What makes cults/cult leader so attractive to believers?

Question

sociological question...just curious

Answer 1

they have charisma and easily talk, making up promises that sound really great. They prey on spiritually weak people who are desperately searching for hope. Through their words, they are easy to make those people believe through brainwashing.

Answer 2

Feeling of belonging. This is more complex then a simple feeling of belonging though – People sometimes feel the need to believe so badly. If you are nonbeliever, you know how you feel as though you need proof to believe in a god (I do)? Well so do they. If you hide away from the world and live in a cult it’s a lot easier to believe in something so unbelievable because everyone else believes in it around you. That feeling of belonging and need to be important has an awful lot to do with it though. You can feel important and “chosen”.

To some degree it has a little to do with being in the right place at the right time to get pulled into that stuff.

Also, cults usually make a lot of tempting promises.

Answer 3

I think people get drawn into cults when they are in a vulnerable emotional/spiritual state. They are looking for answers, and cult members/leaders seem to have exactly what they need, when they need it. I also agree with those who said it's about a sense of belonging - I think that's how the kkk and neo-nazi groups get young people to join, they offer a sense of family and support that they aren't getting anywhere else.

Answer 4

2 basic emotional drives. Yes, there are 3 basic emotional drives that attract people to join cults.

1. A yearning to belong.
2. A desire to be isolated, or insulated, from a dangerous or at least a threatening world - or at least a confusing world
3. This third reason is not limited to cults. However, it is a driving force. See below:

"At some time in our lives, we (or at least our neighbors) crave to believe in a protective God; one who will help us, and, hopefully, ever so hopefully, allow us to escape the "D" word; help us escape the consequences of death, and go to Heaven."- Uncle Wayne

Answer 5

I think because they put a new twist on an old thing. ie THE ANSWER. Everybody's looking for something I guess. As well as having a charismatic personality. And remember there are probaly more -not famous cults- as there are famous cults. For every Manson and Koresh there are dozens or more Larrys and Thelmas. Houdini where are you when we need ya!!!!!

Answer 6

There are certain types of people who not only need to be led, they need to be told what to do in everything. They have a basic insecurity. They don't want to be responsible for thinking for themselves. So they are attracted to a dynamic cult leader.
In the Bible, believers in Christ are continually warned against that phenomenon.

Answer 7

They appeal to the natural desire to be in the "inner circle", and offer a form of love. The leader is often a charismatic personality. The groups actual beliefs are usually not checked out against the Bible.

Answer 8

Same things as all the religions the promise of the truth and salvation. Cults have a habit of picking up drifters and loser. Religions have productive members of society in them. Religions do target poor countries to be subjugated look at Africa.

Answer 9

It may be the charisma that the cult leader exudes and that the people who follow them are looking desperately for something, ANYTHING to believe in, no matter how ridiculous.
Some people need direction in their miserable lives, and will take that direction from anyone and anywhere.

Answer 10

Im guessing the same thing that make religion on a whole attractive to anyone. The comraderie, the surogate faimly, and the commonality of sharing beleifs with others like you.