A Manhattan Cult Story

A memoir

It is fascinating for me to observe the outreach of cults among the educated. Often, the main supporters and audience of cults originates among educated, middle class people. A discussion regarding rational intelligence does not have its place here, as in my opinion, a cult, as a religious awakening, has more to do with the emotional side of intelligence, with the need of belonging, being part of a group offering support and identity.

Manhattan Cult Story is a first person account of Spencer Schneider, a Long Island Jewish attorney who got caught for 23 years into a cult created around the minor actress Sharon Gans. Apparently though, she played the role of her life as a moody, dictatorial cult leader, whose members were awaken from ´sleep´ through lessons inspired by Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. Forbidden to share any information about ´the classes´ with people outside the group, the members were manipulated into sex games, matchmaking and even tax fraud on Gans´ behalf. 

How valuable the knowledge was from the intellectual point of view, it´s doubtful. Gans herself was appropriating Oprah´s quotes. But despite the abuse - verbal and sexual - many, among which the author himself, remained for the sense of belonging.

What I´ve found interesting, was the methods of recruitment into the cult, as sounded so close to any average business connection trick. Something to keep in mind when trying to gain influence, but aware when someone tries to get you into a cult.

The book adds specific information about this cult, but also provides details on the general topic of cults, particularly for researchers looking to gather information about such an actual subject.