Destruction of self confidence

[debunk_pls]

I was looking for some information on self confidence and I stumbled upon cquotes like "Don't be wise in your own eyes" or "Be little in your own eyes". This is exactly what could wreck self confidence as I know psychotherapists suggest you should train your self esteem and self confidence by affirming you are good and similar. I clearly see a form of brainwashing going on in christian cults. Has else anyone noted this and possibly other instances?

[brewer]

Most religions have some cult qualities, control and manipulation are two. Recruiting new members is another. I think that those outside a religion considered any new religion a cult at their beginning.

[Belacqua]

"Don't be wise in your own eyes" or "Be little in your own eyes".

I think both of these are very good advice.

Very few people are wise, and very few people are important, in the grand scheme of things. Thinking too highly of oneself is a trap that justifies all kinds of bad behavior. 

This is true for everyone, religious or not.

[Abaddon_ire]

I was looking for some information on self confidence and I stumbled upon cquotes like "Don't be wise in your own eyes" or "Be little in your own eyes". This is exactly what could wreck self confidence as I know psychotherapists suggest you should train your self esteem and self confidence by affirming you are good and similar. I clearly see a form of brainwashing going on in christian cults. Has else anyone noted this and possibly other instances?

I have operated as a counsellor and a therapist in the past. That is not how it works. That is not how anything works.

[brewer]

"Don't be wise in your own eyes" or "Be little in your own eyes".

I think both of these are very good advice.

Very few people are wise, and very few people are important, in the grand scheme of things. Thinking too highly of oneself is a trap that justifies all kinds of bad behavior. 

This is true for everyone, religious or not.

Um....., not exactly the ideas in the bible. They need to be considered in context. 

Don't be wise in your own eyes: Proverbs 3

Be little in your own eyes: 1 Samuel 15

[zebo-the-fat]

No one mentioned the bible!

[zwanzig]

Yes, I have seen and noticed this manipulation tactic in Christian cults. Making you feel small, powerless, and doubting of yourself is a way to build dependence upon the organization. They always say that it is "god" you're supposed to be depending on but the organization speaks for god so you have to listen to and pay them.

It was one of the things that really tripped me up the first few months after discovering the truth about the scam of Mormonism. Despite everything I had learned about the history of the cult and the things they lied about and the blatant gaslighting, I was still thinking, "what if this is just pride? What if I'm falling prey to the adversary and trusting unto mine own understanding?" It had been hammered into me so hard, the need for me to trust in the metaphysical forces of the world and be humble, that when evidence was right in front of my eyes, given to me by the church itself (saying one thing and then saying another), that I just couldn't trust myself at first.

[brewer]

No one mentioned the bible!

Nope, just christian cults. And the bible is a source where the quotes are found. They might be in other sources but I didn't see that they were.

[T.J.]

You know I really didn't notice it so much, but considering that at one point in my life I had zero self confidence in myself that might've been the reason why.

[Astreja]

I favour small celebrations (a simple "Yay! Did it!" works fine) when successfully solving a problem. I'd be hesitant to do affirmations that are a long distance from being true, but it's okay to tell yourself "I'm making progress on {problem}."

Many groups, including a lot of Christian ones, stand to benefit by having their members emotionally beaten down - it makes it easier to sell them the "cure" for the problem, and harvest both time and money from them.