Cults, Brainwashing, and Counter-Subversion

Periodically in American history, periods of spiritual ferment have erupted in which unconventional and sometimes rather authoritarian sects have developed. Such groups have often elicited extreme hostility and distrust and have, moreover, been perceived as fundamentally subversive of civil order and the ideals of Americanism. Counter- subversive movements have developed which have sought to mobilize opinion against heterodox sects and to legitimate religious persecution. The current agitation against cults exemplifies a counter-subversive campaign and bears similar ities with nineteenth century anti-Masonic, anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic agitation. Significant parallels include over- generalized stereotypes applied to disparate groups, a stress on mental seduction and enslavement (mind control), and a tendency for counter-subversives to come to resemble their own stereotypes of target groups in terms of authoritarianism and intolerance. Both the growth of deviant sects and the emergence of counter-subversive hysteria should be viewed in the context of disturbances in the American civil religion with consequent cultural confusion and normative ambiguity.