It's A Mystery To Me

 People are often confused when it comes to understanding why someone might join a cult. I know I am.

Given the current political arena, there have been many news articles and television programs that the MAGA followers are a cult. Is it that many people join cults because they seek a sense of purpose in their lives or because they want to belong?

It is generally accepted that cults have a leader, ie. Donald Trump.

Is he able to recognize people who have trouble fitting into society and use that knowledge to manipulate them, typically exploiting underlying issues such as insecurities, mental health issues, or substance abuse problems? They package their belief systems to make followers feel part of something bigger. People who long for greater human connection may also be more likely to fall victim to a cult. Close relationships are a human need. By capitalizing on this proclivity, cults can be that much more insidious. I think so.

I'm not a psychologist. I am guessing that cult members lower their defenses and are more likely to accept the aspects of their new communities and that they are cut off from other forms of social support. This probably strengthens the us-vs- you mentality, making it hard for them to leave.

Many, or perhaps even a majority of people, think that people get sucked into cults because they're "stupid,” "brainwashed,” "insane,” "weak-minded,” "types who need to be told what to do,” "or people who are too lazy to think for themselves" to name a few mentally. In all fairness to the people holding these misconceptions, it is understandable why these misinformed judgments are so widely spread, as media coverage tends to emphasize this. I'm not sure I agree with any of these theories.

"Members of a cult may be obsessed with a cult figure or leader, who they believe speaks unrivaled wisdom and consequently hang on to every word. Many join cults simply out of a desire to be a part of something. Cult members often prey on people with few friends or family of their own and offer them the chance to become part of a group that will grant them all the friendship they could ever need. Cult members will go to no end to compliment and be friendly to you, and if you're not used to such attention, you won't want it to stop. Some people will knowingly join cults simply because their members make them feel good. People who haven't achieved their life goals or are looking for an explanation for their failures latch onto the mantra of a cult because it gives them a new purpose in life, even if it's often false—suffering from a lack of self-confidence. They struggle to find purpose in their life." Anon

I have many friends who I consider intelligent and successful in their lives who are ardent Trump supporters. There are many reasons why someone might join a cult. I can't believe that most of them fit into those reasons.

It remains a mystery to me.