54 Former Cult Members Reveal The Exact Moment They Knew Their Group Was A Real Cult

Cults don’t necessarily have to be religious. They can also be philosophical, political, or centered around a specific lifestyle.

The tricky thing—probably the main reason why cults are so seductive—is that believing like you’re part of something bigger than yourself is a great feeling. Most of us probably want to feel like we’re special, that what we do matters, and that we’re needed for some grand mission.

While anyone can fall prey to emotional manipulations and end up in a cult, you’re more likely to be targeted if you’re particularly vulnerable. It’s easier to trick someone who is depressed, anxious, addicted, or desperately searching for purpose and community than someone who already has a strong social support network.

Cult leaders tend to be charismatic, self-interested narcissists who are very good at reading and manipulating other people.

Getting out of a cult is no easy feat, especially if the person has been isolated from the outside world for a long period of time. One thing that can help is to encourage them to get involved in various activities and people outside of the cult.

As The Guardian points out, some major red flags that an organization might be a cult are that in it there is:

1. The belief that only the leader or the group knows the truth about the world
2. Authoritarianism without accountability
3. A sense that the leader or group is always right
4. No tolerance for questions or criticism
5. No financial disclosure about the budget or expenses
6. Unreasonable fear of the outside world
7. Massive criticism of anyone hoping to leave
8. A vast number of articles, broadcasts, and reports of the leader or group’s wrongdoings

This is a sensitive topic, but we’d like to hear your perspectives if you’re willing to share them, dear Pandas.

Have you ever been in a cult? Do you know anyone who has been a cult member? What happened? How susceptible to a cult leader's manipulations would you say you’d be?

Let us know in the comments down below.