Who Joins Cults?

[applegrove]

Ex-cult member Steven Hassan is today a licensed mental-health counsellor and role model for cult-member clients, says Psychology Today. "His own experience and careful observation have taught him that people don't join cults, they are targeted and seduced by well-trained political, religious or other opportunists who know exactly on whom to pray - smart, well-educated youth who have a hard time getting themselves out of stressful, disappointing or depressing situations. They fall victim to those who take them back to the feelings they had as children, when their needs were met by all-knowing adults".

[applegrove]

1. I'm just saying...

[LiberalEsto]

2. They look for kids who appear depressed

or lonely.

Years ago they used to roam around my college's student center and talk to the loners. They are vultures. They don't give a damn about people's feelings or needs. All they want is to bring in another zombie.

[SmokingJacket]

3. That is true.

Applies to all sorts of coercive groups. One of my close friends joined a cult. I didn't want to be dismissive without knowing what I was talking about, so I went to a meeting with her. Turns out I am *not* the cult joining type -- I could barely keep myself from screaming This is BS! at top volume. But I knew that would play into their game, so I just left. Sadly, I'm not friends with this person any more.

That insight into taking people back to feelings they had as children is *really* smart. Personally, I think having a tough childhood sets you up for a stronger adulthood...

[applegrove]

4. Yes - that feeling of perfect. When things are too good to be true. That

is where the adage comes from. Life is hard. Having a tough teenagehood I think teaches people to be better adults. I really do. To be an adult and love everything about it - despite real traumas - you don't miss being an egghead teen. Not one thing do you miss about that. And you know intrinsically that if you make changes and change your circle...that things will get so much better.

I agree it is better to not have it so easy. Makes you more compassionate too. Makes you more adult. And you know that "bad times" are only temporary. Life is a whole lot longer than any one thing.

I think it also helps to hand with grandparents too. You see things in terms of decades and over a lifetime..than just the immediate.