For the same reason cult leaders say outlandish to their followers, they only want those who are willing and able to be led astray to follow them versus those w

For the same reason cult leaders say outlandish to their followers, they only want those who are willing and able to be led astray to follow them versus those who might question or defy them. It also allows for opportunities for the cult as a whole to get their two minutes of hate in and to punish an enemy/scapegoat/turncoat/etc, reinforcing conformity with what the leader preaches. It's also a power thing. They have so much power over others that they can say blatant lies and followers will trip over themselves to believe and defend it.