Thought Reform

[Tom Wetmore]

Have you ever encountered a thought-terminating cliche'?

I know you have, because they are used all the time around here. In fact they are used, quite frankly, to great excess. They are very common in any ideological debate, such as religion or politics. They are the phrases and declarations used to end debate on a point, spoken as if that is all one needs to know and understand about the matter. Enough said. Move along, there is nothing further to learn here. Often they are given with a smug and knowing nod or wink to the initiated or a roll of the eyes or shaking of the head to those poor folk who just haven't been been taught the truth of the matter.

Here is the technical definition:

Quote:

A thought-terminating cliché is a commonly used phrase, sometimes passing as folk wisdom, used to quell cognitive dissonance. Though the phrase in and of itself may be valid in certain contexts, its application as a means of dismissing dissent or justifying fallacious logic is what makes it thought-terminating.

[Woody]

[Tom Wetmore]

Where I picked up this term is in the context of reading about the ideas of Robert Jay Lifton elaborated in his book entitled Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China. "Thought reform" is an objective term that essentially refers to brainwashing or mind control. It is common in totalitarian environments and cults.

In his book, Lifton outlines what he determined to be the "Eight Criteria for Thought Reform":

Quote:

Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

Mystical Manipulation. The manipulation of experiences that appears spontaneous but is, in fact, planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority, spiritual advancement, or some exceptional talent or insight that sets the leader and/or group apart from humanity, and that allows reinterpretation of historical events, scripture, and other experiences.

Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.

Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also.

[olger]

Thanks. Did you read Tammy Bruce's book on the New Thought Police?"

[Bravus]

This one is profound and always has been:

Romans 12:2

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

[phkrause]

This one is profound and always has been:

Romans 12:2

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

[cardw]

Where I picked up this term is in the context of reading about the ideas of Robert Jay Lifton elaborated in his book entitled Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China. "Thought reform" is an objective term that essentially refers to brainwashing or mind control. It is common in totalitarian environments and cults.

In his book, Lifton outlines what he determined to be the "Eight Criteria for Thought Reform":

Quote:

Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

Mystical Manipulation. The manipulation of experiences that appears spontaneous but is, in fact, planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority, spiritual advancement, or some exceptional talent or insight that sets the leader and/or group apart from humanity, and that allows reinterpretation of historical events, scripture, and other experiences.

Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.

Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also.

Seventh-Day-Adventist culture has many of these. It is much like the George Orwell novel 1984 in which language is shifted to prevent questioning. You will find many examples of this on Club Adventist.

[Woody]

Quote:

Seventh-Day-Adventist culture has many of these. It is much like the George Orwell novel 1984 in which language is shifted to prevent questioning. You will find many examples of this on Club Adventist.

This is interesting. WE have another non-SDA member who is fussing that our church has too much questioning and that we are not united.

[cardw]

Quote:

Seventh-Day-Adventist culture has many of these. It is much like the George Orwell novel 1984 in which language is shifted to prevent questioning. You will find many examples of this on Club Adventist.

This is interesting. WE have another non-SDA member who is fussing that our church has too much questioning and that we are not united.

Where did I say that Seventh-Day-Adventist culture has too MUCH questioning or isn't united?

I would say that my statements imply that SDA's don't question enough.

And I don't really care if SDAs are united or not.

[Woody]

Quote:

Where did I say that Seventh-Day-Adventist culture has too MUCH questioning or isn't united?

I would say that my statements imply that SDA's don't question enough.

And I don't really care if SDAs are united or not.

Oh I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear.

You are saying we have too little questioning and the other poster is saying we have too much questioning. I just thought that was interesting as we have had both of these criticisms most recently.

You two need to get together and figure out which one it is.