You’ve seen the documentaries. Maybe it was the wide-eyed followers of Heaven’s Gate or the horrifying accounts coming out of the FLDS compounds. We usually watch these from a distance, thinking, "I’d never do that." But that's a mistake. Most people don’t join a cult; they join a community that slowly, piece by piece, starts to look like a nightmare. When we talk about the bad things the cults do, we aren't just talking about the explosive endings like Jonestown. We’re talking about the systematic erosion of the human soul. It's a slow burn.
The Architecture of Isolation
Isolation isn't always about moving to a farm in rural Oregon. Sometimes it's psychological. The most effective bad things the cults do start with "love bombing." You walk into a meeting, and suddenly, you are the most important person in the room. Experts like Steven Hassan, who wrote The Cult of Preaching, describe this as a deliberate tactic to overwhelm your critical thinking with dopamine.
Once you're hooked, the walls go up. They don't tell you to stop talking to your mom right away. Instead, they suggest that your mom "doesn't understand your growth" or is "feeding your ego." It’s subtle. Eventually, your entire social circle consists of people who only value you based on your standing within the group. If you leave, you lose everyone. That is a terrifying lever to hold over a human being.
Financial Exploitation and "The Grind"
Money is usually at the center of it. Whether it’s the Church of Scientology’s expensive "Bridge to Total Freedom" or NXIVM’s high-priced executive success coaching, the financial drain is a hallmark. It’s often framed as an investment in yourself. They tell you that if you aren't willing to spend $5,000 on a weekend seminar, you don’t truly value your spiritual evolution.
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Take the case of the Ant Hill Kids. Roch Thériault didn't just demand money; he demanded total physical labor. Members worked until they were skeletal, all while Thériault lived in relative comfort. This isn't just about greed. It's about keeping people too tired to think. When you’re working twenty hours a day on "service" projects, your prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that handles logic—basically shuts down. You become a biological robot.
The Weaponization of Shame
Let’s talk about "auditing" or "confession." Many high-control groups require you to disclose your deepest secrets, often under the guise of healing. This is one of the most insidious bad things the cults do. Why? Because it’s blackmail material.
In NXIVM, this was formalized as "collateral." To get into the inner circles, women had to provide damaging photos or confessions that leader Keith Raniere could release if they ever tried to leave. Even in less extreme groups, the social pressure of having your flaws "brought to light" in front of the congregation is a powerful way to keep you compliant. You stop trusting your own judgment. You start believing that the group leader is the only one who can save you from your own "sinful" or "unproductive" nature.
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Physical Abuse and the Illusion of Discipline
It gets darker. Physical punishment is often rebranded as "discipline" or "cleansing." In the Twelve Tribes, child-rearing practices involve the frequent use of a "rod," justified by a specific interpretation of biblical texts. They aren't trying to be "evil." They genuinely believe they are saving the child's soul. That’s the scary part.
Roch Thériault performed "surgeries" on his followers with no medical training, often while he was intoxicated. He convinced them it was a spiritual necessity. When you’ve been isolated, sleep-deprived, and love-bombed for years, your reality shifts. You might even volunteer for the abuse. You think you deserve it.
The Psychological Aftermath
Leaving is just the beginning of the struggle. Many survivors deal with "complex PTSD" for decades. They struggle to make simple decisions, like what to eat for lunch, because the group made every decision for them for years. Janja Lalich, a professor and cult expert who was herself in a radical political cult, points out that the "re-entry" process is often more traumatic than the cult itself. You come out into a world that looks at you like a freak, with no money, no resume, and no friends.
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Spotting the Red Flags Early
If you think you're immune, you're the perfect target. Cults don't recruit "weak" people; they recruit idealistic people who want to make the world better. If you find yourself in a group where the leader is above criticism, or where you’re discouraged from talking to "outsiders," it’s time to run. Honestly, if it feels too good to be true, it’s probably a trap.
Watch out for:
- Leaders who claim to have "secret knowledge" you can't find elsewhere.
- Groups that demand you cut off "negative" family members.
- Organizations that have no financial transparency.
- Any group that makes you feel like you are "superior" to the rest of the world.
How to Help a Loved One
Don't argue. If you tell someone they're in a cult, they will dig in their heels. The group has already told them you would say that. Instead, be the "safe harbor." Maintain the connection. Remind them of who they were before they joined. When the cracks eventually start to show—and they always do—they need to know they have somewhere to go without being judged.
The reality of the bad things the cults do is that they thrive on the silence and the shame of the victims. By understanding the mechanics of control, we take away their power.
Actionable Steps for Safety and Awareness
- Verify Leadership Accountability: Before joining any high-commitment organization, check if there is an independent board of directors. If the leader has total control over finances and doctrine with no oversight, it's a red flag.
- Perform a "Communication Audit": If you feel a group is pressuring you to limit contact with non-members or "suppressive" people, test the boundaries. Intentionally spend time with an old friend. If the group reacts with anger or guilt-tripping, they are trying to isolate you.
- Research using the BITE Model: Created by Steven Hassan, this model looks at Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control. Score any suspicious group against these criteria to see how many boxes they check.
- Maintain Financial Independence: Never sign over your assets or bank account access to a group, regardless of the promised "spiritual" or "professional" returns. Genuine organizations do not require you to be destitute to be devoted.
- Trust Your "Ick" Factor: Physiological responses—like a pit in your stomach or sudden anxiety during a "teaching"—are often your subconscious recognizing manipulation before your conscious mind does. Do not ignore your body.