Cult Ties to Existing Facilities
Some behavior modification facilities currently operating can be traced to known cults.
Confrontational therapy, restricted food, sleep, and contact with the outside world, group-think instead of individuality, and the demand for extreme loyalty are just some of the cult-tactics used on children and parents today.
Straight, Inc. and The Seed
This treatment modality is linked to thousands of abuse reports and many suicides dating back to the 1970's.
The precise origin of the treatment method can be traced to the Synanon Church, which has been classified as a cult.
Numerous experts is the field of cultic studies agree that The Seed and Straight, Inc. fit the definitions of a cult.
While Straight and The Seed are closed, several second and third generation spin-off programs are currently operating and have made few, if any, changes to the Straight/Seed treatment model.
Known spin-offs of The Seed and Straight, Inc. include:
- Pathway Family Center, Michigan and Indiana
- Substance Abuse and Family Education (SAFE), Florida
- Phoenix Institute for Adolescents, Georgia
- Growing Together, Florida
- Kids Helping Kids, Ohio
- Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center, Canada
CEDU
The CEDU Schools were founded by Mel Wasserman after he spent time sponsoring a participant of Synanon.
Former students of the CEDU schools have complained of "brainwashing" and other cult tactics.
These sites contain more information about Synanon.
Rick Ross's Synanon Page
University of Virginia
The IRS on Synanon
World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS)
Facilities affiliated with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) require children and
parents to complete a series of "seminars" conducted by Resource Realizations/Premier Education.
Resource Realizations/Premier Education owner David Gilcrease is a former Lifespring trainer.
Lifespring has been classified as a cult.
Discovery Seminar Exposed
Lifespring Article from Redbook Magazine
Lifespring Article from Self Magazine
The Pathology of Lifespring, from the journal Psychiatry
Rick Ross
University of Virginia
FACTNet
Classifying Cults
The following is a list of common characteristics of cults.
These tactics are not only used on the children, but on the parents as well.
If you know of any juvenile facility that fits these descriptions, please contact us
immediately.
- Limitation of communication with those outside the group. Books, magazines, letters and visits with friends and family are discouraged or even banned.
- New members become convinced of the higher purpose and special calling of the group through a profound encounter, i.e. an alleged miracle or the prophetic word of the group.
- An explicit goal of the group is to bring about some kind of change, be it global, social or personal.
- Use of the practice of self-disclosure to members in the group. In the context of a gathering of the group, converts are encouraged to admit past sins and imperfections, and doubts about the group.
- The group's perspective is absolutely true and completely adequate to explain everything. The doctrine is not subject to amendments or question. Absolute conformity is required.
- A new vocabulary emerges within the context of the group. Group members "think" within the very abstract and narrow parameters of the group's doctrine. Loaded terms and cliches prejudice thinking.
- Pre-group experience and group experience are narrowly interpreted through the absolute doctrine.
- Salvation is possible only in the group. Those who leave the group are doomed.
Source: www.factnet.org
Additional Information:
International Cultic Studies Association
Wellspring Retreat - the ONLY program endorsed by ISAC
Bill and Lorna Goldberg, social workers specializing in helping people recover from cults and destructive groups
Cult Awareness and Information Center
Conditions for Thought Control
More about mind control, from FactNet
Cult Checklist from Cultic Studies Journal
The Stockholm Syndrome
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