(Part 1) “The making of a Cult.”

By: Raven🌹

To understand how cults form, one must understand the narcissistic mind(s) behind the creation of a cult.

For a long time I have had this probing to understand how certain minds from disturbed individuals, can create such a stronghold over those that choose to follow them. I believe I arrived at this point in my curiosities, when confronting covert abuse and the cognitive dissonance it creates. At the cusp of walking away, is the idealization that meticulous and time consumed grooming, takes place.

I think of Vernon Wayne Howell, better known as (David Koresh), the creator and cult leader of the: Branch Davidians. I think of James Warren Jones, better known as (Jim Jones), the creator and cult leader of The People’s Temple. Marshall Herff Applewhite Jr., (Do), the co-founder of Heaven’s Gate cult. All of these people had one thing in common; the psychotic ability to utilize “charm” (manipulation) long enough, on a psychological level, so even when they did not believe in what they were saying, their followers would. This manipulation came in the form of physical looks, vocal tone, charismatic persuasion, isolation, reward and punishment, repetition, word salad, lies, etc.

These cult leaders narrowed in on the weaknesses and fears of their followers, and were able to cast their hooks. They all focused on prevalent injustices and used those societal problems as a way to drill into people their need for justice and to be alleviated from the oppression it caused, whilst not understanding that their oppressors were their revered cult leaders. One thing that stands out to me, is how the human mind is designed to need a director, a leader, to show them how to walk about, in life. We are governed by rules, and whether we would like to admit it or not, we feel safe where there is an actual director over our freedom, and we are not left to our own devices. Similar to the way a child feels safe, even subconsciously, because there are rules over their lives, which means, direction, safety and order (or, should be). At the very foundation of a cult, is the genuine original hope of the people, of having a better and more fulfilled life. This goes for romantic relationships that operate in covert abuse, as well. No one joins a cult, (by definition), believing it is actually against them. No one gets into a relationship hoping it will break them.

Part 1