Information Control

• Levels of Information

Often, and necessarily so within cults, information is compartmentalized. That is, only certain top-notch members are privy to exactly what is happening in the leadership and with the group as a whole. Information pertaining to the group doctrine is fed in small, digestable spoonfuls to new recruits for a reason -- so that they remain ignorant for the time being of the workings of the system. Leaders are seen as possessing what Lifton called "sacred science," or having the ability to decipher and interpret doctrines, philosophies, etc, in a way that no one else has ever done or could ever do.

• Information is not freely accessible
• Information varies at different levels and missions within pyramid
• Leadership decides who "needs to know" what

• Outside Information Forbidden

Access to information outside of that of the group is minimized or discouraged. These restrictions are set on:

• Certain books, articles, newspapers, magazines, TV and radio shows that expose the group
• Critical information pertaining to the internal problems within the group
• Written critiques, letters, editorials, or history of involvements of former members of the group