The Pathway to Suicide - Essay Example

The Pathway to Suicide (A Critical Analysis) Why members of a New Religious Movement decide that suicide is a viable option resulting from their beliefs' TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRUDCTION HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT CULT BELIEFS AND PRACTICES SIMILARITIES AND DIS-SIMILARITIES OF CULTS THE PATHWAY TO SUICIDE CONCLUSION REFRENCE INTRODUCTION The first part of this essay deals with the historical development of cults from ancient times to present day, followed by the cult's beliefs and practices, similarities and dissimilarities. The final part deals with the conversion of normal men into devoted members who are not hesitant to give up their life for a cult cause. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT During the Roman Empire Christianity developed, however moving farther from its home with Jesus disciples leaving Galilee, it was natural to develop Jewish version of Christianity as St Paul letters to Gentile congregation depicts this phenomenon. The remaining disciples of Jesus in Jerusalem still observed Jewish traditions, such as gathering at the temple, honoring of Sabbath and observing the Law of Mosses, however they firmly believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, who suffered, died and risen and ascended to heavens and promised to return shortly and deliver his followers from doomsday. It was under such scenario that various Jewish writers have written extensively about doomsdays and apocalypse (Zellner, Pg. 14, 1998). In 70 AD the Romans cracked down on Jews razing down their temple and forcing Judaism and Christianity to become secret sects and movements. Away from the mainstream religion, the enclaved cults like Qumran were bound to appear whose message was of doomsday rather than hope, as a result this advent of Apocalypse and Messiah return became essential doctrine of Christianity for the coming centuries. Today more or less, all Christian sects affirm the return of Jesus to earth, while some view it a spiritual return rather than a real return. Apocalypse is like the word utopia and is often referred to a hidden event, which is believed to take place in future. The Apocalyptic sages such as Enoch,Moses,Daniel often narrated the scenes of destruction through dreams or visions. However the Apocalyptic literature flourished in the Hellenistic era, reflecting a deep pessimism about future and presence of evil and suffering in the near future associated with ultimate divine justice for the sins committed by the mankind. The Apocalyptic revelations goes back to Babylonian and the times of prophets Zachariah, who emphasized divine intervention at the time of trouble and crisis and predicted the arrival of Messiah. These writers demanded strict form of purity and developed their own theology to describe God's power. Apocalyptic writers introduced a different vocabulary into their theology and turned to nature and all its wonders to illustrate God's power (Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2001). The Christ second coming became more demanding in the period of social unrest with rise in many local prophets claiming to the harbingers of new age. Many local prophets have arisen in troubled times predicting a new age, promising their followers utopian dreams, but in reality with their own semi-political goals. For example, the Camisards in the early 19th century in France or the self styles messiah of Monte Amiata South East of Tuscany in late 1860s. The New Religious movements (cults and sects) today have become a worldwide phenomenon, especially after WWII in the West. Majority of these sects manifest he characteristics of prevalent religions, but with complex theories and doctrines diluting the mainstream religion (Zellner, P22, 1998). In 1985 there were 417 sects and 501 cult movements in America alone, raising the figure to 7 million or 3 percent of America total population, while in 1989 the figure rose to 5 percent composing mainly of young people. Since 19th century there have been various Christian cults such as Church of Jesus Christ (1830), Spiritualism in (1848) and Jehovah's Witness (1872) the Theosophical Society, Christian Science (1879). Cults often flourish in the time of social instability offering their members clear solution to life intricate issues with promise of eternal salvation and false hopes of security. The 1960s political upheaval is one such reminder, when young people wanted to change their lifestyle through political upheaval and violence, many joined such destructive cults who forced their members to collective suicide in the later years (Bryan.Pg 32, 1999). In 1978 Jim Jones with more than 900 followers committed mass suicide in British Guyana, as they were working to create a utopian society known as Jonestown. This movement evolved from People's Temple and Jones promised to bring his followers to a better world. He convinced his followers that they were revolutionary with much to fear from the outside world. Thus in a self invoked drug like delusion, Jones called for revolutionary suicide urging his disciples to implement "white night", this ritual was practiced many times and its final execution was just a repetition of an old taught habit ending their fate (Lalich, 2004.Pg 9). In the case of Branch Davidians Waco, Texas, claimed life of 80 followers including 22 children and the leader in 1993. The members stayed in the building even when it was on fire, yet they opted to die with the leader rather than surrendering to the government. Timothy McVeigh one of its members, sought revenge by bombing the Federal Building in Oklahoma in 1995. The Solar Temple led by French guru and Luc Jouret believed they are an elect group with a divine mission to fulfill on earth. However, they had many problems, such as embezzlement, possession of illegal weapons, and in the end committed massive suicide in the belief of going to another planet. In 1995, a poisonous gas attack on commuters in Tokyo subway resulted in 12 deaths and made 5000 people. The attack was related to Aum Shinrikyo (Aum Supreme Truth), a religious cult whose leader Asahara mixed Buddhism and Hinduism with a mission that doom is at hand and the group activities were meant to spur a new world order Aum members included doctors, nurses, engineers and professionals with branches in Russia and Germany and US with a membership of 40 thousand members worldwide. In March 2000, in Uganda over a period of several weeks 444 members of Restoration of the Ten Commandments were poisoned and strangled in secret graves. In an assault, 300 members were burned to death in building at cult's headquarter with its leader (Lalich, Pg.9.10, 2004). CULT BELIEFS AND PRACTICES According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary cult is" an unorthodox body of adherents". Louis Jolyon West defines "Cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g. isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of [consequences of] leaving it, etc) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community" (Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2001). A cult is a highly structured group and its members have unflinching loyalty to its dynamic leader, who governs all aspects of a cult's life. The cult leaders normally take advantage of painful human condition, as most of these members face such problems and they year for comfort and security. These cults cut them off from outside world and overtake their property and financial resources and exploiting them emotionally and physically, constantly brainwashing and teaching them an escapist ideology cutting them off from friends and relative leading them to suicide (Bromley, Pg.103, 2000). The following are main rituals and practices found in all cults and sects (Lewis, Pg.158.2003). Finding the Truth Cults often portray some thing new and true or God has revealed some thing new to them, which makes them different and unique from other religions. And it is only they who have the truth, which supersedes the earlier truths. For example Sun Myung group teaches that the Christ mission was incomplete and now the time has come to complete the unfinished Christ mission. Similarly the Unification Church claims that they are the only people, who "truly understand anguish and hope of Jesus". The Mormon Church has its own claim of finding new truth as they think Christianity was astray for 18 centuries, only they can restore the truth and the gospel and show" Truth" to the world. Majority of these cults interpret and preach their independent practices. For them their own belief is enough to justify their assertion without any external verification. Some cults may not claim new truth, however they interpret Bible in their own way, which is often very different from the Orthodox Christianity. They believe that the interpretations of Scripture are based on a mis-understanding of Bible. For example the Way international and Worldwide Church of God believe in Bible authority, but they have their own interpretation. Some of these cults have their own scared text or books, which are supposedly revealed to their prophets and leaders. A Different Jesus The cult has a different concept of Jesus than the Orthodox Christianity. For example the Jehovah Witness believe that Jesus was Archangel before he was born. The Mormon Church believes Jesus was born from heavenly father and mother and is also a spirit brother of Lucifer. All of such claims are in contrast with the Orthodox Christianity. Doomsday Prophecies and Predictions Cults give predictions of the doomsday and end of the world. Often these prophecies are told again and again to the cult members convincing them that the world is no longer a place worth living, it is better to leave in the shape of collective suicide. These prophecies bring news of eternity, peace, and another existence or going to higher spiritual level, such as Solar Temple belief that a global castatrogh is about to come, as its leader Jouret declared, "The world would soon be engulfed in warfare and famine. Only Quebec would be spared" . And they called their mass sucide an escape to planet Sirius.Similarly, the branch Davidians was apocalyptic in its teaching who believed to be living in a time of final judgment. The Davidians leader Koresh made many prophecies and supported his teaching with Biblical interpretations. All of them (75 in total) ended in the fire (Broomely, Pg.149, 2001). Confession and Intimidation Group confessions are used to disclose sins and temptations and open vulnerability to the group leader. The group leader has all the knowledge about the members secrets and confessions, which is as manipulative tool, if a member desires to leave. Intimidation and accusation are also common methods used to maintain discipline and suppressing rebellion. If a member raises some doubts, he is labeled as in liaison with Satan or told only God will reveal the truth. A member with consistent doubts and suspicions is labeled as proud and sinful, who will rot in eternal hellfire. The doubtful and serious questions about life are over simplified and made believable by the leader. Brainwashing The new members constantly brainwashed and taught to identify themselves with the cult's teaching and forcing them to break ties with family and friends. A systematic way of teaching is introduced which re-programs members way of thinking and beliefs. There are mandatory meetings replacing hobbies and friendships so that the new members have no time for thinking and sharing life with any one outside the group. The cult offers rewards for offering more money to the group, the more a member gives away; the greater is reward from the God. Paranoia Normally cults have consistent phobia of being chased by government or they feel endangered by external powers or agencies, which give rise to consistent mistrust. This paranoia often leads them to escape from the earth through mass suicide to save their mission. Cults have martyrdom complex and are willing to die for the cause they follow as happened in the case of Davidians, Solar Temple and Heavens Gate. In some cases the aim is political such as the case of Japanese nerve gas attack, which aimed at changing the world order through violence(Barkun. Pg.170, 2003). SIMILARITIES AND DIS-SIMILARITIES OF CULTS (Broomley. Pg. 80,2002) False Promises and Hopes: A cult leadership offers love and financial freedom and certainty about life to its members mixed with an illusion of super human abilities and miracles which are meant to bring radical change in its members affirming their faith on the cult leadership. It is the promise of hope and peace, which brings in the new members in a cult. Limited Freedom to the Member: Cults desire control, they snatch the freedom of its members including controlling the basic freedom, such as strict control over physical movements, forbidding the doubtful questions and creating similar thinking. There is often abuse of power by the group leader or leaders. Group membership have unlimited demands for money and the reward for such forced donation is special favors or reward in the next world. Charismatic Leadership- All cults revolve around one single person, who is distinct from others and claims to owe special knowledge or link with a powerful deity. One particular emphasis is, leader knows "what is best for you" and members have to nod yes and act on his commands. Sometimes, a cult may follow a dead leader or absent being, however there is always a live leader who exploits the group money and power. Cult leaders are absolute manipulative and controlling, demanding ultimate submission portraying themselves sometimes as prophets and sometimes they are aggressive leaders who resort to any form of violence, if members do not obey them. Obeying leader is obeying God; this is a common message among all cults. It is the cult leader who decides, what to see, and what to think and what to do. In order to achieve it various techniques are used ranging from rigid obedience to consistent prayers and emotional group activities to create cohesion among the groups, offering members little time to think or question the authority. The normal method of control is fear, displeasing God or leader, intimidation, rejecting the member, making him/her social outcast, losing salvation, hell, reward in heaven, all are practiced to maintain loyalty and devotion in the group. Totalitarianism: Cults flourish in totalitarianism. The mentality is always you have to say yes or think alike. A lot of things are based on lies and cheats, often used to recruit new members and extract money and funds. There is always emphasis on uniformity of ideas, such as we are good enlightened, special, unique, which hides its real motives and intentions from outsiders. It is the leader who decides what to do, whom to marry or go with as practiced by the Moonies International Church. Sometimes, it can be more severe as no seeing of opposite sex as practiced by Children of the God or Davidians and Mormons go to other extreme, such as indulging in child sex and polygamy. The leaders are often polygamous and devoid of sins and are above the law. PATHWAY TO SUICIDE (Lalich, Pg.247, 2004; Melton,1987) For a cult member, conversion and commitment are most essential things, interwoven with factors, such as charisma and ideological control. Through conversion, a person develops new perspective about life with or without external pressure. The result of this conversion is conversion experience, which leads to the adaptations of the cult, which provides new meaning in life. Kurt Lewin, a social psychologist believes that such conversion "changes knowledge and beliefs, changes values and standards, emotional attachments and needs, and changes of everyday conduct in an individual's life in the group". The outcome of these successful changes makes a person a new believer. The desired goal is the transformation of the individual into a different person, however some times the conversion is through self-conversion as happened in the case John Walker, who was captured in Afghanistan. John religious conversion started from searching the Islamic truth and ultimately reached Afghanistan and ended up in a War. Belonging to a group evolves constant interaction between the group and member, this group interaction has deep and profound effect on an individual understanding, how he interpret the world and changing his world and making it as a death and rebirth of an individual cult member. The transcendent belief system binds the group and its leader. This belief system creates a bond granting authority to the actions of the group members in any kind of weird activity. Such belief system offers group norms providing essential framework for the transformation of a member to tread further in the system of belief. This combination of transcendent belief system is strictly controlled and is all encompassing, sealed from outside influences and charged with charismatic relationship with the leader and members, creating a high level of commitment leading the cult to extreme commitment and desiring a far higher ideal. This commitment has been described as self-enclosure and bounder where an individual/members refuse to look at other ideas or beliefs and moves only on one direction adhering to the leader's charisma (Lalich, 2004). As cults are tightly knitted, personal decision or individual thinking has no value and an individual has limited choice or has a bounded choice. The adherents of a cult believe that their existence depends on their leaders as the Heaven's Gate students mentioned in their exit statements "I am nothing without Ti and Do". Cult members respond only to collective beliefs and find strength in the common commitment, which is described a meaning in life, and perused with single mindedness. The more time a member remains within a group, the more devoted he/she becomes. And with the passage of time, life outside group seems useless, refining the process of internalization and member feels himself in complete unity, making it the culmination of their cultic life. At this stage a cult member has no option to turn back as there is no alternatives left, but to accept the group collective decision. An individual in such setting is considered only rational, if he/she chooses for the group. This freedom has only one option, be responsible for his actions, yet must confirm with the group or he/she will look crazy in such setup. Thus the individual meaning is dissolved and the sole purpose of member is to follow the collective goal, which often ends up in suicide. CONCLUSION Cult members normally join a cult in the time of crisis in a belief that by devoting themselves to the leader they can get freedom from the real world problems. Tragically they put their hopes on a mistaken leader who through his teaching and brainwashing leads his members to death and destruction. The cult practice makes them "dagger in the hand of leader" that often brings an end to their fate. From the above discussion it is clear that cult members become suicidal due to cults destructive teaching and resort to suicide to achieve the imaginative ideal of the cult for which they are prepared for years. For centuries man have waited for real and imaginary Messiah to deliver peace and happiness and restore order in the chaotic world. The world always had its problems and will have problems; cults will flourish, as long men believe in some external redeemer. Reference Janja A. Lalich .(2004). Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults.: University of California Press Berkeley, CA.Pg.9,s10,247. Bromley, David. (2000) Cults, Religion, and Violence. West Nyack, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.Pg.80, 149. Wilson, Bryan.(1999). New Religions Movements: Challenge & Response. Florence, KY, USA: Routledge.Pg.32 Gordon Melton. (1987). Why cults flourish. Whole Earth Review. Zellner, William.(1998). Sects, Cults & Spiritual Communities: A Sociological Analysis. Westport, CT, USA: Greenwood Publishing Group.Pg.14,22. Lewis, James R. (2003). Legitimating New Religions. New Brunswick, NJ, USA: Rutgers University Press.Pg.103. Cults. (2001). Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2nd ed (Online Ver). Gale Group. Barkun, Michael. Culture of Conspiracy : Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America.Ewing, NJ, USA: University of California Press, 2003. p 170. Read More