Gayle Fee
Boston Herald
July 28, 1985
PRACTICES described by former members of the Community of Jesus are distressingly similar to methods used by the Moonies and at the Rev. Jim Jones’ lethal People’s Temple, according to a cult expert.
Michael Langone, a psychologist and cult researcher with the American Family Foundation in Weston, said former members’ allegations about the community suggest that the Cape Cod group may be a destructive cult operating under the guise of a benign Protestant retreat.
“There are a number of things we see with destructive cults,” he said.
“For example, there is usually a great deal of psychological pressure, and it is usually virtually impossible for members to leave.
“The leaders are highly manipulative, and there is often a good deal of psychological damage to members.
“The leaders dictate in great detail how members should think, feel and act. These leaders usually claim some kind of special or exalted status as justification for doing this.”
In the Community of Jesus, followers believe the directors, Cay Andersen and Judy Sorensen, speak for the Holy Spirit, former members say.
This kind of “magical belief system” works to keep cult members at odds with family and friends “on the outside,” Langone said.
“Most destructive cults exploit members psychologically, physically and financially, although money often does not appear to be the main motivating factor,” Langone said.
“The leader’s ego satisfaction and satisfaction of their vanity is often the most important thing.”
Community practices, such as so-called “light sessions,” are a classic mind-control technique, Langone said.
“I see two things in operation there,” he said. “There is the induction of anxiety and guilt through the criticism. Then relief from that anxiety and guilt when a member says the right thing, confesses or shows the proper contrition.
“Many studies have shown the power of groups to shape the behavior of the individual,” he continued.
“The ‘light’ groups are a powerful tool for instilling conflict. The irony is they are touted as liberating.”
Langone said ex-members’ reports about the dispensing of tranquilizers, forced dieting and gorging are also common control practices.
“Jim Jones had a doctor who used to prescribe drugs for people. It made it a lot easier for people to kill themselves,” he said.
“The dieting I would consider a dangerous practice,” he continued. “Eating nothing but grapes, grape juice and raisins could be physically debilitating.
“But it is also easier to exercise control over someone’s thoughts when they are weak from lack of food.”
A practice of forcing someone to gain weight to cure “vanity,” as one member described, “is another example of total control,” Langone said.
They are showing concern with the details of a person’s private life that is way beyond acceptable standards,” he said.
Dr. Ellendale Hoffman, an Episcopal priest and psychologist who has counseled a number of former members of the Community of Jesus, said most carry a lot of guilt about their decision to leave the group.
“The problem with the community is that people are not able, emotionally, to leave freely. They are treated as though doing so is something very wrong,” she said.
“They have a lot of feelings of self-condemnation and guilt. The experience has been very hurtful and painful for them.
“The Gospel for them was not freeing. It was oppressive.”
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