Cult Deprogrammer Answers Cult Questions | Tech Support | WIRED

Cult Support (0s)

• Rick Allen Ross is a cult deprogrammer who answers questions from the internet in a segment called "Cult Support" (0s).
• The questions are sourced from the internet, with one question coming from a user named joyfree11 (11s).

Signs you’re in a cult (13s)

• Signs that you may be in a cult include social isolation, being cut off from family and old friends, and being unable to ask critical questions about the leader or the group's behavior (14s).
• You may also feel that if you leave the group, you must be wrong, and there's a lack of checks and balances on the leader's power or transparency regarding the group's finances and actions (25s).
• A lack of transparency regarding the group's finances and many of its actions can also be a warning sign of a cult (34s).
• If you start to get a gut feeling that you're in a cult, it may be time to take a step back, unplug, and re-examine those warning signs (40s).
• It's essential to recognize these signs and take action to protect yourself from potential harm (48s).

What makes a cult a cult? (54s)

• A cult is primarily characterized by three core elements: an absolute totalitarian leader who is the defining element and driving force of the group, the use of identifiable techniques of coercive persuasion to gain undue influence, and the exploitation and harm of followers using the acquired influence (55s).
• The leader of a cult becomes an object of worship, and this can be observed in various groups, not limited to religious ones (1m8s).
• Not all cults are religious, as seen in the example of Synanon, a drug rehabilitation community led by Charles Dederich, which was not about religion but had a leader with absolute power and control (1m32s).
• A corporation like Apple could be seen as a cult, but a benign one, with Steve Jobs being the defining element and driving force of the corporation when he was alive (1m44s).
• The followers of a celebrity, such as Taylor Swift, can be seen as a cult following, but the celebrity is not using coercive persuasion to gain undue influence over their followers (1m54s).
• In the case of North Korea, the leader is worshiped as a virtual god on earth and is the defining element and driving force of the entire country, with the people being locked in social isolation and experiencing starvation and deprivation (2m7s).
• North Korea is an example of how an entire country can become a destructive cult (2m28s).

Can a family be a cult? (2m33s)

• A family can be considered a cult, typically dominated by a father figure who has absolute control over the family members, dictating their lives and decisions (2m33s).
• In such family cults, the leader often prevents children from growing up and becoming independent, as they are required to stay in the family, work, and submit their earnings to the leader (2m36s).
• The family leader may also control aspects such as marriages, dating, and other personal choices, exerting significant influence over family members' lives (2m39s).
• A cult can exist with as few as one follower, making it possible for an abusive, controlling relationship to be considered a cult dynamic, with the abusive partner taking on the role of a cult leader (2m59s).
• An example of such a dynamic is the relationship between Tina Turner and Ike Turner, where Tina was isolated from friends and controlled by Ike until she eventually left the relationship (3m10s).

The end is kinda whatever (3m22s)

• Cult leaders often use the idea of an impending apocalypse as a leverage point to get their followers to stay close to the group, as it creates a sense of urgency and fear that can be manipulated for control (3m30s).
• This tactic is an example of coercive persuasion, where the leader uses the threat of doom to influence the behavior of their followers (3m49s).
• The Waco Davidians, led by David Koresh, are an example of a doomsday cult that used this tactic, with Koresh claiming that the end was imminent and that only those with him in the compound, known as Ranch Apocalypse, would be safe (3m53s).
• The Waco Davidians were so convinced of the impending apocalypse that they made illegal weapons and armed themselves to defend against what Koresh called Satan, leading to a shootout with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) and a 51-day standoff with the FBI (4m21s).
• The standoff ultimately ended with the compound being burned down, resulting in the deaths of all the members, after Koresh decided it was time for the end (4m43s).

Cults vs. Religions (4m51s)

• Religious organizations typically have democratic governance, checks and balances, transparency, and accountability, allowing individuals to leave without feeling they have turned against God (4m53s).
• Religions often begin as cults, with an absolute charismatic leader as the defining element and driving force of the group, as seen in the cases of the Mormon church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and 7th Day Adventism (5m9s).
• Over time, some groups can evolve beyond their charismatic leader and move towards governance by many people, becoming more mainstream, as observed in the evolution of Mormonism from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young and eventually to a more democratic system (5m24s).

Do cult leaders know what they are (5m42s)

• A cult leader can be compared to a con man, but instead of running a short-term scam, they run the same con on the same people indefinitely (5m46s).
• Cult leaders are aware that they are manipulating others, but they believe their actions are justified because they think the ends justify the means (5m52s).
• Cult leaders determine what ends are just, which allows them to rationalize their actions (5m59s).
• The question of which cults have a good online presence is raised, with the example of Maria's Ghost being mentioned (6m2s).

A cult sure but we’re SEO friendly (6m6s)

• Major cult groups have an online presence, including YouTube channels, Twitter followers, Facebook pages, and search engine optimization to insinuate themselves in searches (6m8s).
• People can become completely indoctrinated into a cult without ever meeting the leader by watching their YouTube videos and communicating with others online (6m26s).
• An example of a well-known online cult is a group that follows a minister named Shin, who created a church online and allegedly exploited dancers in the entertainment industry to create popular TikTok clips for financial gain (6m37s).
• This group, referred to as the "TikTok cult," would control its members, who lived in group housing, based largely on their online activities (6m58s).

wailing intensifies (7m11s)

• The scene from Midsummer, where the Haro women surround and hold Dany while wailing in empathy, is described as both beautiful and horrifying, but its true intention is to quell Dany's feelings and anesthetize her so she no longer becomes a problem (7m13s).
• By surrounding Dany, the group has encapsulated her, essentially taking away her individual feelings and replacing them with the group's feelings, indicating a loss of individuality (7m28s).
• The 2011 film "Martha Marcy May Marlene" is recommended as a realistic portrayal of how cults work, what it's like to be in a cult, and the difficulties of recovery after leaving a cult (7m46s).
• The question of how cult leaders get people to follow them is raised, setting the stage for further discussion on the topic (8m6s).

How do cult leaders get people to believe? (8m8s)

• Cult leaders get people to believe by cutting them off from any outside frame of reference or accurate feedback, which is a key factor in controlling their followers' perceptions and actions (8m15s).
• A common phenomenon in cults is the intense pressure to conform, similar to a situation where someone is in a theater with a standing ovation and feels compelled to stand up and clap along with the crowd, even if they don't want to (8m28s).
• Cult leaders often share similar personality traits, specifically being malignant narcissistic people, which can make them charismatic and able to manipulate others (8m42s).
• Despite varying levels of charisma, cult leaders tend to have similar personalities, making them seem like the same person, with a common thread of narcissism (8m47s).

Cults and looks (8m57s)

• Cults often target individuals who are relatively young and healthy, as they can contribute to the group's productivity, regardless of their physical appearance (9m6s).
• The primary consideration for cult recruitment is not physical attractiveness, but rather the individual's ability to work for the group and produce for them (9m17s).
• Cults tend to overlook physical appearance when recruiting members, focusing instead on the potential benefits the individual can bring to the group (9m13s).
• The perception of being "ugly" or unattractive may not be a deterrent for cult recruitment, as the group's interest lies in the individual's productivity and usefulness (9m0s).

Sex cults (9m23s)

• Not all cults have unusual or extreme views on sex, as some may demand celibacy, such as the Heaven's Gate cult, where members were even castrated to ensure they remained celibate (9m32s).
• In some cults, sex is used as a means of control, with the leader using it to dominate members, as seen in the cases of Charlie Manson and David Koresh (9m47s).
• The use of sex in these cults is often not about sex itself, but rather about power and control, similar to the actions of a rapist (9m49s).

A non-problematic cult (9m58s)

• Arco Sante is an example of a non-problematic cult, being an experimental city community built north of Phoenix, Arizona, initially led by architect Paolo Soleri. (9m58s)
• Paolo Soleri was the driving force and defining element of Arco Sante, based on his philosophy of "archology," which focuses on building cities without urban sprawl. (10m0s)
• Paolo Soleri is believed to have had good intentions, with no complaints received about him over the years, and he left his assets to a foundation to continue building Arcosanti after his death. (10m22s)
• Arcosanti is known for its famous bronze bells and is considered an example of a benign cult, a personality-driven group that does no harm. (10m38s)

Is it a cult? (10m48s)

• A group being considered a cult is not solely based on being a derogatory term to denigrate a particular group, but rather it should be used to describe a specific type of organization (10m49s).
• A cult leader is typically not someone who gets booed by their followers or changes their message to please them, as seen in an instance where Donald Trump was booed by the crowd for encouraging COVID-19 vaccination and then walked back his statement (11m31s).
• QAnon is considered a destructive cult, but it is unusual in that its leader is anonymous, and the true identity of the person behind the "Q drops" is unknown (11m43s).
• QAnon non-believers who are embedded online exhibit behaviors similar to cult followers (11m53s).
• Scientology is referred to as a cult in the context of the discussion (12m2s).

Scientology (12m5s)

• Scientology fits the profile of a destructive cult due to its control mechanisms and redundancies of control, making it difficult for people to navigate their way out (12m6s).
• The organization has a system of training and supervision, as well as gathering information on people, which contributes to its controlling nature (12m17s).
• Some celebrities, such as Leah Remini and Lisa Marie Presley, have been able to leave the cult, but it is a challenging process (12m30s).
• Scientologists believe in the concept of "SPs" or "suppressive persons," who are individuals that supposedly try to suppress one's road to success (12m36s).
• If someone is deemed an SP, a Scientologist may be asked to disconnect from them, which is a means of controlling social interaction (12m48s).
• This model of control, established by L. Ron Hubbard, has been copied by other cult leaders to maintain control over their respective groups (13m2s).

USA! (13m19s)

• Cults are a global phenomenon, but the United States is uniquely susceptible to them due to the protection afforded to groups that claim to be a religion under the First Amendment (13m19s).
• The First Amendment protection allows groups called cults to benefit from 501c3 tax-exempt status, enabling them to make money with very little accountability (13m38s).
• This lack of accountability is a significant factor in the proliferation of cults in the US, as it allows them to operate with relative ease and minimal oversight (13m51s).
• The idea of starting a religion as a means to make money is not new, with L. Ron Hubbard reportedly saying "if you really want to make money, start a religion" (13m57s).
• Scientology, for example, did not start out as a religion but eventually became one, highlighting the blurred lines between legitimate religious organizations and cults (14m2s).

Craziest cult (14m9s)

• Marshall Applewhite was the leader of a cult where his followers believed he was the reincarnation of an extraterrestrial being who would take them to a kingdom beyond this world (14m10s).
• The cult members were disciplined and controlled by Applewhite, living in a mansion in Southern California where he dictated their every move, including what they wore and their haircuts (14m29s).
• Applewhite had castrated himself and encouraged some of his male followers to do the same, with a number of them undergoing the procedure (14m37s).
• Applewhite told his followers that the end of the world was coming and that they needed to prepare for it, but the death of his partner Bonnie Nettles likely contributed to the cult's demise (14m47s).
• After Bonnie Nettles' death, Applewhite felt he had nothing left to live for, ultimately leading to the deaths of all 39 cult members, who were found dead in shrouds in the house at his orders (15m0s).

Helping someone leave a cult (15m13s)

• Helping someone leave a cult requires a careful approach, as being critical or argumentative can cause the individual to cut off communication, potentially due to coaching from the group (15m33s).
• It's essential to be a good listener and maintain open lines of communication, letting the person know that you care about them (15m46s).
• Initially, it's crucial to gather more information about the group, its leader, and the situation before considering an intervention (15m54s).
• An intervention may be necessary eventually, but it's not the first step in helping someone leave a cult (15m49s).
• A gentle and non-confrontational approach is recommended when responding to someone involved in a cult (15m28s).

How does cult deprogramming work? (16m1s)

• Cult deprogramming typically begins as a surprise visit from family members, as informing the individual beforehand may lead them to share the information with the group and potentially prevent their participation in the deprogramming process (16m2s).
• During the deprogramming process, the individual is asked to disconnect from the group, including avoiding electronic devices, internet access, and communication with other group members (16m27s).
• A cult deprogramming intervention involves four main blocks of conversation: defining what a destructive cult is and its historical context, explaining coercive persuasion and thought reform, revealing information the group may be hiding, and presenting research about the group's history, finances, and controversies (16m37s).
• The first block of conversation involves discussing the characteristics of destructive cults and comparing them to the individual's group, highlighting the potential dangers and warning signs (16m40s).
• The second block focuses on explaining coercive persuasion and thought reform, and how these tactics are used by cults to control their members, drawing parallels with the individual's experiences in their group (16m57s).
• The third block involves presenting research about the group, including its history, finances, lawsuits, and other controversies, to provide the individual with a more informed understanding of the group (17m10s).
• At the end of the deprogramming process, which can last 3-4 days, the individual is given the choice to continue with the group, take a break, or leave the group altogether, with about 70% of individuals choosing to take a break or leave the group completely (17m38s).

Odds are they’re right (17m59s)

• Cults often utilize online platforms to populate and spread their influence, with one example being a cult leader using Airbnb to create a cult compound (18m5s).
• Allegedly, Bishop, the leader of a group called Carbon Nation, had 35,000 followers on Twitter alone and also maintained a presence on Facebook (18m14s).
• Bishop would create compounds by booking Airbnb locations online, often in relatively isolated places such as Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico, to reel people in (18m26s).
• Bishop was eventually prosecuted in the United States for rape and unlawful imprisonment and is now serving a life sentence without parole in Georgia (18m39s).

Mother God (18m47s)

• Amy Carlson, also known as Mother God, accumulated a large number of followers and amassed significant wealth, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and over a million dollars in real estate holdings, primarily through her online presence (18m48s).
• She gained followers online through social media and live streaming, which garnered attention and provided a steady cash flow from her online devotees (19m3s).
• A small, devoted group known as the Inner Circle lived with her and was subjected to abuse, while her online followers were largely isolated from the abuse and served as a source of financial support (19m13s).
• The isolation of her followers from the outside world contributed to their belief in Amy Carlson's claims, which included being the reincarnation of famous people such as Marilyn Monroe (19m33s).
• Amy Carlson claimed to be God on Earth, which led her followers to refer to her as Mother God (19m48s).

Is astrology a potential gateway? (19m57s)

• Astrology can sometimes serve as a gateway to knowingly or unknowingly joining a cult, with some groups using it to influence people's views and future actions (19m57s).
• The Cabala Center is an example of a group that uses astrological charts to influence individuals, making them feel that the information must be cosmic because of the apparent accuracy (20m4s).
• In reality, the group knows the individual's secrets through their recruitment, indoctrination, and examination processes (20m24s).
• Astrology is an art that uses generalizations that can apply to anyone, making people believe in its validity, as the descriptions of zodiac signs can be interpreted to fit individual personalities (20m33s).
• When cults use astrology, they use it as a mechanism of control to persuade people to behave in a certain way in the future and believe in a predetermined destiny (21m0s).

In this day and age, come on (21m13s)

• People in 2024 may be accidentally joining cults or multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, which are often pitched as a way to become successful and provide for one's family (21m15s).
• MLMs, such as Amway, are schemes that recruit people to buy products and pay money to those above them in the hierarchy, with the goal of making money off of participants (21m31s).
• MLMs have in common with destructive cults the use of coercive persuasion and identifiable influence techniques to gain undue influence over participants and take advantage of them (21m50s).
• The primary goal of MLMs is not the business itself, but rather recruiting people who will recruit others, with those at the top of the hierarchy being the ones who make the most money (22m5s).
• The concept of "the dream" in MLMs refers to the scheme of recruiting people, rather than the actual business, and is used to take advantage of participants for financial gain (22m3s).

Cults on the brain (22m19s)

• Anyone can be susceptible to being in a cult, regardless of their background or intelligence, as predatory groups often target people without their consent or knowledge through tactics like bait and switch cons (22m28s).
• The susceptibility to cults is not necessarily due to a different brain structure, but rather a lack of questioning attitude or being in a state of distress and looking for a way out (22m21s).
• Eric Hoffer's book "The True Believer" suggests that people who are unhappy are more likely to be open to change and potentially join a cult (22m45s).
• Highly educated and intelligent individuals can also fall prey to destructive cults, as evidenced by the deprogramming of five medical doctors, including an orthopedic surgeon and an anesthesiologist (22m56s).
• People in distress often overlook things and are more likely to be targeted by cults, which can take advantage of their vulnerability (22m50s).

Do cults have to end in violence? (23m15s)

• Cults do not necessarily have to end in violence, as only a small minority of groups become violent and have a tragic end (23m19s).
• In most cases, the leader of a cult continues to benefit financially from the group, exploiting members through low-cost labor and donations (23m27s).
• Cults vary in their level of destructiveness, but the most well-known cases, often featured in documentaries, tend to be among the worst and most violent (23m40s).
• The question of explaining Nexium is raised, referencing Alex G1's inquiry (23m48s).

Can you explain NXIVM? (23m50s)

• NXIVM was a self-help company that sold courses and retreats, lasting up to two weeks, claiming to train individuals to become more successful and aware, led by Keith Raniere, a former Amway distributor (23m54s).
• The company devolved into a platform for Keith Raniere to exploit women, creating a cult within the cult called DOS, where women were literally branded with a cauterizing iron to denote they were sex slaves (24m12s).
• Keith Raniere was eventually put on trial and is now serving a life sentence in prison (24m29s).
• Raniere had a unique ability to understand people's weaknesses and leverage them for control, using his training programs to solicit confessions from individuals, which he would then use as leverage to force compliance (24m58s).
• The use of confession was a key tactic employed by Raniere to control his followers, who at one point numbered in the thousands (25m29s).
• Raniere's appearance and demeanor were uncharismatic, with a strong body odor, but he was able to use his understanding of human weaknesses to manipulate and control others (24m39s).

Bikram Choudhury (25m41s)

• Bikram Choudhury founded Bikram Yoga, an organization initially centered around exercise, but it eventually gained cult-like characteristics due to Choudhury's complete control and use of coercive persuasion techniques (25m41s).
• Choudhury exploited and sexually abused women within the group, contributing to its cult status (26m1s).
• The case of Bikram Yoga serves as an example of a cult that is not necessarily focused on religion, but rather on other activities, in this case, exercise (25m50s).

Twin Flame (26m11s)

• The Twin Flames Universe is a group led by a couple who claim to be able to find individuals' true spiritual counterparts, referred to as their "twin flame" (26m20s).
• The group has been accused of manipulating and exploiting its members, with some individuals reportedly changing their sex in an attempt to find their true spiritual mate (26m37s).
• The group's tactics have been described as coercive and have had devastating effects on the families of its members (26m45s).

Moonies (26m54s)

• The followers of Reverend Sun Myung Moon are commonly referred to as the Moonies, named after their leader who was the defining element and driving force behind the Unification Church (26m55s).
• Reverend Moon claimed to be the Messiah and believed he alone could bring the world to peace (27m11s).
• Reverend Moon became a very wealthy man and had a media empire that included the Washington Times and United Press International (27m19s).
• He controlled one-third of the American fishing fleet, which was responsible for about 50% of the wholesale sushi market in large cities like Chicago and New York (27m26s).
• The labor for these businesses was provided by dedicated members and followers of the Unification Church (27m39s).
• Followers of the Unification Church would even submit to Reverend Moon in their weddings, with some couples not having met each other before the mass wedding ceremony (27m43s).
• Reverend Moon has since passed away, and his wife is now the titular head of the Unification Church, which is managed by their children (27m58s).

Born and raised (28m8s)

• Deprogramming children born and raised in cults is a difficult process due to their dependence on their parents for protection and safety, which can be compromised when parents are controlled by a cult (28m15s).
• There have been numerous cases of cults horribly abusing children, such as the Good News International Church led by Paul McKenzie, who is responsible for over 400 deaths, including almost 200 children, after instructing his followers to fast until death (28m31s).
• Another example is Jim Jones, who ordered a mass suicide by poisoning in 1978, resulting in the deaths of almost a thousand people, including children (28m53s).
• Some cults, such as those that believe in faith healing, prohibit their members from seeking medical attention for their children, putting them at risk of harm or death (29m4s).
• Millions of people are involved in destructive cults, and many of these individuals have children who are subject to the whims of cult leaders, highlighting the need for awareness and action to protect these vulnerable individuals (29m14s).

Is involuntary deprogramming legal? (29m27s)

• Involuntary deprogramming is only considered legal when it involves a minor child under the direct supervision of a custodial parent or guardian (29m30s).
• There have been instances of involuntary deprogramming with adults, although the courts have made it clear that this type of deprogramming cannot be done (29m38s).
• In some extreme cases, adults were picked up while fundraising or outside of the group and brought to a safe house where deprogramming would commence (29m49s).
• Involuntary deprogramming with adults was participated in by some individuals, with the last reported instance being in 1990 (29m45s).
• Families who feel they have no other means of helping a loved one may find involuntary deprogramming daunting, but the courts have established that it is not a permissible solution (30m3s).

Some final advice from Rick (30m16s)

• When concerned about a group, exercise caution and do not blindly believe the information provided (30m17s).
• Families concerned about a loved one in a cult should maintain open communication, ensuring the individual knows they are loved and supported (30m26s).
• It is essential to recognize that anyone can be affected by a cult, and no one is immune (30m33s).
• Critical thinking and research skills are crucial in protecting oneself from potential cults (30m36s).
• Cult support is available for those in need (30m40s).