Why do people join (destructive) cults?

Question

I have NEVER heard a happy ending cult story. Manson, Jonestown, Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate, & even the polygamous cults like the FLDS were/are very dangerous & destructive. Does the so-called prophet or leader just trick or brainwash the weak-minded?

I won't lie! I agree Christianity is a cult in some form too~

Answer 1

Because they are usually sad people looking for a place to belong. They buy the lies lock stock and barrel because it's what they want to hear. These "leaders" are usually VERY intelligent and easily have personality disorders. They are charismatic and frightening at times.
It is sad.

Answer 2

For beginners, the Branch Davidians mightn't have been a destructive cult. No way of sifting the truth from the propaganda.

Secondly, nobody goes into a destructive cult anticipating it will be destructive.

Thirdly, I can't say for certain, but I believe there's probably what I call the 'guru syndrome' at work in destructive cults, and the members help the leader grow into what he becomes, and the leader encourages them to keep doing it.

Reciprocity at work, rather than brainwashing.

Answer 3

It usually is because of a feeling of needing to belong. Someone from the cult basically takes you by the hand and tells you that you are loved and needed, and there is a place you will always belong. Once they have you hooked with that, they will start to slip doctrine in and then it moves into you meeting the "leader". At that point, you are pretty much willing to hear anything the leader says. Usually, the leader is very charismatic, and tells you what you want to hear at first. Then things start to go down hill from there. They will usually seclude you from your family and friends and the life you knew, that way there is no one and nothing to say it is wrong.

The FLDS is run a little differently then most others you have named. They were brought up believing this stuff. They were told from the moment of birth that this is how it is and you are to blindly follow. No questions asked. If you ask questions, or don't want to follow EVERYTHING they want you to, you are either kicked out, or shunned. There is no middle ground with them. They have taken wonderful doctrine and twisted it to what they thought was right.

Answer 4

They are young idealists who realy want to do good for the world. They are taken in and in fact like Jonestown they work for the poor. Jim Jones minestry asside from the fact that he was a sociopath did help alot of people in L A intense work for the poor and homeless in the gettos. .
Thats how it starts. Then When your in they tell you not to talk to anyone who isnt one of them. SO your cut off then because they do good things Any question of the leader of leaders is a sinfull act. They use guilt and mind control Lack of sleep. Overwork and low protein diets. THen you are trapped and brainwashed.

IS all relgion a cult? I dont think so. Or a bad one? The answer is does it have one charismatic unquestionable leader? DO they tell you everything up front and in the open? No hidden secrets? Do they encourage contact with the outside world?

Answer 5

I think it is exactly that. The people are hurting, lonely. etc, these cult leaders use that as a tool. These people were in search of truth, after being involved with the leader they don't read the Bible for themselves, they trust that the leader would not miss guide them. Sometimes buy the time they try to get out it's life or death. These Leaders will mix truth into all kinds of lies, so the person hears the little bit that is truth and ignore the rest. They are using their emotions to guide them instead of the word of God

Answer 6

those calling us a cult gain this with none expertise of what we do or believe. they simply understand they have been advised we are undesirable and to maintain faraway from us. From worry, leads them to assert the worst element they might think of of....a cult. It would not be counted they have not have been given any actual concept what a cult is, in simple terms that a cult is a foul element. they can't say something approximately our ideals being against the Bible using fact (a million) they do no longer understand what we believe nor why and (2) they have not have been given any concept what the Bible teaches nor waiting to coach from the Bible how they are genuine and we are fake. it is in simple terms what they have been advised the Bible says. no longer from looking it as much as envision for themselves to be sure. in the event that they did so, there could be many extra Jehovah's Witnesses than there are actually. that would truly be severe high quality. we % extra instructors in doing the will of God. "God, 4?whose will is that each and each type of fellows might desire to be saved and are available to an precise expertise of certainty." (a million Tim. 2:4) Getting that precise expertise skill first, discovering it for your self, in the past you will coach others. That final area looks to stressful a activity for many. a methods much less confusing to easily label us a cult. Now are they conversing approximately us worshiping Jehovah or others worshiping a pope?

Answer 7

I do not believe that people are chasing destruction.

What people are chasing is certainty.

These new cults (and old) always have a leader that is very certain of everything.

People generally believe that certainty equals knowledge equals truth equals reality.

So they give up themselves to what seems like a greater truth, but what really is a only a greater certainty.

Answer 8

A lot of times it has to do with their up bringing, they are searching for something in their lives, trouble is these cults feed on people who have a need. For others they are raised in it and have a hard time getting out.

Answer 9

I don't believe they are weak minded. I think they are the lonely mis-fits society creates. They are just looking for love and acceptance like we all are. Are we giving unconditional love to all, or are we withholding it from some and adding to the feeling of I don't belong and no one cares for me that is needed for a cult to step in?
peace

Answer 10

they join because they think it's an improvement over the greater cult called society, which is destructive and also for the weak-minded. Only the brave dare think outside the small box we think of as "the world".