Sometimes we feel lonely, and we are searching for answers and we stumble across a seemingly perfect online movement or leader. All the information being put out by the group feels great. The feeling of community feeds our desire to belong and we do not question the motives of the movement. However in order not to be mindless followers we need to question everything. Most manipulative cults have have a few red flags to watch out for.
Watch Out For
An Oath Of Secrecy
Taking an oath to keep the group a secret or certain aspects of the group a secret. Mystery schools in Europe, Africa and Asia have used this for centuries.
Positive: Depending on the group secrets might be necessary to protect the organization’s trade secrets from competition who seek to steal them and get an advantage. Secrets are also necessary to protect sensitive information that criminals can use to perpetuate fraud in the group’s name.
Negative: If they’re manipulative they might want people to keep the group or group activities private because if members tell outsiders they might be subject to criticism that can widen their perspective and free them from manipulation.
Dress Code
A set of rules governing dress.
Positive: Uniforms create unity. If everyone wore the same clothes there would be less competition and separation and discrimination based on superficial differences. If they require a certain dress that’s fine, if they make assumptions about others who don’t dress like them that’s not okay.
Negative: The uniformity suppresses your uniqueness. Some religious extremist groups teach their members that people who don’t dress like them are of a lower level consciousness. They train their members to judge people on how they look, ignoring other factors that make up the individual.
They Preach The Last Days/ End Times
Last days or end times is a time period in the future, which according to many religious groups and cults, will bring about the world’s end.
Negative: People have been preaching it was the last days long before anyone reading this was born. Long before our great, greater and greatest grandmothers were born. Yet the world is still spinning. People use the last days as a scare tactic to intimidate people into giving them money and turning over all their material possessions. This is one of the oldest tricks used by manipulative groups.
Positive: It could be how they genuinely feel. It can make people less materialistic and focus on the positive things they can do in this life. Some will change their ways and live an honest life if they think the world will end in a biblical sense.
Mbandu
I don’t know why I never believe that cults exist
Except in the movies
Jaja Wallace
At first I found it surreal, but then I realized many movies are a reflection of reality.
Mbandu
I didnt think of that
But maybe your right
I can’t still beliet it tho’
Jaja Wallace
I understand.
Mbandu
Maybe if I see one for myseld
Most people just exaggerate it
Am not sure if it’s true or not
Jaja Wallace
Yes we must do our best to be objective and not exaggerate.
Mbandu
Good talk😊
Barbara Fisher
I agree that we must be discerning, and the warnings you give I agree with them all, but one. True, the last days have been preached about since Bible days, over 2000 years ago. But it is right to preach the truth (the gospel), not as a tool of manipulation, but because we are called to share the gospel.
Thanks by the way for reading my post, and
following me!
Jaja Wallace
The best thing we can do is live each day with integrity. 🙏🏾 Peace and blessings.
Barbara Fisher
Although, I do try to live with integrity, I know that I fail. I am glad that my failures are all covered in Christ, who alone conquered depravity. This is the reason I celebrate Christmas! He came! Merry Christmas to you!
Jaja Wallace
I also wish you all the best for the holiday season.
ceridwensilverhart
Any group that teaches its members to view other people as having a “lower level of consciousness” should be suspect in my mind. I hadn’t heard that some cults tied that to clothing, but I guess that would be a way to encourage conformity.
Jaja Wallace
Yes for some groups clothing is strongly tied to Spirituality. Color of clothing, head gear, and how revealing the clothing is are things they take into consideration. Groups who do not require a uniform sometimes have a dress code.
Color of clothes – usually they assign some color aspect, there are different belief systems and theories about how the colors we wear affect our chakras or how some colors are more suitable for men than women.
Head gear – Some groups believe in covering the head, they see turbans as an essential form of Spiritual protection and think that those who don’t wear head covering outside are vulnerable to demonic influences.
Revealing clothing – some groups see revealing clothing as worldly and think less of people who don’t cover up.
While there may be truth to some of these things I disagree with demonizing people who don’t follow a particular dress code.
Gacururiga
Enlightening. Thank you for this.
Jaja Wallace
What a beautiful thing it is to think for ourselves. Keep growing and glowing fam.
caribbeanqueenie
Positive and very happy I came across your blog keep sharing and please give mine a follow for healthy Caribbean recipes
Jaja Wallace
Cool site, I followed back. I’m vegan too.
Lullaby
Hi Thankyou 🙏
there’s a large group of narcissists and or sociopaths , psychopaths that make up a large portion of demonic hive mind – it’s very real and disheartening
Have a lovely day and Thanku for your support in my fight 💐
Jaja Wallace
Peace and blessings kind soul. 🌼🌻
Puzzles of the Soul
Very good post and this kind of awareness needs to be spoken about there are too many satanic groups on Facebook, they appear quite harmless but you have to dig deep into the groups to see what the admins are really about, I wrote to FB and complained about the increasing number of groups they do nothing and care needs to be taken with New Age groups very manipulative and controlling.
Jaja Wallace
Social media has many manipulative groups and individuals but it’s not always easy to spot them, It’s good that you can see beyond the facade.
Many of them mix truth with lies which makes it difficult to detect their deception.
Puzzles of the Soul
For the gullible it is not an easy chore choosing groups or perhaps they should keep away.
Jaja Wallace
You are so right.
Ameet Kothari
Tysm Brother for following me and liking my posts…
U r my 1001th follower which I realised when I recd a message from WordPress Admins…
Jaja Wallace
Peace and blessings to you.
IreneDesign2011
Interesting topic. Different kind of religions do often demand a follow of specific rituals of one or another kind.
I think, that the best we can do for ourselves, is to follow our intuition and stay away, if we get a thought, this might be false.
To think for oneself is the best.
Jaja Wallace
I agree. It is good to listen to the advice of others but when it is time to make the final decision on what is right for us we should consult our inner guidance.
babalolas
I read your article with interest and cults do exist and many are out there in disguise as churches. I have had an experience. Church stops being about love when fear takes over. For those still unsure please watch the last episode of Panorama this presents a clear description of occultic behaviour in a “church” in modern day Britain.
Thanks for following me too.❤️
Jaja Wallace
Some religious leaders live in luxury while telling their congregation that they must endure suffering in order to get to heaven. It is a beautiful thing when we follow our inner guidance.
Panorama sounds interesting, I’ll check it out, thank you. 💛
babalolas
Research the church ‘Spac Nation’ it kinda makes my heart bleed what we do to one another in order to enrich ourselves. Do have a wonderful new year too.
Jaja Wallace
I will research it.
da-AL
Great tips & a good reminder that we need to look to ourselves for answers, not gurus
Jaja Wallace
Within is where the magic is. May we develop deeper more wholesome relationships with ourselves and our loved ones