppressive persons” (SP’s) – those who impede Scientology’s progress (may be family and friends). • May be banned from church activities if cont’d contact with SP’s • SP’s make up 2.5% of population.

13. Characteristic #11: The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. Catholicism • Sharing the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ is a priority – but it is not the sole preoccupation, and is not concerned with “membership” as its goal. People’s Temple • During summers when living in Ukiah they went on bus trips with the main purpose of seeking out new members for the People’s Temple – Claire Janaro, PT member Scientology • ????

14. Characteristic #12: The group is preoccupied with making money. Catholicism • Any money given to the Church is used for needs of the Church and community. • Ie – building; Friendship Inn; missions; hospital chaplaincy; ministry for marriage, separated, divorced; and on and on People’s Temple • Convinced people to sell their homes and give the money to the church – Deborah Layton, PT member • “Remember Jesus’ words to sell all” – Jones Scientology • One achieves the goals of Scientology by making use of various services. • Services cost hundreds up to thousands of dollars. • Pressure applied to use services is debated.

15. Characteristic #13: Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. Catholicism • A person has the freedom to be as involved in their church community as they desire. People’s Temple • Temple workers worked 20 hours a day • 6 days in a row • People’s Temple became activists for hire. 20 minutes to any protest and they were excited about it. (San Francisco) – Vernon Gosney, PT member • Couldn’t leave Jonestown if you wanted – shunned Scientology • Working through the courses and services offered can take up significant time. • Ie - One may spend hundreds of hours in “auditing” sessions.

16. Characteristic #14: Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members Catholicism • While fellowship with other Christians is important, being a witness and living life in the real world is just as important. • Living only with other Christians (ie – monastic life) is entirely voluntary. People’s Temple • Moving from Indiana to Ukiah following Jones. • Moving to “Jonestown” in Guyana– great difficulty leaving • “Going to the promised land.” Scientology • Some live among regular population, others live in communal arrangements. • Many accusations by former members about isolation from communal arrangements.

17. Characteristic #15: The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group. Catholicism • Christians are to live “in the world”, but not be “of the world”. • Catholics and other Christians are free to leave their church community or the faith altogether if they feel so inclined. People’s Temple • After receiving a beating, her co-workers told her she needed to leave PT and she couldn’t even tell her husband and son because they would have reported her – Neva Sly Hargrave • Jones told people that they couldn’t leave – the outside world would treat them badly • People killed on the airstrip trying to leave • Mass suicide rather than live on in the face of apparent oppression. Scientology • Leaving leads one to be labeled as a “suppressive person”.

18. Summary Let’s play…

19. Summary Let’s play… Is Catholicism a Cult? Is People’s Temple a cult? Is Scientology a cult? “Can You Spot The Cults?”

20. Sources • “Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups – Revised” – Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. • “Is Scientology a Cult? Evaluating Dangerous Cults” – Catherine Beyer • “Jonestown: The Life and Death of People’s Temple” – PBS documentary • “The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power” - Time Magazine May 6, 1991 page 50. • “The People's Temple, led by James Warren (Jim) Jones” – Religious Tolerance.org

21. engram • a mental image picture which is a recording of an experience containing pain, unconsciousness and a real or fancied threat to survival. It is a recording in the reactive mind of something which actually happened to an individual in the past and which contained pain and unconsciousness, both of which are recorded in the mental image picture called an engram. It must, by definition, have impact or injury as part of its content. These engrams are a complete recording, down to the last accurate detail, of every perception present in a moment of partial or full unconsciousness BACK