Why am I interested in this topic ?
I am interested in cults as a social phenomenon : how they are created, how they function, how to help people who want to leave.
The words we use
Interestingly, the English language seems to use the word "cult" for high-control religious groups with often unusual practices, and the word "sect" for a subgroup of a religion or belief. The French language, however, uses "secte" for high-control groups and "culte" to refer to religious worship in general.
Why do some people create cults ?
People who create and lead cults gain something from it :
- Power
- Money
- Land ownership
- The possibility to enact sexual violence
How to help people leave
When people we love believe in things we find weird, unusual or frankly stupid, we are tempted to tell them in these terms. It is, however, a bad idea. Cults prey on vulnerable people and they keep them vulnerable. You need to approach them with empathy and support, without judgment.
This page is still under construction : more information will be added later.