Cultish {A Book a Day 25}
My body recoiled when Jeff and I stepped on this property on the outskirts of Waco, Texas, last fall. In April, it will be 30 years since a fire ended the 51-day standoff between the FBI and the cult of the Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, killing over 80 people.
A small group of Davidians still meet on the land.
They sell propaganda applauding David Koresh inside their church building.
But a book you will NOT find for sale on the Branch Davidian compound is this one, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism.
Written by Amanda Montell, Cultish helps explain the mindset of cults. In this book you’ll learn about all things cultish in clear and disturbing details, from cults like Heaven’s Gate to the modern MLM (multilevel marketing) organizations.
Cultish also helps answer the question we all may have wondered: “Could this happen to me, too?”
In the past few years we’ve all watched those among our friends or families who now believe in what are known as conspiracy theories, even if not fully a cult.
It doesn’t take a total brain-washing. There are ways to watch out for it. And some of those ways include language.
“Language is a leader’s charisma. It’s what empowers them to create a mini universe—a system of values and truths—and then compel their followers to heed its rules.”
Language strengthens beliefs.
Words have power.
Watch the words.
Quotes from Cultish
“The goal is to make your people feel like they have all the answers, while the rest of the world is not just foolish, but inferior.”
~ * ~
“When you convince someone that they’re above everyone else, it helps you both distance them from outsiders and also abuse them, because you can paint anything from physical assault to unpaid labor to verbal attacks as ‘special treatment’ reserved only for them.”
~ * ~
“Language doesn’t work to manipulate people into believing things they don’t want to believe; instead, it gives them license to believe ideas they’re already open to.”
~ * ~
“Language—both literal and figurative, well-intentioned and ill-intentioned, politically correct and politically incorrect—reshapes a person’s reality only if they are in an ideological place where that reshaping is welcome.”
~ * ~
“Researchers found that when someone is in a good mood, they become more innocent and unsuspecting, while feeling grumpy makes one better at sensing deception. Which has to be the most curmudgeonly superpower I’ve ever heard.”
~ * ~
“Tune in to the loaded language, us-versus-them verbiage, thought-terminators, and verbal abuse that make up the language of cultish influence, and the leaders’ motives will ring loud and clear.”
Have you been in a cult or know someone who has? Share your thoughts in the comments.
You are on Day #25 of the series, A Book a Day {Nonfiction Favorites}.
Previous:
“The Fire Next Time” {Book 24}
Next:
“Good Inside” {Book 26}
Wow! This is a very interesting book that you are describing. I have never been in a cult or known anyone that has been in a cult, but in reading your blog post, I realize that people who intend to do harm first often times try to isolate the person that they are taking advantage of. I have been isolated, so that the person who was trying to harm me could do so without outsiders intervening. Thank God that people intervened on my behalf anyway. I hope that you have a lovely weekend!
I think this is a book I’ll add to my wish list, Lisa. No, I’ve never been in a cult, nor do I know anyone who has, but what struck me here is the “sheep” aspect of the human race. Most of us seem to want to follow, and not be leaders. Especially if people have a low estimation of themselves, I can see how a cult would be empowering and attractive to them.
Blessings!
I will say I don’t know if I consciously was in a cult. I think about all the various churches I’ve gone to since I became a believer in the 1980s. As far as I can tell, none would be considered a cult.
If the next part of my comment is too controversial please feel free to delete it but I believe the BLM organization (Black Lives Matter) is a cult. They’ve brainwashed many people and are heavy into defending a particular lifestyle that God finds an abomination. As a black woman, I’m embarrassed by their organization and I didn’t realize how much like a cult it is until I read the quotes. I’m going to see if this book is in my local or church library .
Wow. I remember that. Staggering. I’d say we see some cultism going on today.
Tx for recommendation.
Lynn
Thank you for the book review. I don’t think this is a book I would want to read, but appreciate knowing about it. Thank you for sharing.
That is interesting about language giving license to believe things one already wants to believe, and also about it working best when someone is in a good mood. That explains grooming tactics to make a target feel special, seen and heard, before manipulating them. I suppose the corollary is that being in a bad mood can cause us likewise not to hear truths we really need to acknowledge, which is another thing to watch out for.
I have a friend who is smart and down to earth, and also an ex-cult member. If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone! I think especially as women we are groomed to be so agreeable and open minded that we are more likely to fall for something.
This one I’m ordering right now! Ok, I’m back from buying the audible copy. I remember Waco, and Jonestown, and Heaven’s Gate, and political leaders who have a cult following.
Amen Lisa, and Goodnight and GOD Bless You and Your Family members and Friends in JESUS!!