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The
Psychology of Spiritual Movements
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Cult
Information Centre, Australia
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AFF
Resources
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Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and intervention specialist. - one of the world's leading experts on dangerous cults.(NEW)
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Ex-Cult Help Network(NEW)
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or read my Cult Profiles
page for a short review on Doomsday cults. (UPDATED)
William's cult has similar structures.
There is an "inner circle", which makes up the hierarchy of the cult.
Of course being a member of the "inner circle" brings influence, and it
is a thing to aspire to. In most cases, the "messages from the Virgin Mary
et al. are "private messages" (not to be made public), to the "inner circle"
only. The poor plebeians outside of this "inner circle" are therefore
excluded from these revelations "until the time is right". Once again,
these are classic signs of the classic cult.
The Cult headquarters in Nowra now consists
of a fenced compound. The explanation for this is to keep people
who may harm the cult out. Of course, it helps keep people in as
well.
Like most cults, and certainly like the most
dangerous, the leader and inner circle control their followers by a combination
of "carrot and stick" psychology, and to some extent, group pressure.
Certainly William Kamm has charisma, and he has a firm belief in his visions,
which is how he got going in the first place. However, the mechanism
of typical cults controls it's members by work, and indoctrination.
The susceptible cult member is kept working very hard, followed by ritualistic
prayer, and constant reminders of the evils of the world, the "privileged"
position they are in (saved), and the absolute infallibility of the leader(s).
Doubters, or people who wish to leave are first of all talked to by what
is generally referred to in cultwatch circles as "Cult Lawyers".
These people will attempt to convince the doubter to stay, and reaffirm
their faith. If you still leave, you end up potentially ostracized.
In a document entitled "The Atonement Program"
Followers are instructed to pray, and the hours and types of prayer for
each 15 minutes
from 6.00am to 5.30pm, after 5.30 you
are supposed to enter private prayer. Anyone else would call this
brainwashing.
As to the increasing danger we see, William
Kamms group is becoming more isolationist, and this will increase with
time. When his prophesies become doubted by the members around him,
and the cult enters its terminal stage, then we are likely to see tragedy,
as reality comes crashing down around the members, and in particular, William
himself. Rather than see this happen, members may opt for a more
dramatic exit. Now we are not likely to see a WACO, but something
more along the lines of JONESTOWN or HEAVENS GATE (suicide rather than
armed confrontation).
For a more detailed review of Williams outrageous claims that he will
be the next Pope, go to the Prophesies page.