OMNI magazine, the weird mag that goes for the mainstream audiences and
pitches a blend of hard science, pseudo-science, and science fiction, has
a Web site that tries to make people aware of the recruitment tactics of
various cults. The site includes links to useful points on the Web,
including the ex-cult archive, and it can be found at:
http://www.omnimag.com/o12dec/neuro.html
Here is a sample from the first page:
Beating the Mind Control Game
CAN YOU TAKE OMNI'S CULT-RESISTANCE TEST AND WIN?
KEITH HARARY, PH.D.
Most of us consider ourselves savvy enough to resist the draw of
dangerous cults. When it comes to influence from the likes of David
Koresh and the Branch Davidians; the late Jim Jones and his infamous
Peoples Temple; or Shoko Asahara's notorious Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme
Truth) sect, responsible for the recent poison gas attacks in the
Tokyo subway system, we like to tell ourselves, we are immune. In
fact, we're amazed that anyone might fall prey to such anti-heroes
--obvious wolves parading as gurus, who clearly exploit the lambs who
come their way.
If you consider yourself the kind of person who would never fall
victim to such exploitation, the following brief exercise may help you
to recognize and nurture the personal qualities behind your
independence. By getting in touch with these essential aspects of your
own personality, you can better understand what it is that often
drives other people into destructive relationships with cult leaders
--or manipulative authoritarian figures from just about any walk of
life. These unique personal insights, moreover, can help you to guide
other, less psychologicalyl independent or savvy souls. In so doing,
you may help to strike a blow against insidious influences threatening
society at its core.
To experience the full impact of the brief exercise that follows, it
is essential that you answer each of the questions you'll be asked in
sequence, without going back once you have made a decision. There will
be plenty of time later on, once you have completed the exercise, for
you to explore all the other possibilities that would have been open
to you if you had provided different answers. Remember, what follows
is only an exercise, but it is absolutely imperative that you be
completely honest in answering all the questions.
If you have any doubt about your ability to comfortably handle this
exploratory journey into your innermost decision-making processes, or
have a history of serious psychological problems, we recommend
checking with your doctor or therapist before you begin the
exercise.
[What I like about OMNI is the fact that it's published by Penthouse -
and the Penthouse web site even includes a prominent link to it.]
--
Reverend Modemac (modemac@netcom.com)
First Online Church of "Bob" "There is no black and white."
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URL: http://www.tiac.net/users/modemac/
(FINGER modemac@netcom.com for a FREE SubGenius Pamphlet!)
Original file name: CULTTEST
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