Cults have been around for years. Why is it that seemingly smart, intelligent people the victims of being brainwashed and joining assemblies of these types of groups?People tell themselves that they would never join a cult because they see themselves as sharp as a tack and can tell one from a mile away. But the truth of the matter is, no matter how smart you think you are, if not careful, you could find yourself in the midst of one.

Today on the Top 5 at 7:45, I'll highlight 5 tricks that cults use, that work, no matter how intelligent one may be.

  1. Blind Loyalty - Regardless, for the most part, of the behavior of the leadership, people have been conditioned to defend them until the end. Take football for instance. Would it change your loyalty to the team because of a few bad apples? Did Patriot fans quit rooting for the team because Bill Belichick was allegedly caught looking at camera shots of the other coach mouthing plays? No. Loyal fans will defend their favorite team to the hilt. Who cares what the playbook states, they are down for the team no matter what.
  2. Meeting The Needs - Typically, intelligent people don't just sign up to join a cult. As a matter of fact, it is other things that they are looking for in life that attracts them to these groups. And these groups tend to deliver, at first anyway. Love, friendship and support are just a few things that initially attract people to them.
  3. Trust - Typically intelligent people are duped to join these groups because either a friend or family member has joined and they feel safe about it. Also, if someone is just fed up with society as a whole, the group tends to offer a way out that seems to be attractive to the individual.
  4. Promises - Many of these groups offer promises, solutions, success, happiness, joy and life fulfillment that the individual has failed to find in life themselves. Upon looking at others and the leadership, they have hope that the fulfilled life that they see in others, will be realized in their own lives.
  5. Freedom For Security - Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson have both been quoted as saying, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." The antithesis of liberty is slavery and bondage. Eventually what people deem as liberty turns into bondage which leaves people wondering how they got into that situation. There are those who promote security from outside elements, which is really a guise of false bravado to slavery.

As you can see, it's pretty easy to get wrapped up into something that you may regret latter. Always keep a look out for certain signs before joining any group, whether religious or secular.

The Top 5 at 7:45 airs weekdays with me, Gary Freeman and sponsored by First Education Federal Credit Union.

 

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