KATHLEEN KEENA, CT LIC L.P.C, LADC

Requirements for the Creation of a Cult

A confident, charismatic leader able to offer a vision of a more prosperous, higher quality of life (social, spiritual, creative)

An individual who claims to have a master plan to create this vision

A leader who can effectively persuade members that it is us verses them and invite others to become part of us

A leader who can ennumerate ways in which the current system is failing and how trust has been betrayed

A leader able to incite a crowd and validate anger, outrage 

A leader who says unnervingly extreme comments as a way to inspire others to question their assumptions

A leader who suggests some actions out of the ordinary are needed due to disturbing state of present life

Who are They?

Disaffected people who don't believe they have a voice, people who consider themselves unqppreciated and unvalued, in any strata of society

Those who seek stability and protection of confident, unwavering leadership

Those who desire growth and evolution in exchange for commitment

Those who search for an alternative vision of society, one that brings rehabilitation, prosperity and justice into their lives

Those willing to accept delay to gain promised rewards

Those who have a desire to believe they are involved in the revision of a failing world

Those who seek spiritual transformation

Then What Happens

The leader assumes power

Immediate jubilent celebration of members

Ceremonies, events enforce status of leader

Reliquishment of all money and personal possessions to leader, vows of poverty

Leader makes promises, appoints people to represent his/her agenda

Installation of sacred palatial structures to honor leader

Leader portraits in various heroic poses placed prominently in each room

New language introduced to name familiar activites

Chanting and other ritualized behaviors praise the leader

I.Q. testing for all members

Highest functioning, most competent members placed in executive positions with special status and rewards

Elimination of free, unstructured time to process contradictory information or rules

Military chain of command and regulations established

Abrupt and frequent shifting of priorities and personnel result in confusing members

Installation of military officers to maintain order and implement rules of procedure

Prison fencing installed for living quarters and police stations at gates

Outside contact with former family, friends not allowed

Physical illness untreated

Mental health, psychiatric services discredited and unavailable

Monitoring systems installed to investigate members displaying disapproval of organization

Underground prison established for member violations

Abrupt disappearance of some members

Assignment of challenging, increasingly demanding tasks with high pressure deadlines

Statistics measured for personal productivity and made public

Chronic, continuous crisis and urgency which members are required to resolve

Members asked to function while sleep deprived, told they have superior powers enabling them to function as superhumans 

Member Training

Residents told it is their advanced spiritual awareness which has led them to group

 Residential staff required to sign lifetime contract of commitment

Training materials designed by leader reputed to provide increasing ability with each course

Training is regarded as a privilege open only to the exceptional

High tech training facilities built by group members under direction of technically proficient members who have joined staff

Residents become trainers to teach classes in life changing advancement

Training promotes the concept that past experiences and mistaken assumptions damage and prevent achievement

Past life characteristics are unknown sources of unhappiness

A monitor is developed by leader which measures physical and emotional stress responses electronically to eliminate personal blocks

An experienced resident interprets these monitors and reviews details of current difficulties via past life regression

All individual sessions are recorded in personal file as permanent record

A journey of personal discovery, facilitated by trainings and personal interviews, is measured for achievement and entry into more accelerated classes

The higher the training level, the more able the person becomes, allowing individuals to become super competent, objective people, untroubled by emotional reactions and accessing advanced abilities

Improved capacity for clarity, relationships and community in the service of others

Rapid advancement in finances, material success is promoted as the natural outcome of training

Students develop a level of self confidence based on belief that teachings are accurate

How it Works

Staff is in constant activity without time to reflect

Promotion: Extensive investment in promotion of programming is sophisticated, appealing

Free introductory classes offered to public

Benefits include ability to withstand extreme circumstances of stress and pressure while maintaining confidence 

Entrance to each level of training reveals more complex tools for performance, only accessibile as student attains proficiency on that level

Global perspective of training and beliefs never completely revealed

Aura of mystery and gradual revelation create sacred unknowns 

Training gradually introduces more unknown and extreme beliefs to student upon advancement of each class

Trainings teach that the entire belief system is too powerful and life changing for students to comprehend at once and can not be managed without great personal skill only acquired via most advanced classes

Guarded unknown information is managed by tight security and priviledge

Staff recieve nightly lectures via recorded sessions of over three hours with leader speaking to audible and appreciative group. A high value is placed on communal co-operation for a higher purpose

Staff are required to repeat salient points of the talk, and lessons
are repeated if not comprehended

Staff share the leader's more memorable quotes and remind each other of wisdom

Staff are taught that the group is the overall entity of survival and
collective goals are more important than any one individual's purpose

The goal of the organization is to remain a united source of enlightenment for the group and the greater public community

Warnings are severe for staff who consider leaving the group and told such action will bring failure, misery and rejection that may not be survived

The Enduring Damage of Cult Life

Lack of money, transportation and contacts make leaving impossible for many. The psychological damage is deep for those fortunate and courageous enough to succeed. They include but are not limited to

LOSS OF PERSONAL IDENTITY

DISTORTION OF AUDITORY, VISUAL AND TACTILE PERCEPTION

MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DISASSOCIATION

DISORIENTATION AND CONFUSION COMPLETING SIMPLE TASKS

OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCES

INABILITY TO SPEAK

OVERWHELMING GUILT DESERTING FELLOW MEMBERS

LOSS OF MEANING

FEAR OF RETRIBUTION BY CULT

ALIENATION

ISOLATION

SHIFTS IN HYGIENE, APPETITE AND ENERGY

LETHARGY

DESPAIR

INABILITY TO MOVE OR MAKE DECISIONS

DEEP RELATIONSHIP IMPAIRMENT

Do not underestimate the power of a cult. Do not assume removal from the cult will make the individual better. As with any traumatic, inhumane experience, recovery may take years. There are times in life in which people are extremely vunerable and join a cult. Assuming you are too smart or experienced to do so is at your own peril.