Cults
Katie Barry
Ballincollig CS, Cork
Cults are growing at a steady
rate and some ask, "why we don't try to help people get out of cults
instead of focusing on how they got involved in the first place?"
The answer, of course, is that we must try to stop others getting involved.
People who are already in a cult are suitably brainwashed and it would
be difficult to convince them of the cult’s ulterior motives. Also, by
knowing the recruitment methods of these groups, we are likely to be more
careful and will notice if we are being recruited.
Recruitment methods are obviously
very effective because of the increasing number and size of cults all
over the world. While there are exceptions, cults tend to look for intelligent
people who are well educated and/or well read, curious, idealistic and
unafraid of being classified as different. Naturally most cults will accept
any person who wants to join but they specifically target the people described
above. Believe it or not, cults target people of all ages, not only teenagers.
All people are vulnerable
to cult recruitment. A potential convert's vulnerability can depend on
a number of factors. Some factors are a need for love and attention, loneliness,
family strife, job loss, divorce, starting or finishing college or university,
death of a family member or friend, anger at an established church, etc.
One common recruitment technique
is term 'Switching'. This means twisting words in such a way as to convince
the person that what the person is saying corresponds with their beliefs.
When talking to a recruiter it is important to ask the person to define
everything they say as it could have a completely different meaning to
the one you picked up.
Another such technique is
taking advantage of a person going through a stage of personal crisis.
People who are emotional for any reason are more vulnerable to recruitment.
Recruits offer such people love and a way out. If caught in this type
of situation, one should put off making any major decisions especially
regarding religion. Beware of the over-friendly person who invites you
out to meetings and weekend camps.
An effective technique used
in many areas is peer pressure. It is used mainly among teenagers and
young adults as these are most susceptible to peer pressure.
Scripture Twisting is another
technique used. The Bible is difficult to comprehend at times and one
must 'read between the lines' and interpret the stories to understand
what is being said. The problem is that different people will read and
interpret things differently. In this way people can be convinced that
there is a backing to the beliefs of the cult.
These are but a few of the
techniques used by cults to recruit members. To name them all would be
impossible but by knowing just a few you become aware of their presence
and hopefully more careful. Remember that cults are easy to get into but
can be extremely difficult to get out of and remember that the overly
nice person isn't necessarily your friend.
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