Outside Links
This page is a new work in progress. The format will be a link followed by a site quote. The scope of links is limited to topics related to cults. These links are not an endorsement for the listed web sites. If a link is listed here, I read it and believe the content to be useful. Always, use critical thinking when evaluating content: determine the validity and subjective usefulness, no exceptions.
Psychological manipulation Excelent short Wikipedia article on the methods people use to unethically control others
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, unfair tactics. By advancing only the interests of the manipulator, often at another's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative, abusive, devious, and deceptive.
The following are basic ways manipulators control their victims:
1. Positive reinforcement - includes praise, superficial charm, sympathy, approval, gifts; attention...
2. Negative reinforcement - yelling, the silent treatment, intimidation, threats, swearing, emotional blackmail....
3. Intermittent or partial reinforcement - create an effective climate of fear and doubt...
4. Punishment, Lying, Shaming, Diversion, Brandishing anger:etc...
Twisted Scriptures A well known, well used, classic book.
The types of coercion and deception found in these discipleships are
1. The attitude that we are superior to all other churches, our message is superior as is our understanding of the Bible
2. A lack of tolerance for disagreement with leadership
3. Squelching of freedom of thought when thinking differs from the leadership's
4. Curtailed freedom of speech when opinions differ from those of the leaders
5. Hidden agendas as evidenced by deliberate withholding of information
7. Instilling a belief that disobeying certain requests (which...."
A Cult Survivors Handbook A powerful, sober, & helpful book.
"Cult leaders are often addicts and sociopaths, who have little regard for anyone but themselves. They see people as objects to exploit."
"Organizations, families and groups are spread over a spectrum of common characteristics. Groups on the healthy side of the spectrum show respect toward their own members and the outside world, they're fair in their dealings and trustworthy. Unhealthy groups expect submission; they're controlling and dishonest. As the disease progresses, abuse and exploitation develop."
"Child abusers strive to enter the institutional hierarchy of a cult, because they can hide their crimes more easily if people see them as gurus or preachers. Once in power, they elevate men like themselves into positions of authority; some cult leaders have a large entourage of thugs."
Propaganda Techniques Another Wikipedia article on the methods people use to unethically control others
Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing attitudes, including
1. Fear mongering - build anxieties to influence the opinions and actions
2. Ad nauseam - This argument approach uses tireless repetition
3. Black-and-white fallacy - Presenting only two choices
4. Name-calling technique to incite fears and arouse prejudices and many more..
Darkness To Light National Sexual Abuse Support Groups
"Courage is defined as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty - Merriam-Webster."
This page has many links. I evaluated a few that seem to be legit and helpful.
You don't have to be a hero to use courage. You should know by now, we all have it in us. Sometimes we just don't know it but it is used every single day by tens of millions of people.
Courage is found by needing it and then by exercising it. Take "one foot and step in front of the other" - slowly at first. By step, I mean leave an abusive relationship, leave a cult etc. Change that which holds you back or harms and vacate the inertia of the known. Adjusting can be difficult at first. After a few months of a new perspective, you'll know your once false comfort of the known was a bad illusion that kept you from living. You will probably need help, so plan accordingly. But, don't procrastinate -plan
Eventually, courage becomes second nature and you're more likely to use it than not when the time comes. What once seemed impossible is now likely. The first step is the hardest but most important.