Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 52
regarded by the leadership as originating from Satan and therefore must be
prevented.
3) Emotional Control. This is carried out with, among other things, fear of the Devil
as a constant threat fear of leaving the cult and thereby going against God and
feelings of guilt because of negative or critical thoughts regarding the movement.
4) Information Control. It is inappropriate to read daily newspapers, listen to the
radio, or watch television. Members are expected to gather information only through
sources produced by the cult, such as books, tapes, and so forth. Members are
discouraged and at times forbidden to meet with people who are critical of the
movement.
Particular Characteristics of Word of Life
In order to understand the group of patients described here, it is essential to know some of
the characteristics of Word of Life doctrines. This examination also reveals the four traits of
mind control mentioned above.
There are constant reminders in the teaching that God himself is the source of everything that
is said or done in the movement. Therefore, anybody criticizing Word of Life, or its leadership,
goes against God. Examples are given showing that bad things can happen to anyone who
criticizes the movement and to members who leave it: they may suffer illness, misfortune,
sudden death, or have deformed children. Anyone who takes the teaching seriously is caught
in a self-perpetuating grip that can be very difficult to get out of. The fear of speaking
negatively of Word of Life may remain for a long time after the person has left the movement.
The responsibility to keep away the Devil and evil spirits or demons rests solely on the
believer, according to Word of Life. This task is carried out regularly by speaking harshly
directly to the demons. There are demons of illness, criticism, and sexual lust, for example. If
the believer fails to avert the demons’ attacks, the individual readily assumes the blame and
may despair of any help. The distraught member may think that there is no stopping the Devil
and this results in anxiety.
Another doctrine states that you get what you say, which means that the words you speak
have the power to change reality. If you say that you are ill or don’t feel well, you will,
according to the doctrine, feel even worse. This makes it difficult to seek help in the case of
depression with suicidal thoughts, for example, because if you speak about your thoughts
they may come true.
In order to gain health, as promised in the teaching, you are to act as if you already attained
it. If you are depressed, you are to look happy and healthy. Some people become so trained
in showing an unaffected face and denying depressive thoughts that it can be difficult to
assess their actual state of mind during a brief doctor’s appointment.
Interview Study with 43 Bible School Students
Since 1986, Gudrun Swartling has had personal and, in many cases, extensive contact with
about one hundred former followers of the faith movement all over Sweden. Seventy
attended Bible school for a period of one to two years. The Bible school belonged to the faith
movement, primarily Word of Life, with teachers from the cult. Interviews by telephone or
personal visit took place with 43 of the 70 individuals. Six declined to participate or had
returned to the movement 21 former Bible school students had not been reached or were not
psychologically fit for an interview.
The data in this report result from the interviews with the 43 former Bible school students.
Gender distribution is even, but the younger age group dominates, with 80% under 25 years
regarded by the leadership as originating from Satan and therefore must be
prevented.
3) Emotional Control. This is carried out with, among other things, fear of the Devil
as a constant threat fear of leaving the cult and thereby going against God and
feelings of guilt because of negative or critical thoughts regarding the movement.
4) Information Control. It is inappropriate to read daily newspapers, listen to the
radio, or watch television. Members are expected to gather information only through
sources produced by the cult, such as books, tapes, and so forth. Members are
discouraged and at times forbidden to meet with people who are critical of the
movement.
Particular Characteristics of Word of Life
In order to understand the group of patients described here, it is essential to know some of
the characteristics of Word of Life doctrines. This examination also reveals the four traits of
mind control mentioned above.
There are constant reminders in the teaching that God himself is the source of everything that
is said or done in the movement. Therefore, anybody criticizing Word of Life, or its leadership,
goes against God. Examples are given showing that bad things can happen to anyone who
criticizes the movement and to members who leave it: they may suffer illness, misfortune,
sudden death, or have deformed children. Anyone who takes the teaching seriously is caught
in a self-perpetuating grip that can be very difficult to get out of. The fear of speaking
negatively of Word of Life may remain for a long time after the person has left the movement.
The responsibility to keep away the Devil and evil spirits or demons rests solely on the
believer, according to Word of Life. This task is carried out regularly by speaking harshly
directly to the demons. There are demons of illness, criticism, and sexual lust, for example. If
the believer fails to avert the demons’ attacks, the individual readily assumes the blame and
may despair of any help. The distraught member may think that there is no stopping the Devil
and this results in anxiety.
Another doctrine states that you get what you say, which means that the words you speak
have the power to change reality. If you say that you are ill or don’t feel well, you will,
according to the doctrine, feel even worse. This makes it difficult to seek help in the case of
depression with suicidal thoughts, for example, because if you speak about your thoughts
they may come true.
In order to gain health, as promised in the teaching, you are to act as if you already attained
it. If you are depressed, you are to look happy and healthy. Some people become so trained
in showing an unaffected face and denying depressive thoughts that it can be difficult to
assess their actual state of mind during a brief doctor’s appointment.
Interview Study with 43 Bible School Students
Since 1986, Gudrun Swartling has had personal and, in many cases, extensive contact with
about one hundred former followers of the faith movement all over Sweden. Seventy
attended Bible school for a period of one to two years. The Bible school belonged to the faith
movement, primarily Word of Life, with teachers from the cult. Interviews by telephone or
personal visit took place with 43 of the 70 individuals. Six declined to participate or had
returned to the movement 21 former Bible school students had not been reached or were not
psychologically fit for an interview.
The data in this report result from the interviews with the 43 former Bible school students.
Gender distribution is even, but the younger age group dominates, with 80% under 25 years
