MLM Survivors Club: [MLM Survivors Club] Some quotes from Dr. Philip Zumbardo

Monday, January 14, 2008

[MLM Survivors Club] Some quotes from Dr. Philip Zumbardo

Here are some pertinent points from an article on cult mind control.
The same methods of persuasion used by many legitimate organizations
are used with greater intensity in cults.

The Appeal

"What is the appeal of cults? Imagine being part of a group in which
you will find instant friendship, a caring family, respect for your
contributions, an identity, safety, security, simplicity, and an
organized daily agenda. You will learn new skills, have a respected
position, gain personal insight, improve your personality and
intelligence. There is no crime or violence and your healthy lifestyle
means there is no illness."

"Much cult recruitment is done by family, friends, neighbors,
co-workers, teachers and highly trained professional recruiters. They
recruit not on the streets or airports, but in contexts that are 'home
bases' for the potential recruit; at schools, in the home, coffee
houses, on the job, at sports events, lectures, churches, or drop-in
dinners and free personal assessment workshops. The Heaven's Gate
group made us aware that recruiting is now also active over the
Internet and across the World Wide Web."

Now, where have we seen this? Does it sound familiar?

"What makes cults dangerous? It depends in part on the kind of cult
since they come in many sizes, purposes and disguises. Some cults are
in the business of power and money. They need members to give money,
work for free, beg and recruit new members. They won't go the deathly
route of the Heaven's Gaters; their danger lies in deception, mindless
devotion, and failure to deliver on the recruiting promises."

"Danger also comes in the form of insisting on contributions of
exorbitant amounts of money (tithing, signing over life insurance,
social security or property, and fees for personal testing and training)."

We see cultic behavior and methods being used throughout the world
now. I feel the need to make people aware of these shenanigans....

Rex

Philip G. Zimbardo, PhD, is professor of psychology at Stanford
University and President of the American Psychological Association for
2002. He has interviewed and worked closely with survivors of Peoples
Temple and their family members, as well as former members of the
Unification Church, Scientology, Synanon, Churches of Christ, and
other cults.