Carolynne Noffsinger-Cults- the Truth Behind the World’s Most Notorious Cults

Author of Book: Nigel Cawthorne
Date Read:

Book Report

The book I have chosen this time is called : Cults- the Truth Behind the World’s Most Notorious Cults by Nigel Cawthorne

I chose this book because of the political climate we are currently in, where both the right and the left have said the other are in a “cult”. I work with people from all walks of life, and want to understand how these cults occur, and what the definition of these truly are.

The author, Nigel Cawthorne is a self-proclaimed aethist, so a lot of attention was made to cults which are founded based upon religion. He included 48 cults in this book, ranging from ancient times to present day. These cults are of different faiths all around the world, and he offered both a historical reference as well as commentary for each. Some, like the Manson cult, the Moony’s, Branch dividians, Hare Krishna, Scientology and the Mormons, I had some familiarity with. Many others however, I had never heard of before.

Most cults were founded by men. Most of the cults referenced were as well, and had a common theme. They demanded their members to give up worldly possessions, and honor the cult leader moreso than God (or Satan). Though most started in some sort of church, they quickly turned into a scheme where they forced members to renounce their possessions, sex or even carry through with criminal activities including pedophelia, theft, money laundering, abuse and more. The members suffered by the strict words of the leader(s) and being promised eternal salvation. Even the Seventh Day Adventist, which has promised the end of times multiple times over many years, still have devout followers who lose all sense of critical thinking.

This made me start to wonder – HOW? In prison, there is defintely a divide of those who support the upcoming President, and those who don’t. I have made a strict rule to answer questions, but not voice a side too openly in here, saying, “I don’t discuss politics or religion”. And when pushed further I say, “The beautiful thing about America is that we have the choice to have our own beliefs, and all try to get along and respect wach others choices”. This usually ends the conversation. I have had it numerous times in the week I have been here.

Why I chose this book to review, is because much like the cults represented by the author, I feel people who are seeking answers, feeling lost, or not really supported by family or close companions, can be more susceptible to being swayed by those who seek to harm them and use them for their own purposes. When leaving Camp Atwood, I want to help people start thinking critically, and somehow figure out a way to help them see that Prison isn’t a “way of life”, it is something to avoid if at all possible. Some in here are so institutionalized, that if you haven’t been to a prison behind bars, or in a jail, you “really haven’t been to prison”. I do push back when they say that. I don’t need “street cred” of multiple prisons or jails. This one is hard enough. They aren’t thinking beyond these walls, and some are satisfied with their lives in here because it is better than their present situation at home. These inmates who feel this way to me, feel just like they are in a cult. If I can do something to help them see a different way of life and give them hope, by providing resources like i did before coming here, maybe there wouldn’t be so many people returning to prisons.

I want to be a part of a solution, as I was before I came here to increase affordable housing, get people into treatment programs for their drug addictions, and provide education. Cults can manifest beyond any specific economic class, race, gender or religious affiliation. If there is any way I can do my part in offering hope to those who have been to prison in seeking a better life outside these walls, I want to do it.