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Control
of thoughts
This is another major
component, which involves indoctrination of members in such a pervasive
way that they are forced to interiorise the group's doctrine, learn
a new jargon, and employ thought blocking techniques capable of keeping
their minds constantly focused on the objectives imposed by the group.
In totalitarian cults, the ideology is interiorised as “the truth”,
the only reliable “map” of reality. All that is good is embodied by
the leader and by his group. All that is bad is represented by the outer
world. The doctrine claims to be able to satisfy any demand, to address
any problem or situation.
Affiliates do not need
to think for themselves, since the doctrine does so on their behalf.
A destructive cult has its “own” language, which provides for typical
words and phrases. The language of the group helps members feel special.
Another key factor in thought control provides for specific training
of subjects to block and reject any information criticising the group.
The defence strategy includes:
- denial
- rationalisation
- justification
- desire
If a piece of information
conveyed to the cult member is perceived as an attack on the leader,
on the doctrine or on the group itself, in reply, a wall of hostility
is immediately erected. Thought control can effectively block any sensation
which is not in accordance with those provided for by the group's doctrine
and is used to turn the initiate into a hard-working and obedient slave.
In any case, when thought is controlled, emotions and behaviour are
also under control.
Control
of Emotions
This aims at distorting
and limiting the sphere of feelings. Guilt and fear are the means employed
to keep people under control. A guilty feeling is probably the most
effective emotional lever to prompt conformism and compliance. Since
the doctrine, as well as the cult leader, are regarded as perfect, the
cause of any problem can only be one's own inadequacy. In this way,
followers learn to always blame themselves and are urged to work even
harder. In order to control people through their emotions and feelings,
it is necessary to put them through a redefinition process. Happiness,
for instance, is a sensation everybody strives for. If we define happiness
as being close to God, and if God has established or chosen that specific
group to pursue His objectives, complying with His doctrine becomes
the only way of obtaining God's approval and closeness. Happiness is
defined as the sense of belonging to the community and it is restricted
to those who comply with the cult's directives. Loyalty and devotion
therefore become the most appreciated qualities. Many groups exert complete
control over interpersonal relations. Leaders may tell members who they
should see and who they should carefully avoid. Some of them go as far
as telling their affiliates who they may marry and who not, and exercise
a direct control over the whole conjugal relationship, including sexual
life.
Control
of Information
Information is the
fuel we use to ensure the proper functioning of our mind: if people
are denied the information needed to make a well-founded judgement,
they will no longer be able to form their own opinions. In many totalitarian
cults, members have limited access to the information media which do
not strictly pertain to the cult. And, what is more important, they
are strictly forbidden to deal with former members; in some cases the
organisation goes as far as prohibiting the exchange of greetings with
former members, irrespective of whether they are friends or relatives.
It is important for the group to prevent affiliates from having dealings
with those who might provide them with additional information. Some
groups get to the point of reading private correspondence and intercepting
telephone conversations. Outside material, which is relatively harmless,
is meant for the public and for novices. Internal doctrines, on the
other hand, are only gradually revealed, as the person becomes part
of the organisation.
The strategy aimed at
controlling behaviour, thought, emotions and information results in
a totalitarian net capable of trapping the strongest minds. The implementation
of these techniques leads to the modification of human behaviour through:
- destructuration
- change
- restructuration
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