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<p class=MsoNormal>Hi all, A minister friend of mine in England provided me
with this rather comprehensive list of characteristics of a cult (or ‘destructive
group’ – defined more generally). Does this stuff remind you of
anything?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'>Bob Dickow, troublemaker<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Characteristics of A Destructive Group<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>While not all groups exhibit all these traits, destructive
groups will have many of these characteristics and attitudes: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Authoritarian hierarchal control; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Black and white thinking: either or, we they, us them; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Centralized power structure; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Child abuse and neglect; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Competition with other members or with outsiders; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Conflicting opinions viewed as moral assaults and
disloyalty; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Control of information within group environment; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Criticism of group, system or leaders is discouraged; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Different beliefs or ideas are perceived as threatening; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Discrimination (economic, emotional and psychological):
race, gender, age, religion, politics; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Effusive praise and flattery for leaders; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Enemy making, a common enemy outside the group: other
business groups, other religions, other countries, other life styles, other <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>races; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Fear (or feelings of guilt) about the prospect of leaving
the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Feelings of superiority and exclusiveness; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Gender-based abuse in any form; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Group becomes like a family and is more important than
individual's family and outside friends; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Group has the "truth" (the answers) others
don't; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Group (system) mission is more important than the
individual; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Group's doctrine repeated over and over, lots of
repetitious lectures and meetings; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Group leader(s) are looked to for answers involving
personal choices in life; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Labeling: Dissenting members, other groups, and different
belief systems are given negative labels/names; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Large pay and power gaps between members and leaders; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Loaded language: the group has its own clichés, jargon and
slogans that become simplistic explanations for complex situations; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Missionary consciousness: converting others to group
ideology, product, beliefs, trying to persuade others to be like
"us"; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Need leader(s) permission for everything; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Overuse of plural pronouns: we, us, they, them; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Peer pressure: non group ideas receive icy silence,
ridicule, or condemnation; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Propaganda used to persuade members and internalize group
ideas; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Public humiliation or embarrassment in any form; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Public sharings, testimonials, confession, witnessing; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Scapegoating within or outside the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Secrecy between members or between different levels of a
group's structure; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Selfishness is putting yourself above the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Strict dress codes, everyone looks alike; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Suppressing legitimate feelings when they do not fit the
group's mind set; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> The need to be like leaders or like others in the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> There is always something to do, excessive business; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> There is a group explanation for everything; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Thought control: there are "good" and
"bad" thoughts; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Unquestioning obedience to authority. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Emotional and Psychological Aftereffects from Membership in
a Destructive Group: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Note: Aftereffects will vary depending on the specific type
of group and the length of time spent in the group.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blaming; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Difficulty making decisions and simple choices. Excessive
doubt; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Short term memory loss; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Anxiety and panic attacks; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Depression and anger; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Loneliness and feelings of detachment and isolation from
others; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Loss of self-esteem; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Lack of self-confidence; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Difficulty concentrating and focusing attention; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Inability to think critically and "uncritical
passivity;" <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Posttraumatic Stress:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Flashbacks including images, thoughts, and perceptions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Recurrent nightmares or distressing dreams.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Efforts to avoid places or people that arouse memories
of the group.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Significant diminished interest in important activities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Sense of a foreshortened or non-existent future.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Irritability and angry outbursts. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Hyper critical of others, other ideas, other philosophies,
other life styles; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Loss of a sense of self and identity; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Difficult or impossible to stop mental or other group
ritualistic practices; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Feelings of emptiness and loss of a unique mission in
life; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Disassociative episodes, floating, feeling spaced out; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Afraid to join other groups or make commitments; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Difficulty forming a new value system or philosophy toward
life; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Nervous tics--often induced by meditative techniques used
in the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Fear of the group; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Estrangement (also while in the group) from family and
former friends; <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Difficulty making and expressing opinions. <o:p></o:p></p>
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