Have you ever lived in a geographical cult area?

@ArishMell Yes! A cult tries to control others around it, too, trying to entice others in, so those who have no interest are loathed. Cults rule from fear, or a joined hatred. Not unlike neo nazis and other violent social or religious political zealots who want to run the world, and must be homogenous in nature. Many religious zealots have no clue how hate-filled and controlling they are, and want to take away the rights of others while still maintaining their own.

Like, "just give us your life and choices, and nobody gets hurt"! Sick.

@FlowersNButterflies That's an interesting point, their ignorance of their own attitudes.

I'd not spotted that but it chimes with what we now see as the main attribute of a lot of "coercive and controlling behaviour". I use the quote marks because the clause is the legal term for that offence under UK law; aimed originally at domestic abuse, usually by one spouse of the other, and of any form not just physical.

I suppose they become so wrapped in being "right" they become unable to see beyond the wall they build around themselves.

Perhaps also fear - not just of each other and of their central leader (e.g. Scientology) or committee (e.g. the JWs), but also of outsiders.

@nevergiveup

@FlowersNButterflies was raised pentecostal! Omg it's like high octane crazy. The ones I was exposed to weren't snake handlers but close. I distinctly remember being impressed as a child by a very large woman who leapt from floor to standing on a chair, waving her arms, screeching in gibberish. Her arms were very flappy and her jowls kind of shook and she was wearing a mumu.

They taught me literal demons were vying for my soul. It was terrifying to be a little kid and trying to avoid "listening to the devil" asking me questions about God that I'd ask about Santa.

Very intense stuff. I used to lay awake thinking of ways the devil was trying to trick me and drag me to literal hell. I feel a little sick thinking about how tired I was in school and looking back on it my worrying all night probably made my behavior problems (crying, being disruptive, having a hard time understanding instructions) much worse too.

And of course those behavior problems were because of the devil so they had to beat it out of me.

@Doomflower That is severe child abuse! I am sorry you grew up that way. Are you okay now?

@FlowersNButterflies I think so

@sspec But was it a cult?