International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010 17
said or did or whatever, [he said] that it was [due
to] our smallness of mind or our lack of being
able to understand our own journey towards the
principle, towards spirituality” (Witness #8, R.
v. Shearing, 1997:670). Evidently, Shearing
reinforced his authoritarian position in the
movement and his own narcissistic desires by
denying members the opportunity to question
him, and by convincing his devotees that it was
their deficiency in understanding spiritual
matters that impaired their ability to learn from
his teachings. Moreover, members needed to
continually show unwavering adulation and
attention to him, disregarding their own doubts
in the teachings or in his ability to convey the
message as a spiritual teacher.
Given that the Kabalarian members relied on
Shearing5 (and Parker before him) for divine
proclamations, and believed that Shearing acted
as a conduit and proselytizer for God the
Principle and the Truth, it is not surprising to
learn that many Kabalarian members deified
him. According to Kabalarian beliefs, God the
principle and the Truth are aspects that are the
core of
… all religions and secret doctrines….
[The Kabalistic Wisdom] teaches how
the Divine Forces operate through
human mind to create intelligence and
destiny. It discloses the Spiritual Key to
scientific and Spiritual Progress, and it
is the only means through which mental
balance may be attained. The Kabalistic
Wisdom holds the key to the Cyclic
Law, through which human destiny may
be measured and arranged. (Kabalarian
Fraternal Organization, 1966: cover
page)
In Kabalarian understanding, Parker and
Shearing were the only ones capable of
discerning God and the Truth, since they were
the only ones who comprehended the true
meaning and depth of the universal connection
that members believed existed. Their
proclamations were absolutely adhered to by
5 Interestingly, as noted, Ivon Shearing is the second charismatic
leader of the Kabalarian Philosophy. Shearing took control of the
movement after the charismatic founder, Alfred J. Parker, selected
him as his successor.
devotees, who then went on and promulgated
Parker and Shearing’s words as the Truth.
Furthering the assertion that members deified
Parker and Shearing as a result of the two men’s
esoteric knowledge and abilities is the view that
In … charismatic religious groups, the
connection to the divine is an especially
powerful source of bonding in that the
leader has both a symbolic value in his
direct link to God and a physical
manifestation in the ongoing
interpersonal dynamic that exists
between follower and spiritual mentor.
(Liebman Jacobs, 1989:74)
To the Kabalarian members, Shearing
promulgated a worldview that expressed his
divine understanding of the cosmos and the
applicability of the universal laws of nature.
Shearing seemingly displayed qualities that set
him apart from others his devotees recognized
their leader’s unique qualities, and attributed
supernatural and extraordinary abilities to him as
a result. This echoes Dawson’s (2002)
contention that “[n]o charisma exists without the
recognition of the group, which then grants
authority to the person on that basis” (153).
Liebman Jacobs further contends that such
glorification is not uncommon in charismatic
groups. “Among the religious devotees, the
leaders were either considered deities
themselves … or were assumed to have godlike
qualities which brought them closer to an
understanding of reality beyond the material
world of everyday life” (Liebman Jacobs,
1989:74). The attribution of ‘specialness’ and
‘godliness’ allowed Shearing unparalleled
control over the movement’s members.
Although Shearing was the second leader of the
Kabalarian Philosophy, his personal magnetism
and authoritarian leadership style6 typified a
charismatic leader, especially since he had been
given explicit authority by Parker at his death.
Moreover, Shearing’s leadership was a
6 It should be noted that not all charismatic leaders are
authoritarian but from witness testimony, there is strong evidence
to suggest that Shearing’s particular style had authoritarian
qualities to it, characterized by absolute control over doctrine,
organization, and membership.
said or did or whatever, [he said] that it was [due
to] our smallness of mind or our lack of being
able to understand our own journey towards the
principle, towards spirituality” (Witness #8, R.
v. Shearing, 1997:670). Evidently, Shearing
reinforced his authoritarian position in the
movement and his own narcissistic desires by
denying members the opportunity to question
him, and by convincing his devotees that it was
their deficiency in understanding spiritual
matters that impaired their ability to learn from
his teachings. Moreover, members needed to
continually show unwavering adulation and
attention to him, disregarding their own doubts
in the teachings or in his ability to convey the
message as a spiritual teacher.
Given that the Kabalarian members relied on
Shearing5 (and Parker before him) for divine
proclamations, and believed that Shearing acted
as a conduit and proselytizer for God the
Principle and the Truth, it is not surprising to
learn that many Kabalarian members deified
him. According to Kabalarian beliefs, God the
principle and the Truth are aspects that are the
core of
… all religions and secret doctrines….
[The Kabalistic Wisdom] teaches how
the Divine Forces operate through
human mind to create intelligence and
destiny. It discloses the Spiritual Key to
scientific and Spiritual Progress, and it
is the only means through which mental
balance may be attained. The Kabalistic
Wisdom holds the key to the Cyclic
Law, through which human destiny may
be measured and arranged. (Kabalarian
Fraternal Organization, 1966: cover
page)
In Kabalarian understanding, Parker and
Shearing were the only ones capable of
discerning God and the Truth, since they were
the only ones who comprehended the true
meaning and depth of the universal connection
that members believed existed. Their
proclamations were absolutely adhered to by
5 Interestingly, as noted, Ivon Shearing is the second charismatic
leader of the Kabalarian Philosophy. Shearing took control of the
movement after the charismatic founder, Alfred J. Parker, selected
him as his successor.
devotees, who then went on and promulgated
Parker and Shearing’s words as the Truth.
Furthering the assertion that members deified
Parker and Shearing as a result of the two men’s
esoteric knowledge and abilities is the view that
In … charismatic religious groups, the
connection to the divine is an especially
powerful source of bonding in that the
leader has both a symbolic value in his
direct link to God and a physical
manifestation in the ongoing
interpersonal dynamic that exists
between follower and spiritual mentor.
(Liebman Jacobs, 1989:74)
To the Kabalarian members, Shearing
promulgated a worldview that expressed his
divine understanding of the cosmos and the
applicability of the universal laws of nature.
Shearing seemingly displayed qualities that set
him apart from others his devotees recognized
their leader’s unique qualities, and attributed
supernatural and extraordinary abilities to him as
a result. This echoes Dawson’s (2002)
contention that “[n]o charisma exists without the
recognition of the group, which then grants
authority to the person on that basis” (153).
Liebman Jacobs further contends that such
glorification is not uncommon in charismatic
groups. “Among the religious devotees, the
leaders were either considered deities
themselves … or were assumed to have godlike
qualities which brought them closer to an
understanding of reality beyond the material
world of everyday life” (Liebman Jacobs,
1989:74). The attribution of ‘specialness’ and
‘godliness’ allowed Shearing unparalleled
control over the movement’s members.
Although Shearing was the second leader of the
Kabalarian Philosophy, his personal magnetism
and authoritarian leadership style6 typified a
charismatic leader, especially since he had been
given explicit authority by Parker at his death.
Moreover, Shearing’s leadership was a
6 It should be noted that not all charismatic leaders are
authoritarian but from witness testimony, there is strong evidence
to suggest that Shearing’s particular style had authoritarian
qualities to it, characterized by absolute control over doctrine,
organization, and membership.
