Activity

I could ramble on this topic for too long. It’s kind of a hobby. Cults are pretty easy to spot once they get past the phase of initial enrollment. Stepping into one from the outside, you can see the logical problems and self-delusion. But, early on, they usually have a mission that many of us would agree with, something about being inclusive, like Jim Jones, or about health and creativity, see “Holy Hell”, or achieving your dreams, as in any motivational speaker. The leader then gets drunk on the power, or realizes the mission is not achievable, or never wanted anything but your money, or some combination, so the impossible promises are made and the early adopters believe they can do it.

I think the “Holy Hell” movie is as good example, because the group stayed so small. You can see that if just a few dozen people work together, you can build houses, write and produce plays, and fund one person who might even have a few good ideas. That one person can spend their day coming up with new meditations and counseling people and generally scheming and at least creating an illusion that you are working toward something. It can be as good as the best set of friends you’ve ever had. Until someone sets the house on fire, David Koresh style.

“Wild, Wild Country” also gives you some great behind the scenes interviews of people who still keep the faith even after the guru gave up and ran away. Unfortunately that one started in India, so I don’t know what was the original draw. Maybe he was just capitalizing on the culture of India.