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by DaVe on Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:33 am
Excerpt from "Twisted Scriptures" by Mary Chrnalogar
Control in Black and White
“Why don’t they just leave?” You might ask this question if you are looking at an abusive group from the outside, or if you have never experienced a systematically controlled environment. It is difficult to believe that a healthy, thinking person cannot just pack up and walk out. It is easier to conclude those who are involved in such groups as these weak-willed people.
Narrowing the Gray
A person with normal moral sensibilities sees some things as wrong, some things as right, and the rest in an ambiguously “gray area.” The first chart on the next page represents this normal range of moral sensibility. The second chart represents a mind inclined to a “black-and-white” understanding of morality, where very little is ambiguous. The development of control in abusive discipleship groups relies on attacks on this “gray area.” When people are subjected to emotionally charged teachings on a wide variety of subjects that are actually “morally neutral,” they begin to move those subjects from the gray area into the black or white areas.
The third chart shows the end result of this process – a very black and white viewpoint of morality. The more a group can influence disciples to narrow the gray area, the more significant are the areas where guilt can be produced in those disciples, and the more intense is the control that results.
Abusive groups, however, do not stop there. Inevitably, more items from the gray area end up in the black area than in the white. That’s because narrowing the field of desirable or neutral behaviour options makes it easier to control people. In the third chart, notice that the person has a more negative outlook on life with this particular black-and-white thinking. Almost everything is either good or bad, but evil seems to predominate. The more you are persuaded to narrow that gray area, the more your objectivity is skewed, and the more you perceive and judge reality in accord with the program directors.
By concentrating on negatives (e.g., sin and evil), your view of reality can be distorted. This is reinforced by negative feedback from people whom you trust (e.g., teachers, spiritual directors, group leaders). The result is a world view much different than before your involvement with the group. You rationalize that you really are seeing the truth and credit these people with opening your eyes. You would find that many of your new, seemingly solid beliefs would crumble if put to the test in the real world.
What are the common themes in your group? Look for an imbalance of teachings. That’s not to say all groups use this ploy, because some have much more balance in their teachings. In this particular discipleship group, however, there didn’t seem to be many teachings on love, forgiveness, joy, kindness, or peace. My research – and the testimony of many others – reveals that abusive discipleships put excessive emphasis on teachings concerning criticism, commitment, doubt, falling away, submission, sin, and being saved.
Controlling information by overlooking bad news
Some groups make a big deal out of the number of new baptisms for the month. There is a real “pep rally” mentality to pump up the members to get new recruits. They brag about the number of baptisms; but you’ll seldom hear them discuss the fact that they may be losing old members as fast as they baptize new ones.
pp. 109-111
Information Control
If you refuse to listen to negative information, it may be because your group has instilled in you the fear that you will hear something negative about your leaders or group. They have you believing that, if you listen to such criticism or questioning, you will fall away by committing the sin of doubting the leaders. They are just trying to scare you into not hearing the truth. If these leaders weren't hiding something, they wouldn't have to do all this controlling of negative information.
Do you realize that by telling your family and friends they cannot speak negatively to you, you may be telling God He cannot give you any negative information about your group through your family or friends? That is what you are doing. Maybe God wants to use your family or friends as His instruments for shedding light on something that may not be right in your group.
Are you going to continue to demand that God jump through your hoops if He wants to enlighten you about something negative in your group? "Hey, God, it has to come from my group's leadership or I won't believe it!"
p. 139
