target demographic
Last week's service was on cults and mind control. A member shared her story of 19 years in a group that started out spiritual and ended up controlling and vindictive. The scariest thing: learning that UUs are *exactly* the target marget for cult recruiters: creative, out-of-the-box, concerned about doing good in the world, and strong-minded. Yes, strong-minded people make the best cult members.
Among the congregation, I heard several people remark that a previous relationship had exhibited signs of mind control, or they'd been part of a group or an eco-job that was using mind control techniques. We distributed a list of Characteristics of Cults to give to our youth going off to college.
Check out the International Cultic Studies Association for more info, or call them at 239.514.3081
posted by Chip @ 5:59 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
I'm glad you opened your pulpit up for this. And I love the title, Spiritual Predators.
You're right, we ARE the best target audience. It's a myth that marginal people are the most vulnerable to cults - mental instability, lack of education and financial resources don't make for good pickings -- middle class, fair, open-minded educated people do. In other words, the kids we are raising in our congregations.
For the last several years I've been doing a religious education series for middle and high school students (3-4 weeks if local or a lock-in.) Perhaps you'd allow me a moment of self promotion:
Nobody Joins a Cult -- Donuts, Kool-Aid, and Not Enough Sleep. A workshop on Fundamentalisms and Totalistic Groups
FMI justiceandpeace1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
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