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Behind the Smoke Screen: Recognising Coercive Control in Cults


Recognising Coercive Control in Cults

When discussing cults, the focus often falls on their unique and sometimes bizarre doctrines. These beliefs, however, can act as a smoke screen, obscuring the underlying coercive control and manipulation that truly define these groups. Understanding how doctrines serve this purpose and recognising the subtle signs of control can help us distinguish between harmful cults and wholesome groups.


Doctrines as Smoke Screens


Cults often present themselves as having exclusive, enlightened knowledge or spiritual insights. These doctrines can be appealing, offering answers to life's big questions and a sense of community and purpose. However, these teachings often distract from the more insidious practices within the group.


1. Complex Beliefs: The complexity and uniqueness of cult doctrines can keep members engaged and intellectually occupied, diverting their attention from questioning the group's practices.

2. Moral High Ground: Cults often claim moral or spiritual superiority, which can disarm critical thinking and make members more accepting of questionable behaviours.

3. Us vs. Them Mentality: By creating a strong distinction between insiders and outsiders, cults foster a sense of belonging that makes members more dependent on the group and less likely to scrutinise its actions.


The Challenge of Moral Expectations


One of the reasons people fall prey to cults is the expectation of morality. Most individuals assume that others, especially those in religious or spiritual communities, share similar moral and ethical standards. This assumption can make it difficult to see the deception and manipulation inherent in many cults.


1. Trust and Goodwill: People naturally want to be trusting and believe in the goodness of others. This trust can be exploited by cult leaders who present themselves as benevolent and altruistic.

2. Disguised Manipulation: Cults often use seemingly moral or ethical teachings to justify control and coercion, making it harder for members to recognise the manipulation.

3. Fear of Suspicion: Being suspicious of a group's intentions can feel inappropriate, especially in a context where the group presents itself as morally or spiritually enlightened.


The Need for Caution


Despite the discomfort it might cause, being cautious and critical is essential when evaluating any group. The presence of deceptive cults that cause harm necessitates a careful examination of a group's practices and leadership, rather than just its ideology.


1. Awareness: Understanding that even well-meaning individuals can fall victim to coercive control is crucial. Awareness helps in recognising the early signs of manipulation.

2. Critical Thinking: Questioning and critically assessing a group's practices, leadership, and impact on its members can reveal underlying coercive control.

3. Support Systems: Encouraging open dialogue and providing support for those who might be questioning their involvement in a group can help prevent deeper entanglement in harmful cults.


Using the RCR to Identify Harmful Groups


Once the focus is taken off the ideology and placed on the group's practices and impact, tools like Renee's Cult Ranking (RCR) system become invaluable. The RCR system evaluates groups based on 12 criteria, scoring them on a scale of 0 to 36. This score is then multiplied by 10 and rounded to the nearest whole number, providing an overall RCR score that helps identify the potential harm a group might pose. Some of the key areas that have nothing to do with doctrines are:


1. Leadership: Examining the nature of leadership, including authoritarian control and charismatic authority.

2. Control Over Information: Assessing the degree to which the group controls and manipulates information to keep members dependent and unquestioning.

3. Fear, Guilt, &/or Intimidation: Analysing how the group uses fear, guilt, and intimidation to maintain control over its members.

4. Micro-Management of Daily Tasks: Investigating the extent to which the group controls and dictates the daily activities and behaviours of its members.

5. Punishment & Discipline: Evaluating the methods of punishment and discipline used to enforce compliance and control within the group.


Summing Up How to Recognise Coercive Control in Cults


Recognising coercive control in cults requires looking beyond the doctrines and understanding the underlying practices and their impact. While the expectation of morality and the desire to trust can make it difficult to see the deception, being cautious and critical is essential. Tools like the RCR system can help identify harmful groups, ensuring that individuals can differentiate between deceptive cults and wholesome communities. By fostering awareness and encouraging critical thinking, we can protect ourselves and others from the insidious control of harmful cults.

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