Seitas parte IV em Inglês

Sects, Religions, Part IV Satanic Cults: a reality today. Very few authors that give definition of a satanic cult, mainly because these groups have a variety of styles. We should be fair to the need that many authors begin with the connotation of Satanism so trying to define certain characteristics and from the satanic cults. Some authors point out how this whole satanic cults "set of sciences, half-science, witchcraft, occultism and shady practices that have as their central assumption that the devil is a powerful being who is the worship, because he can get along welfare, health and wealth. " Others point out that the danger is that many young people to the Satanic group appears as the liberator, first and foremost deliverer of morality, social conventions and codes enforcement. In groups, the practices of sexual disorders and disgusting rites (butchering animals, drink their blood, etc..) Produces a release of prohibitions learned in childhood. Perhaps the most accurate definition is that a satanic sect is a minority group of people deliberately assembled for the purpose of worshiping the devil, as a being with supernatural powers can intervene in the world. Its members tend to be mostly people with psychological disorders and a profound condemnation against all established social institutions, family, church, state, etc.. The meetings of these sects are characterized by the realization that the rites are but parodies of Christian worship, preferably of the Catholic or Orthodox. These events have meaning or usefulness of initiation, dignity, evidence, solicitations or holidays. Also sects are perfect for many evasion of personal responsibility against certain actions. As we can point to common elements that are shaped by a few members, intolerance, opposition in the social-political and religious. Because of these characteristics we can mention the private worship in the cult of Satan, "the inversion of orthodox sacred," esoteric teaching, the "demonic trinity (the Beast, the Antichrist, the False Prophet)" and changing Christian prayers and creeds . What are the sects? First the classification indicated the "Luciferian cults" who believe that Lucifer was unjustly treated by Christianity, since he is the symbol of knowledge and wisdom and therefore the true light, seek power, money and influence. One of its main features is the secret of their activities. Its central rite Mass is black or red and often have an anarchist way of seeing life. Second satanic cults are shaped by individuals of medium-high intellectual level, typically professionals or knowledgeable employees mands through different matters esoteric and "his strong" anything that has to do with astrology and magic. They present a particular stratification based on the level of "dignity" or commitment from their members. Not usually confrontational, do not recognize themselves as members of a sect, but a religion that was misunderstood and persecuted by Christians. Belong to this classification sects as "The Church of Satan," "The Temple of Set," among others. Third classification assigned to "Worship Set" or "Friends of Lucifer" that can, and indeed have been seen as the most dangerous. They are constantly connected with kidnapping, rape, inducement to suicide and even homicide. Are characteristic of them shows "fidelity and dignity" as the kidnapping of corpses, drinking blood, sexual exposure and acts as aberrant as scavenging and necrophilia. Again we must emphasize the point that this classification can be regarded as valid, but under no prospects as absolute as in some satanic sects are given or can get to give up, the mix of characteristics of one group or another and even generate inside a new variant. His Existence. To speak of the causes of the existence of Satanic cults, we should leave that man has always felt fascinated by the mysterious, the supernatural wonder, inclined to the magic by which hopes to find answers to your questions or satisfy their needs. Also we point out that there are satanic cults, due in large part to misuse that man has made of his freedom, which is sent in search of magical experiences that in turn short-term experiments that lead weeds alienation from God, men, the Church and therefore of reality. As these and other possible causes can "and then adding," however we choose to refer too, not only are the causes of individual existential nature, but also those of the social context, to consider it address five key factors for the emergence and proliferation of these groups. The factors are the political, unemployment, urban violence, delinquency and family breakdown, this choice should not drive or reduce our thinking exclusively to these factors since there are undoubtedly many other possible elements or factors that cause these groups are a reality. Psychological profile. The psychological profile of the members of a cult tends to be generally the same as are the full rebellion, sickness and extreme experiences. A home relativistic and mostly anti-religious are the 'breeding ground' for the values ​​and self-promotion go way down, with some even not matter no more than living the moment. This has led to the conception that everything is relative, that life is a move to a purely transitory. What was' the fun weekend "has become a way of life where one should live as much emotion as soon as possible, because life can end at any moment. However, this position is outside, it often does not respond to the inland. Inside the individual asks a support, a help or a company, this is a strong emotional deficit, the meaningless of life around them is nothing more than the product of the lack of people who are an important part of their lives ahead of those who protect adverse events. Their personalities make them unsafe greatly to be waiting for something to confirm, since no matter what, but to do so. They feel that the pads are not sufficient for normal so it is necessary to find some kind of higher power that can 'wake up dizzy from the company itself and drowned in his own being', are common in these people to depression, alcohol and drugs elements that lead to a state of schizophrenia or paranoia. It should be noted that the danger of these diseases is becoming evident only in an advanced state, because its detection is not easy at first. Similarly their own symptoms may go unnoticed coming to be regarded, very common among people, the subject as an individual rule and his followers as an 'enlightened'. What does the Church. The Catholic Church's response in relation to the devil, their actions and demonstrations have been throughout the history of mankind very emphatic. Within the attitude of the Catholic Church against the Satanism are necessary and essential to recognize the existence of the phenomenon. We can not continue thinking that the phenomenon does not occur in our societies and communities, there are organized groups, including structures of international character, or groups that influence them. Also there must be an understanding of the phenomenon. There must be someone who can provide information study and convenient and serious pastoral workers, as well as community members. This knowledge may not be a simple fact but it should conclude in a position from the faith, it will take the research performer, as in those who use it, a profession of faith in action Paschal Church. Also they require two things: the first is that the information that offers people also go together with the position of the doctrinal teachings of the Church and many clear and safe, and secondly, that those who do research have spiritual maturity, human and psychic necessary to avoid subsequent failures or problems. With a mission awareness and sense of commitment to evangelization, the Church has to meet the most vulnerable, to give them the strength of God's grace and clarity of the light of Christ. This requires not only resort to them, but also assist them with pastoral sense and continuously. So even imply, with sound pastoral imagination, giving them new ways (the word of God) and hope for growth, inviting them to your decision is also clear from them and so avoid taking risks to follow Jesus. One of the actions that the Church should strengthen in the coming period is to deepen the catechesis of children, adolescents and youth. Continuing catechesis, catechesis deep: an invitation to take responsibility for their own faith. Catechesis hair for it to penetrate into each and every human being: that makes vibrate the word of God and leads to a fundamental decision for Christ. A youth ministry and adequate to meet the challenges of the moment. A deep evangelization of young people that will make better and safer followers of Christ, let them know they have enemies around you and take positions against them since a choice of faith. It should announce the time and destempo, using all means at our disposal. Thus we will announce the winner of the Lamb saving power of the devil. Our time to see the current culture which unfortunately marked by events away from the sphere of beliefs. Since both our society, our culture, have no unifying center for religion, but its center located in the man and what this can achieve for himself, exercising his reason alone. This and other reasons has helped the proliferation of sects, since the individual feels the need for something to answer their deepest questions, and is the product of this search that new religious movements appear or pseudo-religions. Are characteristic of this time-esoteric spiritual movements such as the New Age is an undeniable fact of our times subjectivity and relativism that involve human decisions, but at the same time the desire of humanity to transform social reality and individual, responding to questions that the uneasy, arousing questions, in essence seeking the best way to adjust the position of men of faith to the reigning cultural situation, which has great influence as the advance of science and technology. Each culture events of this 'modern' can lead to giant steps to the complete rupture between faith and science, however, contemplate the day as they become increasingly present facilities for dialogue between culture and church. There is awareness of this need, perhaps a lack of responsiveness to changing times, not only the Church but also of man as an individual immersed in a society that every day has less time for reflection and the pursuit of the first and fundamental principle of our humanity. Speaking of Satan is not easy even when present in the moment of our creation, it is in our culture as well as for some other post-modern to modern, face indifference, fear or denial of the existence of this being created and fallen. The Church has always recognized and affirmed the existence of Satan as a creature of God, this, however, has been controversial inside it. There were many theologians who worked on the demon, but still, we can not say definitely if each and every one of them recognize and affirm the existence of Satan with the creature. Sects. Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons. A cult is an organization that denies the essential doctrines of Christianity, or adding things that are not written in the Bible. To justify their wrong doctrines, the cult takes the verses of the Bible from its immediate context, the biblical text changes or add things to the Word of God. The best-known sects in Portugal are the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. The fundamental tenets of true Christianity are: The Bible is the word of God and has the final authority in all matters of doctrine and faith, God came to this world in the person of Jesus Christ and lived as a man, Jesus Christ was tempted in all things like us but never sinned, He showed us how God is helping and healing people and performing miracles, He, being innocent, sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity, the pure blood of Jesus Christ is effective forgive us and cleanse us from all sin; Once we are forgiven and are reconciled with God we can know Him; The body of Jesus Christ is risen, He was raised to heaven and sent His Holy Spirit to live in us , giving us a new spirit and the power to live a life that He agrada.Somos saved by faith in what Jesus did for us - salvation is a gift from God. Jehovah's Witnesses. Founded in the 1870s by Charles Russell in the United States, this sect is the largest disseminator of heresies in modern times because it denies most of the doctrines of Christianity and propagates errors like the following: 1. The Bible is not the only rule of faith and practice. 2. They claim to be the only way to God verdadeiro.3. The Trinity does not exist, 4. The Holy Spirit is only an impersonal active force of God. 5. Jesus was an angel who became a man. 6. Jesus was the only perfect man, but God is not carne.7. Jesus did not die on a cross but on a pole. Then the cross is a pagan symbol and should not be used. 8. The body of Jesus did not rise. 9. Jesus returned to earth invisibly in 1914. 10. Good works are necessary for salvation. 11. The soul ceases to exist at death. 12. There is no hell of fire where the men will be punished. 13. Only members of Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved. 144,000 of them will go to heaven, the other Jehovah's Witnesses live in the land. 14. Blood transfusion is a sin. 15. Prayers should be directed only to Jehovah and not Cristo.16. The trade, the church and the government are works of the devil, so they refuse to vote, salute the flag, singing national anthems or celebrate Christmas and birthdays. They are not allowed to serve the armed forces. To justify and confirm the false doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses have made a translation of the Bible, which they call The New World Translation. The founder, Charles Russell, was involved in several court cases and suspect practices, and was not faithful to his wife who divorced in the end. Interpreted the Bible in a ridiculous way, without biblical foundations and their books contain quotations in Hebrew and Greek which he did not know a word. This was proven in court. The central teaching of the Jehovah's Witnesses is to propagate the world's end is near and that all who do not belong to them will be destroyed. After this, the Lord will build his kingdom on earth to be a haven and the chosen (the Witnesses), continue with it. Mormons. Joseph Smith, the founder of this sect, was born in 1805 into a poor family in Vermont, USA. At 18 he had two "visions" while praying in which an angel revealed to him the whereabouts of some golden plates that Joseph would translate to compose 'The Book of Mormon. " Later Joseph prophesied about several upcoming events, but none of these prophecies came to be fulfilled. (One of these prophecies said Jesus Christ would return to earth in the year 1891.) The official name is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is often called the Church "Mormon" and its members are generally treated the world as "Mormons" or "Latter-day Saints." The church was organized in 1830, the State of New York. The Book of Mormon contains fifteen books and tells the story of two ancient civilizations. It also describes how Jesus visited the North American continent after His ascension, and his true church built there. About ten percent of the book is taken directly from the Bible. Joseph Smith taught: 1. The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration, Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce 2. The Book of Mormon is more correct than the Bible. 3. There is no salvation outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4. There are many gods. 5. There is a mother goddess. 6. God was a man on another planet. 7. After a person become a good Mormon, has the potential to become another god. 8. God the Father has a father. 9. God takes the form of a man - has a body of flesh and ossos.10. God is married to his goddess wife and has spirit children. 11. We were first begotten as spirit babies in heaven and then born naturally on earth. 12. The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus. 13. The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "on the morning of pre-existence '14. Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers. 15. A plan of salvation was needed for people on earth. So, Jesus and Satan each had his plan, and Jesus' plan was accepted. The Devil wanted to be the savior of humanity to "undo" the identity of men and dethrone God. "16. God had sexual relations with Mary to produce Jesus' body.. 17 The sacrifice of Jesus is not enough to cleanse us from all our sins 18. Good works are necessary for salvation. 19. There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, 20. Baptism for the Dead - This is the practice of baptizing a person rather than someone non-Mormons who are now dead. They believe in the afterlife, one "new baptized" be able to enter a higher level of Mormon heaven.. 21 There are three levels of heaven: What are the Protestant sects? The denying both the Protestant Tradition and the Magisterium suffers from its beginnings a stunning doctrinal disintegration. Where Christ founded the Catholic Church on the Rock, and Cia Luther founded the Protestant church on the quicksand of sola scriptura and free inquiry. And then the primeiras winds, stood the house of the reformers to fall miserably: planks thrown here and there, there and there tile, joints and broken in all directions. Let's see how the beginning of this century, the Reverend Father Leonel Franca already pointed out for this, lucidly describing the process of doctrinal disintegration of Protestantism based on the method of sola scriptura and free inquiry: "In the new sect (Protestant) there is no authority, there is no unity, there is no teaching of faith. Each receives a sectarian book that the book you claim to be inspired and he devoutly believe without the ability to show, read it, understand it as it may, provides a symbol, a moral formula and all this more or less indigestible making individual calls Christianity Gospel. The neighbor in the same order repeats the same operations and draws conclusions diametrically opposed to dogmatic and moral. No matter, they are brothers, are evangelical Protestants are Christians, left both of the Bible, both have forged with the same effort their Christianity "(In IRC Pg. 212, 7 th ed).. Here are some examples: a faithful evangelical wants to change cult? Need to rename? Some churches say yes, others do not. Some admit the baptism of children, other adults-only, some admit to spraying, immersion and infusion. That one single immersion, and even there only admits sectarian baptism running water and no chlorine! Here and there the formulas of baptism are as varied as the colors of the rainbow. Whether a sincere evangelical part of the Last Supper? There are sects that consider only the bread loaf (Pentecostal) other than the bread is actually the body of Christ (Lutherans, Episcopalians and others). Some practice it with unleavened bread, bread with other common here with wine, with wine and water there, there with grape juice. The Lord's Supper can be practiced daily, monthly quarterly, semiannually, annually or not practiced ever. It is ordained ministers? This sect is bishops, priests and deacons. By that only priests and pastors, pastors and elders there, there elders and bishops, priests and deacons there, other Minister not admit any. Some churches ordain women, some do not. And so, throw in all evangelicals solfa when it comes to the ordained ministry. After the death, which awaits the Christian? a believer can ask your pastor about this? And the answers would be collected between denominations as rich and varied as the flora and fauna. There pastor who preaches that all will be unconscious until the coming of Christ when they will be judged, others preach the "rapture" without trial, others a life well- Blessed here on earth, those who indoctrinate there after death comes heaven and hell, the next block, it teaches that hell is temporary, some opine that it does not exist, and so are the doctrines of the newest and the shepherds that they preach. Are you tired of the faithful wife of your youth? does not matter where you find a sect laughingly open the door to a new marriage. And from time to time does not appear here and there a crazy approving polygamy? Luther himself admitted this possibility: "I confess that I can not forbid someone has many wives, not repugnant to the Scriptures, but did not want to be the first to introduce this example among Christians" (M. Luther., Briefe, Sendschreiben In (...) Wette, Berlin, 1825-1828, II. 259). There is a study in the United States shows that among the criteria for choosing your new evangelical church is the size of the parking lot? Here's what Protestantism is today. Take this step Krogh's statement Tonning Norwegian famous Protestant theologian, converted to Catholicism, which in the last century said: "Who will bring our presence to a Protestant community that agrees on a well-defined body of doctrine? Therefore a confusion (is the rule) even among the most essential matters "(Le protest. Contemp., Ruine constitutionalle, p. 43 In IRC, France, L., p. 255. 7th ed, 1953) But Luther himself who left in the world with this news of sola scriptura lived to witness and acknowledge the harm that would cause these doctrines through the centuries: "This is not to baptism, that denies the sacraments, there are those who admit another world between this and the Last Judgement who teaches that Christ is not God, some say that, other things, will soon be so many sects and religions as there are so many heads "(In M. Luther. Weimar, XVIII, 547; De Wette III, 6l). Another piece selected, proves that the Patriarch of the Reformation had also from time to time a moment of good sense: "If the world lasts longer, you will need to take back the decrees of councils (Catholics) in order to preserve unity of faith against the various interpretations of Scripture that are being bandied around "(Letter from Luther to Zwingli In Bougard, Le Christianisme et les temps presents, Volume IV (7), p. 289). How Cults Work: Julia Layton - translated by HowStuffWorks Brazil 1. The leadership structure. Recruitment of members Doctrine. Life and death in a cult. Leaving a cult. More information. See all stories about Culture Introduction: When most of us hear the word cult, a group might think that alienated people have been brainwashed and practice macabre acts. Perhaps aware of mass killings or other negative scenes. But what we think is real? What exactly is a cult and how it differs from one religion? They are all dangerous? People who engage in destructive cults are mentally disturbed and we are all equally susceptible? What is a cult? Sects who are involved in negative news is not a rule. Basically, a cult is just a small religious group is not established, without a final goal, which revolves around a single leader. The American Heritage Dictionary defines cult as follows: a religion or religious cult considered extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional way, under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader, a system or community of religious worship and ritual. The first definition is closer to our use of the term, but you may have noticed that there is no mention of murder or mass murder. No significant difference between cult and religion in terms of faith, morality or spirituality. The main differences are: a sect of society runs out, usually makes his followers promise total commitment to the group and has a single leader, while a religion is usually inserted into the culture of the people, requires several levels of commitment of its members and has a hierarchy of leadership that, in practice, can function as a series of checks and balances. Sects in Brazil. Brazil is a continent of contrasts, in all respects, and it could not be different from the faith. The country is predominantly Christian, especially Roman Catholicism, but from north to south we can find different religions, beliefs, and even cults. Here are some of the institutions that are considered cults: Church of the Divine Trance (ITD) - established in 2005, the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Goias), is remarkable for its followers worship the flying saucers and electronic music. International Church of Christ Boston (ICI) - officially began in Sao Paulo in May 1987 and expanded to other Brazilian cities, including Belo Horizonte (1994) and Salvador (1997). Interprets the Bible according to vision of the founder, Kipp Mckean. LBV - was officially founded on September 7, 1959 by Zahoor Alziro. Its mission is: "Spirituality and Culture with PromoverEducação, so there is Food, Health and Work for all, the formation of the Ecumenical Citizen." Santo Daime - in 1945, Mestre founded the Center for Christian Light Universal Light, which together reached 500 regular members. Used in their religious ceremonies a hallucinogenic psychotropic substance called "dimethyltryptamine" (DMT). Sunrise Valley - shamanistic cult (focuses on the cyclical rhythms of nature: birth, death and rebirth) was founded in 1968 and located 6 km from Planaltina, satellite city of Brasilia. Had their creation directly linked to the life of Sergipe and former truck driver Neiva Chaves Zelaya (Tia Neiva) and the alleged apparitions of an indigenous organization called White Arrow Father, his spiritual mentor. It has about 36,000 adherents. Supreme Universal Order of the Holy Trinity - founded in Paraná in 1982 by Yuri Thais Kniss, who calls himself Imri Christ. He proclaims himself the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Popularly, INRIA is seen as a humorous personality, having appeared in several TV shows. Blue Butterfly - Hose Roland de Figueiredo, founder and leader of the sect of Paraiba, predicted that on May 13, 1980 the world would end in a deluge. The news caused great panic in Campina Grande (PB), but not with the fulfillment of prophecy, the sect has sunk into oblivion. Although most of the sects existing in Brazil is not considered destructive, there are some cases that reached the media involving rituals and gruesome deaths: 2003 - alleged members of the sect Superior Universal Design have been accused of kidnapping, torturing, castrating and killing five children in Altamira, in Para between 1989 and 1993 in black magic rituals. Four defendants were convicted. A fugitive at the time of julgamento.1998 - on December 27, 1998, the pastor of United Pentecostal Church cult of Brazil, Rubber Worms, Tarauacá (Acre), was arrested. Francisco Bezerra de Morais ("pastor" Toto), along with other members of the sect, killed six people beaten to death and then burned them. The leader said that acting on orders from God. The situation will not become more serious because some followers managed to escape and notify authorities. 1977 - Joseph Maurino Nilza Oliveira Carvalho and Maria were considered the person responsible for the murder of eight children in April 30, 1977, on the beach of Stella Maris, Salvador. They were leaders of the Universal Church of the Holy Assembly. The sect preached the abandonment of civil marriage and vote, considered worldly obligations. The leaders also said that Jesus had ordered the killings.
 Destructive cults. There is a big difference between a destructive cult and a religion is not destructive (or a sect does not destructive). A destructive cult (or total) exploits the vulnerability of its members to gain complete control over them, often using psychological techniques in order to achieve some sort of mind control over its members. Already a religion or sect does not destructive attempts to alleviate the vulnerability of its members through spiritual guidance, striving to help them have control over your life. While most religions are less prevalent harmless, certain circumstances make them easier to nest a destructive practices. The cult Californian People's Temple began as a charity that had a medical clinic and a drug rehabilitation program. It ended in mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana (1978), where about 900 followers took a mixture of orange juice with cyanide. The most impressive is that those who refused to take the mixture were shot. How something that started bringing hope to so many people may have become so negative? There is much speculation about what happened to the members of Peoples Temple, but for most, what went wrong is what usually happens with most destructive cults: the lead. First, many of these religions are founded by a single person, who holds a unique position of power in the organization and the power tends to corrupt even the most ethical. In the case of People's Temple, there is evidence that their leader, the Rev. James (Jim) Warren Jones, during the 70 years, was abusing drugs that are only sold by prescription and became increasingly paranoid. Because these groups operating outside of society, no one inspects their procedures, so a dishonest and mentally unstable leader is free to exploit their followers the way he wants. In addition to this authoritarian leadership structure, there are still some basic features in a destructive cult:
 charismatic leadership. Lies and deception in recruiting new members to use mind control methods: isolation (physical and / or psychological) requiring unquestioning devotion and loyalty and absolute rigid and insurmountable distinction between "us" (well, except) and "them" (bad , go to hell) "Internal language" that only members fully understand tight control over members' daily routines. In the rest of this article, when referring to the techniques employed by cults, destructive cults will be talking about and not about the small religious groups that do not hurt anyone. In the following sections, we examine more closely and find out how destructive cults work. Let's start with the leadership structure. It has everything. Not all destructive cults are religious in nature. Can be based on political and financial goals as well. Ultimately, the goal is the individuality of members to satisfy the desires of leaders by strengthening their self-titled position of savior, engaging in destructive activities on behalf of a political revolution or simply filling the pockets of hard earned money with the leader of the members. There are radical political groups, pyramid schemes and business seminars, self-help techniques that employ similar recruitment and brainwashing of how destructive religious cults, trying to reach people with a certain vulnerability and keep them involved. The end result is a "converted" capable of ending Own life in the name of capitalism, to convince all people want to enter the same business that is running with his savings of a lifetime, or be enrolling in an endless series of lectures, seminars and retreats that promise psychological and spiritual healing but in fact only serve to destroy your bank account. Life and death in a cult: There is no single description that fits the lifestyle of every destructive cult stuff out there. But there are some common themes. Many former members describe as a kind of existence constantly isolated in which the main activity is the repression of fears and anxieties. Chants and meditation become the main mechanisms used for this purpose. Separated from family, old friends and the outside world, their previous lives turn into a dream. In the new life, psychological growth stops, the members are placed in a static life depends on not thinking, not questioning, not imagine, can not remember. Children growing up in a destructive cult are stunted easily. Normally, do not go to school and sect may or may not provide them with studies. Cults need food, shelter and clothes like everyone else and, unless they have a wealthy donor or that they are really isolated, living in a jungle and planting their own food, that means they need money. Some cults make their money through legal means for their livelihood. The Heaven's Gate cult in San Diego, was running a successful business web design before committing mass suicide in 1997. Some cults commit crimes such as fraud and tax evasion to make ends meet. They may use deceptive techniques to raise funds or get your new members to make significant financial contributions to support the sect. Above all, life in a totalistic cult is usually characterized by tight control. There is very little freedom in daily life: the leader determines what each member can and can not do every minute of every day. This includes what to eat, read, to talk to, what to wear, where to go and how long he can sleep. The leader makes decisions and the followers do exactly what he decides. For some people, living well is a relief, because life is simple. There are unanswered questions, uncertainties, worries about the future or administration of conflicting desires. Outside, the lives of some people were so horrible that the service ends up being a safe and happy. However, in many cases this lifestyle causes intense psychological distress. Many people live in fear of angering the leader or of losing the approval of the group. Must constantly avoid the tension between the sect and the world of past life. Moreover, should quell any doubts or memories that arise. In some cases, there is also the possibility of injury. The punishment for disobedience can be physical and cult members are private hospitals and regular medical care. Some studies show that children in destructive cults are more likely to be abused than other children living outside. This level of stress can lead to chronic anxiety, physical illness or even a complete nervous breakdown, in which the cult member may be unable to act on the day-to-day. People who go through stressful moments so are more likely to leave voluntarily there. In the next section, we'll find out what options they have to abandon a destructive cult. Famous incidents occurred in cults, 1997, San Diego, California: Portal of paradise. 39 members committed suicide by overdose and suffocation. In 1994 / 95: Canada, Switzerland, France: Order of the Solar Temple, more than 65 members I die a series of murders and suicides. At 93, Waco, Texas, Branch Davidians, 80 members die from fire and shot during a confrontation between the FBI and the Department of Treasury, responsible for compliance with the laws of marketing and production of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and firearms . At 78, Jonestown, Guyana: The Temple of the people, leader Jim Jones and more than 900 members die from poisoning and shooting in a murder / suicide in mass numbers. In 69 LOS ANGELES, CALIF. The Manson Family, Charles Manson and his followers commit mass murder, leaving nine people brutally killed in two weeks.
 Doctrine: Looks like training camp for new recruits. Although some people see similarities between the practices used in mind control cults and given military training, the difference is great. First, military recruits know from day one to be a military means giving up some of their autonomy: how it works is the military hierarchy. They make a conscious decision to relinquish this autonomy, while a newcomer in a cult do not know that total submission is a requirement for their participation. In addition, the person who joins the army do it for a specific period of time, is part of a contract setting the time that it will be a soldier and that will gain in return. In the sect, the person who can understand, but in fact, their commitment to the group is not specified. Another important difference is that supports all other distinctions: the army must report their activities to the government because it is a regulated organization. A sect is not accountable to anyone.
        A destructive cult uses several techniques to make them become members, and commit themselves to participate in activities that can be harmful. The sum of these techniques is what some people call it mind control. It is also known as brainwashing and persuasion, and involves the systematic disruption of the sense of 'I' of a person. Patty Hearst, heiress to the Hearst fortune, became famous in the 70 years after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, which some consider a "political cult" and apparently she was brainwashed to join the group. There are reports that Hearst was locked in a dark closet for several days after the hijacking, starved, tired, brutalized and feared losing their lives as members of the Symbionese Liberation Army bombarded her with their anti-capitalist political ideology. Two months after being kidnapped, Patty had changed her name, issued a statement in which she referred to her family as the "Hearst-pigs" and appeared on a surveillance tape robbing a bank with her kidnappers. Mind control is a general term for various techniques of manipulation used to get people to do something that would not normally do. His concept is controversial, some say it is mere propaganda used to scare people off of new religions and political movements. However, most psychologists believe that the brainwashing techniques similar to those used in the interrogation of prisoners, change the thought processes of a person. In doctrine and in the choice of people to join cults, these techniques include the items listed below. Deception - cults use tricks to get members and get them to commit to a cause or way of life which do not have full knowledge. Cults deceive the new recruits / members about the real expectations and group activities. Hide any sign of illegal, immoral or super parent until the rookie is fully involved with the group. The leader can use the members of altered consciousness induced by activities such as meditation, chanting or drug use, to increase vulnerability to the influences. Isolation - they draw members from social (even among them) to get intense introspection, confusion, loss of perspective and a distorted sense of reality. Cult members become their only social contacts and their only reaction mechanism. May prevent new members to chat with other new members. Perhaps they can only talk for a short period with members who are already committed to the sect for a long time. You can not have unsupervised contact with the outside world. Thus, there is no chance of an "awareness" or confirmation of a new member concerns about the class. Cults typically instill the belief that those who are not members of the group are dangerous. Induced dependence - sects require devotion, loyalty and absolute and unquestioning submission. The sense of 'I' of a member of a sect is systematically destroyed. In the end, feelings of worthlessness and evil are associated with independence and critical thinking, as feelings of warmth and love become associated with unquestioning submission to the sect. The leader usually controls every minute of the life of a member. There's no time to think or analyze. Members are told what to eat, wear, how to feed their children, when to sleep. And they are prevented from making decisions. Any special talents that he may have are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse their sense of self worth. Any doubts, certainties or ties with the outside world are punished by the group through criticism, guilt and alienation. Questions and doubts are systematically "turned upside down" so that it feels wrong, useless and "evil" for asking. The member feel loved again by giving up these questions and submit to the will of the leader. Be deprived of adequate food and / or sleep to your mind is confused. The leader can switch times of praise and affection with scorn and punishment for destructive stuff out there. But there are some common themes. Many former and present it to continue privileges especiaispara submissive. May be pressured to confess their sins in public, then the group is cruelly mocked for being cruel and worthless. Feel loved again when he learns that his devotion to the sect is the only thing that can bring salvation. Fear - Once the total dependence is established, it must continue to support the leader or your life can fall apart. The leader can punish insubordination doubt and with physical and emotional trauma. Once the ties with the outside world are broken, he feels that the group is her only family and has nowhere else to go. Satisfying your needs depends on the willingness of the leader. He must "behave" or does not receive food, water, social interaction, or protection from the outside world. Comes to believe that only members of the group are saved, so if it turns out will face eternal damnation. Doctrine or mind control is a long and endless. Members are always subject to these techniques, it is a routine part of a cult. Some adapt well after a period of time, accepting his new role as a member of the group and leaving his former sense of independence. For others it is a stressful experience ever. How does the brainwashing, written by Julia Layton - translated by HowStuffWorks Brazil Brainwashing techniques. Brainwashing yesterday and today During the Korean War, Koreans and Chinese were brainwashed American POWs held in concentration camps. Many behavioral changes were radical and at least 21 soldiers refused to return to the United States when they were released. That looks impressive and leads us to ask the brainwashing really work? In psychology, the study of brainwashing, often referred to as thought reform, falls into the sphere of social influence. The social influence happens every minute of every day. It is all the ways in which people can change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of others. The submission method aims to produce changes in the person's behavior without worrying about their attitudes or beliefs. This approach leads to "Just do it". Persuasion, by contrast, aims to change the attitude, or "Do it because it will make you feel good / happy / healthy / successful." Finally, the method of education (called "propaganda method" when you do not believe what is being taught) is at the top of the social influence and trying to affect change in a person's beliefs, leading to actions such as "Do it because you know it's the right thing to do. " Brainwashing is a serious form of social influence that combines all the approaches to cause changes in the thinking of someone without the person consents. As the brainwashing is an invasive form of influence, it requires the complete isolation and dependence of the individual and that is why you mostly hear of brainwashing occurs in concentration camps or in cults. The agent (who will perform the brainwashing) must have complete control over the target (the person who will suffer the brainwashing) so that the patterns of sleeping, eating, using the toilet and other basic human needs will depend agent. While most psychologists believe that brainwashing is possible under the right conditions, some see it as improbable or at least not as serious as the media portrays. Some say it is necessary to have the presence of physical threat then, according to this thinking, most extremist cults do not practice true brainwashed, since they do not physically abuse the followers. Others mention the "nonphysical coercion and control" as an effective means of securing influence. Regardless of these ideas, many experts believe that even under ideal conditions of brainwashing process effects are more frequent in the short term. The old identity of the victims of brainwashing is not in fact eradicated by the process, but hidden. Once the "new identity" to be forced, old attitudes and beliefs of the person start to return. There are psychologists who say that the apparent conversion of American POWs during the Korean War was the result of torture, not brainwashing. In fact, most prisoners of war were not converted to communism, which begs the question: Brainwashing is a system that produces similar results across cultures and personalities and depends mainly on the target's susceptibility to influence? In the next section, we examine the description that made an expert on the process of brainwashing and find out what makes an easy target. Brainwashing fictitious. Books and movies that will fantasize about brainwashing and come to wonder if she can change human nature. You can reduce people to puppets? The protagonist of "1984" George Orwell, is a classic case of brainwashing that ends with the famous concession to his tormentors: 2 +2 = 5. In "The Manchurian candidate" in 1962, produces a brainwashed assassin unable to ignore the control commands programmed into it. "Clockwork Orange" (1971) places the institutional laundering as an option for those convicted violent frearem their destructive impulses. In "Conspiracy Theory" of 1997, a mentally unstable man, whom the government brainwashed, seeks to prove that powerful people have interceded in his mind. Brainwashing yesterday and today. In 1929, Mao Tse-tung, who would later lead the Chinese Communist Party, used the phrase ssu-hsiang tou-cheng (translated as "thought struggle") to describe a process of brainwashing. Political prisoners in China and Korea were reportedly subjected to conversion techniques Communists. The modern concept and the term "brainwashing" was first used by journalist Edward Hunter in 1951 to describe what had happened to American POWs during the Korean War. The Americans panicked at the idea of ​​a mass Communist indoctrination through brainwashing. After the revelations of the Korean War, the U.S. government feared being left behind in the arms race, because it began its own research on mind control. In 1953, the CIA began a program called MKULTRA. In one study, the CIA allegedly took LSD (acid licérgico) patients to study the effects of mind-altering drugs and evaluate the effectiveness of psychedelics at inducing a state of mind brainwashed friendly. The results were not encouraging, and patients were allegedly harmed by the experiments. Drug experimentation by the CIA was officially canceled by Congress in 1970, although some claim it still happens under the hood. The public interest in brainwashing calmed down a bit after the Cold War, but resurfaced in the '60s and '70s with the emergence of countless religious and political groups during that era. Parents who were horrified by new beliefs and activities of the children were certain that they had been brainwashed by cults. The mass suicides and massacres committed by a small percentage of those cults seemed to validate the fears of brainwashing. Patty Hearst was an alleged victim of brainwashing at that time. She was heiress to the Hearst publishing fortune when he was on trial for bank robbery, used as a brainwashing defense. Hearst became famous in the early 70's after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA - Symbionese Liberation Army, which some consider a "political cult") and ended up joining the group. Reported that Hearst was locked in a dark closet for several days after the hijacking, starved, tired, brutalized and afraid for their lives as members of the Symbionese Liberation Army bombarded her with their anti-capitalist political ideology. After two months of kidnapping, Patty had changed her name, issued a statement in which she referred in an offensive manner to his family and appeared on a surveillance tape robbing a bank with her kidnappers. Patty Hearst was on trial for bank robbery in 1976 and the famous F. Lee Bailey defended. The defense argued that Hearst had been brainwashed by the Symbionese Liberation Army and that in his mental state, it does not tell right from wrong. Hearst was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison, of which he served two. In 1979, President Carter commuted his sentence. Another defense of insanity due to brainwashing came to court 30 years later, when Lee Boyd Malvo was tried for his role in 2002 in ambush attacks around Washington, DC was 17 years old Malvo and John Allen Muhammad was 42 years old . Together, they killed ten people and wounded three in a massacre. The defense argued that the teenager had been subjected to a brainwashed into committing crimes, something I never would have done if he was not under the control of Muhammad. According to "The Defense of Brainwashing" in Current Psychology: "Muhammad pulled Malvo, 15, of Antigua, a Caribbean island, where his mother had abandoned him and brought him to the U.S. in 2001. Army veteran, Muhammad filled the teen's head with visions of an impending war and trained in marksmanship accurate. He isolated Malvo made him dive into his own idiosyncratic brand of Islam and criminal imposed on his son 'adopted' a strict diet and exercise regimen. " The argument that Malvo was brainwashed by now and therefore could not distinguish right from wrong. Malvo was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole (Muhammad was sentenced to death in another trial). There seems to be a contrast between the fear of brainwashing in modern society, as seen in contemporary films and literature, and the apparent belief that brainwashing is worthless. Whatever the cause, people seem to make a distinction between brainwashing today and a future. The future of brainwashing involves much more high-tech approaches. Brain implants are much more frightening than the attacks against verbal or physical identity. But most scientists agree that the field of neurosurgery is far from this level of understanding of the human brain. In addition, many psychologists believe that brainwashing on a large scale via mass communication and subliminal messages, for example, it is not possible because the process of thought reform requires absolute isolation and dependence of the patient to be effective. It is not so easy to change the personality and beliefs of a person. Brainwashing techniques At the end of 50 years, psychologist Robert Jay Lifton studied former prisoners of the camps of the wars in Korea and China. The psychologist concluded that they'd undergone a multistep process that began with attacks on the identity of the prisoner and ended with what appeared to be a change in the individual's beliefs. Lifton ultimately defined a set of steps involved in brainwashing cases he studied: attack on identity guilty self-betrayal. 2 point of collapse. Mercy 3: 4 5 Compulsion to confess guilt channel 6. Releasing of guilt 7. progress and harmony. 8. Final confession and rebirth: Each of these stages takes place in an environment of isolation. All social reference points are unavailable and considered normal techniques such as sleep deprivation and malnutrition are common parts of the process. There are frequent physical threats, which increases the difficulty of the target in thinking critically and independently. The process Lifton identified can be divided into three stages: the collapse of the self, presenting the possibility of salvation and reconstruction of self. Breaking point of self. Attack against identity: you are not who you think you are. It is a systematic attack on identity (ego) and its main target belief system. The agent denies everything that makes the target who is (for example, "you are not a soldier", "you're not defending freedom"). The target is under constant attack for days, weeks or months, to the point that he becomes exhausted, confused and disoriented. In this state, his beliefs seem less solid. Guilt: You are bad. While the identity crisis is setting in, the agent is simultaneously creating an overwhelming sense of guilt in the target. He attacks the target repeatedly over any slide that has made (whether large or small). The target begins to feel a general sense of shame, that everything he does is wrong. Self-betrayal: Agree with me that you are bad? Once the patient is disoriented and torturing guilt, the agent force (physical and mental attacks) to denounce his family, friends and partners who share the same ideas as "wrong" to him. This betrayal of their beliefs and the people with whom have loyalty to increases the shame and loss of identity the target is already experiencing. Breaking point: Who am I, where I am and what I do? With his identity in crisis, experiencing deep shame and having betrayed what he always believed, the target may undergo what is known in the lay community as a nervous breakdown. In psychology, the breakdown is a set of symptoms that may indicate serious psychological disorders. It may involve uncontrollable sobbing, deep depression and general disorientation. The target may have lost his grip on reality and have the feeling of being completely lost and alone. When the target reaches the breaking point, his sense of self is very confusing. He does not have a clear understanding of who he is or what is happening to him. At this point, the agent shows the possibility of the target to convert to another belief system that will deliver to your current situation. Presentation of the possibility of salvation. Mercy: I can help you. With the target in a state of crisis, the agent offers some small kindnesses. It can, for example, offer the target a glass of water or ask what he misses about home. In a state of collapse resulting from a psychological attack constant, small kindness seems huge and the target may experience a sense of relief and gratitude completely out of proportion to the offering, as if the agent has saved his life. Compulsion to confession: you can help. For the first time in the process, the target sees the contrast between the guilt and pain of the attack on the identity and the sudden relief of leniency. The target may feel a desire to reciprocate the kindness offered to him and at this point, the agent may present the possibility of confession as a means of alleviating the guilt and pain. Channeling of guilt: this is why you are suffering. After weeks or months of attack, the target is not sure what went wrong, he just knows he is wrong. This creates something of a gap and that can be filled promptly by the agent: it can add guilt to anything you want. The agent transfers the blame to the belief system that is trying to replace. The contrast between old and new has been established: The old belief system is associated with psychological distress (and usually physical) and the new belief system is associated with the possibility of escape from this situation. Releasing of guilt: not me, my beliefs. The target preparation is relieved to learn that there is an external cause to be wrong, it's not him that is inevitably bad, which means they can escape the sense of error. All you need do is denounce the people and institutions associated with their belief system and all the pain anymore. The target has the power to release what's wrong, confessing to acts associated with his old belief system. With his full confession, the target has completed the psychological rejection of his former identity. Now it's up to target the agent to offer a new identity. Reconstruction of the self. Progress and harmony: if you want, you can choose the best for you. The agent introduces a new belief system as the way to the "good". At this stage, the agent for the attacks, offering the target psychological comfort and mental relief. The target is made to feel that the choice between the old and new it is. The feeling is that he feels his destiny is in their hands. At this point, has denounced his old belief system in response to the mercy and torment. Make a "conscious choice" in favor of the new belief system helps to extend the relief, if he really believes, then do not betray anyone. The choice is not a difficult one: the new identity is "safe" and desirable because it looks like the one that led to the collapse. Final confession and rebirth: I choose bem.Contrastando the agony of the old belief system with the new peace, the target chooses the new identity, clinging to her to preserve her life. In the final stage often are no rituals or ceremonies to induct the converted target in your new community. This stage has been described by some victims of brainwashing as a feeling of "rebirth." The main methods for the selection of members is about deception and manipulation. Probable members are not told the true nature or intent. Instead, recruiters portray the group as something for the general public, no pressure and benign. They may say, during a church meeting, the group meets once a week to discuss ideas to raise funds for a new shelter for the homeless. They are able to invite a high school student to talk about how public service can improve the registration system for universities. Identify the specific needs or desires of their targets and play with them. Learn to spot the fears and vulnerabilities of people and portray the cult as these data. For example, if a young man just went through a breakup with her boyfriend and is feeling depressed and alone, a cult member can tell her that her group helps people to overcome interpersonal problems and rebuild the confidence to make a comeback . If a man just lost his wife in a car accident and can not stand the fact of not having said goodbye, a recruiter can tell that his group helps people achieve peace after a sudden death. It seems strange that one accepts these types of invitations, but there are some factors that make the situation seem more enjoyable. First, the recruiter may be someone who the "victim" knows. It may be that girl in college dorm or in a support group for survivors of this man. When someone is sad, lonely or desperate, you can easily trust someone who says he knows the way back to happiness. In addition, sects usually isolate the newbies that do not have an "awareness". They can hold meetings or services at times that would normally be to spend with family and friends, can do "retreats" that enter the newcomer to a group message for several days and can ask them not to discuss the group with other until they know more about, so that people do not circumvent or contains only a part of history. This type of insulation narrow dramatically the structure of reaction of a person for a period of time, to the point where the only people with whom they communicate are actually members of the group to which they are being asked. For this reason, questions about the group are never enforced and eventually turn into insecurity. When looking at their smiles, to the kind people who found peace and happiness following them, until it seems that this is the right way. Once a person attends a meeting or lecture service, is invited to many others. Is received with joy in the family of the sect and asked to commit to the group. Already from the first day, the process of manipulation and deception. For those who stay, the acceptance process culminates in the submission of his own personality to the "will of the group." In the next section, we know that requires indoctrination. Noble readers (as) we take a pause, and move on to another stage of cults, heresy, apostasy and denominations. Let's see another step in what is Satanic Bible.