Why do cults not leave new recruits alone?

Answer 1

Cults hate the idea of family/friends being able to influence the minds of new recruits before they have been thoroughly indoctrinated.

In the beginning stages, cults may recruit people through "neutral agencies." These groups are not *directly* affiliated with the cult and stand for causes that most would deem admirable (women's rights, honesty in psychiatric medicine, world peace, etc.). This gives the chance for slick salespeople to gain a relationship with potential recruits and show them firsthand all of the positive things that the cult is responsible for.

Cults don't have to be the frightening institutions that you have seen in the media. Many of them hijack the philosophies of mainstream religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism while others pretend to be self-help organizations. Because of this reason, it is always important to research your place of worship. Cult leaders can range from gurus to pastors.

After a new member is recruited to a cult, s/he will learn that life in the organization isn't what it was cracked up to be. Possible risks of joining a cult include financial fraud, physical assault, exploitation, isolation, and even death. The testimonies of "ex-members" are said by the hierarchy to be invalid (these members will be referred to as "apostates.")

I would love to give you a list of known cults, but some of these institutions are tenacious. They have lawyers, and send operatives to search the net for anyone speaking ill of them. As a final note, all "counter-cult" websites/organizations cannot be trusted; some of them consider *every* new religious movement (NRM) to be a cult.