Cult Killings Higgins O’Brien Spring 2012

The authors define a cult as a “loosely structured and unconventional form of religious group, whose members are held together by a charismatic leader who mobilizes their loyalty around some new religious cause” - During Roman Times, Christianity was considered a cult - The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints (Mormons) began in 1830 as a small cult in an upstate New York village - The Branch Davidians led by David Koresh were also considered a cult before perishing in the 1993 Waco Siege

Dangerous Cults Characteristics Authoritarian leaders who claim a special mission or knowledge Charismatic dominant leadership style Total allegiance Claim innovative and exclusive answer to individual/societal problems “Ends justifies the means” logic that justifies manipulation of others Totalistic ideological and behavioral control over members Major transformation of lifestyle Unlike traditional religious organizations, cults pressure new recruits to cut off ties with old friends and family

Dangerous Cults continued There are powerful forces to comply and conform once joining a cult A deranged leader can make others commit murder in extreme cases Gangs, fraternities, and even corporations can demonstrate cult characteristics

The Appeal of Cults Cults are attractive to individuals feeling a lack of structure and belongingness in their lives Throughout history many have claimed that the world is ending soon, and this apocalyptic thinking continues today Cults take advantage of this, and offer answers The Heaven's Gate cult committed mass suicide in A poison ritual was completed by 39 members, who believed they would enter a spaceship traveling behind the Haley Bopp comet Leader Marshall Applewhite

Charismatic Leaders and their Followers Jim Jones, leader of the People's Temple, led 913 Americans to kill themselves in Jonestown, Guyana on Nov He relocated members from the U.S. to an isolated jungle in South America Convinced that the FBI and CIA were closing in on them, he persuaded his followers to drink poison There are many other smaller cases of seemingly intelligent individuals being brainwashed by rituals and “supernatural” leaders

Needs Fulfilled by Cults Cults have historically recruited alienated youth Teenagers who suffer from mood/personality disorders and are looking for a place to fit in are vulnerable The internet has become a powerful tool for cults to recruit members Promises of power or supernatural abilities can make individuals rationalize their bizarre behavior Members can be forced to donate everything they own to the cult, or engage in violence

Normal People in Abnormal Situations Not all cult members are crazy or naïve, many are educated and seemingly intelligent individuals Charismatic leaders can persuade others through flattery, deception, or need fulfillment People who are depressed and vulnerable are looking for change, and are susceptible to an authority figure Many studies have explored this idea Milgram shock experiments Stanford University prison experiment

Normal People in Abnormal Situations continued Cults can control every detail of members' lives Dress codes Food Friendship and Family Work Because teenagers are so vulnerable, teachers, advisors, friends, family, and counselors have a responsibility to provide structure and support

Suicide or Homicide Because of the large influence cult leaders have over members, there is a debate on whether mass suicides are really cases of mass homicide Are cult members responsible for their own death? Brainwashing characteristics can include Control over all communication and information Mystical manipulation involving a “higher authority” Demand for purity Sacred science Use of new language or jargon Denial of self, group is more important Degrading outsiders “us vs. them”