Cults and Charismatic Groups
Dr. Marc Galanter, reknown psychiatrist and director of the task
force that prepared the American Psychiatric Association's Report
on Cults and New Religious Movements, has authored
one of the most professional and well-balanced accounts of the
charismatic group experience (the cult phenomenon). His
book, entitled CULTS: Faith, Healing, and Coercion (Oxford
Paperbacks, 1989), is an excellent example of what can be accomplished
by the power of well documented and scientific OBSERVATION.
"...this book's purpose is to convey a psychological understanding
of the charismatic group... it was necessary to avoid passing judgement
on the merit of the group's pursuits in order to study their operating
principles..."
According to Galanter, a charismatic group is characterized by
the following psychological elements:
- have a shared belief system;
- sustain a high level of social cohesiveness;
- are strongly influenced by the group's behavioral norms; and
- impute charismatic (or sometimes divine) power to the group
or its leadership.
The psychological forces that mold the intensely affiliated
charismatic group are:
- Group cohesiveness (shaping feelings, attitudes and behavior). Reality
becomes less important in certain groups than the preservation of
their ties (dynamics of excessive mutuality, distorted consensus,
etc.).
- Shared beliefs. Four ways of engagement (routes of
induction or conversion) into a charismatic group are identified:
- subterfuge, that is, an introductory bait of nonspecific
beliefs (e.g., ideal of universal brotherhood) which later serves as
bridge to the true group's dogma;
- idealistic seekers in an active quest
to understand the true meaning of life are attracted to the group's
purpose;
- individual's identification with previously held set of
values rediscovered in the group; and
- individual's initial opposition to group's values and
beliefs is eventually overcome by the seductiveness of submitting
to a set of absolute beliefs.
- Altered consciousness Psychic experiences, such as
channeling in modern "New Age" groups, or the glossolalia,
possesion behavior, and testimonials in the religious revivalist
movement.
The principles presented in this book have been observed in families,
military groups, religious sects (including 19th century Utopian
communities established in northeastern United States), business
corporations, secular groups (training workshops),
self-help groups and psychiatric group therapy. In depth case studies
are presented for the Jonestown cult, the Unification Church and
Alcoholics Anonymous. The fact that current mainstream religions
started as sects or cults is objectively reviewed while, at the same
time, useful advice is provided on how to approach and detect
the potential danger to society from violent groups.
The Hermetic Observatory recommends reading this book before an
informed decision is made to participate in charismatic groups.
THOTh, last revised 02SEP96