Dr. Singer is the reigning expert on cults, having testified in cult-related trials repeatedly. She has studied them for some 50 years. So this book, written for ordinary folk and not scientists, is the distillation of an enormous amount of research and experience. It's quite readable.
She points out that not all cults are religious, although in the US, they often incorporate as religions to be tax-free. The clear example there is Scientology, which started out as a psychological program called "Dianetics." But there are also political, psychological, nutritional, and other types of cults. Dr. Singer offers three aspects of an organization that identify it as a cult: an authoritarian leader, a top-down structure, and the use of thought reform, brainwashing, mind control as an intentional, programmed pattern.
The book goes into considerable detail as to the brainwashing techniques involved, and how they fit together. Her list of six conditions that create the atmosphere in which indoctrination takes place is worth quoting verbatim:
1. Keep the person unaware that there is an agenda to control or change the person.
2. Control time and physical environment (contacts, information).
3. Create a sense of powerlessness, fear, and dependency.
4. Suppress old behavior and attitudes.
5. Instill new behavior and attitudes.
6. Put forth a closed system of logic.
Dr. Singer also goes into detail concerning some of the "supernatural" phenomena displayed by the leaders of cults. Jim Jones used to have a couple of his followers go visit a potential recruit, and one would ask to use the bathroom. While there, she would check out the medicine chest and write down what prescription and non-prescription drugs she saw, what indicators of conditions experienced by the person who lives there. Later, Jones would "read the mind" of someone who is having trouble with their digestion, for example, and create the impression that he knew everything.
Of special concern to Singer (and to myself) are the children of cults. They often get no education at all, or only indoctrination into the practices of the cult. Discipline is harsh; so harsh it has actually killed more than one child. Children are routinely separated from their parents, citing loyalty to the leader as more significant than loyalty to family. Often, they do not have adequate food, clothing, bedding, the basics. They are often the victims of physical and sexual abuse.
We have heard about a few large cults, or ones with dramatic acts, such as People's Temple or Heaven's Gate. But Singer cites many more, some quite small, which have nonetheless done their share of the mind control and dirty tricks. Singer works with ex-cult members to help people who leave cults to put their lives back together. She does not "deprogram," but counsels those who have already left the cult. They often suffer effects of their time in the cult that last for months, including finding it hard to make decisions, having "space out" episodes where their minds go blank, being afraid of being kidnapped by the cult, or even killed.
This book should be required reading for anyone who has a friend or family member in a cult.
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