Below is a powerful excerpt and checklist from the book titled above by cult expert, Rick Ross. Every single point in this list was exhibited by our ex narc-elder in some way, shape or form.
Emphasis/notes by us in [BOLD BRACKETS].
Sociologist Janja Lalich and psychologist Michael Langone also provided a checklist of “social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments,” which is intended to be used as “an analytical tool.”
- The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
- Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. [Our ex narc-elder has his heretical ‘faction protocol’ to stifle dissenters and keep others from hearing the whole truth on a matter.]
- Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
- The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
- The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah [or man-child], a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
- The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. [All other churches are apostate, as emphasized by the narc-elder and other enablers, e.g., Codename: ‘Mushroom.’]
- The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
- The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
- The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
- Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
- The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. [Outsiders typically visit the cult during ‘Pot-Blessings’ where people travel to the land of OZ to see how much greener the grass is there. The narc-elder and his group must be on their best behavior; visitor go home believing they have found the garden of Eden, and then often want to move there. Former members have testified that after moving there they realized they made the biggest mistake of their lives. The mask starts to come off the narc-elder and they realize that he transforms himself into an angel of light.]
- The group is preoccupied with making money. [Nobody knows how the money really flows in this cult. The narc-elder claims they are an unregistered church and therefore are NOT bound to report ANY amount of money to the IRS, or any other official entity. The narc-elder sometimes will proclaim that angels put large amounts of cash under the mattress of his bed; he does this to affirm his delusional authority and prove to the group that he is affirmed and anointed of God, etc.]
- Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. [There are at least 13 mandatory/voluntary meetings/conferences/broadcasts per week; if you are not working during those times you are expected to attend or listen; else you will get a knock on the door from the narc-elder and his yes-strong-man; they will convince you of your sinful behavior by not attending the meetings and will subsequently cast demons out of you, if they feel you have been rebellious to them. This intimidation tactic is despicable and violates people’s will and personal boundaries – a clear sign of a destructive CULT.]
- Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. [Yes, you’re world usually revolves around everyone in the cult.]
- The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. [The narc-elder’s INNER CIRCLE or ROUNDTABLE.] They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group. [FEAR of and being ‘factious’ and cast out of the group and/or shunned keeps people in bondage to the wolf in sheep’s clothing; this narc-elder and his delusional man-child, end-times charade.]
Footnotes:
Ross, Rick. Cults Inside Out: How People Get In and Can Get Out . Kindle Edition.
Janja Lalich and Michael Langone, “Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups,” rev. ed., International Cultic Association website, 2008, http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm (accessed May 19, 2014).