Cult Grooming
There’s sometimes a fine line between a cult and a religion.
CAAGe takes a look at cults.
The World of Cults and Clergy Abuse is hard to navigate. Cult leaders are usually charismatic and often retain loyal, vocal followers, despite revelations of wrongdoing. Many have made positive contributions.
What some may call cults, others simply view as breakoff churches (sects). Those in the mainstream, such as the Mormans, Jehova’s Witnesses, etc, we have chosen not to include as cults - although abuse by their ‘clergy’ can and does happen, the groups themselves have broken from mainstream religion.
The cults we have included here are there because we felt their stories help us understand better what a cult is and does. Many people are groomed into cults, expecting a better life or lifestyle, or groomed by a charismatic spiritual leader into a toxic and/or inappropriate relationship. Others are born in cults but groomed into harmful patterns of behaviour.
There is no formal grouping of types of cults. Our groupings, below, are considered but somewhat arbitrary. Other sources separate types of cults into further groupings including destructive cults, polygamist cults, racist cults, self improvement cults, UFO cults,and terrorist cults. We may well extend what’s here at some point in the future - this work will probably never be finished, just continuously added to.
On this page
Introduction (above)
Useful information
What cult groomers look like
What cult grooming looks like
The psychology of cults
Watch
Take action
Where to report
Sources of support
Of interest
Books
Coming soon
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What is a Cult?
Great starter article explaining what a cult is on MasterClass.com: What is a Cult?
Note in particular the conviction that the outside world is against them.
Inform, which publishes information about cults and minority religions, has a great little guide if you are asking: “Is it a Cult?”
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What is the difference between a sect and a cult
A clear article explaining the origins of the words sect and cult, and in a non-critical, noon ‘tabloid’ way, explaining the difference between the two:
Short Notes, SociologyGroup.com: Differences between sect and cult
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What is a New Religious Movement (NRM)
At CAAGe we haven’t included New Religious Movements (NRMs) in our work here on Cult and Religious Abuse.
But with the existence of mainstream religious movements like The Latterday Saint Movement, it’s important for us to make a distinction.
Sociology.com New Religious Movement: Meaning and Characteristics
Penn Today: Is it a cult or a New Religious Movement?
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When does a Political Movement Become a Cult?
When does a political movement stop being innocuous and become a cult?
This article in Salon.com offers a great explanation: When does a Political Movement Become a Cult?
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WARNING: Cult Awareness Network/New Cult Awareness Network
Despite it’s ‘charity’ sounding name, it is worth knowing the following, quoted from Wikipedia:
The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) was an anti-cult organization that provided information on groups that it considered to be cults, as well as support and referrals to deprogrammers.
It was founded in the wake of the 1978 cult mass murder/suicide at Jonestown, Guyana.
After CAN lost a lawsuit and filed for bankruptcy in 1996, Scientologists acquired CAN's name, phone numbers, assets, files and records, and reopened the organisation under the name New Cult Awareness Network.
What Cult Groomers Look Like….
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Bikram Choudhury, Yoga Guru
Bikram Choudhury developed his own, inimitable brand of hot yoga, a yoga practise that continues to be popular today.
And he then abused his position as yoga guru.
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Warren Jeffs
Despite being in prison serving a life sentence plus twenty years for sexual assaults on children and other crimes, Warren Jeffs remains president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS ). It’s a polygamous denomination of the Latter Day Saint movement and he is believed to have 78 wives.
He inherited the role from his father, Rulon Jeffs.
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Reverend Jim Jones, born James Warren Jones
Reverend Jim Jones lead The People’s Temple, whose followers ultimately committed suicide in Jonestown, a commune he established in Guyana.
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David Koresh, born Vernon Wayne Howell
David Koresh was a Branch Davidian leader, responsible for the Waco Massacre.
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Reverend Sun Myung Moon, born Moon Yong-Myeong
Sun Myung Moon was a Korean religious leader, also known for his business ventures and support for conservative political causes. Believing himself the Messiah, he started a ‘cult’ The Unification Church, better known as the Moonies, now run by his son Hyung Jin (AKA sean) Moon (Moon died in 2012 of pneumonia.)
Insider (1) (Lisa Kohn), Insider (2), Insider (3)
YouTube, Talk Beliefs: (1) Lisa Kohn, (2) Over the Moon
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Mansukh 'Manny' Patel, Guru
Considerable concerns have been raised regarding this guru, Life Foundation School of Therapeutics Ltd later known as World Peace Flame Foundation, and as Life Foundation International and the practice of DRU Yoga. Our own experience, and that of various callers, leads us to believe that at very least, something is ‘not quite right’.
However, because we don’t want any legal repercussions from this group, who are known to be litigious, we need to point out that other points of view are valid and represent a majority of articles available online.
Trouw (article in Dutch, requires registration)
Many articles have been removed from Google, but some still remain on the Way Back Machine
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Rev Canon Mike Pivalachi and Safe Spaces
Rev Canon Mike Pivalachi, Evangelical Minister and founder of Soul Survivor Festivals, faces historical and recent allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Soul Survivor Watford, the church linked to the Soul Survivor summer conferences, has called for anyone with information to come forward.
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Keith Rainiere
Keith Rainiere founded NXIVM, which purported to be a saes organisation. He and five associates were imprisoned for offences including the sexual exploitation of a child, sex trafficking of women, and conspiracy to commit forced labor.
What Cult Grooming Looks Like
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Doomsday Cults
Branch Davidians, responsible for the Waco Siege.
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Religious Cults
Christian Research Organisation: What is a Religious Cult?
CIC:
Hare Krishnas (Please note that we formerly held the ‘My Sweet Lord’ view of this group, but having heard testimonies to the contrary, we feel obliged to include them here.)
Legion of Christ/Regnum Christ(
The People’s Temple (also known as Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ,Temple Full Gospel Church)
Word of Faith Cult This organisation seems, from it’s name and apparent philosophy, to be simply a church, but the role of Pastor Jane Whaley leads us to concur that something odd is happening. Legal action is pending, when hopefully more light can be thrown on this cult. (A Google search will deliver lots of information!)
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Sex Cults
A sex cult is one in which unrestrained sexual activity, often presented as ‘free love’ is central to to it’s practises of worship.
Helen Zuman’s blog: What is a sex cult?
Children of God (Also known as The Family International (TFI), Teens for Christ, Family of Love) information about this secretive cult is being gathered here: xFamily
Of note is Heaven’s Gate, although for it’s insistence on NOT having sex. Ever.
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Cults and Secretive Religions
In our search for things to help people work their way through the religion/cult minefield, we found this useful article, 13 Cults and Secretive Religions and the Best Documentaries about each.
However, we do refer you to the difference between a cult and an NRM, above:
“Many of the new religions attract individuals by the promise of peace of mind, spiritual well-being, gratifying experiences, and material success. In doing so they stress their concern for the individual and highlight one’s personal worth and self-development.”
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Have there ever been any female cult leaders?
Indeed there have! A selection follows. It’s notable, however, that they’re motives are different and they rarely act alone. This deserves some investigation at a later stage.
Anne Hamilton Byrne and The Family
Teal Swan (suicide cult)
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International Yoga Day
CAAGe takes a look at the ýogis´who groom
The Psychology of Cults
To get inside the ‘mind’ of how they work
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Are Cults Harmful?
At CAAGe we came at this page with an automatic world view of cults as ´harmful´.
They are obviously appealing or no-one would ever join, so thank you to Inform for asking the question we should have started with: Are Cults Harmful?
(We haven´t changed our minds, by the way!!)
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Understanding Cults, The Basics
“ A group should not be considered a cult merely because of its unorthodox beliefs. It is typically authoritarian, headed by a person or group of people with near complete control of followers. Cult influence is designed to disrupt a person’s authentic identity and replace it with a new identity.”
Summarised:
No one joins a cult; they are recruited (groomed);
Destructive individuals/cults use deceit and pressure to make people conform.
Cult leaders are usually malignant narcissists.
Cults change people.
Cults cause lasting, long term effects for the people they have recruited, manipulated and controlled.
Psychology Today: Understanding Cults, The Basics, by Steven A Hassan PhD
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Who gets sucked in and how
This page from the UK´s Cult Information Centre (CIC) offersan oversight into who is susceptible to being sucked into a cult (it´s almost certainly not what you think) and how cults use psychological manipulation to suck people in, making it hard for them to leave:
Cult Concerns: An Overview of Cults and their Harmful Methods in the UK
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Ten things to know about the psychology of cults
Cults are attractive because they promote an illusion of comfort.
Cults satisfy the human desire for absolute answers.
Those with low self-esteem are more likely to be persuaded into
New recruits are “love bombed.”
Women are more likely than men to join a cult.
Many cult members have rejected religion.
Cults maintain their power by promoting an “us vs. them” mentality.
Cult leaders are masters at mind control.
Cult members often have no idea they’re in a cult.
Cult life can have a dangerous and lasting effect.
Online Psychology Degree Info: What to Know about the Psychology of Cults
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Why some people hand their lives over to cults
"Abdication syndrome" occurs when followers hand responsibility for their lives over to leaders. According to the author, it may be due to a desire to return to early childhood.
Inn essence it is agreement between a leader craving worship from others, and followers craving someone to worship.
It’s an unstable relationship which leads inevitably toward conflict, chaos, and self-destruction.
Psychology Today: Why some people hand their lives over to cults by Steve Taylor Ph.D.
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The Psychology of Cults - esp cult leaders
The full article is interesting, but the analysis of cult leaders reveals some common traits underpinning their aura, influence, and power.
Narcissism, charm and charisma and a lack of personal remorse or guilt
Spiritual abuse
Pathological lying and manipulating facts for personal gain
Authoritarianism. Dissenters become the enemy
Taking advantage of (abusing) followers - people are there to be used, with no boundaries (except theirs!)
Cults survive and thrive on media hype and sycophancy/blind following
The psychology of cults, by DR Nadeen Jan for Geo News
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Cults of hatred
From the American Psychological Association:
Panelists at a convention session on hatred asked a task force to investigate mind control among destructive cults.
They noted:
“Cult leaders are usually psychopaths with a desire for power and often take ideas from politics, religion and psychology to fulfill their purpose, he said. Through mind control, they are able to filter their thoughts and behaviors into "fanatical faith and belief" among followers.”
And a huge need for further research into cults and how people are groomed into them, with specific reference to terrorism.
Watch…
David Koresh and the Branch Davidians
Bikram: Yogi, guru, predator
Jim Jones and the People’s Temple Cult
Warren Jeffs and the Mormon break away cult, the secretive, polygamous, Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS)
Very clearly shows how cults work and are so hard to leave.
Take Action
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Malcolm Johnson, Lime Solicitors , is representing a number of survivors of abuse in the Jesus Fellowship Church, also known as the Jesus Army.
Malcolm advises the Jesus Fellowship Survivors Association, which is at present working with the Church to set up a compensation scheme for survivors of abuse.
Malcolm has taken a number of statements from survivors and he is interested to hear from anyone who was in the Jesus Army. He can be contacted on malcolm.johnson@limesolicitors or (020) 7264 4352.
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Five Tangible Ways to Stop abuse in the Church: a video
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If you have any information regarding Mike Pilavachi, please contact Soul Survivor to help with investigations
e. info@soulsurvivor.com
t. 01923 204200
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Change.org petition: Stop Predator Bikram Choudhury from hosting Yoga Seminar in Vancouver
How to Leave a Cult
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How to Leave a Cult
Co-authored by Natalie Feinblatt, PsyD, this Wiki How piece is a thorough, practical guide on how to leave a cult - safely!
The full piece is here: How to leave a Cult.
However, each section is carefully thought through and can be accssed individually:
Getting Away This section doesn´t just assume that you can walk through the door, and addresses basics of planning to leave.
Staying Safe: Understanding that the move may emotionally, even physically, unsafe, this section looks at the steps needed and considerations to keep yourself safe.
Recovering from a Cult: To the uninitiated, walking away is enough for you to live happily ever after. The reality is that cults have ties. You have ben emotionally manipulate and may have vestiges of those beliefs. This section looks at the places to seek help, including counselling, support grops and tracing other leavers.
The article cites American sources, so some of the help suggested may not be vailble in the UK and elsewhere, but this is a very practical guide in general.
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How to Leave a Cult - tips to get your life back
This article by (Nov 2023) by specialist Dr Natalie Feinblatt looks at the preparation required for someone to leave a cult.
This includes:
Developing links with the outside world
Finding a capable therapist to help recover from the psychological manipulation
Reach out for support to (where possible) family and friends
Find other ex-members. CAAGe´s view is that no-one is ever likely to understand your experience better, and they may help prevent you being sucked back in, as often happens
Find new communities to help build a new life with, be that religious groups (with caution), social groups, interest based groups or any combination. CAAGe´s view is that this is important, but take it at your own pace. Don´t immediately commit to too much. The journey is one of ups and downs, breaking old habits - give yourself space to think and heal.
The article: How to Leave a Cult, Tips to Get your Life Back
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How to get someone out of a cult – and what happens afterwards
This piece is authored by Suzanne Newcombe, in publication The Conversation.
A Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies at The Open University, Suzanne Newcombe is an honorary director of Inform - the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements.
This well considered piece acknowledges the realities of the way that cults work and covers helping someone to not be sucked in as well as leaving.
It looks at:
researching the cult concerned;
encouraging critical thinking, and the subject of gaslighting;
life after leaving, including spiritual and physical needs, and creating safe spaces to deal with what has happened.
Recommended reading as t summarises what could fill a book quite succinctly in a single article: How to get someone out of a cult and what happens afterwards afterwards
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The Definitive Guide to Helping People Trapped in a Cult
The title of this piece by Steven A Hassan PhD perhaps overstates what to expect, but nonetheless it´s a useful, thought provoking piece into helping people who are being influenced by cults to their own detriment.
Take aways are that:
You should be patient and respectful when asking about the cult.
Research similar examples and experiences and mind control techniques.
Aim to build trust with the victim. (this s perhaps a little understated in the article, but it's a short article and not a book after all.
Th article is here: The Definitive Guide to Helping People Trapped in a Cult
Of particular note is the author´s generous sharing of his dissertation towards his PhD, which looks at control methods: The BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: Undue Influence, Thought Reform, Brainwashing, Mind Control, Trafficking and the Law. This cold prove invaluable as a start point for anyone looking at cult control.
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Caring for Cult Victims
Rather than joining a cult, peopre are actively recruited.
Originally published in Carer & Counsellor, Summer Edition 1997, the Cult Information Centre has shared it.
The article covers:
how people are recruited - and become trecruiters;
How the coercion happens;
Cult characteristics;
Advice for counsellors;
The needs of ex-cult members
The article is here (on CIC): Caring for Cult Victims
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Coming Out of the Cults
Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D.is a renowned specialist in cults, called to speak around the World on the subject.
In this piece, an extract from a piece in Psychology Today, she notes that ex-cult members have particular struggles upon ´escaping´.
These include:
Depression
Sense of Loss
Self Esteem issues
Loneliness
Indecisiveness
Lethargy
Confusion
Fear
Flashbacks nd triggers
Guilt
For both ex-cult member (victim) and for the people around ehem, it helps to understand that these things are normal, and the article looks at both the ´what´ and the ´why´.
Read on th ICA site: Coming out of the Cults
Sources of Support
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Cult Escape aims to inspire courage and hope for anyone seeking freedom from religious control.
Contact online: https://cult-escape.com/contact-us/
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CIC is a charity providing advice and information for victims of cults, their families and friends, researchers and the media.
Tel: 07790 753 035 on Tuesdays & Wednesdays only, from 10am to 5pm
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Funding counselling services for cult survivors: http://www.encourage-cult-survivors.org/
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Inform researches Cult and religious activities.
Their website is here: Inform
The kinds of things they can do appear in their case studies: Inform case studies
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CAAGe ‘How to’: Legal Support
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Provided by the Welsh Government, the Live Fear Free Helpline provides help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Website: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free
Contact Details: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
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MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) supports people who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy or others under the guise of the Church.
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Modern Slavery Helpline: Unseen’s Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre is working towards a world without slavery by supporting, equipping and influencing. Tel: 08000 121 700
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Recovering from Religion helps individuals learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. they connect people with support, resources and community. They offer both peer support and professional support.
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For people feeling suicidal or having suicidal thoughts:
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Call free on 116 123
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The Safe Passage Foundation provides resources, support and advocacy for people raised in restrictive, isolated or high-demand communities - “cults”
Email: support@safepassagefoundation.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/safepassagefoundation/
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NHS rape and sexual assault referral centres services
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The Survivors Trust has 120 member organisations based in the UK & Ireland providing specialist support for women, men and children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Website: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/
Helpline: 08088 010818
Text: 07860022956
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Unseen (Modern slavery specialists) is working towards a World without slavery.
Modern slavery & exploitation helpline phone number: 08000 121 700
(Open 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year)
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Women’s Aid offers a range of support services which help thousands of women and children every year.
Of interest…
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Cult Fiction: The Kool Aid Kings
In this article, ’Sleuth Hound’ takes a deep dive into the diabolical world of cults.
Why do people join cults?
What kind of people are drawn to them?
Are we all vulnerable to the allure of the Kool Aid Kings?
Can we safeguard ourselves and others from the pull of these nefarious groups?
Thought provoking reading: Cult Fiction and the Cool Aid Kings
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Generation Cult
Generation Cult is an interview show about people born and/or raised in cults.
Subjects include:
The Farm and The Neon Sun with Kate, who left High View Church Farm where children worked and lived in militant conditions
We Love New Books: Forager with Michelle, who was raised raised in an end-times group (doomsday) cult.
I See You Survivor with Liz, whose experience with the questionable The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), residential programs for struggling teenagers leads her to view it as a cult.
The victims come from a wide range of backgrounds, including yoga cults, the The Geftakys Assembly which imploded in 2003, Twelve Tribes, Mormans, Scientology, Moonies, Jehova´s Witnesses, Hare Krishna´s and more.
Access here: The Generation Cult podcasts
Books on Cults
CAAGe will make a small commission on any purchases through the Amazon Affiliate Scheme. We picked these books for their content, but have not yet reviewed them.