Information Control

Cults tell their members not to read any information outside the cult. All information from outside the cult is considered to be “evil”, especially if that information is in opposition to the cult. Only information which is supplied by the cult is true. Here too cults label any information against it as “persecution” or “spiritual pornography”. The cult I was a member of calls it “apostate literature”. No doubt books like this one will likewise fall into their respective labels. You also run the risk of being expelled from the group if you are caught in possession of any such literature. Members are trained to instantly destroy any information critical of the cult, and not even to entertain the thought that it could be true.

       Therefore, what we can conclude from this is that those who control the information control the person. Naturally, a person who does not consider all information will make unbalanced decisions. Throughout history the practice of filtering information available or trying to discredit it, not on the basis of how true it is, but how it supports the party-line is a common mind control tool.

       This extract from the Watchtower’s monthly publication, Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007 edition, is a classic example of information control used by cults.

Does ‘the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in scriptural research or debate?

No, it does not. And yet in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. […] Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. […] For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, “All Scripture Is Inspired Of God and Beneficial,” and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study, […] (September 2007, Kingdom Ministry, Question Box) [Italics mine]

       In the above quote members are encouraged to only consult or research the Watchtowers publications for personal research purposes, thereby controlling the information they receive.

       Another former Opus Dei member, Colm Larkin, explains how every book that could be read by Opus Dei members carried a censorship rating that ranged from one to six. Books that were rated with the number one could be read by everybody. Books rated with the number two could only be read if permission was granted. The books rated between three and five could only be read by established members and also depended on the amount of time they belonged to The Work. Lastly, those books rated with the number six were completely banned to everybody.

       Legitimate groups have nothing to fear from their members reading critical information about them. The internet has become a valuable source of information. This tool has also proved to be a thorn in the side of many of these cults and they frequently discourage members from using it. Furthermore, I do admit that some information on the internet should be taken with a pinch of salt, but the vast majority of the information about cults is dead accurate.

       In my opinion, any organization that has to constantly warn its followers against using the internet has a lot to hide. And certainly many of these groups would much rather cover-up much of their past (and present). If you are instructed by a group not to read any information critical of the group, then it is a sure sign of a cult.

I also acknowledge that many of the founders of some of these groups do not deceive their followers intentionally. Some of them may have begun a sincere search for truth, but ended up with a warped sense of reality and truth. Likewise, the followers of many of these cults also set out on their journeys to search for truth, but fell captive to unscrupulous deceivers out to fleece and control them. Case in point is the statement allegedly made by the founder of the Church of Scientology, Lafayette Ron Hubbard, who spoke before a science fiction writer’s convention and said, “Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wanted to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion.”

Furthermore, labelling a certain group a cult can be controversial and some people may disagree with me in labelling some groups as such. This in part is due to the fact that some of these groups have received mainstream religious status because of the immense number of followers they command. Others prefer to label these as high control groups or new religious movements. However, I do not differentiate between these terms in this book because the mode of operation of these groups, regardless of what you may call them, is similar. Therefore, I label them all cults.

As a former cult member, I have witnessed first hand the inner workings of these groups and how similar their methods of recruitment and control are. My first book, Losing The Faith: Truth under Scrutiny is the account of my journey through one of the largest cults in the world today, namely, the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Since the publication of that very same book the consequences that I, as well as my immediate family, have experienced only reiterates how destructive cults can be. Loss of friends and family are just two of the results that members who eventually leave a cult must face and endure. Many come to the realization that love and friendships in cults are conditional. In addition, some cults are just plain deadly.

My desire is for this work to serve as a reference and a guide; one that will assist people to recognise the dangers and pitfalls of becoming involved with cults. An appendix is provided at the end of this book from which readers can explore the writings and research of former cult members. This book is not intended to promote or endorse a particular religion or belief structure.