#void priestess

“Steven Hassan's BITE Model of Cult Mind Control

Many people think of mind control as an ambiguous, mystical process that cannot be defined in concrete terms. In reality, mind control refers to a specific set of methods and techniques, such as hypnosis or thought- stopping, that influence how a person thinks, feels, and acts. Like many bodies of knowledge, it is not inherently good or evil. If mind control techniques are used to empower an individual to have more choice, and authority for his life remains within himself, the effects can be beneficial. For example, benevolent mind control can be used to help people quit smoking without affecting any other behavior. Mind control becomes destructive when the locus of control is external and it is used to undermine a person’s ability to think and act independently.

As employed by the most destructive cults, mind control seeks nothing less than to disrupt an individual’s authentic identity and reconstruct it in the image of the cult leader. I developed the BITE model to help people determine whether or not a group is practicing destructive mind control. The BITE model helps people understand how cults suppress individual member's uniqueness and creativity. BITE stands for the cult's control of an individual's Behavior, Intellect, Thoughts, and Emotions.

It is important to understand that destructive mind control can be determined when the overall effect of these four components promotes dependency and obedience to some leader or cause. It is not necessary for every single item on the list to be present. Mindcontrolled cult members can live in their own apartments, have nine-to-five jobs, be married with children, and still be unable to think for themselves and act independently.

We are all subject to influence from our parents, friends, teachers, co-workers... When this influence helps someone grow and maintain an internal locus of control, it is healthy. Influence which is used to keep people mindless and dependent is unhealthy.”

The BITE Model

I.Behavior Control II.Information Control III.Thought Control IV.Emotional Control

Behavior Control

1. Regulate individual’s physical reality Void mother is a big supporter of freedom and temples rarely have living spaces inside, preferring to have their clergy living within the local community  2. Dictate where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates or isolates Following the Void also encourages mixing with those outside of the faith, not to convert anyone but to understand others beliefs. 3. When, how and with whom the member has sex What consenting adults do behind closed doors is none of our business 4. Control types of clothing and hairstyles Unless you’re a priest or priestess, who wear a uniform of sorts (only during ceremonies and services), you’re free to style yourself however you want to. 5. Regulate diet - food and drink, hunger and/or fasting The Void would prefer you have a healthy lifestyle but they’re not going to make you do anything. 6. Manipulation and deprivation of sleep Sleep is important. 7. Financial exploitation, manipulation or dependence Though a temple appreciates donations they would never take money that you’d need. They prefer to run festivals and sell charms, food and items to raise funds. 8. Restrict leisure, entertainment, vacation time Life is for living 9. Major time spent with group indoctrination and rituals and/or self indoctrination including the Internet If and when you attend any gathering is completely up to you. To follow the void you don’t have to be part of a group at all. 10. Permission required for major decisions You’re an adult who can make their own decisions, the Void doesn’t wish to change that.  11. Thoughts, feelings, and activities (of self and others) reported to superiors We don’t meddle in your life. 12. Rewards and punishments used to modify behaviors, both positive and negative You might be kicked out of a gathering for being an asshole but other than that, no. 13. Discourage individualism, encourage group-think Individuality is heavily supported. 14. Impose rigid rules and regulations Not really 15. Instill dependency and obedience Independence is also very important and is encouraged. We’re happy to support you if you need it but we want you to be able to support yourself. 16. Threaten harm to family and friends Never! 17. Force individual to rape or be raped This would be against everything the Void believes. You would be outcast for doing such a thing. 18. Encourage and engage in corporal punishment We are none violent

Information Control:. 

1.Deception:

  a. Deliberately withhold information I feel I’ve always been pretty open, as have others I’ve worked with

  b. Distort information to make it more acceptable Honesty is a big part of following the Void. She is pure truth.

  c. Systematically lie to the cult member As above

2. Minimize or discourage access to non-cult sources of information, including:

  a. Internet, TV, radio, books, articles, newspapers, magazines, other media We have no control, or wish to control, what you read or view

  b.Critical information If it’s critical we’d rather discuss it than hide it.

  c. Former members Unless it would damage the past member we’re open with all of our people

  d. Keep members busy so they don’t have time to think and investigate We’re pretty hands off so nope.

  e. Control through cell phone with texting, calls, internet tracking None of our business

3. Compartmentalize information into Outsider vs. Insider doctrines

  a. Ensure that information is not freely accessible All info should be shared

  b.Control information at different levels and missions within group nope

  c. Allow only leadership to decide who needs to know what and when Being hands off means this doesn’t happen

4. Encourage spying on other members

  a. Impose a buddy system to monitor and control member We’re not children

  b.Report deviant thoughts, feelings and actions to leadership I’m not sure what a deviant thought would even be

  c. Ensure that individual behavior is monitored by group nope. You do you friends.

5. Extensive use of cult-generated information and propaganda, including:

  a. Newsletters, magazines, journals, audiotapes, videotapes, YouTube, movies and other media Nope. There’s very little out there.

  b.Misquoting statements or using them out of context from non-cult sources Misquoting is the same as lying

6. Unethical use of confession

  a. Information about sins used to disrupt and/or dissolve identity boundaries nope

  b. Withholding forgiveness or absolution As an individual I could forgive you for doing something but it’s on you to find forgiveness from those you’ve hurt.

  c. Manipulation of memory, possible false memories No.

Thought Control

1. Require members to internalise the group’s doctrine as truth

  a. Adopting the group's ‘map of reality’ as reality Questioning everything is how we grow as people

  b. Instill black and white thinking Everything is shades of grey 

  c. Decide between good vs. evil Actions can be harmful and “evil” but there needs to be context in all things.

  d. Organize people into us vs. them (insiders vs. outsiders) People are people. There is no us and them

2.Change person’s name and identity. Your identity is yours. Only you can say what that is.

3. Use of loaded language and clichés which constrict knowledge, stop critical thoughts and reduce complexities into platitudinous buzz words Question everything.

4. Encourage only ‘good and proper’ thoughts negativity is natural and needed to balance everything out.

5. Hypnotic techniques are used to alter mental states, undermine critical thinking and even to age regress the member Nope. If you want to meditate or anything then go ahead but nothing’s forced on people.

6. Memories are manipulated and false memories are created It’s another form of lies.

7. Teaching thought-stopping techniques which shut down reality testing by stopping negative thoughts and allowing only positive thoughts, including:

  a. Denial, rationalization, justification, wishful thinking nope

  b. Chanting we sing sometimes during celebrations.

  c. Meditating only to help yourself relax if you’re stressed.

  d. Praying You can talk to Void mother if you want. I’m not sure if that would be considered praying.

  e. Speaking in tongues no

  f. Singing or humming Singing during celebrations 

8. Rejection of rational analysis, critical thinking, constructive criticism Quite the opposite. Critical thinking is encouraged.

9. Forbid critical questions about leader, doctrine, or policy allowed Nope. 

10. Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate, evil, or not useful Nope. If a belief system helps someone then good for them

Emotional Control

1. Manipulate and narrow the range of feelings – some emotions and/or needs are deemed as evil, wrong or selfish Nope

2. Teach emotion-stopping techniques to block feelings of homesickness, anger, doubt nope. It’s importance to be honest with yourself.

3. Make the person feel that problems are always their own fault, never the leader’s or the group’s fault If we mess up we’ll be open and honest with it, nobodies perfect.

4. Promote feelings of guilt or unworthiness, such as

  a. Identity guilt nope

  b. You are not living up to your potential nope

  c. Your family is deficient no

  d. Your past is suspect no

  e. Your affiliations are unwise Unless you’re out doing criminal things, no.

  f. Your thoughts, feelings, actions are irrelevant or selfish Of course not.

  g. Social guilt no

  h. Historical guilt no

5. Instill fear, such as fear of:

  a. Thinking independently

  b. The outside world

  c. Enemies

  d. Losing one’s salvation

  e. Leaving or being shunned by the group

  f. Other’s disapproval

Big old nope for all of these. We have no need to instil fear in followers.

6. Extremes of emotional highs and lows – love bombing and praise one moment and then declaring you are horrible sinner hell no

7. Ritualistic and sometimes public confession of sins no

8. Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about leaving the group or questioning the leader’s authority

  a. No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group of course not. You live your life how you want to live it.

  b. Terrible consequences if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc. No. If you leave we’ll miss you but that’s it.

  c. Shunning of those who leave; fear of being rejected by friends, peers, and family No. friends are friends no matter their particular belief system.

  d. Never a legitimate reason to leave; those who leave are weak, undisciplined, unspiritual, worldly, brainwashed by family or counselor, or seduced by money, sex, or rock and roll. If you want to leave you can. It’s not a problem.