THIEME'S LIST OF TERMS AT END OF HIS ARTICLE:
GATE 9: PSYCHOPATHIC ARROGANCE
As I said before, I won't deal with every term Thieme listed. I will pick and choose, since I am not an expert on the "psychological" terms he gave.
First the word CULT:
THE DEFINITION THIEME GAVE:
cult: devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for a person, principle, etc., especially when regarded as a fad: as the cult of nudism.
COMMENT:
First let's look at some definitions of the word "cult" from other sources than Thieme:
FROM RICK ROSS WEB SITE DEFINITIONS:
I include this extensive quote from the Rick Ross Institute because many who object to our contention that Thieme's teachings constitute a destructive church group do not bother to read what this site says about such groups. ~ Sistersoap
{{{Include personal comments in items below. in {{{xxx}}}. ~ Sis}}}
from:
[
www.culteducation.com]
FAQs:
Isn't the word "cult" a pejorative label used to discriminate against new religious movements?
No. It is disingenuous to ignore the historical significance and modern day applications of the word cult. Today many controversial groups, that have been called "cults", are seeking to either eliminate the word, or create through fear of litigation a reluctance to use the term. Some cult apologists have literally said that "'cult' is a four letter word," and should be replaced by the politically correct title "new religious movement" (NRM). However, historically cults have always been with us and they continue to be a part of the world today.
How is the word "cult" defined?
Webster's Dictionary defines a cult as:
"1. A formal religious veneration 2. A system of religious beliefs and rituals also its body of adherents; 3. A religion regarded as "unorthodox or spurious."; 4. A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator; 5. a: A great devotion to a person, idea, thing; esp.: such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad, b: A usually small circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure."
This definition obviously could include everything from Barbie collectors to old "Deadheads," "Trekkies" to diehard Elvis fans. American history might also include within such a definition the devoted followers of Mary Baker Eddy the founder of Christian Science, or the Mormons united through their devotion to Joseph Smith. Both these religious groups were once largely regarded as "unorthodox or spurious." However, the most important concern today is not simply who might be somewhat "cultic" in their devotion now or historically, but what groups might represent potential problems regarding personal or public safety. That is, groups that are potentially unsafe and/or destructive.
{{{Note the dual nature of this statement. A group of concern here could be EITHER or BOTH to qualify as being a group of concern on this forum. }}}
BACK TO RICK ROSS' definition and comments about the word CULT:
Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who wrote the definitive book about thought reform (often called "brainwashing") also wrote a paper about cult formation. Lifton defined a cult as having the following three characteristics:
A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power.
A process [is in use] call[ed] coercive persuasion or thought reform.
Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.
{{{I believe a case can be made for the first TWO easily for the Berachah Church in its history under the leadership of R.B.Thieme, Jr. as pastor. I have heard rumors about the third, but have no personal knowledge of the third.}}}
BACK TO RICK ROSS DEFINITION OF CULT:
Don't some groups once seen as "cults" often move more into the mainstream, becoming generally respected sects or religions?
Yes. There are certainly examples of groups that were once perhaps thought of as "cults" that have evolved into relatively mainstream sects or religions. Such examples as the Seventh Day Adventists once led by Ellen White, or the Mormons, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
But it is also important to note that some groups, which may have once been labeled as "cults" continue to be controversial due to their unsafe or destructive practices. Two examples of groups that continue to be problematic and often destructive are the former Russellites, now known as "Jehovah's Witnesses," that once prohibited organ transplants and still expects its members to refuse blood transfusions, which has resulted in numerous deaths. And the Christian Scientists founded by Mary Baker Eddy who often reject medical treatment, again resulting in the loss of life. Some groups may say they have renounced unsafe or destructive practices, only to be exposed later as guilty of the same extremes and abuses.
Can hate groups or political extremists be somewhat "cultic"?
Yes. Many anti-government extremists such as the so-called "militias" and hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, racist skinheads, some radical anti-abortion groups, the "Christian Identity" movement and often violent gangs, share many of the same characteristics as destructive cults; such as a "we they" mentality, black and white thinking and/or unreasonable fears about the outside world. And radical anti-government extremists and hate groups have at times isolated themselves in compounds or remote settings not unlike the Waco Davidians or Jim Jones' People's Temple.
It is important to note that historically there have also been many radical left-wing political groups such as the SLA that abducted Patty Hearst, or the National Labor Federation founded by Gino Perente, which exhibit these same cultic tendencies.
More recently the right-wing followers of Lyndon LaRouche appear to have obsessive, cult-like devotion to their leader and some have referred to this group as a "political cult".
Are all so-called "cults" unsafe and destructive?
No. Just because a group is "cultic" and its adherents are focused on unusual leaders and/or ideas is no reason to call them unsafe or destructive. There are groups centered on seemingly strange spiritualists, radical political concepts, the supposed power of crystals, UFO's, witchcraft or "Satanism," that may appear eccentric, but most often don't harm anyone. An unsafe or destructive group is not defined by what it believes, but by what it does. That is, the behavior that causes harm and injury to the members of the group and/or others in society.
{{{HOWEVER in Thieme's case, most of the destructive characteistics typical of his teachings and practice come from WHAT HE TEACHES and therefore what his followers believe.}}}
What are the characteristics of a destructive "cult" or group?
Margaret Singer, clinical psychologist and once Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley was the preeminent cult expert of the 20th Century. She counseled and/or interviewed thousands of people affected by controversial groups often called "cults." Dr. Singer offered meaningful definitions of unsafe groups or "cults" in her book Cults in our Midst.
According to Singer, unsafe groups or cults can generally be defined by three factors:
The origin of the group and role of the leader.
The power structure, or relationship between the leader
and the followers.
The use of a coordinated program of persuasion, which is called thought reform [or more commonly, 'brainwashing'"].
What typifies an unsafe group or "cult's" leadership and structure?
Again, a good working understanding has been provided by Margaret Singer: "In most cases, there is one person, typically the founder at the top...decision making centers in him or her." Illustrating the structure Singer says, "imagine an inverted T. The leader is alone at the top and the followers are all at the bottom". There is little if any accountability and as Singer says, "the overriding philosophy...is that the ends justify the means, a view that allows [such groups] to establish their own brand of morality, outside normal society bounds".
{{{This structure is certainly true of Thieme and his church, and of most of his clone churches which imitate him and follow his teachings.}}}
What specifically would define a group or "cult" as unsafe?
Unsafe groups or "cults" often abuse and exploit their members. This abuse may occur in the areas of finances, physical labor, child abuse and neglect, medical neglect, sexual exploitation and/or psychological and emotional abuse.
{{{The most outstanding abuse typical of Thieme and related groups would be emotional and psychological in my own estimation. Was it physically abusive to demand attendance at every Bible Class and a daily tape for those too far away to attend class personally? It sure is if you claim that God will hurt you for not fulfilling these requirements, and Thieme made it abundantly clear that GOD WOULD KILL YOU if you LEFT HIS TEACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD, known as "Bible Doctrine" in his groups. He also claimed that God was holding up this nation by means of the FEW SPIRITUALLY MATURE BELIEVERS who followed his teachings, and that if you left his teaching, you were not only risking your own life you were endangering your country's existence, too.}}}
Extreme examples of destructive behavior have been historically recorded in such groups as the Waco Davidians, the cult suicides of "Heaven's Gate" and the Solar Temple of Switzerland and the suicide/murder of almost one thousand members of the Peoples Temple ordered by Jim Jones. In 1995 the Japanese cult known as Aum, the followers of Shoko Asahara, gassed the subways of Tokyo with the deadly poison gas sarin, killing twelve and injuring thousands of citizens. Perhaps the most deaths ever caused by a single cult in modern history can be attributed to the "Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments" of Uganda. Shortly after the turn of the century 780 bodies were found after a reign of terror that included murder and possibly mass suicide. But due to the isolated circumstances of the group many believe all the bodies will never be recovered, placing the actual loss of life much higher, possibly greater than Jonestown.
{{{We can see that much was omitted in the definition of cult Thieme listed in this glossary. It is also true of the occasional definitions of "cult" offered by defenders of Thieme who post in the Thieme thread under Destructive Churches.}}}
To be continued,
~ Sistersoap