The Four Elements of Subordination

for concern over cult-related damage, institutional abuse & psychological problems.
  • Message
  • Author
User avatar

ex-l

ex-BK

  • Posts: 10661
  • Joined: 07 Apr 2006

The Four Elements of Subordination

Post15 Dec 2011

Outsiders, mainly professional westerners and academics, are shocked to discover that gross violence does actually exist within the Brahma Kumaris, meted out by the BKs' own lathi (riot stick) wielding "security wing" to crowds at Abu Road or the PBKs. But, for the most part, the violation that happens within the BKWSU is a subtle attack on people's self-confidence, self-reliance and independence.

I was surprised to see how well the BKWSU fitted into the model of The Four Elements of Subordination, from "Against the Male Flood" by Andrea Dworkin.
Andrea Dworkin wrote:Four Elements of Subordination

1. Hierarchy: One group ("bottom") has less power and fewer rights and resources than another group ("top"), and is seen and treated as inferior to the top group.

2. Objectification: Members of the bottom group are treated as thing-like, as mere instruments of other’s use, often as commodities and/or property.

3. Submission: Bottom group typically complies with wishes and self-defined "needs" of the top group - doing so is essential for their survival, and is then used as proof of their inferiority.

4. Violence: Committed by members of the top group against members of the bottom group: routine, systematic, seen as right, necessary, inevitable, and natural.

Within the BKWSU;

    Hierarchy is obvious and extreme, whether in the caste division between BKs (Brahmins) and non-BKs (Shudras), or between the Dadi (senior leaders) and new BKs.

    Objectification is also clear whether it is the Dadis and Didi being given unpaid, unquestioning servants (sevadharis), or non-BKs been seen as impure. Perhaps the worst extreme example of it is stuff like the god of the BKs calling children born today "scorpions and snakes".

    Submission is total, especially for Sisters. The new BK must give up their self almost entirely and submit to the organization, or really the leaders of the organization.

    Actual physical Violence is rare and unusual, even the extreme violence against the self (suicides) which have happened. However, mental and emotional violation and exploitation is far more common, and reported often on ex-BK pages but where the deepest cut goes is at the bonds which bind followers to other individuals or groups than the BKWSU.

    One academic, Benjaminin Beit-Hallahmi in 'Apocalyptic Dreams and Religious Ideologies" Losing and Saving Self and World', did suggest that the suppressed anger and violence within Lekhraj Kirpalani's or BKs' super controlled minds comes out in the total violence they are willing upon the humanity, believing themselves responsible for or "giving courage" to carry out. That is, the nuclear, civil wars and natural disasters of Destruction.
I am not sure about the last suggestion but I can understand it from a psychological point of view, e.g. we all have anger and if it is normally suppressed without our lives, the theory is it will come out elsewhere in another form. From that point of view, I can imagine how Lekhraj Kirpalani visions, or his interpretations of those dreams and visions, were partly to do with his own suppressed anger and confusion.

Commentators on The Four Elements of Subordination point out that violence or domination does not need to be constant. All that is required are a few but regular shows of power in order to keep the majority of people in line. The majority of people like staying in line and being controlled and accept the pay off between being controlled and being protected or led.

Return to Abuse & Recovery