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Atheists should be in the pursuit of knowledge through a
rational process. Margaret Singer has
used this rational process to examine the world of cults. In her book, Cults In Our Midst , she outlines the research and analysis of
what a cult is. She applies the term to
groups that are on the edge of socially acceptable organizations. However, a discerning reader will see how the
techniques of the fringe groups, that she outlines, are reflected in
established religious denominations and social organizations.
An established organization brainwashes through group
conformity and undermines the critical thought of individual members. For example, a Baptist or Pentecostal (these
two groups often appear as non-denominational) control their members in a
similar manner to groups identified as cults, e.g., Scientology or Mormon.
Whether a group is a denomination or a cult, they still use
fear to keep people within their groups.
Singer identifies six conditions cults need for thought control:
1) Keep
the person unaware that there is an agenda to control or change the person
2) Control
time and physical environment (contacts, information)
3) Create
a sense of powerlessness, fear, and dependency
4) Suppress
old behavior and attitudes
5) Instill
new behavior and attitudes
6) Put
forth a closed system of logic
These are applied to adult converts, and if you were to
convert as an adult to a denomination the criteria for success is similar:
1) They
do not explicitly state their agenda.
They too want to keep the convert in a state of acceptance to their
group.
2) The
mainline denominations use less control of time and environment, but peer
pressure compensates for this factor.
3) The
element of fear is disguised as faith.
If you do not strengthen your faith, you will suffer the consequence - a
separation from God and eternal hell.
4) All
groups want your behavior to conform to the standards of that group and to
leave your old self behind.
5) All
groups create a closed system of logic that works if you do not challenge the
core premises' of that group. For
example, Christians start from a premise that the Bible is the inspired word of
God. If that word says there was a
virgin birth, it must be true. God's
word does not lie, even in the area of the impossible.
For Singer there are four concerns about what is wrong with
cults:
1) They
cause damage to the individual and families - so do denominations, e.g. , the
Pentecostals or Baptists in their use of faith healing.
2) They
use sophisticated psychological and social persuasion techniques - so do
denominations, e.g., Catholics and Lutherans use these techniques in their
sermons to keep parishioners faithful to the church.
3) They
use their wealth to suppress criticism - Catholics and Episcopalians have on
occasions used their wealth to suppress bad press by buying off the critics of
pedophile priests.
4) They
encroach on our freedoms through authoritarian disguised as moral laws and
other legal means - so do denominations, e.g., Evangelical and Fundamentalist
groups, led by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, have tried to pass an agenda
into law that would control the rights of homosexuals and take away abortions
rights.
Singers' research and coverage of
cult operations, behaviors, and the way to get out of these groups is
extensive. There are organizations and
resources listed in the book that will assist a person in shedding the
influence of these cults. However, they
support a religious agenda from the mainline denominations in most cases. These same techniques that help people get
out of cults, may be used to get out of mainline churches or
organizations. It is important to
develop critical thinking skills that expose the falsity religions and cults.
Although Singer provides extensive
research, her style and content could easily be read by the average
person. The fact that she recommends
specific steps to counter being ensnared into cult groups
does not prevent us from seeing the application of the material to
denominations. - Grant Steves
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