[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.98,0:00:12.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When Reverend Jim Jones founded\Nthe Peoples Temple in 1955,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.82,0:00:16.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,few could have imagined \Nits horrifying end.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.35,0:00:20.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This progressive religious movement\Nrose in popularity and gained support
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.66,0:00:24.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from some of San Francisco's \Nmost prominent politicians.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.68,0:00:29.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in 1977, amidst revelations\Nof brainwashing and abuse,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.12,0:00:31.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jones moved with several hundred followers
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.65,0:00:36.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to establish the commune of Jonestown \Nin Guyana.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.28,0:00:40.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Billed as a utopian paradise,\Nthe colony was more like a prison camp,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.72,0:00:44.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when a congressional delegation\Narrived to investigate its conditions,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.95,0:00:48.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jones executed his final plan.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.18,0:00:54.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,On November 18, 1978, 909 men,\Nwomen, and children died
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.24,0:00:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after being forced to drink \Npoisoned Flavor Aid.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.36,0:01:02.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That grizzly image has since been\Nimmortalized as shorthand slang
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.95,0:01:06.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for single-minded cult-like thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.01,0:01:08.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"They drank the Kool-aid."
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.52,0:01:11.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Today, there are thousands of cults\Naround the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.67,0:01:14.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's important to note two things\Nabout them.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.52,0:01:17.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, not all cults are religious.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.41,0:01:18.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some are political,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.62,0:01:19.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,therapy-based,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.77,0:01:21.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,focused on self-improvement,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.43,0:01:22.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or otherwise.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.97,0:01:23.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And on the flip side,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.99,0:01:28.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not all new religions are what \Nwe're referring to as cults.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.56,0:01:31.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what exactly defines our modern\Nunderstanding of cults,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.93,0:01:35.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why do people join them?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.12,0:01:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Broadly speaking, a cult is a group\Nor movement
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.75,0:01:41.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a shared commitment to a usually\Nextreme ideology
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.94,0:01:45.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's typically embodied\Nin a charismatic leader.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.59,0:01:49.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And while few turn out as deadly\Nas Jonestown or Heaven's Gate,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.16,0:01:53.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which ended in a mass suicide \Nof 39 people in 1997,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.75,0:01:58.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,most cults share some \Nbasic characteristics.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.10,0:02:01.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A typical cult requires a high level\Nof commitment from its members
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.59,0:02:04.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and maintains a strict hierarchy,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.03,0:02:06.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,separating unsuspecting supporters\Nand recruits
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.94,0:02:09.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the inner workings.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.20,0:02:12.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It claims to provide answers\Nto life's biggest questions
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.34,0:02:13.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through its doctrine,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.86,0:02:16.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,along with the required recipe\Nfor change
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.24,0:02:20.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that shapes a new member\Ninto a true believer.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.08,0:02:24.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most importantly, it uses both\Nformal and informal systems
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.11,0:02:28.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of influence and control\Nto keep members obedient,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.11,0:02:33.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with little tolerance for internal \Ndisagreement or external scrutiny.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.51,0:02:36.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might wonder whether \Nsome of these descriptions
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.60,0:02:39.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,might also apply to established religions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.83,0:02:42.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, the world "cultus" \Noriginally described
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.68,0:02:46.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people who cultivated\Nthe worship of certain gods
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.15,0:02:49.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by performing rituals \Nand maintaining temples.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.48,0:02:53.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in time, it came to mean \Nexcessive devotion.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.05,0:02:55.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many religions began as cults,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.20,0:02:59.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but integrated into the fabric\Nof the larger society as they grew.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.85,0:03:03.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A modern cult, by contrast, separates\Nits members from others.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.99,0:03:07.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rather than providing guidelines\Nfor members to live better lives,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.86,0:03:10.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a cult seeks to directly control them,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.45,0:03:12.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from personal and family relationships,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.38,0:03:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to financial assets \Nand living arrangements.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.78,0:03:18.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cults also demand obedience \Nto human leaders
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.92,0:03:21.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who tend to be highly persuasive people
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.15,0:03:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with authoritarian \Nand narcissistic streaks
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.18,0:03:29.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,motivated by money, sex, power,\Nor all three.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.54,0:03:33.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While a cult leader uses personal charisma\Nto attract initial followers,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.70,0:03:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,further expansion works \Nlike a pyramid scheme,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.44,0:03:40.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with early members recruiting new ones.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.84,0:03:43.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cults are skilled at knowing \Nwhom to target,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.60,0:03:46.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,often focusing on those new to an area,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.19,0:03:51.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or who have recently undergone some\Npersonal or professional loss.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.63,0:03:53.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Loneliness and a desire for meaning
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.60,0:03:58.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make one susceptible to friendly people\Noffering community.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.15,0:04:00.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The recruitment process can be subtle,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.10,0:04:03.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes taking months\Nto establish a relationship.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.49,0:04:07.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, more than two-thirds\Nof cult members are recruited by a friend,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.52,0:04:08.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,family member,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.64,0:04:10.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or co-worker
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.04,0:04:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose invitations are harder to refuse.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.41,0:04:18.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Once in the cult, members are subjected\Nto multiple forms of indoctrination.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.00,0:04:24.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some play on our natural inclination to\Nmimic social behaviors or follow orders.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.24,0:04:26.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other methods may be more intense
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.21,0:04:32.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,using techniques of coercive persuasion\Ninvolving guilt, shame, and fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.51,0:04:37.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in many cases, members may\Nwillingly submit out of desire to belong
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.77,0:04:40.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to attain the promised rewards.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.98,0:04:43.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The cult environment discourages\Ncritical thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.82,0:04:45.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,making it hard to voice doubts
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.63,0:04:50.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when everyone around you is modeling\Nabsolute faith.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.10,0:04:53.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The resulting internal conflict,\Nknown as cognitive dissonance,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.89,0:04:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,keeps you trapped,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.54,0:05:01.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as each compromise makes it more \Npainful to admit you've been deceived.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.01,0:05:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And though most cults don't\Nlead members to their death,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.60,0:05:05.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they can still be harmful.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.75,0:05:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By denying basic freedoms of thought,\Nspeech, and association,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.36,0:05:13.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cults stunt their members'\Npsychological and emotional growth,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.88,0:05:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a particular problem for children,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.22,0:05:20.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are deprived of normal\Ndevelopmental activities and milestones.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.67,0:05:24.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nevertheless, many cult members\Neventually find a way out,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.55,0:05:26.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether through their own realizations,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.28,0:05:27.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the help of family and friends,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.83,0:05:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or when the cult falls apart\Ndue to external pressure or scandals.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.32,0:05:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Many cults may be hard to identify,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.95,0:05:39.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for some, their beliefs,\Nno matter how strange,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.39,0:05:42.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are protected under religious freedom.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.28,0:05:44.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when their practices \Ninvolve harassment,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.52,0:05:45.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,threats,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.39,0:05:46.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,illegal activities,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.73,0:05:47.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or abuse,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.99,0:05:50.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the law can intervene.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.71,0:05:55.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Believing in something should not come\Nat the cost of your family and friends,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.53,0:05:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and if someone tells you to sacrifice\Nyour relationships
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.36,0:06:01.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or morality for the greater good,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.18,0:06:04.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're most likely exploiting you\Nfor their own.