Date Posted:15:16:43 06/22/04 Tue Author: NickT. Subject: does this describe Fellow Christian's mindset?
FC has been avoiding any real discussion, rather he/she has been trying a two pronged strategy to build a preceived defense of ubf. The perceived defense is based on insisting there is no such thing as brainwashing or mind control or coercion, and may even be saying there are no such things as cults.
And FC has never answered Chris' question which was 'if there is no such thing as brainwashing, why did EE Chang Woo and SPark Bonn use the very word 'brainwashed' to try to denigrate two nice young people who escaped the ubf?' FC pretends that this question is not worthy of an answer, but the reality is that FC is following patterns of behavior and attitudes that are clearly associated with unsafe groups, including religious cults, of which ubf has become. FC is behaving exactly the way an unsafe cult member is expected to behave by unsafe cult leaders.
Taken from the rickross.com, under the heading
Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.
Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided
And another section is titled
Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader
Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
The group/leader is always right.
The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
taken from http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html
I hope that FC can give some kind of answer, even a very lame answer, as to why ubf leaders say others are brainwashed, but FC says there is no such thing as brainwashing or thought control or coercion. By simply giving an answer, FC will be breaking many cult behavior rules. Let's see if FC can give an answer, even a lame answer. God bless you all.
