When we talk about sects, images from the 70s or 80s come to mind, from a distant, retro past that is neither close nor familiar to us. Is this because the phenomenon of sects no longer exists? Nothing is further from reality.
Not only have sects not ceased to exist, but they have not stopped multiplying, adapting and modernizing Very few disappear, and these normally do so as a result of terrible misfortunes, such as the collective suicide of the members of The Order of the Solar Temple that almost had its replica in Spain. Or the end of Edelweiss, also in Spain, when the leader was murdered by one of the followers who had suffered sexual and psychological abuse as a child.
The destructive sects have adapted to the times, they have modernized and above all They have learned from the past how advantageous it is for them to be very hermetic and discreet They have adapted their proselytizing and use the Internet and all social networks very efficiently.
They have also changed their speeches; Their messages are no longer exclusively religious or spiritual, they can currently talk about business, trading, successful business projects… This type It is very focused on young people who want to achieve success They also present themselves with ambitious training plans, personal growth courses or training to be a therapist, coach or healer.
There are some with a political discourse that tends to be very extreme, both on the right and on the left, and it is very surprising to compare groups of both political tendencies and discover how much they are similar in the image they show, and in the dynamics of recruitment, proselytism and indoctrination.
Thus we see that recognizing the ancient sects of extravagant gurus with an apocalyptic message and a Bible in hand is complicated. And the most important thing is not to value appearances or messages, We must value the techniques of persuasion and coercion that characterize them as destructive sects, whatever their type
The dynamics of persuasion and manipulation
Coercive persuasion strategies are used to recruit, manipulate, retain and indoctrinate people, and are intentionally directed at eliminate critical and rational capacity until the person’s will is subdued to the demands and demands of the leader or the leadership of the group.
The captured person becomes completely dependent on the guru and the group, influencing all aspects of their life (food, relationships, work…) and although the consequences are very negative (divorce, health problems, economic problems…) the person He is incapable of having a critical and rational vision regarding his situation and problems.
Something very important to keep in mind is that This process of annulment of the person is not something abrupt or quick When people come into contact with these groups, they have an overwhelmingly positive first experience, since deception is present from the first moment, and little by little the different coercive persuasion strategies mentioned take effect.
Families do not usually detect anything at first, quite the contrary, they can see positive effects (new friendships, incorporation of healthier activities, excitement…) and when the concern becomes evident to family members, the degree of commitment of the follower is very big and difficult to handle.
The alarm in the family always goes off late signs such as obsessive and monothematic speech, abandonment of leisure activities and friendships, abandoning work or study obligations and it is very important how you act in those first moments of confusion.
The adept will always be very prepared to reject the critical view of his environment, to the point of not hesitant to break with family ties and move away, something that the group promotes in order to more easily dominate the will and information of the person captured.
To do?
Given this, it is important not to take actions on our own, since the actions that arise naturally and rationally are not the best and aggravate the situation, so the first and most important thing is to know these types of problems well.
Read, document yourself, meet people and families who have gone through this situation, and put yourself in the hands of professionals dedicated to this topic is essential to receive correct guidance and help. We must understand in depth a problem about which unfortunately there is very little information and social sensitivity, when there are many families seriously affected in Spain.
Over the years, this problem occupies less space for information and denunciation, since the media are not very receptive either if there is not something sensational to show. Also aware that they may receive criminal consequences for their denunciation position, they do not risk anything that does not give them a good audience, and informing becomes the least important thing.
In the face of destructive sects, the greatest prevention is the ability of each person to know how to inform themselves to have correct criteria, to dare to question without fear or shame, and above all to cultivate a critical sense of everything you read, hear and see.
Cultivating personal knowledge requires great effort every day, and we must go beyond the complacency that comes with searching for what we already know. You have to search for what is not known you have to doubt, and be a critical person, but with judgment.
