Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1 1988 Page 60
Since disagreement casts suspicion on the system or the leaders, those who disagree are watched
and placed on ―the lists‖ however, this practice of ―marking‖ often seems arbitrary and is done
only according to the definition of the situation the leadership perceives at the time. People
particularly close to a target are often not ―marked‖ because their disagreement is interpreted as
―emotional attachments that have clouded their ability to discern the truth.‖ Often, close friends
are not even asked to participate in the initial secret meetings because they are less likely to
accept the pretexts and definitions leaders direct toward the target.
The result is usually that the participants who advance to the actual trial are extremely loyal to
the leadership and have little personal relationship with the target.
The Preemptive First Strike* and Target Response
The first contact the secret group has with the target is generally a ―gang-up,‖ where sometimes
a dozen men visit or ask the target to meet at a specific location. The target is not told with
whom he is meeting and is usually called by someone he trusts. These gang-ups have occurred in
members' homes, public parks, restaurants, and even locations such as train depots, airports,
and bus terminals.
This initial meeting is usually the first time the target has any knowledge of what has occurred
previously. The target is approached about any questions concerning the leadership and sect he
might have. He is also asked such questions as: ―Are you doubting the leadership?‖ ―Are you
considering leaving the group?‖ ―Are you thinking about negative information?‖ and the key
question, ―Are you going to be distributing that information?‖ One member related the contents of
a call from an elder
[Tom] (The elder said] ―These factious people like to target the leaders, they like to
pick on the leaders.‖ He said, ―Well, I called to find out if you were planning on
talking to any people in the church about why you left?‖ I said, ―Right now I don't
plan on talking to anyone in the church although I feel that I am firm enough in
conviction that I'm glad that I left and that I knew that I needed to leave.‖ The
reason why I answered this way is because I had heard of him asking that question
to people and their answers are what ended up getting them excommunicated, and
I didn't want to be excommunicated...
Often the targets are barraged during these early contacts with leadership's attempts to get them
to admit they are guilty of crimes they do not see. If targets say they doubt the leadership, they
have ―sinned‖ because they are never to doubt the leadership. If targets have talked to someone
else about their concerns, they have ―sinned‖ because they are never to plant ―seeds of doubt‖ in
others' minds about the leadership and/or the sect. Furthermore, if the targets do not agree with
the group's definitions of behavior, they are immediately considered ―unrepentant‖ and
―unsubmissive.‖
The preemptive first strike is justified by what the sect leadership calls ―a loving and gentle
reminder.‖ They are reminding the target of the potential consequences of his or her actions and
words. Most often the church is warned about the targets possible actions before the target is
even informed. This practice requires that suspected deviants be forcibly denied entry into their
church:
[Martha] I decided that I was going to leave. I couldn't stay in this group knowing
what I did ...[Several of us who were thinking of leaving] went to a church
meeting and we were met with a human wall. We were told that we were divisive
and were not welcome. It was really very confusing. I remember saying to one of
the elders ...―Why won't you let me in?‖... And he said ...―we're trying to protect
the flock.‖
*Phrase coined by Janis, 1972, p. 269.
Since disagreement casts suspicion on the system or the leaders, those who disagree are watched
and placed on ―the lists‖ however, this practice of ―marking‖ often seems arbitrary and is done
only according to the definition of the situation the leadership perceives at the time. People
particularly close to a target are often not ―marked‖ because their disagreement is interpreted as
―emotional attachments that have clouded their ability to discern the truth.‖ Often, close friends
are not even asked to participate in the initial secret meetings because they are less likely to
accept the pretexts and definitions leaders direct toward the target.
The result is usually that the participants who advance to the actual trial are extremely loyal to
the leadership and have little personal relationship with the target.
The Preemptive First Strike* and Target Response
The first contact the secret group has with the target is generally a ―gang-up,‖ where sometimes
a dozen men visit or ask the target to meet at a specific location. The target is not told with
whom he is meeting and is usually called by someone he trusts. These gang-ups have occurred in
members' homes, public parks, restaurants, and even locations such as train depots, airports,
and bus terminals.
This initial meeting is usually the first time the target has any knowledge of what has occurred
previously. The target is approached about any questions concerning the leadership and sect he
might have. He is also asked such questions as: ―Are you doubting the leadership?‖ ―Are you
considering leaving the group?‖ ―Are you thinking about negative information?‖ and the key
question, ―Are you going to be distributing that information?‖ One member related the contents of
a call from an elder
[Tom] (The elder said] ―These factious people like to target the leaders, they like to
pick on the leaders.‖ He said, ―Well, I called to find out if you were planning on
talking to any people in the church about why you left?‖ I said, ―Right now I don't
plan on talking to anyone in the church although I feel that I am firm enough in
conviction that I'm glad that I left and that I knew that I needed to leave.‖ The
reason why I answered this way is because I had heard of him asking that question
to people and their answers are what ended up getting them excommunicated, and
I didn't want to be excommunicated...
Often the targets are barraged during these early contacts with leadership's attempts to get them
to admit they are guilty of crimes they do not see. If targets say they doubt the leadership, they
have ―sinned‖ because they are never to doubt the leadership. If targets have talked to someone
else about their concerns, they have ―sinned‖ because they are never to plant ―seeds of doubt‖ in
others' minds about the leadership and/or the sect. Furthermore, if the targets do not agree with
the group's definitions of behavior, they are immediately considered ―unrepentant‖ and
―unsubmissive.‖
The preemptive first strike is justified by what the sect leadership calls ―a loving and gentle
reminder.‖ They are reminding the target of the potential consequences of his or her actions and
words. Most often the church is warned about the targets possible actions before the target is
even informed. This practice requires that suspected deviants be forcibly denied entry into their
church:
[Martha] I decided that I was going to leave. I couldn't stay in this group knowing
what I did ...[Several of us who were thinking of leaving] went to a church
meeting and we were met with a human wall. We were told that we were divisive
and were not welcome. It was really very confusing. I remember saying to one of
the elders ...―Why won't you let me in?‖... And he said ...―we're trying to protect
the flock.‖
*Phrase coined by Janis, 1972, p. 269.
