Cults in Our Midst: The Continuing Fight Against Their Hidden Menace

by Margaret Thaler Singer, Robert Jay Lifton (Foreword)

Cults today are bigger than ever, with broad ramifications for national and international terrorism. In this newly revised edition of her definitive work on cults, Singer reveals what cults really are and how they work, focusing specifically on the coercive persuasion techniques of charismatic leaders seeking money and power. The book contains fascinating updates on Heaven's Gate, Falun Gong, Aum Shinrikyo, Hare Krishna, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and the connection between cults and terrorism in Al Queda and the PLO.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cults, Psychology, Religion, True Crime, History, Sociology

386 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Peiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب فرقه ها در میان ما یک کتاب عالی و فوق العاده ست که به زیبایی فرقه رو تعریف و مراحل عضو گیری رو شرح داده و مهمتر از همه اینکه با زبان شیوا تاثیرات مخرب و مهلک فرقه ها رو روی فرد و جامعه نشون داده. به نظر من همه باید این کتاب رو بخونن مخصوصا در این موقعیت جغرافیایی ما که همه مستعد پیوستن به فرقه ها هستند. وقتی حرف از فرقه میشه شاید توی ایران اکثرا ذهنشون به سمت فرقه های مذهب محور بره اما فرقه ها خیلی وسیع تر از این هستند از فرقه های تجارت محور تا روانشناسی محور ولی شاید مهمترین نوع در ایران همون مذهب محور باشه. اینم نظر شخصی منه که فرقه ها ممکنه اینقدر رشد کنند و ریشه کنند که به حکومت تبدیل بشن! چون کتاب حجیم هست یه قسمتایی از کتاب رو اینجا می‌نویسم ولی اگر وقت داشتید حتما کتاب رو کامل بخونید.

- در لغت فرقه بیانگر یک گروه یا سازمان است که اعضای آن مانند هر انجمن و حزبی هدف بخصوصی را دنبال میکنند. تشخیص تفاوت های میان یک سازمان یا حزب معمولی با یک فرقه همیشه کار ساده‌ای نیست.

- بهتر است از عبارت روابط فرقه‌ای برای بیان دقیقتر جریانات و عملکردهایی که در یک فرقه اتفاق می افتند استفاده کنیم. روابط فرقه‌ای عبارت از روابطی است که در آن یک فرد آگاهانه افراد دیگر را با استفاده از روش های خاصی وادار میکند تا به طور کامل در خصوص تقریبا همه‌ی تصمیمات مهم زندگیشان وابسته به او باشند و به این پیروان عقیدتی اینطور القا می‌نمایند که او دارای استعداد، نبوغ یا دانش ویژه‌ای است.

- فرقه ها حول فاکتور های زیر تعریف می‌شوند:
۱ سر منشا گروه و نقش رهبر
۲ ساختار تشکیلاتی یا روابط بین رهبر و پیروان
۳ استفاده از برنامه های هماهنگ شده ی مجاب سازی ذهنی

- در بسیاری از موارد یک فرد که عموما بنیانگذار فرقه هم هست در بالای ساختار تشکیلاتی قرار گرفته و تصمیم گیری در وی متمرکز می‌شود.

- رهبران فرقه ها افرادی خود انتصابی و تحمیل گر هستند که ادعا میکنند دارای ماموریت خاصی بوده و یا دانش ویژه‌ای دارند.

- رهبران فرقه‌ها تمایل به اعمال اراده و تسلط داشته و اغلب به عنوان کاریزماتیک توصیف می‌شوند.

- رهبران فرقه مریدان خود را وادار می‌کنند تا خانواده، شغل و دوستان خود را برای پیروی از آنها رها کنند.

- رهبران فرقه تکریم و ستایش را بر روی خود متمرکز مینمایند.

- فرقه ها در ساختار تشکیلاتی خودکامه هستند. در فرقه، رهبر تنها و آخرین حاکم بر تمامی مسائل است.

- فرقه ها خود را نوآور و منحصر به فرد می‌دانند و ادعا میکنند اعضای آنها برگزیده، تکامل یافته یا خاص هستند و غیر عضو ها موجودات پایین تری به حساب آورده می‌شوند.

- فرقه ها تمایل دارند تا اعضایشان سیستم اخلاقی دوگانه‌ای داشته باشند.

- فرقه‌ها به اعضای خود دیکته میکنند که چه بپوشند چه بخورند، کجا و کی کار بکنند، بخوابند، حمام کنند و همینطور به چه چیزی اعتقاد داشته باشند و چگونه فکر و رفتار کنند و چه بگویند.

- فرقه ها تفکری را که به آن سیاه و سفید می‌گویند برقرار مینمایند. جمله معروف هرکس با من نیست بر من است از این طرز تفکر ناشی میشود.

- یک فرقه میتواند حول هر محتوایی نظیر سیاست، مذهب، تجارت، سلامت جسم، روانشناسی و ... شکل گرفته باشند.

- در گروه های فرقه ای، سیستم اعتقادی (مذهبی، روان درمانی، سیاسی، تجاری،...) به ابزاری برای خدمت به تمایلات، هوس ها، و برنامه های پنهان رهبر تبدیل میشود. ایدئولوژی صرفا یک وسیله است. چسبی است که اعضای گروه را به هم متصل میکند و ابزاری است که توسط رهبر برای رسیدن به اهدافش از آن سو استفاده میگردد.

- علیرغم این ذهنیت که مردم معمولی به فرقه ها جذب نمی‌شوند طی سالیان روشن شده است که هر کسی مستعد گول خوردن توسط این شیادان سو استفاده‌گر می‌باشد. در حقیقت، اکثریت نوجوانان و بزرگسالانی که در فرقه ها گیر افتاده اند برآمده از طبقه متوسط، نسبتا تحصیلکرده و بدون مشکل جدی تا قبل از جذب شدن بوده اند.

- کلید موفقیت رهبران فرقه ها برای سو استفاده و تحت کنترل قرار دادن افراد در ناآگاه نگه داشتن آنها نهفته است.

- تجربه مغزشویی مثل تجربه تب یا درد نیست، این پدیده یک انطباق اجتماعی غیرقابل رویت است.

- تاکتیک های روند بازسازی فکری(شتشوی مغزی) :
۱ نامتعادل کردن حس خویشتن فرد
۲ وادار کردن فرد به بازخوانی تاریخی زندگی اش، عوض کردن ریشه ای جهان بینی و ...
۳ بوجود آوردن حس وابستگی به سازمان در فرد

- شرایط لازم برای به اجرا در آوردن بازسازی فکری:
۱ ناآگاه نگه داشتن فرد نسبت به وجود برنامه تغییر
۲ کنترل ارتباطات و اطلاعات
۳ ایجاد حس ناتوانی، ترس و وابستگی
۴ سرکوب رفتارهای سابق
۵ ایجاد رفتارهای جدید
۶ پدید آوردن سیستم منطق بسته

- در سیستم منطق بسته، اگر شما انتقاد کرده یا شکایت نمایید، رهبر یا سایرین شما را متهم می‌کنند که بریده اید و هرگز سازمان را مسئول نمی‌دانند‌. در گروه های فرقه ای همیشه یک عضو اشتباه میکند و سیستم همیشه درست می‌گوید.

- عیوب فرقه ها:
۱ فرقه ها موسسات مشروع را مورد تهدید قرار می‌دهند
۲ به بچه ها آسیب رسانده و خانواده ها را از هم می‌پاشد
۳ خشن و سرکوبگر هستند
۴ در توطئه و کلاهبرداری دست دارند
۵ فرقه ها آزادی ما را می‌گیرند
۶ فرقه ها دارایی ما را میبرند
۷ فرقه ها از بازرسی فرار میکنند

[else fine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fine run-through of the various mind-altering and brainwashing techniques employed by modern cults. Also, I was pleased to see a section devoted to those crappy new-agey motivational programs which are forever being pushed on me by devotees. (I work in a store with a large metaphysical section in an area with a large number of actual cult members. They can be hard to avoid.) However, if you're actually interested in the history and development of modern cults, this book will be disappointing. It's mostly strings of anecdotes with identifying details edited out, relayed with an off-putting tinge of hysteria. Quite probably I would be hysterical too, if, like the author, I'd spent years being terrifyingly hounded by cult members. But the constant THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND THEY ARE COMING FOR YOUUUUU, while possibly valid, was slightly less than helpful in a serious study. I also found the section on the dangers of meditation to be a little weird. Again, she provided a string of unattributed anecdotes, including one strange quote from a women who had found herself accidentally Hindu, to bolster her claim that meditation alone can produce permanent mental damage. It wasn't very scientific, is I guess where I'm going with that - did these people have underlying problems? Were there any other factors involved? Is it a bad thing to find oneself Hindu?
Bottom line: if you're a psych student interested in mind control, this is probably the book for you. If you're a white suburban Christian paranoid about weird asiatic cults stealing your children, ditto. If you're more into a sociological view of religious movements and the development of cults, you won't find what you're looking for here.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Singer has been studying cults and cult survivors for decades, and this book is a thorough overview of the many aspects of this complex subject. Written for the mainstream, the book is clearly written and very readable, although her detailed descriptions of the abuse suffered by some cult members can be disturbing.

I found the book to be very useful in helping me to better understand where a spiritual group crosses the line from something that benefits its members to something that exploits them. I found her detailed explanations of the sophisticated ways in which certain groups use deception and peer pressure to manipulate their members to be particularly educational. In addition, I felt the light bulb go off repeatedly as I read about things I’d personally experienced but had not yet fully recognized for what they were.

On of the main insights I got from reading this book was a recognition of how cults play on people’s desires to have meaning in their lives and feel that they are doing something important and special. Cults do an amazing PR job of convincing people that working to benefit the cult ultimately benefits the world. Yet in the vast majority of cases, members find themselves working long hours to do nothing more than help perpetuate the existence of the cult itself, while at the same time becoming more and more estranged from the world they wanted so much to help. It is sobering to consider how much society as a whole suffers from having so many of its talented and idealistic members siphoned off by cults.

[Mindi Rosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you know someone who suffered from cults in our modern culture? This book provides relevant background about cult methodology and cult recovery for survivors.

Here's my video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPhWa...

Growing up in a cult, I felt that I turned my back upon God and religion when I left the group. I assumed my feelings were unique, the judgment of a higher power angered by my desertion. Through reading Cults in Our Midst, I discovered that every cult survivor feels these emotions. It's an inherent psychological repercussion.

I would highly recommend this book to the following groups:

1. Psychologists and Mental Health Professionals (especially those who work with ex-cult members, do exit counseling, and PTSD therapy)
2. Ex-cult members (especially those who are several months removed from their cult)
3. Church Ministers (to assess the ethics in their own strategies for evangelization)
4. Family and friends of ex-cult members (to provide guidance about loved one's psychological aftereffects)
5. Those fascinated by cults

This book answers these common questions:

- What is a cult?
- How do cults brainwash members?
- Why and how do people join cults?
- What happens to children within a cult?
- How to leave a cult?

After reading this book, I felt validated in calling my former religious extremist group a cult. Their practices synced up with nearly all of the cult characteristics. My group claimed to be a part of mainstream religion, but their actions and doctrine taught otherwise. I caution those within extremist groups to examine their methodologies carefully. It's not the brain-dead who join cults, but typically the intellectual geniuses.

Margaret Thaler Singer delivers on her promises to the reader. Her book is a resourceful tool to recover from religious trauma syndrome.

[Elham Yaghoobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب با با ترجمه 《فرقه ها در میان ما》 ابراهیم خدابنده در نشر ماهریس به فارسی چاپ شده.
و نویسنده اون خانم دکتر سینگر تلاش داره تا با تشریح ابعاد جذب، ماندگاری و ترک یا فرار از فرقه‌ها، دید بهتری به مخاطبین از عملکرد یک فرقه بده.
فرقه چیز خیلی عجیب و غریبی نیست. یک فرقه میتونه گروه یا انجمنی باشه که به دلایلی مختلف مارو به خودش جذب کرده و روند زندگی مون مختل شده و در خدمت اهداف اون گروه هستیم و غالبا توسط یک فرد کاریزماتیک به عنوان رهبر یا مدیر اداره میشه و جدایی از اون گروه، به حکم گناه یا خطایی بزرگ برامون تعریف شده.
نویسنده تو کل کتاب رهنمودهایی به خواننده میده تا بتونه از فریب خوردن پرهیز کنه!
(البته کتاب رو به طور کامل نخوندم چون بخش زیادی از مطا��ب تکرار شده بود)

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book (by a professor and clinical psychologist who's an expert on cults) if you’re looking for information on how to identify cults, learn what their tactics are, and even how to recover.

I found it useful, not only in learning about cults themselves, but other destructive organizations that wouldn’t technically be described as cults. An excellent resource.

Unfortunately, Dr. Singer died in 2003. I would have loved to see a new edition discussing things that have transpired over the last few years.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second book I have read on cults and I found it highly educational. While I gave the first book high ratings, this one added a bit more because they added that a cult doesn't have to be religious. It noted on the New Age cults out there that seem to be popular in current society, and gave characteristics of a cult so you could determine if the group you belonged to was actually a cult as well. I found certain parts of the book boring since they weren't relevant to me (like rescuing someone from a cult and helping them to recover), but I felt the author gave a good amount of information to help someone who actually was in this situation.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG, what an amazing book. I didn't know anything when I ordered it other than it's was amazon's best reviewed academic based book on the topic of cults. IT WAS AMAZING. The only thing I can liken it to as far as being an awesome general public Social Psychology read, is Cialdini's Influence. Dr. Singer is emeritus at UC Berkeley and is a clinical psychologist. After reading the book and doing my own research--she is THE authority on cults.
They really are in "our midst." The book early on seeks to educate its readers that ANYONE is subject to being conned and preyed on by a cult. We have a historical perception that cults are a problem for marginal people and blame the victims quite readily. The reality is cults claim the lives of all sorts of people, and a great many specifically target the wealthy and educated. It doesn't matter how smart you are--we all at one point or another are vulnerable to the life threatening con of a cult. It talks a good deal about specific cults (those that haven't been successful in suing an academic to stop using their name in peer reviewed research). I specifically enjoyed reading about Bhagwan Rajneesh's cult after seeing Wild Wild Country. It's EPICALLY creepy cults so successfully market themselves and preserve their image i.e. that the Rajneesh cult is still very active but have rebranded their psycho "charismatic" leader with a new name, Osho (just a word that means teacher). But that is what this book gets across so well--how modern the concept of a cult has become, how saavy, how rich, how powerful, and how dangerous. It also talks about the specific dangers of meditation when abused which can cause for example involuntary dissociative states. But that's just what a cult wants you to be--tired, pliable, exhausted, and unquestioning. It looks long but the pages are printed with large print and it's very general public friendly and compelling. I highly recommend it to all readers.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides some nice and fun background on the methods and means that "cultic" groups use to manipulate their followers, as well as some insight into what leads members into cults in the first place.

It comes off as a little too sensational and alarmist at times, as though the book is suggesting that the world is filled to the brim with cults just waiting to ply unsuspecting individuals into their clutches. However I think that beneath this lies, interestingly, the author's general concern that human psychology by its "nature" lends itself to manipulation by knowing forces and that, assuming this to be true, we might broaden our concept of what makes a "cult".

I read this book too before knowing that its content was composed largely of a sort of disgraced study, rejected by the APA, that Singer had been part of and that led to her being discredited in her career as a expert in legal proceedings - not a great look for a book that is supposed to be objective and informative.

But the controversy surrounding that study brings forth questions that arose within the psychological/sociological academic communities surrounding their appraisals of New Religious Movements...

So provided that a reader can take this book with the appropriate grain of salt, it works fine as general information as well as a jumping-off point into perhaps more complex and nuanced views of the place in contemporary society of niche religious movements and how they relate to notions of individual and religious freedoms.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the alarmist title and blurbs ("Cults are more pervasive than ever before [...] Anyone can be a victim."), this is actually a well-researched, informative book on how cults operate. Particularly interesting were the chapters on the physiological and psychological strategies used to manipulate current and prospective members. The book was published in 1995 but is still relevant today, and some of the cults referenced are still active.

[Wildlifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not a psychologist and its my first book to read on Cults, all i can say i have been opened on various issues concerning the cults. Im looking to read more books on the subject to dwelve more. But im disappointed the author didn't touch anything concerning Cults in Africa. All the issues are from eurocentric perspective. Nevertheless, i learned the basics ideas on cults.

[Expose Austin Texas Duty To Care For Others · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic book on the variety and plethora of cults that have spread throughout the USA: she also described the secretive stratagems that cult leaders use in everyday settings. One of the stratagems discussed is a closed system of logic.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book almost jumped off the shelf and into my hands. Bought and read while still a member of a cult. Totally correct and enlightening for someone who has a loved one in a cult or someone in or just out of a cult. Easy to read and easy to understand.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informative about what tactics are used to lure people into cults and what keeps them there. It would be a good resource for people who have been in cults or for their relatives, with listed books for rebuilding their lives. It was also, as expected, pretty disturbing.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is a must read, period. It looks into many facets of cults from Am Way to various religions and what to look out for.

[Writerstewie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry I was a year late from meeting the author before she died. Great insight, ageless material.

[Kelly Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read the original version of this book, Cults in Our Midst: The Hidden Menace In Our Everyday Lives, which did not mention terrorism, and it appears there is a new updated and revised version of the late Margaret Thaler Singer's book on Amazon. (Terrorism was not yet an issue, based on my recollection, but appears to be covered in the updated and revised version someone took upon themselves after her death).

I found this book to be first of all, likely revised the second time I read it, unfortunately, at least my (Johnson County Kansas Public Library [version], where you once could donate a book, and it would be put on the shelf, but now the Nazi Friends of the Library will sell it, even in perfect condition, (and argue with you about how well books hold their resale value) in order to purchase a book they decide patrons should read, and this library system refused to purchase Christine Louie de Canonville's, The Three Faces of Evil, (a therapist who teaches other therapists) and who, upon complaining, quit leaving Firefox, the only independent browser, vulnerable because it was never updated, and changed it so you cannot update it or even determine if it is updated, rather than responsibly addressing the issue in a transparent manner...just to mention a few notable occurrences in recent years. Oh, and they apparently do not believe bankruptcy laws apply to them either, but appear to enjoy the somewhat new Black & Veatch (I wonder how Tim and Betsy (from Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin, 1999/2000, prior to the creation of Warden Triplett Grier) are doing?) creation (MakerSpace) room) copy, due to specifically naming a group which is the epitome of a cult specifically as not being such. It is disgusting that this appears to be happening to copyrighted material. However, I found Cults in Our Midst: The Hidden Menace, to be informative and helpful when I read it years ago, and we have promoted Margaret Singer and her book for a few years on our pages.

It is my understanding that the late Margaret Thaler Singer invested her life in raising awareness of this "hidden menace" in society (to say the least!), including being an expert witness. My guess is that she was sorely missed on that front after her passing. Cancer, wasn't it.

Based on my recollection, she estimated there were at that time, a couple of decades ago maybe, approximately 5,000 active cults in operation in the United States. Another fine job by law enforcement, where some of the "menace" appears to be "hiding," or not-so-hidden, continuously and enduringly failing at the very reason for their existence as an entity, and so often with so much pride and arrogance?

She discussed the way she would be scheduled for a seminar and they would order a bunch of pizzas and have them sent to her room, or cancel her reservation. I believe she also discussed having a snake put in her mailbox, if I'm not mistaken. She also spoke of coercive persuasion, lawsuits won by cult victims (which needs to be vigorously pursued in my opinion in many cases), resources of lawyers who specialize in same (of course, most if not all of the resources as I recall are no longer available with the provided contact information of resources, I believe it was in the back of the book), techniques that have been used to rescue victims, and other relevant topics. I consider at least the original version a must read in the narcissism niche, as a bare minimum.

Note: This is from someone who carries multiple public library cards at any given time, on an ongoing basis, and has donated books in the past.

KC3Lady

[Alina Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a stigma reinforcer with fear-monger overtones laced with great information about cults.

I grew up in a cult that is mentioned a few times in this book. I left when I was 19. I’m pretty sure that if I had read this book before leaving, I would not have had the grit and determination it took to leave. I started therapy about 10 years after leaving, and the best therapist I have had focused on cPTSD. She was far more helpful than the “exit counselor”. The idea of needing “special” help that is next to impossible to find increases fear and cult stigma/embarrassment

The section on kids leaving was weird to me. It sounded like kids who have left cults either emulate the cult leader in public… or they will masturbate in school not knowing better?? IMHO, that’s a bunch of bullshit (I’m obviously no expert, though). The author reinforces what formed my opinion many times throughout the book: children in cults are taught to keep their heads down, to not draw attention to themselves in public at all costs, to be obedient and submissive and docile. A switch doesn’t just flip from being taught to shrink yourself to emulating a cult leader and becoming a mini tyrant with a Napoleon-complex. Emulating a cult leader would be a great way to get the child in trouble with both cult members and non-cult members alike, and kids raised in cults have been placating the adults in their lives since before they could walk.

If you are thinking of leaving a cult and you have children, don’t let this book scare you into staying, just LEAVE. If you can afford to, find a therapist that specializes in PTSD (they are everywhere). You (and your kids) are far more resilient and capable than this author gives you credit for, and any regular therapist can help you navigate the real world and help you redevelop your true personality.

In other words, guess what? You aren’t that special (sorry to break it to you; I know that cult you are in makes you feel more than special, they make you feel invaluable, right?). Being in a cult is basically being in an abusive family. Therapists help with that every day. They can help you, too.

The sections I thought were valuable from this book were the chapters on physiological and psychological thought reform/brainwashing/persuasion techniques (though the intense focus on meditation was a little over-the-top), and the chapter on recovery.

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK. I was starting to think EVERYTHING was a cult. Religion, universities, MLMS (of course) ... and after reading this book I have revised that idea. There is a difference between being cult-like (MLMs I am talking to you) and being a cult.

It was truly saddening to read about Cults, and people's experiences in these organizations run by a charismatic leader who employs coercive persuasion and though reform on their followers in order to achieve money AND power. Coercive persuasion is using a series of tactics rooted in the psychology of the human mind to change people's belief systems and thought patterns to mirror that of the group/leader. Devaluation of critical thinking, group identity, controlling attention (making members work/raise funds for the cult during 16-20hr days, having members practice chanting/meditation during any spare moment to drive out other thoughts) and control over language (Scientology is a great example of this, when watching Lea Remini's Inside Scientology I was most drawn to the terms used within the group to label other people and experiences).

So MLMs, although the bane of my existence are not exactly a destructive cult. Well you know, except Nxivm, which successfully checks every box for a cult. They are cult-like, and to a certain extent control language (just look at the impossible to decipher compensation plans, "I'm a double star diamond!") and there is a group identity there as well. People can leave freely, but they will most likely (not always the case) be bereft of the friendships they made while in the group. I think exit counseling as it exists for people leaving cults should exist for people leaving MLMs. I am seriously considering offering MLM exit counseling where family members who want their loved ones to wake up from the dream that MLMs so successfully engender can pay me to just talk to the person (away from the group), give them the facts, and then let them make their own decision. Maybe I can get some ex-members of the MLM in question to help with the exit counseling like they do for cult exit counseling. Its a thought I chew over in my head.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cult Refers to 3 Factors:
1. The origin of the group and role of the leader
2. The power structure, or relationship between the leader (or leaders) and the followers
3. The use of a coordinated program of persuasion (which is called through reform, or, more commonly, brain washing)

Cult types:
- Neo-Christian religious
- Hindu and Eastern Religions
- Occult, witchcraft, and satanist
- Spiritualist
- Zen and other Sino-Japanese philosophical-mystical orientation
- Racial
- Flying saucer and other outer-space phenomena
- Psychological or psycho-therapeutic
- Political
- Self-help, self-improvement, and lifestyle systems

Conditions
1. Keep the person unaware of what is going on and the changes taking place
2. Control the person's time, and, if possible, physical environment
3. Create a sense of powerlessness, covert fear, and dependency
4. Suppress much of the person's old behavior and attitude
5. Instill new behavior and attitudes
6. Put forth a closed system of logic; allow no real input or criticism

Themes
1. Milieu control
2. Loading the language
3. Demand for purity
4. Confession
5. Mystical manipulation
6. Doctrine over person
7. Sacred science
8. Dispensing of experience

Stages
1. Unfreezing
2. Changing
3. Refreezing

[Hell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contains absolutely insufferable religious apologism and several factual errors (such as the complete omission of the fact that the Rajneeshee poisoning incident was almost exclusively targeting the food supply in The Dalles, Oregon, namely salad bars, as the authors only mention the unsuccessful attempts at introducing pathogens into the water supply) after about 20 pages, I ditched this shitpile in search of a better book on the subject. The Authors seem to have ulterior ideological motives themselves, if not full on religious ones at times. I would not recommend this piss poor example of scholarship to anyone interested in the subject unless you need some spare shitpaper in the john.

In addition, their other book contains pseudoscientific information about various therapeutic modalities, such as hypnosis, of which the authors are or were apparently proponents of. It's no wonder it appears as though they never wrote another book after the aforementioned ones ever again with the levels of abysmal scholarship and subtle deception on display in both babbling menopausal shitpaper scrawlings. The End.

[Patrick Fernandes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book only partially as I skimmed through the parts I didn't like, and read only the parts I did.

It's okay, and gives you a brief outline of how Cults work but the scope of identifying what makes Cults so attractive to some people is too difficult given the diversity of organisations out there. The main thing is access to secret knowledge that has powerful effects is what drives people to act irrationally, and a mixture of love bombing, guilt tripping and various other techniques keeps people ingrained.

This book wasn't for me, as I've discovered what I really find fascinating is cult cultures.

[Lisa the Tech · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Taken from a diary entry written in 1999)
Oy vey! Here I go with reading about cults! Well, after reading “Seductive Poison”, I decided to learn more. What defines a cult and who falls? I have barely begun reading “Cults in our Midst” and I have already gotten an eyeful! This book is sure to shatter my conceptions about cults. Well, it is as Margaret Thaler Singer says, and here I shall paraphrase. “Education is our best weapon.” The more we know about the power of cults and thought control, the better equipped we are to resist them.

[Nancy McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly detailed explanation of cults and their techniques for mind control and personality change.

Singer also lists the steps of leaving cults, including what training a mental health therapist should have.

The most shocking part of the book for me was the large group awareness training. I have actually had to attend similar classes for corporate retail at one point. The trainers of those programs did not like me, I asked too many questions.

All on all this is a decent book if you are studying social engineering or psychology; if you can ignore some more paranoid ranting.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book from a seasoned expert on cults and thought reform. The first edition came out in 1995 and this 2003 edition added news of cult activity since that time. Still very relevant today and sometimes eerily prophetic with the events happening now. Margaret Thaler Singer discussion of what cults are and how they operate is applicable to the many cults that operate in 2021. However, it would be nice to have a new edition to discuss how the internet has changed the structure of today's online cults.

Still it is a good basis to start from and an important book to read.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mentioned several times on a podcast that I listen to, called CULTS. I didn't realize this book was as old as it was, but I was very pleased to run across it since I have heard it mentioned so many times. Some of the information is out of date, in regards to leaders of cults/operations of specific cults. Overall, it was very interesting and still relevant. Margaret Singer has a lot of thought provoking takes on these situations. I can see why the book is quoted so frequently.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, thorough (and long) look at cults - their history, how they recruit and operate, typical pressure & persuasion techniques, and also a section on deprogramming and reintegration into society. It’s all so scary! I’d like to think that no one I know would ever fall for something like that, but the author makes it pretty clear that brainwashing, manipulation, coercion, and intimidation can affect absolutely anyone.

[Kendra E Usack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read with problems

I found this book a great read about various types of cults and how to deal with people in them and leaving them.

However I cannot give it a five because of the dreadful editing that was done. It is too obvious that book was not carefully reviewed when switched into ebook for wrongly divided words, misspelled words like be and had or whole phrases run together. This is ashamed and detracts from an otherwise wonderful read.

[Nate Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last of my delve into cults. It was mentioned in another book I read and enjoyed. This was the best of the books I have read about cults. It goes into great depth explaining how people are recruited and how they are retained. It is scary to think about how many cults are out there. Evie saw it and was interested. I hope she reads all of it and remembers it when she goes off to college.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone affected by or interested in cults. Margaret Thaler Singer, a clinical psychologist, dedicated her career to studying them and helping former members. This is the best broad overview of cults that I’ve found and a great starting point for learning more about specific aspects of cults. The book is well organized and well written, accessible to lay-people.