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Opus Dei is often described in the media as “cult-like.” Opus Dei numerary Meg Kates’ statement, “Members are free to come, free to go, free to participate, free not to, free to walk right out the door, free to stay” is deceptive. The true personal freedom of numerary members, who make up 25-30% of all members, is hindered by the following controls that are put into place by Opus Dei. The following table illustrates how Opus Dei’s methods resemble those used by cults. It uses Steve Hassan’s BITE model (Behavior, Information, Thought and Emotional) of mind control described in Releasing the Bonds, Empowering People to Think for Themselves as the basis for comparison. (For more details about Hassan’s model, see the excerpt from his book.)
The examples cited in the right-hand column are based on the personal experiences of Sharon Clasen, who was a supernumerary for three years and a numerary for two years. She experienced the following while living at Brimfield, the Center of Studies for numerary women in the United States. (All numeraries typically live in the Center of Studies for two years for intense study of the “spirit of Opus Dei.” There are separate Centers of Studies for numerary men.) Also included are some writings of the Founder of Opus Dei (taken from The Way by Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer) as well as the testimonies from other former members.
Opus Dei typically controls nearly all aspects of the numeraries’ physical reality. But where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates?
Numeraries usually live in a center with other numerary members of Opus Dei. They are not allowed to associate with former members or critics of Opus Dei unless they are trying to recruit them back into the group. They are told to have a list of 15 friends, the top ones on the list should be people with the potential to join Opus Dei. To associate with anyone who does not have the potential to become an Opus Dei member is considered a waste of time.
This introduction was written by ODAN
The examples cited in the right-hand column are based on the personal experiences of Sharon Clasen, who was a supernumerary for three years and a numerary for two years. She experienced the following while living at Brimfield, the Center of Studies for numerary women in the United States. (All numeraries typically live in the Center of Studies for two years for intense study of the “spirit of Opus Dei.” There are separate Centers of Studies for numerary men.) Also included are some writings of the Founder of Opus Dei (taken from The Way by Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer) as well as the testimonies from other former members.
Opus Dei typically controls nearly all aspects of the numeraries’ physical reality. But where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates?
Numeraries usually live in a center with other numerary members of Opus Dei. They are not allowed to associate with former members or critics of Opus Dei unless they are trying to recruit them back into the group. They are told to have a list of 15 friends, the top ones on the list should be people with the potential to join Opus Dei. To associate with anyone who does not have the potential to become an Opus Dei member is considered a waste of time.
This introduction was written by ODAN