'You're sold a lie': How do you spot a cult?

Cults are groups that can be very hard to recognize, and many people do not realize they are in one until it is too late. Gillie Jenkinson, a psychotherapist, knows this all too well. In her twenties, she spent seven years in a religious cult. She remembers how the group controlled every part of her life, from what she ate and wore to when she slept. She even gave all her money to the group, believing it would help their mission to 'save the world. ' But after leaving, she realized that none of those promises were true. She says, 'You're sold a lie. ' When Gillie left the cult, she wanted to talk to someone who understood what she had been through, but she could not find any therapists who specialized in helping cult survivors. This inspired her to become a therapist herself, and for the past 30 years, she has helped many people who have left cults, including former members of the Jesus Army, a different religious cult.

Gillie’s work was featured in a BBC documentary, where she helps people who grew up in a cult understand what happened to them. The documentary also talks about serious problems in the group, like child abuse. The Jesus Army disbanded in 2019, and the people who managed the group later apologized for the harm they caused. Gillie explains that cults are not always easy to spot. There is no single type of person who joins a cult, and cult members do not always look or dress differently. Sometimes, cults meet in regular houses and seem normal from the outside. The Family Survival Trust, a charity that helps people affected by cults, says a cult is a group led by a charismatic and strict leader who controls the group with a set of fixed beliefs. The leader uses brainwashing to isolate and control the members. Cults are not always religious; they can be about anything, like ideas or even hobbies.

Amanda Montell, a linguist and author, says that cults can form around almost anything if the leader creates fear and an 'us-versus-them' feeling. She also points out that many cults now recruit people online, making it easier for them to find new members. There are some warning signs that a group might be a cult. One is 'love bombing,' where new members are showered with affection and attention to make them feel special and wanted. Another sign is when the group claims to have all the answers to big, complicated problems. Cults often use special language, mantras, or nicknames for people inside and outside the group, and they may discourage questions or make certain information off-limits. The most extreme sign of a cult is when it is very hard to leave, and members are made to feel they will lose their identity, friends, or even face threats if they try to go.

If you think you might be in a cult, Gillie advises you to trust your instincts and do some research about the group online. She warns families not to give money to the group, as it probably will not help their loved one. Instead, she encourages friends and family to keep in touch and ask thoughtful questions. Gillie believes that people who leave cults need more support and understanding. She says there should be special counseling available for them in the health system, and that the law should be changed to protect people from the kind of control that happens in cults. Right now, the law in England and Wales only covers coercive control in families or couples, but Gillie wants it to include groups like cults as well. The government says cult leaders can already be prosecuted for crimes like fraud or harassment. If you or someone you know needs help, there are organizations that offer support for people affected by cults. You can also watch the BBC documentary to learn more about what it is like to be in a cult and how to get help.