Why are so many people suckered into CULTS?

Question

like scientology or heavens gate or LDS or Mormonism or JW

Answer 1

because they prey on people who are emotionally vulnerable, just like religions do.


Vin

Answer 2

Because what these groups promise appeals to the new members. This is the same reason people generally follow more traditional religions. It also frequently honestly appeals to the leaders. Many leaders aren't trying to sucker anyone. Also, you seem to be using the term "cult" arbitrarily. Mormons (LDS) and JWs are not generally considered cults. (Fundemental LDS, on the other hand, is. That's Warren Jeff's group.)

Answer 3

Cults are attractive to people who seek rigorous regimentation. A cult will promise that everything will be all right if you just follow "the rules". Usually there will be a charismatic leader who withholds approval if you don't follow the rules, and who bestows his blessings on you if you do. There is no moral ambiguity, no ethical dilemmas. Everything is right (his way) or wrong(anyone else's way). No need to make any more decisions. Some sects of christianity are more cult than religion, and christianity itself may have begun as a cult before getting polished up by history. Beware of anyone who says, "I'll take care of everything, so you won't need any money anymore. . . Give it all to me and I will use it wisely for the good of all." Hmmm. Some governments are cults, also.

Answer 4

Because they don't believe the cross And Jesus shed blood is sufficient sacrifice to atone for our sins. They reject the power of the cross. That salvation is a gift to receive through faith in the work Jesus did for us on the cross; and not of works lest anyone boast. People choose to follow man & mans teaching & not follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Also, the devil (deception) rules with fear, so there is a fear factor.

a Scientology doesn't teach the cross. It teaches aliens.
b Heavens Gate had a false messiah & who wrote in their web site that the cross was foolishness.
c LDS believe that baptizing in their church is being born of water. That this is the beginning step that Jesus provided for us on the cross. But even Brigham Young said to the Christians of his day that those who believed in the Saving Power of the cross was foolishness. That this doesn't save them...
d JWs want to argue that the cross was a stake and not a cross at all. So, lose what Jesus accomplished on the cross, & who Jesus Is. Especially when they down play Jesus deity in their bible version. Yeshua Messiah is Yahweh with the Father & the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

When I was a teenager, I didn't have many friends and I just wanted to belong. In the 80's I got into heavy metal. I was also exploring my spiritual side. I remember earlier my mother was into some weird "hippie crystal power" phase in her life and was aware of the many cults that existed. BTW I lived down the street from the famous "Peoples Church" in San Francisco at the time.
I wanted to worship the devil and to become a member of the Church of Satan but I didn't have the balls to do it. Anyway, the people who get suckered into cults and any type of religion are the ones that are young, naive, and weak willed. Some of us are born into religion and later regret it.

Answer 6

I'm not quite sure why. Some people say that Christianity is hard to believe. But in my mind, the LDS, scientology, and JW are some weird stuff. But then again, they don't tell you the weird stuff to get you to join. They tell you all that stuff once you've become consumed in their religion.
They are perfect examples why religion is a load of bull. I choose a relationship with my Creator and dump the religious memorabilia.

Answer 7

I wouldn't necessarily call all of your examples cults but here's my opinion on your question. We all have a need to worship something. Some religious groups capitalize on this. When cults offer something that people are searching for anyway and offer it in a way that they don't have to study or think for themselves, people grab it up. It's our 'I want it now' mentality. Cults deliver on a plate and all we have to do is take it. We love easy religion. Problem is, there's nothing easy about a Christian's life. If we follow Jesus, we'll face some of the same difficulties He did.

Answer 8

Maybe you should ask yourself why you feel so threatened and offended by people who believe differently. Why do you think all these religions are cults? Have yous studied them at length through viable sources? It does not sound like it to me. Go do some real research with an open mind, find the real deffinition of a cult, and then return to your question.
God Bless

Answer 9

They're brainwashed.

I'm serious. Brainwashing is an extremely effective means of controlling victims.

Scientology exerts control over its members by means of typical cult tactics, including but not limited to controlling information about internal doctrine & criticism of the organization, severely restricting social contact outside the cult (including the practice of “disconnecting” with any family who question the credibility & trustworthiness of the cult), creating an “us against them” mentality by villainizing a specific out-group (for Scientology, it’s psychiatrists), & claiming all those outside the cult are unenlightened.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/24/Tampabay/The_unperson.shtml
http://www.factnet.org/Books/SocialControl/scs.html#toc http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/s/scientology/pignotti/
http://xenu.net/archive/personal_story/funkydonny.html

Answer 10

Brainwashing, propaganda, isolation.

The muslim extremist cult indoctrinates little tiny kids using mascots like Mickey Mouse.

They have their young boys beat their mothers so they have no respect for women or mothers.

Mothers have children so they can go blow up some innocent people of which will make no difference to anyone in the long spectrum of things.

This is all about power and control and if you don't go along with the program, you are punished.

Answer 11

Who say's Scientology is a cult ?

This small number of criminals and haters akin to White Supremacists and Nazi's do...see who you are getting your info from. http://religiousfreedomwatch.org

IQ 140-147 , 100th percentile 1 of 6 in 1000, will be better, not too shabby though.