I want to respond to your post of Dr Singers work on cult traits.
The initial two quotes
?Coercive psychological systems are behavioural change programs which use psychological force in a coercive way to cause the learning and adoption of an ideology or designated set of beliefs, ideas, attitudes, or behaviours. The essential strategy used by the operators of these programs is to systematically select, sequence and coordinate many different types of coercive influence, anxiety and stress-producing tactics over continuous periods of time.?
and
?In such a program the subject is forced to adapt in a series of tiny "invisible" steps. Each tiny step is designed to be sufficiently small so the subjects will not notice the changes in themselves or identify the coercive nature of the processes being used. The subjects of these tactics do not become aware of the hidden organizational purpose of the coercive psychological program until much later, if ever. These tactics are usually applied in a group setting by well intentioned but deceived "friends and allies" of the victim. This keeps the victim from putting up the ego defences we normally maintain in known adversarial situations.?
especially the 2nd one could be largely applied to most educational institutions for children. Probably all western military systems operate even more along these lines.
The majority of the 7 tactics (1-4 or 5) listed could also be applied to non cult organisations that we use every day around us. I am not suggesting that one should condone of support many of the cult type systems, but the SES is not very different to the large religious systems, many political systems and educational systems.
I also would not classify SES along with cults like James Jones, Davidians, Moonies, even though there is no question that they push a strong brand of ideology and have some questionable characters in positions of power that they abuse.
The punishment meted out to students in the St James schools is not very different to many of the schools in the western world during the middle decades of 20th century. I am not suggesting that SES schools did good things and even though the continued with corporal punishment beyond many other schools, I spent my schooldays in a Catholic school where caning and fear were part of everyday life for most schoolkids. I do not think I am overly traumatised by this, however I am very conformant to authority and avoid breaking laws and rules religiously. I recall the day where I was hauled in front of the class at age nine to be rulered on the hand, then taken back down to the 7 year olds where that teacher agreed what a bad boy I was and walloped me with a ruler in front of her kids. All this while I was changing into gym gear, so I was wearing only one shoe. Should I be traumatised by this? The fact that I can recall it after nearly 40 years makes me wonder, except I find the memory makes me laugh.
There seem to be some people on this board that are determined to paint SES as evil, and I do not believe that is justified in comparison to normal life or some of the other radical cults. I also do not think it will help address issues of past treatment in the schools.