Our ever-evolving society has produced various ideologies, beliefs, and theories. Most derive from the attempt to answer insoluble questions. These questions usually concern life choices, lifestyle, and the existence of omnipotent figures (specifically, which one is ‘True’).
The word ‘cult’ is predominantly known to religious movements. However, in recent years, the pejorative term has fallen into mainstream view due to its unorthodox ideas and practices. It can also be used to describe. Therefore, there are difficulties in identifying cults as they come in distinct characteristics, and some seek positive change in the world and its members despite the negative societal perceptions.
Initially, the term had no negative connotations as it was used to describe small groups with elite members who initiate secret rituals to a figure, such as the Roman Catholic cults of the Virgin Mary and saints. The Catholic denomination is considered a religious cult as the group practices rituals and prayers directly towards the Virgin Mary. She is a central figure in the Roman Catholic Church, where her veneration took place in Syria in the fifth century. Theotokos (God-Bearer) is a Byzantine depiction of the Virgin Mary as a protector and mediator. Similar representations include the Hodegetria ( image of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus at her side ) and Eleousa ( image of the Virgin Mary with Jesus nestled against her cheek – shows tenderness and mercy ). The emphasisation of the Virgin Mary evolved from a regal image to a tender representation. During the Gothic period, her role in salvation is symbolised by the emphasisation of her relationship with Christ.
Moreover, there seems to be no consensus on differentiating a cult from other religious groups. Others
Even if the word cult was first used since the earliest recorded use in the 17th century, it acquired negative connotations primarily in the mid-20th century (between the 1960s and 1970s). During the period, the term categorised religious beliefs belonging to the cult sector as illegitimate. Sociologists came up with an alternative name to elevate the pejorative connotation.
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Some raise concerns that coercion and manipulation by dominant figures are made easier due to globalisation and technological advancement. Although extremist groups are taken seriously by the government, laws against these institutions do not exist as the Human Rights Act 1998 states that ‘’Everyone has the freedom of thought, conscience and religion’’. Consequently, unless a practice is against the law, like manslaughter, cult groups are credible to form their own beliefs and practices as long as the members are consenting adults.
Coercion and deception are prominent aspects of most extremist cults, so one may wonder why twisting one’s logical reasoning to believe the dominant figure’s agenda is not considered an illegal act. However, unless one member presses charges and provides evidence, the matter may be eligible for investigation.
How are Cults Formed, and what occurs within them?
The psychology and mechanics of extremist groups are essential to understand as everyone is susceptible to manipulation, no matter how one measures their mental vitality. Members may be recruited by catching victims in their most vulnerable time, for instance, someone who longs for a connection, grieving for a loved one and marginalised or socially excluded individuals. These organisations usually promise a brotherhood or sisterhood where all strive to achieve one common goal: purity or radical change in the world. A cult replaces one’s identity and convinces them of their agenda; they may do so through unethical means.
One scholar states that ‘’probably every cult leader is a narcissist, and the extent to which his or her narcissism is negative’’, further specifying it as ‘’traumatic narcissism’’. It’s one’s inability to sympathise with others and only care for themselves.
Leaders of such groups are often described as charismatic and frequently depict themselves as grandiose, all-knowing and almost god-like. According to Janja Lalich, cult leaders ‘’thrive on chaos…When they walk in the room, you never know if they’ll be good and kind-hearted or mean and call someone out or create a dangerous situation.” They want to be unpredictable to gain control of every situation and member. Fluctuating behaviour from the ‘supreme leader’ will keep the members on the edge and inclined to do anything to please them.
The trend appears as said leader creating sects as a way to gain power and dominate over individuals, which may be to satisfy their childhood. Principally, they lived without ever taking control of a circumstance; everything seemed to be decided for them, negative or positive. Social exclusion may also be a factor. Anti-social personality disorder is a trait commonly shared by these individuals. Thus, cults feed on the person’s fantasy of their ideal beliefs, practices, values, morality and reality. They do so to value them and their ability to exercise the power they have gained to persuade others.
Why do people join cults?
On the surface, cults may aspire to provide a sense of belonging to their followers; however, this may be a false agenda. Beneath all the inclusivity and positive layers hides a dark truth. As discussed in the beginning, such extreme groups include a ‘supreme leader’ who may present themselves as all-knowing. By creating the organisation, they gain control over hundreds, possibly thousands of followers. The ownership over similar-minded individuals transmits an omnipotent control over to the leading figure. However, some may argue that such power is not largely negative as good agendas may be shared, like the spread of philanthropy, which is done by many religions, including Christianity and Islam.
The difference lies in the group’s intentions with the members. For instance, they need to narrow their attention to the growth of the ‘religion’ and their connection to the ‘god’. Some figures may also demand financial rights to the person’s financial gain to further support the institution’s purpose.
This behaviour can be observed in the recent documentary on Netflix, ‘Escaping Twin Flames’. This is a contemporary example of how high-control groups manipulate vulnerable and susceptible individuals.
The belief in ‘Twin Flames’ derives from the book of Genesis, ‘’In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.‘’ It says “him” and then “them. “In other words, God pairs two bodies, but they become one soul in marriage; this concept is highly regarded in Christianity, as finding your other half is considered an achievement. Moreover, the group’s practice was influenced by the early 2000s New Age spiritualism, which popularised soulmates.
In the new documentary series, ex-members are interviewed regarding their experiences. Usual members are persons who lost hope in love but are desperate to find their ‘’other half’’. A sense of togetherness and belonging was inflicted, essential to making them believe that they discovered people ‘’they can relate to and trust’’ (Further explored later).
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/the-psychology-behind-cults -“[They] provide meaning, purpose and belonging,” says Josh Hart, a professor of psychology at Union College who studies personality and social psychology, world views and belief systems. “They offer a clear, confident vision [and] assert the group’s superiority.”
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/dec/15/wikipedia.web20
Types of Cults
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-cult
How to spot cults?
https://encompass.eku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1905&context=honors_theses – case studies
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion – 1. A charismatic leader increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. That is a living leader who has no meaningful accountability and becomes the most defining element of the group and its source of power and authority.
Mirror Exercise:
One practice called ‘’ The Mirror exercise’’ is introduced to the members and becomes an integral part of their practice.
- Step One: Write one concise sentence of what is upsetting you.
- Step Two: Write the sentence from Step One all over again, from the nouns to pronouns and point them to yourself.
- Step three: Is this true? (The answer is always YES!)
- Step Four: Love yourself
This exercise’s point is to recognise and embrace the internal issue. However, it directs members to shift the negative behaviour to ‘’mirror’’ their problems. For instance, ‘’Bob is rejecting me’’ but changing it to ‘’I am rejecting myself; I am doing what Bob is doing to myself’’. According to the ‘Twin Flame Universe’: ‘’the purpose of this exercise is to bring love to these parts of ourselves where we don’t feel good, this means learning to be more forgiving and compassionate with ourselves and the experiences we went through when we didn’t know any better.’’
Recurring the practice will ultimately result in dependency on the Twin Flame Universe’s guidance and self-blame, as members are encouraged to enter a vicious cycle of self-blame and continually seek the group’s approval.
One of the members, Lisa, was encouraged to see her twin flame’s open rejection as a reflection of her insecurities. She bought more classes to “raise her vibration” and align with her twin flame. Constantly questioning her self-confidence and attributes led her to believe that the rejection was due to her self-lack and not out of pure disinterest.
Other cults commonly practice inflicting harm on themselves and becoming the perpetrator instead of the victim. This practice maintains control and prevents critical thinking about one’s experiences. Leaders encourage their followers to see fault with themselves instead of the dominant figure to sustain power and appear as a messiah with all the wisdom, knowledge, and divinity, with whom the members can seek understanding and perhaps a feeling of familial love.
Victims are often vulnerable and angry individuals who seek peace and harmony. As such can be seen in British writer Sarah Duguid, who wrote an article in The Guardian about her experience joining a cult as an ‘’unhappy teenager’’. After her parent’s ‘’bitter divorce’’, Sarah’s motivation to excel in school deteriorated and instead ‘’spent all the day in bed’’ crying. Before meeting Margaret (her mom’s friend), she was allowed to cohabitate with her for 2 months to change her attitude towards life.
No Matter What:
The procedures are psychologically harmful and may cause a negative perception of oneself, which is detrimental. Still, the Twin Flame Universe took it further by encouraging forcing oneself onto your ‘Twin Flame’. The leaders motivate and excuse criminal behaviour as part of the spiritual process. A Twin flame shall not be left, and ‘’you must make the relationship work’’. Another unfortunate case occurred to ex-member Ellie, who had recently (at the event) broken up with her ex-boyfriend and filed a restraining order against her. A Twin Flame coach told her the ‘’restraining order wasn’t real and didn’t exist’’. The belief concludes that their spiritual belief transcends government laws and one should do whatever it takes ‘’to be with their twin flame’’. Ellie continues that other members have similar cases, but it was seen as something to be worked on within oneself, and if one’s self is healed, one can heal the relationship. In other words, there is no such thing as boundaries; even if official documents establish it, it is a force that stops one’s happiness and satisfaction from reconciling with their Twin Flame.
Furthermore, a sense of delusion was highly supported, such as in Ellie’s case, when she was not in a relationship with her ex but was told to ‘’believe’’ that she was. And that boundary that he set up between the two of them ‘’wasn’t real’’. ‘’So whatever it takes, it’s worth it. Whatever you have to move through is worth it. Whatever you have to do, it’s worth it.’’ Crossing the line, even with the involvement of kids, wives, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, exes, personal boundaries, etc…None of these factors is believed to be a concrete deterrent of one’s Twin Flame.
By Nikath
Winchmore School Newsroom