On Research Into Excessive Devotion Toward a Particular Figure or Object
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/10/08
Scott is the Founder of Skeptic Meditations. He speaks from experience in entering and leaving an ashram. Here we talk about excessive devotion to a figure or object.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Who are some leading researchers into cults, of which you’re aware?
Scott from SkepticMeditations.com: First, let’s define what we mean by “cults”. Often the term cults is a pejorative, a negative term, for any group, especially religious, that we or others don’t like. The tendency is to label a group or ideology as the “other” and not try then to understand the underlying behaviors and attitudes.
After I’ve dived deeper into the research cult-like groups and their leaders I’ve discovered that “cult” behavior and attitudes are everywhere. I’m talking now about psychological phenomenon and not only about some fanatical religious group living on the fringes of society in an ashram, monastery, or flying planes into skyscrapers. Our definition of “cults” to be useful beyond name calling or pigeon-holing must be based on the underlying psychological traits and the degree of control and influence exercised on followers by particular leaders, groups, and ideologies.
In my research I’ve found many leading thinkers in the field to have written some excellent books, including:
Think: Why You Should Question Everything (2013) Guy P. Harrison. On my blog I reviewed and wrote a brief essay inspired by the book entitled 21 Great Reasons To Think and Be A Skeptic.
Anomalistic Psychology: A Study of Magical Thinking (1989) Leonard Zusne and Warren Jones. A seminal book, well-researched, citing studies, which goes in depth into “magical thinking” about psychic and supernatural phenomenon that often accompanies religious cult-like motivations, behaviors, and attitudes.
Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of ‘brainwashing’ in China (1989) Robert Lifton. A seminal work that focuses on the behaviors and attitudes of thought-controllers and the thought-controlled. Lifton uses his primary research in Communist China to outline the underlying characteristics of thought-reform/controlling groups. The principles apply in many situations where undue influence and a totalist leader or ideology exercises psychological controls over its victims or followers.
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion (2013) Jonathan Haight. Research that sheds light on the divergent attitudes and behaviors of conservative and liberal “cults”, politics, and ideologies.
The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power (1993) Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad. A collection of essays which unmasks the covert tactics of authoritarian leaders and their followers. The essays cover a broad range of “cult-like” power plays including how authoritarian influence is steeped in recovery/12-step programs, Eastern and Western religions, intimate and family relationships.
Jacobsen: What are some of the good websites for information on cults, e.g., checklists, warnings, leaders, known groups, emerging groups, and helplines for those who want to get out?
Scott: Some online resources I’ve found helpful in researching and exploring the psychology of thought-control and authoritarian influence, include:
OpenMindsFoundation.org — Organization actively engaged in educating the public about the influence of thought-controlling leaders, groups, and ideologies.
CultEducation.com — Good starting place for research on specific cultic groups. Forums and articles on specific groups that are allegedly harmful to followers and/or society.
ICSAhome.com — International Cultic Studies Association. A variety of speakers and topics on cults and thought-control throughout culture and society.
Jacobsen: How does a cult differ from a religion?
Scott: Frank Zappa supposedly said that the main difference between a cult and religion is the amount of real-estate the group held. Mainstream groups, like the Catholic Church, are seldom considered a cult. Yet, we find many destructive behaviors and attitudes within the group’s ideology and followers. The recent alleged sexual predations of Catholic Clergy is one example of abuses perpetrated by authoritarian leaders among followers. Yet, most Americans, I don’t think, see the Catholic Church as a “cult” in the pejorative sense. Our society has accepted the Catholic Church as a norm and many of us know Catholics. I used to be Catholic. Luckily I never became an altar boy or I may have been one of the child victims who lost his virginity to priestly divinity.
The difference between a cult and a religion is in degree, not in kind. Politics, economics, social and medical issues also can have irrational, fanatical, cult-like leaders and followers. Religion is only one area for cult-like expression and destruction.
Jacobsen: What’s the main psychological mechanism behind people wanting to be in a cult?
Scott: It’s so human to want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. To be special, to feel like we are chosen. We all want to feel like we are saving the world. Even if by withdrawing from it, by retreating to save ourselves as a reason to save the world, humanity, or planet.
The desire for certainty, for security in a dangerous and scary world drives most of us to seek certain answers and secrets. The desire to survive, to live after death, to be immortal, is also a big motivator and Con-Men know how to prey on our fears and insecurities. Religious, political and social cults abound. We think our particular ideology or worldview is the best. If only everyone believed and behaved like me or my hero or heroine. Then we’d all be living happily ever after. We live in a mythic world where we try to escape the realities and horrors of destruction, death, and meaninglessness.
When we see that we humans are fallible and responsible, that no divine power or god is going to save us, then we might be able to escape our psychological bondage. For a time, at least. We somehow need to find a way to respect tradition and authority while being able to question and create new models for authority or testing reality. Then I believe we may psychologically and socially transform our existence.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Scott.
Scott: My pleasure.
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