Experts and former cult members tell us how these organisations can convince even the most astute minds to join them.
When the Netflix documentary Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey was released early in June, we watched it in horror and absolute fascination. The series recounts stories of former members in the FLDS polygamist cult that sexually exploits girls as young as 12. But what really doesn’t make sense is that it still has a thriving base of followers, despite its leader serving a life sentence in prison for sexual assault. It’s unfathomable, and begs the question: why do people join cults and stay in them – even educated, astute individuals who should know right from wrong? We talk to experts to find out.
What makes a cult?
Before we get into all this, you might be wondering what a cult is. Well, cults are commonly started by a sole charismatic leader. They tend to request total obedience from their followers, punishing or isolating those who disagree. And they may exploit members of the group for benefits like money, power and sex, as well as threaten the lives of those who leave.
American actress Leah Remini, who left the church of Scientology back in 2013, claims to still receive threats from them today. Fellow actress Rose McGowan had her home nearly broken into by members of the Children of God cult. This was after her family escaped from it when she was a little girl.
That’s really just the tip of the iceberg. Cults have inflicted heavy damage on individuals and family units. Like the infamous Charles Manson one that caused the deaths of seven individuals in 1969. Or the Jonestown massacre in 1978, where an entire community of 900 people unwittingly committed mass suicide.
Signs you might be in a cult
Those people involved likely didn’t realise they were in a cult. They probably thought they were truly carrying out a divine purpose or mission. But there are some telltale signs to look out for…
“Some indicators that an individual might be involved in a cult could be an unhealthy obsession with its leader. This includes intense defensiveness when questioned about the group,” says Annabelle Chow, a clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology.
“[Unlike religion], cult members often experience psychological manipulation from leaders,” adds Merrill D’Cruz, a senior psychodynamic counsellor at Psychology Blossom. “This includes intimidation, physical and verbal abuse, dishonest leadership, sexual bullying, isolation or separation from friends and family, and forfeiture of personal finances.”
Even if you think you’re safe, did you know you can still be in a cult-like organisation? Think along the lines of some MLMs or even your workplace. If it takes a lot out of you and requires your complete devotion to one individual or an idea – chances are, you might be knee-deep.
Giving up everything for the cause
Grace Tan, a 22-year-old Malaysian who resides in Perth, recounts how she ended up in the infamous cult – the Shincheonji Church of Jesus (SCJ). Founded in South Korea in 1984, the cult believes its founder Lee Man-Hee is a messenger sent by Jesus and the only one who can grant salvation.
For Grace, her journey with SCJ began when a friend at university invited her to Bible study classes. “They wouldn’t reveal the name of their organisation to us. I didn’t realise these classes were brainwashing me,” she shares.
Grace wasn’t able to verify the false doctrine she was taught. The cult disallowed her from sharing any information with family and friends. They also told her she shouldn’t search for online information on their teachings, as the internet was spreading untruths. Recruits who questioned their beliefs or missed study sessions would be singled out and threatened.
“They told me I’d be thrown to hell if I quit the course halfway. I was filled with so much fear and guilt,” she says.
Thankfully, it only took five months for Grace to sense things were amiss and leave the cult. But in that time, the damage had been done to her relationships with loved ones. “I remember telling my sister to get away from me as she was ‘Satan’. I was so ready to lose the people I loved in order to continue in my commitment to the church,” she shares.
Cults use guilt to control members
I also spoke to Mandy Koh (not her real name), a 30-year-old marketing executive in Singapore. She tells me about her experience being recruited into a similar cult-like group years ago. As a young teenager seeking community and friendship, she didn’t realise what she’d gotten into. It was her older sister who brought her along, and she didn’t think twice as the organisation appeared well-known and established.
“On the surface, it looks like a typical religious organisation. But dig deeper and you’ll realise they serve to worship the main figurehead, instead of the divine spirit,” she says.
At the tender age of 13, Mandy and other young believers made up the bulk of newcomers. They were asked to give up a percentage of their weekly allowance to the organisation. “If I said I didn’t have enough, they’d tell me I needed to have faith my money would multiply,” she shares. “On top of this, each week we were told to bring someone new with us. I remember there was even a quota we had to hit.”
This was accompanied by frequent guilt tripping from group leaders if Mandy didn’t participate in duties and gatherings. These daily affairs consumed her and depleted her meagre savings. “A simple thing like having a meal required my attendance. If I couldn’t go, they’d make me feel terrible,” she says.
Why cults are more alluring than you’d think
It’s not hard to imagine how a person who’s born into a cult can continue to believe its outlandish theories. But how do cults entice outsiders like Grace and Mandy to join them? You might think you’re not susceptible to a cult leader’s antics. But the truth is, anyone can be unknowingly swayed.
“The FLDS cult featured in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey is one example of an organisation that’s been able to attract even highly educated individuals,” Annabelle says.
“We should understand that, in essence, no one joins a cult,” Merrill adds. “Cult recruits have a well-intentioned search for meaning, happiness, fulfilment, social change and belonging. They believe they’re joining a legitimate and healthy group that won’t abuse them.”
Cults employ tailored strategies to entice each individual, making no one type of person more susceptible than another. But in particular, these organisations tend to prey on vulnerable members of society. That includes those seeking purpose, going through difficult times, or looking for a safe haven.
Away from home, Grace thought she was joining a caring group of fellow believers who would help her grow in her faith. Meanwhile, Mandy was an impressionable young teenager looking for community and friendship.
Annabelle explains that individuals going through a transitional period in their lives can find themselves in an especially difficult and confusing time. This makes them more vulnerable to the promises that cults offer.
“In the face of difficulty and complexity, cults can offer their members a chance to feel like they’re part of something stable and unchanging,” she says.
As such, loyal members of a cult believe their leader has magically transformed their lives. Or, that they have managed to relieve their longing and suffering. That’s why they’ll firmly defend their leader even when their crimes are exposed.
The damaging effects of cult life
After cults lure in new members with the promise of community, salvation, riches or power, they begin to break them down using manipulative tactics. This includes drawing them away from friends and loved ones; taking over their means of income; controlling what they eat, drink and wear or how they spend their time; and rewarding or punishing them as the cult sees fit.
Experts agree that the effects of this can be far-reaching and long-lasting. “The cult member is often left in a much worse position than when he started, whether financially, psychologically, relationally, or some combination of these and other factors,” Merrill says.
Even if they discover things are amiss, they might hesitate to escape due to threats and the fear of excommunication. “They might also feel like there’s nobody else they can turn to, especially if they believe the world outside the group is dangerous,” Annabelle says.
For those brave enough to leave, readjusting to life is no walk in the park. They can potentially suffer from years of grief, anxiety and PTSD. Psychotherapy may be required to help them understand the abuse they’ve suffered, so they can make sense of and give meaning to their experience.
It’s a heavy price to pay. Survivors like Grace and Mandy caution others to be wise and discerning in the company they make. It’s only through increased awareness of cults, and the manipulative tactics they employ, that we can avoid falling prey to organisations with questionable intentions.
If you’re struggling and need urgent emotional or psychological support, do contact the National Care Hotline at 1800-202-6868.
