Cult leaders are either worshipped or greatly revered by their followers, as seen in the How to Become a Cult Leader series. — Netflix
SEARCHING for meaning in life, wanting to belong to a community of like-minded people, gullibility, and naivety. These are among the reasons some people find themselves in a cult, says Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist and psychologist Assoc Prof Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat.
“This is highly subjective and there are many reasons. Bear in mind that there may be people who unwittingly become part of the cult due to their ignorance, social or family grooming, or lack of understanding,” she says.
“The thing with cults is the nature and scope of grooming that works to develop blind belief and trust, despite irrefutable evidence that is denied, disbelieved, or ignored by members.”
A cult is defined as “a group with a particular and often dangerously fanatical ideology that has certain characteristics”. The term “cult” comes from the Latin word cultus, meaning “worship”. This is fitting as a cult essential is “a leader who is either worshipped or greatly revered by his/her followers”.
This cult leader is always charismatic and dynamic, with a playbook that may include brainwashing, emotional manipulation, and even sexual violence to attain "unconditional love, loyalty and power over his or her followers’ minds, bodies, and souls". Interestingly, most cult leaders are men.
Assoc Prof Dr Geshina says naivety and gullibility are among the factors that led people to cults.
Assoc Prof Geshina acknowledges that central to many cults is the belief in a divine element in certain individuals, like the cult leader.
“This blind belief and devoutness could cause harm to members and may continue to cause harm even after people leave the group.
“As the development of devoutness involves an entire psychosocial, language, and economic grooming process, the change into a healthier sense of self and being will need a lot of time and effort.
“Likely, members and supporters are not fully aware of the extent of manipulation, exploitation, abuse, and neglect that has been going on – especially if they were born and grew up in cult compounds,” she notes.
Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association president Musa Awang expounds on the gullibility and naivety of certain segments of society who find themselves involved in deviant teachings or cults. He says that, generally, from the aspect of deviant cults linked to false Islamic teachings, a community tends to embrace characters who appear to be well-mannered, habitually dressed in “Islamic” clothing, and good with words, especially in quoting Quranic verses, which he or she tends to manipulate.
“Their followers are those seeking an easy path to religious fulfilment. Some people are simply attracted to such individuals, so much so that they fail to look into the validity of the teachings.”
These are the traits that the founders of deviant teachings or cults take advantage of, Musa says.“These deviant gurus then begin to teach their followers religious practices that appear to be easier to carry out, like doing away with daily prayers. This attracts those seeking a ‘shortcut’ to heaven.”
Musa says some followers have professional backgrounds but, despite their education, do not possess a strong religious foundation to begin with.
“The involvement of professionals in deviant groups will become an ‘added value’ to the deviant teacher to promote his or her movement to potential followers in the future.”
In terms of supporting survivors of cults, Assoc Prof Dr Geshina says trauma psychology and helping someone recover from involvement in a cult is a specialised area.
“Many well-meaning people may want to help survivors but not all of them have the necessary training, resulting in worse outcomes in the long term.
“If a person is sincere in this area of specialisation, then he or she should get the correct credentials legally instead of offering services but not having the appropriate training.
“In my experience, some parents of traumatised children claim that they do not need help from professionals and will solve it the ‘family way’. Unless a family member has the necessary accreditation to carry out the recovery and intervention, the ‘family way’ is just an empty term with no real psychosocial support to aid the survivor’s recovery to normal functioning.”
Warning signs a person might be a cult victim: > Obsession with a particular individual and his or her leadership.
> Isolating from family members and friends who do not agree with the movement’s leader.
> Excessive secrecy, especially about group activities.
> Stark shift in behaviour and interests to ones that may not conform to mainstream values.
What can be done if a loved one joins a cult:> Educate yourself to understand more about the cult to ensure effective communication.
> Maintain communication and show empathy to prevent your loved one from distancing him or herself.
> Seek professional help and consider consulting with a mental health professional who specialises in cult behaviour.
> Engage with legal and the state religious authorities as they have the authority to investigate and take action against deviant groups.
Muslims can also seek help by contacting their respective state religious department that offers rehabilitation programmes for cult survivors.
