WHAT IS A CULT?

The 'C'-Word Debate:
What Is a C-U-L-T?
Whether a religious group like Jehovah's Witnesses qualifies for being defined as a cult is an on-going debate, even among former members of the religion. To some people, the word 'cult' conjures up images of strange-dressed people with shaved heads and tamborines chanting on a busy street-corner, or a small band of extremists holed up in a remote farm house, or the mass suicide of a group of religious zealots with a charismatic leader. Yet by other definitions, even Jesus and His disciples would ostensibly be described as a cult among the Jews in their day. Generally speaking, dictionary definitions of the word make little distinction in meaning from merely a 'sect' or any group of adherents to a particular belief system. Acknowledging this diverse perception about cults, The Watchtower Society responded to charges made by some anticult organizations that Jehovah's Witnesses are a 'cult' in the February 15, 1994 Watchtower. In an article titled: "Cults--What Are They?" on page 4, we read:
What Is a Cult?
The term "cult" is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its connotations. To prevent confusion, some theologians actually avoid using the term.
The World Book Encyclopedia explains that "traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance." By that criterion, all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in general usage today, the word "cult" has a different meaning. The same encyclopedia notes that "since the mid-1900's, publicity about cults has altered the meaning of the term. . . . Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a small fringe religious group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses? Are the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?
Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses do this? Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
So it is in this "general usage today" meaning of the word that the Watchtower Society asks whether it is fair to label Jehovah's Witnesses as a 'cult.' (Jehovah's Witnesses should be as discretionary about the word 'apostate' as they are about the word 'cult'--but that is a topic for another time). It will not be our objective here to draw a conclusion on the issue of whether Jehovah's Witnesses qualify as a bonafide 'cult,' but rather to present information and allow readers to make their own determination.
Before examining the questions cited by Jehovah's Witnesses themselves in the above article, let us give thought to not only the World Book Encyclopedia definition, and conversely The Watchtower's definition of 'cult,' but also what leading experts in the field of "cult-awareness" say. One such professional, Steven Hassan, a former Moonie and author of the best-selling book, Combatting Cult Mind Control, maintains that just because a group is perceived by the public to be a cult does not mean the members are in fact subjects of mind control.
As mentioned, Hasson was himself a member of the Unification Church (better known as the "Moonies") for several years. After being taken from them and deprogrammed, he was motivated by the experience to make an exhaustive study of what he calls the "cult phenomenon" and has since become a prominent exit counselor and authority on the subject in America. On page 35 of his book he notes:
"Over nine hundred people--men, women, and children; white and black--lying face down in the mud at Jonestown, Guyana. Mention "cults" to someone and these are the image you'll evoke. . . Yet these images do not represent the overall destructive cult phenomenon as it has become today."
Nevertheless, on page 37 he states:
"Not all groups which might be called "cults" because they appear to incorporate strange beliefs and practices are necessarily destructive. A destructive cult distinguishes itself from a normal social or religious group by subjecting its members to persuasion or other damaging influences to keep them in the group."

Hasson identifies four qualifying components of mind control and stresses the point that "Mind control is not brainwashing." [p.55] On page 66 of his book, he outlines four components of mind control:

Behavior control, thought control, emotional control, and information control: each form of control has great power and influence on the human mind. Together, they form a totalistic web, which can manipulate even the strongest-minded people. In fact, it is the strongest-minded individuals who make the most involved and enthusiastic cult members. No one group does everything described in this section.

Bearing in mind that people under the influence of mind control are not aware of it, the following is a list of observations gleened from Hasson's book about his experience as a Moonie in the Unification Church, and some of his conclusions about "destructive cults".

Reflections of a former Moonie
Gleenings from the best-selling book by Steven Hasson
Combatting Cult Mind Control

The Moonies do a very thorough job of convincing people that former members are satanic and that even being in their presence could be dangerous. [p.3]
It is ironic that whereas Moon's stated goal is to unify the world, many of his strategies foster jealousy and spite among leaders, virtually insuring a lack of unity. [p.23]
The more people opposed us, the more committed we felt. [p.24]
It was as if we were God's army in the middle of a spiritual war--the only ones who could go to the front lines and fight Satan each day. [p.24]
The Moonies wanted to keep me from pursuing some disturbing questions about the validity of the "time parallels" used in the "History of Restoration" lecture. I had discovered some glaring inconsistencies. It was dangerous for someone in my position in the organization to ask questions that couldn't be answered. [p.25]
Indeed, it was my ideals and my own fantasy of an ideal world that had lured me into the Moonies. Those ideals ultimately enabled me to walk out and publicy condemn cult mind control. [p.33]
In the United States, cults exert tremendous economic clout by buying up huge blocks of real estate and taking over hundreds of businesses. [p.36]
They indoctrinate members to show only the best sides of the organization. Members are taught to suppress any negative feelings they have about the group and always show a continually smiling, "happy" face. [p.41]
In some cults, members are systematically made to be phobic about ever leaving the group. Today's cults know how to effectively implant vivid negative images deep within members' unconscious minds, making it impossible for the member to even conceive of ever being happy and successful outside of the group. [p.45]
In the same way, cult phobias take away people's choices. Members truly believe they will be destroyed if they leave the safety of the group. They think there are no other ways for them to grow--spiritually, intellectually, or emotionally. They are virtually enslaved by this mind control technique. [p.46]
Everyone, like it or not, is vulnerable to mind control. Everyone wants to be happy. Everyone needs affection and attention. Everyone is looking for something better in life: more wisdom, more knowledge, more money, more status, more meaning, better relationships, or better health. These basic human qualities and needs are exactly what cult recruiters prey upon. It is important to remember that for the most part, people don't join cults. Cults recruit people. [p.48]

Some basic principles of Social Psychology and Group Dynamics:

The net result of these studies has been the consistent demonstrataion of the remarkable power of behavior modification techniques, group conformity, and obedience to authority. These three factors are known in psychological terms as the "influence process." [p.58]

In totalistic cults, the ideology is internalized as "the truth," the only "map" or reality. The doctrine not only serves to filter incoming information but also regulates how the information can be thought about. . . The doctrine claims to answer all questions to all problems and situations. [p.61]

Another key aspect of thought control involves training members to block out any information which is critical of the group. [p.62]

If information transmitted to a cult member is perceived as an attack on either the leader, the doctrine, or the group, a hostile wall goes up. Members are trained to disbelieve any criticism. Critical words have been explained away in advance as "the lies about us that Satan puts in peoples' minds" . . . Paradoxically, criticism of the group confirms that the cult's view of the world is correct. The information presented does not register properly. [p.62]

Emotional control . . . terror of discovery and punishment by the leaders. [p.63
[p.63]

Anyone who finds himself in a cult confession session should remember this warning: Anything you say can and will be used against you. This device can even extend to blackmail if you leave the cult. [p.63]

The most powerful technique for emotional control is phobia indoctrination . . . People are made to have a panic reaction at the thought of leaving, . . . [p.64]

When cult leaders tell the public "Members are free to leave any time they want; the door is open," they give the impression that members have free will and are simply choosing to stay. Actually, members may not have a real choice, because they have been indoctrinated to have a phobia of the outside world. Induced phobias eliminate the psychological possibility of a person choosing to leave the group merely because he is unhappy or wants to do something else. [p.65]

Information control also extends across all relationships. People are not allowed to talk to each other about anything critical of the leader, doctrine, or organizatiaon. Members must spy on each other and report improper activities or comments to leaders. [p.65]

Most importantly, people are told to avoid contact with ex-members or critics. Those who could provide the most information are the ones to be especially shunned. [p.65]

Cult members naturally feel they know more about what's going on in their group than outsiders do, but in counseling ex-members I find that they often know the least. [p.65]

Destructive organizations also control information by having many levels of "truth." Cult ideologies have "outsider" doctrines and "insider" doctrines. The outsider material is relatively bland stuff for the general public or fresh converts. The inner doctrines are unveiled only gradually as a person gets in deeper. [p.66]

The Doctrine Is Reality - There is no room in a mind control environment for regarding the group's beliefs as mere theory, or as a way to interpret reality or to seek reality. The doctrine is reality. [p.78]

Since mind control depends on creating a new identity within the individual, cult doctrine always requires that a person distrust his own self. The doctrine becomes the "master program" for all thoughts, feelings, and actions. Since it is the TRUTH, perfect and absolute, any flaw in it is viewed as only a reflection of the believer's own imperfection. He is taught that he must follow the prescribed formula even if he doesn't really understand it. At the same time he is told that he should try to work harder and have more faith so he will come to understand the truth more clearly. [p.79]

The doctrine allows no outside group to be recognized as valid (good, godly, real) because that would threaten the cult's monopoly on truth. There is also no room for interpretation or deviation. If the doctrine doesn't provide an answer directly, then the member must ask a leader. If the leader doesn't have an answer, he can always brush off the question as unimportant or irrelevant. [p.79]

Some groups cultivate a psychic paranoia, telling members that spirit beings are constantly observing them, even taking possession of them whenever they feel or think in non-cult ways. [p.79]

Elitist Mentality - Members are made to feel part of an elite corps of mankind. This feeling of being special, of participating in the most important acts in human history with a vanguard of committed believers, is strong emotional glue to keep people sacrificing and working hard. [p.80]

Ironically, members of cults look down on anyone involved in any other cult groups. They are very quick to acknowledge that "Those people are in a cult" or "They are the ones who are brainwashed." They are unable to step out of their own situations and look at themselves objectively. [p.80]

This feeling of elitism and destiny, however, carries a heavy burden of responsibility. Members are told that if they do not fully perform their duties they are failing all of mankind. [p.80]

Group Will over Individual Will - In all destructive cults the self must submit to the group. . . . In any group that qualifies as a destructive cult, think of oneself or for oneself is wrong. The group comes first. Absolute obedience to superiors is one of the most universal themes in cults. Individuality is bad. Conformity is good. [p.80]

Happiness through Good Performance - One of the most attractive qualities of cult life is the sense of community that it fosters. The love seems to be unconditional and unlimited at first, and new members are swept away by a honeymoon of praise and attention. But after a few months, as the person becomes more enmeshed, the flattery and attention are turned away toward newer recruits. The cult member learns that love is not unconditional but depends on good performance. [p.80]

Indeed, when cult members go through hardship (fundraising in freezing cold or broiling heat) or persecution (being arrested for violations of law or harassed by outsiders), they do feel a depth of camaraderie and shared martyrdom that is exceptional. But because the only real allegiance is to the leader, a closer look shows that such ties are actually shallow and sometimes just private fantasy. [p.82]

Problems are always the fault of the member, and are due to his weak faith, his lack of understanding, "bad ancestors," evil spirits, and so forth. He perpetually feels guilty for not meeting standards. . . . In every destructive cult I have encountered, fear is a major motivator. [p.82]

Many groups teach that the apocalypse is just around the corner. Some say they are preventing the apocalypse; others merely believe that they will survive it. . . . To a cult member, the future is a time when you will be rewarded because the great change has finally come. [p.83]

Many groups have timetables for the apocalypse, which tends to be two to five years away--far enough not to be discredited any time soon, near enough to carry emotional punch. These predictions have a way of fading into the background as the big date approaches. In other groups, the timetable is believed right until it actually fails to come true.[p.83]

Usually the leader just issues a new timetable that moves the big event up a few years. After he does this a few times, a few long-term members may become cynical. Of course, by then there is a whole set of new members unaware that the leader has been shifting the timetable. [p.83]

In a destructive cult, there is never a legitimate reason for leaving. . . . Members are thoroughly indoctrinated with the belief that if they ever do leave, terrible consequences will befall them, their family, and/or mankind. [p.84]

Although cult members will often say "Show me a way that is better than mine and I will quit," they are not allowed the time or mental tools to prove that statement to themselves. They are locked in a psychological prison. [p.84]

Leaders were not "in it for the money" but . . . were, in my opinion, addicted to personal power. Many destructive Bible cults have leaders who are not conspicuous consumers and who appear to hold God and the Bible above them in authority; yet, interpretation of the Bible and God's will is used to manipulate and control people. [p.99]

Does the group's doctrine claim publicly to be one thing when it is in fact otherwise? [p.99]

Deception includes outright lying, leaving out important information, or distorting information . . . Most recruiters from destructive cults will deny that they are trying to recruit anyone at all. [p.100]

In destructive cults, large amounts of time are spent in group activities, with a minimum of time allowed for privacy or for friends and family. Little time is available for reading anything other than cult material or for learning anything other than cult practices. Of course, members go out of their way to convince outsiders that they are living a "normal" life. Yet, if you get cult members into a long discussion of current events, or art, or history, it becomes evident that most are out of touch. [p.102]

One of the most obvious signs of a person in a mind control group is a lack of independent decision making abilities. Even though cult members try to convince outsiders that they are autonomous, once you probe beyond the surface it becomes obvious that they cannot make important decisions without first asking permission from superiors. [p.102-103]

The final criterion for judging a group is the members' freedom to leave. To put it simply, members of destructive cults are psychological prisoners. As I have explained, destructive cults plant phobias into members' minds so that they fear ever leaving the group. [p.104]

One question I frequently hear is whether all destructive cults are equally dangersous. The answer is simple, "no," as any common-sense look at cults would prove. Not every group is as destructive, for example, as the "People's Temple, or as extreme as the terrorist cults of the Middle East. Nor is every group as deceptive, as demanding, and as dangerous to an individual, his family, or society as is the Moon organization. . . . Another question I occasionally encounter is whether destructive cults change over time in significant ways. The answer is yes. Groups that use mind control may start off with extremely good intentions but end up manipulating their members and deceiving the public. [p.105]

The clincher question is whether or not the person has taken the time to talk with former members and read critical literature in order to make up his own mind. A person under mind control might say that he would be willing to do this. However, I have often seen family members call the member's bluff, and almost always the cult member doesn't follow through. If he does, he is well on his way out of the group. [p.110]

Rational discussions are simply not effective with someone who has been indoctrinated with mind control [p.140]

Don't send unsolicited critical articles, . . . Such information actually does more harm than good. [p.146]

Every person in a cult has been programmed to stop all "negative" thoughts about the leader, the doctrine, or the organization, and has also been indoctrinated to believe that this group is superior to all other groups and different from all other groups. [p.165]

"Kick-Outs - I've encountered quite a few people who were kicked out of their group, ostensibly because they were bucking authority and asking too many questions. . . . The people who have been kicked out of a destructive cult are always in the worst shape of all former cult members. They feel rejection not only from the group members but, in the case of religious cults, from God Himself. . . . These people, phobic toward the world outside their cults, have been cast into what they view as utter darkness. For many "kick-outs," suicide seems a real alternative to their suffering. [p.170]

It is essential that former members acknowledge and work through their pain, and go through the necessary grieving period. What seems to help the most is to enable people to realize that positive things did come out of their involvement, and to show them how they can now be much stronger because of the experience. [p.173]

Mystical manipulation can take on a special quality . . . because the leaders become mediators for God. The God-centered principles can be forcibly and claimed exclusively, so that the cult and its beliefs become the only true path to salvation. [p.202]
So how do we define a 'Cult'?
From the dictionary definitions, all religious groups apart from long-established orthodox denominations, could be classed as cults.
Clearly we may conclude from The Watchtower article that their definition would be:
- a "small fringe religious group known for their questionable practices"
- members often isolating themselves from friends, family, and society
- use of deceptive and unethical recruiting techniques
- use of manipulative methods to control the minds of followers
- worship cloaked in secrecy
- veneration of a human leader or leaders
From Hasson's observations about the Moonies and other cultic organizations, and reports from cult-awareness organizations, some additional identifying characteristics of their definition would be:
- Recruiting work performed by all of the members (although they may deny that is what they are doing).
- People not allowed to discuss criticism of the leader(s), the doctrine, or the organization, or read information that is critical of the religion.
- Members trained to disbelieve criticism of the religion as lies from Satan.
- Members spy on one another and report improper activities or comments to leaders.
- Members taught to suppress anything which might reflect negatively to outsiders about the religion.
- Usually, the doctrine is absolutist and the ideology is internalized as "the Truth."
- Members told to avoid contact with ex-members or critics, even their relatives.
- Members instilled with a deep fear about ever leaving the organization, and anyone who does depart is of the devil.
- Emotional control - terror of being caught and punished by leaders.
- Disciplinary action administered by group leaders, which may involve excommunication for such things as questioning organization policy or doctrine.
- People foregoing education and career interests to perform recruiting and other organization endeavors.
- Advocate socializing only with other members in the organization.
- Many cults believe the apocalypse is very near and may even predict dates.
- Fear of separation from the organization.
- Belief that their's is the only true religion.
From the foregoing information let us examine the questions posed in the February 15, 1994 Watchtower article:
WT-Q: Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a small fringe religious group?
Considering that the Watchtower organization began from a small congregation of "Bible Students" started by C.T. Russell in the late 1800s, which sprang out of a congregation of Second Adventists, we might ask: At what point in time or numbers did the Watchtower Society advance beyond the point of being a small fringe religious group? Was it before or after they were chosen by Jehovah God to be His channel of communication to the whole world through the pages of The Watchtower in "these 'last days' before Armageddon"?
WT-Q: Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah's Witnesses?
Is it not true that Jehovah's Witnesses discourage their members--especially their children in school--from associating with "worldly" friends and relatives, saying Witnesses "are no part of this world"? (John 15:19) What is meant in the Reasoning From the Scriptures book, on page 189 under "Bad associations" where 1Cor.15:33 is cited to discourage friendship with anyone not among Jehovah's Witnesses? Are Jehovah's Witness children in school allowed to participate in the extra-curricular clubs and social activities, including sports?
WT-Q: Do the Witnesses use deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?
Perhaps it may depend on what one considers deceptive or unethical. If you were to out-right ask a Jehovah's Witness--who has either come to your door in the house-to-house "witnessing" work, or got your name as a survivor of someone deceased out of the obituaries--if you ask whether the Witnesses are there hoping to recruit you into Jehovah's Witnesses, they would usually deny it. However, ask them if it is true that their mission is to find "other sheep" to bring them into the Watchtower's fold before Armageddon, because everyone living except Jehovah's Witnesses will be destroyed--how might the average Witness respond? They will try to impart the impression that you have the hope of seeing your deceased loved ones very soon in a paradise earth--but will have to be pressed to admit this is only if you join them and survive Armageddon.
WT-Q: Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah's Witnesses do this?
Based on the foregoing information about the techniques of cult mind control, one must determine whether the Watchtower Society employs any number of these tactics to direct and bind the loyalty of Jehovah's Witness members to the organization.
WT-Q: Is their worship cloaked in secrecy?
According to the book Crisis of Conscience by former Governing Body member, Raymond Franz, most of their organizational policy making regarding doctrine, worship and disciplinary actions, including disfellowshipping procedures, is done in closed meetings of the Governing Body.
WT-Q: Are they following and venerating a human leader?
Does the Watchtower Society no longer teach that the Governing Body and the "annointed" remnant are the collective mediator between the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ?
WT-Q: Pointedly, are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
Well, considering the The World Book Encyclopedia definition, various dictionaries, the Watchtower Society's definition, or that of recognized cult-awareness advocates, it would seem to depend on your preferred definition of the word 'CULT.'

The book Combatting CULT MIND CONTROL by Steven Hassan is orderable from Commentary Press on Beacon index page.
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