I think "biting the dirt" probably means that they were down on their luck? Can someone clarify this?
But actually, most people who follow a cult are either middle class or upper middle class. They usually have above average intelligence, too.
They are people who are in 'transition' periods in their life and are looking for answers. Cults can be appealing, because they appear to provide a safe, cosy environment where everyone is happy and everyone has a common purpose.
It's only a outward appearance, though. Cults are really about distorted power relations, where typically one person exploits other people for money, free labour, sex and worship. Once inside a cult, it can be difficult to see the warped power relations, because it's hard to stand outside your own experience and be objective.
It probably feels all wrong, but how can it be? Because everyone around you appears happy. If you are not happy then, you must need to try harder. Hence, a repetitive cycle of going ever deeper into the cult is set up.
Psychological traps are the hardest to escape from. Just look at how women in abusive relationships manage to justify staying for years and years. It's a psychological thing. It becomes your very identity, unfortunately.
You don't see yourself as existing outside the cult. It seems impossible,
But actually, most people who follow a cult are either middle class or upper middle class. They usually have above average intelligence, too.
They are people who are in 'transition' periods in their life and are looking for answers. Cults can be appealing, because they appear to provide a safe, cosy environment where everyone is happy and everyone has a common purpose.
It's only a outward appearance, though. Cults are really about distorted power relations, where typically one person exploits other people for money, free labour, sex and worship. Once inside a cult, it can be difficult to see the warped power relations, because it's hard to stand outside your own experience and be objective.
It probably feels all wrong, but how can it be? Because everyone around you appears happy. If you are not happy then, you must need to try harder. Hence, a repetitive cycle of going ever deeper into the cult is set up.
Psychological traps are the hardest to escape from. Just look at how women in abusive relationships manage to justify staying for years and years. It's a psychological thing. It becomes your very identity, unfortunately.
You don't see yourself as existing outside the cult. It seems impossible,