Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 9
including their intimate relationships. This can range from standards of free love and free
sex to strict behaviors. Some cults literally instruct their members when and how to have
sexual intercourse.
Oftentimes cult policies will clearly define personal and sexual behaviors. Female members
may be expected to dress a certain way (e.g., wear long skirts and look “womanly”),
behave a certain way (e.g., never look the men in the eye, always look down when in the
presence of others, be passive and joyful at all times), and speak a certain way (e.g., refer
to the leader as “Master”). Other regulations may provide specific guidelines for dating,
cohabitation, marriage and divorce, sexual relations, and so on. Female cult members are
sometimes used to procure recruits through seduction and sexual favors. Some cults force
women into prostitution to help finance the cult leader‟s personal lifestyle. In others, men
regularly flirt with and seduce women into friendships or relationships in order to recruit
them into the cult once in, the woman is usually turned over to someone else to “handle.”
In many cults, leadership decides who should have children and how many. In some,
women are discouraged from bearing children, with sterilization or abortion used as means
of birth control. In others, childbearing is expected and sometimes ordered by leadership in
order to bring about more little cult members. Cults that particularly deride “the family” will
have children taken away from their birth parents to be raised by other cult members, or
sometimes even sent away to noncult relatives or foster homes. Marriages and partnerships
are arranged and broken at the whim of the cult leader. Members merely become pawns in
an abusive play, where the leader gets to act out.
Two popular control mechanisms are the demand for sexual abstinence or celibacy, and the
enforcement of certain prohibitions (for example, against homosexual relationships or other
unsanctioned relationships). At first glance such rules may provide relief from the confusion
of trying to master the intricacies of sexuality and intimate relationships, especially for
young adults who may be struggling with these issues. In reality, however, the rules merely
serve as yet another cultic manipulation.
Given the arbitrary and erratic nature of cult leaders and their reasoning, rules may change
often and unexpectedly. But no matter what the set-up, behaviors and attitudes are
directed from on high and are not to be disputed. The cult leadership justifies these rules by
explaining that the particular lifestyle is necessary to reach the purported goal --whether it
be spiritual awakening, political or social revolution, personal development, or even financial
prosperity.
Ultimately, once someone has been led to accept the cult leader‟s philosophy, then just
about anything goes. He calls the shots, and members are expected to go along with the
program --or get out. Threat of expulsion gets equated with losing a chance at salvation,
and can be too grim a prospect for a person who is psychologically trapped in a cultic
system. Even the risk of losing the camaraderie and emotional support of fellow members
can carry enough weight to keep a person tied to the cult.
Personal Abuse
When the abuse is directed at specific individuals, in most cases, either the cult leader or
the person‟s direct leadership figure is the perpetrator. A variety of manipulations are used
to get women to submit to these advances. These can range from subtle deceptions to
outright rape. In almost every case, they are based on ploys that take advantage of the
woman‟s loyalty, trust, and belief in the leader, the group, and the overall philosophy. More
often than not, members submit out of pure fear. Given the imbalance of power, it is
difficult to say no. Listed here are some of the most commonly used tactics to ensure
submission.
including their intimate relationships. This can range from standards of free love and free
sex to strict behaviors. Some cults literally instruct their members when and how to have
sexual intercourse.
Oftentimes cult policies will clearly define personal and sexual behaviors. Female members
may be expected to dress a certain way (e.g., wear long skirts and look “womanly”),
behave a certain way (e.g., never look the men in the eye, always look down when in the
presence of others, be passive and joyful at all times), and speak a certain way (e.g., refer
to the leader as “Master”). Other regulations may provide specific guidelines for dating,
cohabitation, marriage and divorce, sexual relations, and so on. Female cult members are
sometimes used to procure recruits through seduction and sexual favors. Some cults force
women into prostitution to help finance the cult leader‟s personal lifestyle. In others, men
regularly flirt with and seduce women into friendships or relationships in order to recruit
them into the cult once in, the woman is usually turned over to someone else to “handle.”
In many cults, leadership decides who should have children and how many. In some,
women are discouraged from bearing children, with sterilization or abortion used as means
of birth control. In others, childbearing is expected and sometimes ordered by leadership in
order to bring about more little cult members. Cults that particularly deride “the family” will
have children taken away from their birth parents to be raised by other cult members, or
sometimes even sent away to noncult relatives or foster homes. Marriages and partnerships
are arranged and broken at the whim of the cult leader. Members merely become pawns in
an abusive play, where the leader gets to act out.
Two popular control mechanisms are the demand for sexual abstinence or celibacy, and the
enforcement of certain prohibitions (for example, against homosexual relationships or other
unsanctioned relationships). At first glance such rules may provide relief from the confusion
of trying to master the intricacies of sexuality and intimate relationships, especially for
young adults who may be struggling with these issues. In reality, however, the rules merely
serve as yet another cultic manipulation.
Given the arbitrary and erratic nature of cult leaders and their reasoning, rules may change
often and unexpectedly. But no matter what the set-up, behaviors and attitudes are
directed from on high and are not to be disputed. The cult leadership justifies these rules by
explaining that the particular lifestyle is necessary to reach the purported goal --whether it
be spiritual awakening, political or social revolution, personal development, or even financial
prosperity.
Ultimately, once someone has been led to accept the cult leader‟s philosophy, then just
about anything goes. He calls the shots, and members are expected to go along with the
program --or get out. Threat of expulsion gets equated with losing a chance at salvation,
and can be too grim a prospect for a person who is psychologically trapped in a cultic
system. Even the risk of losing the camaraderie and emotional support of fellow members
can carry enough weight to keep a person tied to the cult.
Personal Abuse
When the abuse is directed at specific individuals, in most cases, either the cult leader or
the person‟s direct leadership figure is the perpetrator. A variety of manipulations are used
to get women to submit to these advances. These can range from subtle deceptions to
outright rape. In almost every case, they are based on ploys that take advantage of the
woman‟s loyalty, trust, and belief in the leader, the group, and the overall philosophy. More
often than not, members submit out of pure fear. Given the imbalance of power, it is
difficult to say no. Listed here are some of the most commonly used tactics to ensure
submission.
