How to Stop Cult Activity

In such a highly technological society as the United States, many of the issues the public faces are complex, even overwhelming. As a result, many people long for a simpler way of life, one that provides easy answers to all of life's problems.

The desire to believe in something magical, special, even supernatural can be great. Many people want to believe in something not easily explained by science or easily packaged and marketed by big business. Such psychological neediness can drive vulnerable persons into joining cults.

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Instructions

1.
Step 1

The first step towards fighting cult activity in one's community is recognition. Cults can be organized around almost any area of human activity: there are financial cults, political cults, religious cults, and even sex cults. And, it must be noted that even in many churches, corporations, political parties, and other groups, elements of cult-like behavior can be found. There are several charcteristics common to cults. Most cults are organized in a rigidly hierarchal structure, typically around a single, supreme leader or prophet. There is an extreme demand for unity and agreement among the members to adhere to the dictates of the leader. Alternative or dissident thinking is discouraged, even ostracized and punished. Irrespective of any calls to nationalism, patriotism, or general flag-waving, cults are, by definition, totalitarian and anti-democratic. Another prominent feature of most cults is the demand for commitment of energy, income, and time from the followers. Followers will be asked to donate a significant portion of income to the group and to participate in every activity as ordered. Likewise, critical evaluation of the tenets of the cult is strictly prohibited. Followers are to believe what they are told no matter how improbable or outlandish. Only the leadership is permitted to create ideology and to interpret it into action, even to the absurd extreme of demanding actions that might clearly violate previously stated tenets. If properly considered, many common corporations and political parties possess similar characteristics of cults.
2.
Step 2

Understand the threat. Cults not only create hardship for the followers who already believe; they also remove resources from the local community. The finances and the property that get tied up in cults could be used to benefit the community. Likewise, cult members, having distanced or even separated themselves from the local community, are no longer available to participate in community activities. The cult then can best be understood as a parasitic organism that not only lives off of communities; it also weakens them.
3.
Step 3

Inform the public. Gather information about the local cult activity; pay special attention to the cult's activities, beliefs, finances, and structure. Carefully note who in the cult profits most from maintaining the cult as it is. Speak to community leaders and civic organizations, law enforcement, and the general public about the negative impact of the cult in the community. Write letters to the editors of area newspapers. Record editorials for radio and television outlets. Start a blog. Post signs where permitted. Lease billboards. Walk door to door if necessary to spread the word about cult activity. Assemble a team of like-minded individuals to assist in these activities.
4.
Step 4

Focus the spotlight of attention on specific cult activity. Report to law enforcement and/or city government any and all infractions of the law. Criminal activities, such as any activity that endangers the health of minors or even adult members, must be reported at once. However, be sure to also report zoning violations. These can include such things as If the cult has too many members living on one property or if the cult is using the property in a way that is hazardous to the community and the environment. Any known violations of tax law should be reported.
5.
Step 5

Single out the leadership. Gather as much information about cult leaders as possible, specifically financial details regarding assets, income, and property holdings. Other valuable information may include arrest record, marital history, number of children, and other potentially incriminating information. Disseminate this information to community leaders and the public at large as soon as the information can be verified as true. Factual information is a defense that cults are typically unable to overcome.
6.
Step 6

Take legal action. Organize like-minded individuals to file a lawsuit to stop every action the cult proposes that may impact the community. Assist ex-cult members in suing the cult for harm it has caused to them and their families.
7.
Step 7

Political actions can include lobbying the city and/or county council to tighten zoning codes and ordinances, increase environmental quality standards, even increase taxes for organizations in such a manner that the cult is specifically impacted.
8.
Step 8

Organize social pressure. The simple fact is restaurants always reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Grocery stores do not have to sell products to every person. Doctors are not obligated to treat everyone. Even school children cannot be made to play with children they do not like. Get the community involved and turn up the heat against the cult and every single one of its members. Publicly humiliate and insult cult members every single time they are encountered. Make daily life as close to impossible as possible. By summoning the courage of individuals in the community to shun cult members and to deny them services, the cult, much like a cancer treated with strong medicine, will contract from the community. With sufficient hardship encountered, the cult will at the very least leave the community.

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