Theos-Talk Archives (March 2011 Message tt00009)

Dear friends

My views are:

 The Theosophical Society as it was given in 1875-1891 was shortly formulated based on the following aims and offences:
- The objects of the Theosophical Society are: First. - To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. Second. - To promote the study of Aryan and other Eastern literatures, religions, philosophies and sciences, and to demonstrate their importance to Humanity. Third. - To investigate unexplained laws of Nature and the psychic powers latent in man.

- The Theosophical Society is absolutely unsectarian, and no assent to any formula of belief, faith or creed shall be required as a qualification of membership; but every applicant and member must lie in sympathy with the effort to create the nucleus of an Universal Brotherhood of Humanity.

- The Society does not interfere with caste rules, nor other social observances, nor with politics, and any such interference in its name is a breach of the constitution. The Society is not responsible for the personal opinions of its Fellows.

- Church organizations, Christian and Spiritual sects is to be shown as the future contrasts to the Society.

- The Theosophical Society aim to reconcile all religions, sects and nations under a common system of ethics, based on eternal verities, and seek this with altruism as its basis. 

- The Theosophy as it was given in 1875-1891 was defined as: The exact science on psychology. 


Offences
- Any Fellow who shall in any way attempt to involve the Society In political disputes shall be immediately expelled.

- No Fellow, Officer, or Council of the Theosophical Society, or of any Section or Branch thereof, shall promulgate or maintain any doctrinas being that advanced, or advocated by the Society. 

- - - - - - - -

Now where are we today with regard to psychology and cults?



ON CULTS
How do you define the word cult?
Or should I rather say the term "destructive cult"?

I define the psychological term Mind Control as: 
A term that has been applied to any tactic, psychological or otherwise, which can be seen as subverting an individual's sense of control over their own thinking, behavior, emotions or decision making.
This can as I define the term happen in at least four categories. Religious organisations, Political ones, Commercial ones, and in the area of Alternative Treatment (physically, psychologically, as well as spiritually).´

A Cult or destructive Cult is, as I define it, a group or organisations, whose leader(s) and/or doctrine more or less openly or hidden promotes the use of Mind Control elements as defined in the above.
It can be a religious group, but is not necessarily such a one.

- - -
THE EXACT SCIENCE ON PSYCHOLOGY
Now I am saying that Theosophy as it was given in 1875-1891 was defined as "The exact science on psychology". Yet, since that time, the ordinary science of psychology known to mankind has evolved a whole lot. Despite this, I do not find that the Theosophical Societies have related themselves to this issue very much - and thereby sought a clear scientific stance on the isse Mind Control and destructive cults as I have mentioned it in the above.

We can only ask ourselves why?

Is it because many of the later theosophical offshoot groups and organisations themselves have become victims to aspects similar til destructive cults and the use of Mind Control as mentioned in the above?
Or is it because of something else? And if so, what is that "something else" then?


People like to think that their opinions, values,, and ideas are inviolate and totally self-regulated. They may grudgingly admit that they are influenced by advertising. Beyond that, they want to preserve the myth that other people are weak-minded and easily influenced while they are strong-minded. Even though we all know human minds are open to influence¨- whether or not that is a comfortable thought - most of us defensively or haughtily proclaim, "Only crazy, stupid, needy people join cults. No one could ever get me to commit suicide, or beat my kids, or give my wife over to a cult leader, or make me fanatically follow a leader. No one could ever talk me into anything like that."
As I hear people say that, I silently ask: "You want to bet?"

The average person looks down on those who get involved in cults (destructive cults that is), get taken in a scam by some operator who bilks people, orn remain in an abusive group or relationship for long periods. That only happens to weak and silly people, the person boasts, generating for herself or himself a category called "not me" in which to place the victims of cults, scams, and intense influence and similar. There is an almost universal aversion to accepting the idea that we ourselves are vulnerable to persuasion. I have heard this from well-educated persons, even those having a university degree. I will say that neither education, age, nor social class protects a person from this false sense of invulnerability.

Scientific research indicates that two-thirds of those who have joined cults come from normal, functioning families. Of the remaining third less than 10% had major psychological difficulties prior to joining a cult. The remaining group has experienced some loss of a kind (for example, a death in the family, failure to be admitted to a preferred university or trianing program, or a broken romance etc.) or struggled with career dilemmas. --- Some families interestingly enough fosters a child, who are very vulnerable to becoming a member of a cult.

- - -

MIND CONTROL in offshoot groups of the ORIGINAL THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 
As a member of the Theosophical Society as it is today or as a member of one of its many later offshoots, one could ask one self, whether one is entangled with a group or organisation using Mind Control aspects - or - whether the opposite is true?

THE MAIN IDEA WITH THIS THREAD
I will in this thread seek to write down some info regarding Mind Control groups and how they operate. And Cults in their destructive aspects.
I will touch upon various today wellknown groups, and what they have done in the past. And I will write about some of the techniques they use, so to make members of this forum aware of them, and so that they if they find it important can ask the leaders of their more or less theosophical groups how they relate to Mind Control issues and how thier groups Constitution and Rules, or Doctrin if any - avoid - being an example on the promotion of Mind Control aspects.


- - -
Here is example 1:
An offshoot group of the Original Theosophical Society given in 1875 are today using a certain doctrine as its main focus.
This group has a leader or two at the top and various assistents and members at the bottom. 
The leaders is the one deciding how the doctrine aught to be interpreted. The Doctrine used is formulated in a set of books given by one single author on what is called the Real Theosophical Teachings.
The group does not use comparative studying as one of its aims. Its aim is said to be to promote the wisdom teachings of all ages also called theosophy.
Criticism of the leaders interpretation or of the doctrine is not allowed, if one want to become a member of such a group or organisation.
Does such a group use Mind Control techniques in a destructive manner? And in what manner if yes or no to the first question?


- - -
A few definitions of certain words used my be in this thread...

(1) Dogma and dogmatic: 
Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization: it is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted, or diverged from. 

(2) Mind control: 
Mind control (also known as coercive persuasion, thought control, or thought reform) refers to a process in which a group or individual systematically uses unethically manipulative methods to persuade others to conform to the wishes of the manipulator(s), often to the detriment of the person being manipulated - Also implies leaders who disallow wellmeant criticism. 

(3) Altruism: 
Altruism is selfless concern for the welfare of others. 


(4) Sectarian person: 
A narrow or bigoted person or persons. 
Sect: The term is occasionally used in a negative way to suggest the broken-off group follows a more negative path than the original. 

Whereas the cult is able to enforce its norms and ideas against members, a sect normally doesn't strictly have "members" with definite obligations, only followers, sympathisers, supporters or believers. A sect may also have members which choose to leave later, which is allowed whereas a cult uses any means necessary to keep its members (including coercion). But a cult might also allow its members to leave, when they seek to do so.

Bigotry added to explain the word sectarian: 
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices. The correct use of the term requires the elements of intolerance, irrationality, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs or views. 

(5) Cult or rather Destructive Cult.
A group or organisation whose leader(s) and/or doctrine more or less openly or hidden promotes the use of Mind Control elements as defined in the above. 
It can be a religious group, but is not necessarily such a one. - A Destructive Cult promotes small value on how its activities and doctrines might disrupt family ties among its members and what the consequences of the children involved might be because of the Cults activities.



All the above are just my views and questions.
And I might be in error.




M. Sufilight



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