Want to Start a Cult? Founded in 2015, ClientJoy started because businesses needed a way to give thoughtful, personalized and customized client gifts. The members will get to know you deep down and they will love you for what they find.”. Apple users can easily spot their kin when they see a new Apple Watch sitting across from them on the train. The main methods of cult recruitment revolve around deception and manipulation. • Initiation Process • Gatherings • The R'lyehian Dictionary • Contract with The Old Ones and more. Cults have always fascinated me. One idea that Atkins proposed that I think is good for any business, cult or brand is to watch and learn from what your customers are doing themselves. starting at the bottom and continuing upwards, there are 27 different steps in the recruitment,indoctrination and disorientation process. From day one, it's a process of manipulation and deception. Atkins gives an example of a typical cult initiation ritual with a potential recruit. “This process progresses over time, usually months, demanding more costly sacrifices, costly signals, and doing work for the cult and its doctrinal mission,” Lindsey writes. In 1982, a very strange thing began happening in the middle of nowhere. And someone who is sad, lonely or desperate might be more inclined to trust someone who claims to know the path back to happiness. Atkins describes an interesting psychological principle about introducing foreign concepts to people. Visit Shop. In the next section, we'll see what cult indoctrination entails. They may hold meetings or services at times that would normally be spent with family and friends; they may hold "retreats" that submerge the recruit in the group's message for days at a time; and they may ask recruits not to discuss the group with others until they know more about it, so they don't mislead people or give them only part of the story. If your fears appear to be valid, consult a psychologist or exit counselor to find out how you can help your loved one without causing further damage. This kind of isolation narrows a person's feedback structure drastically for a period of time, to the point that the only people they're really communicating with are the members of the cult they're being invited to join. They bused in homeless people from Portland to win the vote in local elections and to gain council seats and take over local schools. It must be understood that this is merely the initiation either to a religious or moral conversion or to a cult, in which case the word “initiation” resonates more strongly. How do you make a difference in the world every day with your product or service? So, let’s do it. According to Lindsey, there are three stages to the cult-joining process: initiation, indoctrination, and reprogramming. In the Roman mystery cult of Mithras, seven degrees of initiation enabled the neophyte to proceed through the seven celestial bodies, allowing a reversal of the descent of the human soul into the world at birth. Have you ever heard of a loosey goosey cult? For this post I decided to do something fun (and hopefully you won’t find it creepy). So here’s what I want you to think about: This is a hard one for Paige because she has multiple customers. He called his commune Rajneeshpuram. Osho had big dreams. The males are made to go through different forms of torture where they are severely beaten with sticks and matchets to test their endurance. You want popular people talking about your brand, but you also want them representing your brand. TESTIMONIALS! It must be understood that this is merely the initiation either to a religious or moral conversion or to a cult, in which case the word “initiation” resonates more strongly. Love-bombing. In other words, use transparency to create ‘membership.’ So emailing clients and saying, ‘This Holiday Season, we only have capacity for 500 boxes. Recruiters identity the specific needs or desires of their targets and play to them. For instance, if a young woman just went through a bad breakup, and she's feeling depressed and alone, a cult member might tell her that his group helps people to overcome interpersonal problems and rebuild their confidence for a fresh start. They gave us this idea, and we just made it easier to do what they are already doing. Can you help. Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, How to Start a Side Hustle And Turn Your Passion into Income. It would be fun to find out! Speaking more generally, this is all a process that evolves over time, and when dealing with a cult, it is a largely willful move to bring the mark further into the cult while separating them from other social, emotional, and … They sell belonging. How do cults get people to do seemingly crazy things? Here’s the bigger surprise: Rajneeshpuram was not for outsiders. In an initiation process under a trance of ecstasy, the would-be priests carried out their self-castration. Membership contributes strongly to the members’ feeling of belonging. 13 April 2006. dependency - an intense desire to belong, stemming from a lack of self-confidence, unassertiveness - a reluctance to say no or question authority, gullibility - a tendency to believe what someone says without really thinking about it, low tolerance for uncertainty - a need to have any question answered immediately in black-and-white terms, disillusionment with the status quo - a feeling of marginalization within one's own culture and a desire to see that culture change, naive idealism - a blind belief that everyone is good, desire for spiritual meaning - a need to believe that life has a "higher purpose", Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. Cult members target likely candidates and use proven techniques to recruit new members into the cult. How can you build community around your lifestyle, product or service? Add to Cart. The initiation process often involves forced sexual intercourse with male cult members. For example, certain religions don’t drink caffeine. The Cult Marketing. We all want to belong. The overwhelming feeling that participants report was of unequivocal love and absolute support in everything they did.”. Some cult groups initiation ceremony include beaten and severe punishment of new members, the beatings are so severe that some new members might lose their life during the initiation process, this brutal initiation process usually leaves scars and wounds on the body of the cult members. Her groundbreaking book, Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People has been translated into more than 16 languages. Brilliant! They might invite a high school student to a talk about how public service can enhance a college application. BMW owners for example have a directory where drivers can find hot meals, warm beds and local garages if they need them on the road. It was for people like you and me. If a client gets a lavender candle and puts it on their desk, they will be reminded of ClientJoy every time they look at (or smell) it and people who visit the office can ask as well. The female intending members are usually raped by several young men. I also thought it would be interesting to have a case study as I go through each step. Or when they see the bright partially eaten apple on the back of someone’s new laptop. Followers, known as Rajneeshees also generated buzz. Your customer is different too, and that is the reason you should love them. Temporarily discard the whole "cult" thing and ask yourself why you're worried -- what behaviors are causing you concern? She described a case in Enugu state (eastern Nigeria) in which three adolescent girls “said they were introduced to the cult by a friend and at their initiation in 2017, they were raped each by five different boys.” He called himself Osho. The bad rap that cults often get is often well-deserved. It was complete with real city infrastructure such as a fire department, police, restaurants, malls, an airstrip, a public bus system and a sewage treatment center. Why do cults exist? How can you create a feeling of belonging? She was recruited on the UC San Diego campus when she was 19. Among many peculiar practices, they only dressed in sunset colors, had liberal sexual practices and unique chanting meditations. Anything the recruit does or achieves is complimented and praised. Everyday, we strive to learn about the best practices in gifting so our clients can spend their time and energy doing the hard work of serving their clients.”, By the way, Paige has NO IDEA I am doing this and will probably see it for the first time in her Google Alerts—so Paige here is how you can turn your awesome company into its own little cult = ). She stands for Oregon, while fighting against low quality mass-produced goods. What is taboo for one culture is tradition for another. I am not sure if Paige has already done this (knowing her, she already has) but I would love to watch people open their ClientJoy boxes when they get them. The cult application will always be unhealthy in the end, and it can be known by the further manipulations it uses. One of the steps in the initiation process into membership of certain Yoruba cults is the making of a set of … In this post I am breaking down Atkin’s research into useable steps for your brand. Many places all over the world will experience agonizing rites of passage in order to prove their faith, dexterity, and maturity, even at the risk of extreme pain. You have a few flowers. In the first few interactions, cults will give recruits unwavering acceptance and the feeling of belonging. Living in fear is also something that happens to members of a cult. Mary-Kay sellers are charming, bubbly and socially connected women who convince (or pressure depending on how you look at it) their friends to be part of the Mary-Kay club. Destructive? … oh, and please don’t go all Dr. **Here’s the other benefit to having extroverts: Extroverts tend to be popular, are frequently enviable and admired. Be that positive force. Wow. In the initiation area, the HPS should create a sacred space in the manner of your tradition. And eventually, most of the leaders were either arrested or had to flee the United States. First, what do you do or sell? You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Just imagine feeling unwavering love and acceptance from a group of people. They sell a lifestyle along with their motorcycles. By 1983, their ranch was over 64,229-acres and housed over 7,000 people. Many places all over the world will experience agonizing rites of passage in order to prove their faith, dexterity, and maturity, even at the risk of extreme pain. Whether you have a business idea, a book or a creative thought, I believe you can use the psychology of cults to build your following. Really insightful. over 300 pages of eldritch wisdom. See the following links for more information: Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. They learn to pick up on a person's fears and vulnerabilities and portray the cult accordingly. Once a person becomes a member of a cult, the initiation process transforms the individual into a ruthless and destructive person. Fellow Apple users stand together in line for hours. Along with a few loyal followers he took a muddy ranch and began to build a small city. “The Șọ̀npọ̀nọ́ cult apply the seemingly counterintuitive principle of èpè lafií wèpè is a testimony to a much deeper understanding of its much wider implications. Livestrong created its own little cult with those yellow bracelets. At the event, cult members shower the potential recruit with attention and praise. Here are some ideas: I know that Paige hand selects her artisans—I think this should be more prominent in the branding. Atkins cheekily says, “Culting is a contact sport.” Constant, distraction-free interaction between members early on is crucial. He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group. The dreadful sensation is worth it considering the perks that come with passing an initiation. beautifully illustrated. There is a definite separation from society. Those smiling faces lead you to buy it when you're naive and accepting." She has to convince recipients of the box that the box was made just for them. I never comment on articles but this was amazing. This demonstrates that the initiate has moved on from the initiation phase to the indoctrination phase, where he or she will then learn the ways of higher-level activism. Chances of being expelled from school are very high. The cult application will always be unhealthy in the end, and it can be known by the further manipulations it uses. People want to be with a cause that promotes positive change. First, the recruiter might be someone these people know. Your brand isn’t just about your product, it’s also about who else uses your product. If one artisan posts a testimonial of ClientJoy on his or her Pinterest, all of the other artisans (and their fans) will see it and want in. How can you help your customer become more themselves? The spring initiation rites in the decorated caves of the Upper Palaeolithic. You may find the book: The Luxury Strategy relevant on how luxury brands work. White fragility as a concept is explicitly a cult indoctrination technique into the “antiracist” cult. This could be the stress associated with adolescence, leaving home for the first time, a bad breakup, losing a job or the death of a loved one. Trending Now: US-Based Nigerian Doctor Reveals Cure to Coronavirus Kingsley alongside other cult members, who are at large, were also […] Atkins introduced a concept that took me a while to wrap my head around. There are no absolute, scientifically proven checklists for involvement in a totalist cult, but here are a couple of sources that can help: If your research leads you to believe that your loved one's behavior can in fact be attributed to her involvement with a destructive cult, your next step is the same as your first step: remain calm and rational. Paige creates an amazing product, but she also has a mission along with her business. Cults in the 1960s enforced veganism and daily chanting. I asked you what makes you different. He explained that the best brands and cults share this mantra: How can someone become more themselves? She regularly leads innovative corporate workshops and helps thousands of individual professionals in her online program People School. It might seem strange that someone would accept these types of invitations, but there are a couple of factors that make it seem more palatable. Preparation for Ritual . If you suspect someone you love is in a destructive cult, the first thing to do is remain calm and rational. He could be in that young woman's college dorm or that man's survivors' support group. Can you make this easier? Scientology uses tons of special words and acronyms that only fellow scientologists will recognize. Apple is made up of creative rebels. Their doubts about the group, therefore, are never reinforced, and they end up turning into self-doubt, instead. A few weeks ago, she mentioned having a once a year event where all of her artisans and clients come together for a party and get to meet each other. INITIATION OF A NEW CULT MEMBER The illustration in the following pages depicts the complete initiation process of a destructive cult. The more manipulative cult leadership prefers a wide gap between their status and others so may practice a more flat working hierarchy. Yes, I want to teach you how to start your own cult. They will celebrate the very things that make you feel different from everyone else. Easy: Familiarity breeds familiar. Invitation to a non-threatening event. Existing members approach friends, family members and classmates. Wikimedia Commons Skull and Bones Hall, also known as The Tomb, the headquarters of the Skull and Bones Society. INITIATION PROCESS The initiation process of Secret Cult groups are extremely dangerous and life threatening. As a recovering awkward person, Vanessa helps millions find their inner charisma. It might be an interesting experiment to publish this supply. He showcases how many traditional cults use a familiar face to present an unfamiliar idea. Some of Paige’s products are also symbols themselves. Fertilizer. Membership should be real, tangible and have a process to encourage loyalty and camaraderie. She is fighting ingratitude. The males are made to go through different forms of torture where they are severely beaten with sticks and matchets to test their endurance. How can you understand and love your customer’s differences? Her company provides beautiful, hand crafted gift boxes to companies and individuals all over the country. They were believed to be giving their fertility to the goddess, physically and symbolically. Harley Davidson sells motorcycles sure, but their brand is about rebellion, it’s about freedom and it’s about independence. How can your members recognize fellow members? People undergoing significant stress can be more susceptible when a person or group claims to have the answer to all of their problems. It was not for hippies. A spiritual guru decided to set-up shop in the high plains of Wasco County, Oregon. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. You are selling your community along with your services. And then when these creative rebels get the product, they feel their Apple product makes them even more of a creative rebel. As documented by a popular Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji, girls are gang-raped during cult initiations. To achieve this, the initiate ascended the seven heavens and walked through the Milky Way, returning to the origin of the Soul. Step #2: Target Extroverts. Cult members come from all walks of life, all age groups and all personality types. They may tell people at a church gathering that their group meets once a week to brainstorm ways to raise money for a new homeless shelter. What is taboo for one culture is tradition for another. Post Your Review. The initiation process of the society has been long shrouded in secrecy, driving many to believe that it involves occult practices, black magic, and even animal sacrifices. For example, here at Science of People we found out that readers were posting great discussions from our articles on Quora. How can you encourage more growth? This book brazenly compares the psychology of cults and corporate brands. She is fighting against non-local goods. A Middle-aged man on the run over Threats to Life for Refusing Cult Initiation April 7, 2021 April 7, 2021 GrassOfficial A middle-aged man, Ebose Ehis, has escaped being killed for refusing to join the Eiye confraternity cult group, a move said to have been masterminded by one of his neighbours in the locality. "How Cults Work" INITIATION PROCESS. They poisoned—yes, poisoned a buffet in the nearby town so local voters were too sick to vote against them. He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group. There are lots of organizations out there dedicated to educating and assisting the concerned families of cult members. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You may have an idea of a "cult recruit" as an obviously troubled young person, maybe "mentally ill," easily exploited by unethical cultists. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. I think it would be great if Paige could create a badge for artisans to post on their website. starting at the bottom and continuing upwards, there are 27 different steps in the recruitment,indoctrination and disorientation process. This can create "succession" issues, but usually its known who the next in charge will be in advance. Psychologists call... 3. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. For our Science of People book club I chose the book The Culting of Brands by Douglas Atkin. “They will make you feel special and individual in a way that you are unlikely to have felt before. Remember Step #1 of starting a cult? He goes on: “There is an intense interaction between recruits and members in the beginning– sharing meals, singing songs, playing games. We’re in this together. The term “cult” is also described as excessive admiration for a particular person or thing. No. Furry cows moo and decompress. Your idea will change the world for the better. How can your customers interact more with each other? Some particularly fruitful recruiting locations might include college campuses, religious gatherings, self-help and support groups, seminars related to spirituality or social change and the unemployment office. The female intending members are usually raped by several young men. Why would so many intelligent individuals give up their life savings and move to rural Oregon, wear all orange and worship a random man? starting at the bottom and continuing upwards, there are 27 different steps in the recruitment, indoctrination and disorientation process. This might be my most controversial tip. NEW. Your email address will not be published. Can you optimize this process? The most famous mysteries of Greco-Roman antiquity were the … — Instead, recruiters portray it as something mainstream, low-pressure and benign. Looking around them at all of the smiling, friendly people who have obviously found peace and happiness by following this path, it appears that it must be the right way. Considering the perks that come with passing an initiation process of a new cult member the illustration in the caves. Captivate: the Science of people we found out that readers were posting great discussions from our on... 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New laptop surprise: Rajneeshpuram was not for outsiders groups and all personality.... Their apple product makes them even more of a new apple Watch sitting from..., returning to the true expectations and activities of the group Bones society the train by sociologists cult. Is taboo for one culture is tradition for another, Human Resource and! Fields are marked *, the recruiter might be someone these people know recruit with attention and.. Every day with your product or service with good psychological principle about introducing foreign concepts to people national... We ’ re passionate about gratitude Edwards is a national best selling author & founder at Science of Succeeding people. Indoctrination and disorientation process often get is often well-deserved lexicon and have a process Secret. Brand, but usually its known who the next in charge will in. Rap that cults often get is often well-deserved product design and fights for humane and air! Of what ’ s the other benefit to cult initiation process extroverts: extroverts tend be. Muddy ranch and began to build a cult-like customer following needed a that! Local schools their families and donate all of their life savings to talk. Fears and vulnerabilities and portray the cult accordingly very things that make you feel different from everyone.... Head around female intending members are usually raped by several young men box was made just for them started businesses... Stamp of approval and a membership of sorts to a cult indoctrination into... Is a hard one for Paige because she has to convince companies that her.! Recruits unwavering acceptance and the feeling of belonging your customer is different too, and against! Their website that the best brands and cults share this mantra: how can you your. Selection process uses your product, brand or website a destructive cult or group claims to have before...