Minority Report 2017 (Alcoholics Anonymous): "Synanon Cult influence on Alcoholics Anonymous, Addiction Treatment and the Criminal Justice System 1968-2017"

The latest version of the Minority Report submitted: 12.01.17 to GSO (Great Britain) for consideration as a topic for Conference 2018

Authors: Members of Alcoholics Anonymous resident in Great Britain

Abstract: 

 

Comment: In due course we will be disseminating this report via a number of routes to other agencies throughout Great Britain (and the US) for their consideration. This is a matter of substantial public interest.

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous) 

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)

Annual International Conference

Theme: Children in High Control Groups

25-27 June, 2015

Pre Conference Workshops 24th June

Ariadne Scandic Hotel Södra Kajen 37, SE-115 41, Stockholm, Sweden.

For details and registration click here http://www.icsahome.com/events/conferenceannual

“There will be a series of sessions on the conference theme as well presentations relevant to the needs of mental health professionals, former members, researchers, families, and others.”

Speakers include:

Hamed K. El-Said, PhD - advisor to the United Nations al-Qaeda and Taliban Monitoring Team (2008-2013), Chair and Professor of International Business and Political Economy at the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. (UK)

Eileen Barker, PhD, PhD h.c., OBE, FBA - Professor Emeritus of Sociology with Special Reference to the Study of Religion at the London School of Economics, University of London. (UK)

Rod Dubrow-Marshall, PhD, MBPsS - Professor of Psychology and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Derby. (UK)

Russell H. Bradshaw, EdD [A.B. (Wesleyan University), EdM, EdD (Harvard University), Cand. Polit. (University of Oslo)] - Associate Professor at Lehman College, City University of New York. (USA)

Steve Hassan, M.Ed., LMHC, NCC - Director of Freedom of Mind Resource Center. (USA)

Cyndi Matthews, PhD, LPC-S, NCC – a Counseling Practitioner and Counseling Professor, at New Horizons Center for Healing in McKinney, Texas, and at the University of North Texas-Dallas. (USA)

Heidi Hough – escaped from a Christian fundamentalist cult at the age of sixteen. (USA)

Tony McAleer - Executive Director of Life After Hate http://lifeafterhate.org/ and EXIT USA. Tony was recruiter and leader in the skinhead and white power movement in North America for over a decade before undergoing his own personal disengagement and de-radicalization process. (USA)

Elizabeth Blackwell – was born into a Christian family who became heavily involved in a Bible-based doomsday cult. In 2009, she sought help in coming to terms with her cult experience. She serves on the board of reFOCUS, http://www.nwrain.com/~refocus/ a cult survivor support network. (USA)

Dianne Casoni, PhD - Professor, School of Criminology, University of Montreal. Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec a Montréal (Canada)

Marie-Andrée Pelland, PhD - Assistant Professor, Sociology Department, Université de Moncton, New Brunswick. (Canada)

Fan Hong, PhD - Associate Professor of Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Chinese People`s Public Security University, Beijing. (China)

Biaowen Huang, PhD - Assistant Professor at the Department of Journalism and Communication, University of Chinese Academy of Science. (China)

Dr. Yaming Li - Associate Professor in department of medical humanities, Capital Medical University. (China)

Carmen Almendros, PhD - Associate Professor in the Biological and Health Psychology Department at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. (Spain)

Juan Fco Godoy García, PhD - Professor in Psychology at University of Granada. (Spain)

Aini Linjakumpu - Lecturer in Politics in the Department of Social Studies at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi and Adjunct Professor at the University of Tampere. (Finland)

Jadwiga Daszykowska, PhD, Hab - Associate Professor at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin – Off-Campus Faculty of Law and Social Sciences in Stalowa Wola. (Poland)

Henri de Cordes – past parliamentary assistant of the Deputy, Antoine Duquesne and author of the report of the inquiry committee of the Belgian House of Representatives on the illegal practices of cults (1996–1997). (Belgium)

Liselotte Frisk - Professor in Religious Studies at Dalarna University. (Sweden)

Kimiaki Nishida - Professor of Social Psychology in the Faculty of Psychology, Rissho University. (Japan)

Masaki Kito, - member of the Legal Team Representing Victims of Aum Shinrikyo, member of the National Network of Lawyers against Spiritual Sales and the Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery (JSCPR), founding partner of LINK LAW OFFICE Kito and Partners in Tokyo. (Japan)

Takashi Yamaguchi, Esq - member of the Tokyo Bar Association and practices law at Link Law Office. He represents victims of cultic groups. (Japan)

Stephen Bruce Mutch PhD, LLB, (UNSW) - Honorary Fellow in the Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University, Sydney. (Australia)

For full list of speakers click here http://www.icsahome.com/events/conferenceannual/speakers

The ICSA Annual Conference is being held jointly by The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Info-Secte/Info-Cult of Montreal and Hjälpkällan (Help Source - a support organization for people leaving closed religious movements)

Cheers,

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Problems in Exposing Cults

Extract from the aacultwatch forum (old)

“Difficulties in Identifying a Cult

It is difficult for an outsider to know whether a particular group is a cult, or may have developed cultish undercurrents. Although there are some pointers and external indicators, it really takes an insider's perspective to know what goes on inside a particular group. Only insiders can really blow the whistle on any abuses within cults.

In theory, it is possible for a cult to be a harmless or even a beneficial organisation. Mind control can be used beneficially, for example to cure people of drug addiction, through reorienting their beliefs and self-image away from addiction. One of the UK's leading cult experts said that she first became interested in cults when she became aware that cults were using techniques similar to those that were being used therapeutically within the medical profession in order to cure people of drug addiction. Rev. Jim Jones (of the Jonestown massacre) started off as a drugs counsellor in New York. The Scientologists claim to be able to cure people of drug addiction, and they probably can. The FWBO has plans to set up a drug rehabilitation unit with help from Dutch Bank Triodos. There are allegations that some Alcoholics Anonymous groups have developed into abusive cults.

The problem is that abuses can occur when powerful techniques are used in a situation without proper checks and balances. So while it may be theoretically possible for a cult to be entirely beneficent, given human nature and the non-accountability of cult leaders, such cults are comparatively rare. Most cults sooner or later are revealed to have fallen prey to some degree to their leadership's desires for adulation, money, power, or sex.

A cult will tend to deny and cover up any abuses by its leadership, and details may only emerge years later [28]. A cult is more or less immune from outside investigation or regulation, because psychological coercion in the form of brainwashing or mind control is almost impossible to prove. This difficulty of proof stems mostly from the subjective nature of personal belief itself, as discussed earlier, but there are some additional practical obstacles which may face a whistleblower, someone who becomes openly critical of the cult they were once a member of.

Difficulties Facing Critical Ex-members

In general, cults have a hierarchical or pyramid type of structure. At the lowest level, members are part-timers who are only partially committed to the group and are who are only lightly brainwashed. All the cult leadership really requires of this level is that members should speak well of the group and be generally positive. Members at this level have little power or influence, and are unlikely to be aware of the full range of the cult's teachings, knowledge of which is restricted to a trusted inner circle of committed, full-time members.

Members at a part-time level of commitment are less likely to be manipulated or abused to any significant extent, because achieving strong influence over a person really requires that they be exposed to a mind control environment on a more full-time basis. Mind control only works on a foundation of personal friendship and trust, and it takes time and effort to establish this foundation. Strong mind control is partly a one on one process, in which the controlee is assigned a personal mentor, a more senior and experienced member, who is willing to devote the patience and effort needed to coach the aspirant/controlee in the beliefs and practices of the group.

For this practical reason, therefore, strong mind control is generally only applied to selected individuals who are perceived to be not only receptive, but who also have something in particular that the group leadership wants. Sometimes this is money or sex, or it may be some practical or business skill which is desired by the group leadership in order to expand the group or to raise money. The greater majority of members are not specially targeted, and are only relatively lightly brainwashed.

A person involved at a more superficial level may find it genuinely difficult to believe what goes on in some of the more committed levels of membership. Members who have not been specially targeted, and who have enjoyed the warmth and friendship of the group without having been exposed to its darker side, will tend to think well of the group, and may be puzzled by criticisms of it. These positive and supportive members can be used as a public relations shield, to counter any allegations against the group, and to reassure new members. Individual critics can be simply outnumbered and their criticisms discredited.

Even if a member involved at a less committed level is not swayed by the general air of positivity, and does develop suspicions about the group, they are unlikely to have enough inside information about the group to be able to verify their suspicions, or to be in a position to effectively warn others of potential problems. Nevertheless, the mere suspicion that a group might be a cult can be enough to deter a person from becoming involved, and so it can still be worth making relevant criticisms and sowing the seeds of suspicion.

If a critic is an insider, someone who has been more deeply involved and who has enough inside knowledge about a cult to be able to make detailed criticisms, they will still be unable to prove anything (because of the subjective nature of personal belief in general, and the non-falsifiable nature of cult belief systems in particular). They will be unable to prove that the group used deception or misrepresentation in marketing the benefits of participation in group run courses and activities.

If an ex-member claims that they were subjected to brainwashing or mind-control techniques, not only is this again unprovable, but it is tantamount to admitting that they are a gullible and easily led person whose opinions, consequently, can't be worth much. If an ex-member suffers from any mental disorientation or evident psychiatric symptoms, this is likely to further diminish their credibility as a reliable informant.

Additionally, dissatisfied members or other critics have great difficulty in disproving ad-hominem arguments, such as that they just have a personal axe to grind, that they are trying to find a scapegoat to excuse their own failure or deficiency, or that they are simply being subjective and emotional. Cults have a vested interest in challenging the personal credibility of their critics, and may cultivate academic researchers who attack the credibility and motives of ex-members. [29]

In general, the public credibility of critical ex-cultists seems to be somewhere in between that of Estate Agents and flying saucer abductees."

Source:  http://www.fwbo-files.com/CofC.htm#Ex

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS To use “comment” system simply click on the relevant tab below this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage

PPS For new aacultwatch forum see here. Have your say!

“Cults” and Globalization: Reflections and Questions

A review of the concept of “cults”. See here

Revised from a presentation at the International Symposium on Cultic Studies (Bangkok, Thailand), organized by Graduate School of Philosophy and Religion, Assumption University, Thailand and the Institute of Religious Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China, December 15–16, 2011

See also Links and downloads

Minority Religions: Contemplating the Past and Anticipating the Future

Inform Anniversary Conference
 

Minority Religions: Contemplating the Past and Anticipating the Future

New Academic Building, London School of Economics, London
Friday 31 January - Sunday 2 February 2014

 
Inform is celebrating over a quarter of a century of providing information that is as reliable and up-to-date as possible about minority religions with an Anniversary Conference to be held at the London School of Economics, UK

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to the AA member for drawing our attention to this

Conference Questions (2013) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 2 

Question 1:

Share experience on getting articles on AA in the local press and make suggestions on how the Fellowship can get articles into the national press.

Background

1. Members are having some success on getting articles on AA in their local newspapers
2. The Fellowship has not succeeded so far in getting articles on AA in the national press.

[See also: The Traditions, Preamble and Concepts]

Extracts:

“ I would say the press articles are significant rather than interesting. The Washingtonian movement collapsed after getting a “black eye” from the public (The Language of the Heart, p 5). According to one estimate, numbers in the Washingtonian movement reached up to around 600,000 before the movement collapsed. AA is only around four times larger than the Washingtonian movement. The reason why AA has grown is down largely to the maintaining of positive public relations. I don’t think it is a pity that Guideline 19 precludes me from including links to the press articles. I think I have made my position clear and given reasons for it in the committee 6, question two topic. You can read them easily enough online by pasting the newspaper name and article title into your search engine. I suggest you read them. Here are a few quotes from a number of the articles:

“Some get turned off “when someone comes up to you as a new member of AA and tells you, ‘if you don’t find God, you’re going to die a drunk’,” “That rigidity is very religious, very intolerant and very hurtful to a number of recovering alcoholics who are looking for an avenue to get sober.” “Those who have been through its mill claim it is `authoritarian' and `fascistic', employs brainwashing techniques and is cult-like in its attitude to members.” “AA is bondage of another form. It is evangelical and rabid in outlook.” "After a year with AA, you're like a Moonie and you're probably in a relationship with another AA member," “AA only works if you're prepared to take it on as a religion.” “A number of ex-members and addiction treatment professionals have accused it of having cult-like qualities and using brainwashing and bullying methods that weak and vulnerable people are particularly susceptible to.” “A federal appeals court found two years ago that "AA is a religion" and a state court of appeal ruled: "Adherence to the AA fellowship entails engagement in religious activity and religious proselytisation."

Perhaps the press articles might go some way to explain why one of the most frequent questions asked by professionals on the GSO (GB) website is: c) Is it a cult? (Information For Professionals, FAQs). Last Year I twelve stepped an alcoholic being detoxed on a hospital ward. The doctor referred him to several agencies for help after he was discharged, but not AA. I asked him if the doctor gave a reason. He said it was because the doctor thought AA is “unquantifiable.” ”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also AA Minority Report 2013

Cult groups – how to identify them – how to get rid of them

We frequently get enquiries from AA members who are concerned about the activities of cult groups operating in their area but are at something of a loss when it comes to how to deal with them and the problems they create. Obviously there's quite a bit of information on the site (and this can be narrowed down both by judicious use of the search box positioned at the top left of the blog page and by utilising the 'label' system (key words inserted at the bottom of each blog entry and also on the right hand side of the blog) but we decided that perhaps a more condensed format would be useful. So we present:
Cult groups in two easy steps: how to identify them - how to get rid of them

[Caveat: Strictly speaking the term 'cult' does not necessarily refer to a collective engaged (deliberately or not) in malign acts. The qualification sometimes employed to more accurately denote these is 'destructive cults'. Here our use of the term implies the latter].


How to identify them (Source: Cult Awareness and Information Library)

“CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members.”

[Note: This definition would include all the world's major religions but see our caveat above]  

“Other Identification Marks

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. i.e. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT — everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL — everyone else is in apostasy.
(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.” 

“Some Abuses Of Rights And Freedoms:

1. Abuse Of Individuality: They adopt a "groupness" mentality. They are not permitted to think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what they are told.
2. Abuse Of Intimacy: Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children, parents etc are broken or seriously hampered.
3. Abuse Of Finances: Pressure to give all you can to the group. In non-communal groups, members usually live at the lower socio-economic strata, not because of a lower income level, but because they are always giving money to the group for some reason.
4. "Us Versus Them" Mentality: Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil" or "unenlightened" etc. Their enemies now include former friends; the Christian church; governments; education systems; the media — the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any way see such involvement as a "means to an end".
5. Abuse Of Time And Energy: The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion.
6. Abuse Of Free Will: They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will" actually becomes the groups "will" without their realizing it. This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt". 

Results Of This Abuse 

1. Personality Changes
Relatives will say they no longer recognize the person. From a warm, loving personality will come heaped abuse, rejection and feelings of hate. The cult member sees himself as "righteous" in comparison and this comes across in their attitude toward all outsiders.
2. Loss Of Identity
They cannot see themselves as individuals apart from the group. Some even change their name as a rejection of their former life.
3. Paranoid — We Are Being Persecuted
Any time you say anything negative about the group, whether justified or no, it is regarded as "persecution". Any criticism of the individual is also seen as persecution only because they are the "true Christian" or "enlightened" one — not because they, as an individual, have done the wrong thing. However, at the same time they will feel free to criticise whatever you believe, say and do because they are "the only ones who are right".
4. Social Disorientation
They lose their ability to socialize outside the group. This can go so far as to not being able to structure their time or make simple decisions for themselves when they leave.
Their world-view alters and they perceive the world through their leaders eyes. They become very naive about life in general.
5. Severe Guilt Complexes
They are made to feel guilty of everything they did before entering the group and are to strive to be "good" and "worthy" for "eternal life". Misdemeanours are made into "mountains" so that members are in a constant state of guilt for infringing even the most minor rules. Guilt comes because they aren't doing enough; entertaining doubts or questions; even thinking rationally for oneself.
This guilt is piled upon pile with new rules constantly being laid down about what is sinful and what is not. Illness may be seen as lack of faith — more guilt. Emotional illness may be seen as proof of sin in your life — more guilt.” 


Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Family Survival Trust http://www.familysurvivaltrust.org/

Fair News & Archives http://www.fair-news.org/

Cult Avoidance Society http://www.cultavoidancesociety.org/ 

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

 PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Robert Jay Lifton (born May 16, 1926) is an American psychiatrist and author, chiefly known for his studies of the psychological causes and effects of war and political violence and for his theory of thought reform. He was an early proponent of the techniques of psychohistory.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Jay_Lifton

Dr. Lifton wrote the foreword to Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer’s book ‘Cults In Our Midst.’ Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer wrote the foreword to Steven Hassan’s book “Combatting Mind Control.” 

 

Dr. Robert J Lifton’s Eight Criteria For Thought Reform http://www.csj.org/studyindex/studymindctr/study_mindctr_lifton.htm

Videos: Dr. Robert J. Lifton On Destructive Cults http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yDoPD5GeCE

Robert Lifton Speaks at Conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwQO3GsCgY4

Robert Jay Lifton interviewed by Steven Hassan on July 13^th 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sauEbGgCZZU 

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Margaret Thaler Singer (1921–2003) was a clinical psychologist and a part-time Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, U.S. ^[1] Singer's main areas of research included schizophrenia, family therapy, brainwashing and coercive persuasion.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Singer

“Cults In Our Midst: The continuing Fight Against Their Menace” by Margaret Thaler Singer PhD. is available on amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Cults-Our-Midst-Continuing-Against/dp/0787967416/#### and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/####?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cults%20in%20our%20midst

“Cults In Our Midst” is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all AA newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma resulting from their cult group involvement.

Video: Dr. Margaret Singer Speaks at Conference. In this video a questioner asks if Alcoholics Anonymous is a cult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9rj4R4QhQg&feature=related

Video: Dr. Margaret Singer Recovery from Mind Control http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iER6qjOvH4Q

 The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf

The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm

The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm

AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf 

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

10 Things you need to know about cults, from the Cult Avoidance Society.

http://www.cultavoidancesociety.org/index.html

I thought this video of Paul Morantz gave some useful info.

Paul Morantz on Cults, Confession and Mind Control http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RXEis52yQs

Singer’s Six Criteria

from Cults in Our Midst, Jossey-Basse,1995

1) Controlling an individual’s time and thought content

2) Creation of sense of powerlessness

3) Manipulation of system of rewards, punishment, and experiences to promote learning of new belief system

4) Manipulation of system of rewards, punishment, and experiences to inhibit a person’s previous life values and beliefs

5) Closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure

6) Indoctrination performed on an uniformed individual

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

(For more an extensive description see “Singer’s Six Conditions” Cults in Our Midst, Jossey-Basse, 1995, pages 64-69) Cults In Our Midst by Margaret Thaler Singer is available on amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Cults-Our-Midst-Continuing-Against/dp/0787967416/####  and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/####?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cults%20in%20our%20midst

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Cult Psychology

. Doctrine is Reality

. Reality is Black and White/ Good vs. Evil

. Elitist Mentality

. Group Will over Individual Will

. Strict Obedience: Modeling the Leader

. Happiness through Good Performance

. Manipulation through Fear and Guilt

. Emotional Highs and Lows

. Changes in Time Orientation

. No Way Out!

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

Lifton’s Thought-reform Model

Robert Jay Lifton’s eight criteria (From chapter 22 of Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, Norton, 1961)

. Milieu Control

. Mystical Manipulation

. The Demand for Purity

. The Cult of Confession

. The Sacred Science

. Loading the Language

. Doctrine Over Person

. The Dispensing of Existence

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds Video 6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8 For an extensive description of Lifton's Eight Criteria see Appendix in “Combatting Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC, available on amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?ie=UTF8&qid=1356030212&sr=1-1 and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356192854&sr=1-1

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Webster’s definition of ‘Cult’

1. Religious practice

2. A usually small or narrow circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to some artistic or intellectual program, tendency, or figure (as one of limited popular appeal)”.

By this definition, most groups can be regarded as a cult. Also, cults can be benign and even positive in nature.

“A “Destructive” Cult

Any authoritarian pyramid-shaped organization (religious, political, psychotherapy/educational or commercial) which practices

1. deceptive recruitment

2. employs mind control to keep its followers dependent and obedient to the leader and the doctrine. A distinct continuum from benign to abusive and violent.”

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds video 5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Mind Control Vs Brainwashing.

Brainwashing is coercive

. Physical imprisonment

. Use of torture, overt coercion

. At the beginning, brainwashers are viewed as the enemy

. Produces compliant behavior/false confessions

“Mind Control

. Subtle and sophisticated

. Voluntary participation and cooperation

. At the beginning mind controllers are viewed as friends/benign

. Produces new identity/internalization of new beliefs”

(Bullet points from Releasing the Bonds video 5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Comment: Look for the similarities!

Cheers 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

Video: “Releasing the Bonds” Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC speaking to the Ex-Mormon Foundation. October 2008

Releasing the Bonds 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az4tE2eLoKc

Releasing the Bonds 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPe55DPTFQE

Releasing the Bonds 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngrmpUSCcjM

Releasing the Bonds 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRilcewoD3E

Releasing the Bonds 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO1L-GYDZqo

Releasing the Bonds 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1-JfYTAo8

Releasing the Bonds 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0zogRV-OX8

Releasing the Bonds 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdVUDQqlRPY

Releasing the Bonds 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8bVdttKH_M

Releasing the Bonds 10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQEFZidFUDs

Releasing the Bonds 11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d8FJnDnCDU

Releasing the Bonds 12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwzzFSWMk0Y

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor 

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Steven Alan Hassan (born 1954) is a licensed mental health counselor and a Cult Expert. In 1978 Hassan was one of the first people to develop and do exit counselling, and is the author of three books on the subject of undue influence and destructive cults, and what he describes as their use of mind control, thought reform, and the psychology of influence in order to recruit and retain members.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Hassan 

“Combatting Cult Mind Control” by Steven Hassan M.Ed. LMHC is available on Amazon books.com http://www.amazon.com/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?ie=UTF8&qid=1356030212&sr=1-1 and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Combatting-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0892813113/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356192854&sr=1-1 

Combating Cult Mind Control is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma resulting from their involvement with a cult group.

Steven Hassan's website: Freedom of Mind Resource Center http://www.freedomofmind.com/ 

For documentation on Alcoholics Anonymous, use search terms 'alcoholics anonymous' on Freedom of Mind Group Database http://freedomofmind.com/Info/index.php 

The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf 

 The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm 
The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm 
AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf 

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources (continued)

“Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology at California State University, Chico, known for her study of the inner workings of cults.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janja_Lalich

 "Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" by Janja Lalich PhD. and Madeleine Tobias M.S., R.N., C.S., is available from amazonbooks.com http://www.amazon.com/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154  and amazonbooks.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk/Take-Back-Your-Life-Relationships/dp/0972002154/####?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356182862&sr=1-3

“There are cults, for example, that focus their recruitment activities in drug-rehabilitation programs, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other twelve-step programs, as that milieu tends to be a ripe hunting ground for potential members.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p 91) 

“In cases where alcohol or substance abuse was or is a problem, attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous may help. However, we caution you to proceed into the 12-step world with your eyes open and your antennae up. Despite its successes, this is an area rife with abuses and incompetencies. Hustlers use 12-step programs as a hunting ground for income and glory. Some counselors and group leaders are not credentialed. Some programs are fronts for cults. Even a well-meaning program may inadvertently promote long-term victimization. Although these groups are set up to reduce codependency, many participants become completely dependent on their 12-step meetings and friends.” (Extract, Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" p194)

 “Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults And Abusive Relationships" is an ideal companion to “The Twelve Concepts for World Service” and “The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” for all AA newcomers and those who are serving in the AA service Structure. It gives practical advice to anyone leaving a cult group and any AA sponsor who may be sponsoring someone suffering with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or post cult trauma as a result of being involved in a cult group.

The The Twelve Concepts for World Service online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf 
The Twelve Traditions online: http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_tableofcnt.cfm 
The Twelve Traditions (Short Form) The Twelve Traditions (long form) online: http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_appendicei.cfm  
AA Tradition How It Developed online: http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-17_AATraditions.pdf “

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

Cults: Useful resources

Beginning our series:

“Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic" groups and psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Langone

“Founded in 1979, the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. ICSA is tax-exempt, supports civil liberties, and is not affiliated with any religious or commercial organizations.”

"ICSA's mission is to apply research and professional perspectives on cultic groups to educate the public and help those who have been harmed." http://www.icsahome.com/

ICSA documentation on Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001799989780590661597%3A5b8gyda5z5a&ie=UTF-8&q=alcoholics+Anonymous&sa0=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=alcoholics%20Anonymous&gsc.page=1

Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups –Revised, Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.

http://icsahome.com/infoserv_respond/faq_whatisacult.asp?Subject=Characteristics+Associated+with+Cultic+Groups+-+Revised#More

Videos: 05 - Michael Langone: Overview - First Part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU1H9Irjka8  
06 - Michael Langone: Overview - Second Part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdRqUV4v6ww   
Michael Langone- Deradicalization Conference Session III Speaker IV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qk_lCXMnz4

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to this contributor

WHAT PURPOSE DO CULTS SERVE?

How does "group think" affect an individual? If we see a mugging on the street, studies have shown that we are more likely to help if we witness it alone rather than in a crowd. Why is that? Because unless trained otherwise, we look for someone else, perhaps someone more trained, to handle the situation, to take responsibility for what is occurring. Look at any culture and generally speaking, there are far more followers in this world than leaders.

Cults exist because most people want to feel part of something bigger. However, by virtue of their association with a cult, members who started out feeling uncomfortable with the cult/group—perhaps they didn’t want to be perceived as "different" or were asked to forsake unbelieving family members early on, or didn’t want to be part of the cult’s aggressive sales force—soon find that they end up feeling uncomfortable with everyone outside the group. The need to fit in never really dissipates, for involvement with the cult creates its own brand of exclusion. That’s the oxymoron of cults. The table which I created below shows it better than I can perhaps explain it. Desire of Cult Member	Reality
To feel accepted/ experience unconditional love. Have a sense of community and purpose.	While seeking acceptance, the cult member ironically forfeits acceptance by up to 99.99% of "mainstream" society while embracing the less populated cult world. Their attempt to "fit in" is severely misaligned. A cult member never fully feels a sense of belonging or a sense that they can trust anyone—other cult members or nonbelievers. Tattling is prevalent in cults and members are often turned in for perceived "sins." The cult is never at fault and unconditional love does not exist. Just as an abusive husband tells his wife, "You forced me to hit you," members are taught that it is their weakness that forced the cult to get "rough" with them and put them on notice. They are taught that this is love. Like an abused child seeking acceptance from its parent, or a wife cowering to her abusive husband, the cult member is taught to meekly return to the "fold," only to be emotionally or physically abused again and again and again. Acceptance in a cult is an illusion.
To feel special. To be "chosen," as having the "way" or "the sole truth" as part of an elite group.	As mentioned above, the cult member becomes an outsider to society and their biological family as soon as they become involved with a cult. Their involvement can’t help but be viewed as dangerous by all who truly love them. But the more a loving family member tries to engage the cult member, the more they (the cult member), propelled by a cult-induced fear, push their loved ones away. This behavior perpetuates and embellishes the delusion that they are special and that others just "don’t get it." This act of estrangement follows two of the eight points of mind control described by cult expert, Robert J Lifton: a) Milieu Control and b) Demand for Purity. In addition, cults use coercive persuasion/ subtle mind control, fear and repetitive busy work/indoctrination practices (studies/classes, etc.) to keep their followers involved, believing that they have some exclusive right of passage to something greater. Uniqueness and feeling special in a cult is also an illusion because the opposite is accomplished: you actually become a cookie-cutter clone and any individuality and talents you may have possessed prior to membership become exploited by the cult leader(s) solely for their benefit.

Source: What Purpose Do Cults Serve

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks extended)