#especially to those only just starting to fall into it.l

[headofocs-inklesspen]

I’ve subjected my coworkers to this before, but the way indoctrination works, especially into extreme high control religious groups and cults, fascinates me.

You’re not immune to it. No one is truly immune to it. Successful indoctrination, especially regarding cults, finds the smallest little insecurity and magnifies it. And to hold you in until you’re passed the point of easy escape, they keep you focused on that insecurity, and add new, seemingly connected insecurities, while simultaneously convincing you that they have the answers, they alone have the solution to your insecurities.

They set up and manipulate experiences and interactions with outsiders that deepen the belief that they alone understand, they alone love you and want the best for you. The outsiders are cruel and unsympathetic and why would you ever want to go into the greater outside world when it doesn’t have it’s best intentions for you at heart.

They manipulate and love bomb and overwhelm every argument and uncertainty you have until you think exactly as they want. And you will never be immune. Because everyone will have a low point, will be insecure, will be desperate for faith, will feel like an outsider no one understands or loves. Everyone is vulnerable, maybe not at all points in their life, maybe some less so than others, but everyone is. And claiming you can’t be manipulated or tricked by propaganda actually lowers your subconscious watch for it and makes you that much more susceptible.

#crow rambles #‘I think I dodged the stereotype of being autistic and deeply interested in psychology’ #also me: ‘you know what’s fascinating? how indoctrination and manipulation works’ #don’t get me started on evangelical ‘Christianity’ and how it’s all cult manipulations and no actual Christianity #or on how the US gov unintentional set up the Mormon church to drive the FLDS becoming an extremist cult #because I could give an essay on how the US gov directly caused Warren Jeffs and the FLDS becoming an isolated extremist cult #indoctrination and manipulation #indoctrination #part of why I pay close attention to what the evangelical far right says is because identifying propaganda helps protect you from believing #another thing that can help people from falling for manipulation and indoctrination is being kind #especially to those only just starting to fall into it.l #be kind. it disrupts the manipulation effect of the ‘us against them’ mentality #like obviously you are only responsible for yourself #but being kind to the Mormon missionary boys will do more than yelling at them #kindness opens opportunity to question what they’re being taught #hatred just reaffirms that only the group loves you. only *I* love you. the outsiders are evil and hate you