A neuroscientist warns: We're watching the largest and most dangerous 'cult' in American history

[Nevilledog]

https://www.rawstory.com/raw-investigates/a-neuroscientist-warns/

No paywall
https://archive.li/IgloW

*snip*

Rather than being seen as passive victims to an irresistible force, psychiatrist Robert Lifton argues that there is “voluntary self-surrender” in one’s entrance into a cult. Further, the decision to give up control as part of the cult process may actually be part of the reason why people join. Research and experience tell us that those who are “cult vulnerable” may have a sense of confusion or separation from society or seek the same sort of highly controlled environment that was part of their childhood. It has also been suggested that those who are at risk for cult membership feel an enormous lack of control in the face of uncertainty (i.e., economic, occupational, academic, social, familial) and will gravitate more towards a cult as their distress increases. I would argue that many of these factors are at play when we see the ongoing support of Trumpism and MAGA “theology.”

Psychologist Leon Festinger described the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance in which there is a disconnect between one’s feelings, beliefs, and convictions and their observable actions. This dissonance is distressing and, in order to relieve the anxiety, people may become more invested in the cult or belief system that goes against who they are individually. As such, cult members become more “dug-in” and will cling to thoughts and beliefs that contradict available evidence. In other words, they are no longer able to find a middle ground or compromise.

How does this apply to today’s politics?

There was a time when the two major political parties in America could exhibit bipartisanship by moving across the aisle to compromise on the issues on which they were legislating. Tried and true Republicans who favored small government, lower taxes, and national security could find a middle ground with Democrats who pushed for things like universal healthcare, higher minimum wages, and progressive tax reform. The abortion issue in America has been an area of debate between the parties as they debated elements like when life begins, is a heartbeat a heartbeat, and what to do about post-birth abortions (which is murder and not actually a thing). There were largely two sides of the issue and some areas for compromise.

This is no longer possible in today’s sociopolitical climate. Although members of the GOP still refer to themselves as a political party with principled stances, the reality is they have now morphed into a domestic terror organization and to use the umbrella term, a cult – the largest and most dangerous cult in American history.

*snip*

[RKP5637]

1. The question I always have is, will this create a permanent division across the US ... into blue/red

states and a government allowing the US to continue, but with this division ... red setting their own laws/rulings and likewise for blue ... but with a unified military, etc., etc.

[Basic LA]

2. Great summation.

Especially how they seek a controlled environment such as they had in childhood (when they faced the strap). I think they all had strict parents who never spared the rod. This left them seeking a strong, unquestioned leader.

[Ziggysmom]

3. Great article. This all started long before trumpty dumpty descended the gold escalator.

I recall the explosion of political spewing from tv evangelicals in the 80's that helped Ronnie get elected. Old Ron was a great liar, too. Recall him lying about stealing Carters briefing documents before their debates? With Ron & old bj queen Nancy in the White House, goons like Limbaugh, followed by faux news started their campaign of propaganda. Now the cult numbers are in the millions and America is more divided than ever. What will happen if tRumpy is found guilty? It could be much worse than Jan 6, I fear.

[allegorical oracle]

5. Agree. But it seemed as though a politeness kept the absolute jerks from saying and doing so

many offensive things. The seeds were there, definitely.

I saw those seeds sprouting when Obama ran for office and McCain chose Palin as his running mate. Recall the woman who questioned McCain about Obama being Muslim, but McCain diffused her question. Palin was out there spouting stupidity and tfg was questioning Obama's birth certificate. And as you mentioned, Fox, Limbaugh and other radio "hosts" were going crazy.

Within months two chapters of the Tea Party opened up in my Fla county. Talk radio was heard in the locally owned shops I frequented. The chatter became angrier and increasingly disrespectful.

Drumpf took it from there to where we are by escalating the anger and resentment to get elected.

Still hold out hope that once tfg is completely off the stage, it will calm down.

[Goddessartist]

4. My partner was a therapist for 30 years.

A client of his was the child of parents in the Jones cult, arranged marriage, etc. They all self surrendered to Jones, and agrees it's very similar, nodding his head vigorously with this summation.

[honest.abe]

6. Yes. Trump hits their hot buttons perfectly.

Immigrants, big government, minorities, abortion, etc. Trump spews the things they believe and are angry about.

[Hortensis]

7. Thanks for the article, Nevilledog. No solution to the big problem, but

there is a positive note that individuals sometimes will abandon cult behaviors without having to first abandon cult beliefs.

There are exit strategies for people ensnared in a cult. One factor is accountability or repeatedly seeing the adverse consequences of the group’s behavior (e.g., indictment, incarceration, job loss) which we started to see even more of this week.

In much of America it's already considered not respectable to support tRump (almost no one anywhere wears a MAGA cap or tshirt in public). It may be that over time increase in repeated, merely unpleasant consequences (such as feelings of not belonging to the group at work) may encourage further distancing in ordinary followers. As in no longer voting for a cult rejected by society.

[Midnight Writer]

8. This cult is being fostered by unprincipled, power-hungry oligarchs.

They are paying for professional propagandists to target the psychologically vulnerable among us to become mindless cultists that they can exploit.

[Duppers]

9. K & R

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

10. Hm

I've had really distressful things happen in my life, traumatic even, and tons of uncertainty with little or no power to control any of it.

And not once have I ever found a cult anything but, well, a cult.

I credit my nan. She had no patience for nonsense, and wasn't quiet about it when it crossed her path, either. She could tear apart illogical arguments and propositions, with ease. She was big on "think for yourself," "don't believe everything you hear," "don't worry about what other people think, especially if it's stupid or just plain wrong," and "do the right thing, even when it's hard."

My brothers and I got away with nothing around her. But I did grow up to be very much like her.

Which is probably why I never felt the pull of a cult. I was too used to independent thinking.

[Model35mech]

11. His research interests includes brainwashing and thought reform

I wonder if he has a historical narrative on the process used to hijack by the 'crazies' to hijack what was mainstream Conservative ideology