How do you pull someone out of a cult?

Question

My friend has joined a "church".. but ALL SIGNS lead it being a cult, my friend is very naive, she thinks he has found jesus and is oblivious to what my friends and I think of this group she has joined. The majority of people i speak to think it's a cult and some have just said to leave her there because it makes her happy, but she has made a 180 degree flip in the last 2 weeks! she used to be into anachy and gothic sort of stuff and now she claims to live for jesus. this all doesnt happen over night, it doesnt sound right. opinions please?

Answer 1

The Lord moves in mysterious ways

But there are Christian Cults out there that are bad

Answer 2

Appear to seem really interested in the religion. (Actually be interested just not to join)
You will find it very difficult now to help her
Dont be too confronting, dont be confronting at all, that will only strengthen her stance. You could just leave her with it and be there many many years from now when she comes crashing down.
Also, many new converts fail at some point in their life at the religion, the members of the church will help a bit. Make sure you are there for her in those times because thats the easiest time to help her, even though it is still difficult.
If she has already 'joined' this church then major damage has already happened. Now its just the waiting game.
And these would have been some of the 'tactics' to get her there in the first place, because they work.
It is also possible that the 'cult' aint all that bad anyway, so find out what they do and believe so you are accurate in your communications with her.

Answer 3

with difficulty. if someone has been brainwashed to get them to join the cult, it is practically impossible. but here are some tips:
1. get there family and friends to come with you. seeing a familiar face can usually make people remember life before the cult.
2. if they really, really don't want to leave, don't make them. the cult could see this as kidnapping and have you arrested. that would not help your case as the cult leaders would tell your person that you are evil.
and finally, most cults don't brainwash people. so if your friend is not a really mad person, offering them a better alternative to the cult is much better at getting them out. for more information about cults and how they operate, Go and see your closest psychology professor.

Answer 4

The answer is very difficult because every religion is a type of cult where everyone believe in pretty much the same thing; because that's what a cult is. Um there only two ways one tie the person up and carry them far away or let them discover the truth for themselves because eventually the truth will come forth then its up to your friend to accept it or move on.
In all honesty I know you want to help but by the time they "changed" its already to late for outside intervention. So either you accept it or move on. Sorry but its the truth...

Answer 5

I would agree, changing ones own belief is not something that happens quickly or often. I am proof of that. I can not say this is a cult. I am an Occultist of the cult style and have to say that the word cult is often abused in situations such as these. A cult is simply a small following of unorthodox faith. Every religion you see about you is the result of a cult.

It is far more likely that your friend, should she be in a bad place, is currently operating in a Sect. It is rather difficult to deal with people inside of Secterian churches. They will likely fight kicking and screaming until they are returned. It takes a few specific people to deal with someone programmed by a Sect:
1.)A psychologist
Yes its a bit cliche but a psychologist is among the most qualified to handle someone suffering from Secterian brainwashing. They know precisely how to deprogram such people and are willing to put in the time needed for such a long process.
2.)A "Cult" breaker
These are people who enter into a cult on purpose, pretend to be brainwashed until they have an oppurtunity to destroy the image of the leader. This is a very difficult and complicated art. It is not as easy as an attack. One must have proof in every direction of an arguement until the only outcome is that the leader is lieing or is not what they claim. This often means using the very words they speak and the book they claim as holy scripture.
3.)Family and friends
Family and friends have been looking out for the well being of one another sense monkeys learned they could live much better lives working together. It is a great tactic used by these people to in fact reprogram the victim into remembering that friends and family loved them first, the most, and the longest. Even when punishment is being delt it must be delt with complete love for the individual involved.

I do not mean to be rude about this but such Sects are few and far between. I rather doubt your friend is suffering from some kind of horrible brainwashing and that the above is neccessary. If your friend is happy and free from danger then there really is not a problem. In effect by forcing the belief that you want them to follow is no different from what a Sect would do. The actions are the same and you would be playing tug of war with the mind of your friend. Needless to say this has destroyed many good people and its not wise to do this. If you are truly worried for your friend this is my advice to you.

1.)Go to this "church" and observe them. You must go more then once and you must not be obviously against them. You will have to fake being one of these people until you have a satisfactory and definite answer if they are or are not dangerous.

2.)If you believe that your evidence is among the middle ground but leading toward danger then you must get the opinions of others who have no tainted opinion. I suggest bringing people you trust and consider wise with you to several "church" sessions. If they talk to you about how its creepy then you should start to worry.

3.)Bring anyone of authority with you to this "church" and have them observe it several sessions. I suggest any of the following:
psychologist
teacher
parents
religious figures (bring a member from another church, In all honesty I would ask a priest to join me)
outstanding members of the community (people known for their caring)

If these people throw up an alarm as well alert the police department to the conduct within the "church". Get written testimony from everyone that you brought with you. You will need at least 15 statements and 3 of them must be from respected members of the community.

4.)Cooperate with a police investigation and work on getting your friend out of there. If the police refuse to act show the written statements to the victim. If they are familiar with the names they may start to think about whats going on and observe for themselves. This is about all you can do within the confines of the law.

Hails to the truth,
Silence

Answer 6

Do some research into the church/cult and see what you can find out. If it seems legit, then maybe support your friend, even go to church with her so you can see for yourself if it is good/bad. Just keep an eye on her and make sure she isnt giving her money away to them!

Answer 7

No one can force another person's eyes to open to see truth when they're spiritually blind. This is why Christ emphasized that we're to plant a seed of knowledge to a person, and pray that it might grow within the person, to where God might open their spiritual eyes and ears to the truth that you've shared with them. Christ also emphasized that we're not to cast our pearls before swine, or waste time on them. If you want her to abandon Christ, don't bother. If you want her to abandon a cult, then consult some verses in the bible that condemn the sinful acts that her cult partakes in. Show her from God's word where it condemns her cult's false doctrines.

Answer 8

Do not be too quick to make any assumptions of her behalf. Maybe she has found Jesus. Is it your own disbelief in Him that is making you so cynical? Or is it just because you lost a friend?

The way you describe the situation sounds to me as though she gave up a disgusting lifestyle (anarchy and Gothic) as you describe it, for a better one.

Answer 9

so she moved from anarchist and depressed Goth to Christian ? What's so bad about that ? I thought the Goths had a cult mentality, the cult of depression and darkness. She's saved herself. Darkness, depression and hatred lead nowhere. Goths who feed on depression are fed by Satan's demons on hopelessness and despair complete with vsisions of hoplessness and emptiness, why would you want that. Remember the Goth school gunman in Canada, how he turned out. (exactly as Satan wanted)

Answer 10

There is no way,except to be veeery veery skill in rhetorics or convincing methods with loots of knowledge in theology.Prayer doesn't help.She get admiration and approval there so no help at all.You can make her scare with stories of false christs,prophets and apostles,maybe.