Letters to the Editor
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Born yesterday
I find the 'investigative' tone of this article odd. Was the writer born yesterday? The wonderment with which classic brainwashing and cult techniques are described suggests it hasn't all been done, and documented, a thousand times before. Cutting off from your family and old life, having sex with the leader, intense competition and strife fostered among the followers as they compete for the fickle favour of the leader ... this is all as old as the hills.
There will always be people who want to give up responsibility for their own lives and cede it to another. Fortunately for these people there will always be those willing to take the job of 'glorious leader' on.
All I can think of to change this is to have cults and cult techniques studied in school, along with the other hallmarks of any abusive relationship. eg inconsistent reinforcement. Then, hopefully, people will at least be aware of what they're doing and what's in it for everyone when they willingly allow themselves to be exploited like this.