Thought Reform and the Jesus Movement

• Published in: Youth & society Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 185 - 202
• Main Authors: Richardson, James T., Harder, Mary, Simmonds, Robert B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications 01.12.1972
• Subjects: Brainwashing; Jesus; Movement/Movements
• ISSN: 0044-118X; 1552-8499
• DOI: 10.1177/0044118X7200400206

THE THOUGHT REFORM OR 'BRAINWASHING' MODEL DEVELOPED BY R. J. LIFTON IN RESEARCH ON WESTERN PRISONERS IN CHINA & CHINESE INTELLECTUALS IN 'REVOLUTIONARY COLL'S' FROM 1948-1952 (SEE "THOUGHT REFORM OF WESTERN CIVILIANS IN CHINESE COMMUNIST PRISONS," PSYCHIATRY, 1956, 19, 2, 173-195), WAS APPLIED TO THE JESUS MOVEMENT AMONG AMERICAN YOUTH. EXTENSIVE SURVEY & PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION RESEARCH ON A GROUP IN THE JESUS MOVEMENT WAS USED. USE WAS MADE OF B. D. ZABLOCKLI'S ADDITIONS TO THE MODEL (THE JOYFUL COMMUNITY, BALTIMORE, MD: PENGUIN, 1971) WHICH HE APPLIED TO THE BRUDERHOF COMMUNITY. THE 11 PART MODEL INCLUDES: (THE STRIPPING PROCESS) (1) THE ASSAULT UPON IDENTITY, (2) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GUILT, (3) THE SELF-BETRAYAL, (4) THE BREAKING POINT, & (IDENTIFICATION) (5) LENIENCY & OPPORTUNITY, (6) THE COMPULSION TO CONFESS, (7) THE CHANNELING OF GUILT, (8) REEDUCATION: LOGICAL DISHONORING, (9) PROGRESS & HARMONY, & (DEATH & REBIRTH OF SELF) (10) FINAL CONFESSION, & (11) REBIRTH. LACK OF PHYSICAL COERCION IN THE JESUS MOVEMENT, AS CONTRASTED TO THE THOUGHT REFORM INVOLVING WESTERN PRISONERS & CHINESE INTELLECTUALS, WAS NOTED. THE ENTIRE 'STRIPPING PROCESS' WAS NOT APPLICABLE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF STRONG SELF-CONCEPT IN MOST CONVERTS, A SENSE OF GUILT PRESENT FROM PAST RELIGIOUS TRAINING & RECENT ACTIVITIES (DRUG USEAGE, ETC). MOST CONVERTS WERE AT A 'BREAKING POINT' FROM REJECTION BY LOVED ONES, TROUBLE WITH LEGAL AUTHORITIES, & BAD DRUG TRIPS. 'IDENTIFICATION' & 'DEATH & REBIRTH' WERE MORE APPLICABLE, FACILITATED BY THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF LENGTHY, EARLIER RELIGIOUS SOCIALIZATION OF A CONSERVATIVE NATURE. GROUP INFLUENCE (DIRECT & SUBTLE), THE MAJOR 'INGREDIENT' IN THOUGHT REFORM, WAS PERVASIVE IN THE JESUS MOVEMENT, WITH STRICT ADHERENCE TO GROUP RULES, RITUALS, & BELIEFS REQUIRED. A COMPARISON OF THE JESUS MOVEMENT WITH THE 'REVOLUTIONARY U'S' FOR INTELLECTUALS OF COMMUNIST CHINA WAS MADE BASED ON THE 3 PART MODEL LIFTON APPLIED TO THEM: (A) THE GREAT TOGETHERNESS: GROUP IDENTIFICATION, (B) THE CLOSING IN OF THE MILIEU: THE PERIOD OF EMOTIONAL CONFLICT, & (C) SUBMISSION & REBIRTH. THIS MODEL WAS VERY APPLICABLE TO THE JESUS MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY THE 'GREAT TOGETHERNESS' ASPECTS. THE JESUS MOVEMENT IS A FORM OF RELIGIOUS TOTALISM. MODIFIED AA.