Yes and no. We all go through periods in our lives when we’re emotionally vulnerable. For the barrier at the entry, it’s not necessarily true. Most cults seem ordinary at first; the deeper someone gets involved, the more specialized language and rules they have to follow, and the harder it can become to recognize how much their perspective has changed.
It’s like the familiar “boiling frog” comparison: the water doesn’t become dangerously hot all at once. The changes happen gradually, so each new demand or belief can seem like only a small step from the last. By the time the situation feels alarming, the person may already be deeply invested and accustomed to conditions they would once have rejected.
Some of us easily recognize the fed flags immediately, especially any kind of rule that isn’t an obvious solution to a real problem. Having a belief system for something is a red flag just by itself.
Yes and no. We all go through periods in our lives when we’re emotionally vulnerable. For the barrier at the entry, it’s not necessarily true. Most cults seem ordinary at first; the deeper someone gets involved, the more specialized language and rules they have to follow, and the harder it can become to recognize how much their perspective has changed.
It’s like the familiar “boiling frog” comparison: the water doesn’t become dangerously hot all at once. The changes happen gradually, so each new demand or belief can seem like only a small step from the last. By the time the situation feels alarming, the person may already be deeply invested and accustomed to conditions they would once have rejected.
This isn’t really a question of credulity at all.
Some of us easily recognize the fed flags immediately, especially any kind of rule that isn’t an obvious solution to a real problem. Having a belief system for something is a red flag just by itself.
A lot of people in cults believed they were better than that too. It’s even easier for them because they think they’re immune.