The last few decades have seen a surge in cult activity, resulting in heightened fear amongst the public. This fear has provided valuable insights into the tactics used by cults to recruit members and what indicators to be wary of. As a result, society has gained knowledge on how to effectively handle the issue of cults.
Cult activity and the fear that surrounds it
The media has been reporting an increase in illegal cult activity and murders committed by satanic cults in recent decades, which has sparked public interest and heightened fear surrounding them. Cults, defined as unconventional religious movements (McBride, 1985, 22), become more terrifying as they receive more attention from the public. The mass suicide of the People’s Temple or the murder of Sharon Tate have contributed to this fear and caused widespread panic. When people read about these incidents in the media, they often ask questions such as “How does this happen?” and “What can we do to prevent it from happening again?”
There is a rise in fear and concern regarding cult activity in our country, which can be attributed to the proliferation of sensational stories. The initial notable occurrence involving cults occurred at 10050 Cielo Drive in 1969. During this incident, a maid discovered five deceased individuals, including the captivating actress Sharon Tate who was pregnant at the time, as well as her acquaintances Steven Earl Parent, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowski, and Jay Sebring. It is truly tragic that their bodies were found mutilated throughout the house (Bugliosi, 1974, 18).
The nation’s attention was captured by the murders themselves, but it was the revelation of the murderers’ motives that truly instilled fear. In February of 1970, the motive of these murders was uncovered through police investigation (Bugliosi, 1974, 283). It was revealed that the murders were connected to a cult. Charles Manson and his followers, known as “The Family,” were responsible. Manson and his cult resided on a ranch in California. Manson, an enthusiastic fan of The Beatles, believed that their lyrics conveyed messages to him. He was particularly drawn to The Beatles’ White Album, which featured the song “Helter Skelter.” Manson interpreted the lyrics of this song as a prediction of an impending race war between blacks and whites. In his twisted ideology, Manson believed that during this war, black individuals would rise up and exterminate all white individuals. Thus, he devised a plan for his family to retreat to a bottomless pit in the desert and remain hidden until the war ended. Afterward, Manson anticipated that black individuals would realize their dependence on white teachings and seek guidance from them for survival. At that point, Manson and his Family would emerge from their hiding place and become rulers of the world as the superior race (Bugliosi, 1974, 284-290).
Despite Manson’s belief in Helter Skelter, the prophesied race war never occurred. In an effort to incite conflict, Manson ordered his Family members to murder Sharon Tate and her friends, with the intention of making it seem like the work of African Americans. To further this narrative, Manson instructed the murderers to write words like “Arise,” “Helter Skelter,” and “Death to the Pigs” on the walls using the victims’ blood. This heinous act and the subsequent trial gained immense media attention, fueling widespread fear and fascination with cults.
In 1979, a widely publicized cult incident occurred with the mass suicide in Jonestown (Green, 1993, 34). Jim Jones initiated his cult, known as the People’s Temple, in California. Reverend Jim Jones was the title his followers bestowed upon him. Operating under the guise of a home for troubled children, Jones managed to gather approximately 300 children, some of whom were obtained unlawfully, as well as around 600 men and women who wished to assist these children. Subsequently, Jones relocated from California and traveled to Guyana (Miller, 1990, 42). It was there that he persuaded his group of 900 followers, composed of men, women, and children, to consume cyanide-laced orange squash. Jones referred to this act as “revolutionary suicide” (Green, 1993, 34). This incident garnered significant attention from the public due to the large number of participants involved in the suicide. As news of the event spread via newspapers, concerns regarding cult activities escalated.
In April of 1993, the FBI discovered David Koresh and his cult, the Branch Davidians, who were isolated under his claim of being the reincarnation of Christ. The FBI’s involvement was prompted by their knowledge of the cult’s extensive weapons stockpile. Surrounding their Texas ranch with tanks and sharpshooters, a siege lasting several days ensued as Koresh refused to release his followers. Tragically, a fire erupted at the ranch causing the deaths of twenty-four individuals, including children. This incident further fueled public concerns about cult activities, particularly involving children whose participation was often coerced if their parents belonged to such groups.
Infrequent occurrences such as the Manson Family murders and the mass suicide at Jonestown capture significant attention in the news. On the other hand, ongoing news coverage predominantly revolves around incidents associated with Satanism. While many of these occurrences are minor and limited, their large quantity triggers concern.
In Jasper County, southwest Missouri, there was a highly publicized incident involving three high school seniors, namely Ron Clements, James Hardy, and Theron Roland II. They were found guilty of the murder of Stephen Newberry. During a satanic ritual, the trio repeatedly hit Newberry on the head with a baseball bat more than 50 times before disposing of his body in a cistern. Notably, this cistern already contained the remains of mutilated cats and squirrels. Throughout their trial, the three boys utilized their fascination with Satanism and devil worship as their defense. This case, along with many others from different parts of the country, captured media attention and heightened concerns about Satanism and Satanic Cults. According to Larry Jones, the founder of the Cult Crime Impact Network, he believes that Satanists sacrifice 50,000 children annually. With alarming statistics such as this one being quoted, it is unsurprising that fear surrounding satanic activities is on the rise.
Research has recently been conducted to investigate the risk factors and recruitment strategies used by cult leaders. The findings suggest that young individuals, particularly those in transitional stages like entering college, are mainly at risk of becoming cult members. Contrary to the belief that most cult members have pre-existing psychological problems, it is found that these individuals are typically normal. The recruitment process often involves a member of the opposite sex approaching the potential recruit with a friendly invitation to a dinner with friends. This marks the initiation of the intricate brainwashing technique (McBride, 1985,116).
The act of brainwashing, also known as mind bending or thought reform, is officially recognized as psychological coercion. There are different subtle methods of brainwashing. According to Fritz Knabe, a former cult member, comprehending brainwashing is difficult for those who hold their minds sacred and believe no one can manipulate their thoughts. Nevertheless, if the process is successful, an individual may be unaware that it is happening (Green, 1993, 36).
According to Miller (1990, 96), brainwashing aims to alter a person’s perception of reality by convincing them to embrace a new reality, manipulating their interpretation of past occurrences, encouraging the adoption of different beliefs, and ultimately transforming them into a committed member of a cult.
The book Coping with Cults explains a general approach to brainwashing. The approach involves isolating the individual and manipulating their surroundings. It also includes controlling the flow of information and communication. The method further entails subjecting the person to an inadequate diet and fatigue. The aim is to replace uncertainty, fear, and confusion with the promise of happiness, but only within the group. Lastly, the individual is assigned repetitive tasks like singing, chanting, or copying pages from a book (Miller, 1990, 98).
Charles Manson used the girls in his family to recruit and brainwash others. He allowed men to have sexual relations with the girls, which made the men easily manipulated by Manson. The family lived on an isolated ranch without clocks, and engaged in heavy drug use, particularly LSD. Manson frequently preached about Helter Skelter and organized large orgies. Sometimes, he would feed LSD to the family and recreate the crucifixion of Christ, with him playing the role of Jesus.
There appears to be a parallel between the extreme measures undertaken by cult recruiters to acquire new members and the extreme measures individuals will take to rescue their loved ones from cults. The initial approach used to liberate individuals from cults emerged during the 1970s and was known as deprogramming. Ted Patrick, often referred to as the “Father of Deprogramming,” spearheaded this method. Despite lacking any formal training in psychology or cults, Patrick recognized the need for action and offered his services to extricate loved ones from cults at a steep price of approximately $80,000. In his book, Let Our Children Go, Patrick advocated for an aggressive approach, comparing it to “fighting fire with fire,” with the intention of breaking individuals away from cult influence (Miller, 1990, 109). However, it is essential to note that deprogramming is illegal. This procedure entails forcibly detaining individuals against their will after kidnapping them, followed by a prolonged effort to dissuade them from returning to the cult (Miller, 1990, 111). Patrick openly participated in numerous abductions and faced a series of incarcerations for his unlawful actions. Deprogramming can be seen as a form of reverse brainwashing, though far less subtle. In fact, Patrick once remarked, “I firmly believe that the Lord helps those who help themselves – small things like karate, mace, and handcuffs can occasionally prove useful” (Green, 1993, 38).
Exit counseling is a much safer and legal alternative to cult recovery compared to tactics like kidnapping or restraint, which are just as detrimental as what cult leaders do. This process involves a meeting between the cult member who is targeted for extraction and ex-cult members, along with a psychologist. During these meetings, the cult member hears similar experiences from ex-cult members and gains insight into topics such as mind control (Miller, 1990, 110). Once the cult member becomes aware of their situation, they require assistance in leaving the cult and reintegrating into society. According to exit counselor Ayman Aksar, individuals often feel insecure and fearful during this process and require support (Green, 1993, 38). Consistent meetings with the exit counselor are essential for addressing these emotions.
Cult activity, whether it be the notorious Manson Family murders or random acts of Satanic nature, has long been a subject of fear and concern. These incidents have resulted in heightened public awareness and numerous unanswered questions. As a result, society has gained insight into identifying those at risk, recognizing warning signs, and understanding the legal and safe methods for extracting individuals from cults.
References
- Bugliosi, Vincent. (1974). Helter Skelter. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
- Futterman, Ellen. (1989, February 5). Hints of Darkness: Satanism Reports Stir Worry. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pp 1A+.
- Green, Caroline. (1993, Febuary). The Far-out World of Cults. Focus Magazine, pp. 34-38.
- McBride, James, Sheperd, Williams C., & Robbins, Thomas (Eds.). (1985). Cults, Culture, and the Law: Perspectives on New Religious Movements. The American Academy of Religion.
- Miller, Maryann. (1990). Coping With Cults. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
- O’Reilly, David. (1993, July 18). The Devil, You Say. The Philadelphia Inquirer, pp G1+.
