4 ways 'religious' leaders brainwash followers

Things to know about the psychology of cults

Piece by: MILLICENT ATIENO
Lifestyle

• Cults may seem attractive because they show and promote an illusion of comfort.

COURTESY

cult following refers to a group of fans who are highly dedicated to some person by following whatever their leader says and this has been witnessed in Kenya recently after everything that has been going on about " Pastor" Paul Mackenzie.

He allegedly brainwashed his followers and congregants by instructing them to starve themselves to death in order to "meet Jesus". I know you might wonder how hundreds of people would decide to fall into such traps.

These people may use flattery and seduction, in the beginning, to lure members in, but later turn to mistreatment or abuse either sexual, physical, or mental to maintain control.

Obviously, not all intense love turns into abuse, but most abuse starts out as intense love. It should be alarming if a partner or leader of a group tries to cut you off from everyone you know and love.

Below are some ways in which the so-called religious leaders use to lure people into their traps;

1. Mind Control

Mind control is the secret weapon used by religious cults to control their followers.

And by this, they'll be able to know how you think and therefore identify ways of manipulation they can use against you.

2. Influencing  your mind

Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life since you told them everything that has been happening in your life.

3. Love bombing

The new recruits are showered with attention which expands to affection and then often grows into a credible stimulation of love.

 This is the courtship phase of the recruitment ritual where you are complemented and seduced in order to train their brains to associate the cult with love and acceptance.

4. They mainly go for women

 Women are vulnerable making them easy to manipulate,  in that they can tell all their problems to a stranger compared to men who keep most issues to themselves and that's how they get exploited by the cultic leaders.

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