Cults are defined as social groups defined by unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by a common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. Cults are not necessarily easily identified or recognised and most people caught up in cults do not recognise this themselves – often for many years. People who are caught in a cult can be supported if you continue to remain in contact with them while remaining independent of the cult until they have managed to leave the cult. At this time they will need more support and understanding and often require extensive therapy.
- To better understand cults, this podcast interview with conversation with Tara Westover outlines growing up in a radical Mormon survivalist family in Australia (The Family founded by Anne Hamilton-Byrne).
- To help people who want to leave or may have left a cult, this website may be useful and this podcast interview with Megan Phelps by Richard Fidler from Conversations outlines the strain and challenge of leaving the Westboro Baptist Church.
- This podcast interview illustrates how people pleasing behaviour can lead to being enticed into a cult.
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