Big question....
Date: January 04, 2004 06:58AM
Many years ago, i actually did "infiltrate" a number of cults, merely out of personal interest. I am a professional actor, so i am fascinated by wacked out people. I personally have an intense curiousity in wacko people doing wacked out things. I have used this info in my work many times!
I have also read many many books on cults, propaganda, etc. Frankly, if i was an evil sociopath, i could probably start my own cult! But i have a conscience, and empathy, and care about people.
Anyway, years ago i "infiltrated" TM, Scientology, Sai Baba, Christian Science, Christ Consciousness New Age culty things, the Quartus Group, Unity Church, and a number of wacky Eastern Yoga Gurus, the names i forget at this moment, and a bunch of other cults of various stripes.
What i did was pretend i was on a "spiritual quest" and i acted really sincere and simple minded, and then also let them know that my wealthy Aunt was going to "support" my journey. (this is when they would start to salivate!). ;)
I would work my way up the organization, without spending any money, by making endless promises, and excuses, and telling them my Aunt needed more info, etc. Of course i could only go so far.
This was before the internet, and i didn't know anything about Cults, other than they were BS Artists. It all started when i walked in and did the Scientology personality test for a lark, and that is a massive story in itself. I was in there for over 6 hours, meeting various people, and when i decided to leave, he tried to block the door, so i gave him 5 seconds to move, and he did.
I could write a little book about my adventures.
Even 2 months ago, i walked into the main Scientology center in my city, as Hubbard was on the video, and watched that sociopathic nutcase ramble on for a couple of hours.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE DO THIS.
IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
The worst thing is to be overconfident, and feel "superior" to the cultists. We all have our weaknesses, and can get nailed. I got tricked by Tony Robbins, and that whole scene, so we can all get duped.
For me though, these other cults are so blatantly obvious, that it doesn't seem to affect me. Also, i am 6'2" and grew up in a rough neighborhood, so they cannot intimdate me.
What i am saying is this.
If you can, use your powers for good.
Perhaps learn about cults and mind control, and then give free lectures to students, etc.
But i hear where you are coming from.
I am tempted to go to a Landmark meeting in 2 weeks, and spoil the entire meeting, by talking about all of the lies in Landmark, and what their techniques are, etc. I could very easily ruin their entire evening, without raising my voice. And the Landmark people behave so obnoxiously, in my view they deserve it. I could cost them a lot of money.
But is this the best way to combat cults?
Not really.
In my view, the internet is a scourge to many cults. Now all their tricks are exposed openly, and thousands can read about them.
Getting into cults can be a slippery slope. Even if a person is intelligent, they can be duped. And don't forget, some cults are very litigious, and can create real trouble for you.
But i do understand the fascination with cults, and the desire to expose them.
Just be VERY CAREFUL.
Mind Control is an incredibly slippery slope, and a high IQ can actually be detrimental.
Coz
WARNING: I DO NOT EVER RECOMMEND PEOPLE TRY TO INFILTRATE CULTS. IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS, EVEN TO THOSE WITH PROFESSIONAL ANTI-CULT TRAINING.