Cherishing awe/Awesome Charlatans
Because awe is such a powerful emotion, and awe-evolving encounters can be so influential, the power of awe can be abused.
Cult leaders often use a combination of awe and charisma to influence their followers.[1] Awe refers to the feeling of admiration and respect that people may have for someone who appears powerful, wise, or divine. Charisma, on the other hand, refers to a person's ability to inspire and attract others through their personality, charm, and confidence.
Cult leaders often use tactics that create a sense of awe among their followers, such as claiming to have special powers or knowledge, performing miraculous acts, or presenting themselves as a deity or messiah. They may also use fear and intimidation to reinforce their power and authority.
At the same time, cult leaders often have strong charismatic qualities, such as the ability to captivate and persuade others with their words, gestures, and personality. They may be able to connect with their followers on an emotional level, making them feel understood and validated.
Ultimately, the specific tactics and strategies that cult leaders use will depend on their personality, goals, and the particular circumstances of their cult. However, both awe and charisma can be powerful tools for cult leaders to influence and control their followers.
It is important to note that cults and their leaders often operate in secrecy, and the term "cult" can be controversial and stigmatizing.[2] However, here are a few examples of leaders who have been accused of using awe to influence their followers:
- Jim Jones: The leader of the Peoples Temple, which famously ended in a mass suicide of over 900 of its members in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978. Jones claimed to have supernatural powers and presented himself as a messiah-like figure.
- Marshall Applewhite: The leader of the Heaven's Gate cult, which committed mass suicide in 1997. Applewhite claimed to be an extraterrestrial and convinced his followers that they would be transported to a higher plane of existence by a UFO that was trailing the Hale-Bopp comet.
- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: The leader of the Rajneesh movement, which gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Rajneesh claimed to be a spiritual guru and presented himself as a charismatic and all-knowing figure, attracting thousands of followers to his commune in Oregon.
- David Koresh: The leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious group that had a 51-day standoff with federal agents in Waco, Texas, in 1993. Koresh claimed to be a messiah and used his charisma to attract followers and maintain control over the group.
- Shoko Asahara: The leader of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, which carried out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995, killing 13 people and injuring thousands more. Asahara claimed to be a divine figure and used fear and intimidation to control his followers.
- Joseph Di Mambro and Luc Jouret: The leaders of the Order of the Solar Temple, a group that believed in a mix of Christianity, New Age spiritualism, and conspiracy theories. They convinced their followers to commit mass suicides in 1994 and 1995, believing that they were transcending to a higher plane of existence.
- Sun Myung Moon: The founder of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies. Moon claimed to be the Messiah and convinced his followers to abandon their families and devote themselves to his teachings.
- Charles Manson: The leader of the Manson Family, a group of followers who carried out a series of brutal murders in the late 1960s. Manson claimed to be a prophet and used his charisma to manipulate and control his followers, often using drugs and emotional manipulation to maintain his power.
- Adi Da: The founder of the Adidam spiritual movement, Adi Da claimed to be an enlightened spiritual master and divine figure. He used his charisma and supposed spiritual powers to attract followers, but was accused of emotionally and sexually abusing them.
- Keith Raniere: The founder of NXIVM, a self-help organization that was revealed to be a cult that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, and other criminal activities. Raniere presented himself as a guru and used his charisma to manipulate and control his followers.
It is worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list and that cult leaders may use a variety of tactics beyond awe to influence their followers. Additionally, it is important to approach discussions of cults and their leaders with caution and sensitivity, as many former cult members may have experienced significant trauma and may not want to discuss their experiences.