"Profile of a Sociopath"

[alfakat]

I realize, of course, that this topic and info have been brought up in the past but on another page WordWolf has a link to a site that has some great info on another(allos, I would say) cult of our times with remarkable similarities to good ole twi-t....YMMV

Profile of a Sociopath

A number of mind-manipulating cult leaders may exhibit many of the behavioral characteristics of a sociopath--an outstanding ability to charm and seduce followers. Since they appear apparently normal, they are not easily recognizable as deviant or disturbed. Although only a trained professional can make a diagnosis, it is important to be able to recognize the personality type in order to avoid further abuse. These traits also apply to a one-on-one cultic relationship.

Glibness/Superficial Charm

Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.

Manipulative and Conning

They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.

Grandiose Sense of Self

Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality

Pathological Lying

Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.

Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt

A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

Shallow Emotions

When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion, it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.

....for the rest of the story and other interesting info, see...

sound familiar, hmmmmm???

[Radar OReilly]

Thanks for the link Alfie!

It is an eye opener!

ror

[excathedra]

people i didn't write the book :)--> the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

**

here's another:

Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity

Totalist leaders frequently practice promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their followers, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.

[rascal]

That is scarey.

I always figured them to be just plain mean, or evil...there is actually a mental illness that describes our leaders..wow.

I wonder if vp drew people to him that were crazy to begin with, or if he escorted them down the path to insanity.

It blows my mind, the credence and respect we bestowed upon these men, the power we gave lunatics over our lives...shiver

[justloafing]

Originally posted by rascal:

I wonder if vp drew people to him that were crazy to begin with, or if he escorted them down the path to insanity.

QUOTE]

Here I sit. Headache, sore throat and a queezy stomach. Maybe it is just what I am reading on this thread.

JMHO. There may have been some that were crazy in twi. That's not who these monsters wanted. These victoms were not drawn to them. These leaders went out and got them.They had their prefrences of what they liked. I don't know how they picked their prey. I do know, women very bright, beautiful with nothing but a heart of gold that were raped. These bastards did not care. IMHO They were crazy. If all came forwad their would be a long line of women. If it was ever exposed, they (twi leadership) would rank right up their with the Bundy's or the Jack The Rippers. They were sick and even today people stand by them.. uhgggg. I am going back to bed.

[shazdancer]

Dear rascal,

I know you didn't mean it this way, but I just want to clarify. A Personality Disorder is not a mental illness. It is a mindset. It is the base of operations of the individual.

Although some of the behaviors can be modified, mental health experts do not think that Personality Disorders can be cured. Mental illnesses can. Underneath mental illness, there is a healthy individual. In Personality Disorders, there isn't.

Regards,

Shaz

[oldiesman]

Shaz, are you saying that mindsets can't be changed?

You mean to tell me that those fixed and relentlessly committed mindsets on the sins of twi and the bot are incurable?

That's scary.

[satori001]

quote:

Originally posted by oldiesman:

Shaz, are you saying that mindsets can't be changed?

You mean to tell me that those fixed and relentlessly committed mindsets on the sins of twi and the bot are incurable?

That's scary.

Now here's a fine example. Notice how he:

1. attempts glibness, emulating heroes

2. manipulates phrasing to change the meaning, thus to manipulate the reader

3. appoints himself defender of TWI (delusions of something important, if not grandeur)

4. has no problem twisting and changing the meaning to deceive, as long as it suits his advantage

5. shows no remorse or empathy toward those harmed by his "leaders."

Not all sociopaths are leaders. Most prefer to cheer from the sidelines.

[mstar1]

thanks alfa

this simple quote from the link

quote:

In the 1830's this disorder was called "moral insanity."

sums up TWI and its leadership quite well

[shazdancer]

Nope, oldies, I'm saying that most health care professionals say that Personality Disorders are incurable.

I say that to help those who have been up against such a personality, to realize that such a person has no desire to understand them or to do right by them. The best they can do for themselves is get away from them.

Sorry if I didn't find your remark very funny (okay, I found it a little funny... ;)--> ).

And no, Satori, I don't think of Oldies as personality-disordered. ('Course, I never met him...!) Just stubborn.

Regards,

Shaz

[alfakat]

I found some of the other info on the Armstrong father and son combo to be similar enough to warrant comparison. I am sure that the Worldwide Church of God has it's absolutely convinced supporters of HWA and GTA who can only babble on about the wonderful knowledge they received without considering the evil that was perped on other fellow-believers. Downright eerie, almost... check the letter at this link..

Does this sound familiar like twi 86-94???

[TheEvan]

I know one, alfa. The guy's in a time warp. He's in some some splinter group that adheres stringently to the teachings of the MOGFODAT. His fervor drove off his fiancee (so hey, it's good for SOMETHING) and, I swear, he literally gets glassy-eyed, and curiously nervous, when sharing "the truth" with me.

[rascal]

Sorry that you aren`t feeling well just loafing, Good points about the evil perpetrated on good hearted young women who truly wanted to serve God.

Thanks for the clarification on mental illness verses personality disorders Shaz, I honestly didn`t know the difference.

Hmmmm, you have a good point there Satori.......lol

[George Aar]

As a born-again agnostic, I find it curious that the believers never seem to want to dig too deep when trying to figure out where things went wrong.

The basic belief system must be right. It's just those guys that have been pushing the agenda over the centuries that were wrong. The long line of less-than-wonderful popes (the Borgias et al), Calvin, Joseph Smith, Rev. Miller (and the resultant cults of JWs and SDAs), Jimmy Swaggert, PTL, WWCoG, and the endless litany of conmen and jerkoffs that thump their bibles so convincingly - they're the problem. The underlying tenets of the faith are sound! If we just tinker with it a little more, we're bound to get it right, aren't we? Uh unh...

Personally I think the reason amoral hucksters are so often found in charge of religious organizations is because they recognize the limitless supply of credulous marks waiting to be fleesed.

But then, I would...

[Belle]

More and more I'm surprised to find these other groups all teaching the same thing. And TWI says there's nothing like them out there! HA!

Okay, they say there's nothing BETTER out there, but with all these other groups who are just like them, they really can't claim to be better, now can they?

[alfakat]

George so would that also apply to car salesmen????? ;)--> :D--> :P-->

[George Aar]

quote:

George so would that also apply to car salesmen?????

Yeah, with '70s-era American cars, I'd say most definitely...

(Of course it would never apply to Alfas)

[alfakat]

touche, George. :D--> of course, Alfas, esp. the Spiders, were almost the perfect car for smarmy used car guys to palm off when they were poorly maintained...which most were, I guess...

...which is why I have only owned coupes and sedans?!! I guess...

[lindyhopper]

They had the author of the book, "The Sociopath Next Door", on NPR the other day. She said that 1 out of 25 people are sociopaths. Apparently, many professionals consider that number to be conservative. Thats 4% of the population. So in our country of about 300 million, that gives us 12 million sociopaths. That is f*cking crazy!

While there is discussion over what the exact definition is, the one she used was a person lacking normal emotions but is not violent, or something to that effect. Many of these people reside in our nation's prisons.

What do you get when you strip a human of emotions? Someone who is only interested in power and control. They manipulate just to make you jump. If you don't jump, well then you are a new challenge to be taken on. It totally made me think of LCM and others. I agreee with what George said.

quote:

the reason amoral hucksters are so often found in charge of religious organizations is because they recognize the limitless supply of credulous marks waiting to be fleesed.

With 12 million in our country alone how many do think are in charge of religious organizations?

It is true that it is not something you can cure. THe best way to deal with these people is to set very clear bounderies between them and you. Or just stay the hell away from them.