Over the centuries, in the process of development of society, humanity has repeatedly experienced a transformation of thinking, which was caused not only by the technical and cultural revolution, but also by the emergence of new political doctrines and religious ideologies that led to the unification of thinking and behavior.

The necessity for development a certain, clearly defined and if it is possible - uniform picture of the world among the members of society, as well as the achievement of control and management of the masses dictated the need to develop mechanisms of manipulation that facilitated the passage of certain ideas into the people’s minds.

For many decades, enough knowledge has been accumulated to successfully manipulate on the one hand, and to avoid these manipulations effectively on the other.

It should be emphasized that the word “manipulation” in its original meaning meant “to manage” in a positive sense, that is, to assist competently, to guide in the right direction.

In modern literature, manipulation refers to the art of controlling people’s behavior and thinking through a targeted influence on public consciousness [1].

The analysis of existing methods and means of influencing a person, allowing to make him obedient, guided, and controlled, indicates that this process is based on the mechanism of indoctrination.

Indoctrination is a special state of the human psyche in which non-critical appropriation of other people’s ideas or doctrines is realized, as well as the result of various methods of so-called mind control.

Indoctrination acts as one of the tools for identifying of individual with a group through the adoption of group values, ideas, or doctrines

It should be noted that indoctrination is not always destructive.

Positive examples are cultural imprinting, when a child learns the basics of culture through uncritical perception of them.

Or, for example, the assimilation of the dogmas of religious faith, which occurs without coercion,deception and psychological violence in the process of interaction with adult family members.

In these examples, the agents of influence are close people (parents, members of the primary and secondary family), as well as people who have authority in the eyes of the child (kindergarten teachers or teachers at school).

Indoctrination, which is based on the attitude towards the development and improvement of personality, is carried out correctly and smoothly.

This process, as a rule, is recognized by a person as his own choice, and that being characteristic not only for conformists, but also for creative and externally social-autonomous people.

Such indoctrination is constructive in nature, does not injure the psyche and promotes personality’s growth.

1. Monologicality.

This aspect is paramount and, for the purpose of unidirectional influence, it requires categorically unacceptable (“sinful”, “vicious”, “diabolical”, etc.) any other sources of information (mass media and communications, parents, friends).

However, in the process of indoctrination, not only information deprivation is applied, but also sensory one - that is, isolation from the usual social environment, a ban on one’s own thoughts, expressing doubts about the religious doctrine of the cult, requests for argumentation and evidence of the truth of the doctrine [2].

2. Counter argumentation -

Counter argumentation is used along with monologicality and presents itself a priori avoiding of any “uncomfortable” questions regarding the doctrines of a destructive religious cult.

Recruits, neophytes, or adherents are given pre-counterarguments to possible questions and objections that call into question or discredit the authority of the cult.

Members of destructive religious organizations, responsible for involving neophytes in their ranks and realizing so-called “ideological work”, undergo special training in this direction.

In addition, for such situations, special brochures, booklets, video and audio clips with beforehand prepared answers to standard questions are published.

3. Verbal multiplication.

This element is implemented in two versions.

The first one is the frequentative repetition of meaningless phrases that can be part of a certain religious ritual (“purification of the spirit”, “union with brothers and sisters by faith”, “reaching the next level” of something, etc.).

The second version is repetition an unlimited number of meaningful prayers. Verbal multiplication in both cases leads to prohibitive inhibition, which dramatically reduces the criticality of perception of reality and resistance.

4. Approval mythology.

Leaders of destructive religious organizations (in particular pro-Christian sects) quite often declare themselves to be new prophets or even the next coming of God to Earth, which “switch on” the already verified mythological schemes that exist in the human mind.

The success phenomenon of this indoctrination element is based on the particularity of information perception.

It is always easier for a person to understand and accept something already familiar, similar to what he knows, than completely new one, which has no analogues in his personal experience.

Regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation, all people, starting from childhood, encounter myths and legends, where there are “light” and “dark” forces, Gods and Deities, the struggle between good and evil.

That is why during the creation of the doctrine of a religious cult, a new religious movement or a totalitarian sect, images that are similar to the heroes and characters of folk art and therefore proven and already inscribed as familiar in the individual’s perception system, are used.

5. Collectivism

Collectivism is a very essential element of indoctrination.

Impact, carried out in group, is always realized much faster and has a more lasting effect because person automatically starts to copy the required behavior with the help of other members of the destructive cult.

Speaking about collectivism, we must not forget that verbal multiplication and regular systematic repetition of cult actions cause and then fix in mind certain emotions, feelings, thoughts, ideas, leaving deep and stable systems of excitation and inhibition focuses in the Central nervous system, which form a singular habit.

And when such a religious stereotype of behavior is formed not at one person, but in a group, the laws of collective psychology come into effect. That is why in destructive religious organizations the ritual side is given such attention.

1. Control Of The Situation (environment) - A rigid structuring of the environment in which communication is regulated, and access to information is strictly controlled;

2. Mystical Manipulation - The usage of a planned or arranged “spontaneous”, “immediate” situation to give it a meaning that is beneficial to manipulators (for example, physiological and psychological changes in the transition to a vegetarian diet are explained by the “descent of the Holy Spirit”);

3. The requirement of “purity”
- A sharp dividing of the world into “clean” and “impure”, “good” and “bad” to position the totalitarian sect as “good” and “clean”, and everything that is outside it - as “bad” and “dirty”;

4. Cult of Confession - The requirement of never-ending confession and intimate acknowledgments to destroy the boundaries of personality and maintain a constant sense of guilt;

5. “Holy Science” - The announcement of their own dogma as absolute, complete and eternal Truth, and any other information that contradicts this “absolute truth” as false one;

6. Language loaded with cult meaning -
The creation of a special clichéd dictionary of intra-group communication in order to eliminate the very foundation for independent and critical thinking;

7. Doctrine is more important than the personality

the doctrine is more real and true than the personality and its individual experience;

8. Separation of existence

Members of the group have the right to life and existence, the rest ones - don’t have it, i.e. “The end justifies any means”.

MaxInDHouse:
GO ON PREACHING AGAINST RELIGION IN GENERAL my friend.

I won't disturb whatever you say after all your friends claiming believers are all involved in this so you and i have no issues but once you come up against pure worship i will use the truth to dismantle your missiles! Isaiah 54:17

Courz:
Nice one Oteneaaron. Following.

All destructive religious organizations are led by charismatic leaders. This, by the way, is one of the main features of such communities.

In contrast to the confessional direction of World Religions, with the “priesthood institution”, where compassion and non-use of violence are recognized as basic values, leaders of destructive religious organizations profess, as a rule, a rigid authoritarian leadership style.

They intuitively and at the same time very effectively use the mechanism of destructive indoctrination.

The essence of their activity - is to influence the followers as much as possible, “infecting” them with their fanatical ideas. Such behavior is an integral feature of any religious cult; it is a general rule that is strictly executed [4].

The leader(s) of a totalitarian sect obtains unlimited power and tries in various, often ethically condemned ways, to deprive his followers of their individuality and free will, establishing absolute, destructive control over their consciousness.

To this purpose, they either directly proclaim themselves to be Gods, or convince others that the will of God consists in following them.

It should be noted that the goal of indoctrination in destructive religious organizations is the unconditional acceptance of the doctrine by the recruits, as well as the behavior and personality traits that are prescribed to all followers of this religious doctrine.

1. Control of time and activity (behavior).

That is, the submission of potential neophytes to a strictly calculated time schedule, within which every moment is associated with intense physically and emotionally activity. This leaves little or no time for solitude and reflection.

Such a schedule may include: a lecture marathon, long seminars or meetings of organization members, intensive individual consultations, hypnotic exercises, meditations, prolonged monotonous singing, prayer meetings.

At the same time, sleep and eating are subjects to strict control and deprivation. Time of sleeping is reduced due to obligatory individual prayers or collective worship, ritual practices, household chores to clean the area and rooms, production of propaganda materials, etc. Food restrictions are justified by the need to refuse protein food.

Deprivation of sleep and food intake can be not only partial. In some totalitarian sects to “purify” the spirit complete fasting and daily vigils are used.

As a result of such physical, physiological and psycho-emotional stress, psychological defense is reduced, attention volume is abridged, physical and emotional exhaustion occurs, the ability to critically evaluate the group decreases, trans-like states arise that are often distracting and make a person highly suggestible.

oteneaaron:

You sound rattled. Be calm. I haven't even started yet.

MaxInDHouse:
GO ON PREACHING AGAINST RELIGION IN GENERAL my friend.

I won't disturb whatever you say after all your friends claiming believers are all involved in this so you and i have no issues but once you come up against pure worship i will use the truth to dismantle your missiles! Isaiah 54:17

oteneaaron:
At this stage of the paper, Professor Alyona made a reference to another important work that created a model that further describes the destructive effect of negative indoctrination.

This is the classic model of R.J. Lifton, described in his work “Thought Reform” [3].

This study brought to a more exact understanding of how mentally healthy, educated, and idealistic people can quickly become fanatics of movements whose ideology andactivity directly contradict their initial outlooks on the world.

R.J. Lifton identifies eight elements that bring total change in consciousness during the process of indoctrination:



Is it starting to sound familiar?

I will continue with the thread later today.

MightySparrow:

As much as any human group is indoctrinated, the Army, Science, Law.... mention it. Any thing or knowledge that makes a people group reason same way without real questioning or questions that changes nothing in the now is manipulation. Hahaha, my friend, these points are all the hallmarks of JWs. Destructive religiousity

MightySparrow:


As much as any human group is indoctrinated, the Army, Science, Law.... mention it. Any thing or knowledge that makes a people group reason same way without real questioning or questions that changes nothing in the now is manipulation.

Hahaha, my friend, these points are all the hallmarks of JWs.


Destructive religiousity

Mumu tantrums of a deluded Atheist whose sermon is :"the Bible is not fit for this era"

You dey follow Eckankar upandan & you are here deluding yourself

A sergeant will question & challenge GOC of his battalion?

You are an enemy of Law & Order.
Go & challenge abdru shin, your mentor or continue exposing your Mumu to the world

MightySparrow:



Brethren Ummah, Apostates, disfellowshipped, baptized , discreet slave,, Governing Body, Mullahs, Living Masters, Grandmasters, Witnesses, Cross Beareers.. GOs, Professors , Gurus etc.

ADD YOURSELF, Sparrow, Sunday school Teacher.
This Sparrow Atheist will mount pulpit this Sunday to "indoctrinate" Sunday school students.

The very thing Sparrow & Oteneaaron (idol worshipping mugu indoctrinated by Trismegistus) has condemned.

Una no well, HYPOCRITES

oteneaaron:
At this stage, we will consider some common tactics used by destructive religious organizations in the indoctrination process -

You posted this GIBBERISH after Professor Alyona G. Ayrapetova, doctor of philosophy (PhD) & Trismegistus, your mentors, controlled your time & activity (behaviour) to indoctrinate you.


According to your personal text, Have you forgotten you are a slave ?

Ozuo

2. Information control

That is, “cutting off” or slandering external sources of information, such as television, radio, newspapers and communications with people outside the group.

Simultaneously with the blockade of external sources of information, a “bombardment” of the recruited by cult literature, records and lectures on ideological processing is carried out.

Information about the cult is also controlled and classified into several categories depending on the hierarchy. "Secret" information is available only to the leader and some of his especially trusted assistants.

This information segment includes rationing the lives and activities of followers (for example, what donations they should make, who may be encouraged and who punished, what changes in the lifestyle of the cult will be made, what financial obligations are required, where the money is spent).

Another category of information is distorted data that is instilled into followers (for example, “We gather money for orphans”, “Our donations will be spent for the purchase of medicines for cancer patients”).

The third category of information is an open lie, which is forced to demonstrate to all followers (for example, “None of us snitch each other”, “All members of our group have the same duties and privileges”).

The main purpose of information control is to prevent informed decision-making and a critical valuation of a destructive religious organization.

3. Verbal manipulation

This involves several separate tactics.

One of them is the attribution of new or additional meanings to ordinary words.

For example, the word “knowledge” in one of the cults means the methods of meditation, the word “mind” is given the meaning of “bad” thoughts and forces inside people who lead them away from God and the Truth, “world” refers to everything which is outside the cult and therefore is unenlightened.

Other tactic includes using a special vocabulary (for example, artificial words and phrases), put into conversation and singing a foreign language (or languages).

This tactic is aimed at reducing and then eliminating conversations about pre-cult and non-cult activities, interests and ideas to limit the expression of “unnecessary” personal thoughts and feelings.

Certain tactics of verbal manipulation are developed in destructive religious organizations for those who involve in missionary, proselyte, and recruiting activities.

They, in particular, are recommended to speak expressively, but moderately emotionally so as not to make the impression of an “obsessed” one, paying special attention to a “psychological pause” in speech.

Serious demands are made on the substantive side of their “sermons” and agitation: to adapt to the level of involvers’ personal development, their interests, moods; be able to arouse interest;
give modern examples from non-religious life, refer to Philosophy, History, Psychology, Genetics, Mysticism, Astrology, Literature; know the features of perception and thinking of men, women and children, ways of influencing them.

Janosky:

You posted this GIBBERISH after Professor Alyona G. Ayrapetova, doctor of philosophy (PhD) & Trismegistus, your mentors, controlled your time & activity (behaviour) to indoctrinate you. According to your personal text, Have you forgotten you are a slave?Ozuo

oteneaaron:
Still on the tactics of indoctrination used by destructive religious organizations - Information control gbogbotigbo GIBBERISH.

4. Weaning from critical, rational thinking

This consists in the fact that, for example, many destructive religious organizations get rid of doubts, criticisms and questions of their followers by statements like “Everything will become clear in time”, such threats as “Satan (Devil, Shaitan) is foundation of all doubt” or instructions like “If you want to know God, you must go beyond your previous experience”.

The result of this tactic is a deeply felt guilt over doubts, questions or the usage of one's intellectual abilities to evaluate a cult. Many followers even begin to consider their minds as “troublemaker”, “generator of poisonous doubts”, “weapon of Satan” and so on.

Janosky:


. God controls information.
Government controls information.
Educational institutions at all levels controls information.

Save yourself that precious time you're using
to post Dustbin materials

5. Confessional sessions

During these confessional sessions, followers are forced to give out extremely personal information about past and present misconducts and sins, which can be real or imagined ones.

As a result, recruits who disclose such information may feel an initial sense of guilt and shame, and then a relief after confession. They may even become addicted from this self-blaming activity as a way of alleviating guilt.

However, those who want to leave the cult are often afraid the information they have disclosed may be used to blackmail them.

oteneaaron:

It still continues -
Does this sound familiar to you?

6. Group pressure

That is, positive reinforcement of “right” behavior, thoughts, statements, which is expressed in approval, manifestation of sympathy and affection, raising the status and negative reinforcement of “wrong” actions, when members of a destructive religious organization “punish” those who speak or act contrary to religious regulations.

“Punishments” are realized in the form of collective demonstrative expression of regret, disappointment, anxiety about “wrong” behavior, reduction or partial blockade in communication, condemning kinesics, prosodic and extralinguistics.

As a result, victims of such manipulation, succumbing to group pressure, completely accept all the rules of a destructive religious organization, despite strong beliefs that contradict cult beliefs and practices.

The reason for the unconditional acceptance is, on the one hand, that the doctrine, dogmas and code of behavior are indivisible, united and binding on all members of the cult and do not allow any compromises.

On the other hand, having experienced the “bombardment of love”, which is practiced in all destructive religious organizations, and then got under the emotional and communicative blockade for “bad” behavior, almost all involvers experience great discomfort and fear of rejection.

oteneaaron:

And yet another tactic of indoctrination used by destructive religious organizations.
Does this strike a chord?

Thus, it can be stated that modern destructive religious organizations are able to create a kind of “psychological concentration camps” for adherents recruited into their ranks.

A serious concern is that in the process of indoctrination, radical personality changes occur that are almost invisible to the involving victim.

The main problem of destructive indoctrination, in our opinion, is activity of destructive religious organizations as a generator of new behavior, changing in this process the matrix of friends and enemies, impose not only behavior scenarios, but also experience ones, as a result of which adherents even perceive their own death as a religious privilege.