There is a lot of information available about
cults, cult-like organisations, cult leaders and cult members and ex-members. I
compiled some ideas and information myself from personal experience, experience
for which my researches found much independent confirmation.
I made posts on a
forum that no longer exists. I want to overhaul the material and put a few
extracts on here, in the hope that they will be of use to someone.
I will start at the end, with a short account
of what I know about people who have left one of these sinister organisations.
Groups most cult leavers fall into
Many people who leave a cult just want to recover
and get on with whatever lives they can make for themselves, perhaps after
telling their stories to a few people.
A few high-profile people may expose the
practices and describe their experiences mainly for the money, attention and
publicity. I am thinking of celebrity ex-members of organisations such as
Scientology here. One of them has a TV show.
Then there are those who go into the
mechanics of cult leadership and operation in great detail. They take action on
an intellectual level. They do a lot of reading and research and consult a
variety of sources. They want to understand what forces were at work, mainly
for their own benefit. They may also hope to educate others and deter them from
joining; some write very helpful books and articles. This is possibly the best
option, but not everyone has the necessary resources.
Most ex-members will think that they are
lucky to be out of it, but a few may feel lost and miserable and blame
themselves for not being able to meet the (unrealistic) requirements and
(outrageous) demands. They feel that they failed to make the grade. They feel
inferior, not good enough for the elite organisation. They have let the leader
and the cause down.
They have been expelled from Paradise and the
gates locked behind them. They may be unable to cut their losses and move on
with their lives, even when they have support, options and opportunities. They
may feel even worse than they did when inside. They may be very depressed and
just give up on life. Someone once explained all this to me when I asked about
people who had left, but not spoken out against, a cult.
