Former Cult Member Answers Cult Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

[@WIRED]

To hear more from Dr. Janja Lalich, watch our latest video where she compares online conspiracy groups and cults >> kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYPUf5hrftejhpo

[@amlaaaa479]

I'd really like to know if it's ever possible for a cult to be good? I mean, there must be groups with a leader where the leader is a good person, doing good things

[@ceridwynnhaven6236]

Cool!!! Thank you!!! Loved this & myself as well as many others would love to see her on here again!!! ✨✨✨

[@stalinsmum6475]

Wierd question, is she slavic?

[@wombat.6652]

@@amlaaaa479 If it is open, and doing good things, It is probably called something totally different. The trick is Honesty, openness, doing good things, accountable for actions, that would be called something like "good leadership", think of a volunteer group that works. Example, St John's Ambulance. I'm sure you can think of more examples, that's just one I volunteered for. It is things like secrecy, hidden agendas, people cannot leave easily if they change their mind, that make it a cult. * I am a survivor.

[@lordsneed9418]

according to janja's definition of a cult, if you took a cult and its leader was assassinated or disappeared, and every member of the cult continued following the same rules and indoctrinating others with the same belief system and using hte same systems of social control, then that would no longer be a cult. Wow, what a great "expert".

[@ronewcombe2712]

As a person born in a cult, don't forget that some people are born into cults! It's often not a choice. The "average person" can get roped into a cult, too.

[@dlal2808]

Absolutely right. I mean just look at how many innocent children are indocrinated into the catholic cult.

[@creati_lo533]

69 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@gabia.575]

@@dlal2808 did you watch the video stating differences between religion and cults?

[@magosexploratoradeon6409]

@@dlal2808 Christianity isnt a cult.

[@polyminutes8788]

@@magosexploratoradeon6409 yes I do agree, if it is then alot of cultures like Japan is a cult then

[@didodyondra858]

"Maybe they just don't like you" the way she said this is just pure gold LMAOO

[@NowayYeswayMmmHmm]

I was wait for them to put the 🕶 on her and play that gangster song

[@janellerosePH]

5:22

[@TheTilitus]

Yeah!

[@kyetes.866]

I need her to be MY neighbor. I'll bring her baked goods in exchange for interesting stories and the no-nonsense sass.

[@benderrodriguez5425]

I heard it, want to the comments snd ypurs was the first one. Coincidents? I think not!

[@jagotiberan2181]

I love her completely logical life progression. I left a cult… now I’m a sociologist specializing in cults.

[@marcushendriksen8415]

She's like Jane Goodall for cults, lmao

[@dogalrorn]

Redemption arc. Now all she needs is to bust them.

[@thatonequeergundamfan71]

@@dogalrorn cult busters

[@wood_sorrel]

Props to her honestly

[@anotherguy9402]

This is undermining her true potential. She should become a cult leader 😃

[@captainbirch2.079]

I grew up in a church that basically devolved into a cult. After my family got out, i was so legitimately shocked to find how kind and accepting other churches were in comparison

[@IfImCommentingStopMe]

I've found that even within the same type pf Christian group, it can depend a lot on the people at the specific place you go

[@pbrfan7141]

LDS ?

[@captainbirch2.079]

@@pbrfan7141 what?

[@pbrfan7141]

@@captainbirch2.079 Mormon

[@Hollyucinogen]

​ @pbrfan7141 LDS. Latter-Day Saints. It's a branch of Mormonism. They have a whole bunch of weird rules that other religious groups don't. For example, among other things, they're not allowed to drink coffee or tea. They're not allowed to gamble. They're not allowed to drink alcohol. They're not allowed to be dishonest. They're not allowed to socialize with "outsiders".

[@FurikoMaru]

I love that she calls Manson 'Charles' like his disapproving grandmother.

[@averongodoffire8098]

“Aw jeez Charles is at it again🙄 boy needs to swiffen up or else!”

[@GoofyChild33]

LOL

[@mmmm-lg2mj]

Oop

[@raquelsrefurbishings8346]

Yesss lol

[@betsady4076]

a very disappointed but understanding grandma.

[@JustinRohrerJr]

A cult with just two people is called an abusive relationship.

[@mercypk972]

This comment is underrated

[@kas1680]

Well to be honest it's kind of true

[@jellyfishlotusdream]

Lmfao

[@hallm3lbp]

I would say a 1on1 cult is a type of abusive relationship. There’s a lot of psychological manipulation involved that forms a very unique relationship dynamic.

[@leafyveins4985]

Oweee you did that!! I've thought this as well. It is so true, especially with narcissists.

[@Ubercut]

Ending a cult by democratically voting out the dictator like leader is a surprisingly heartwarming story.

[@ahhh4117]

This left wing political cult: We developed the very thing we swore to destroy, an authoritarian leader

[@SalreixVonOtsuu]

tbh it sounds too good to be true, it would be a complete failure of the cult leader for such a thing to happen so easily "and then everyone lived happily ever after"

[@palatusgames8800]

@@ahhh4117 🤡

[@arturocevallossoto5203]

The leader obviously failed to put a stop to it. That's why purges are necessary, but probably there where already not that many members to afford it.

[@AndysamBlack]

What cult was that anyway, I've never heard about it before.

[@thirdpedalnirvana]

5:23 "maybe your neighbors aren't starting a cult, they just don't like you" 😂💯 SAVAGE AF wow

[@TheCoco7802]

"Cult leaders are not gonna be chill." seems fair.

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

I am, but then again my cult doesn't care about much.

[@ayoy7070]

@@Gr3nadgr3gory then that’s just a group of like minded people, not a cult, and if you are actively exercising power and control over your people then you probably aren’t that chill, you can be a leader of a group without it being a cult but idk your whole dynamic

[@Jake-rj6ql]

Lmao 🤣

[@gummy5862]

@@Gr3nadgr3gory Don’t call groups cults just to be edgy. Words have real meanings.

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

@@gummy5862 that's why we call all religions cults.

[@alexiasimoes3762]

I remember learning in sociology about a cult researcher who investigated the Moonies and actually ended up joining them. That really shows how persuasive a cult can be to the most skeptical person.

[@AlisonBryen]

Yes. I learned this in sociology, too, over 20 years ago!

[@JaylukKhan]

The current head of the Westboro Baptist Church originally approached them as an investigative journalist.

[@ignatiusjackson235]

College kids, especially in fields like sociology, make for perfect cult members.

[@zaynes5094]

@@ignatiusjackson235 True. Smart, intuitive, yet easily manipulated in that they want for information and they want to dig deep into researching this cult, and all of a sudden they realize too late that they're already being inducted into that cult. Textbook narcissism.

[@kittypeanut4102]

​@@zaynes5094 narcissism? How so?

[@2300GaryIndiana]

Please bring this woman back. She is fascinating!

[@mohamedraaifrushdhy6693]

Maybe we are in a cult. I mean think about it she has charisma and we are wanting more.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

Janja is dope. She is partially why the HBO Heaven's Gate doc is so great. Her and Sawyer.

[@happyhonest6639]

@@Kylefassbinderful what do you mean dope?

[@aquasmoke8539]

@@happyhonest6639 dope means dope you dumbo

[@farzomafarkhundafar4376]

Yes!!

[@notdipperpines6626]

My dad always tells me "if someone tells you they have all the answers run the other way, thats a cult"

[@monicacall7532]

Excellent advice. Also, if the leaders insist on doing your thinking for you and the group run away! Cult leaders want total power and control over every part of your life. A person’s desire and ability to think and act for themselves is both threatening and frightening to cult leaders and members. They want a person’s complete obedience to them and their agenda. Asking and searching for real answers to your questions terrifies these leaders because they usually have plenty to hide.

[@yeyabi]

My dad grew up in a very strict religious cult and managed to escape - but he also is an extremely manipulative narcissist. When she said that cults could be just two people.... everything clicked. He literally created his own cult within our family where everything revolved around what he wanted or felt and I imagine growing up in a cult and never knowing how to interact normally only made this worse. Every dinner was a sob story to get us to feel bad for him and his childhood (yes every dinner) and we had to praise him for his kindness and generosity or cooking skills or profound intelligence etc. even when it wasn't really the case. Now I know why I felt like I escaped just as much as he had. wow.

[@eriklona8806]

Reminds me a little of American History X. The older brother obviously being in a bigger organization, white supremacists, but the reason being that his father made some "solid points" during dinner conversations, leading to the plot of the story and the younger brother not only continuing in his father's and brother's footsteps, but soon realizing it and changing his mindset... although too late. I still think that movie stands out as a type of cult movie, where it's easy to see how someone who needs someone to look up to can be taken on such a hateful path, because they think it's the right one.

[@Luzgoishzre]

I hope you will no be like your dad next

[@xieshen5829]

Woah!!! I don't know that type of people exist! I thought it's only on drama or something...

[@fleurieee]

@@xieshen5829 same here 😦 but now i think their voices should be heard more

[@elenav.5470]

reminds me of my past and current situation, best wishes and good on you for getting ouy!

[@plumeria1985]

"Why are the neighbors baricading themselves away?" "Maybe they don't like you." Absolutely killer line. I love this woman

[@SolutionsNotPrayers]

Doomsday Preppers. They think the Vaccinated will become Zombies eventually. I got a few neighbors like that, they're using Shipping Containers as a barricade, and they have Trump Flags all over the place, so they're not too bright either.

[@nobody3856]

@@SolutionsNotPrayers when I first read your comment I was so confused xdd I was like what

[@marcobott4331]

Lmao true

[@maneitzme]

soon he can go to church with you t ur yutÿii out to the ty try to try yet to see what it is lol you are just a red ty ty to try ur it to put it on the

[@SolutionsNotPrayers]

@Jack Roosevelt happens to the best of us, I'll delete that comment. Sorry.

[@NathanRichHotpot]

As someone who grew up in a cult (Scientology), I appreciate you for speaking out.

[@andreay9935]

Wow congratulations for being liberated. I imagine it so much recovery, but I hope for a successful recovery. Take care.

[@IncredibleIceCastle]

Did you go on to join the CCP cult?

[@nousernamewhatsoever]

Went to your channel and listened to your story. You're amazing!! Much respect to you!

[@miri283]

@@IncredibleIceCastle you’ve joined the reddit cult i see

[@johndotto2773]

@Laura Kay Chinese Communist Party

[@jan-pi-ala-suli]

“Hi, I’m Dr. Janja Lalich. I was once in a cult” crazy opening

[@thedave1771]

Yeah. And a solid communicator.

[@myownlittlegarbagedump67]

and also just how cheerful she says it

[@kabirsawyer6463]

As an ex cult member I can’t thank Dr. Janja Lalich enough. Her books helped me understand the harmful and dangerous environment I was raised in. Really glad to see her spreading awareness about cults as many don’t understand how pervasive and damaging they can be. As well as how easily someone can get sucked up in them.

[@krissyanderson4792]

So glad you’re doing okay ❤️❤️

[@Slendermən]

I remember the weird death cult I was raised in. Jesus.

[@khatunamezvrishvili6211]

@@Slendermən can you elaborate?

[@half.blight]

You must be an idiot to be in one in the 1st place

[@apryhan]

You must be weak to be in a cult in the first place

[@snack.boy94]

Get this woman a PODCAST

[@caeleychia8460]

I don't think she has one, but she did do a fantastic interview on the podcast 'A Little Bit Culty' :D

[@zweij]

How about reading her books?

[@lordfarquaad8267]

Like, now.

[@lordfarquaad8267]

Like, now.

[@PrettyPinkPeacock]

Similar podcast: Oh No Ross and Carrie

[@jennyhaslayer1396]

"When are we ever gonna get a cult leader who's a good guy"? -somebody who's VERY susceptible to being brought into a cult

[@JustAgreekPassing]

It happens, but we don't define them as cults. Hippies always had that one "wisdom guru" around to keep them uplifted. We wouldn't call that person a cult leader though because as opposed to manipulation, he will spread good will and free spiritness.

[@Karak-_-]

Manipulation is not mutually exclusive with good will or free spritness.

[@dreugh424]

​@@JustAgreekPassing I would be willing to wager that many new age gurus, if not the vast majority, are manipulating their audiences for money. Fiscal control.

[@stuartday1330]

​@@JustAgreekPassingno cult leader is a good person not even your wise guru ask The Beatles about their guru that took them for a fortune.

[@Pawtacle]

@@stuartday1330 As they said, we just don't actually define them as cults. There are actual "wise gurus" out there and they may gather a group around them and be chill and all but that's the point - the guru in that scenario is not a *cult* leader, they're just a leader. It's just that some people *see* groups like that as cults even though they don't fit the definition.

[@dompartida]

I remember reading in “Cultish” (by Amanda Martell) that the reason Heaven Gate’s followers wore Nike was because the leader got a good deal on bulk sneakers. No cap.

[@kkrab]

Such an intelligent woman, she tells it like it is, but she’s never condescending

[@1ChxnceLxnce]

Even though she was duped into joining a cult?

[@littleblueclovers]

@@1ChxnceLxnce Sometimes cults drag you in after they got your friends or family members. Some also start really slow, when you’re young or going through devastating life events. It has less to do with intelligence. Not to mention she’s definitely learned a lot after that experience

[@keepmovingforward1722]

Like a cult leader…

[@Br00ke291]

@@keepmovingforward1722 sure but doesn’t make her one

[@Takumi_Did_Nothing_Wrong]

@@1ChxnceLxnce Even the most intelligent of people can get sucked into cults.

[@yael8754]

This woman is fascinating. She explains things in such a smart, but human way. I want more!

[@SarcastSempervirens]

that's how a cult is formed, congrats! :D

[@yael8754]

@@SarcastSempervirens did you even watch the video?

[@locochang6533]

Ok cultist

[@Br00ke291]

@@locochang6533 dude what

[@Br00ke291]

@@SarcastSempervirens no? They just enjoy her and would like more content with her.

[@nicholasbogosian5420]

I escaped a cult four years ago. It completely altered my life. And it wasn't a Jonestown or a Waco. The destructiveness of cults hinges on a dozen psychological variables, and often isn't provocative enough for a Netflix documentary.

[@pandasan406]

It's incredibly brave of you to have gotten out, and I hope you're doing okay !

[@purr4829]

Did you healed ? Or get insane trauma

[@hang.0509]

I just Wana ask how you got in to it bc for me I don't know how people get influenced to that degree. I'm just really curious. No hate to anyone. Just Trina get informed here

[@nicholasbogosian5420]

@@hang.0509 to what degree? Cults aren't the highly publicized version of people doing truly delusional things. The psychological influence in cults can be found isolated within the general culture as well. Tribalism is just a more normalized and more subdued version of what happens in cults. Can't really explain it in a YT comment.

[@hang.0509]

@@nicholasbogosian5420 I guess I never thought about that. Really eye opening. I might be alot harder to influence than other people just bc of the life and poeple I grew up around. How that u say that. Yea cult doesn't have to be obvious. It can maybe be seen as just a quirky weired group of friends.

[@pandorabox5532]

10:48 I'm definitely not an expert, but I know people who'se family or themselves were part of a cult, and something she didn't point out is that some cults persuade you to join, not by offering you to change the world or a greater purpose, they simply grant you something they know you need with urgency. This initial offer may come in the form of financial aid, housing, a job, or just a general sense of safety and stability, at least in the beginning. This generates a sense of gratitude, debt or even reverence pretty quickly. That is part of the reason why some people have a hard time leaving, they are attached to the first impression of the cult being the generous benefactor/savior that helped them out of a tough situation or that they have a pending debt with them that they will never finish to pay.

[@anisa2273]

exactly. cults often make you feel that they are benefiting you and you can't leave cause you're indebted to them

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

... whose* family (no apostrophe necessary)

[@carolburke4359]

Thank you for saying this!!!!

[@eiriankt]

She does mention "you might be new in town" and I wish she'd elaborated what you're missing that a cult can provide - not just resources or connections (those as well), but also an immediate sense of community and family, which is a huge draw. Humans are social creatures, we want to feel like we belong, and a cult can provide that, with a sense of instant gratification that most other clubs/groups in a new town can't.

[@sanfria]

I love how WIRED combines very interesting questions with absolute dumbest questions I've ever seen

[@CHRB-nn6qp]

Dichotomy of twitter

[@amberturdcoloringbook1733]

Donald Trump is the most successful cult leader.

[@Plethorality]

Humanity.

[@sculder1121]

And the cool thing is that Dr. Lalich treats each question with equal weight, so even when the question is dumb as a box of rocks, she still imparts good knowledge.

[@sanfria]

@@sculder1121 yes!!! Shes so wholesome!

[@CrankyNovelist7335]

I like that she’s straight foreword with her answers, but not condescending about it and that she not ashamed to talk about her past with a cult. I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to talk about it.

[@бре-ц6ч]

The point of this video is for her to be straightforward and honest

[@annabrosowsky5250]

@@бре-ц6ч That may be the point of the video, but that does not make it and less admirable.

[@dowfreak7]

It's important to get rid of the idea that a cult has to be scientology or Manson levels of members and insanity to "count". The boy scout thing I was in as a teenager could be considered a religious cult, given their strict rules they imposed on the kids there, the indoctrination of the younger children that happened at their churches and the way logic was often shunned. I wouldn't say I "escaped" it or that it was a mass suicide group in the making, but cult-like groups are really easy to find and that should be recognized and acted upon.

[@rochesterloode5875]

I almost dieddddd when the question "why the Nike shoes...." came up and she said "There was a complete lack of individuality", that was an epic fashion roast without even meaning to be.

[@agirlisnoone5953]

K but not really a roast to nike, if thats what you getting at.

[@simgirl118]

Lmao I'm glad you pointed that out considering everyone has matching Nike shoes and a lack of individuality with fashion 😂

[@Quasi_Fungi]

Its because when they were trying to buy shoes for everyone, they got a really good deal on the nikes so they bought them, thats it

[@queenofyasrabien]

@@agirlisnoone5953 not a roast to nike but to the majority of people

[@a3kings]

I had the same thought. :) NICE unintentional BURN

[@GaiaCarney]

“Cults aren’t going to take care of you. You’re there to take care of the cult!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jazwhoaskedforthis]

She would be an amazing teacher, she corrects people without any condescension and explains things so well and in an engaging manner. I could listen to her all day

[@sup.2318]

She is a professor of sociology at the California State University

[@alex7543]

@@sup.2318which cal state? there’s like 8 lol

[@AfuaYmani]

I really had to sound out condescension😅😅😅. I been watching KZbin too long yoday

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

@@alex7543 I *think* she’s retired now but Chico

[@fishking4000]

I love her compassionate and matter-of-fact delivery. Her point about online cults is so relevant, too. I think we're in a moment of political instability and upset similar to the 1970's, and with the increasing popularity of alternative spiritual practices and stuff on TikTok and other sites, I worry that we could be in for another cult wellspring! Really good to give a platform to these kinds of speakers

[@AmyC28713]

America is a hotbed of cults due to "religious freedom". The first big birth of them happened in the 1820s to 1860s. They're now known as the Evangelical denominations.

[@Nocturne22]

You're really worried about TikTok?

[@Nswix]

@@Nocturne22 it's run by the Chinese government...

[@saragarofano6471]

Yeah be careful out there. VERY careful

[@cowbearrie]

@@Nocturne22 Well there was something that I won't say is a cult but is very VERY similar to one that has a tiktok page. May be taken down by now but that's how they got new members I believe. If anyone wants to know the name it has to do with gardens.

[@samantharhodes4610]

I do wish more people would realize that it's a lot easier for the "average" person to get roped into a cult than they might believe. People aren't stupid or gullible for joining cults; they've likely been preyed upon by charismatic people who have an agenda and saw a person who was very vulnerable. In a manner of speaking, it could happen to anyone given the circumstances.

[@rev.rachel]

It’s true. I think that might be one of the most damaging misconceptions about cults because people end up not watching out for themselves as much as they could. Not that it’s your fault if you end up caught in a cult, but it would reduce people’s risk if more knew how easy it is to get sucked in.

[@tahsina.c]

Fandoms are a low vibration cults, basically.

[@three_iii9198]

Cults always prey on the vulnerable

[@wynterlevi7431]

This is exactly why I don't trust humans.

[@leifanderson3487]

Most people need a reason to exist, and cult leaders know that.

[@sarahkay8784]

As someone who was in a 3 year long abusive relationship, I did things I never thought I’d do and tolerate things that literally seem crazy.

[@icauser44]

I liked her charisma. It was hysterical to hear "Maybe they just don't like you!" or "Who would follow a weirdo?"

[@erikjohnsen3978]

Did you just join her cult?

[@icauser44]

@@erikjohnsen3978 huh?

[@culwin]

I agree, I really like her personality. Would you be interested in joining a group I've started which follows her teachings? Our regular fees are low and we do not require much of your time.

[@user-pt6nk1cv4z]

​@@culwin lol I'm in. I was gonna be rude af and say something like she could never be a cult leader bc she's not very charismatic/endearing to listen to...but that's not cool to say

[@goddamnit5153]

You should really get this Janja lady back. She's well spoken, well educated, and she's got enough dry snark to be funny but not mean. She corrects people but in a firm yet nice way and on top of having a soothing voice to listen to she never stutters or has to stop and think about what she's going to say. I would definitely watch another video with her.

[@teruterujasu]

was going to write a comment similar to this, but you wrote all my thoughts out already, and so well too! would love to see this lady back again also!!

[@pb7378]

Dr*

[@zestybutterfly7161]

"Not every religion becomes a cult, and not every cult becomes a religion." I like that she said that.

[@whatisthisalgorithm]

Me too. I often have to pretend not to notice the remarks about me being blinded and lied to, my mom always took me to church and my dad thinks I’m sacrificing my intelligence by being a Christian as an adult. I still have freedom. I’ve read the Hunger Games, I listen to show tunes, and I don’t feel any guilt wearing shorts in the summer. I don’t wear short shorts and I don’t particularly like music with curse words, but cults have Thought Police.

[@luchts4547]

I think most if not all religions are extremely close to being cults, but maybe the only saving grace of the more palatable ones is that there isn't much enforcement of the rules, they just threaten you that it will be enforced (judged) after you die to try and scare you into following them now.

[@steelbear2063]

There's no fundamental difference between a religion and a cult. The only difference is the attitude. But that's not much. She talks how a cult dictates what you should wear, who you should marry. Yeah, like a religion

[@steelbear2063]

@@whatisthisalgorithm You have freedom because Christianity lost much of its control. It's not about them being chill and letting you do what you like, it's about not having the power to enforce those rules.

[@zestybutterfly7161]

@@steelbear2063 Governments do the same thing.

[@CrystalHu-v5w]

I love this expert. She really gave me a perspective of more compassion for cult members. The point that intimate partner violence or dv is just a cult of 2 is really insightful.

[@Danieltdz]

Wired never fails to bring in the most charismatic and engaging speakers out there for us.

[@tabeebrahman4843]

Maybe wired is a cult??

[@kylewilliams8114]

@@tabeebrahman4843 maybe the real cult was the cults we made along the way

[@DelphinusMAch1]

Next: cult leader talks about how to build a cult

[@ujyantramesh8505]

Except Brie Larson

[@monkiram]

@@kylewilliams8114 😂🤣🤣

[@basilmybeloved9636]

A comparison I’ve heard for getting into a cult is that it’s like an abusive relationship. Nobody wants to be in an abusive relationship, nobody signs up to join an abusive relationship, and you don’t realize until you are leaving or have left that it was actually an abusive relationship. The human mind is very weak and easy to manipulate so literally anybody could join a cult, just like anyone could get into an abusive relationship. Idk how accurate this is but it really helped me understand how someone could join a cult… plain and simply, it doesn’t seem like a cult when you start. Just like an abusive relationship doesn’t look like an abusive relationship when you start.

[@yoongitrash2699]

yeah cults are abusive relationships on a larger scale

[@aliasfakename2267]

I'm a loner atheist with oppositional defiance, I can't even conceive of joining a cult. I have no desire to join a group or fit in.

[@otachuable]

She mentioned that a cult can consist of only 2 people. In that sense, abusive relationship is really just a cult, and a cult is just another term for an abusive relationship.

[@UltraBran]

Chances are you're in a cult right now, but unaware of it.

[@thegreatleaderjimpickens7919]

@@aliasfakename2267 basically.. emo?

[@lenaelisabeth]

"Cult leaders are not going to be chill" - something a real person had to say

[@guh3805]

if the cult leader is chill,then it isn’t a cult

[@TheEnmineer]

@@guh3805 Or, you just can't see that they're not chill. We are limited in our perceptions after all.

[@seymonsolomon9545]

I think the person that was asking was watching a little bit too much Umbrella Academy😭

[@chrismanuel9768]

A chill cult leader is just the president of a youth outreach. If it's a cult, they ain't chill.

[@-avril2643]

@@guh3805 this^

[@L.K.Rydens]

Rule of thumb: the people who get into cults and/or abuse relationships are the people who don't believe they could. The predators go after unexpecting victims, and when you say "That would never be me." that's their dinner bell. It's only when that illusion dissipates that you have some level of protection.

[@MsSphinx91]

The more you learn about cults, the more you realize anything can be a cult, and anyone could be caught in one. It's such a fascinating study of human nature.

[@ynln2233]

The more you think about it, kpop is kind of a cult too.

[@julesbrags1661]

By your implication, anything with an extremely devoted fanbase, a unifying belief and a figurehead idol is already a cult. Kpop, Pop music fanbases, politicians and their followers, and heck even Elon Musk and his space zealots defending him of everything accused of him in social media. It's almost an inherent trait for humans to find something they will ''worship". Even those who say they don't worship or idolize anyone, it's more likely for them to be worshipping themselves or whatever valuable stuff they think will give them happiness and fulfillment in their life.

[@Lycaon1765]

The more I learn about cults the more I see that people just call anything they don't like a cult and the word has become diluted of meaning.

[@blippypippy8167]

@@Lycaon1765 absolutely. I'm so glad you see that.

[@DMDadventures]

Then this means im already part of 10 cults

[@ShonaMcCarthy]

Yeah, when I heard that "Why can't a leader of a cult just be a nice person?" question I was thinking, if they were a nice person the group they'd be leading wouldn't be a cult. It'd be a charitable organization, or a fan club, or a philosophy or a religion.

[@rachelcookie321]

I think it’s possible for them to be nice but be mentally ill.

[@joostdriesens3984]

@@rachelcookie321 In order to get the necessary control to grow a cult a leader would have to use bad behaviours like lying and deceiving, so by definition it would not be a nice person. The cult leader might use 'nice behaviour' as a tool to deceive and manipulate.

[@rachelcookie321]

@@joostdriesens3984 doing bad things doesn’t necessarily make someone a bad person. If someone did bad things because they were mentally ill I don’t think that makes them a bad person.

[@joostdriesens3984]

@@rachelcookie321 It is kind of complex issue, what does make one a bad person?😅

[@chilliinsanity6898]

All religion is a cult... by definition.. not saying all religion is bad though, just I mean be realistic.

[@tryandsaycecili]

Her story how she dissolved a whole cult like wow props to her and the members for standing up to the leader. It's not easy to get yourself out let alone dissolve the whole cult that's amazing in its own right.

[@gummy5862]

I can’t help but think that “expel” is code for something else they did to her. 👀

[@ezfail]

@@gummy5862 what do u mean? /gen

[@gummy5862]

@@ezfail 🔪

[@TheBalloonBob]

@Robert Arnold there is no christian cult. Christianity has never been a cult, but a religion, as said in the video. But i guess what you're referring to is the dogmatic following of right wing leaders who claim to be Christian in America. Also when did Christianity become such a right wing thing lol.

[@robert9595]

@Robert Arnold and yet you're blind to the literal cult in leadership at the moment.

[@briyzzie3309]

What scares me about cults is that I recognize my own susceptibility to them. Like, I'm not saying I am going to join a cult tonight, but my humanity makes me vulnerable. Like, come five years down the road, I've lost my job, my partner has left, my finances are a mess and life has got me beat down. Here comes some narcissist that promises me heaven. How tempting would their offer of deliverance be? The reality is that I don't know, and that scares me, and should scare all of us. It's easy to make fun of cults, but we are not so different after all.

[@liabw05]

Yea I agree 😔

[@iya3952]

i love how she handled that question about people letting themselves be brainwashed bc this is the reality of it, we cannot escape our own vulnerable humanity

[@nixm9093]

Start reading up about resilience and implement some practices to become more resilient. That should afford you some self confidence not to fall victim to charlatans

[@ericparker163]

Many of Trump's supporters follow with cult-like fervor, so yes, many are susceptible.

[@utterlyviolet]

@briyzzie3309 Not just cults, but scams as well. We can all laugh at that woman who was convinced to put $50,000 in a shoebox and put it in a cab or the folks who open those emails that look outrageously suspicious. But there are plenty of scams that are tailor made for ordinary folks to fall for.

[@tingtinglin232]

Kudos for her patience with some of these questions - having outside people say 'I could never be brainwashed' lowkey irritates me cos it's so insensitive towards the people that actually went through it. It's not as hard as it looks lakjsda

[@Katharine888]

It could cause shame in cult members, which could make it harder for them to speak up and change their situation. I wouldn't be surprised if cult leaders started that rumor.

[@laurastevens8154]

(Taehyung appreciation). It is always surprising to people how easily manipulated humans are. I think we are desensitised to it because of the amount of manipulation we face on a daily basis

[@MR_3001]

@@laurastevens8154 I feel like the more you think you are too smart to get manipulated, the easier you are to get manipulated

[@laurastevens8154]

@@MR_3001 Exactly, because your guard is non existent

[@lick28]

@@MR_3001 not me though, I'm very photosynthesis.

[@austinc470]

Wow, she’s very charismatic. Does she have some sort of group we could join?

[@j3llyb33]

lmao

[@jiyama]

😭

[@mr2seis388]

A cult?

[@AdamSmith75th]

That’s so funny, I was going to post the same kinda joke. Beat me to it in style

[@annaohare8263]

Lmao

[@klaasinsession]

"Cult leaders are not gonna be chill." 😂👌 Her delivery of that line, is just...lol

[@margaretfk]

Best description of NXIUM/Keith Rainiere I've heard yet. This incredible sociologist's summarization skills are unmet

[@larissavella2659]

Some of these questions are so condescending but she handled them so well I absolutely love her!

[@adamcraig1468]

The people asking, don't sound very intelligent

[@apollo1573]

“People really be letting themselves be brainwashed like that” 💀

[@madihewie]

“Maybe they just don’t like you” Savage.

[@GenLiu]

My hat off to this woman and every people who managed to leave a cult after they got their claws on them. I can't even imagine the strength and courage it requires.

[@UltraBran]

It's very difficult, because you're left with a black hole where your whole world view used to be. Most former cultists just find another cult to replace it with, and most people are some kind of cultist (most probably including you).

[@shroomyk]

I love this lady. She is so good at explaining things and seems very kind. I'm glad you got out of the situation you were in, and used your experience to help others. Bless.

[@WowItzWubbzy]

She needs a podcast or something. The way she explains it all is so straight forward and in a way that's easy to understand and digest.

[@MsSphinx91]

There's a podcast called IndoctriNation that's pretty interesting. The host is similar to the woman in the video in that she helps people who have left cults or abusive relationships.

[@7913AJunior]

If I remember correctly, she was on an episode of A Little Bit Culty. It's a pretty short podcast series hosted by two people who escaped NXIM (or however you spell it) and who talk to other cult victims and cult experts. It's really good.

[@purrsuasively]

She's SO fascinating to listen to. Looks like studying sociology really paid off!

[@AmyC28713]

Cult leaders are normally pretty fascinating. Therefore ex members also take on similar tactics because that's how they were raised.

[@scarlettwitch1472]

Are you malayali?

[@purrsuasively]

@@scarlettwitch1472 no :p I'm American with ancestry in Africa and Europe.

[@scarlettwitch1472]

@@purrsuasively oh..I asked bcz theat symbol in ur username is an alphabet in Malayalam. It makes 'o' sound

[@purrsuasively]

@@scarlettwitch1472 Oh, I see. I actually just have it there as decor because it looks similar to a wing. Kind of like how the character ツ looks like a smiley face.

[@candaceorie5207]

This interview was absolutely intriguing, we need a longer version! She is such an engaging speaker. I love her matter-of-fact approach to these questions. Brilliant.

[@StitchyOfficial]

Yeah, she should found a cult.

[@christopheroleary1452]

I think anybody who's been close to a narcissist at some point in their lives will understand how easy it is to get sucked in. Cult Leaders are just particularly skilled narcissists with a franchise.

[@joey_rd8901]

This is the most calming, interesting, fascinating ever. I hope we'll see her again.

[@randibgood]

I know. There have got to be more, different questions she could answer. A part 2 would be great!

[@claralima1967]

It's easy to say "I'd never get into a cult or an abusive relationship" when you look at these when they're at their 100, but people forget both cults and abusive relationship's start with a 1.

[@LittleLehStar]

I have always tried to explain this to people as the beginning to a Rollercoaster ride. Where at the beginning, you're really not that high up but it's a steady slow progression where the aggressor every so often pushes the limit just a little more. Then a little more, then a little more, then all of a sudden you are at the peak and you are too scared to fall.

[@silvervixen007]

Yes and they can be 100 at times but then go back to 1 again so you are always craving for the 100

[@BunkyGrimbo]

For those who are confused as to why multilevel marketing is referenced in some of these questions (LuLaRoe by name and what I assume to be Monat by implication), it is because these companies often use cult-like tactics for recruiting and maintaining members/"distributors". They often prey on people who are very vulnerable or lonely (i.e. new mothers, broke college students, people who just moved to a new town). They love-bomb the indoctrinated and often encourage their members to cut people out of their lives if they are skeptical, labelling them as "toxic" or "not supportive". This usually ends up leaving a lot of victims isolated with few outside connections to turn to. They typically have a (completely made up) hierarchy with labels that give "status", which motivate members to invest more time, money, and effort into climbing up the food chain. As for robbing them of their individuality, their online social presence is usually completely taken over by the sheer amount of advertising they are required to do to keep up sales/recruiting. They also have other things that encourage conformity: if it's a diet MLM, they all eat the same powders and vitamins. If it's a clothing MLM, they all wear the brand they sell. If it's a hair care MLM, they all wear stupid hats to cover their scalp burns and damaged hair. It can also be incredibly difficult to get out of an MLM, as it would be with any cult. Typically, members are scared of being labeled a failure or being ostracized by their friends within the MLM; there's a lot of love-bombing and social pressure to stay. Some have gone deep into financial hardship because of their involvement with MLMs and with no lifeline to the world outside of their company, many end up with nowhere to turn .

[@kellydalstok8900]

One of my daughter’s (formerly) close friends is totally engrossed in essential oils these days. She has a young child that possibly has developmental problems because of the weird diet, unscientific healthcare with essential oils instead of proven remedies, and a generally strange approach to child raising. She’s two years old, but still doesn’t sleep through the night. But the mother thinks that a toddler sleeping for five hours before waking counts as such. The friend also stopped coming to birthdays, even when she said a week before she would come.

[@asamanyworlds3772]

Yup thier been shows about

[@asamanyworlds3772]

Yup and they annoy to death junk after you told them no

[@jocelynegomez4401]

@@kellydalstok8900 hope this isn’t a case of munchausen. Or just negligence you should welfare check the baby make sure she’s ok. You hear so many scary things nowadays.

[@thatguy6104]

@@kellydalstok8900 i hope that by now you or someone else has called child protective services on her

[@larryonting]

"Maybe they just don't like you." LOL so hilarious! Thanks Dr. Lalich. Learned something important today.

[@LonnieLawless]

"Maybe they just don't like you." I love this woman, a true straight shooter.

[@bamallama]

My mom was in the people’s temple with my grandpa (her dad). They only survived because my grandmother wouldn’t let my mom go to Guyana, so my grandpa stayed behind with his daughter. Thank God!! They dodged a HUGE bullet.

[@iamanidiotbut5523]

What’s wrong with Guyana

[@tybrown7112]

They were all killed after they went to Guyana.

[@Fantastikitty]

A colleague of my dad and his father lost mother and sister to that and the younger brother ended up in prison for what happened there. I still remember how devastating it was to watch what happened there on the news. I think I was in fifth grade at the time so it's one of those weird formative memories. I am so glad your mom and grandfather didn't go.

[@ezfail]

@@iamanidiotbut5523 do you even know what the people's temple is if you dont know what the whole moving to guyana thing was? watch a documentary or something

[@KillerLettuce]

@@iamanidiotbut5523 It was where Jim Jones moved all his followers. Where they were all forced to commit suicide later on.

[@theseabundantskies]

"People really be letting themselves be brainwashed like that?" Man, it felt like she held an exasperated sigh when she read that.

[@squirrelcoom]

It's like telling an abuse victim "just don't let them touch you, you silly"

[@corriedebeer799]

You go up to a homeless person and ask them if they will listen to your sermon for a meal. See if they say no. These people target the weak and desperate. You will not see Scientology being defended on the veritas forum or the oxford debating society.

[@elmartell5724]

I escaped a religious/family cult (Southern Baptist extremists) the day after I turned eighteen with the help of my then boyfriend. We planned it for four months, and to this day I think it's probably the scariest thing I've ever done. I didn't sleep for that entire summer leading up to it. My dad desperately wanted to recreate his own Waco. The shelf broke the day he threatened to lock me in a closet until I turned eighteen, feed me nothing but bread and water, and dump me in downtown Portland alone, with nothing, on my eighteenth birthday. Having grown up socially isolated and homeschooled, we both knew that might just get me killed. They lost me forever that day.

[@normanwolfe7639]

Wow. Thats terrible. So proud of you for taking control back and getting out. Good for you!

[@elmartell5724]

@@normanwolfe7639 I needed to hear that today

[@normanwolfe7639]

@@elmartell5724 your so welcome. I was doubting if I should say that. I was thinking “why would they care if I was ‘proud’ of them. Glad I said it anyway 😁

[@elmartell5724]

@@normanwolfe7639

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

@@normanwolfe7639 you're* welcome

[@alittleoflolo]

It’s really obnoxious for people to judge those who get pulled into cults, especially cults of previous decades before technology was easily accessible. We also didn’t know much about cults, there wasn’t a lot of information. You can’t act like these people had all the same information that you do at the time they were lovebombed, that’s not fair. It’s also unfair to the children who were born into cults and didn’t choose that lifestyle. I had a friend who was a child when his parents were pulled into a cult, he didn’t like to talk about it but they got out & it scarred him for life - he was just a kid. Don’t be quick to judge.

[@cabinetofcuriosities5504]

It’s the “normal” person that is lured into a cult. The “leader” even teaches the followers that recruit what type of person to look for and how to read basic body language to pick the right people to bring into the cult. Homeless people aren’t bothered with because they’re seen as not contributing and mentally ill people are avoided because…. Well a cult can only have the 1 lead mentally ill person otherwise it’s like too many cooks in the kitchen lol.

[@valentinetexas]

the amount of stigma around cults is extremely concerning, people need to know the warning signs of cults and what to do if they, or someone they know, is in a cult

[@charlisestewart1031]

Or the stigma that people who were pulled into cults were/are weak-minded not saying that cults aren't bad they are but like Dr Janja Lailch said some cult leaders can start out having all this charisma and promises, that it's hard for people to not get sucked in.

[@MrCmon113]

@@charlisestewart1031 What a bunch of horseshit. What you call "charisma" is an obvious sign of someone trying to bs you. If you fall for that, you simply fail to do your due diligence as a rational actor. No one and nothing has "charisma" that can make you believe something that's obviously nonsense. It's your attitude towards tolerating nonsense that is the problem.

[@RAMONE1511]

A lot of people say that school shooters and mass shooters had hard lives, but I’ve had a hard life and never thought let me kill a bunch of people. Likewise I’ve suffered depression and been lost and still have never fallen for a cult. It’s not hard if you use your brain, and Google…

[@PetBunnyDebbie]

Someone asked what a cult is where the leader is a good person who doesn't take advantage of their cult members? The answer is simple. It's a cooperative or commune. So, NOT a cult.

[@GabrielGonzalez-un7rx]

@Ww Ww indeed. If it’s classified as “good” and looks out for the good of its followers and fosters good values, it’s called a religion. If it’s classified as “bad”, harms it’s followers, and fosters negative values, than it’s called a cult. That’s usually how most people interpret the word nowadays.

[@GabrielGonzalez-un7rx]

@Ww Ww yeah, but you have to remember, a word is just a sound we make with our mouths. What gives a word it’s power is the meaning that’s associated with it. When the word “cult” was created, it was originally a tent term to catch all religious beliefs. It had no bad connotations associated with it. But as the times change, so do meanings and connotations. The word “cult” is now closely associated with extremist or hostile organizations. So even if it’s not the original and official definition of the word, it is the new meaning that has now become linked with that word. Even if the oficial definition remains unchanged, it’s popular meaning is now something different:

[@avanguline]

@@Thelaretus What do you mean by that? How does a pope take advantage of you?

[@palatusgames8800]

@@avanguline in the back room

[@2oot151]

You can’t tell me they didn’t get a single question about Scientology. Not addressing the most prevalent modern cult seems odd.

[@safeforwork8546]

They didn't. All of the ones talking about scientology mysteriously were deleted and their authors committed suicide with a gunshot to the back of the head before this was uploaded /s

[@kellyalves756]

She did recommend the Master, which is basically a hit piece on L. Ron Hubbard. And I think the logic is, explain the behavior so that you can see how it applies to as many organizations as possible. Because think by now everyone knows there’s something sketchy about Scientology, it’s the cults you don’t know yet that are the most dangerous.

[@nicoledempsey3415]

This whole episode is absolutely "Watch a professional decimate scientology without naming scientology". FR tho its legal games, Scientology has the money to burn on anyone and anything in a courtroom. They're a capitalist's wet dream

[@t.castro4493]

It's a dangerous cult, people have been stalked for even criticising them.

[@yuribraga2575]

I watched a podcast with Dr. Lalich and when the host started a question about Scientology she said that she didn't talk about scientology. And she basically implied that she's scared of the backlash that comes with criticising them.

[@maryrosekent8223]

I had a friend who joined the Rajaneeshis with her boyfriend back in 1979 or 1980, and I still wonder what became of her and wish I could see her again.

[@Lewis_killed_my_uncle]

I recently watched a Netflix doc on the Rajaneeshis, it’s a really insane story. I hope your friend found her way

[@chevgage6210]

This content is both cathartic and deeply triggering for me. I was in a small, private cult for 10 years. So many of us have nameless experiences that never hit the mainstream and suffered in secret. It's important that content like this teaches other people what to look for and to help identify vulnerable people in a way to reach out to them before the cult does.

[@pinklion26]

Which cult?

[@kwonjin-ho2294]

​@@pinklion26 What part of "Small, private" and "Nameless experience" is foreign to you? You realize there's probably hundreds, no thousands of unnamed cults built on families right?

[@dreugh424]

​@@pinklion26 Try reading it again

[@gmmartines7331]

​@@dreugh424maybe you should try reading it again. She said many of the members are nameless as their cult hasn't reached mainstream audiences. How does that translate to "on a platform with over 2 billion users it is impossible that there would be one other person on this video specifically about cults that might have heard of the one I'm referring to". To be so sarcastic to a stranger who's not even speaking to you, you must be quite a miserable person.

[@spacefoo-zh6ph]

I was also forcibly indoctrinated into a mental health cult as a kid, it was framed as a self help workshop/definitely not an MLM. They would spend an entire weekend depriving you of sleep and verbally abusing you while sprinkling mental health buzzwords into their “certified coaches” speeches. I’m pretty sure there was at least two instances of people committing sujcjde afterwards.

[@romealwatson1635]

Interesting that she included some of the fitness groups a "cult-like". I've often thought about obsessive workouts and how it appears almost like another form of eating disorder. There doesn't seem to be much discussion around this, given how obsessed the US is about looks and figure. The coaches can definitely use that obsession to their advantage.

[@TheDoomSheep]

It's more than just the exercise part, it's the entire "wellness" industry. Some people in that industry start as or end up as celebrities and sell all sorts of garbage products and ideas to their loyal following. Think Goop or all of the natural supplements and remedies that are sold as cures for everything. Usually those things have a pretty charismatic person selling them and it's important that their products are backed by a version of wellness as an ideology so that customers reject other products like modern medicine that would actually help them and expose the scam.

[@AlexaFaie]

There is actually a condition which is called Compulsive Exercise which is classed as an eating disorder. Its not currently listed in the most recent DSM-V (but that was released in 2013 so is quite old now).

[@sintofg]

Highly restrictive dieting can be notorious with developing a disordered relationship with food. Similarly with exercise it’s so important to do your research and talk to your health provider before taking on intensive programs with either. I’ve grown up with my parents dieting most of my life and it basically made my mom not know how to moderate without restricting. Lately it has been paleo which to an extent is the least crazy ones I’ve heard of. But I remember slimfast, weightwatchers, noon and such.

[@4estdweller4ever]

Cults always involves shame. First they relieve your shame by love bombing you into conforming to whatever their criteria for being righteous is. Then when you fail the criteria in anyway they use group think to turn members against each other to abuse or abandon you adding an even more destructive layer of shame to the shame you started with. Very righteous of them, don’t you think?

[@CasualNotice]

Do you even lift, bro? /s

[@Ash-cz7jn]

I grew up in a cult for about 10 years and just recently left. It was an IFB church, which I've found are very good at pretending they're not cults. To the average person, it looks just like any Baptist church but once you're in and a member and "committed to the cause" that's when you realize what it is. Everyone in the cult was so afraid of the pastor, if anyone did anything at church or in their personal lives that he didn't agree with, you'd know about it the next Sunday. He constantly was passive aggressive, controlling, and downright mean. The church also claimed that if you didn't go to their select churches, you were still going to heaven, but you'd be less then them. They would get special privileges and honors that others wouldn't. One of them literally told my family we were under the power of the devil for trying to leave. I'm very glad we left. There was a lot of spiritual and mental abuse.

[@TheShows247]

What dies ifb stand for

[@Bongi344]

Ew

[@theasianjaywalker4455]

What is 'IFB'?

[@Abby-Abby]

@@theasianjaywalker4455 independent fundamentalist Baptist. I went to one of these as well.

[@tyrant-den884]

my aunt was in something like that.

[@italian_mami90]

I could listen to her talking for hours! 💕 I love the way she explain things, directly and easily understandable!

[@juanmirt340]

This lady should host a nextflix documentary series about cults.

[@camerokid78]

She did one for Hulu already

[@Bagel_Le_Stinky]

they should host a class for you because you can't even spell netflix

[@camerokid78]

@Anthony Lopez yeah it’s called Cults and Extreme Beliefs.

[@derekisludicrous9203]

@Anthony Lopez omg yas sissss get it queennn

[@LiamPorterFilms]

I think she was in the nxivm doc “seduced”

[@dbappio]

As someone currently trying leave a cult (held back by parents), I appreciate all the different point of view with all these questions

[@willemijnmadeleine7164]

Good luck! Wishing you all truth and strength ❤

[@lorisewsstuff1607]

Bless you. I hope you make it. Sending you warm thoughts.

[@stuartblittley3531]

wishing you luck! i hope you succeed.

[@dbappio]

thanks guys, my siblings are going through the same situation and we plan to break the truth to our parents once we all move out. i'm still in college, so once i graduate i should be on the right path to being financially stable for myself

[@dreugh424]

​@@dbappio Good for you guys. Power to you.

[@onebigchumptm4729]

Abusers use a lot of the same tactics and similar practices as cult leaders. I didn’t realize how bad some of my abusive exes we’re until I became fascinated by the topic of cults, and saw parallels between them and my exes. They both have a special way of making you feel bad for having an opinion, or a sense of individuality, or for disagreeing with them. They make you feel awful for doubting them, so that they can continue to take advantage of you. People who’ve never experienced that kind of shame for just being yourself, or thinking for yourself, will never understand.

[@alice4779]

I have friends in a cult, but they don’t believe that it is one. It’s so depressing to witness and feel so helpless as they give so much of their time, energy, and money to this organization that is so harmful to so many people.

[@lq6424]

Mormons I'm sure.

[@SaramarieMaldonado]

Can I ask what it’s called, because I think I might be in one but idk?

[@lq6424]

@SaramarieMaldonado three of the biggest ones are: Jehova Witnesses, Scientology, and the church of Jesus christ of later day saints (or mormons, or LDS church or FLDS).

[@Simon_Q]

Are they opus dei? Because I have a friend on that, and he doesn't believe so...

[@nikolai1326]

"Maybe your neighbors don't like you" Wired, you bring this woman back for a part two asap.

[@lynnclaywood4043]

The reason why anyone can be roped into a cult is because humans as a species are social and we all have a powerful desire to belong to a group. It can be our greatest strength and greatest weakness- in the case of cults, it gets taken advantage of.

[@tzu8093]

i love how she doesn't only talk about what happened to her and says "some people"

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Well unlike a lot of survivors she is qualified to speak beyond her experience due to her field of study.

[@dianauwu1312]

I hope she introduces herself to new people as "HI! I used to be in a cult!" honestly she's so charming and informative.

[@pbrfan7141]

I love your photo icon 🫶🏼🫶🏼🌈

[@abcdefg3315]

You seem to be in a cult yourself, hope you accept the truth one day.

[@m0L3ify]

It was so validating to hear her talk about cults in the wellness industry because ugh there are so many!

[@lucylucyinred]

"You're there to take care of them" "idealistic people who want to change the world" My lazy pessimistic self: ah I'm safe

[@kikilo9647]

Too lazy to be recruited 😂😂

[@babs3241]

Isn't another warning sign of cults the encouragement to break ties with anyone outside the cult, except in recruiting? As an outside, to me that would seem like the biggest red flag.

[@KiraNightshade]

I would think that's a strong possibility given that cults resemble abusive relationships on a larger scale.

[@lindseytallent2855]

That is another warning sign but again it doesn’t always happen

[@oceanaxim]

@@adamcraig1468 "Maybe they just don't like you."

[@thatgirlljay]

That would fall under what she called “systems of control” because it’s ultimately telling you what you can and cannot do thus controlling you.

[@rev.rachel]

Yep, and the pressure to stay in if you express any desire to leave.

[@suchnothing]

It's pretty dangerous to see cult members as crazy or stupid or dysfunctional, because it might lead you to believe that you can't fall victim to one. But anyone, no matter how smart, educated, or well adjusted, can get sucked into one.

[@lizzieborden9302]

We need more of her!!! This wasn't long enough! She's fascinating!

[@psychedbypat]

Agreed!

[@Mobferklopfer]

Totally, let's start a cult around her. Lol.

[@captainsavory]

I teach critical thinking in college and this video is golden. Definitely going to show it in lecture. Thank you!

[@DianeKovacs]

Thank you for teaching critical thinking.

[@captainsavory]

@Forest kingdom Yes. It's a core component of college English and Philosophy classes.

[@alalalala57]

@Topside’s Cinecade How to think critically?

[@DelphinusMAch1]

@Topside’s Cinecade English department would teach awareness and analysis of the purpose and bias of texts (eg maybe don’t trust infomercials as a source of information about a product). Philosophy would focus more on semi-formal reasoning tools such as logical fallacies, valid or invalid inferences (if something is a luxury, it’s expensive doesn’t imply all expensive things are luxuries). Philosophy can extend logic all the way to symbolic formal systems of logic, which are crucial to the foundations of modern math and computer science.

[@imho2278]

While you're about it, check out some dance groups for manipulation. West Coast Swing and some tango groups come to mind. There's a lot of groupthink, male domination, gender bias and serving the heirarchy.

[@ykshay]

As far as I know, the Jonestown massacre wasnt that simple. Some ppl actually tried to leave but most of them got shot (they had a rat on board). They made the kids drink first so the parents just wanted to end it anyway, and if someone didnt comply then they got injected with the stuff. If it wasn't for the fear instilled in ppl and these other things then probably a lot less ppl would have drank it. Apparently they had armed guards check if you drank it etc. It wasn't a mass suicide it was a massacre as far as I know. So they didn't just believe and do what they were told, they were also forced to, probably were forced to write those things in the book as well

[@Janellabelle]

This is my understanding as well. When the ended up there in Guyana without passports to leave...they were fxcked. I watched some people that survived speak about how hard they worked while at Jonestown...20 hour days of physical labor. They had to build their own city there, basically. Horrible massacre, imo.

[@kitm141]

100%. It was a massacre. A lot of his followers would have thought it was just another dry run, a test of loyalty like they had experienced before. Even those who were super into it changed their mind when they saw the deaths weren’t painless or peaceful. If anyone is interested in a really good podcast about Jonestown, I’d recommend the Last Podcast on the Left episodes. They talk about how Jim Jones started and the clips of Jones sermonising are absolutely haunting.

[@barrett7893]

Amen to that!

[@5tinygrapes]

Yeah. At most people believed it was "revolutionary suicide", they were made to believe the rest of the world was out to get them so they might as well go out on their own terms. But still that means that even the most ardent believers took their own lives reluctantly

[@finn_in_the_bin5263]

the founding of it wasn't either- a big part of why people followed Jones iirc was his preaching of equality and non-segregated churches. he was, while a monstrous human being and a manipulative abuser, *far* ahead of his time in terms of racial equality. not praising him, mind you- just saying why the people who believed in him at first were willing to follow him so far before finally breaking the spell.

[@marcomarcon5802]

"Most of them are probably sitting back and laughing at their followers." That really floored me! I always thought cult leaders were the first to believe their own narrative

[@donnaharris8722]

25 years ago my sister got involved in an independent church who said we were all demon possessed, including her husband. She got divorced, rejected us. Sent her kids to live with them. She wound up in a psych ward for 9 weeks.

[@donnaharris8722]

She has since acknowledged they were a cult.

[@oddjob914]

@@donnaharris8722 I’m so sorry to hear that. How is she doing today? Living a normal life I hope?

[@KRYoung_dev]

I don't think it's that cults were more prevalent in the past, but just that we are unaware of most of the cults happening now, because of course it takes time for those things to come to light.

[@ct5625]

I actually wonder if we've replaced the cults of past decades with the tribes of today? No doubt social media has allowed subcultures and our diversities to flourish and perhaps this gives people a more varied range of options for collectives to join. It was far harder for people to find a collective to belong to in the past, but now you can become a member of a group of people and find a community with nothing more than a hashtag.

[@everythingsalright1121]

The internet and its anonymity certainly helps cults

[@ellieg.9595]

Well that and there are cults that are given free reign because of “religious freedom” or that they don’t really think of them as cults. Take Mormonism for example (ex Mormon I know what I’m talking about) it checks nearly all the boxes of what classifies a cult but they don’t break laws so they’re ignored. The Kingston clan breaks laws and don’t care about breaking them, they force family members to wed another being a prime example. But since they’re based in Utah they’re largely ignored by local and state governments because of religious freedom.

[@itspowers9107]

@Ww Ww No. 7:35 9:11

[@JadetheGoober]

Unfortunately most cults don’t go away until a young white woman dies

[@jelliejelliefish]

Dr Janja is in almost every cult documentary I've ever watched. She's the coolest and so knowledgeable!

[@caitlynbaker]

I was born into a cult. My parents didn’t “escape” so much so that the cult fell apart when I was about 7. My parents are now divorced and my dad acknowledges that it was a cult but my mom hasn’t at all. I’m 30 and I’m still dealing with the mental scars of being brought up this way.

[@groofay]

What a fascinating video! Would have been interesting to see her dive a bit more into cult-adjacent things or organizations that have cult-like features like some MLMs, which were touched on, but it was neat to see her answer the questions so succinctly and thoughtfully.

[@grantdillon3420]

Or their considerably more cult-like cousin LGAT's

[@Belioyt]

@@grantdillon3420 what are LGATs?

[@sadakopilled]

mlm, men loving men?

[@kylelevin3823]

I think there's a podcast that does this - 'Sounds like a cult'

[@frolickinglions]

@@sadakopilled Multi-level marketing.

[@jonestowndixiecups782]

This is the best therapy I've had since abandoning the belief system I held for 3 years. Thank you so much. It's so lonely on the outside because you don't have anyone to relate to, and it's not like there's many therapists kicking around who specialise in treating someone who left a cult, nor are there any support groups. Usually I just crack jokes about me being stupid or crazy for ever believing anything like that... but it's lonely because no-one gets it. Thank you for helping me feel more normal. It's hard to understand the experience when it's over.

[@RadishTheFool]

I left a toxic family, which I've realised works very similarly to a cult. I found a wonderful community of people on reddit, and have found it so helpful to hang out there for a couple of years. Reddit as a whole can be incredibly vile, but subreddits can be heartwarming. I can't imagine there isn't one for former cult members as well. I hope you find a group of people who understand you and can support you.

[@Artemis-11235]

Good for you for getting out! We are all humans and people make mistakes. I was in a psychologically abusive relationship and it took me years to get out. I second duck's recommendation of looking on Reddit - lots of good people and resources there. Got any hobbies? Look for meetups or gatherings in your area - good way to make friends with people you have stuff in common with.

[@coffinpaws]

“cult leaders are generally pretty lazy, they want members with lots of money and connections who keep the show going” So basically working for a corporation

[@aviirose9743]

Just gotta say your photo is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@coffinpaws]

@@aviirose9743 hey thanks!!

[@AndysamBlack]

Beyond that, there are definitely corporation that are cultish. Nxivm is like a very extreme example of one actually being a cult and in general multilevel marketing companies all feel very cultish too Lol I wrote this before she answered the question about nxivm

[@maplelaugh420]

Those at the top generally aren't lazy and/or charismatic imo

[@Yamichou]

@@maplelaugh420 LOL I feel you, yo they're defo lazy tho, just ask HR, they like to "look busy" but they don't actually "do" anything... HR does EVERYTHING (yeah Charisma is pretty subjective- some banker had to be impressed enough by their Charisma to give them the loan to start to the company tho and we've all been "that charismatic guy" for a powerpoint presentation)

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Awesome, well-informed, sypathetic lecturer! I love that Dr. Lalich makes it very, very clear that _logically_ , cults are looking for well-functioning, productive people because one of the main purposes of the cult is really to allow the leader to do noting but a bit of speechifying and otherwise lazing around.

[@alex_deee]

"Hi, I'm Dr. Janja Lalich, I was once in a cult" when she said that in a cheery mood, I just burst out laughing

[@anxx5233]

But considering how she left her cult, it's kinda understandable lol. The way she explained it was just like disbanding a garage band

[@AnastasiaTalen]

I left a family cult, and it's nice to see more information getting out there, especially to remove the idea that all cults look like huge organizations of hundreds of people living on a compound etc.

[@LimegreenSnowstorm]

This is really useful, not just for identifying cults, but also for defining what is *not* a cult. I feel like the term “cult” can be used as an insult towards a group or religion without considering the implications of what that actually means.

[@ronewcombe2712]

I agree! Although her definition isn't complete agreed upon by many professionals as it lacks nuance. Not every cult has a leader necessarily. I've seen a lot of professionals use the BITE model, as it goes in to more specifics as to what a cult's actions actually look like.

[@MsSphinx91]

I think that only focusing on religion can also leave people vulnerable to secular cults because their guard is down.

[@agirlisnoone5953]

The word cult is DEFINITELY misused a lot.

[@Tracymmo]

@@agirlisnoone5953 so is gaslighting

[@chilliinsanity6898]

All religion is technically a cult.. by the very definition of the word....