I learned something while doing the latest episode of Phone It In with Rooster. That’s what we do – we broaden horizons on this show. Cults can really be anywhere. I don’t know why – maybe it’s because of my simple mind – but when I hear the term ‘cult,’ I always picture men in hooded robes sacrificing goats to the devil, religious maniacs convincing a large group of people to commit suicide together, or something like that. But, the truth is that cults have many shapes and forms, and are more commonly present than I initially thought. They’re everywhere – religion, business, politics, wherever.
And, most people who are in a cult don’t even know they’re in a cult (*desperately cycling through friends and organizations I’m around and making sure I’m not in a cult*), so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say maybe you should all take inventory of the relationships in your life just to double check and make sure you haven’t been brainwashed. You can never be too safe. Anyway, after diving into the psychology of cults and how they recruit their members, I think we can at least pass along a few ways that you can identify whether or not you’re in a cult and some general rules that might help you stay out of one.
Ways You Can Not End up in a Cult
Recognizing the cult – Maybe you should do a little research. Prepare for a cult encroaching upon your life the same way you’d prepare for a flat tire. Is that extreme? Who’s to say? Can you ever really be TOO prepared for anything? I say no. Identify the common threads between cults and how they target new people. One dead giveaway is if you’re having secret meetings with your friends in the woods. If any of your friends brings a goat, it’s time to get the hell out of there. But, most cults are a little more subtle than that, and the tactics they use to recruit new members are well-documented. Look for the “love-bombing” – this is classic Hansel & Gretel shit. If someone’s buttering you up, maybe it’s because they want something from you…like to attempt a coup. I’m not saying cult leaders want to eat you with the Hansel & Gretel analogy. Sorry, I’m just now realizing that maybe wasn’t the best illustration to use here. I’m just saying…not all that glitters is gold. Then, there’s the leverage they want to hold against you to remain in the cult. If someone starts asking you to reveal your deepest darkest fears and/or maybe wants to know about your criminal history, that is a cue, folks. It might be time to get the fuck on up out of the building.
Absolute truths – This is a big one for me. In my 34 years of living on this planet, I am more convinced that nobody knows anything about anything than ever. Yet, as humans, we have this basic need to understand things in an absolute manner. We like having that security, and cult leaders capitalize on that by providing absolute truths. But, let’s circle back to the beginning of this here paragraph. Nobody knows shit absolutely. At least the big existential shit that gives us that uneasiness deep in our souls, y’know? That type of stuff doesn’t have answers. So, if you find yourself in a room full of people listening to one person spout off the secrets of the universe as if they are the gospel, you just might be in a cult. Damn, someone needs to get Jeff Foxworthy on the line. I think I’ve found a way for him to keep his career going.
Think for yourself – The easiest and most important way to avoid a cult is to just think for yourself and trust your instincts. It’s easy to slip into an echo chamber these days, and social media certainly doesn’t help that. But, if you find yourself in a group and those Spidey senses start tingling…maybe you disagree with something that everyone else is going on and on about….that could be a sign. I hope we’ve been able to help keep you from ending up in a cult here today. This is what we try to do here at SoBros Network – help people. You can check out the latest episode of Phone It In, on which Rooster and I really dive into the psychology of cults HERE:
Listen to “Ep. 19: The Psychology of Cults” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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