2 ms·
I think most people would agree that the majority of cult members are, in fact, victims. However, since cults encourage the members to cut contact with the outs
by mercurial 13y ago
I think most people would agree that the majority of cult members are, in fact, victims. However, since cults encourage the members to cut contact with the outside world, this mechanically facilitate behaviours prohibited by society at large, such as sexual abuse, corporal punishment, forced labour, etc. I don't doubt many of the abusers have managed to convince themselves that they're doing for the greater good, but then again, so do abusers outside of a cult.
- timje1 13y agoI believe that many of the thought processes enforced by charismatic cult leaders (respect the elders, listen to the elders / leader in all things, avoid thinking for yourself, submit to god - through me) are designed to create docile followers - open to exploitation in any number of ways (get them to sell their old belongings, hand over their savings, open their legs..). These vulnerable people can and will be exploited by anyone with the will to do it, whether it's the leader or another elder that does it.