Shotar The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Adar 5746, February 1986 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) Cults and Cultism: An Inside View more vulnerable. "Not me" would work if ence and information control. Often the By Molly Koch you knew who the recruiter was, but moment of "joining" comes, not as an in- "Not me." "I'd never be dumb enough more often than not, they don't identify dependent decision, but as a result of the to join a cult." "I'm not a joiner." "Kids themselves or their group, so you have combined factors. who join cults are losers, anyway." no idea what you are getting yourself The most frightening aspect of cultism These are the most frequent reactions into. The recruiter is often an appealing, is that these intelligent, sensitive young get from teenage audiences, and the mes- friendly member of the opposite sex and people, who are not "losers, anyway" are Molly Koch sage that is most difficult to convey is there is no way of knowing that there is a manipulated into accepting a value sys- that anyone, under certain circum- hidden agenda. tem that is totally foreign to the values Let's Meet stances, can become involved. "I'd never be dumb enough to join a with which they were raised. Once they "Not me" carries with it a certain cult." This comment does not correspond believed that it is wrong to lie, cheat, the Author amount of risk because it is the un- with what is known about young people steal and kill. Cults persuade them to be- suspecting individual who is most likely who are recruited. Many are excep- lieve that they may lie, cheat and steal as Molly Koch has been the director of to be recruited. If we say, "Yes, me," we tionally bright and talented. Many were long as they do it for their leaders, or for Project Yedid since 1980. Based at the are on guard. "Not me" also speaks of a college and graduate school educated. G-d. And some have beaten their chil- Baltimore Jewish Community Center, person who may be feeling fairly secure But, intelligence has less to do with vul- dren to death believing that they are do- Yedid provides outreach to Jewish teen- and good about him/herself at the mo- nerability than emotional needs. "Smart" ing the "right" thing. Parents, once loved, agers who are alienated from Jewish life ment. Research indicates that the poten- people also become disillusioned, frus- became "Satanic," and more than a few and community. The project also re- tial recruit may be at a low point in life: trated and lonely. People are often ex-members confess that they would sponds to the problems associated with momentary depression (often over a bro- hooked by their idealism. have killed their parents if ordered to do cults. ken love affair), confusion over direction "I'm not a joiner" means little when the so by their cult leaders. Young people Koch attended Baltimore Hebrew Col- or goals, loneliness, financial or school college student away from home is be- who had personal goals and dreams for lege and spent many years in the field of pressures are all factors which tend to friended by a friendly stranger, or dorm their lives are reduced to street beggars, education. She was the first recipient of make some individuals more susceptible. mate, or sometimes, a college professor some spending as much as 20 hours a the annual Lipsetts Award 'which honors Current research of cultism gives a who is a member of a cult. The invitation day soliciting funds. annually an outstanding teacher who not clear picture of the kind of person cults to dinner may easily be misconstrued by "Not me, you say? That's what many ex- only has exhibited unusually creative look for. what conditions are often pres- the unsuspecting individual. "Joining" a cult members said before they were du- skills in the classroom but has played a ent at the time of recruitment, and what cult often happens as a result of highly ped and deceived into cults. Many say major role in the life and affairs of the makes some people more susceptible sophisticated techniques of mind control that had they known what they were get- Baltimore Jewish community. than others. and ego boosting. One becomes emo- ting themselves into, they would never Koch's previous positions have in- The following response to the above tionally involved with the members so have joined. They just didn't know. cluded serving as co-founder and past teenage reactions is based upon research that when one finally "joins" it is the re- "Not me," you say? I pray with all my president of the Personal Freedom Foun- done by the American Family Founda- sult of an emotional attachment, the re- heart that you are right. My dearest hope dation, co-leader of support groups for tion, Weston, MA. sult of "love-bombing," isolation, is that the next person who gets re- ex-cult members, and consultant to the Emotionally needy people are often exhaustion, poor diet, heavy peer influ- cruited, indeed, is not you. Citizen's Freedom Foundation. caught with their defenses down and are Ten Frequently-Asked Questions About Cult Awareness Heightened in Cults and Missionaries Philadelphia By Molly Koch ligions uphold and value the laws of By Craig Issod (Philadelphia Region Aleph S'gan) society. A serious topic was broached at a background of cults provided by Harry Q. What is the definition of a cult; and 5. Cults separate and alienate people program involving Acheem Shel Ben Hirsch, vice president of Philadelphia how do cults differ from mainstream from family, friends and society. Zion AZA #2055, Ruach Shalom BBG Council of B'nai B'rith. Hirsch outlined religions? Mainstream religions value healthy #2257, and their sponsoring B'nai B'rith several key facts about cults including A. Cults, or more specifically, destructive involvement with family, friends and lodge - that of the problem of cults in their existence in everyday society and cults, are characterized by the follow- society. our society. Attending this program were the methods they use to encourage ing differences from mainstream 6. Cults are self-serving, often amass- 60 chapter and lodge members, parents, membership. The audience found the religions: ing financial fortunes for the leaders and two cult specialists. facts to be shocking; few were aware of 1. In cults the leader is the central at the expense of the followers. In The evening began with a general Continued on page 11 focus of belief. In mainstream re- mainstream religions leaders serve ligions G-d is the central focus. the people and many religions con- 2. Cult recruitment includes deception tribute to the welfare of society in and concealment of identity and re- general. Learn More About Cults quirements of affiliation. Main- Q. Do cult leaders really believe what stream religions use no deception they preach? If you would like more information and new members are fully aware of A. We can't know what they really be- about cults for your AZA, BBG, or the teachings and expectations be- lieve, but we can judge them by their BBYO chapter program, you can ob- fore they make a commitment. acts. Many leaders of cults claim to be tain it through B'nai B'rith Interna- 3. Cults use mind-control techniques G-d's special messengers, prophets, tional (BBI). A resource guide of and forms of hypnosis to indoctri- Jesus, the Messiah, or G-d Himself. available materials has been pub- nate followers. Emotional needs are How then, should a "messiah" act? lished by BBI's Cult Education Project. exploited and people are held psy- Jews believe that the messiah will The booklet can be yours by writing chological hostages through peer bring about peace for mankind. This or calling Esther Deitz, Director, Cult pressure, guilt, and fear. Mainstream appears to be a noble and serious Education Project, B'nai B'rith Interna- religions do not resort to unethical task. One cult leader who claims to be tional, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW, means to persuade members. the messiah goes to Las Vegas and Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-6580. 4. Leaders of cults make their own gambles huge sums of hard-earned rules and laws which are often con- money that his followers collect on trary to the rules and laws of so- street corners, 10 to 15 hours a day. ciety. (Cultists lie, cheat, steal, and Another self-proclaimed "messiah" even murder. They are convinced sexually abuses his women followers. that these are not criminal acts, but Most cult leaders have made slaves of are the will of G-d.) Mainstream re- Continued on Page 10