90 International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation ■ Vol. 1, No. 1, 2020
as the United States, where religious freedom
is highly protected. In those countries, groups
deemed “extremist” are not allowed to operate,
and HDGs are curtailed as a result. In Russia, for
example, a series of legal actions have been taken
against Jehovah’s Witnesses under the laws
restricting “extremism,” which were initially
enacted to help fight terrorism (Higgins, 2017).
Are we in the United States willing to curtail
some of our freedoms in the interest of greater
protection against terrorists? If so, then perhaps
we will examine more closely the indoctrination
practices of HDGs as well, with their fear
inducing and mind control tactics, hiding behind
the 1st amendment freedoms. Until women have
a voice equal to that of men, exploitation and
violence will continue.
Appendix A. The Eight Characteristics of
Cults
Milieu control: The purposeful limitation of
all forms of communication with the outside
world. A closed system with rigid
boundaries. Communication with the inner
self is also controlled—that is, what is
acceptable to think and feel. Control over
diet, sleep cycles.
Mystical manipulation: Teaching that the
group has been specially chosen to carry out
a divine purpose and the recruit has been
selected to play a special role in fulfilling that
purpose. Uncritical faith and trust is
expected.
The sacred science: The mission of the group
is considered sacred, not to be questioned.
The group purports to have a body of airtight
evidence to support its claims.
The demand for purity: Since the Word, Idea,
Mission of the group is sacred and pure,
anything contaminating it must be eradicated.
Anything done in the name of purity is
considered moral and just, no matter how
deceptive.
Confession: An expectation of baring one’s
innermost thoughts and feelings in order to
purge oneself of doubts and impurities. Since
the leader and Mission are perfect, anything
that goes wrong is the fault of the member.
Confession rituals pervade the group’s
atmosphere.
Loading the language: Thought-stopping
clichés and jargon that compress the most
complex of human problems into brief,
highly reductive, definitive sounding phrases
which are easily memorized and easily
expressed.
Doctrine over person: Convincing the subject
that the group and its doctrine take
precedence over any individual in the group
or any other teaching from outside it.
Individual boundaries are obliterated.
Dispensing of existence: Teaching that all
those who disagree with the philosophy of the
group are doomed. Use of splitting, we/they,
taken to extremes.
Source: Modified from Andres, R., &Lane,
J. (1989). Cults and consequences. Los
Angeles, CA: Commission on Cults and
Missionaries.
Appendix B. Questions About Groups
Considering “joining” a group? Before you
do, consider the following questions:
1. If you are invited to a dinner or lecture,
do you know who is the sponsor?
2. If it is out of the city, are there means of
communicating with your parents and
other friends, or are you cut off from
outside sources?
3. Exactly where is the retreat and how else
(other than your bus) can people get there
and leave?
4. If someone decides he or she wants to
leave before the seminar is over, how can
he or she get back home?
5. Who is the leader of the organization?
6. Is the leader open to a dialogue—can you
question him or her?
as the United States, where religious freedom
is highly protected. In those countries, groups
deemed “extremist” are not allowed to operate,
and HDGs are curtailed as a result. In Russia, for
example, a series of legal actions have been taken
against Jehovah’s Witnesses under the laws
restricting “extremism,” which were initially
enacted to help fight terrorism (Higgins, 2017).
Are we in the United States willing to curtail
some of our freedoms in the interest of greater
protection against terrorists? If so, then perhaps
we will examine more closely the indoctrination
practices of HDGs as well, with their fear
inducing and mind control tactics, hiding behind
the 1st amendment freedoms. Until women have
a voice equal to that of men, exploitation and
violence will continue.
Appendix A. The Eight Characteristics of
Cults
Milieu control: The purposeful limitation of
all forms of communication with the outside
world. A closed system with rigid
boundaries. Communication with the inner
self is also controlled—that is, what is
acceptable to think and feel. Control over
diet, sleep cycles.
Mystical manipulation: Teaching that the
group has been specially chosen to carry out
a divine purpose and the recruit has been
selected to play a special role in fulfilling that
purpose. Uncritical faith and trust is
expected.
The sacred science: The mission of the group
is considered sacred, not to be questioned.
The group purports to have a body of airtight
evidence to support its claims.
The demand for purity: Since the Word, Idea,
Mission of the group is sacred and pure,
anything contaminating it must be eradicated.
Anything done in the name of purity is
considered moral and just, no matter how
deceptive.
Confession: An expectation of baring one’s
innermost thoughts and feelings in order to
purge oneself of doubts and impurities. Since
the leader and Mission are perfect, anything
that goes wrong is the fault of the member.
Confession rituals pervade the group’s
atmosphere.
Loading the language: Thought-stopping
clichés and jargon that compress the most
complex of human problems into brief,
highly reductive, definitive sounding phrases
which are easily memorized and easily
expressed.
Doctrine over person: Convincing the subject
that the group and its doctrine take
precedence over any individual in the group
or any other teaching from outside it.
Individual boundaries are obliterated.
Dispensing of existence: Teaching that all
those who disagree with the philosophy of the
group are doomed. Use of splitting, we/they,
taken to extremes.
Source: Modified from Andres, R., &Lane,
J. (1989). Cults and consequences. Los
Angeles, CA: Commission on Cults and
Missionaries.
Appendix B. Questions About Groups
Considering “joining” a group? Before you
do, consider the following questions:
1. If you are invited to a dinner or lecture,
do you know who is the sponsor?
2. If it is out of the city, are there means of
communicating with your parents and
other friends, or are you cut off from
outside sources?
3. Exactly where is the retreat and how else
(other than your bus) can people get there
and leave?
4. If someone decides he or she wants to
leave before the seminar is over, how can
he or she get back home?
5. Who is the leader of the organization?
6. Is the leader open to a dialogue—can you
question him or her?
