Different people respond differently to the same group.
Controversial cults tend to be characterized by
control-oriented leadership that places high demands on members, expects
compliance, discourages questioning, isolates members from those who might
threaten the leader's control, and offers the carrot of a pseudo-elitism
to compensate for the members' submission to leadership.
Former members are often "gun-shy" about
churches or any organization.
Clergy need to be patient with ex-members' suspicions
and fears and offer a safe haven that the ex-member can use when and if
he/she wants.
Families who seek help about a child in a cult may have
good reason to be concerned and should not be dismissed as
"overprotective" parents.
Clergy should encourage families and ex-members to take
advantage of specialized resources, such as those ICSA provides.
Clergy should recognize that joining cults is often related
much more to psychological and social influence
factors than to an evaluation of a group's theology. They can help
families concerned about a loved one or people who have left cultic groups by
listening sympathetically and referring them to cult specialists. Clergy
can also be helpful in the recovery process of those ex-members who need to
re-orient themselves spiritually.
