Normal people join cults, says researcher

GentlyFeral

Book extract I found while researching a different topic (cultural appropriation of Native American religions by clueless white folks).

gumby

Well.....we all were in at one time and I'd say most of us are pretty normal.

People who get suckered in a second time never really knew why they were suckered in the first time.

Gumby

I wouldn't reject that notion out of hand because that would be too "witnessey" a thing to do. I will say I'm very skeptical of the premise however and I suspect that upon rigorous examination, the premise that normal people join cults would eventually crumble.

In other words, I don't believe it.

Oxnard Hamster

I'm not normal. Weird and proud of it!

neyank

The question is:

How long do people remain normal once they join a cult?

neyank

refiners fire

That book is by Len Oakes. Last I heard he was at Some institute called Cairn Miller here in Melbourne. Years ago he was in a Utopian Socialistic group in New Zealand called "Centrepoint". Commune type situation. That book youve hung up there is more about the personality type and development of the cult leader.

If youre interested in some reading might I recommend "Millenium Messiahs and Mayhem" by Thomas Robbins and Susan Palmer. Its a great book, has brief and very indepth essays on assorted crazies like Aum, and Waco but the best essay is on the "Solar Temple". A group that isnt talked about much in English speaking countries.