Terrified of Cults? Here's What to Watch For Before It's Too Late
This one is for anyone terrified, curious, or disgusted with cults. Last night I watched the Netflix documentary Kid Influencers. In the past I would shield myself from watching things like this because it breaks my heart and leaves me feeling helpless, but as a mom I was curious how these families got involved.
I am so grateful I never got sucked into a cult. I threw myself into yoga in my twenties and I came pretty close. There were similarities and differences between being in yoga and being in a cult.
Similarities Vs. Differences
In yoga, I paid a studio for classes. I never paid directly to a teacher. Even though there are plenty of yoga instructors out there creating workshops and programs where you do pay them directly. As long as it is a clear transaction, you pay this fee, you get this service, then it’s a yoga service.
If it’s unclear what you’re paying for, and you are being pulled into a group mentality that feels slightly off, RUN, don’t walk away, don’t hesitate.
Go find yourself a yoga studio and get far away from any “gurus” or spiritual teachers who either take your money and make it unclear what it’s going to, or who brainwash you to believe if you’re a part of this group, you will be able to fill in the blank with fantasy ideals that prey on innocent hearts who would love to be a part of a spiritual community, to travel with others, to feel a part of something bigger.
If they say it’s all paid for, you just have to focus on your yoga practice or spiritual practice; it sounds too good to be true. The person at the top is in control of the money, which means they are in control of you. RUN!
The most consistent trap I see in cults.
If they own you, how do you get out?
Cult red flags
RED FLAGS:
#1 Red Flag:
Money is hidden from you.
Someone else is in control of your money, and it’s unclear how much you earn, when you’ll be paid, and they use money as a way to manipulate you.
If someone is in control of your money, they can control you.
They can cut you off when you leave, and you’ll have nothing.
This is a huge part of cult life.
If they own you, how do you get out?
#2
If being a part of the group creates isolation from family and friends who are not in the group, RUN. It starts out slow and might not seem like anything when you can't bring your best friend to group events because she doesn't believe the way the others do and because you do believe and feel a part of you might over ride the part of you that wants your friend there because you are joining a bigger friend group, but no, they are molding you to believe their way, controlling you by deciding who you hang around with, and tricking you into feeling a part of something bigger, to feel included in a sacred community.
Any time someone is taking away your free thought and free choice, it's wrong.
Any time someone is controlling your money and the money of those around you, it's wrong.
If you suspect you're entering a cult, go watch some documentaries about people who have been in cults and you'll safe yourself a lifetime of heartache. Or check out this podcast it shows how insidious cults are and how one women escaped.
Trade Wife Cults: How Tia Levings Escaped (Part 1)
Cults are criminal and they are too easy to create and get away with in the United States.
Be safe out there.
Also, I am not going to watch anymore of theses documentaries. Hopefully I'll have more positive things to write about in the coming days. We will see.
Love always,
Danielle Mallett
