Have You Known Anyone That Joined A Cult? | People Stories #163

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[phoneboxchicken]

I worked for a fencing company called Birkdale Sales that was owned by the Plymouth Brethren. It was written into our contracts we couldn't swear (in a warehouse full of British, Polish and Romanians? We swear in all the languages). There was also no music, which was funny when a tattooed ex-Marine was blasting out Black Sabbath and The Highway to hell album when the big managers were visiting

[Sparkbomber]

I'll say this whenever cults and mlm's come up: seek help. Youtubers like Telltale, Theramin Trees and The Antibot can help you figure out if you are in one or both and how to escape. Telltale just launched a charity for folks in the USA who need help in that regard. Theramin Trees can help you identify the trauma's you may have picked up and The Antibot can help you identify the nastier traps for huns in mlm's. If you suspect a friend/relative/etc. is in a cult (bar maybe the Foamy Card Cult) then don't give up on them, but do learn how to help them out of those horrible forms of charlatanry.

[Beliar]

Cant be certain its a cult - its also the eldest daughter of neighbours of my grandparents so maybe we dont have the "full picture" and miss details and information. She married a guy like 4 villages over (less than 15 mi). And up till the mariage everything was fine - the husband seemed friendly and considerate - then after she moved together with him in his house .. suddenly no contact. In the last 30 years (give or take 5 more) she visited only ONE time when her father died. Nothing else. When we asked several years back she refused to accept calls - and didnt call on her own. We got told the neighbours suspected the husbands parents as the real "culprits" if you can call them that.

[fireballedbard]

I’ve essentially created a cult, about a rain god named Stan, a bee god of love named Steve, and the Egyptian Ra

[Nora_the_Seedrian]

Cults don't strike at the idiots, they strike at the vulnerable.

[grantstratton]

Cults and hate groups generally recruit the same way:
1. Find someone who is emotionally vulnerable.
2. Offer that person acceptance and community.
3. Tell that person they are special / offer them a solution to their problems through some magical thinking (for hate groups, blame all problems on a scapegoat).
4. Isolate them from all of their other sources of support and community. Friends, family, etc. Maybe make an effort to relieve them of their worldly goods.
5. Threaten them with losing their (now) only source of support and community if they aren't completely loyal.

The worst thing you can do for somewhat caught in a cult / hate group is to get angry at them for believing something so stupid or reject them. It just reinforces their co-dependence on the cult/hate group. Show them some love an acceptance and gently lead them to see there's a better way instead.

[lucyicanel]

In 7th grade, 2 of my friends tried to start a Shrek Cult.

[memerman]

Im currently in a toast cult, its pretty cool, we have a therapist and everything

[rachelcookie]

I don’t know anyone personally who has been in a cult but when I was 13 I really wanted to join a cult. I had to read this book for school about a girl who is forced to join a cult and how she refuses to give in to the cult. In the end she escapes because of abuse and lack of freedom and stuff. After reading this book I got really into joining a Christian cult and starting researching cults I could join. The author of the book even visited our school and I was really excited to meet her. I was only 13 but I had no idea what to do with my life and I loved the idea of someone else deciding my future. Even though I got out of the idea of joining a cult I still often fantasise a life that is decided for me. I like arranged/forced marriage kdramas and Jdramas.

[radwalt]

Ok but I only want to join the society of the blind eye

[stevechurch]

well i am one to the people i know. at least that's what it sounds like when they shout at me.

[RobertJones-gqjq]

You don't join a cult... you join a good thing, you join an ideal, a goal you want to accomplish.

[idolevin]

It's at least somewhat heartwarming that at least some the people in the cults are happy and content with where they are.

[Angela-tgol]

Just watched save me the kdrama and now I’m so intrigued

[benajmincav]

I lost my ex-girlfriend to one. It was a Catholic church, but they were taking things to the extreme

[someonethatsnothere]

im currently in cult named "Cihlisti" translate it and you get it in english, anyways our leader is person named Tom, and its cool. at least one place people want me to have.

[MeetTheALFFam]

I hate to say this because of how it ended, truly horribly tragic. But I believe Jim Jones could've been a really good progressive pastor, but I think the drugs changed him completely & made him completely paranoid & phychotic. If he had never taken drugs his people's temple could've been something truly wonderful RIP all Jonestown Victims

[boxyice]

Well I have a chicken cult of 4 metal chickens

[InsertACoolUsername]

Join r/thechurchofpeanut not a cult!!! *you here demons whispering good job in the Background*

[jravell]

Why does every one of these thumbnails have faulty grammar and/or spelling?