INTRODUCTION

When Heather Wendorf met Rod Ferrell at her local high school the two, considered by most to be misfits, found an instant attraction. What Wendorf did not anticipate was that Ferrell believed himself the 'sire', or head of a murderous vampire cult. In the time that Wendorf spent with Ferrell he forced her to torture and mutilate animals, drink human blood and Ferrel killed both of her parents and marked the bodies with a "V" for the cult.

In North America there are several high profile cases, such as the one above, that have ended in tragedy have caused society to take a closer look at exactly what cults are, how the leaders exert such strange and powerful holds of their members and what kinds of people become involved in them. However, the more questions asked about cults, the more questions are raised.

One estimate is that there are over 2500 cults currently operating in the United States. Many of these cults are small groups of individuals who simply share a common religious belief and present no harm to the public or their own members. However, there are those cults that do represent a danger to their members and possibly to the public. It is these kinds of groups that require further investigation, and these kinds of groups that people must be wary of. While both the U.S. and Canada allow their citizens freedom of religion, there has to be limitations. But if an adult person wants to become a part of a cult, then who has the right to say that they should not do so? Many people report good experiences from joining a cult.

WHAT ARE CULTS?

The term "cult" is something that is very difficult to define. There are many different forms of cults, and precise definitions are often difficult. There are many negative stereotypes that also exist. Supporters and members often refer to cults as "new religions" or part of the new religious movement which gives them a little more credibility. Some definitions of cults are.

"a religious movement which makes a fundamental break with the religious traditions of the culture and which is composed of individuals who had or seek mystical experience (Galanter)."

"a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or things, and employing unethical, manipulative or coercive techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, suspension of individuality and critical judgement, and so on, designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the possible or actual detriment of members, their families, or the community (West)."

"a highly manipulative group which exploits its members and can cause psychological, financial and physical harm. It dictates in an absolute manner the behaviour, thoughts and emotions of its followers. Manipulation techniques are used to transform the new recruit into a loyal, obedient and subservient member (Info-Cult)."

While a specific definition of a "cult" may be difficult, there are several common factors that seem to be a part of the kinds of cults that raise concern. While every group is different in their specific beliefs and rituals, some more common factors of cults are:

• has a living leader;
• cult doctrine based on leaders' techniques and beliefs;
• members adhere to leaders' beliefs;
• leader may claim special powers or connection to a higher being;
• leader is sole judge of dedication and quality of member's faith
• leader may be very comfortable while members suffer (leader may eat while others starve; leader may have sex while others remain celibate);
• leader may predict the end of the world;
• cult may say that it works to save the world but helps no one outside the cult;
• daily work demeaning;
• cults provide salvation - anyone outside cult is evil;
• members must cut self off from past life;
• ego destruction and thought control;
• questioning religion and criticism frowned upon - sign of bad faith; intolerance of other beliefs;
• individuality frowned upon;
• emphasize moneymaking;
• structure and discipline;
• non traditional religion;
• no grey area - everything and everyone is either right or wrong; pure or evil;
• members give up right to think and decide for themselves;
• use manipulative and unethical means to get members - i.e. do not provide a full explanation of who group is and what they do.

Cults can be very detrimental to a person's health. Members often are required to work 20 hours a day to raise money for the cult. If a member does not sell enough or work hard enough, then that person is made to feel very guilty and their faith may be questioned. This only makes the individual work harder the next day. In addition to lack of sleep, a poor diet is another condition of some cults. Members may be given very little to eat, and the food they do receive may not be very healthy.

Some cults encourage freedom of sexual activity in their members where others frown upon any sexual contact, even between married people. David Koresh did not allow sexual activity among his members but he could have sex with anyone he desired, whether the woman was married or a teenager. In the Hare Krishnas, married couples are only allowed to have sex once a month. Jim Jones preached against sex but used the women in his group to satisfy his own sexual urges.

EXAMPLES OF CULTS

The following examples of cults are extreme cases of tragic situations. These cults are not representative of the majority of cults currently in operation. However, they do paint a disturbing picture of what can happen.

Probably the most infamous cult was the David Koresh cult - the Branch Davidians. In April of 1993 the world watched as several officers from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms department were shot while attempting to raid the compound. After a standoff between the agents and the adult members of the cult that lasted several months, the compound was burned to the ground with over 75 people inside.

One of the first cults to come to the attention of the public was the Jonestown cult. Jonestown was the brainstorm of Jim Jones. He founded the People's Temple in 1957. He built Jonestown in 1977 in Guyana. The town was patrolled by armed guards. He preached sexual abstinence but he used the women as his sexual slaves. In 1978, Jones ordered the "White Night," in which every member drank Kool-Aid laced with cyanide (rat poison). The babies were dosed with turkey basters. Over 900 people, including Jones himself and 300 children, died.

One of the most infamous Canadian examples of a cult was the Roch Theriault cult. Theriault called himself Moses, and he brought his followers into the wilderness near Lindsay, Ontario where he organized his commune. They worked 20 hour days to clear the land and build the compound. His followers were subjected to the cruelest forms of abuse. They allowed themselves to be beaten, humiliated and tortured because they believed he was doing God's work and that he was punishing them because God wanted him to. He had numerous wives and fathered many children. He castrated one man, cut the arm of one of his "wives" off with a cleaver and one of his female followers died while he "operated" on her. He pleaded guilty to second degree murder in 1993.

The most recent example of a cult gone wrong is the Order of the Solar Temple. The cult came to the attention of the world when a number of chalets burned down in Switzerland in the fall of 1994. Over 50 people died as a result of a mass suicide/murder. Lead by Luc Jouret and Joseph Di Mambro, members believed that death was a form of transit and that they were going to live on another star. A baby and his parents (former members), who were at their home in Quebec, were also stabbed to death as the cult reportedly believed the three month old boy was the Anti-Christ.

One of the most dangerous and infamous of cults was the Charles Manson family. Manson actually convinced some of his followers to murder several innocent people as part of his master plan to spark a race war between the white race and the black race. He believed each side would kill the other and his family would be the only survivors. Members of his family, acting on his orders, were responsible for the brutal murder of actress Sharon Tate and several other people.

WHO JOINS A CULT?

Contrary to popular opinion, most of the people who join cults are not uneducated drifters who have no meaning or goals in life. In fact, many are educated, intelligent people. Many are university students (as many cults do their recruiting at universities). Again, there is no one single personality makeup of a person who joins a cult or a person who is more likely to join a cult, the following is a list of some common traits shared by many cult members:

• most are nonreligious;
• 18-30 years of age;
• middle class;
• white;
• need for peer support;
• in transition i.e. ended love affair; starting school away from home;
• a good person;
• idealistic and naive;

Cults recruit many of their members from universities. Others are recruited when friends or relatives come to visit cult members. When new people visit the cult for the first time, they are showered with love and affection. They are not left alone for a minute, and they are kept busy every minute of the day. They are exhausted and not given the time to question the beliefs of the cults. Emotions run high. It is at this stage where the mind is very suggestible, and the recruit is overwhelmed and confused. At first, new recruits may not be told the full story of the cult or given false information about what the group stands for and what it does. When friends, family or other visitors visit a cult or a compound, very often the cult will put on a choreographed version of what cult life is like. Members will be given hearty meals, they will all appear very happy, etc. However, this version of cult life is often very different from the reality.

RECRUITMENT TECHNIQUES

While many will argue that cults use brainwashing and mind control techniques to trap people into joining their group, others argue that people join cults because they want to. Perhaps the reality is somewhere between. Mind control and brainwashing are very strong terms, and relieve the individual involved of complete responsibility. Some have even likened the techniques of cults to the brainwashing of prisoners of war by the Koreans who began to accept the beliefs of their captures. It is not widely reported that physical coercion or abuse are used to recruit people into the cult.

The Info-Cult in Montreal says that techniques may create a deep state of dependence. They emphasize two principles: 1. "if you can make a person behave the way you want, you can make that person believe the way you want; 2. sudden drastic changes in environment can lead to heightened suggestibility and to dramatic changes in attitude and beliefs (Info-Cult)."

Whatever one calls the techniques used by many cults, most agree that they are very effective. It is safe to say that it is a sophisticated form of "mind influence." The following is a list of some techniques that many cults use to influence individuals to adopt their beliefs:

• isolate the individual from his/her family and friends and everything to do with their former life;
• never leave the individual alone - no privacy
• smother them with love and attention - known as "love-bombing";
• always keep the individual busy - do not give him/her a chance to think about where they are or what they are hearing;
• numerous lectures and seminars about cult beliefs;
• alot of chanting which some say works as a form of hypnosis;
• individual is not allowed to question beliefs or make any decisions for self;
• all behaviour is regulated;
• worked to exhaustion - too tired to question anything;
• poor diet - too weak to question anything;
• get members to act childlike (play games, sing, etc.) - introduce a parental figure (leader);
• encourage to share your intimate secrets which may be used against you later; make you feel guilty by exaggerating your sins;
• meditation (which when done too much, unconscious feelings arise and can be overwhelming [Streiker]);
• ego destruction;
• take away person's individuality, i.e., everyone dresses the same, looks the same;
• peer group pressure;

WHO ARE THE LEADERS?

One of the most intriguing questions concerning a cult is - what kind of person can exercise this kind of control over so many people and get them to do virtually anything, even commit suicide. While the leaders of such cults differ from case to case, there are some traits that are common among them. All of the leaders discussed in this paper have been described as extremely charismatic and likeable. They have a way of making people want to follow them. People report feeling that cult leaders are often "hypnotic speakers" who inspire listeners to believe in them.

Whatever the attraction is to the kinds of individuals, their ability to get people to follow them is sometimes very frightening. When one considers that such leaders have in the past convinced people to commit suicide, allow themselves to be tortured and allow their children to be abused, it is truly amazing and too often deadly. People who know Charles Manson say that he could have made a great politician because he is a natural leader. Rock Theriault still has three of his "wives" waiting for him to be released from prison. The same can be said about many of the people who lead cults.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS IN A CULT

One of the most difficult things that a parent can do is watch their children make mistakes and suffer as a consequence of that decision. Therefore, it is not surprising that parents who find out that their child is in a cult want to do everything they can to get them out. However, there are several questions that one must ask oneself before attempting to get someone they love out of a cult. For example, if you are dealing with an adult, you must consider the fact that adults are legally capable of making their own decisions. There is not much one can do legally to remove an adult from a cult. Also, you must keep in mind that some people belong to cults because it is really what they want to do, and some report beneficial experiences from their time spent with a cult. In addition, you cannot let stereotypes and preconceived notions of what a cult is cloud your decision - there are legitimate cults out there in which the members are treated fair.

However, if you do discover that a child, or sibling or friend is part of a cult that is not healthy (i.e. Theriault or Koresh's cult), then there may be some things you can do. The most important thing is not to judge the person, and therefore push them away. You want the person to feel that they can still contact you and that you will support them.

Some parents decide that they will wait out their child's interest in the cult. They maintain contact and simply let the individual know that they will be there when and if they decide to come home. This does not mean that the parents do not worry about their son or daughter. Other parents may decide that their child is old enough to do what they want and simply give their blessing.

One technique is to say to the individual who says that they are going to spend the rest of their life in the cult is, "you owe me a week." You can explain to the person that you would appreciate some time alone with them so that you can get a better understanding of why they need to do this. Also, let them know that you would like to present your case in an adult fashion as to why you think they are making a mistake. It is possible that a week away from the cult will help the individual come to understand that the cult life is not the best thing for them.

There have been cases where cult members have been kidnapped by family and/or friends and "deprogrammed." Deprogramming has been defined as:

"a process when a person is forced to question his beliefs, by someone opposed to them, and examine process of conversion which lead to the adoption of these beliefs (Stoner and Parke)."

"coercive efforts to force a cult member to give up his or her beliefs and renounce allegiance to the cult (Hamburg and Hoffman)."

"a set of techniques for removing persons from new religious groups and involving them in a rigorous and even coercive re-socialisation process in an attempt to get them to renounce their beliefs and accept more traditional ones (Galanter)."

There are even "professional" deprogrammers who will help change a member's mind. Many deprogrammers are former cult members. Some deprogrammers make a comfortable living off other people's pain and suffering, therefore if deprogramming is an option, be careful of those people who are more concerned about money than helping people.

Some deprogrammers use unorthodox methods. It is not known how many kidnappings or attempted kidnappings there have been or how successful they are. There have been failures that have ended in the member escaping from his rescuers and going back to the cult. If this happens, the cult member may lose all trust for their family and cut themselves off completely.

The length of time the individual actually spent in the cult is a factor in whether the deprogramming will be successful. For example, if the person has been there for over a year, it may be more difficult to convince him/her to leave the cult and come back home.

There are obviously ethical questions surrounding the use of deprogramming, and sometimes even legal questions if kidnapping was a part of it. Critics call it "reverse brainwashing" and liken it to the techniques people claim cults use. The brainwashing is very emotional and highly charged. It can last days. The cult member may try to ignore the deprogrammer or shut him/her out by quietly chanting to him/herself. The cult member may not eat or speak for long periods of time. The deprogrammer basically tries to break through any walls that the cult member has put up and convince him/her that the beliefs of the cult are wrong or inaccurate. This sometimes includes a debate between the cult member and the deprogrammer.

If the deprogramming is deemed a success, there will be a period afterwards called rehabilitation. This basically consists of the cult member reintegrating him/herself into normal, everyday life. It may be difficult to make even the smallest decisions because in the cult, every decision is made for the members.

The debate about deprogramming and kidnapping cult members and its success rate rages on. One side says that it is necessary to free the cult members and to save them. Others say that it is an illegal act that denies people their freedom of choice. Right or wrong, most people who do choose these measures do so out of love. However, evidence shows that those people who recover the best and quickest from a cult are those who leave the cult on their own initiative (Stoner and Parker).

CULTS AS A CHILD ABUSE ISSUE

A very convincing argument can be made that adults should be able to join any cult they wish (as long as there is no illegal activity) and subject themselves to any hardships they wish (i.e., working long hours, little food). However, the argument fails when a cult has children as members. Children usually become part of cults when their parents join.

The treatment that is a part of some cults is nothing short of child abuse or neglect. There were reports from the Koresh group that children were forced to have sex with Koresh and that he disciplined them with very severe beatings. Their parents stood by and did nothing. The children in the Theriault cult were severely mistreated. One little boy was left out in the cold to freeze to death. After 14 children were taken from the group in 1985, many reported sexual abuse at the hands of Theriault. After that, nine more children were taken (as soon they were born). Hundreds of children died in the mass suicides/murders involving the Branch Dividians, Jonestown, and the Order of the Solar Temple.

A 1983 case in New Jersey saw the parents of a child (who were part of a cult) refuse to bury their dead 10 year old daughter because they believed that God would resurrect her. The body was hidden and the cult would hold daily worship services. The body was discovered by police three months later, and even when the court directed them to bury the boy they refused. The child died of untreated juvenile diabetes.

In another tragic case in West Virginia, a two year old little boy died as a result of a 2-hour spanking at the hands of his parents. The father spanked the boy with a wooden paddle because he would not apologize to another child. The boy's mother watched and said nothing.

In Indiana, a couple beat their 3-year old son to death because they were told a beating would save the child's soul. In a recent Ontario case a two year old was killed by the parents while they were apparently performing an exorcism on the child. His head was crushed by adults squeezing it.

There is no doubt that the treatment that some children receive because they are part of cults is abuse and is illegal. If the parents of these children want to subject themselves to such abuse, that is one thing. But if they stand by and let their children be abused, that is something completely different . . . something that cannot be tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Any discussion of cults must realize that there are those cults that do not abuse their members and actually are beneficial for some people. While it may be difficult for some of us to accept a cult as a life choice, it does not mean that it is wrong for everyone. The harmless cults must be differentiated from those cults that have been discussed here. Sometimes, it is tough to distinguish because cults are often secretive. As we have seen, many cults have the potential to be deadly.

What draws people to cults and why do they submit themselves to such unhealthy living conditions and sometimes torture? Should adults be allowed to be a part of any cult they choose? Should parents and friends kidnap and force deprogramming on an unwilling person? What kind of control do some of these "messiahs" have over their followers that would make a parent watch as their child was beaten? These questions, and many more need to be answered.

There is not a huge cult problem in Canada. Even in the U.S., where there are many more cults, they are still relatively rare. However, when one considers the number of people who have died as a result of being a part of a cult (over 1000 in four cults), it does cause some concern. While the issue of adults being able to consent to being a member of a cult is still unsettled, there is no doubt that if a child is being mistreated or abused, then he/she must be taken away from the cult. If his/her parents decided to stay, then that is their decision, but they cannot make it for their child.

For more information, please contact the INFO-CULT
5655 Park Avenue, Suite 305
Montreal, Quebec
H2V 4H2
(514)274-2333

Additional Sources

Deutsh, Alexander. "Psychological Perspective on Cult Leadership" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.
Freed, Josh. Moonwebs 1980.

Galanter, Marc. "Cults and New Religious Movements" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.

Hanburg, Paul and David Hoffman. "Psychotherapy of Cult Members" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.

Halperin, David. "Families of Cult Members" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.

Kaihla, Paul and Ross Laver. "The Ant Hill Kids" MacLean's February 8/1993.

INFO-CULT. Pamphlet on cultic thinking 1994.

Levine, Saul. "Life in the Cults" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.

McLaughlin, Ann and Dan Hawaleshka. "Apocalypse Now" MacLean's October 17/1994.

Stoner, Carol and JoAnne Parke. All Gods Children 1977.

Streiker, Lowell. Mind Bending 1984.

Wellisch, David. "Deprogramming, Coercion and Cults" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989.

West, Louis. "Persuasive Techniques in Contemporary Cults" Cults and New Religious Movements 1989

Woodward, Joe. "Playing with Fire" in British Columbia Report October 31/1994.