Recognizing the thin line between faith and cult

By Susie Weller | FāVS News Columnist

Spiritual beliefs and practices can be uplifting and comforting. However, even positive activities without proper guidance can be misused and become abusive. I recently completed a training to recognize the warning signs of cults and cultish practices.

Recognizing the warning signs of cultish leaders

Janja Lalich, who holds a doctorate in Human and Organizational Systems, is an internationally recognized expert in identifying the characteristics of cult leaders, shared these patterns:

• The leader is often an authoritarian, narcissistic bully who tolerates no criticism and requires absolute loyalty and praise from followers.
• Key identifying phrases are: “Only I can do or fix this” or “I am the best.”
• Tactics of scapegoating, isolating and punishing the “other” are common strategies to reinforce an “us vs. them” mentality.
• Followers are often restricted or discouraged from accessing a wide variety of media information that might contradict or provide an alternative viewpoint. 
• Obedient followers tolerate any foibles of the leader and comply with their demands to avoid being humiliated, shunned or retaliated against.  

We are living in difficult times. Our country and expressions of faith have become deeply divided. I believe it is essential to learn from the lessons of history. In my new book, “52 Global Reflections: A Pilgrim’s Travel Memoir,” I share my experiences visiting the Dachau Concentration Camp in 1978 and taking a Dark Side of Berlin Underground Tour in 2016. I wondered what I would have done during the rise of Nazism in Germany and Communist authoritarian rule in the Soviet Union.

Lessons From Niemöller and Bonhoeffer on speaking out

I continue to be inspired by the courage of the Rev. Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor who later teamed up with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the founder of the Confessing Church. Together, they motivated clergy and congregation members to oppose the collusion of the Lutheran churches in supporting Nazi propaganda. 

The 2024 film, “Bonhoeffer,” portrays Niemöller’s shift from cooperating with the Nazis to being imprisoned for speaking out against fascism and racism. He expressed regret for not speaking out sooner. Later, he became an advocate for nuclear disarmament. 

Until the 1970s, it was a taboo subject for many German educators to teach children about negative aspects of their history, especially regarding the Nazi regime and its policies. 

Since then, teaching about the Nazi’s rise to power and the Holocaust has become a mandatory part of the 10th-grade curriculum in all German schools. As part of their education, nearly all students have visited a concentration camp, a Holocaust memorial, or a museum documenting this painful era. 

Although it is uncomfortable for any nation to face and acknowledge past injustices and prejudices, I am inspired by German educators who are willing to teach children to learn from their collective history. 

Trauma heals more easily whenever an offender(s) fully accepts responsibility for their actions without minimizing their impact, avoids justifying their behavior and commits to finding ways to make amends.

Nuremberg principles

This month, we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Nuremberg Principles, established into international law after World War II, specify three categories of international crimes: crimes against peace, crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

On Aug. 12, James Thomas presented his book, “Atomic Pilgrim,” which describes his experience participating in a two-year Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage advocating for the end of the nuclear arms race. 

He continued his pursuit of peace and disarmament by studying the effects the Hanford Nuclear Site’s releases of radioactivity on “downwinders” in the United States, especially in Nevada, Montana and central Washington. Thomas’ research, spanning over 20 years, revealed significant insights about Hanford’s toxic impact in our region.

In 2023, Thomas gathered with thousands in Hiroshima to commemorate the bombing and support disarmament. 

He reflected: “The nuclear shadow that loomed over the Cold War has re-emerged. The only way to eliminate the nuclear risk is to eliminate nuclear weapons … The nuclear weapons complex is entrenched, much like the Jim Crow laws before the Civil Rights Movement.”

Some international leaders are justifying the expansion of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence. Yet, more proliferation can lead to accidents and a worldwide holocaust. 

Whenever you hear a political or religious leader advocating for a military solution to problems, speak out. Avoid being influenced by cultish leaders who justify harming others for a “good cause.” Remaining silent is a form of complicity.

For more details about my new book, I invite you to visit my website. 

Thomas will be back in Spokane Sept. 20 at the Spokane Central Library as part of an author panel and exhibit about the Hanford Nuclear Site. More information can be found on the event’s webpage at the Spokane Library’s website.

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.